Wednesday Volume 527 27 April 2011 No. 148

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Wednesday 27 April 2011

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2011 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Parliamentary Click-Use Licence, available online through The National Archives website at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/information-management/our-services/parliamentary-licence-information.htm Enquiries to The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU; e-mail: [email protected] 155 27 APRIL 2011 156

recently awarded under the Department for Work and House of Commons Pensions Work programme will go to organisations from the voluntary and charitable sector. We believe Wednesday 27 April 2011 that that will be worth in excess of £100 million a year.

The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con): Will the Minister take this opportunity to name and shame those Government Departments that are doing well in PRAYERS opening up to small businesses and those that are currently doing less well?

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair] Mr Maude: I certainly do not want to shame the ones that are doing well. We have found a number of examples of procurement processes that are not meeting the new Oral Answers to Questions requirements. For example, Durham police recently issued an invitation to tender for a £50,000 leadership training contract. The pre-qualification questionnaire alone was 38 pages long and contained a request for 163 separate CABINET OFFICE items of information plus a security vetting form. That is unacceptable, because it causes many smaller businesses The Minister for the Cabinet Office was asked— to lose the will to live, and they simply do not apply.

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con): I am the former owner of a small business supplying products to the public 1. Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): What steps he is sector. When applying to be added to a new tender list, I taking to increase access to Government contracts for was often frustrated by the amount of red tape required. small and medium-sized enterprises. [52583] Will the Minister confirm that in future fewer company policies and statements will need to be provided to 6. Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con): What participate in the tendering process? steps he is taking to increase access to Government contracts for small and medium-sized enterprises. Mr Maude: We want to strip away all that nonsense. [52588] Under the last Government, there were 6,000 pages of guidance for some kinds of procurements. It is not 7. Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con): What steps he is surprising that smaller businesses just did not bother to taking to increase access to Government contracts for apply; they knew that they were going to be excluded. small and medium-sized enterprises. [52589] There were turnover requirements and requirements for a track record of doing exactly that kind of work. The 8. Amber Rudd (Hastings and Rye) (Con): What steps truth is that that is very bad for small businesses and we he is taking to increase access to Government contracts want to make things much better. for small and medium-sized enterprises. [52590] Amber Rudd (Hastings and Rye) (Con): During a The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster recent meeting, small and medium-sized enterprises in General (Mr Francis Maude): On 11 February, the Prime Hastings raised with me the difficulties not just of the Minister and I announced a package of measures, paperwork, but of getting the capital requirements in including launching our Contracts Finder website, this climate for procurement contracts with the Government. eliminating burdensome and unnecessary pre-qualification Will the Minister reassure us that that aspect will also requirements from the procurement process, and introducing be considered, as we try to make it easier for small and new ways to allow small and medium-sized enterprises medium-sized enterprises to engage with the Government? to challenge contract procedures when they operate in a way that makes life difficult for them. In addition, from the end of April, all Departments will be required to Mr Maude: My hon. Friend makes a good point. We publish a set of specific, targeted actions to increase are concerned that the working capital requirements their business with SMEs. should be proportionate and sensible and that the turnover requirements should be proportionate to the needs of Robert Halfon: Will the Minister set out what steps he the contract. All ridiculous requirements such as those is taking to increase access to public contracts for that existed under the old regime—for example, always smaller, grass-roots charities as well? Does he agree that requiring three years of audited accounts, which for the big society to work properly, we need to build automatically excluded huge numbers of new and innovative the little society too? businesses—will be swept away.

Mr Maude: My hon. Friend makes the point very Mr Denis MacShane (Rotherham) (Lab): Does the well. All the measures that we are taking to enable small Minister accept the macro-problem? In south Yorkshire, and medium-sized businesses to participate more fully a large number of private sector enterprises depend in in Government contracts will, of course, apply to the whole or in part on public sector contracts. So much voluntary and charitable sector as well. Indeed, it is demand is being taken out of the economy, because of estimated that 35% to 40% of the value of the contracts the deficit reduction plans, that such businesses face 157 Oral Answers27 APRIL 2011 Oral Answers 158 serious challenges. Does he accept that small enterprises “Conservatives can win the poverty debate but not if face a real problem because of his Government’s macro- the Big Society is our message”? Is the big society more economic policy? accurately described as a label for a collection of policies rather than a policy itself? Mr Maude: I acknowledge that there is a problem—and it is one caused by the Government of whom the right Mr Speaker: I hope that the Minister will answer with hon. Gentleman was a member and supported. They particular reference to private sector applications and left Britain with the biggest budget deficit in the developed the big society bank. world. I am waiting for the right hon. Gentleman to apologise for that; that would be timely. Mr Letwin: I am grateful for that guidance, Mr Speaker. My hon. Friend is right to point out that the big Tessa Jowell (Dulwich and West Norwood) (Lab): In society is an idea with a very wide application. The big looking at an increased role for small and medium-sized society bank is a fund that will have a very wide application, businesses, will the Minister let the House know when because we believe it is extremely important that it his Department will publish the public services reform should be able to foster all sorts of voluntary and White Paper? It was commissioned last October to be community enterprise which, in one way or another, published early in the new year. January became February, enormously support the alleviation of poverty—the and the Prime Minister said that it was only two weeks subject of the article to which he refers. away. Two weeks have become more than two months and there is still no sign of the White Paper. Is that the Jon Trickett (Hemsworth) (Lab): The idea of such a Government’s biggest pause, or have they just given up bank to help to develop the centre of civil society is a on public services? good one, but effective government requires a mix of big ideas and getting the details right. In this connection, Mr Maude: I am thrilled that the right hon. Lady is has the Minister seen today’s report by the National waiting for the document with such obvious excitement, Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, which and I can assure her that it will be well worth waiting suggests that if the big society bank lends purely on for. This Government are committed to breaking up the commercial terms, it will be old public sector monopolies and providing diversity, “failing to support those that it is set up to support”? particularly with the growth of public service mutuals. What can he say to ensure that the lofty rhetoric of the The document will be published later this summer, and big society bank does not founder on the rock of I can promise her that she will be delighted with it. inadequate administrative detail?

Big Society Bank Mr Letwin: The hon. Gentleman is of course right to say that the big society bank could not operate as it is 2. Lindsay Roy (Glenrothes) (Lab): Whether private intended to operate if it were lending, or investing, on sector organisations will be able to make applications purely commercial terms. It will have what is often to the big society bank. [52584] described as a double bottom line: it will seek to achieve the highest possible social returns alongside reasonable The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Mr Oliver financial returns. Indeed, part of the point of the big Letwin): The big society bank will provide finance for society bank is to show that there is no conflict between the voluntary and community sector through funds to achieving high social returns and achieving modest but social lenders and investors. It will provide funds only reasonable financial returns. to bodies that are onward lending or investing in the Big Society voluntary and community sector, charities and community groups. 3. Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): What recent representations his Department has received on Lindsay Roy: I thank the Minister for his response. In the big society initiative. [52585] the light of that, can he please indicate how the bank will define social enterprise, as currently there is not a The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr Nick legal definition? How will he ensure that all social Hurd): I am delighted to assure the hon. Lady that the enterprises have access to funding but that no organisation Cabinet Office receives many representations on the big that exists for private profit has such access? society from a wide range of individuals and organisations, not least many colleagues on both sides of the House Mr Letwin: Social enterprises can take a wide range who have accepted our invitation to bring in representatives of different forms, but the common feature is that they from their local voluntary and community organisations. do not seek to make a profit for shareholders. I think there is a widely understood definition of voluntary and Helen Goodman: I do not know whether the Minister community sector groups, and the big society bank will ever gets representations from voluntary sector organisations be organised in such a way that it can identify those and that fold. The organisation that I used to work for make sure that the funds that it is providing to social folded a few weeks ago. Will he admit that that is investors and social lenders go only to those groups. because the cuts are too deep and too fast, and the transitional fund is too little and too late? Mr Bernard Jenkin (Harwich and North Essex) (Con): May I commend the intellectual ideas behind the whole Mr Hurd: I am obviously sorry to hear about the fate concept of the big society? May I also commend to my of the organisation that the hon. Lady used to work for. right hon. Friend an article by Tim Montgomerie that She will know that in reality the sector cannot be appeared on ConservativeHome earlier this week entitled, immune from the necessary cuts in public expenditure, 159 Oral Answers27 APRIL 2011 Oral Answers 160 and I do not think it would have been immune under a Mr Hurd: Again, I am sorry to hear that that organisation Labour Government. The Government have tried to is in difficulty.I am more than happy to meet representatives give the sector maximum support through this difficult from the community to discuss it. The transition fund period. The transition fund—£100 million of taxpayers’ has been made available to help organisations in difficulty. money; serious money in this context—is there to help I point out to the hon. Lady that many of the funding organisations that are in a hole. decisions and cuts are local decisions, and that many councils across the country are taking a positive approach Roberta Blackman-Woods (City of Durham) (Lab): by maintaining or even increasing spending on the local Yesterday, Ed Cox, the director of the Institute for voluntary and community sector. Public Policy Research North, said: Paul Flynn: Cutting charities reduces our ability to “Our research shows that the Big Society will not be fair to the help one another and undermines the structures of North without changes to government support for philanthropy neighbourliness that form our big society. That is the and charitable giving. Good will is beginning to wear thin as opinion of the chair of the Charity Commission, who people in the voluntary and community sector try to deal with budget cuts, and organisations in the North cannot turn to big knows about these things. Is not the Government’s big corporate or high value donors to make up the gap”. society a big confidence trick? What is the Minister doing to ensure that the big society Mr Hurd: Absolutely not. The hon. Gentleman has does not usher in further unfairness and exacerbate the been around enough to know that the size of the deficit north-south divide? means that the sector, which receives almost £13 billion a year of taxpayers’ money, cannot be immune from the Mr Hurd: I understand the hon. Lady’s point. I refer reduction in public spending, and that it would not have her to the geographical spread of successful applications been immune, as the Opposition have admitted, under to the transition fund, with which we are pleased. She the ghastly scenario of a Labour Government. We have mentioned the need for further incentives for giving in to be realistic about that. We are trying to minimise the this country. I refer her to what was an extremely short-term damage through initiatives such as the transition helpful Budget in that context, which had a major fund, and to create the building blocks for a better initiative to encourage giving through inheritance tax future for the sector, not least through more incentives and a substantial reform of gift aid to make it easier for for giving and more opportunities for it to deliver public smaller charities to receive it on smaller donations. The services. Government are working extremely hard to make this difficult period of transition as easy as possible for Big Society Bank charities. 5. Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con): When he expects the first payments from the big society bank Public Expenditure Reductions to be made. [52587]

4. Mrs Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab): What 11. Jack Lopresti (Filton and Bradley Stoke) (Con): recent estimate he has made of the number of charities When he expects the first payments from the big society and voluntary sector organisations that will be affected bank to be made. [52593] by reductions in public expenditure in the next The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Mr Oliver 12 months. [52586] Letwin): The first payments will be made in the next few months. The exact timing and amounts will be decided 9. Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): What recent by the Reclaim Fund once it has assessed the amounts estimate he has made of the likely change in the that it has received from the banks and the amounts number of jobs in the voluntary sector as a result of that are likely to be reclaimed from depositors. reductions in public expenditure in the next 12 months. [52591] Nadhim Zahawi: We hear constantly from businesses and social enterprises that high street banks are unwilling to back innovative or new ventures. How will the The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr Nick Government ensure that the big society bank is different Hurd): Unfortunately, the sector cannot be immune and that it assesses applications in such a way that it from cuts, for reasons that have been explained. That does not exclude start-ups and innovative organisations would have been exactly the same under a Labour in favour of only the established players in the social Government. We are trying to help the sector to manage enterprise and charities sector? a difficult transition, while shaping what we believe are significant opportunities for the sector, not least in Mr Letwin: My hon. Friend is absolutely right to terms of more public service delivery. draw attention to that issue. The whole point about the big society bank, as I tried to indicate to the hon. Mrs Glindon: Since the late 1980s, Wallsend people’s Member for Hemsworth (Jon Trickett) a moment or centre has helped hundreds of unemployed and two ago, is that it will be entirely different from a disadvantaged people in North Tyneside to gain the commercial bank. It will be set up precisely to achieve necessary skills to get to work. In the past year, it has social return as much as commercial return. The other lost more than £450,000 through cuts to Government vital point is that it will operate through social lenders grants. Four experienced support workers will now lose and investors already in the marketplace, so it should be their jobs. Will the Minister meet me to discuss the able to reach out to the smallest community and voluntary communication he has received from the people’s centre groups and not just be restricted to the large groups that about its plight, to which he has not yet replied? also play an important role. 161 Oral Answers27 APRIL 2011 Oral Answers 162

Jack Lopresti: Is the latest estimate of money to be Mr Speaker: Order. I am bound to say that it is very raised from dormant bank accounts still £400 million, difficult even for me to hear what the Minister is saying. and what progress has been made in securing an additional As a consequence, I feel sorely under-nourished. The £200 million from the UK’s largest banks? situation is unsatisfactory.

Mr Letwin: Yes, the estimated amount to be raised Andrew Selous: Given the evidence that productivity from dormant accounts remains at £400 million. The and efficiency increase dramatically when staff are given Reclaim Fund will now assess the exact amount that it a role in shaping services, is not the scaremongering can release in the first year, and the current estimate is about the proposals on mutuals unhelpful to users, somewhere between £60 million and £100 million. Then taxpayers and the staff concerned? there are, of course, the negotiations that my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster Mr Maude: Anyone who visits the pathfinder mutuals, General is having with the four main lending banks that talks to the staff—now co-owners—of those organisations were party to the Merlin agreement about another and sees the excitement with which they are pursuing £200 million of funding. Altogether, there should be a their new vocation will give up on the scaremongering. considerable amount of funding coming through this This is a profoundly important movement that should year and in following years. command support from throughout the House.

Hazel Blears (Salford and Eccles) (Lab): The NESTA Topical Questions report referred to earlier by my hon. Friend the Member for Hemsworth (Jon Trickett) stated that the big society bank T1. [52598] Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): If “should not expect to achieve commercial returns on all its he will make a statement on his departmental investments”. responsibilities. By far the majority of demand for capital is for soft capital and patient capital. Why, after two months of The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster intense talks between the banks and the Treasury, do we General (Mr Francis Maude): I have overall responsibility still not have an agreement? The banks are saying that for the work of the Cabinet Office, while the Deputy they want commercial returns. Will the Minister confirm Prime Minister has specific responsibility for the today that the big society bank will not be about commercial Government’s programme of political and constitutional returns for the banks but about genuine support for reform. social and community enterprises? Mr Bone: Last week on the doorstep in Wellingborough, Mr Letwin: The right hon. Lady is confusing two the hot issue was the responsibility of the Cabinet levels of lending and investment. There is the question Office for implementing constitutional reform. Why is it of what the big society bank demands of the investments that, under the alternative vote, British National party that it makes, and as I have said, that will be both a votes and Socialist Workers party votes in my constituency social return and a modest financial return, but not the would be counted twice, but Tory votes would be counted type of commercial return that one might make with a only once? hedge fund or in another such way. Then there is the relationship between the big society bank and the main Mr Maude: My hon. Friend makes a powerful point. commercial banks that are party to the Merlin agreement. That is no doubt why, I gather, rather more than half of My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Labour MPs now support first past the post. Office and Paymaster General is currently discussing the exact terms on which that investment will be made. T3. [52600] Teresa Pearce (Erith and Thamesmead) (Lab): It will have to be compatible with social objectives and Staff at My Civil Service Pension are concerned that the social returns that the big society bank is intended plans to turn the organisation into a mutual are a step to make. towards privatisation. The Minister said in a meeting with union representatives in March that he would not Public Sector Mutuals act without the broad consent of the work force. Will he tell us how he has consulted those staff and whether 10. Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire) (Con): he yet has that consent? What recent progress his Department has made on establishing public sector mutuals. [52592] Mr Maude: We are moving down the path of freeing up My Civil Service Pension so that it can administer in The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster the most efficient way civil service pensions to the General (Mr Francis Maude): In August last year, we 1.5 million members who are dependent on them. We launched a pathfinder programme of 21 groups of are exploring different ways in which that might be public sector workers setting up mutuals with the help configured, but crucially, employees will have a meaningful of mentors. In addition, millions of public sector employees stake in that entity going forward. will be given rights to provide public services as mutuals, such as those recently announced in the national health T2. [52599] Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con): service. That will free up public sector workers to innovate Fifty business leaders have got together to offer free and provide better and more efficient services. We have mentoring advice to small and new business start-ups committed to funding a £10 million support programme in my constituency. Will the big society Minister meet to help such new organisations get off the ground. me to see how we can roll out that initiative beyond [Interruption.] north Yorkshire? 163 Oral Answers27 APRIL 2011 Oral Answers 164

The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr Nick coming to Lincoln, and that my hon. Friend is taking Hurd): The short answer is yes. More than ever, the such an active interest in such positive opportunities for country needs to get behind its entrepreneurs. My hon. young people in his constituency. Friend’s local initiative sounds like an excellent one, and I would be delighted to meet him—[Interruption.] T8. [52605] Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): What estimate have Ministers made of the cost of the VAT Mr Speaker: Order. There is far too much noise and increase to charities? far too many private conversations are taking place in the Chamber. Mr Hurd: VAT issues are obviously a matter for the Treasury, and I would refer that question to Treasury T5. [52602] John Mann (Bassetlaw) (Lab): Which Cabinet Ministers. As the hon. Gentleman knows—he is a former Office conferencing, translation and interpreting services Minister—that is a long-standing issue for the sector. have not been put out to tender for small businesses to He will also be aware of a number of initiatives to look win, and why not? at how we can make the VAT regime more helpful.

Mr Maude: I have not the slightest idea, but I shall T9. [52606] Richard Fuller (Bedford) (Con): Will the find out. Minister relax regulations on investments by foundations and trusts to empower them fully to support innovations T4. [52601] Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) such as social impact bonds? (Con): When can the House expect the Public Bodies Bill? What will be in the Bill, and can we revert to the Mr Hurd: My hon. Friend will know that this normal practice, whereby such controversial Bills begin Government are totally committed to helping to develop in this House and not in the other place? the social investment market, so making it easier for social entrepreneurs to access capital. The big society Mr Hurd: The Public Bodies Bill is obviously very bank is our major player in that area, but we are important—it is an opportunity to improve radically looking at a range of ideas. He will also be aware that the accountability of decisions and to make significant the Charity Commission is reviewing its guidance to savings from the vast number of quangos that proliferated foundations, which have a critical role to play in that under the previous Administration. My hon. Friend context. will know that the Bill is passing through the Lords, with Third Reading expected on 9 May. Obviously, it is T10. [52607] John Woodcock (Barrow and Furness) (Lab for the House authorities to determine the programming /Co-op): Why is the public sector mutual fund late in for debate in the House, but we expect the Bill to enter going out to tender, and when will it be ready to accept Committee after the Whitsun recess. bids?

T7. [52604] John Robertson (Glasgow North West) (Lab): Mr Maude: We will announce details in due course. It A recent survey of charity leaders by the National would have been easy to go ahead and just flash money Council for Voluntary Organisations suggested that around, but there is not much money thanks to the charities are not happy, because they feel that the rhetoric legacy of the Government whom the hon. Gentleman that was sold to them before and after the election bears supported. We need to ensure that the money is husbanded no resemblance to the money that they need to ensure and spent wisely, for example by providing advice for that they deliver the services that are required. Forget groups of public sector workers, of whom there are very about all the waffle, will the Minister tell us exactly how many who want to form mutuals, and by ensuring that he will fund those charities and how he will ensure that the advice is made available to as many as possible. they do things for people? Sir Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (LD): In his Mr Hurd: There is obviously understandable concern discussions about public sector contracts for small business, in the sector about the impact of reductions in public will my right hon. Friend talk to the Ministry of Defence expenditure, but in my experience, charities are increasingly about its habit of bundling together contracts for multiple alive to the opportunity to deliver more public services— services, which means that an expert calibration firm in they are delighted by the announcements in the Budget my constituency cannot offer the specialised service to increase giving and by the progress that the Government unless it also offers paperclips and toilet rolls? have made in setting up the big society bank. Mr Maude: My right hon. Friend makes a good point, and I will take it up. It is exactly how contracts T6. [52603] Karl McCartney (Lincoln) (Con): Will my hon. Friend the Minister please update the House on are bundled up and procurements are undertaken that the progress of the national citizen service? Will he join has squeezed out so many really effective small businesses me in congratulating the Lincolnshire and Rutland from the Government market. That is exactly what we Education Business Partnership, which I have met on a now want to change. number of occasions, on the invaluable work that it is piloting, and will he also promote the national citizen service? PRIME MINISTER

Mr Hurd: The national citizen service provides a fantastic opportunity for young people from different The Prime Minister was asked— backgrounds to work together to make a positive difference Engagements to their communities. I am delighted that we are offering 11,000 places this summer in many locations throughout Q1. [52608] Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): If he will the country. I am also delighted that that scheme is list his official engagements for Wednesday 27 April. 165 Oral Answers27 APRIL 2011 Oral Answers 166

The Prime Minister (Mr David Cameron): I know that Mr Brian Binley (Northampton South) (Con): Does the whole House will wish to join me in paying tribute the Prime Minister recognise that lending to business by to Colour Sergeant Alan Cameron from 1st Battalion banks was down £3.4 billion last month in March, and Scots Guards, who died on Thursday 31 March as a that the construction industry was down in productive result of injuries he suffered while serving in Afghanistan terms by 4.7%? Does he see a connection, and if so, last April, and Captain Lisa Head from 11 Explosive what will he do about it? Ordnance Disposal Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, who died on Tuesday 19 April. Colour Sergeant Cameron The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend is right about was an inspirational figure to his regiment, providing the figures today and that what is happening in the support to injured colleagues and their families even construction industry is disappointing. We need to get while he was being treated in hospital for his own Britain building again, which is why we are introducing injuries. Captain Head demonstrated great bravery in the new homes bonus. However, what is encouraging in her work making safe improvised explosive devices to the figures is that the British economy is growing once protect both her colleagues and the local population. again, manufacturing is up, exports are up, and we are They will not be forgotten, and our wishes and best seeing a rebalancing of the economy so that we are not condolences should be with their families and friends. over-reliant on private consumption. That is good news. I am sure that the whole House will also want to We also have an agreement with the banks that they join me in sending our condolences to the families, must increase their lending to businesses large and friends and colleagues of Police Constable Ronan Kerr. small. That needs to happen. Those who murdered him must not be allowed to deter the wishes of the overwhelming majority of people Edward Miliband (Doncaster North) (Lab): I join the who want a peaceful and shared future for Northern Prime Minister in paying tribute to Colour Sergeant Ireland. Alan Cameron and Captain Lisa Head. Both demonstrated enormous courage and bravery, and our thoughts are On a happier note, people across the country—and, with their families and friends. I also pay tribute to indeed, the world—are getting excited about the events Police Constable Ronan Kerr, who was senselessly murdered on Friday, and I am sure that the whole House would simply for doing his job. We should all be encouraged wish to join me in sending our best wishes to Prince by the expressions of outrage that we have seen across William and Catherine Middleton ahead of their wedding all communities in Northern Ireland in response to this this Friday, and to wish them a long and happy life act. together. I also join the Prime Minister in sending best wishes This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues to Prince William and Catherine Middleton on their and others. In addition to my duties in the House, I happy day on Friday. I am sure that I speak for the shall hold further such meetings today. Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and myself when I say that we will all do our best to be suitably Jim Shannon: I would like to associate myself with attired for the occasion. the Prime Minister’s comments and condolences to On the economy, does the Prime Minister think that those people who have lost their lives in Afghanistan. I it is a mark of success or failure that the economy has also welcome the Irish Rangers and the Irish Guards flatlined over the last six months? back home after their tour of duty in Afghanistan. The Prime Minister: It is clearly a success that the On Easter Monday, dissident republicans held a economy is growing. The figures out this morning show commemorative parade in Londonderry and threw down the economy growing in the first quarter of the year. the gauntlet to all the law-abiding citizens in Northern They show manufacturing and exports up, and we have Ireland. The murderous thugs that are dissident republicans 400,000 more people in work in the private sector than threatened to kill Police Service of Northern Ireland we had a year ago. However, the right hon. Gentleman officers, both Roman Catholic and Protestant; they predicted a double dip. He said that we were going to threatened the churches, both Protestant and Roman get two quarters of negative growth, so when he gets to Catholic; they threatened politicians, both Unionists his feet, perhaps it is time to apologise for talking the and nationalist; and they threatened Members of the economy down. Northern Ireland Assembly and MPs in this House. Can the Prime Minister assure the House that this Edward Miliband: What world is the right hon. attack on the democratic process will be met forcefully, Gentleman living in? What extraordinary complacency. and that those republican terrorists must be brought to His hon. Friend the Member for Northampton South justice? (Mr Binley) asked what was happening to small business lending. What terrible complacency from this Prime The Prime Minister: I can give that assurance. I am Minister. Six months ago, what did he tell us? He told us sure that everyone in the House and the country would that we were out of the danger zone. Since then there agree that scenes of people dressed in balaclavas in has been no growth at all in the British economy. Londonderry are completely unacceptable. We have Yesterday the Chancellor was reported to have told the funded the PSNI appropriately.It is now properly devolved Cabinet that the economy was on track, but it is not and working well, and I urge it to do everything it can to even forecast to meet the Office for Budget Responsibility’s hunt down these people. Above all, the words that figures published last month by the Chancellor. Is it not should ring in our ears are those of the mother of PC the case that it is his cuts that are too far and too fast, Ronan Kerr, who said she hoped that this would not and that are squeezing living standards, undermining prevent more Roman Catholics from joining the PSNI consumer confidence and holding back growth in our and doing a great job policing Northern Ireland. economy? 167 Oral Answers27 APRIL 2011 Oral Answers 168

The Prime Minister: The right hon. Gentleman was Q2. [52609] Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): Is the desperate for the economy to shrink today. He had Health Secretary’s job still guaranteed? He is over written his questions and come to House; the only there, by the way. problem was that the economy was growing, not shrinking. He and the shadow Chancellor said that there would be The Prime Minister: The Health Secretary does an a double-dip recession. They had talked the economy excellent job. Let me draw a little contrast—[Interruption.] down. Now that the economy is growing, why can they not find it in themselves to welcome the growth in the Mr Speaker: Order. This is very discourteous and it is economy? We should be talking up the fact that very unfair. It is unfair on the Prime Minister and it is manufacturing is increasing and we are exporting more, unfair on me. I want to hear the answer. with 390,000 more people in private sector jobs than a year ago. These are welcome developments. The Prime Minister: Let me draw a little contrast between what the Health Secretary is delivering here— The right hon. Gentleman talks about the danger real-terms increases in health spending—and what is zone. I will tell him what the danger zone is: it is happening in Wales. The Labour-led Administration in countries such as Portugal, Greece and Ireland, which Wales are cutting the NHS in real terms. Everyone in did not deal with their debts, and as a result have Wales needs to know that if they get another Labour- interest rates rocketing and real problems. We have dominated Assembly, they will get cuts in the NHS, debts, tragically, because of what we inherited and a whereas in England we will see increases in the NHS deficit the same size as Greece’s, but we have interest because of the magnificent work of my right hon. Friend. rates like Germany’s. It is time for the right hon. Gentleman to admit that he was wrong about the deficit and wrong Q3. [52610] Mr Adrian Sanders (Torbay) (LD): People about the economy. have been shocked at the scale and extent of the phone hacking allegations against some of our most popular Edward Miliband: It is not me who is talking down newspapers. In order to uncover the truth, will the the economy; it is the Prime Minister’s austerity rhetoric Prime Minister instigate a full judicial inquiry and, in that has led to the lowest levels of consumer confidence particular, look at the relationship between the Metropolitan in history in this country. He has been Prime Minister police and News International? for a year. He cannot blame the Greeks, he cannot blame the Bank of England, he cannot blame the last The Prime Minister: What is absolutely clear is that Government—he cannot even blame the snow. Why phone hacking is not only unacceptable but against the does he not admit that we have had six months of no law. It is illegal; it is a criminal offence, and I would urge growth because of his decisions, his Chancellor’s decisions the police and the prosecuting authorities to follow the and his Government’s decisions? evidence wherever it leads. That must happen first, and we must not let anything get in the way of criminal The Prime Minister: The economy has grown by investigations. 1.8% over the last year, but let me tell the right hon. Gentleman this. I did a little research, and all the time Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth) that he was in the Cabinet, there was not a single (Lab): Will the Prime Minister explain why, if there is a quarter when the economy grew more than 0.5%—not genuine pause in the enactment of the Health and one. That is his great record. Let me tell him something Social Care Bill, the inception of cluster primary care about the need to make public spending cuts. We are trusts that are preceding the GP consortia, including now in a new financial year—the year in which the the Greater Manchester cluster PCT, has been brought Darling plan was going to start the process of cutting forward from 1 June to 3 May? Is not this pause nothing the deficit by half. For every £8 that we are proposing to more than window dressing? It is political manoeuvring cut this year, Labour would be cutting £7. Have we before next week’s elections. heard a single sensible proposal for making any cuts, or have we just heard blatant opportunism and talking the The Prime Minister: No, I think the hon. Lady is economy down? I think we know. wrong. This is a genuine exercise in trying to ensure that we get the very best out of these reforms. We are Nadine Dorries (Mid Bedfordshire) (Con): Will the looking specifically at areas such as public accountability, Prime Minister join me in condemning the appalling, choice and competition, education and training, and disgraceful, untruthful and misleading leaflet that is the patient involvement aspects of the reforms. Of course being distributed by the Yes to Fairer Votes campaign, we have to go ahead with driving out the bureaucracy which is being chaired by the Electoral Reform Society? and additional costs from the NHS. We inherited from The leaflet seeks to diminish Parliament and therefore Labour, I think rightly, a £20 billion efficiency programme, damage democracy, which, given the content of the and we have got to take that through, but there is a leaflet, can be the only objective of the Electoral Reform genuine opportunity to make these reforms better still. Society. Q4. [52611] Peter Aldous (Waveney) (Con): Suffolk is The Prime Minister: What matters, in the week that among the worst-served areas of the country for broadband, we have left before we vote in this vital referendum, is and the commonly cited final third of premises beyond that we get back to the real arguments about competing the reach of commercial broadband deployment is more electoral systems. I am very clear that first past the post like a final two thirds in that area. Given that nearly one is simple, fair and effective and that it has worked for fifth of all Suffolk premises receive a speed of less than our country. I have to say that it is not often that I like 2 megabytes per second, does the Prime Minister agree to look out on a sea of red badges, but today it looks that investment in broadband in Suffolk is essential to quite good. boost our economic recovery? 169 Oral Answers27 APRIL 2011 Oral Answers 170

The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend is absolutely Parliament for Dartford. He is no longer an MP because right. We must put this investment in. We are spending, he lost the election—because of the Conservative candidate, I think, £530 million investing in broadband. Particularly I am afraid. He is now a GP—[Interruption.] Calm in rural areas, broadband is going to be absolutely vital down, dear. Listen to the doctor. Howard Stoate, GP, in driving the creation of the small businesses and says: growing businesses that will be so important to keep the “My… discussions with fellow GPs… reveal overwhelming growth of employment in our country. enthusiasm for the”— [Interruption.] I said calm down. Calm down, dear—and Edward Miliband: Can the Prime Minister tell us why I will say it to the shadow Chancellor, if he likes. 98.7% of nurses have no confidence in his health [Interruption.] reorganisation? Mr Speaker: Order. Let us briefly have the answer The Prime Minister: Inevitably, when you make changes and move on to Back Benchers, whose rights I am in public services, it is a challenge taking people with interested in protecting. I want a brief answer from the you. But that is the whole point of pausing the reforms Prime Minister. and then trying to get them going again with greater support from doctors and nurses. What we are finding is The Prime Minister: This is a very brief quote from a that 90% of the country is covered by GP fundholding Labour MP who is now a GP. He said: practices that want to see these reforms succeed. I “My… discussions with fellow GPs… reveal overwhelming would say to the right hon. Gentleman that if he wants enthusiasm for the chance to help shape services for the patients to make some constructive suggestions, why not have they see daily”. a try? That is what Labour MPs, now acting as GPs, think of the reforms. That is what is happening. Edward Miliband: Dearie me, that wasn’t a very good answer, was it? I asked the Prime Minister why 98.7% of Ed Balls (Morley and Outwood) (Lab/Co-op): Apologise nurses have no confidence in his policy. It is because it is to her! a bad policy, a policy nobody voted for. It is a policy that was not in the Prime Minister’s manifesto, it was The Prime Minister: I am not going to apologise; you not in the Deputy Prime Minister’s manifesto either at do need to calm down. [Interruption.] the general election, and it was not even in the coalition agreement. Perhaps one of the reasons why nurses have Mr Speaker: Order. There is far too much noise in the no confidence in his policy is that two years ago, he Chamber. [Interruption.] Order. It makes a very bad went to the Royal College of Nursing and said there impression on the public as a whole, and others are would be no more pointless, top-down reorganisations. waiting to contribute. I think the Prime Minister has finished. Next question: why is it that hospital waiting times fell year on year under the last Labour Government, Mr William Cash (Stone) (Con): During the recess, a but have risen month on month under this Government? number of European issues have arisen: the Portuguese bail-out, the increase in the European budget and proposals The Prime Minister: That is simply not the case. If we for corporation tax at the European level. Will the look at out-patient waiting times, we find that they fell Prime Minister re-coin a phrase and simply say to all in the last month, so the right hon. Gentleman is simply those matters, “No, no, no”? wrong about that, as he usually is. I have had the opportunity to study his representations about the reforms, The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend makes an important and I have had a good look at them. He says that we are point about the European budget. The idea of a 5% increase introducing EU competition policy for the first time; we at a time when member states are having to make are not. He says we are allowing GPs to charge; we are reductions in difficult public spending programmes at not. He says that patients will be left without services; home is completely unacceptable, and we will make sure they will not. Why does he not realise that instead of it does not happen. frightening people, he ought to make a constructive contribution. Q5. [52612] Phil Wilson (Sedgefield) (Lab): On the proposal to build the largest wind farm in England in Edward Miliband: Another totally hopeless answer! I my constituency with 45 wind turbines 100 metres or asked about waiting times. The Department of Health more high, just less than a mile away from two big figures are these: waiting times are 20% up for those conurbations and on beautiful landscape in the area, waiting more than 18 weeks, and A and E waits are at a can the Prime Minister tell us what influence my constituents record level compared to six years ago. One of the will have under the Localism Bill on the planning reasons why waiting times have gone up is that the right decision concerning this massive intrusion on the landscape? hon. Gentleman is diverting billions of pounds from Will he ask the relevant planning Minister to meet me patient care into this costly reorganisation. Let me and a delegation of constituents to discuss it further? make this suggestion: just for once, why does he not listen to the doctors, the patients and the nurses and The Prime Minister: I am happy to arrange that scrap his reorganisation? meeting. I think it important for local people to have a greater say in planning decisions, and that is what we The Prime Minister: The right hon. Gentleman asks are enabling them to do. However, I also believe that me to listen to doctors, so here is one doctor I am when wind farms go ahead, local people should see a definitely going to listen to. I hope Opposition Members greater benefit in terms of the finance that goes into the will remember Howard Stoate, who was the Member of area, and our plans will achieve that as well. 171 Oral Answers27 APRIL 2011 Oral Answers 172

Dr Sarah Wollaston (Totnes) (Con): In 2007, the The key point that I would make to the hon. Gentleman, Labour Government implemented the Medical Training who is meant to be a moderniser, is that if he wants to Application Service, or MTAS. Junior doctors will see waiting times come down and stay down, the best remember what a disaster it was. That large-scale, disruptive answer is a system that involves greater choice, and and untested system had disastrous consequences for enables patients to choose where they are treated and junior doctors in training. Is the Prime Minister aware establish how quickly they can be treated. The hon. that there are concerns that the current proposals to Gentleman used to be a moderniser; there is still time to reorganise medical training and work force planning get on board. could have similar unforeseen consequences? Q15. [52622] Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con): I am The Prime Minister: I must say to my hon. Friend engaged in a consultation with my constituents in east that she is a lot better at getting them to shut up than I Cheshire on an issue that is of great concern to them: am. I think that she is a future Speaker in the making. the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood. I can absolutely guarantee to my hon. Friend that we As a parent, does my right hon. Friend agree with my will not make the mistake that the last Government constituents that action needs to be taken to find real made in respect of medical training. They created an solutions to this challenging issue, and to give every utter shambles. child the childhood that it deserves?

Q6. [52613] Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): Eddie The Prime Minister: I completely agree with my hon. Kay from Maghull received excellent treatment when Friend. As a parent of three little ones, I know that it is he was in hospital recently, and I am glad to say that he incredibly worrying to see what is becoming available in is recovering well. However, while he was in hospital his some shops and other places. We are, effectively, asking operation was cancelled four times, and he was also our children to grow up too early. I think that there is a told of bed closures and nursing redundancies on his lot more that we can do, which is why we have asked the ward. Does not Mr Kay’s experience show that the chief executive of the Mothers’ Union to conduct an Prime Minister was wrong to claim that he would not independent review of this vital area. We are looking at cut the NHS? a range of specific issues including television, video and other pressures that are put on people, and we expect The Prime Minister: Of course things go wrong in the report to be published in a few weeks’ time. our national health service, which is one of the reasons why I think that we need to reform and modernise it. The fact is, however, that at the last election only one Q8. [52615] Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): The Prime party said that it would increase the NHS in real terms, Minister has described hospices as one of the great and that is exactly what we are doing. If the hon. successes of the big society, so why, as a result of his Gentleman is worried about NHS cuts, he should have Government’s increases in VAT and cuts in gift aid, is words with his colleagues in Wales who are proposing Nightingale House hospice in my constituency paying to cut the national health service—not in cash terms, an extra £20,000 to his friend the Chancellor of the but in real terms—and he should help us to put a stop Exchequer this year? Will he give it the money back? to that. The Prime Minister: The point I would make to the Q14. [52621] Stephen Gilbert (St Austell and Newquay) hon. Gentleman is that the hospice movement is a (LD): Across the country, 2 million families are on fantastic example of the big society and we should see it waiting lists for social housing. Nearly 1 million homes expand, and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor has lie empty, and the average age of a first-time buyer increased gift aid so that more people can give more is 37. Does the Prime Minister acknowledge that there money more effectively. As the hon. Gentleman is another is a housing crisis in Britain, and will the Government Welsh Member of Parliament, let me put this point to publish a strategy to tackle it? him: why is he supporting an NHS cut in Wales that will hit not just hospices but hospitals, GPs and community The Prime Minister: We do acknowledge the very services? That is what is coming out of this Question difficult situation that we inherited. House building was Time. Labour is cutting the NHS; you cannot trust at a 60 or 70-year low. We need to introduce ways of Labour with our national health service. ensuring that local communities see more houses built. The old top-down system did not work, but I believe that the new homes bonus and the incentives that we are Q9. [52616] Jonathan Evans (Cardiff North) (Con): The giving local authorities will mean that extra housing whole House will be aware that younger women drivers goes ahead. face a massive hike in their insurance premiums next year as a direct result of a European Court judgment. Q7. [52614] John Woodcock (Barrow and Furness) (Lab/ In that context, does my right hon. Friend share my Co-op): Rather than losing his rag because he is losing disappointment that this judgment has been warmly the argument, will the Prime Minister explain why welcomed by London’s Labour MEP Mary Honeyball, waiting times have been rising in my constituency and who has indicated that she considers it to be admirable across the country? and the price of equality?

The Prime Minister: The hon. Gentleman is simply The Prime Minister: Well, I have to say to my hon. wrong about waiting times. I quoted the figures. Waiting Friend that that shows that some of the loony left is still times have been broadly stable over the last couple of alive and well in our country. [Interruption.] I think years—that is a fact. you’ll find it’s over there. Frankly, insurance premiums 173 Oral Answers27 APRIL 2011 Oral Answers 174 ought to reflect risk, and my hon. Friend is, as ever, world with different pressures. The British nuclear industry displaying common sense, whereas the European Court has a good safety record, but, clearly, it has to go on did not. proving that, and doing so in the light of the new evidence, such as it is, that comes out of Japan. That is Q10. [52617] Mr Jamie Reed (Copeland) (Lab): It is now what must happen, and the head of the nuclear inspectorate almost 12 months since the Prime Minister visited the will do exactly that. West Cumberland hospital in my constituency in the wake of the shooting atrocities that took place there. It Ian Swales (Redcar) (LD): The Prime Minister is a is, I believe, a matter of profound regret to Members on vociferous opponent of the alternative vote system and both sides of the House that the Government have reserves special disdain for the idea that someone might chosen to do nothing on gun laws in the intervening win after coming second in an early round. Will he period, but while the Prime Minister was at the hospital therefore stand aside in favour of the right hon. Member he also visited the accident and emergency clinicians for Haltemprice and Howden (Mr Davis), who beat him and other clinical service providers, who are now facing to the post in 2005? the prospect of their services being removed as a result of GP commissioning. Will he do them and my constituents The Prime Minister: I seem to remember that my a favour by removing GP commissioning from the leadership contest ended up with the two of us touring Health and Social Care Bill? the country and it was a popular vote. I am pleased to say that, unlike in some parties around here, the person The Prime Minister: First, I well remember visiting who won actually won. the hospital in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency. It is a fantastic hospital and it did brilliant work during those Q13. [52620] Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab): Given incredibly tragic times about which he spoke. I can that our recovery has, in effect, stalled since he became absolutely reassure him that he does not need to worry Prime Minister, does the right hon. Gentleman stand about the future of the West Cumberland hospital. I by what he said to this House after his first Budget last understand that he has met the Minister of State, June, which was that unemployment will fall “every Department of Health, my right hon. Friend the Member year” in this Parliament? for Chelmsford (Mr Burns), to discuss the concerns, and they are in agreement that issues need to be resolved The Prime Minister: I was quoting the Office for swiftly. The Department of Health is working closely Budget Responsibility, but the fact is that 390,000 more with the local NHS to produce proposals to redevelop people are in private sector jobs than there were a year the hospital. That is what is going to happen: investment ago. I would have thought with the economy growing, will be going into the NHS because of the commitments with exports up, with manufacturing up and with more we have made, whereas, sadly, I am afraid that the hon. people in work, the right hon. Gentleman should be Gentleman’s party—[Interruption.] Luckily, he is not welcoming that, instead of joining the doom-mongers in Wales, where Labour is cutting the NHS, but I on his Front Bench, who can only talk the economy suspect it would do the same in England as well. down.

Q11. [52618] Richard Harrington (Watford) (Con): My Mr Lee Scott (Ilford North) (Con): Will the Prime right hon. Friend the Prime Minister will be aware that Minister join me in calling for an independent international this country lost 1.7 million manufacturing jobs under review following the UN report into the crimes committed the last Labour Government. Will he explain what by the Sri Lankan Government against the Tamil people? plans the Government have to make sure this decline is reversed? The Prime Minister: My hon. Friend raises an important point. There are still unanswered questions from that The Prime Minister: We have already seen over the period, and I will look closely at what he says and write last year an increase in manufacturing output and in to him. manufacturing exports. I was up in Bedford last week at the GM plant, which is massively expanding. It is Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP): The service creating more jobs and bringing £150 million of offshore of our armed forces in Afghanistan and elsewhere contracts back into the UK. We are backing that with deserves to be recognised at the highest level and all the low tax rates, deregulation and more apprenticeships. time, as the Prime Minister has often said. Why on This is a Government who are pro-enterprise, pro-jobs earth, therefore, have the Royal Irish Regiment and the and pro-manufacturing and who are going to dig us out Irish Guards been denied a homecoming parade in of the mess the last lot left. Belfast? Will the Prime Minister intervene and talk to colleagues to ensure that this process of recognition for Q12. [52619] Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): Does our troops and appreciation by the citizens of Northern not the nightmare of Fukushima mean that the Ireland can rightly take place as soon as possible? planned renaissance of nuclear power will be stillborn? Should not the Prime Minister be planning for a future The Prime Minister: First, let me thank the right hon. that will be free of the cost, fear and anxiety of nuclear Gentleman for raising this issue, because the bravery of power, and rich in renewables that are British, that are the Royal Irish Regiment and the Irish Guards in green, and that are inexhaustible and safe? Afghanistan has been outstanding and, sadly, both regiments have suffered loss of life during their recent The Prime Minister: Of course we have to learn the deployments. As I understand it, a number of homecoming lessons from Fukushima but, as I have said before, that events will be taking place across Northern Ireland. We is a different reactor design in a different part of the are discussing with Belfast city council and others how 175 Oral Answers27 APRIL 2011 Oral Answers 176 we can give recognition to their tremendous bravery. No and that the leader of the Labour party said that decision has yet been made and I will make sure he is councils ought to be able to charge more, every single fully involved in those discussions. It is also worth council in the country has given their hard-pressed noting that because they are actually stationed in north council tax payers a council tax freeze. We all remember Shropshire, they have already had a very successful what happened over the last 10 years when council tax homecoming parade in Market Drayton, and I am sure doubled. It was the tax of choice of the Labour party, that they will have many others besides. taking money out of people’s pockets. We are freezing that council tax to give people a break, and they deserve it. Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con): Will the Prime Minister join me in congratulating Crawley borough council on Several hon. Members rose— freezing its council tax this year? Can he say how many other local authorities across the country have frozen Mr Speaker: Order. We must now move on and we their council tax, against the advice of the Labour come to the ten-minute rule motion. I ask right hon. party, which described that policy as a “gimmick”? and hon. Members leaving the Chamber to do so quickly and quietly, extending the same courtesy to the hon. The Prime Minister: I am pleased to announce that in Member for Wigan (Lisa Nandy) as they would wish to spite of the fact that Labour dismissed it as a “gimmick” be extended to them in such circumstances. 177 27 APRIL 2011 Export Credits Guarantee 178 Department Export Credits Guarantee Department over all national laws, except the constitution, and (Regulation and Reporting) prohibit improvements to human rights or environmental regulation through new laws if they might affect profits. Motion for leave to introduce a Bill (Standing Order In effect, the deal puts profits above people, sometimes No. 23) with the most appalling consequences. As Amnesty International has pointed out, the deal 12.33 pm created a “rights-free corridor”and during its construction much of the route was militarised. In all three countries, Lisa Nandy (Wigan) (Lab): I beg to move, local people and international investigators were harassed, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to require the Secretary of detained and arrested and there were allegations of State to impose certain requirements on the Export Credits torture. The UK Government have since conceded that Guarantee Department, including the publication of an audit of all sums owed to the Department, an annual impact assessment the consortium broke international rules governing human and a real-time disclosure policy on all supported projects; to rights, but it surely cannot be right that we are facilitating prohibit the support of certain activities by the Department; to such activities not only without ensuring that human provide that debt cancellation by the Department cannot be rights can be upheld but while human rights are actively defined as official development assistance; to prohibit companies being prevented from being upheld. from receiving support from the Department for a period of at Those actions potentially put the UK in breach of least five years following a relevant conviction of corruption; to introduce a duty of care provision which must be followed in the international law and are certainly at odds with our Department’s operations to provide access to justice for those human rights obligations, but for recipient countries the affected by supported projects; and for connected purposes. implications are much worse. If the deal falls through We are in the midst of an economic crisis caused in the exporter is paid anyway and, in the short term, the part by a lack of transparency and regulation in a UK taxpayer foots the bill, but in some cases the system that thrived on excessive risk-taking for short-term ECGD goes on to re-designate that fee as a debt owed profit without regard for the wider implications or the by the recipient country.An astonishing 95% of developing impact on people’s lives. It is now, I hope, widely country debt owed to the UK has been generated by acknowledged that private enterprise is bound by the ECGD-backed operations. Those countries could have same moral codes that bind us all and that activity in all spent that money on developing their own economies, areas of the economy should be both sustainable and but instead they are forced to pay for a service that accountable. We have obligations to one another and often does little for their people. Sometimes they are that is true for business as much as it is true for paying for damage inflicted on their people and their individuals. That is why I seek to introduce this Bill country. today: to shine a spotlight on a Government Department I have a personal interest in this matter. Before I that uses taxpayers’ money to fund business activities entered the House, I had the privilege of working with a overseas some of which are neither sustainable nor group of remarkable children who had suffered appalling accountable and that have, in the past, caused significant abuse and poverty overseas. I feel incredibly strongly damage to people and the environment. that as a country we should be doing everything in our The Export Credits Guarantee Department falls under power to prevent the harm that is done to them, yet the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and instead, in some cases, we are underwriting it. acts as the UK’s export credits agency. It uses Government The situation appears to be getting worse. The standards money to support private exporters in winning contracts the ECGD applies are, in the words of the Jubilee Debt overseas in countries where alternative support is not Campaign, “weak and getting weaker.” In 2010, the readily available to those businesses. It spends a huge previous Government removed mandatory screening of amount of taxpayers’ money—in 2009-10, it issued child and forced labour for ECGD-backed projects. guarantees of more than £2 billion—yet it operates Between 2009 and 2010, the ECGD backed £21 million- entirely in a moral vacuum. Campaigners have unearthed worth of unscreened projects. In comparison, the OECD countless astonishing examples of projects that cause recently pointed out that all the UK’s major competitors significant damage to people and the environment, such and the vast majority of export credits agencies screen as the sale of weapons to General Suharto in Indonesia all the projects that they fund. The UK should be that were then used to suppress his own people; a power leading the way on this most important of issues, but station in India, which was significantly overpriced and instead we are trailing further and further behind. now lies dormant because the electricity that it generated Most of what we know about the ECGD comes from was too expensive for the Government to buy; and a campaigners because it is neither transparent nor hydroelectric dam in Lesotho that was overseen by a accountable. There is no legal requirement on it to chief executive who was later jailed for 18 years for publish a list of the projects that it supports and it does taking £3 million-worth of bribes. not reveal which outstanding debts relate to which It is worth dwelling on one more example: the Baku- projects. Indeed, requests for such information have Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline in the Caucasus. From the very been repeatedly declined. The ECGD has no duty of beginning, non-governmental organisations voiced care at all to people who are affected and there is no significant concerns about the project. Its design, they grievance mechanism for those who are affected. Lender said, violated World Bank and European safeguards on responsibility is disregarded and all the repercussions human rights and the environment on more than are borne by importers, even if there has been no, or 170 occasions, yet the ECGD went on to ensure the limited, benefit to those countries. That is precisely the construction of the pipeline by the BP-led BTC consortium, opposite of social responsibility. providing credit totalling £150 million. Part of the deal My Bill would require the ECGD to adopt a list of was a series of “host Government agreements” with the prohibited activities and proactively to publish information countries involved. Those agreements take precedence on the projects it supports, including impact assessments, 179 Export Credits Guarantee 27 APRIL 2011 180 Department consultation and the monitoring and evaluation of projects. Points of Order It would also prevent companies that have been convicted of corruption from receiving support from the ECGD for five years after the date of conviction. I want to 12.43 pm make it clear that I am not attempting to stifle support for British business, which needs and deserves support Sir Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton) (Lab): On from the Government now more than ever, but we a point of order, Mr Speaker. I seek your guidance on a should be supporting sustainable trade that is of long-term matter relating to ministerial accountability to Members benefit, that safeguards human rights, that protects the of the House. I recently sent a letter, at the request of a environment and that at the very least does not exacerbate constituent, to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whose poverty. office then notified me that it was being forwarded to Currently, the ECGD supports a handful of large the Department for Education for reply. Today, I received companies that operate in just a few sectors. In the past a reply from the Department—from the permanent year, for which we have figures, virtually all its support secretary. This is the second time I have received such a went to one company alone, Airbus, which hardly represents letter. The matter about which I wrote was politically the diversity of the British economy, and that does controversial, so the permanent secretary has, whether absolutely nothing for the small and medium-sized he wished it or not, been drawn into party political businesses that we are all so keen to support. The controversy by expounding and defending Government ECGD could instead support and promote new, green policy. This clearly is not satisfactory, Mr Speaker, and I industries and make productive investment that would shall be grateful for your guidance on how we should generate jobs and prosperity. Renewable energy, public deal with such a situation and prevent its recurrence. transport projects and low or zero-carbon industries should all be considered for support. Instead, we support Mr Speaker: The right hon. Gentleman has been in proportionally more carbon-intensive industries than the House for 40 years—I think he is in his 41st year of any other EU country. A credit line of £50 million, service in the House—so he will know that how Ministers which was rightly ring-fenced for renewable energy in respond to questions is principally a matter for them. 2003, has not been touched to date. However, I certainly think the point that he has raised Reform of the ECGD is backed by Members from warrants a ministerial response. For my own part, I will the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat, Green stick my neck out and observe that when a Member of and Scottish National parties. Indeed, the right hon. Parliament tables a question, the Member of Parliament Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), who is now the wants a reply from a Minister, not from an official. It Secretary of State with responsibility for the relevant might even be thought a little unwise to respond to the Department, proposed reform of the ECGD just two right hon. Gentleman, of all people, in the way that was years ago. There is clear consensus that the most urgent done, but I am sure the Secretary of State will have task facing the Government is the recovery of the something to say about the matter. economy but that can and must be achieved through sustainable and productive investment. We should be The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove): promoting the best of British business to the rest of the Further to that point of order, Mr Speaker. I am world and we should be leading the way in our commitment grateful for this opportunity, as I am determined at all to human rights and the environment. times to ensure that my Department responds promptly Question put and agreed to. and fully to questions from colleagues across the House, Ordered, and the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton (Sir Gerald Kaufman) is a particularly assiduous That Lisa Nandy, Zac Goldsmith, Roger Williams, correspondent on behalf of his constituents. I have had Caroline Lucas, Tony Cunningham, Anas Sarwar, Dr the opportunity in the past to reply personally. Eilidh Whiteford, Sheila Gilmore, Bob Russell, Dr Julian Huppert, Teresa Pearce and Yasmin Qureshi present On some occasions it is appropriate when responding the Bill. to parliamentary questions and to correspondence to enlist the support of those who do such a good job in Lisa Nandy accordingly presented the Bill. the civil service and in arm’s length bodies. It is always a Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on matter for ministerial discretion, but if any Member of Friday 11 November, and to be printed (Bill 182). the House is unhappy with any reply that they have received, I would be delighted if they would write again to me. In almost every case where a parliamentary question has been answered or parliamentary correspondence has been received, there has been a note from a Minister stressing that if the reply and the information contained therein is unsatisfactory, Ministers would of course be delighted, as I am at any time, to provide further information. I am also delighted and grateful to you, Mr Speaker, to be able to say that the backlog of correspondence that we inherited has now, thanks to the generous and energetic work of officials in the Department, been cleared. I hope that in the future I will be able to answer all questions from all parts of the House as promptly as Members deserve. 181 Points of Order 27 APRIL 2011 182

Mr Speaker: I am grateful to the Secretary of State. That closes the matter on the subject of questions and Opposition Day correspondence. I invariably receive personal replies in the form of letters from the Secretary of State, and I [15TH ALLOTTED DAY] have come to look forward to them with eager anticipation. Sure Start Children’s Centres

12.47 pm Andy Burnham (Leigh) (Lab): I beg to move, That this House believes that improving the life chances of children and young people from all backgrounds should be central to Government policy; recognises that the Sure Start network of 3,600 Children’s Centres, introduced by the previous administration, is crucial in delivering high quality early education and early intervention for children, as well as support, advice and specialist services for parents and carers; notes that the funding to local authorities for the Early Intervention Grant in 2011-12 represents a real terms cut of 22.4 per cent. nationally, compared to the 2010-11 allocations before in-year cuts to area based grants; recognises that, in the context of this cut to early intervention funding, the large, front-loaded cuts to other local authority funding streams, and the removal of the ring-fence around Sure Start funding, Sure Start Children’s Centres will inevitably be put at risk; notes that before the General Election the Prime Minister promised to protect and strengthen Sure Start; and therefore calls on the Government to protect the Sure Start network of Children’s Centres by thinking again about their deep cuts to Sure Start funding, to monitor the evidence and, if local authorities are choosing to disinvest in Sure Start centres, to commit to reinstating the ring-fence for Sure Start funding to ensure that vital and valued services are not lost. How tempting it might be to continue the discussion that just took place. The record of the Department in answering parliamentary questions and letters is pretty lamentable: 90% of named day PQs are not answered on time. That gives a glimpse of the chaos that reigns in the Secretary of State’s Department. But I note your ruling, Mr Speaker, that the matter is closed for now, so we will turn to Sure Start. It is not always the case that policies debated and voted on in the House become universally accepted as a good thing in the country at large, but occasionally, between us, we get it right. Every now and again an idea comes along that is right for its time, addresses a real need, makes life better for many people and slowly becomes part of our national fabric. It acquires a broad appeal across the Benches of the House and its longevity becomes secured. Sure Start, it seems, is in that rare category of policies. Last year, a survey by the Institute for Government considered the most successful policies of the past 30 years. Sure Start was judged to be the fifth most successful, beaten only by the national minimum wage, devolution, privatisation and the Northern Ireland peace process. Such a commendation for a flagship policy of the last Labour Government gives rise to a deep sense of pride among Labour Members today, but we are realists too. We know that other Labour achievements, such as the national health service, the Open university and the national minimum wage, will endure only if we convince all parts of the House that they are right. It did not go unnoticed just over a year ago when the then Leader of the Opposition, now the Prime Minister, gave this pre-election manifesto statement to the National Childbirth Trust: “We are strongly committed to Sure Start Children’s Centres and will strengthen this service”— 183 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 184 a clear promise to parents when the Prime Minister the service to parents in local authorities throughout sought their votes. We have called this debate today to the country is being destroyed. That is the key issue hold him and his Government to account for it. for the House to consider. This is not our first recent opportunity to discuss Let me, however, give the Government credit where Sure Start. Seven weeks ago, the House had an excellent credit is due—most unlike me, but here we go: they have debate about the subject, but back then councils were certainly talked a good game on early intervention. To still setting budgets and making choices. Today, we are show just how committed they were to the issue, they in a much better position to make sense of the emerging commissioned not one but two distinguished Opposition picture on the ground, and we can judge the oft-repeated Members to advise them on it, and the Field review—I claim from the Secretary of State and his Ministers that am pleased to see my right hon. Friend the Member for they have given councils enough funding to keep all Birkenhead (Mr Field) in his place—and the Allen Sure Start centres open and, in the words of the Secretary report found common ground. of State at the most recent Education questions in an First, each report sets out a persuasive case for investing answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, public resources heavily in the early years of a child’s Wavertree (Luciana Berger), that they have given them life. They argue that doing so will help us to tackle the “sufficient to guarantee every child a high-quality place.”—[Official root causes of poverty and to build true social mobility Report, 21 March 2011; Vol. 525, c. 697.] in Britain. Only that will challenge a society where, in Today, we can test the claim made by Ministers from the the words of my right hon. Friend, Dispatch Box that councils have enough money to do “at the age of three but certainly by five, the die of life is set for both. Does the claim hold water? most children.”—[Official Report, 2 March 2011; Vol. 524, c. 320.] We all must seek to work together to challenge such a Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): Is the right hon. world. Gentleman not pleased to know that in Harlow all the Sure Start centres remain open and are as strong as Secondly, their recommendations are based on the ever? Given that councils throughout the country have assumption that the existing 3,600 Sure Start children’s £10 billion in reserves, should they not use some of that centres throughout the country, one to serve every money to strengthen their Sure Start centres? community, should be the essential infrastructure—indeed, the delivery system—if the vision of high quality early intervention is to become a reality. That is the key Andy Burnham: I certainly say, “Good old Harlow”. question that we need to consider today. The hon. Gentleman sits on a very fine inheritance from Labour in that constituency, and I trust that he will The departmental Select Committee in the previous look after it well. Indeed, he follows a very distinguished Parliament found that Sure Start had begun to make an former Member. appreciable difference to children’s lives. It stated: “Parents in Sure Start areas relative to those in non-Sure Start Gordon Henderson (Sittingbourne and Sheppey) (Con): areas reported using more child and family-related services…and I hope that the right hon. Gentleman does not consider their children were socially more competent. These results seem to show that programmes are becoming more effective over time, Kent to be a bastion of Labour support, but all the particularly in their work with the most disadvantaged, and that children’s centres in the county are being kept open. children are feeling the benefit of longer exposure to the programmes.” That is a ringing endorsement. Andy Burnham: We will judge a week on Thursday whether Kent can return much Labour support, and we In essence, Sure Start built into the early years universal look forward to that judgment, but again I pay tribute comprehensive education. Its strength is that it brings to those local authorities that in difficult circumstances together parents, of all backgrounds, who may not have are doing their best to keep the Sure Start infrastructure known each other before. Instead of providing only intact. They deserve credit for that, because they are state support, Sure Start, by bringing those people making some difficult decisions, and later I will go together, helped them to create self-sustaining support through some local authorities and list those examples networks in the community, through one parent working that the House will be interested to hear. with another, and in that way it gave all young parents the extra support that they need. That is a fundamental Ms Karen Buck (Westminster North) (Lab): Westminster strength of Sure Start, and it must not be lost. council is also seeking not to lock the doors of its 12 children’s centres, but it is achieving that by implementing Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab): My an 18% cut in funding through reduced outreach services right hon. Friend will be pleased to know that Labour- and reduced services for child development, and by controlled Tameside council has committed to keeping ensuring that smaller centres no longer provide any help open all its children’s centres, despite a tough financial for families seeking employment. How does that fit with settlement, but did not the Conservative spokesperson the Government’s objective of getting mothers back on children and families let the cat out of the bag on the into employment? front page of the Tameside Advertiser this week, when she said that Sure Start should not be a universal Andy Burnham: My hon. Friend makes an important provision serving every community? point, and I look over her local authority’s border into Hammersmith and Fulham, where even more worrying Andy Burnham: That absolutely does let the cat out of steps are being taken, steps that my hon. Friend the the bag, and I am about to go through some examples Member for Hammersmith (Mr Slaughter) has skilfully of Conservative spokespeople in local government who exposed. I will come to those issues later, because there do not seem to have read the Prime Minister’s words is a real issue about whether, in keeping open a centre, before the election last year. 185 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 186

[Andy Burnham] services within them, I will of course recognise that that is what we want and what the Government said they I congratulate Tameside council, however, because it would do. If that is the case, then good. But other has dealt with a disproportionately larger cut to its Conservative-controlled authorities are not doing that. early intervention grant than other authorities in My question back to the hon. Gentleman is: what are Greater Manchester—Trafford, to name but one, which he and his Front-Bench colleagues saying to Conservative Government Front Benchers routinely mention. In authorities that are disinvesting from Sure Start and Tameside, for every young person aged under 20 years siphoning the money out? I look forward to an equally old there has been a £70 per child cut in the early fulsome answer on that question. intervention grant. If the Government accept the vision in the review The council is working in those circumstances to that they commissioned my right hon. Friend to produce, keep the network of Sure Start centres open, and that is I put it to the House that it must urgently consider what why I congratulate Tameside, and I hope my hon. is happening on the ground and ask the Government to Friend will take my congratulations back to his friends. change course to preserve the network of children’s Owing to all the benefits that I have described, it is not centres and services. As I will show today, children’s surprising that the Field review concludes: centres are closing right here, right now. Highly trained “Local Authorities should aim to make Children’s Centres a staff are being made redundant. Some children’s centres hub of the local community”. are keeping the lights on, but no more. That is the My right hon. Friend describes them as a “targeted reality on the ground that the Prime Minister must universal service”. urgently confront. Two authoritative reports delivered to the Government Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): I draw my right advocate the importance of children’s centres, but now hon. Friend’s attention to what is going on in Sefton. we get to the heart of the matter. We will soon discover The council faces 30% cuts in its budget and it has had whether the Government really wanted to hear the to review all 19 of its Sure Start centres. A Conservative- views of my esteemed friends on that crucial subject, or Liberal Democrat coalition has made that decision, whether they were brought in for presentational reasons—as which emphasises my right hon. Friend’s point about a piece of theatre to send a desirable political message. the cuts being made by Conservative-run or led authorities. To be fair to the Prime Minister, I remember well how Families in Sefton are clear that they need the entire about a year ago, during the election campaign, some network. It is essential for people from all the different Labour Members doubted the sincerity of his commitments parts of the community that the network should be to Sure Start. I looked back to what he said, however, maintained. People from different parts of the community because I remembered it from the television debates, need different elements of the service. and on 5 May 2010, on the very eve of the general election, readers of The Independent sent in questions to Andy Burnham: My hon. Friend points out that coalition the then Leader of the Opposition. A questioner asked: councils are not acting to protect Sure Start. He has “As a parent who relies heavily on Sure Start centres for the come to an important point. The Government will have educational and social needs of my child, I would like to know to decide. When the Prime Minister made promises last whether these centres will continue to receive funding.” May, was he promising to keep Sure Start as a universal The Prime Minister replied: service? If he was, he really has to act. If, however, he “Yes, we back Sure Start. It’s a disgrace that Gordon Brown had decided to let it become a targeted service—available has been trying to frighten people about this. He’s the Prime in some communities and not in others, available to Minister of this country but he’s been scaring people about some parents and not others—he needs to be honest something that really matters.” about that. He needs to say that and it needs to be clear That is what the Prime Minister said last May. In some that that is the Government’s policy. ways, his anger was reassuring because it looked as if The Government built a clear expectation among the Government-to-be were genuinely committed. I wonder parents that they were preserving Sure Start as a universal how the Prime Minister feels today, given that it has comprehensive service that would give all children the turned out that those things that, as he said, “really best start in life. Indeed, at the last Education questions, matter” are under serious threat. the Secretary of State said that he would guarantee all Evidence is emerging of widespread disinvestment by children a high-quality place. The Government will local authorities in Sure Start children’s centres. That have to live up to that promise. seriously challenges the deliverability of the vision set If today the Prime Minister believes as strongly in out by my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead. Sure Start as he appeared to on the eve of polling day, he must act to save it. He must stop the disinvestment in Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con): I am happy to join the Sure Start by councils and reinstate the Sure Start cavalcade of other Conservative authorities that have ring-fence in the next financial year, as our motion already been mentioned; in West Sussex, no Sure Start suggests, to protect a service that is still very much in centres are closing. Indeed, there is a greater desire to the early years itself. improve the services for early years. Surely that is at odds with what the right hon. Gentleman is saying. Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con): Will the shadow Secretary of State also congratulate Andy Burnham: It is a mixed picture. We will get to Medway, an authority that is retaining its 19 Sure Start the bottom of the true picture on the ground as we get centres? It is going beyond that and showing the into the debate today. If Conservative local authorities Government’s commitment to helping and supporting are not just keeping the centres open, but protecting the the young ones in their early years. I have a letter from 187 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 188 the Department for Education dated 13 March 2011. It In February, at Prime Minister’s questions, the Prime says that the Government are giving an additional Minister claimed the polar opposite of what the Secretary £275,000 to Medway to increase provision to two-year-olds, of State said. He said: three-year-olds and four-year-olds. That shows the “On Sure Start, the budget is going from £2.212 million to commitment from local councils and the Government. £2.297 million. That budget is going up. That is what is happening.”— [Official Report, 9 February 2011; Vol. 523, c. 293.] Andy Burnham: I am not in a position to judge the To be fair to the Secretary of State—and I do not often decisions of Medway council. What I can say to the hon. say this—on this occasion he has a much better grip on Gentleman is that the cuts introduced by the coalition the detail than his boss. The £2.212 million referred to since the last election have led to a £40-per-child cut in by the Prime Minister is the early intervention grant for the early-intervention grant in Medway. If the council is 2011-12. The Prime Minister conveniently took 2011-12 making the best of a bad lot, I say good luck to it; I to be his baseline year—and yes, between 2011-12 and hope that the hon. Gentleman will encourage other 2012-13 the contribution goes up in cash terms. However, councils to do the same. not for the first time at the Dispatch Box, he was playing fast and loose with the figures. The only way to Robert Halfon: Will the right hon. Gentleman give show what has happened to Sure Start and early way? intervention since the change of Government is to compare 2011-12 with the financial year that has just ended—that is, 2010-11. A departmental ministerial Andy Burnham: I have given way to the hon. Gentleman statement dated 13 December 2010 said that in 2011-12 once. I will now make some progress. the amount to be allocated through the early intervention There is a dissonance between commitments given grant from the Dispatch Box by the Prime Minister and the “is 10.9% lower than the aggregated 2010-11 funding through the Secretary of State and the actions of councils on the predecessor grants.”—[Official Report, 13 December 2010; Vol. 520, ground, which are dealing with the reality—the hand of c. 67WS.] cards—that the Government have given them. How did The Prime Minister said that the budget was going up; we get to this position? First, let me examine the issue of the Department explicitly says that the budget is going national funding to support Sure Start. In his statement down. That is not acceptable. In fact, it is worse than to the House on the spending review, the Chancellor that because the Department’s calculation leaves out said that he had found in-year early cuts after the general election to the area-based “more resources for our schools and for the early years education grant that many local authorities, particularly in more of our children.”—[Official Report, 20 October 2010; Vol. 516, deprived areas, used to receive. c. 964.] New research from the Library gives us the full On that day, we said that that was a highly questionable picture. Its figures show that the equivalent EIG at the statement. But ever since, the Secretary of State and his start of 2010-11 was £2.794 million, meaning that this year’s Ministers have stuck loyally to the line that the Government £2.212 million represents a real-terms cut of 22.4%. have given councils enough money to maintain children’s centres and services—that is, until the debate led by my Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): The implication hon. Friend the Member for Washington and Sunderland of what the right hon. Gentleman is saying is that under West (Mrs Hodgson) a couple of weeks ago on estimates a continued Labour Government the cash settlement day. I do not know what possessed him, but the Secretary for all these services would have remained the same, yet of State intervened on a point being made by my hon. in the Labour manifesto there was no promise to ring-fence Friend and for the first time broke the discipline that the Sure Start grant, the Department for Education or Government Front Benchers had been observing so the Department for Communities and Local Government. carefully. He said: Given that the previous Chancellor intended to make “The hon. Lady was kind enough to mention earlier that by savings across Departments, where does the right hon. her own calculation ring-fencing Sure Start within the current Gentleman believe that this money would have come early intervention grant envelope would mean that other services from? would have to go. How will she protect those other services? Will she raise taxes, cut spending elsewhere or, as she said earlier, Andy Burnham: Sure Start was ring-fenced—that was simply cross her fingers and hope for the best?”—[Official Report, the policy of our Government. The Labour manifesto 2 March 2011; Vol. 524, c. 359.] talks of strengthening early intervention. I am holding That is a revealing statement, for implicit in the Secretary the Prime Minister to account for what he said when he of State’s words is the admission that the Government was seeking the votes of people in this country. He said, have not given councils enough money in the early in terms, that he would strengthen Sure Start, so I am intervention grant for everything that they need to pay saying that we should look at the evidence on the for to sustain both Sure Start and other crucial services, ground. Is Sure Start strengthening or weakening? When such as short breaks for disabled children, teenage I read the hon. Gentleman some of the evidence, I hope pregnancy services and the children’s social care work that he will make an honest judgment on whether the force. service is getting better or is under threat. The Secretary of State could not have been clearer—we The research from the Library tells us that in England cannot have both: ring-fence Sure Start, and face cuts the average cut in the EIG between 2010-11 and 2011-12 to some of those essential services for children. At least is £50 for every child in this country. Altogether that is we saw a degree of honesty from the Secretary of State, absolute proof that the PM, who is undoubtedly a good but his problem is that his statement directly contradicted talker—a PR man—is dangerously cavalier with the the Prime Minister’s a few weeks earlier; that is not a facts at the Dispatch Box, as Oxford university recently good career move for a man in his fragile position. found to its cost. He said at the election that he would 189 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 190

[Andy Burnham] the services on which people depend. [Interruption.] Conservative Members laugh, so let us look at some protect Sure Start, but in fact he has cut it, in real terms, Tory authorities. We have heard wonderful praise for by about a quarter. This takes us to the crux of the many local authorities today; let us look at a few others. matter. The Government have not had the guts to be Are they working hard, like other authorities, to implement honest about the cuts that they are making to Sure the Prime Minister’s clear pre-election pledges? Start. Instead, they have cut the budget, removed the In Hammersmith and Fulham, we saw the first use of ring fence, and offloaded the problem and the responsibility an interesting tactic that my hon. Friend the Member on to local authorities up and down the country, some for Westminster North (Ms Buck) mentioned earlier. of which face invidious choices in cutting essential Many of its 16 children’s centres were under threat of services for children—child safeguarding and other closure. My hon. Friend went to the council meeting to important services. That is a terrible position for local see it discuss the issue. Then we heard the news that six authorities to be in, be they Conservative, Liberal, would become hubs and 10 would remain as spokes. Labour or in coalition. Some other councils are cutting Only when we dig a little deeper do we find that nine of way beyond what would have been the ring fence. They those so-called spokes will receive £25,000 a year. What are cutting into funds that were given by the Government is that enough to pay for—a receptionist, a caretaker, a for the purposes of Sure Start, siphoning them off and bottle of bleach? Is there much more that it would pay spending them elsewhere. for? I do not know, but it could not be very much. At Ben Gummer (Ipswich) (Con): The right hon. Gentleman the last Education questions, my hon. Friend the Member talked about cavalier language. At the last election, for Kingston upon Hull North (Diana Johnson) recalled Harriet Harman, the Member for— the hospital without patients in “Yes Minister”. This coalition may be remembered for a more modern equivalent Mr Speaker: Order. May I remind Members that they —a children’s centre without any children in it. That should not name other Members? The reference should could be the Secretary of State’s legacy.I do not know about be to the constituency represented; I think that the hon. hubs and spokes, but there are certainly plenty of mirrors Gentleman was about to get on to that. and smoke when it comes to presenting the facts about Ben Gummer: Thank you, Mr Speaker, for correcting me. Sure Start. At the time, the lady of whom I spoke came to Ipswich and told my constituents that children’s centres Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) (Lab): I would be cut in Ipswich. Since the election, every single hope that my right hon. Friend might have an opportunity centre has stayed open and two more have been added. to look at what else is happening in Hull, controlled by The right hon. Gentleman is a decent man. Will he the Liberal Democrats, which has seen a 32% cut in the apologise on her behalf for having misled people, because children’s budget across the board and a 50% cut in the I have tried to get her to apologise and she has refused money going to children’s centres. Of the 20 children’s to answer my letters? centres that we had under the Labour Government, 13 have effectively been mothballed by the Liberal Andy Burnham: I will happily look at what is happening Democrats and will have very few services. on the ground in Ipswich. However, there is an important difference that I point out to the hon. Gentleman. It is Andy Burnham: I am glad that my hon. Friend raises possible to keep a children’s centre’s lights on and keep that important point. As she says, the budget for Sure a receptionist and a cleaner, but what is going on inside? Start in Hull has been cut by 50% from £9 million to Is he satisfied that an appropriate level of service is £4.5 million. During a previous Opposition day debate being provided to support the parents of Ipswich? That on the education maintenance allowance, the Secretary is the judgment that he has to make. It is not just a case of State stood at the Dispatch Box and advocated that of whether he can come to the House and say that people should vote Liberal Democrat, particularly in Ipswich is keeping the lights on—it needs to do more Hull, pointing to some excellent provision that was than that. Indeed, his own Government have funded it available. I wonder whether we will hear that again or to do more than that. Suffolk, which is the local authority whether he will revise that advice to the electorate in concerned, has had a huge cut of £40 per child in its advance of next Thursday. A 50% cut—can that be area. He has to ask his Front Benchers whether that is what the Prime Minister had in mind when he said he acceptable for his constituents. would strengthen Sure Start? This is the decimation of Let me go around the towns and point out what is services on the ground. happening on the ground. Derby, home to a Tory-Liberal Let us talk about some more Tory authorities before coalition, seems like a good place to start. Surely there, we get on to the Liberal Democrats. Tory-controlled if anywhere, people would implement coalition policy Barnet is removing funding from eight of its 21 children’s to the letter, would they not? Well, perhaps not, because centres, making £6.4 million of savings. Tory-controlled we find that in Derby six children’s centres are threatened Bromley is closing 13 of its 16 centres. How can there be with closure. In a BBC news report on 10 March, Kelly a service for the whole borough when just three centres Jennings, daughter of the Tory leader of the council, are left? Are Ministers really saying that every parent in Harvey Jennings, said: Bromley can access those centres and their services? I “I voted for the Conservatives because I thought there was doubt that very much. going to be more help for the NHS. Now they are cutting that off and locally they are cutting off the Sure Start centres which single In Hampshire, 28 of the 81 children centres are set for parents like myself rely on.” closure. However, we should not worry because help is We have been very pleased to welcome Kelly into the at hand. The right hon. Member for Eastleigh (Chris Labour party because she sees that in these tough times Huhne) has signed a petition against the changes. Thank only Labour will be the voice of people and stand up for God for that! 191 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 192

Caroline Dinenage (Gosport) (Con): I would like to Let us consider Kingston upon Hull, where there is a correct the right hon. Gentleman on his facts, unfortunately. 50% cut in the Sure Start budget. [Interruption.] The Hampshire county council has pledged to protect all hon. Member for North Cornwall (Dan Rogerson) says front-line Sure Start services and only back-office costs that that is not true. Perhaps somebody has more up-to-date will be cut. information and will beg to differ. Kingston upon Thames is another interesting and revealing example. Channel 4 Andy Burnham: Well, there was a plan to close FactCheck picked up the suggestion from the Deputy 28 children’s centres. I was led to believe that the council Prime Minister that the Lib Dems were not closing any was considering the plan and consulting on it. I do not centres and Cathy Newman went to Kingston upon know when it had a change of heart. Perhaps it was Thames to look at whether any centres were being because of the force of the representations of the right closed. Indeed, one was being closed in Hook. hon. Member for Eastleigh. We will have to find out. I [Interruption.] The hon. Member for North Cornwall am tempted to ask the Liberal Democrats to relay back says that it is not a Sure Start centre. Well, when Cathy to their colleague that rather than sign the petition, it Newman went there, she found a plaque on the door might have been better for him to speak up in Cabinet that read, “children’s centre”. How can it not be a to oppose the Secretary of State for Education and his children’s centre, I ask the hon. Gentleman? I am struggling cuts to the early intervention grant. Would that not with this defence. have been a quicker way of resolving the matter, whether or not the local authority has had a last-minute change I acknowledge that Labour councils, too, are taking of heart with the local elections looming? difficult decisions. We have heard coalition Ministers target Liverpool and Manchester. Liverpool is losing I do not know what to make of the behaviour of the £90 per young person and Manchester £80. Both are right hon. Member for Eastleigh. Am I alone in finding working to keep service reductions to a minimum. his behaviour increasingly strange and Cable-esque? Hampshire, by contrast, is losing just £30 per child and For the past 11 months, he has sat with his Lib Dem plans to close 28 centres. How does that work? colleagues in Cabinet as the Tories have put various questions before them. They were asked, “How about trebling tuition fees and creating a market in higher Stephen Twigg (Liverpool, West Derby) (Lab/Co-op): education?” They said, “Why of course, be our guest, I am grateful for what my right hon. Friend said about go and do it.” The Secretary of State for Education Liverpool. Will he join me in congratulating Labour-led asked, “How about scrapping EMA?” “Please do,” said Liverpool city council, which has not closed any children’s the right hon. Member for Eastleigh, “and why not centres and is desperately trying to keep them all open? decimate the careers service while you’re at it?” They I hope to intervene on the Secretary of State to ask for were asked, “Shall we cut Sure Start?” “Please do,” said his support for that. the right hon. Member for Eastleigh, “it will give me a good campaign at local level. Please get on and do it.” Andy Burnham: I do congratulate Labour-led Liverpool However, when the Tories ask, “Won’t AV mean we city council and its leader, Joe Anderson. Sure Start is spend a little more on counting machines and the cost clearly close to his heart, as he said when he set the of elections?” all of a sudden, there is talk of resignation, budget. I am delighted that it is working to keep all its legal challenges and Lord knows what. I struggle to centres open. understand that response from the right hon. Member for Eastleigh. Perhaps our calling this debate has led some people at local level to have a change of heart. Perhaps it has led Does that synthetic rage not expose once and for all to some U-turns at local level, of the kind we have the absolute moral bankruptcy of today’s Liberal become familiar with from the Government. The hon. Democrats? When the interests of millions of young Member for Gosport (Caroline Dinenage) mentioned people were at stake in Cabinet discussions, they sat on Hampshire. [Laughter.] The Under-Secretary of State their hands, but when their self-interest is challenged for Education, the hon. Member for East Worthing and because they might not win a vote on a change to the Shoreham (Tim Loughton) laughs, but only yesterday, voting system, it is time to bring down the coalition. Hampshire decided that its centres would remain open, That tells people everything they need to know about but that the budget would be cut from £17 million to the Liberal Democrats: their politics are flaky, unprincipled £11 million. [Interruption.] I do not read the Hampshire and cynical, and their disloyal Ministers are preparing local press every day. Does the Under-Secretary? The for life beyond the coalition. council had a plan to close— There have been increasingly desperate statements from the Deputy Prime Minister. What has he said about Sure Start? At the Lib Dem spring conference he Mr Speaker: Order. I will say two things. First, it is said: not necessary for the Under-Secretary to behave like a “I cannot tell you how proud I am that not a single Liberal child to demonstrate his empathy for children. That is Democrat-led council is closing a single Sure Start children’s not a requirement of the job. Secondly, although I am centre.” very much enjoying the right hon. Gentleman’s geographical Liberal Democrat Members have gone quiet. Are any of tour of the United Kingdom and always relish his them prepared to back up that statement today? Stand exchanges with the Secretary of State, I am conscious up now. Does anyone hold to that statement? that Back-Bench Members also wish to contribute. I am sure that those on the Front Benches will take account Dan Rogerson (North Cornwall) (LD) indicated assent. of that and apply a certain self-denying ordinance. Andy Burnham: You do. So the Liberal Democrats all think that that is a correct representation and stand Andy Burnham: I agree, Mr Speaker, and will bring by it. my remarks to a close. 193 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 194

[Andy Burnham] are left to say what the Government will not—that state school pupils will start to drop off and find it harder to Liverpool is doing well, despite facing difficult budget gain access. cuts of £90 per child. Hampshire is losing just £30 per What is the combined effect of all those misguided child and is in a mess at local level, as is clear. These are education policies? I can almost hear the sound of the real politically motivated cuts. Hampshire is cutting falling aspiration in my constituency and in former its budget from £17 million to £11 million—a council in industrial areas where so much was done to lift expectation, a more affluent area siphoning funds out of Sure Start and I can tell the Secretary of State that it terrifies me. and away from children who are facing the biggest The Government are breaking their promises to parents challenges. and young people, and the effect will be to reinforce The evidence is racking up. Sure Start is being starved disadvantage at every stage of the education journey. and is shrinking. Coalition policy is turning a much-loved, Families with a little extra money will probably be able universal service into a patchy postcode lottery, which to insulate themselves from the worst of the changes, breaks the Prime Minister’s promise to parents. The but the combined effect on the children who have least ministerial team are making a mess of this successful will be that the odds are stacked even further against policy in precisely same way as they mangled EMA and them by an old elite, slamming the door in their face school sport partnerships. The Government say that and kicking away the ladder. they accept the Field and Allen recommendations, but What about when young people try to move from the rhetoric does not match the reality. Early intervention education into today’s more competitive workplace? services are under intense pressure as councils wrestle The Deputy Prime Minister made a feeble promise to with impossible choices. Later this week, Labour will open up work experience and internships, and days later publish a survey of 70 directors of children’s services, the Prime Minister laughed in his face and reassured his which reveals a worrying picture of the quality and old network that it would be business as usual. coverage of child safeguarding services in the current The coalition’s true colours are slowly being revealed, climate. It is becoming increasingly clear that Sure Start and what we see is the same old ruthless Tories. Promises will not survive if the removal of the ring fence continues. were made to soften their image—“We will look after The motion makes the reasonable request for the the NHS.” “EMA will stay.” “Sure Start will be Government to consider the emerging evidence and strengthened”—but they have all been cynically abandoned change course. We were right about school sport and we after less than a year in office. The Government are were right about EMA. If the Government care about acting as though they got a mandate last May. They did the promises they have made, it is time for another not, but we have a Liberal Democrat party that is U-turn and the reinstatement of the ring fence. I hope letting them behave as though they did. Last May, the that they will listen, but somehow I doubt that they will. Liberal Democrats sacrificed everything and sold the The decisions to shrink Sure Start fit entirely with the shop for a referendum on the voting system, a change direction of Government education policy: at every that they want in their own electoral interests. Now we stage of the education journey, they are making life see how viciously they are prepared to fight to secure harder for those who face the biggest challenges. They that self-interest, while we remember how meekly they are breaking the promises that they made. We have sold down the river millions of young people whose heard what is happening to pre-school education, despite votes put them in Parliament. the fact that the programme for international student Children and young people deserve a lot better than assessment has shown that all the best school systems in this. Labour will stand up for young people and give the world are based on the most extensive pre-school them all a fair start in life, and we will be their voice in provision. tough times. I commend the motion to the House. On four-to-16 education, the Chancellor stood at the Dispatch Box on the day of the spending review and 1.33 pm promised more resources for schools, and said that the pupil premium would be “truly additional”. Heads The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove): know how hollow those words were, as they have to use In this post-Easter season, there is cause for all of us to a static or falling budget to buy back central support celebrate, because a number of gloomy predictions have services previously provided for free by the local authority. been confounded. At the beginning of the football Most schools are facing 80% cuts in their buildings season, some of us might have imagined that the dominant budgets, as the Secretary of State showers extra money team on Merseyside would be Everton, but in fact, on his free schools. thanks to Kenny Dalglish’s inspired leadership, the reds are five points ahead of the blues. The gloomy obituaries On 16-to-19 education, the Prime Minister made a that were being written for that great team have had to personal promise to young people at a further education be put back. college to keep the education maintenance allowance, but the Government scrapped it. Even the OECD has Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): Who do you recently called on the Government to reinstate it. The support? effect of scrapping it will be that education and the route to a better life will now be closed off to many Michael Gove: QPR, as it happens, but I admire young people. Liverpool, and particularly Kenny Dalglish. [Interruption.] On higher education, holier-than-thou promises from We are top of the league, you know. the Government that £9,000 fees would be the exception Another gloomy prediction was made by Labour rather than the norm have proved utterly false, as we Members, but it has not come to pass—that of a will debate later today. Universities such as Cambridge double-dip recession. That was the mantra at the top of 195 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 196 the Labour party, from the right hon. Member for Will the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Morley and Outwood (Ed Balls), the Leader of the East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton), hear Opposition and the Labour election co-ordinator, whatever me out? If there was a change of heart, the news had his name is. The news today, however, is that our not reached me, and I welcome it. However, we must economy is growing once more—another gloomy prediction ask, a change of heart to what? The Sure Start budget confounded. there is going from £17 million to £11 million, a 35% We also heard a series of gloomy predictions from cut. Is the Secretary of State applauding Hampshire for Labour Members about what would happen to the making a cut on that scale? He has just applauded the network of Sure Start children’s centres in this country. local authority and invited me to do the same. Is he We were told by the hon. Member for Hammersmith saying that such a cut to Sure Start is acceptable and (Mr Slaughter) that we would see a reduction in the that the local authority should be applauded for cutting number of children’s centres in Hammersmith and Fulham, the service by more than a third? but actually, as the right hon. Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham) almost acknowledged, not only are all the Michael Gove: The right hon. Gentleman has not existing Sure Start children’s centres being protected misled the House—he never misleads the House—but I but a new one is being built. There is an increase in the am afraid that he has got himself in what we call in number of Sure Start children’s centres in Hammersmith Scotland “a bit of a fankle”. He asserted that Hampshire and Fulham. was going to cut children’s centres, and then he was The right hon. Member for Leigh told us halfway caught short by the facts. I know that he has more through his speech that Hampshire was going to close respect for the House than to want to put himself in a all its children’s centres. Sadly, that slur—[Interruption.] position of having inaccurate facts in front of him, so It was a slur. That slur on Hampshire county council all he needs to do, as graciously as is his natural custom, was very effectively rebutted by my hon. Friend the is acknowledge that Hampshire is keeping its children’ Member for Gosport (Caroline Dinenage). The council centres open and congratulate it on that. is ensuring that every single children’s centre will remain One reason why Hampshire, Hammersmith and Fulham, open. The right hon. Gentleman did not have the grace Kingston upon Hull, Kingston upon Thames and many to acknowledge either that it was a Conservative local other Conservative and Liberal Democrat councils, as authority that was keeping them open or that he had well as Labour ones, can keep their Sure Start children’s got it wrong. I admire his passion, but he must get his centres open is that there is enough money. I can make facts right before he comes to the Dispatch Box and that assertion because of the evidence that has been put attempts to tarnish the good name of an effective local forward by two of the people who have the best authority that is doing a great job for children and understanding of the early years. Anne Longfield OBE, young people. chief executive of 4Children, has said that the Government In a spirit of generosity, I have to say that a great are many Labour local authorities are doing a good job and “continuing to provide adequate funding to keep centres open ensuring that Sure Start children’s centres remain open. and councils should resist the temptation to use this money to There are also Liberal Democrat local authorities doing plug gaps elsewhere.” a good job. One of the most disappointing things about Anand Shukla, the acting chief executive of the Daycare the right hon. Gentleman’s speech was his attack on the Trust, has said: Liberal Democrats, which I felt was mean-minded and “The Government has allocated sufficient funding for the beneath him. I understand that as an election co-ordinator, existing network of Sure Start Children’s Centres to be maintained”. with just a week to go before he shores up the Labour The money is there—independent witnesses say so—and vote that is collapsing in Scotland and evanescent elsewhere, well-run local authorities all over the country, represented he has to pick what he thinks is an easy target, but he by councillors of different parties, are maintaining that has picked the wrong target. network. Therefore, every single plank of the right hon. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister, Gentleman’s argument has collapsed beneath him, and with whom I do not always agree, was right when he I have been on my feet for only six minutes. said that Liberal Democrat authorities were keeping all their Sure Start children’s centres open. We can look at Ms Buck: What does the Education Secretary say to what is happening in Kingston upon Hull, where all the parents in my constituency, which has the seventh highest centres are remaining open and services are being delivered child poverty in the country, in the light of Westminster from all of them. The same is true in Kingston upon city council’s briefing? The briefing states: Thames. The Liberal Democrat councillors in those authorities represent a party that I would not vote for, “As you may have heard in the media, central government funding for Sure Start Children’s Centres nationally has been but they are doing the job a darned sight better than the reduced, which means in Westminster we have to save 17% from Labour councillors who used to run Hull when it was our Children’s centre budget”, the worst local authority in the country according to meaning a saving of £715,000, including roughly £250,000 the Audit Commission. It is now the most improved. off early learning and child support, and £400,000 off Andy Burnham rose— outreach and family support. Children’s centres will be bricks and mortar without the staff even to ensure that Michael Gove: Talking of room for improvement, I services can be run safely. give way to the shadow Secretary of State. Michael Gove: The hon. Lady is a highly energetic Andy Burnham: Before we leave this matter, let us get constituency MP—indeed, I was represented by her for to the bottom of the point about Hampshire. There was a brief period, and I know how passionately she takes clearly a change of heart yesterday—[Interruption.] such causes up. However, Westminster, like many other 197 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 198

[Michael Gove] Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): I have some sunny words for the Secretary of State. Sure Start Palfrey in local authorities, is succeeding not just in keeping the my constituency was one of the first in the country to Sure Start children’s centre network open, but in providing get an “outstanding” rating from Ofsted, which it gained an enhanced service for children and young people. The because it did a lot of outreach work, including through question that she and every Opposition Member must a fathers’ club—84 fathers came to one session. However, address is this: if they believe, as I do, that Sure Start is there are rumours, which the Secretary of State might a valuable service, and that it is a good thing that the like to quash, that the staff will be replaced by health Government have set up an early intervention grant, visitors, which moves the centre into a medical model and that we are devoting resources and intellectual rather than an educational model. Will he confirm that energy to the early years, will they support the coalition those specialist workers will not be replaced by health in the steps that it is taking, or do they have an alternative visitors? plan? Do they believe that money should come from other areas of Government expenditure to spend more Michael Gove: The hon. Lady makes an important on any of those services? If they believe that we should point. To be fair to Labour Members, I want to emphasise spend more than we are spending, can they explain that Sure Start has been a success in the past, and we which services they would cut or which taxes they hope it will be an even greater success in the future. would increase? I am very happy to give way to any However, one matter on which it has not been as right hon. or hon. Member who can enlighten me on successful in every part of the country as it should have Labour’s economic policy, including the hon. Member been is in outreach, particularly to the most disadvantaged. for Hammersmith. The Government believe that health visitors, as trusted Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab): Let us faces of the state, can be one of the most effective ways deal with the figures. If the Secretary of State has come in which we can increase outreach. We also believe that along simply to give incorrect figures, he does not help local authorities that have innovative solutions that the debate at all. Hammersmith and Fulham was spending succeed in ensuring that children in hard-to-reach £3.983 million last year; this year it will spend £2.206 million. communities receive those services should be supported. Most of the nine Sure Start centres will have their The coalition Government believe in supporting local budgets cut. Some will receive £19,000 to be satellites—the authorities that are innovative in their use of resources, £19,000 is for the upkeep of the premises, but services which is why we removed the ring fence, created the will be delivered on-site by another children’s centre. early intervention grant, and allowed a greater degree of The Secretary of State must stand by his words if he innovation to flourish at local level. says that that means he is keeping the centres open. Diana Johnson: The 50% cut is set out clearly in Hull However, his stance in this debate and making such city council’s budget to children’s centres—it is a fact. assertions does him no credit. He should at least live The centres cannot provide the service that they provided with the consequences of his actions. before that 50% cut. They have abandoned the local Michael Gove: The consequence of the Government’s authority’s early years service team, and no one is doing actions is that we have ensured, as both Anne Longfield early years service planning in that authority. The cut and Anand Shukla have pointed out, that there is means that services are not the same as they were under enough money to maintain that network. In addition, the previous Government. Surely the Secretary of State under Conservative leadership, Hammersmith and Fulham must recognise that. has been singularly successful in reducing the council tax burden on its ratepayers, and in diversifying the Michael Gove: First, we are entering the financial sources of funding it receives to support education and year in which cuts would have been made if we had care for children and young people. It is a superb local stuck to the plan of the previous Chancellor of the authority. Instead of continually talking down the service Exchequer, the right hon. Member for Edinburgh South that is provided by public servants in Hammersmith West (Mr Darling). However, I have heard not a single and Fulham, it would be nice to hear from the hon. word from the hon. Lady or anyone else about where Gentleman some sunny, uplifting words, rather than those cuts would have been made. Secondly, she and grim predictions of disaster, which as we have just others—I understand that she is electioneering, which is heard, turn out never to be true. fair enough—said that children’s centres would close, Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con): but in fact they have remained open. Will my right hon. Friend join me in congratulating Thirdly—I did not want to repeat this but the hon. Northamptonshire county council on deciding to go Lady compels me to do so—the Audit Commission said ahead with its plans for 50 children’s centres in the that Hull was one of worst local authorities in the county, and on its support for my proposals to introduce country when Labour ran it, and it is now the most a Northamptonshire parent-infant project in children’s improved local authority. I know that those three points centres, which will provide a parent-infant psychotherapy are uncomfortable for her to deal with as she tramps the service for the families most in need who are struggling streets of the east riding attempting to drum up Labour to bond with their new-born babies? votes, but they are undeniably true. That is why she is Michael Gove: I am delighted to congratulate shaking her head—in anger at Labour’s record. Northamptonshire, where not a single children’s centre I specifically wanted to address some of the questions is closing. It is also the home of the innovative Pen on the importance of outreach raised by the hon. Green children’s centre. More money is coming from Member for Walsall South (Valerie Vaz). The broader central Government to help that council to develop question is this: what do we want to achieve in the early news ways of providing support for children in their years? A consistent theme in constructive questions earliest years. from Opposition Back-Bench Members has been that 199 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 200 the bricks and mortar are being preserved—that concession, Michael Gove: I believe that money additional to the for which I am grateful, is in stark contrast to the early intervention grant has been budgeted for to cover scaremongering that we have heard from Opposition the years 2012-13 to 2013-14, and we are currently Front Benchers—but what is happening in Sure Start discussing with the sector how to ensure that the money children’s centres? Are we improving the quality of is spent most effectively. Rather than having a top-down service that is provided to children and young people? approach to delivering support for children in the early That is a tough challenge. years, we need to work in partnership, not just with One thing that we are doing—the right hon. Member local government, where there are many brilliant leaders, for Leigh do not refer to this—is increasing resources to but with those in the voluntary and charitable sector ensure that early education and child care are provided who have a huge amount to add. not just for three and four-year-olds, which the previous I mentioned Anand Shukla and Anne Longfield, but Government introduced. We have already extended the I am also very grateful to people such as Bernadette number of hours of free early education and child care Duffy, who runs the Thomas Coram children’s centre, from 12.5 to 15 hours for all three and four-year-olds—we which has helped the coalition Government to move implemented that and increased expenditure to do it—but forward in developing a framework to ensure that children we are also increasing the number of hours for the most in the foundation years receive the support that they disadvantaged two-year-olds. The plan under the previous really need. For example, all of them have worked with Government was for 30,000 of the most disadvantaged us on the response to the report by the right hon. two-year-olds to receive 15 free hours, but we are ensuring Member for Birkenhead and the interim report produced that 130,000 do so. That is an investment of up to an by the hon. Member for Nottingham North (Mr Allen). additional £300 million in the early years at a time when In both reports a compelling case was made—this argument we have to make uncomfortable budget reductions elsewhere was also made eloquently in the first half of the speech because of the desperate economic mess that we inherited. by the right hon. Member for Leigh—that investment That is a sign of our determination to do best by the and the right interventions in the earliest years can have early years. It would only be fitting for the right hon. a dramatic effect in closing the opportunity gap that has Gentleman to acknowledge that. grown up in this country. Henry Smith: The state of the country’s finances that All of us will have been struck by some of the figures was bequeathed to us by Labour was appalling. Is it not released by the coalition Government and analysed by remarkable that the amount of interest that we are the Financial Times this week that show that social paying on Labour’s deficit is 39 times the Sure Start mobility in this country is still not moving in the right budget? direction. In particular, we see evidence in some of our most deprived areas of children who have not reached Michael Gove: My hon. Friend is absolutely correct an acceptable level of child development by the age of that the amount we are paying in interest on our debt is five. In those deprived areas, children who are falling 39 times the Sure Start budget under the previous behind continue to do so. I want to ensure that as much Government. If we really cared about our children’s as possible we have a cross-party approach to dealing future, would we have saddled them with a debt at that with that problem. Again I have to say that steps were level? Clearly not. I am afraid, however, that the right taken by the Deputy Prime Minister, in the launch of hon. Gentleman and his colleagues in the last Labour his social mobility strategy, to outline exactly what we Cabinet were happy to spend, spend, spend without any need to do to tackle these problems. All of his suggestions, thought to whether future generations would be saddled particularly the emphasis on intervention at every stage with an enormous debt. It is to the great credit of the in the life cycle and the prioritisation of early years, Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister that would seem to commend themselves to people of good they were prepared to ensure that a coalition Government will in every party. took the responsible steps necessary to deal with the dire economic mess, and it is to the discredit, I am Andy Burnham: I want to make it clear that I welcome afraid, of the current shadow Cabinet that not a single some of the steps that the right hon. Gentleman is constructive suggestion has come forward for how to taking, particularly on two-year-olds, which builds on deal with the deficit. In just a few days’ time, when something that we were talking about. However, I want people think about how to cast their vote, I hope that to ask him a serious question. I am listening carefully to they will reflect on which parties are acting responsibly what he is saying, and he is itemising some of the in dealing with the national crisis, and which parties individual things that the Government are dong, but I prefer posturing, irresponsibility and the emptiness of want to know about the big picture so that I can eternal opposition. understand his position on Sure Start. He talked about how Sure Start will develop in the future. A simple Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead) (Lab) rose— question: does he envisage Sure Start as a targeted service or a universal service? Michael Gove: I would like to exempt one person from that stricture, however, and it is the right hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr Field), to whom I am Michael Gove: I envisage Sure Start as a universal happy to give way. service. [Interruption.] Second question? It is an interview. I almost feel like I am on “The Andrew Marr Show”—I Mr Field: The whole House welcomes the will come to him in a moment. I believe that Sure Start re-announcement by the Secretary of State that the is a universal service, but it is also important to recognise number of poor two-year-olds who will receive nursery that there are children in greater need on whom we education will rise from 30,000 to 130,000. To ensure should target greater resources. The original Sure Start that it occurs, will the Government ring-fence the money? programme started out targeting areas with the greatest 201 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 202

[Michael Gove] Ann Coffey (Stockport) (Lab): I understand that there are proposals for developing a payment-by-results need, and subsequently, as it moved to phase 3, it scheme for children’s centres. I think those proposals became universal. Even within that, it is an example of have great merit: they will ensure the proper examination what one might call “progressive universalism”. Yes, the of which interventions work, and will lead to better service is there for all, and yes we recognise that outcomes for children. What is the Secretary of State’s disadvantages exist, even in some of our apparently thinking on this, and has any progress been made on wealthier communities. That is why the service should developing such a scheme? be universal. Nevertheless, we know that there are areas of real deprivation, such as the constituency that the Michael Gove: That is a very fair question. The right hon. Gentleman represents, and we need to ensure answer is yes. We are examining this matter with the that our resources and energy are targeted in that area. sector to establish which successful interventions we can encourage and incentivise to be spread more widely. Building on the point made by the hon. Member for Several hon. Members rose— Mid Dorset and North Poole (Annette Brooke), I would add that some children’s centres are hugely successful at Michael Gove: A number of hon. Members want to outreach. The hon. Member for Walsall South (Valerie intervene. I am happy to give way to the hon. Member Vaz) referred to how a children’s centre in her constituency for Redcar (Ian Swales). has succeeded in tackling some hard-to-reach families. We know that some families resent and resist what they Ian Swales (Redcar) (LD): Does the Secretary of see as state intervention and coercion in their families’ State share my regret that last year the National Audit lives, but actually they desperately need that support, so Office found that Sure Start centres had completely we must incentivise those children’s centres that are failed to address inequality in our disadvantaged good at outreach. communities? There is something else that is critically important. There is sometimes an understandable confusion between Michael Gove: The hon. Gentleman, who represents the provision of child care to ensure a higher level of brilliantly a constituency with real deprivation, is absolutely female participation in the work force, which is a good right. Yes, Sure Start has the potential to make a thing in itself, and child development. Those are allied significant difference, and yes on the ground it was but separate issues. I would like to see a renewed emphasis already making a real difference, but we need to build on child development. The original Sure Start proposals, on that by ensuring that we have the targeted interventions which the Treasury developed, had a real focus on child that help those children in the most difficult circumstances. development, and through the work that Dame Claire Tickell has led, we have sought to look at the existing early years foundation stage and build on what is good Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD): about it. The focus of the foundation years should be I note that the shadow Secretary of State spent 45 minutes on ensuring that children arrive at school school-ready on quantitative issues, so I welcome the Secretary of and effectively socialised. That will sometimes require State’s emphasis on quality. Does he agree that we interventions to support parenting and to raise the should be showcasing the really good interventions and quality of staff. However, we can identify and support effective use of money across the country? I regret that good practice, and indeed support many of the voluntary we have cuts, but surely we must be celebrating and organisations, such as 4Children, that are already doing giving confidence to the sector. a fantastic job. I want to stress that the changes we are talking about Michael Gove: That is the best intervention yet. The depend on having in place the staff capable of leading hon. Lady is absolutely right. I and my departmental our children’s centres in the right direction. We have colleagues are anxious to point out that there are many provided funding specifically to ensure that the National committed professionals in the early years sector with a College for Leadership of Schools and Children’s Services greater level of expertise in developing evidence-based can ensure that there is a trained cadre of at least interventions, all of which can help children in difficult 400 highly qualified individuals with a new depth of circumstances. I have been impressed by how people training in running children’s centres, and that we move have worked constructively across the sector, and I have broadly in the direction hinted at by hon. Members been particularly impressed by the fact that, as the hon. towards a vision of children’s centres leaders as people Member for Nottingham North pointed out in his who enjoy the same prestige and esteem as head teachers. report on early intervention, we now have a better body We should see what is happening in children’s centres as of evidence that allows us to identify what works. We part of the seamless process of education that should should celebrate the fact that some of that innovation start at the earliest possible age and, in my view, continue has been operating at a local level in children’s centres for as long as possible, in order to prepare people for the run by exemplary local authorities. world of work and progression. At a time when we have to make economies, I recognise Several hon. Members rose— that it is difficult to concentrate on some of these areas of debate, but we have made a good start in the last Michael Gove: I would like to make progress, because 12 months. The constructive approach taken by the I am conscious that Members would like to speak after right hon. Member for Birkenhead and the hon. Member me. However, I took in vain the name of the right hon. for Nottingham North, along with those in the sector, is Member for Edinburgh South West, so I am happy to something on which we can all build. It is often tempting give way to his former Parliamentary Private Secretary. to knock local government, but I have been hugely 203 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 204 impressed by the way in which the Association of Directors given to the nine centres that were, in fact, closing was of Children’s Services, with its outgoing president Marion £19,000. The council said that after consideration and Davis and the incoming president Matt Dunkley, has consultation—it was a substantial consultation, with engaged with the coalition Government to operate many thousands responding in fairly clear terms—it constructively. would increase the budget. In some cases, the budget I know that many hon. Members will want to use was increased by £1,000 a year, so a budget that was their speeches to make points in advance of the local £19,000 became £20,000, where previously it had been elections—that is fair enough; it is that time of year—but £250,000. Clearly the Secretary of State has been briefed I hope that in the remainder of this debate, their speeches in same propagandist way—“Yes, we’re going to open a will continue in the tone so admirably set by the hon. new centre.”However, the new centre is one of the libraries Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole. We all that the authority is closing, and it will also receive a recognise the great work done by professionals in early grant of £19,000, so we will have another empty building. years. I hope that we will all give some thought in the The third thing that happened was a substantial hours that we have left to how we can build on those protest from my constituents. There were many successes and ensure that children, who are our first demonstrations, including one attended by my hon. care and concern, can have the best possible start in life. Friend the Member for Washington and Sunderland West (Mrs Hodgson), the shadow Children’s Minister. 2.1 pm We reciprocated by bringing a party of Hammersmith and Fulham parents to the mother’s day protest outside Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab): It does No. 10 Downing street and presenting 2,000 signatures not help the House if the Secretary of State comes here from parents in my constituency against the Sure Start to defend the indefensible or to use what is essentially closures. When the inevitable decision was finally made wrong information to do so. I will therefore correct on 18 April to go ahead with the closure programme, some of the figures and facts that he got wrong—and, 150 parents with buggies again turned up to protest. for the record, I will be doing so for the third or fourth I pay tribute to Ruthie Walsh and those involved in time. I should also say that I do not have any local Hammersmith and Fulham Parents Unite for organising elections in my constituency. Indeed, it is somewhat those protests, not because they are politically motivated, insulting to say that Members who have supported their but because they care about their children and they networks of children’s centres and been proud of them— absolutely value the service. Many say it is a lifeline, that probably goes for Members from all parties in this helping them through relationship break-ups, or loss of place—have come to this debate simply to score cheap job or income, or even helping them to get back into political points. That is not the case. I do not know work, providing not just child minding or play services whether my words will influence the outcome of the but high quality support, particularly for children with alternative vote referendum—if they lead to a yes vote developmental difficulties or special educational needs. for AV,then all well and good—but I assure the Secretary That is what Sure Start provides and what, however we of State that that is not my intention today. dress it up, we are losing when we close nine centres in Hammersmith and Fulham council began on 10 January Hammersmith and Fulham. After all the protests, all this year with a report, passed in full, that said: the jiggery-pokery and all the propaganda, the net “At present H&F has a network of 15 children’s centres…We effect is that the budget is indeed being cut by 45%, are looking at options to restructure this provision in line with the from almost £4 million to just over £2 million, that the likely levels of efficiency and grant reductions expected…However, number of Sure Start centres in Hammersmith will now it is not likely under this scenario that LBHF could continue to be six, rather than 15, and that the number of children directly fund more than 6 Children’s centre teams.” served by those centres will go down by two thirds, to The cut in grant is about 13%, whereas, as I said in my no more than 2,000. That is the reality, with the spin intervention, the cut in the budget is about 45%. It is removed, about the services that will be provided. therefore no good Hammersmith and Fulham hiding It is no coincidence that the pattern of Sure Start cuts behind the cut in grant. It is right to say, however, that fits the pattern of cuts in other children’s services. Four as soon as that announcement was made public—albeit of the borough’s seven youth clubs have been closed in shortly after Christmas—there was, shall we say, a lively my constituency, along with after-school services, of reaction in the constituency and the borough. A lot has which we are very proud, play services and a complete happened in the three months since, partly because the network of dedicated services. That has all been shut local authority realised that it might be in breach of its down, and because of Government cuts, the playbuilders statutory duties, which were quite properly introduced scheme and the Building Schools for the Future programme by the previous Government. have also been cut. The impact of local government Those duties are such that either, first, the council cuts, as well as those directed through local government would have had to return the nine centres that it was from central Government, unavoidably bears down closing—those whose grants it was cutting entirely—to overwhelmingly on children and people on low incomes the Department for Education, or would have been in my constituency. liable to do so; secondly, it had not performed its One of the most shameful things—this might be statutory duty to consult before making the decision; unique to Hammersmith and Fulham—is that rather or, thirdly, it was no longer clearly providing a network than say, “This is regrettable, but it’s to do with finance of children’s centres. The local authority’s response was and matters of that kind,” the local authority has tried based on trying to bring itself within the law, not on to rubbish Sure Start as a programme. In its most recent recognising it had made a mistake about levels of provision. report on the cuts, the council said that Every one of the minor and incremental changes that it “no Sure Start Local programme effects emerged in the case of made was more to do with PR than with the service or ‘school readiness’ defined in terms of children’s early language, keeping all the centres open. The general amount numeracy and social skills needed to succeed in schools.” 205 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 206

[Mr Andy Slaughter] 2.11 pm

So there we have it: the reason for the almost 50% cuts Dan Rogerson (North Cornwall) (LD): This Opposition in children’s centre budgets and the two thirds cuts in day debate has been billed as one that would land a big provision for children is that they do not work. Is that blow on the Government on a crucial issue. The shadow the Government’s attitude? Despite the protestations, Secretary of State gave us a number of examples in his do they actually think that we are talking about a lengthy trip around the country, but they were perhaps wasteful service that should not be provided, or that not the killer blow that he was hoping to land. He pre-school services should be provided only to those prefaced his remarks by saying that there was a great who can afford to pay for them? To give the council deal of recognition on both sides of the House of the credit, that is clearly the view of Hammersmith and good that Sure Start has done. I share that view, having Fulham, but it is not the view of my constituents, seen what Sure Start has achieved in my constituency irrespective of income or background. and elsewhere. Notwithstanding the issues raised in the National Audit Office’s report, to which we might return I do not want to take up too much time, but I want later in the debate, the programme has great strengths. briefly to mention some of the Sure Start centres in my All things can be worked on and improved, but the constituency that cater for and care for thousands of programme’s fundamental objectives of reaching and children every year in Hammersmith and Fulham. Cathnor supporting people who need help, and encouraging Park family centre was the first to open in 1998, and the people to work together to support each other, have council now describes it as a “super spoke”—it is much been achieved in many children’s centres. Of course we better than a satellite: it is a super spoke. The centre welcome and support that. receives £50,000 in funding, as opposed to the £473,000 Speaking as a rural MP, I believe that delivering such it received last year. The same goes for Broadway family services in places such as North Cornwall is different centre, which also received £473,000 last year, but which from delivering them in urban areas. There has always will receive £19,000 this year. The funding for Wendell been a hub and spoke approach in rural areas, because Park, my local Sure Start centre, has been cut from of the many village Sure Start children’s centres that we £250,000 to £25,000, and that of the Bayonne family have. I see that as a strength, in that some services travel centre has been cut from £250,000 to £19,000. The around all of them. I would caution the shadow Secretary Normand Croft centre’s funding has been cut by the of State against saying that there must be a fully staffed same amount. suite of people just hanging around in case someone walks in through the door. Instead, we should be looking Those centres are popular, well used and well loved at the best way of using resources. by everyone who uses them. They have established themselves and they believed that they would continue Andy Burnham: I agree; that is a reasonable and fair because they were told by politicians of all parties that point. The hon. Gentleman mentioned the examples they were providing a wonderful service to the parents that I gave. I think that he is the Back-Bench education and children of the borough. However, they will all be spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, and I would gone. We do not know about closures in children’s like him to give us a straight answer today. We have services yet, but we know about the closures of youth heard from my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston centres and play centres. Not only are the services being upon Hull North (Diana Johnson) that Lib Dem-controlled closed, but the buildings are being sold off. The assets Hull city council is cutting the Sure Start budget by are being disposed of, so, if there is another Labour 50%. Does the hon. Gentleman support that move? Government, or another Government who are more enlightened than this one, or a local authority able to provide the services, it will not be possible to recreate Dan Rogerson: We are in a period in which people are them. They will be gone for good. That will be the getting used to a coalition Government, and I am legacy of this Government, and it is the legacy of the certainly not a Front Bencher here. I am speaking as a Conservatives in local government in London. Back Bencher, and I am sure that you would be the first to jump on me if I claimed to be a Front Bencher, These decisions are ideologically driven. If they were Mr Deputy Speaker. I and a number of other Liberal driven by the need to save money, we would be seeing Democrats have a Back-Bench group in which we discuss what the Minister of State promised us when she responded many of these issues with other people inside and to debates on the subject—namely, cuts at a level that outside the party. We are also able to talk to the Minister would allow the networks to survive. I have said this of State, Department for Education, my hon. Friend before to the Secretary of State: he should intervene on the Member for Brent Central (Sarah Teather), who, as those local authorities that are choosing to close their a Minister in the coalition Government, is at the heart children’s centre networks or not to provide such networks. of taking these decisions and leading policy forward, They could be in breach of their statutory duty, and along with her other colleagues. My view on what is there will certainly be a legal challenge in Hammersmith happening in Hull is that it now has a council that has and Fulham. There has not been proper consultation, taken over what was the worst council in the country and we have heard nothing but spin and disinformation, under Labour and turned it around. It is in challenging which, to his discredit, the Secretary of State has repeated financial times—I want to return to that subject later—but today. The Government purport to believe in children’s it has managed to ensure that all its children’s centres centres and early years development, yet local authorities will remain open. are cutting services to the bone and closing them down, As I said earlier, the hub and spoke model, which is to the extent that nothing remains except the shell of already operating in other parts of the country, can be the building. The Government should intervene to stop successfully undertaken. The shadow Secretary of State them. also referred to a postcode lottery. That is one way of 207 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 208 saying that locally elected councillors should be able to It will become increasingly obvious as this Parliament take decisions that affect their local areas and, having progresses that that refrain just will not do. When that talked to the local community, use the money available refrain is tied to a motion such as the one before us, in ways that the community believes will be most effective. which seeks to scaremonger before a local election That is my view of how local democracy should work. about the closure of a service on which people rely, it is Instead of talking about a postcode lottery, we could even more unfortunate. It is also unfortunate that the talk about the young people in my constituency who “killer statistics” that the right hon. Member for Leigh had £300 less than the national average for their education was hoping to present have not emerged; the picture is under the Labour Government. Cornwall is recognised different. by the European Union as one of the most economically Sadly, some jobs will go, which is absolutely to be disadvantaged areas of the country. Those are the issues regretted. I look forward to continued investment in that we should be looking at, rather than at the way in early years education and leadership programmes that which different councils take decisions about the money might provide something for people wanting to move at their disposal. from one job to another and allow them to carry on I welcome the Government’s commitment to early using their skills and make a contribution. I also welcome years provision. As we have heard, they have involved the Government’s Green Paper on special educational Opposition Members in the debate, and I am delighted needs, particularly the strong aspiration to tie in health to see the right hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr Field) spending on matters that perhaps previous were seen as in his place today. The Liberal Democrats have always solely the responsibility of the Secretary of State for placed a strong emphasis on early intervention, and I Education. There are lessons to be learned from Sure pay tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Dorset Start. In its early days, there were programmes to support and North Poole (Annette Brooke), who is no longer in breastfeeding, for example, which a primary care trust her place, for the work that she has done over the years, sometimes struggled to fund, given that supporting inside and outside the party, and for chairing the all-party children’s centres was not part of the Department’s core parliamentary group on Sure Start children’s centres. area of responsibility. That was a controversial matter She makes a significant contribution to the debate. at the time. The shadow Secretary of State attempted to say that the only thing that the Liberal Democrats were worried Stella Creasy (Walthamstow) (Lab/Co-op): I note the about was next week’s referendum. It is absolutely clear, hon. Gentleman’s support for early intervention, but I however, that the coalition Government will continue, only wish that he had been more enthusiastic in the whatever the result of the referendum. I would point to Education Bill Committee in supporting my proposals the commitment to investing in child care and early for achievement-for-all partnerships. In view of his years education for two-year-olds from disadvantaged point about Sure Start, does he share my concern that backgrounds as something that my party has been local authorities such as mine in Waltham Forest are arguing for. I also believe that the pupil premium, which having to make terrible decisions because of the funding the right hon. Gentleman has real problems with, will cuts? Fantastic projects such as the Hamara family deliver real change and real investment for disadvantaged project—provided by Barnado’s for work with children young people up and down the country. I would also with special educational needs—and the outreach buses point to the review by Dame Clare Tickell, and the on the Attlee Terrace estate are having to be cut in order aspiration to simplify and streamline the bureaucracy to keep the centres open. These services are going and around the early years foundation key stage. That was we will not have the centres to maintain them. in the Liberal Democrat manifesto. I am sure that the Secretary of State and Conservative colleagues will Dan Rogerson: The hon. Lady has managed to put on want to emphasise their own credentials when it comes the record references to a number of projects in her to tackling bureaucracy, but those measures were certainly constituency; as an assiduous local MP, it is absolutely in our party’s manifesto. I therefore have no problem her right to do so. It is for her local authority to with running through the Government’s programme consider and to reach a conclusion about what happens and looking at all the Liberal Democrat priorities that to these services. The local electorate will look at those are being delivered in it. decisions and no doubt respond accordingly—not this The key point that I want to make is that we are in year in the hon. Lady’s area, but in other parts of the difficult financial circumstances and, yes, the money country. My point was about trying to get health spending going to local government has been restricted and brought more closely together with what the Department efficiencies are having to be made. As other hon. Members for Education does; further gains could be made from have pointed out, a pot of fairy gold seems to exist in that approach, which is why I greatly welcome investment the minds of Opposition Members, along with the in health visitors, for example, during this Parliament. belief that, were they in charge, all the financial problems We will have extra professionals on the ground to would be solved. However, the cuts programme that deliver these key priorities in early intervention and they set out when they were pretending to be responsible support for people who, without it, might find it difficult in government has now disappeared. They said that to keep the family together. It is important to support billions of pounds of cuts would be necessary, but they young children in those crucial years. are now not being at all specific about where those cuts would have been made. It is tiresome that, time and Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) (Con): I am again in these Opposition day debates, whatever the pleased to hear from my hon. Friend that, whatever the subject, all we hear from them is, “Of course we know outcome on 5 May, I can continue to work with him for that cuts have to be made, but we wouldn’t do it there or the greater benefit of the coalition in Cornwall in in that way.” They never tell us what their alternative righting some of the terrible wrongs that have been left, would be. especially the underfunding of education for Cornwall’s 209 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 210

[Sarah Newton] I conclude on that note. I hope that the debate will proceed by focusing on the positive aspects that Sure younger people. Does my hon. Friend agree that health Start has delivered and the opportunities to continue visitors, particularly in remote rural areas such as Cornwall, delivering them. will play an increasingly important role in supporting families with young children? 2.27 pm Dan Rogerson: It is crucial to ensure that programmes that sometimes seem specifically targeted at urban areas Sir Gerald Kaufman (Manchester, Gorton) (Lab): A also deliver in more rural areas. Sometimes there is a year ago during the general election campaign, a woman misunderstanding that all rural areas are prosperous in my constituency asked me what Labour had done for communities and that money should be targeted elsewhere. Gorton. We were standing outside the St James Sure That is not the main thrust of what I am saying, Start centre on Stelling street, where she was waiting to however, so I do not want to get drawn further down collect her child. That lady, like many constituents of that road. Of course I look forward to working with my mine, will be wondering what is going to happen to that hon. Friend the Member for Truro and Falmouth (Sarah centre, which she took for granted as though it had Newton) to ensure that Cornwall gets its fair share of always been there, archetypally provided by some heavenly spending and investment. intervention. It fact, of course, it was created by the Labour Government and was one of their most successful Sure Start has done a fantastic job of reaching out to innovations. Incidentally, when Parliament was considering people in communities, but there are questions about the Sure Start proposals, the then Conservative Opposition whether all the money has been spent efficiently. When did not support them. the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North (Diana Johnson) pointed to projects under threat in her In a city such as Manchester, which has many areas constituency, she specifically referred to a planning of deprivation, Sure Start made a hugely positive impact. team. I am not aware of how much on-the-ground work We have 14 major centres, of which several excellent that planning team does—it might be crucial—but it ones are in my constituency. One in Farrer road in does not sound to me like a front-line service that is, as Longsight was built anew at a cost of £3.25 million and her Front-Bench team seek to imply, for the chop. provides an exceptional environment where parents can take their children and be confident that they will be Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): Before looked after. Throughout my constituency—from Gorton the hon. Gentleman moves on, will he comment on—and, right through to Whalley Range—my constituents have hopefully, dissociate himself from—his colleague who come to rely on Sure Start and take it for granted. That intervened and quoted one part of the Audit Commission’s is true not only of the centres, but the other facilities report totally out of context, suggesting that the Audit provided by Sure Start. In several parks, such as Platt Commission had said that early years intervention through Fields, they provide play areas and playgrounds that children’s centres was a waste of money? were not there before. Sure Start is very well used and enormously valued. Dan Rogerson: I do not think it was said to be a waste That was shown when my constituents, along with of money. The argument was that things can always be those of other Labour Members with Manchester done better, which is what the National Audit Office constituencies, came down to London a few days ago to said. I hope that all Members agree that where issues present a petition to 10 Downing street—to which we have been identified independently and targets and have so far had no response—asking for Sure Start to aspirations for a policy have not been met, we can look be protected. for ways to do it better. My fundamental point is that, Some of the petitioners came from the Levenshulme despite the financial situation, good councils up and area in my constituency, and a couple of weeks ago we down the country will prioritise children’s centres and held a special meeting in Levenshulme to discuss with keep them open to ensure that services have a reach—even local parents what they wanted to happen now that if there is no insistence on having full-time workers in Sure Start was under threat as a result of the Government’s every specialism in every centre, which is what I would policies. Mothers listed a number of reasons why Sure like to see if the money were available to fund it. Start had made a difference to their lives and the lives of their families. They spoke of a cohesive approach, and Diana Johnson: Of course all Members would agree said that Sure Start had given them points of contact that if efficiencies can be made, it is all to the good and with other parents. They said that, as well as providing we should see it happen, but is the hon. Gentleman facilities and services, Sure Start had given them an honestly saying that a 50% cut to the children’s centre opportunity to make friends and establish links with budget in Hull can be seen as a good thing and that peer groups. They said that it was particularly valuable services will improve because it is an efficiency saving? to those who did not have much family support, and that it was very important to single-parent families. Dan Rogerson: Of course I am not saying that spending They also said that it gave parents the power of choice, less on a service is desirable. If we have the money in the but that power of choice is now being undermined and first place, I would like it to be spent on front-line placed in jeopardy by the huge cuts being imposed by services, but I am not in a position to comment on how this joint Liberal Democrat-Conservative Government. every single penny has been spent in Hull. I am pleased The city of Manchester is one of the top four cities in to note that my Liberal Democrat colleagues running the entire country to have suffered cuts in local government the city council are keeping the children’s centres open funding from this Government. Next year the cut will and will provide services at them, which will reach be £109 million, and the following year it will be across all the communities of Hull. £170 million. 211 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 212

Andrew Bingham (High Peak) (Con): The right hon. comprise the present Government bears no relation to Gentleman is painting a good picture of the work done what they are doing now to service after service. The by Sure Start in my constituency, but I wonder whether present Prime Minister said: he and his fellow Manchester Labour Members will “we back Sure Start, but we will improve it, because at the make representations to the city council about the moment the people who need Sure Start the most—disadvantaged £95 million cash reserves that it is holding, and about families—are not getting enough of the benefit. So we’ll contract one or two jobs that it is advertising. For instance, it is independent organisations that have a proven track record in offering annual salaries of £38,000 for a communications helping families”. manager and £128,000 for a creative graphic designer. One of the huge values of Sure Start was that it was Would that money not be better put towards Sure Start? socially cohesive. It did not discriminate socially between Sir Gerald Kaufman: The hon. Gentleman reads out those who were more affluent and those who were in some brief that has been thrust into his hands and talks employment, and those who were less affluent and about Manchester. I can tell him that he knows nothing those who were not able to get jobs—and heaven knows, whatever about life in Manchester and nothing whatever those who are not able to get jobs constitute an increasingly about the lives of my constituents, a huge proportion of high proportion of the people I represent. But if the whom have already lived in deprivation and are now Prime Minister really wanted to approach Sure Start in living in worse deprivation as a result of what is being the right way and to help disadvantaged families more, done by this Conservative Government. The latest that is being breached to an even worse extent. The unemployment figure is 9.4%. Let the hon. Gentleman statistics show that constituencies such as mine are not be briefed by his Whips to tell me about Manchester, being penalised and targeted by the Government, whereas because my constituents sent me to tell the House about the families who, according to the Prime Minister, do Manchester, and that is what I will continue to do. not need Sure Start as much are suffering much less from cuts. Andrew Bingham rose— As I said earlier, the early intervention grant in my Sir Gerald Kaufman: If the quality of the hon. city has been cut by £80 per child. In Surrey, Gentleman’s first intervention is anything to go by, I Buckinghamshire and Wokingham, it has been cut by think that the House will be better off without a second £30 per child. The Government have decided to discriminate intervention from him. in favour of the affluent Tory-voting south, and against However, the problem is not simply the cuts in deprived constituencies like mine which need Sure Start. Manchester’s overall funding but the cuts in the early The Prime Minister himself needs Sure Start. But it is intervention grant, which helps to fund Sure Start. My not only the Prime Minister who deceived the country right hon. Friend the Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham) before the general election. The leader of the Liberal said that nationally the cuts amounted to £50 per head. Democrat party said: In Manchester, the figure is £80 per head: that is what “My party will protect existing child care entitlements and this Government have done to the city. Manchester city Sure Start”, council is utterly determined not to close any of our and: Sure Start centres, but because of what the Government have done—because of the disproportionately high cuts “Sure Start is a really important programme that has made a in the early intervention grant—the service that we have real difference to millions of parents. Difficult decisions are going to have to be made in public spending but Sure Start is one of the been used to in Manchester, and which the council best things the last Government has done and I want all these wants to go on providing, will no longer be available. centres to stay open.” The council is examining options, not one of which it That is what the leader of the Liberal Democrats says, would prefer to consider. It will have to withdraw from whose party is conniving at undermining Sure Start and its current role as a provider of services and become a taking its valued facilities away from parents in my “commissioner of provision”. That means that it will constituency who need them. try to provide services which are of sufficient quality and properly targeted, but because of the Government I have mentioned the local election campaign and cuts it will not be able to continue to provide the service what people are seeing happening, and I say this: a week that a Labour Government enabled my constituents to tomorrow we in Manchester will be able to pass our take for granted as something that they would always verdict on the Liberal Democrats. There is no point in have. When I was electioneering for the local elections— our passing our verdict on the Conservatives because we do not have any of them on the council, but we will Michael Gove: Ah! be able to pass our verdict on what they have connived Sir Gerald Kaufman: Oh yes. I shall say more about at in the abolition of—[Interruption.] I see a Minister the local elections in a minute. grinning at what the Government have done to the When I was electioneering for the local elections last deprived people in my constituency—at what they have Friday, a constituent came up to me and asked, “Why done on education maintenance allowance and on Sure are the Government doing this to us in Manchester? We Start, at the £100 they have deducted from the winter did not want this Government in Manchester, but we fuel payment, at the deprived and the poor and those are stuck with them, so why are they discriminating who need money having it taken away from them while against us?” the bankers’ bonuses go on soaring and soaring. We will decide in Manchester, and this House has got the right The best that we can do is not to close any centres to debate these issues, and we will go on debating them and to engage in a consultation process. However, as my until we have shamed this Government out of existence. right hon. Friend the Member for Leigh has pointed out, on this as on so many other issues, what was said before the general election by both the parties that Several hon. Members rose— 213 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 214

Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. Before most in need of help—from the children, whose health I call the next speaker, let me say that 11 Members still and well-being is improved, to the young parents, who wish to speak and the wind-ups will start at 3.40 pm. are given the support and parenting skills that may have been lacking in their own lives. I know how much they 2.41 pm gain from this lifeline. Caroline Dinenage (Gosport) (Con): I start by addressing Sure Start was one of the few positive legacies we the sunny side that we have been aiming to get to today inherited from the previous Labour Government, and it by talking about the benefits of Sure Start. It has been surprises me that it is the Labour-run councils up and fantastic for many of my constituents. At the age of 17, down the country who are seeking to save money by one of my constituents found herself pregnant with closing these valuable centres almost as a first resort. twins as a single mum. She had to deal with the challenges of that without the help of a loving family around her, Andy Burnham: Which ones? and the burden of those challenges led her to self-harming. I am pleased to be able to say that she is now the proud Caroline Dinenage: I will go on to give a couple of mum of healthy, happy five-year-old twins, and she examples. maintains that that is all down to the help and support Some of these councils are cutting valuable front-line she received from Sure Start. It led her to gain the right services to save money, while protecting the pay packets medical help that she needed and to gain the parental of the council hierarchy. There are some bizarre—and, skills necessary to cope with the challenge of twins—which, frankly, ridiculous—job titles, including a creative director let us face it, we would all struggle with. Sure Start put at the county council of the right hon. Member for her on the right track and taught her how to be a Manchester, Gorton (Sir Gerald Kaufman), earning responsible parent, giving her the skills required to be £120,000 a year. Labour-run Liverpool city council is self-sufficient—so much so that she now acts as a mentor closing four Sure Start centres, and its record is a prime to young mothers in my constituency. She is a bright, example of the wasteful spending that has plagued the shining example of why Sure Start is a good thing. The effectiveness of our front-line services as, meanwhile, it fact that people who were previously on the edge of has an astonishing 23 employees earning over £100,000 society can come back in that way shows the great value a year. Its recently retired chief executive earned more of Sure Start. than double what the Prime Minister earns. My husband is in the military, so I know at first hand Labour-run Manchester city council has put question the difficulties involved in trying to bring up a family marks over its Sure Start centres, as the right hon. effectively as a single mum while a partner is away on Gentleman outlined, despite having paid 18 employees duty. Two weeks after the birth of my second child, my over £100,000 a year, having cash reserves of £95 million, husband was deployed overseas. Fortunately, I had a as my hon. Friend the Member for High Peak (Andrew strong and supportive family around me to help, but I Bingham) pointed out, and having the highest levels of know that others are not so lucky. On my visits to local funding per head in the area. The recent efficiency Sure Start centres throughout my constituency, I have measures will provide the councils that have been reckless met many mums with partners in the military who are in their spending with an opportunity to reform their living in married quarters that are miles away from their strategies and, as a result, function in a more streamlined home town and from the support network of family and effective manner. and friends that those with young children sometimes need. All of them have emphasised the importance to Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): Does the hon. them of Sure Start. It provides support for mothers to Lady understand that councils whose areas suffer the come together and gain the help and advice they need, greatest deprivation, and which are therefore mainly and it provides them with a welcome opportunity to Labour-run, have faced disproportionately large cuts talk to someone over the age of five. from the Tory Government, and does she accept that Sure Start centres provide important services for the biggest cuts are taking place because they have children and families and they must not be undermined. received less grant from the Government? A recent independent review found that 54% of current incidents of depression in women and 58% of female Caroline Dinenage: I cannot comment on the councils suicide attempts can be attributed to adverse childhood in the hon. Lady’s area. I can only speak about my own experiences. That hammers home the great importance area, which has some of the highest levels of social of the early years of our childhood to our future deprivation in the south of England, and highlight the prospects. Research has shown that a child’s development fact that our country would not be in this situation— at 22 months is an accurate indicator of educational spending 39 times the Sure Start budget on the deficit—if outcomes at 26 years of age, while boys deemed to be the previous Government had not left us in such a pickle. “at risk” at the age of three have almost three times more criminal convictions in adulthood than their peers. Andy Burnham: Will the hon. Lady give way? This is why we must support children from the very start. Caroline Dinenage: Much as I would love to give way It is important to remember that Sure Start was to the shadow Secretary of State, he will have plenty of initially introduced to provide a haven of support and time to say what he wants when summing up. advice for our most vulnerable families in particular, yet Hampshire county council has been discussed a lot in Ofsted reports that, under the last Government, half of the debate. There were plans to keep the number of Sure Start children’s centres were not reaching out to individually managed centres at 81, but to reduce the the most vulnerable. Therefore, it is crucial that these number of management hubs to 53. There were never resources are protected in order to help those who are plans to reduce the number of centres. No Sure Start 215 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 216 centres in Hampshire were ever planned to be cut; it was idea. The Secretary of State needed all his skills to avoid just the management of them that was considered. I can answering questions from Labour Members today, because well understand why the Opposition struggle with the real losses are clearly involved when local authorities concept of reducing bureaucracy, management and red with reduced budgets have to make choices on what tape even though not doing so would be at the expense they think is most important in the area covered by the of front-line services. intervention grant. Hampshire county council is making £6 million-worth If the Government are to make real sense of the of savings while protecting front-line services. It is even foundation years during this Parliament, they will need planning to increase the number of family support to change their attitude towards non-ring-fencing. I workers but outsourcing some of the IT and admin intervened earlier to ask whether the money for the new from the county council in Winchester and merging initiative of very significantly increasing the number of some of the management structures of the smaller poor children between two and three who will receive centres that are closer together. No front-line Sure Start nursery education will be ring-fenced, and the Secretary services will be cut, nor will any family support worker of State gave us the good news that it would be. So we posts. From speaking to the mums who use the Sure can conclude that although the Government are not Start centres, I know that the most important thing for going to say in public that, with hindsight, they were them is that the service will continue in the same way. In probably wrong not to ring-fence, it is clear that in any fact, they have all identified that savings can be made, future settlement they will prioritise those areas where while front-line services can be protected. I have given they believe the greatest gains for taxpayers can be got them my absolute commitment that I will continue the from spending their money. I suggest that, in the next dialogue with Hampshire county council to ensure that review, foundation years spending is one area that needs that is what happens to front-line services and that no to be ring-fenced. mums or families suffer in any way. That is why I called The second question that I wish to pose applies on the Prime Minister in a recent Prime Minister’s particularly to Labour Members, but also to those on Question Time to endorse proposals that protect front-line the Government Benches. We are all anxious to present services, and that is why I criticised the mischief-making Sure Start in the best possible light. It is true that it has that has resulted in Sure Start being used as a political established itself as a universal service that is non- football. It is, was, and always will be, far too important stigmatising and offers help, but I question whether we for that. have the information at our disposal to be so confident Sure Start transforms lives in areas such as Gosport, that all Sure Start centre budgets are being spent in the and I have been inspired by the work of our local best way possible. When Sure Start began in Birkenhead centres in dramatically improving the well-being, educational 10 years ago, I sought in vain to gain from our four achievements and health of children. local centres information on the number of children in their area, the number of children that they were contacting 2.49 pm and whether they were ensuring that the greatest help went to the most-deprived children—I never received Mr Frank Field (Birkenhead) (Lab): I wish to pose a answers. Now that Sure Start centres know that things question at the beginning of my short contribution: are up for grabs and that, for example, the schools in why are we attaching such importance to today’s debate? Birkenhead are probably going to bid for the centres, I say that because Sure Start is part of a wider area of people are of course anxious to talk about what their concern, which the Secretary of State rightly called the services might provide. “foundation years”. There are two reasons why the House is concerned about this area and what is happening In an age in which there is less money in most areas to it, how it will be developed and how it might be for Sure Start, it is more important that the money is affected by any cuts programme. The first is that over spent on the poorest children, not the richest. Adam the past decade or so we have been given a great deal of Smith’s hidden hand seemed to work at the doors of new knowledge about how brains develop. In the past, Sure Start, in that the doors were opened most widely to we looked to schools and universities to make good those bushy-tailed mums who are confident about class differences, but development in neuroscience suggests themselves and who saw what a wonderful service it was that we need to start much earlier and take action as and went in—they have benefited fully. I still ponder children develop from the womb and until the age of about the number of mothers in my constituency who five. So if we are really concerned about widening life are very poor, who are suffering from post-natal depression chances and ensuring that people can move from their and with whom nobody makes contact. That is the early years into education and into work, we need to group that Sure Start needs to be most involved with. prioritise the foundation years. Much of the concern of Labour Members has been Dan Rogerson: Does the right hon. Gentleman think about what has been happening to Sure Start, and I we could ensure that the more resource-intensive activities want to pose some questions about that and end with a that take place in the children’s centres could be targeted suggestion. We are not going to persuade the Government while also ensuring that they can still be used in other to go back on their non-ring-fencing, much as we would ways to encourage everybody to come in, to work like them to, and so I make a plea to them. Other together and to learn from each other and support each programmes and public expenditure reviews will take other? Does he think we can get the balance between place during this Parliament and I hope that before the those two things? Government embark on their second, and probably last, public expenditure review for this five-year Parliament, Mr Field: My report tries to suggest how we can keep they will question whether, with hindsight, the non-ring- the service universal while also concentrating help on fencing of some of these key services has been a good those in greatest need. That is crucial if in the next 217 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 218

[Mr Frank Field] holding back on some benefit increases for children in future years. We will not only achieve more quickly the 10 years we are to see not only a development of the goal of abolishing the numbers of children in financial Sure Start budgets, but a significant increase in the poverty but, by ensuring that child care is of the highest budgets for foundation years—that is where any new quality, we will also ensure that many of those children money should go. It would help Sure Start to meet that are better prepared to start school and that their lives objective if the Government were to move as quickly as will be very different from those of their parents. they could to ensure that foundation years provision I chair the new academy in Birkenhead and we have overall, and Sure Start in particular, was paid by results. been debating what should be in our contract with the In that context, we need to consider whether more town. I think that one part of our contract will be that children are better ready each year to start school as a we will run an academy that will ensure that children result of expenditure in this area. I have asked heads in coming to our school will have the opportunity to get my constituency, where we have had Sure Start for better jobs than their parents did when they had to start 10 years, and they have said that that is not so. work. That is what most parents mean by social mobility, The collapse in parenting may be occurring at a and I hope that I have shown today that if we consider greater pace in some areas than it is more generally the amount and quality of child care, we might not only throughout the country—this problem is not a particular lessen the amount of financial child poverty in our one. One of the great reasons why we support the country but significantly open up the life chances of our foundation years is that more children are less well poorest children. nurtured now than was the case 10, 20 or 30 years ago. One of the great things that Sure Start is about is trying 3.1 pm to ensure that those young people who did not have good parents and who did not learn the ropes from Richard Fuller (Bedford) (Con): I have listened with them find from somebody else the best way of ensuring great interest to the debate. Speeches seem to have fallen that their children are really fit to start their first day of into two categories: they have shown Sure Start as a school. shared success on which today’s debate gives us an opportunity to improve and they have made it a partisan I hope that the Government have learned the lessons issue and an opportunity to score points. We just heard about ring-fencing. We will see this in their actions, from the right hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr Field), because I do not expect a Minister to say at the Dispatch a man whose comments are always listened to very Box, “I think our approach was wrong, but next time it attentively by Members on both sides of the House, and will be played differently.” Secondly, I hope that we all his speech was a classic example of the first of those agree that whatever our framework for Sure Start, we two categories. He made some very good points, one of want to ensure that the most vulnerable children are which I shall comment on—that is, improving and helped most. I wish to make a brief suggestion about taking Sure Start to the next level. Of course, we have the next stage of this policy. The Government have heard other speeches, most notably that made by the accepted all the proposals that they could immediately hon. Member for Hammersmith (Mr Slaughter), that accept from my report, but one proposal relies on the are more partisan and point-scoring. Chancellor of the Exchequer. I suggested that each time the Chancellor considers whether to increase benefit I felt that the shadow Secretary of State’s speech was rates for children, he should consider whether in that uncharacteristically ineffectual today.I always look forward year it would be more appropriate to spend some or all to listening to his speeches, but I felt that it fell somewhere of that money not on benefit increases, but on building in the middle, as though his brief told him to make up foundation years provision. some electioneering, rallying, partisan points but his heart told him that Sure Start was far too important to Some Labour Members are slightly apprehensive about be brought down to that level. that suggestion, because we have been committed to abolishing child poverty, as defined in monetary terms, I want to try to address some of the points and try to by 2020. Those on the Government side are also committed avoid some of the partisan claims. My first point concerns to that and I think that Labour Members fear that if the the closure of Sure Start centres. I know that many of Government decided to move moneys from benefit my right hon. and hon. Friends went through the general increases to services, we would lose that goal of abolishing election confronted by Labour party smear stories about child poverty as we defined it when we were in government. our intentions for Sure Start. It was a disgraceful smear I wish to suggest that that clash does not exist. A couple then and it is a disgraceful smear when we hear it of years ago, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation supported repeated, albeit in a muted way, today. research examining the most effective ways to ensure I am glad to have heard Members on both sides of that more children live in households with incomes the House talk about those councils that, even in very above the target of two thirds of median earnings. It difficult times, are showing their commitment by found that that was done not by increasing benefits, but maintaining Sure Start centres and to have heard the by increasing the amount of child care. In fact, if we commitment on that point from my right hon. Friend attended to that and ensured that child care was of high the Secretary of State. When we hear that councils such quality, up to half of those children who are now as Harlow and Kent, which my hon. Friend the Member deemed to be poor would not be poor because their for Sittingbourne and Sheppey (Gordon Henderson) parents would be able to combine the work and tax mentioned, and, I understand, Liberal Democrat Councils credits that are available to give them an income that and Labour councils such as Tameside have committed would take them out of our definition of financial to maintaining Sure Start centres, surely that shows that poverty.I suggest that the Government consider significant this is truly a shared commitment for all parties. Why increases in child care and that they finance that by are other councils closing Sure Start centres? What have 219 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 220 they done to find other savings? What sorts of overpaid to such a definitive conclusion as he would, if there are jobs are they protecting? How analytical have they been examples of where the loss of ring-fencing has led to about their budgets? Are we sure that they are not closures. This period of reduction is quite exceptional playing politics with children’s futures? I do not care and considerable benefits can be found by putting the what their political stripe is—I ask the Minister whether, responsibility for determining the budgets for Sure Start through this process, he will pay close attention to the centres down into the local communities. As councils reasons why those councils are closing or threatening to reinforce their commitment to Sure Start centres in close Sure Start centres. difficult times, that opens up more opportunities for examples of best practice to come to the fore and Julie Hilling: Can the hon. Gentleman explain how a broadens the service offerings that local councils will local authority such as Bolton can cut 25% of its budget seek to put in their centres. without harming any of the services it provides? Let me return to the issue of the overlap between cuts to public expenditure and the commitment to Sure Richard Fuller: That will definitely be a challenge. I Start. This is not good territory for the debate. As I know that the hon. Lady has deep experience in youth mentioned, it is incredibly difficult for councils to match affairs and youth matters from her previous role, but their budgets in difficult times but the issues about the people in Bolton have a higher level of public expenditure future of Sure Start need to go beyond the short-term per head than we have in Bedford, where the deprivation deficit reduction measures that councils are having to level is about the same. When there are sharp reductions, take. Importantly, we should remember when we hear that will cause some issues. That is an issue for her speeches about committing more money to something council to consider and it is crucial that services should that we lead ourselves down a false path if we think that come first for her council and for other councils. The that always leads to better outcomes. Commitment is methodology for delivering those services is where resources not shown by how much money is spent. That kind of need to brought back into the budget. thinking leads to profligacy, waste and ultimately to a complete mess of the finances, as we have seen with the Sarah Newton: Cornwall council is keeping all 40 of situation of general government. Thinking that money its Sure Start centres by using innovative methods involving is our indication of commitment is more sinister because consulting parents or federating the centres under the it sets up expectations of what will be provided far advisory boards or school boards. That will lead to beyond what it might be possible to commit to. It stifles reductions in management costs without reducing services. innovation, creativity and opportunities to make more Does my hon. Friend agree that that is a good example out of less and it also withdraws a commitment to of a council that is not cutting front-line Sure Start volunteering. services? Volunteering is an area in which we are already seeing, in many of the Sure Start centres in Bedford, a Richard Fuller: My hon. Friend makes a good point. I significant number of volunteers coming forward to do not want to get too distracted by the issue of public expand the role of the services offered. That should expenditure, which I shall come to a little later. I am not surely be most welcome in all areas and communities. sure that we want to tie our views about the future of Volunteering reinforces the networking value that we Sure Start specifically to this period of deficit reduction get from our centres and enables us to do more effective measures and their consequences for local councils. outreach into our communities, particularly hard-to-reach communities, in all our towns and constituencies. One benefit of being smeared by the Labour party about our intentions on Sure Start during the general Today has been a good opportunity for us to identify election—a smear that has been proven to be completely ways in which Sure Start centres can be improved without foundation—was that I got the great opportunity beyond the measures already identified by the Government to visit a number of children’s centres in my community in terms of expanding early-years provision. However, of Bedford. I must reinforce some of the points made progress must be based on a recognition by all parties by Members on both sides of the House about what a that there is now a shared commitment to Sure Start, tremendous venue they are for networking and experience which is being reinforced and not threatened in these sharing between young mothers and fathers. In my tough times. I hope that all Members on both sides of home community, which is marked by a tremendous the House will support the Government’s endeavours in amount of ethnic diversity, when one goes to a community that regard. centre such as the neighbourhood centre in Queens Park and sees the Sure Start centre and the children’s services offered there, one really sees people from different 3.11 pm communities mixing. That would not have happened Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): It without Sure Start—or, at least, not in such a great has been a good debate. I have been interested in early way—and we all want it to be maintained. years for a long time. When I became the Chair of the Many comments have been made about ring-fencing then Select Committee on Education and Skills, the and about its role. In response to a question from the very first report I did was into early years. Some Members hon. Member for Chippenham (Duncan Hames) we who were on the Committee during that inquiry are still heard that neither the Conservative party nor the Labour in the House. We thought it was pretty groundbreaking party continued to commit in their manifesto specifically of us to hire at the beginning of the inquiry someone to ring-fencing this budget. It is important, however, as with a PhD who was expert in the development of the the right hon. Member for Birkenhead just said, to see child’s brain. We had the benefit of wonderful research what the consequences of getting rid of the ring fence people such as Professor Kathy Sylva, who was a significant will be on our budget. I am not sure that I would come influence in understanding that a child’s life chances are 221 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 222

[Mr Barry Sheerman] past. We have to recognise the nature of poverty today, the challenges of deprivation that a child in poverty has largely determined by early-years stimulation before today and the fact that they are different from the past. 22 months. That is quite startling and was very new One inspiring thing about the work on early years is thinking 10 years ago. the fact that the quality of research is better than any I have always been absolutely committed to the idea educational research I have come across. I have often that what we do for children in their early years is of the criticised the quality of educational research in some of utmost importance. It sometimes irritated me, as the our universities. There are complex reasons for that, years went on, when we did inquiries about every other such as a lack of good salaries and a lack of attraction bit of education right through to higher education, that to those areas of research, perhaps because there are we seem to live in a strange world in which we take much better salaries for those who stay on and become things for granted and spend less on early years and successful head teachers or principals. The quality of more as children get older. I heard a small voice constantly early-years research has been outstanding and we have telling me—you will remember sharing this view in your to build on that. former role, Madam Deputy Speaker—that we should We also have to be able to evaluate success. It is not be spending more money on the earlier years and good enough to go along anecdotally and say, “I saw tailing off spending in later years. The amount of resources this wonderful example of a Sure Start centre” in we put in does matter, but I agree with the hon. Southampton, Huddersfield or anywhere else and think Member for Bedford (Richard Fuller) that what is that it is easy to replicate. So many of the successful important is how that money is spent and the quality of systems that one looks at are difficult to replicate because the spend. they involve excellent people who have shown leadership Interestingly, the very last inquiry I did as the Chair and built successful teams. That is not impossible to of the Committee was also on Sure Start and early clone—it is not impossible to have a system—but we years. In parallel to that last inquiry we did another into have to realise that it is difficult. When the concept of NEETs—those not in education, employment or training. Sure Start was originally introduced, we decided that There is a very strong relationship between what happens we would go to the 500-most deprived communities in to a child in their first months and years and whether the land, but there was a big flaw in that approach they are likely to end up as a NEET. That link is vital. because most poor children do not live in those 500 poorest Stimulation is important and it is sad to go into a communities. That is a dilemma for us all. It is more school or other setting and be told by people there that difficult than asking where the 500 poorest communities they can identify pretty accurately very early in the life in Britain are. That does not work and there have to be of a child whether that child is a potential NEET. That more centres than that, which is why we moved to a is depressing. I am sure that everyone in the House figure of 3,500. would agree that, although we came into politics for all I think there are some ideological—no, not ideological, sorts of strange reasons, most of us share the belief that but intellectual—differences between us. When we looked all human beings ought to get the chance to develop the into this issue in the final report, a couple of members potential and the skills that they were born with. For of the Select Committee would have liked to have gone me, that is what the Sure Start and early-years stimulation back to a smaller number of centres. I do not think that debate is about. I am sure that we all want to ensure that that was callous or because they wanted fewer centres; I potential is developed to the full and that we do not think it was because they thought that we could probably want talent to be wasted. We live in a competitive world do better over a period of time with 500 centres and and I am unashamed to say that I want our country and that dissipating talent as a resource was dangerous. I our economy to be successful. I want it to grow and do disagreed with that, as did the majority of the Committee, wonderful things. If I were to speak in the next debate, I on an all-party basis, because we thought that 3,500 was would say that there is a clear link between what happens the number necessary to reach those poor children in a child’s early years and their potential to go to wherever they were in our country. There is a lot to university and make the most of their life. learn and my worry is that the methods for assessing This issue is partly about resources and partly about quality are not refined enough. I do not think that spend, but it is also about quality and how it is monitored. Ofsted has been good enough in the past; it has been It is very difficult to find really good experience and improving but still more needs to be done in terms of then to spread it fast. That is even more difficult given assessing and spreading good practice. that the nature of poverty is changing. I know that I am One of the wonderful things about our Sure Start in danger of boring the House on this point because I and children’s centres—I hope that people agree—is keep coming back to it. For so many people in the that they represent the end of looking at children in House and outside it, their idea of poverty is a concept bits. Previously, we would look separately at a child’s from 30 or 50 years ago—a kind of static poverty. When health, stimulation and so on. In a Sure Start centre, for I go to early-years settings and schools up and down the the first time, the assessment of all sorts of bits of their country I find a dynamic poverty. I am talking about needs were brought together in one place, so that a children not being in the same school for very long and child, for whom there might be a lot of pressures and moving on as their parents move. I am talking about a challenges, was looked at holistically. That children’s dynamic in which people come from other countries centre was a one-stop shop where the child was evaluated and do not have the English language at home, perhaps and got the proper help. That is not always in a building. having a foreign language on their televisions. I am It is a matter of outreach, finding out which child needs talking about children who get very little support from the help, and giving it. I agree with my right hon. Friend the home environment. The nature of poverty has changed the Member for Birkenhead (Mr Field) that that is and, like all human beings, we tend to live a little in the difficult, but it can be done. 223 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 224

I disagree with the hon. Member for Bedford about Conservative authorities such as mine in Medway are resources. No one wants to waste resources, but we all committed to keeping those Sure Start centres and know what will happen if Sure Start is cut by a significant helping the most vulnerable to get the best start in life. percentage. I do not care so much about buildings, The role of central Government is crucial, in partnership although having a building near a community which with local authorities. We are discussing the extra funding people can identify and get to is pretty important. If, as and resources that may be made available in future for is the case in the constituencies of some of my colleagues, two-year-olds, but it is not something that will happen a children’s centre that used to have a substantial budget only in the future. I have a letter from the Department now has £25,000, not much can be done with that. It is for Education dated 31 March—[Interruption.] Maybe all about resource. the shadow Secretary of State is not putting his questions I make a plea to the Secretary of State. He always properly or succinctly, and that is why he is not getting says that cuts are necessary because of the economy and answers. The letter is addressed to the authority to the dreadful things that the Labour Government did in which I referred, Medway, and it states: connection with debt. He would say that, as we would “I would like to thank you for the bid that you submitted to probably do in his place. Those of us who care about test out effective approaches to the expansion of free early education children and about education want him to go into for two year olds and to improve provision for three and four year Cabinet as a bruiser and a thug, to bash the table and olds. We are pleased to confirm that your bid has been successful.” say, “I want a budget for my children and for the future So it is not just about the future. It is about this of children in our country,” and to be much more Government. Within the first 12 months they have physical about it. Sometimes I think he is a little too expanded facilities for two, three and four-year-olds. polite when he gets round that table. That is why I say that in partnership with local authorities, which do an excellent job, the Government are committed to supporting early years provision for our young children 3.21 pm in the most difficult and deprived areas, which I certainly represent in Gillingham and Rainham. Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con): It is always a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for The hon. Member for Bolton West (Julie Hilling) Huddersfield (Mr Sheerman). spoke about deprivation up north. She may have her experiences of deprivation, but in my constituency there I oppose the motion moved by the shadow Secretary is a seven-year difference in life expectancy between one of State for Education, the right hon. Member for part of the constituency and another. I grew up in that Leigh (Andy Burnham), and his assertion that local constituency and in that deprived area, and still live authorities are disinvesting in Sure Start centres. My there. We in the south have high levels of deprivation. local authority, Medway, has 19 Sure Start centres and The discussion should not be about north or south. all 19 are being kept open. Seven of them are in my Wherever there is deprivation, help must be provided. I constituency. There is a seven-year age gap between the will work with the hon. Lady on that. centres in the two parts of the constituency. Medway, an excellent Conservative-run local authority, recognised Of course Sure Start centres are crucial to help early that the centres were a valuable lifeline. It is always right years development, but the role of the voluntary sector for such decisions to be made by local authorities, should not be forgotten. For example, Contact a Family because they know what goes on on the ground. helps to support 300,000 families with disabled children. It is right and proper that we recognise the excellent The seven Sure Start centres in my constituency work that it does. The state, local government and the include one at Burnt Oak school in Gillingham, which I voluntary sector each have a role, and should work attended back in 1984. It is a tough area where there are together in partnership. real social and economic problems. The Sure Start I recognise that brevity is a virtue, not a vice, so I centre deals with those. shall be brief. Many of those who work at Sure Start The shadow Secretary of State accepted that Sure centres or who want to work with the voluntary sector Start centres were being kept open by local authorities are hindered by bureaucracy. For example, those who across the country, but he asserted that they were only work with children in the early years must have qualified bricks and mortar, and that there was nothing substantive teacher and early years professional status. There are about them. He is wrong about that. If he comes to not many in the voluntary sector who have such Medway, I will take him around our Sure Start centres, qualifications. I welcome the Government’s commitment show him what they do, and show him that they are not to review that requirement. There are many people out just bricks and mortar. They hold drop-in sessions for there who want to work with our young ones through parents and children, play activities with music and the big society and the voluntary sector to give them the stories, ante-natal classes and baby clinics. The centres best start in life. offer encouragement and support for parents thinking I welcome the support given by central and local about training and finding new jobs. They have links government. I pay tribute to the excellent workers in with local schools and voluntary agencies. They provide our Sure Start centres. They are dedicated and committed, information and advice on breast feeding, speech and and they need that support. They also need freedom language therapy, and parenting classes. That is what from bureaucracy. It is right that the Government should goes on. review the requirement for Sure Start centres to be open The shadow Secretary of State may acknowledge for 40 hours a week, although there may not be a need that Conservative authorities show no inclination to for that and those resources could be used elsewhere on close Sure Start centres and that it would be wrong to the front line. I support the Government’s provisions assert otherwise, but he asserts that they are just bricks and proposals, and disagree with the shadow Secretary and mortar. They are not. The Government and of State’s motion and assertions. 225 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 226

3.28 pm funded by the early intervention grant. That is impossible, of course, because of the statutory duty to provide Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): I want to talk many of those services, but it is also unwise, because of briefly about the cumulative effect of cuts to the the work that service providers actually do. organisations that make up the sum of Sure Start provision, because Sure Start is not just about child It is time for honesty in this debate. Funding to all the care; the best centres provide so much more. areas now covered by the early intervention grant has been cut, so funding for Sure Start has also been reduced. Meadowbank in my constituency provides support for families in one of the most deprived wards in Anna Soubry (Broxtowe) (Con): Does the hon. Lady Wigan. It provides not only the usual support for parenting agree that this is all about political will? In Nottinghamshire, and child care, but all sorts of educational provision for where we too have had great cuts in Government money, mums and dads, encouraging them to improve their not only have we ensured that we do not need to close a basic literacy and numeracy and to get back into formal single one of our 58 Sure Start centres, but in Awsworth learning. Those courses are at risk, however, because of in my constituency we have actually opened one. It is cuts to further education funding. about political will—balancing the budget, cutting The centre works in partnership with the Connexions bureaucracy and getting into the reserves. Does she not service to support young people into employment, and agree? Connexions is not—or perhaps I should say, was not—just about careers advice; it was also about providing Julie Hilling: I thank the hon. Lady for that intervention. opportunities for young people to build their confidence I do not know how Nottingham manages to get a quart and skills and to undertake different work experience. out of a pint pot, but when we look at a £50 per head Money was available to provide bespoke opportunities cut and, in Wigan, a £60 per head cut in funding, we to help the hardest to reach into employment, training find that it is impossible to keep all the services open. or education, but Connexions funding is part of the We only have to look at the faces of councillors and early intervention grant, so it is disappearing as we council leaders in Bolton and Wigan to see the difficulty speak. Thousands of Connexions workers were made that they have in trying to support existing services. redundant on 31 March, and many thousands more Bolton has to find £42 million of cuts this year. How on have received letters to say that they are at risk of earth is it supposed to do that? Over two years, one redundancy. quarter of its budget will be cut. Meadowbank also provides sexual health services to young people and to their parents, services that are at Anna Soubry: Will the hon. Lady give way? risk due to the cuts in teenage pregnancy and health service funding. Teenage pregnancy funding was also Julie Hilling: No, let me finish my point. put into the early intervention grant pot. Meadowbank Bolton and Wigan will not—I hope—close any of has worked with the youth service to provide informal their Sure Start centres. They are at risk because of the education to children and young people, but guess cuts to libraries and other services, but my overall point what? Youth service funding is also part of the early is that the other services which make up the Sure Start intervention grant and faces savage cuts. I truly hope project will be cut: youth services will be cut, Connexions that Meadowbank stays open, but it will not be able to will be cut and teenage pregnancy funding will be cut. provide the services that it did 12 months ago. All those services will be cut because the Tory-led Sure Start centres in other parts of my constituency Government have savagely cut their grants to local have run out of libraries—libraries that are at risk of authorities. closure because of the disproportionate cuts that the Tory-led Government have made to local authorities in Anna Soubry: And those cuts would have been made the north-west. That in turn puts Sure Start services if the hon. Lady’s party had been elected, because her at risk. party would have had to make cuts of at least 20%. So will she answer me this, please? How would her local I was always taught that you cannot get a quart into a council have implemented the budget had there been a pint pot, or indeed a quart out of a pint pot, but the Labour Government with 20%-plus cuts? Secretary of State seems to think that you can. He has put a range of funding streams into the early intervention Julie Hilling: I am absolutely delighted to answer that grants, and forgive me but I am going to list them. They question, because Bolton council prepared for £15 million are Sure Start children’s centres; early years sustainability; of cuts this year—the amount that the Labour Government the two-year-old offer; the disabled children short breaks told the authority that it was likely to face. It was programme; the January guarantee; Connexions; the therefore facing £60 million of cuts over four years. No child trust fund; Think Family; the youth opportunity doubt, that money was difficult to find, but the council fund; the youth crime action plan; the challenge and now has to find £60 million of cuts over two years, and support project; the children’s fund; positive activities potentially another £30 million after that. With £15 million for young people; the youth taskforce; the young people’s of cuts, would life have been hard? Yes, life would have substance misuse service; the teenage pregnancy service; been difficult, but instead of that it has to find £42 million key stage 4 foundation learning; the targeted mental of cuts. health in schools programme; ContactPoint; the children’s social care work force; and the intensive intervention Andy Burnham: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for fund. I think that I have listed them all, but I may well giving way because I can, I hope, give the hon. Member have missed some. for Broxtowe (Anna Soubry) an answer and support The Secretary of State says that Sure Start funding what my hon. Friend is saying. Let us look at the range has been increased, and I suppose that we could say of the per-child cuts under the early intervention grant that—if we agreed to get rid of every other programme this year. In a number of authorities, such as Kingston 227 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 228 upon Thames and Hampshire, they start from £30 per confirmed that she has not apologised for the smear head for every person under 20. Let us turn to some of that she made. Every centre has stayed open and the the authorities that my hon. Friend mentioned. The cut services are being improved and increased. for Wigan is £60 per head, while for Liverpool— That bears testament to the passion that people on the Government side of the House feel for Sure Start. It Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. is telling that more Conservative and Liberal Democrat The right hon. Gentleman is supposed to be making an Members are attending this Opposition day debate than intervention, and we are coming towards the end of the Labour Members. I exempt the right hon. Member for debate. Birkenhead (Mr Field) from that criticism. I do not want to embarrass him once again by mentioning him, Julie Hilling: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I but he has driven many people on both sides of the look forward to my right hon. Friend giving more of Chamber into politics. Having been discouraged from that information. this vocation from perhaps too close a connection with It is utterly unacceptable that the Government should it, he was the one person who saved it in my mind. be playing a game that says that local authorities have The genesis of the right hon. Gentleman’s idea is to the funding and are therefore making the choice. The have a broader universal service, with funding targeted Government have cut funding to local authorities and at those who need it most, to repair the damage of have cut the pot of money that is funding Sure Start. decades of failure—not dreamt of or created by anyone They are wrong to do so and they should reconsider deliberately—in communities across the country. The their decisions to harm families, children and young failure has been of a structural welfare state that does people struggling for survival in the dark days of high not support families and does not, at times, support unemployment and ever-rising costs of living. communities. That failure was not designed, but it has Finally, it is not enough to say that Sure Start centres happened. We are in the process of re-stitching together will remain open. The question must be about what communities, and Sure Start is part of that. services remain and whether they are of the quality and May I ask the Secretary of State and Ministers to quantity that prevailed previously. The answer, too often, address two things that could be improved? We need is a resounding no. The Government should rethink proper longitudinal studies through Sure Start into their decision and truly look at how they can support primary education so that we can understand the evidence, children and families, without saying that the money but there are blocks in data protection which prevent exists within local authorities to do that, when patently that from happening. Primary school teachers would it does not. very much welcome better co-ordination with Sure Start managers and assistants, and they could do that better 3.36 pm if data protection rules were relaxed. It would also be Ben Gummer (Ipswich) (Con): I have to profess that I useful to be able to encourage a greater diversity of am underwhelmed by the motion. It asks, in the end, for providers so that we can share best practice across the the Secretary of State to monitor the evidence. The country. Opposition do not ask for the closures of half the Sure Conservative Members are passionately in favour of Start centres in the country to be reversed, but that was Sure Start, and that is why it is such a pleasure to see it the threat put before the electorate at the last election. flourishing in my constituency under this Government. As I mentioned earlier, the right hon. and learned Member for Camberwell and Peckham (Ms Harman) 3.40 pm was in my constituency during the last election. I confronted Mrs Sharon Hodgson (Washington and Sunderland her at the entrance to the Tree House Sure Start centre. West) (Lab): This debate, like others before it, has She shouted at me that centres in Ipswich would be shown the strength of feeling in this House that the closed within months of the general election. What has children of this country deserve the very best. happened? Not only has every centre stayed open, but Let us be clear about why we are here today. The two new ones have opened. The services have been Government’s mandate was to protect and improve the protected because of the decisions of the Conservative Sure Start network; instead, they have done the opposite county council, which faces £90 million-worth of cuts and put centres up and down the country at risk of over the next two years, and because of the strength of cutback and closure. There is no way in which Ministers will of Councillor Graham Newman, who leads the can hide behind the favourite line we hear of late that children’s and young people’s services there. this is a coalition and manifestos do not count. It is not Suffolk shows how it can be done. The shadow Secretary the case that the Tories wanted to abolish Sure Start of State suggests that the centres are hollowed out. Last and the Lib Dems heroically stood their ground with week I was at the Tree House centre, on the anniversary the Business Secretary wielding his secret weapon of that altercation with the right hon. and learned Lady. menacingly, because the Prime Minister, the Deputy I went inside with Claire Ball, the manager of the Prime Minister and every single Member sat opposite centre. It is true that parts of the organisation of Sure me today were elected on a promise to protect and build Start centres are having to be remodelled, but Claire on the Sure Start centre network. The fact that they Ball is introducing new services and the county council have done the opposite represents yet another broken is excited about the possibilities in the Health and promise to the British people. Social Care Bill, which will allow it to integrate social I was always brought up to think that when someone services yet further within Sure Start centres. breaks a promise, the least one can expect is an apology. I assure the shadow Secretary of State that every This debate gave the Secretary of State a chance not centre is staying open. Perhaps he will tell that to the only to apologise to the parents, carers and children right hon. and learned Lady. I have written to her and who will suffer because of his broken promise but to 229 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 230

[Mrs Sharon Hodgson] due until 24 May. That is a blatantly cynical move to get through the local election period. The council is still make amends for it. Our motion gives Ministers an cutting £6 million from the budget, which will cut right opportunity to say to all the parents who are fighting to the heart of the service. One of the petitions handed tooth and nail up and down the country to save their into Downing street on mother’s day was from Hampshire, children’s centres, “We are sorry; we will keep our and another petition signed by 22,000 parents was promise.” Ministers have said in this Chamber that handed in on 18 April by 50 mums from Hampshire. there is enough money in the early intervention grant to That may well have led to yesterday’s U-turn. Twenty-eight maintain and improve Sure Start. In the comprehensive centres were earmarked for closure or serious cuts, and spending review, the Chancellor told us that there is there was a legal challenge to the rushed consultation. £1.135 billion every year throughout this Parliament. If that were true, they would have no problem in voting for Caroline Dinenage: Will the hon. Lady give way? the motion, but they will not do so. The Minister will no doubt cite the localism agenda. Decisions should be Mrs Hodgson: You have already spoken, thank you. taken locally, he will say—but these should be decisions about how to improve outcomes for children rather than We announced the subject of this Opposition day where to cut inputs. In this case, localism is not about debate last week, just before the bank holiday weekend. who makes the decisions but about who takes the blame. The fact that an extraordinary meeting was called over a bank holiday weekend and hastily arranged for the Reinstating the ring fence is not a panacea, but it other side of the weekend is very telling. I am sure that would bring back the stability and security that the Sure the tens of thousands of parents in Hampshire who Start network needs. It would let managers and staff signed the two petitions were happy when they heard concentrate on how to deliver the improvements that we the news, as we were we when we heard it today. all want in children’s centres rather than forcing them to However, the news is bitter-sweet. Although we are told focus on financial fire-fighting year in, year out. Parents that no centres will close, they face a 35% budget cut: would have the sense of security, which they do not have going from £17 million to £11 million is a £6 million at the moment, that their local centre would be there cut, which is huge. A £6 million cut is much more than from the moment their child is born right up until when just the streamlining of services, and parents know that. they started school. We would have a sign that the They use the services, and will notice if they are taken Government are listening to all the advice that they away or diminished. Indeed, on the Facebook page for have sought—not least from my right hon. Friend the the Hampshire children’s centres campaign, this is not Member for Birkenhead (Mr Field), whose excellent seen as a U-turn or a great victory. The group is still speech we heard earlier, and my hon. Friend the Member campaigning, because it is deeply worried about the for Nottingham North (Mr Allen)—and that they are £6 million cut and the effect it will have on children’s taking early education and early intervention seriously. centres. It says that the campaign goes on. It would also mean that we would not be left with The Secretary of State loves playing to the gallery, so situations such as those in Tory-controlled Hampshire, why will he not give the people what they want and say which is facing 35% budget cuts; Liberal Democrat-led that he will consider bringing back the ring fence? After Hull, with its smoke and mirrors and 50% cuts; and all, it would be a nice boost for all those Tory and Lib Tory-led Hammersmith and Fulham, which has a strange Dem candidates who are struggling on the doorstep. hub-and-spoke model where the spokes are buildings My right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead, who with a caretaker and a bottle of bleach. A building is one of the most knowledgeable people in this area, running on £25,000 a year or less is not a Sure Start challenged the non-ring-fencing of this vital area of children’s centre—it is just a building. expenditure and said that the Government should change We are giving Ministers a chance to increase their their attitude to non-ring-fencing. That is strong stuff popularity with parents—and not just the Toby Youngs from a highly respected expert in the area. I hope that of this world, either: parents such as those I met on the Government pay heed to that. mother’s day outside Downing street, who were handing It is not as if the Secretary of State has not had in petitions from all over the country that, on that day practice at backing down. In fact, he is probably the alone, contained 52,000 signatures; parents such as the most qualified person in the Cabinet when it comes to ones who came to the Sure Start seminar in Parliament, U-turns, and that Cabinet includes the Deputy Prime which was hosted by my right hon. Friend the Member Minister. My right hon. Friend the Member for Leigh for Leigh (Andy Burnham); parents such as those I met laid bare at the beginning of the debate the reasons the recently with my hon. Friend the Member for Derby Secretary of State probably will not back down and North (Chris Williamson), who are fighting Tory-controlled support the motion. He repeated the claims of Ministers Derby city council over its plans to close or cut centres; that Sure Start funding is protected and showed that and parents such as those I have met on doorsteps over that simply is not true. There is not enough money to the past few weeks in Sheffield, York, Peterborough, maintain the current network of children’s centres if Gravesham, Newcastle and Sunderland in my own Ministers expect councils to deliver all the other important constituency. No matter where one goes, the view is the programmes that the grant pays for, such as short same: the Government are letting down families and breaks for disabled children. How can there be enough, attacking social mobility at every stage of a child’s life. when there has been a real-terms cut of 22% in the pot? We have heard a lot today about Hampshire. The If I am wrong, why are centres closing or effectively debate has done a real service in exposing the cynicism being mothballed, and why are services being cut? If I of some Conservative councils. We heard the surprise am wrong, why would Ministers have a problem with news that a last-minute extraordinary meeting was called the motion? But I am not wrong: they are, just as they in Hampshire yesterday, although a final decision is not have been wrong on Bookstart, on EMA, on the English 231 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 232 baccalaureate and on Building Schools for the Future. Perhaps we can see the reason for that lost opportunity. They are the most incompetent Department in a shambolic Although the shadow Secretary of State is not a reader Government, and the worst thing is that children’s lives of local media in Hampshire or elsewhere, as we have are at stake. found out, he is certainly an enthusiast for Twitter. The I know that some Government Members do see the basis for today’s debate was his tweet of 25 April, when value of Sure Start and recognise the importance of he proudly announced: protecting it, and we have heard from some of them “Labour has called debate on Sure Start & Tory/Lib Dem today. My plea to those Members is simple: support the broken promises this Weds. Tell me which local egs you think we motion and show their constituents that they understand should highlight.” the priorities and concerns of ordinary, hard-working I looked, and not many people tweeted back. There was families, even if their Front-Bench colleagues do not. a tweet from the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull North (Diana Johnson) about Sure Start centres, but 3.50 pm that was it. From what I can make out, answers came there none, although the right hon. Gentleman does The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education appear to have had at least one fan. (Tim Loughton): What a debate we eventually had. I What an anticlimax from the mover of the motion. have to say that in almost 14 years in the House, I have However, his scaremongering was soon eclipsed by the never known such an anticlimax at the opening of an news from the Government Back Benches about yet Opposition day debate as when the shadow Secretary of more local authorities pledging to keep their children’s State spoke today, following his top billing in the press centres open, even over and above those on the list and his frenetic tweeting about this important motion recently surveyed by 4Children and the Daycare Trust. and debate. Northamptonshire is adding an early attachment expertise We were promised a grand tour d’horizon of local centre, West Sussex is not closing any Sure Start centres authorities taking the axe to children’s centres. After the and Ipswich is adding two, despite the scandalous shadow Secretary of State stated the blindingly obvious observations and scaremongering of the right hon. about Sure Start centres featuring in the top five most and learned Member for Camberwell and Peckham popular policies—and after reminding us of how former (Ms Harman) that half of them would disappear if we Prime Ministers had constantly scaremongered about won the election. We also heard from my hon. Friend Conservative policy on Sure Start—he tantalised us the Member for Broxtowe (Anna Soubry) that a centre with the prospect of “getting to the bottom of the facts opened recently in her constituency. on the ground”. He started tentatively with the mention This is an important debate on an important subject. of Derby, where, allegedly, some six Sure Start centres Clearly, there is all-party support for retaining a network could be threatened. That went unchallenged. of children’s centres, which has never been in doubt, as We then heard about Hammersmith and Fulham, every Back-Bench contribution made clear. The hon. where, in fact, a new Sure Start centre has been opened. Member for Hammersmith (Mr Slaughter) went on We briefly heard mention of Barnet and Bromley, and about the importance of children’s centres, but as usual then we went on to Hampshire, where we were told no got his figures wrong—he completely ignored the revenue fewer than 28 Sure Start children’s centres were going to streams for children’s centres apart from the local authority be closed—until it was pointed out that in fact not a stream. single one is going to be closed or ever was going to be. My hon. Friend the Member for North Cornwall Yet when challenged by my hon. Friend the Member for (Dan Rogerson) rightly said that there were no killer Gosport (Caroline Dinenage), the shadow Secretary of statistics in the motion. What is the Opposition’s alternative? State said that he did not read the Hampshire daily press. What would they cut? The right hon. Gentleman then came up with the The right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton absurd claim that Hampshire council had deliberately (Sir Gerald Kaufman), who has returned to the Chamber, performed a U-turn because it felt so threatened and made a rather arrogant speech. He thinks that Manchester, intimidated by the prospect of today’s Opposition day and he as a Manchester representative, have a monopoly debate that it had to climb down. Then we heard that it on deprivation. However, I agree wholeheartedly with was all about electioneering in Hampshire, despite the my hon. Friend the Member for Gillingham and Rainham fact that Hampshire county council, which runs the (Rehman Chishti), who said that multiple deprivation is Sure Start centres, does not have any elections this year. the same whether it is in the north, the south or any If any local authority was so fickle as to base its policy other part of England. If wards with multiple deprivation on the prospect of a 46-minute, lacklustre, misinformed, in my constituency had a fraction of the funding that misfired and opportunistic speech by the shadow Secretary wards in the constituency of the right hon. Member for of State, I would want my money back if I was a council Manchester, Gorton, had, they would be much happier tax payer in that authority’s area. than they are now. Even when the right hon. Gentleman had been well My hon. Friend the Member for Gosport, having and truly rumbled, was there a word of apology, a hint skilfully rumbled the shadow Secretary of State, showed of retraction, a whimper of humility? Not a murmur. how Sure Start centres can transform the lives of our Indeed, he went on to repeat his calumny later in his constituents. As usual, that skilful, well informed paragon speech. And that was it—that was the tour d’horizon of reasonableness—the right hon. Member for Birkenhead around the United Kingdom. He then quickly shunted (Mr Field)—made a very important point about ring- off into the sidings with an attack on the right hon. fencing and payment by results. His point on the latter Member for Eastleigh (Chris Huhne) on EMA, tuition was absolutely right. The question we should ask is this: fees and AV, none of which features in the motion. It are more children being made school-ready as a result was 46 minutes of gloomy and mostly unfounded of spending on children’s centres? He is right that predictions—what a dead loss of an opportunity. payment should flow on that basis. 233 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 234

[Tim Loughton] The House divided: Ayes 207, Noes 312. Division No. 259] [4 pm I hope that we do not need to ring-fence money. Rather, I hope that local authorities spend money and AYES do the right thing in the interests of their constituents. Abbott, Ms Diane Edwards, Jonathan They are best placed to decide on that, and I do not Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Efford, Clive want to ring-fence money if their decisions produce the Alexander, Heidi Elliott, Julie right results. Ali, Rushanara Ellman, Mrs Louise My hon. Friend the Member for Bedford (Richard Allen, Mr Graham Engel, Natascha Fuller) spoke of our shared commitment to children’s Anderson, Mr David Esterson, Bill Bailey, Mr Adrian Field, rh Mr Frank centres, but why do only some councils choose to close Bain, Mr William Fitzpatrick, Jim children’s centres while others manage not to do so? Balls, rh Ed Flynn, Paul Why are some councils adding to their reserves rather Barron, rh Mr Kevin Fovargue, Yvonne than trimming back on overheads before they look to Bayley, Hugh Gapes, Mike trim spending on Sure Start? Beckett, rh Margaret Gardiner, Barry Begg, Dame Anne Gilmore, Sheila The hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr Sheerman), Bell, Sir Stuart Glindon, Mrs Mary who as we all know has form on early intervention, Benn, rh Hilary Godsiff, Mr Roger made an important point about the strong correlation Benton, Mr Joe Goggins, rh Paul with those not in education, employment or training. Berger, Luciana Goodman, Helen He said that much of the thinking on early intervention Betts, Mr Clive Green, Kate and Sure Start is backed by empirical research, which is Blackman-Woods, Roberta Greenwood, Lilian what we want. The Government are interested in qualitative Blenkinsop, Tom Griffith, Nia research on the outcomes of children’s centres. The Blomfield, Paul Gwynne, Andrew entire Opposition argument is based on quantitative Blunkett, rh Mr David Hain, rh Mr Peter analysis and figures. The Government want better Sure Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben Hamilton, Fabian Start centres, producing better services for better effects Brennan, Kevin Hanson, rh Mr David on the children who desperately need them, particularly Brown, rh Mr Gordon Harris, Mr Tom those from the most deprived communities. Brown, Lyn Havard, Mr Dai Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Healey, rh John Let me be clear yet again that this coalition Government Bryant, Chris Hepburn, Mr Stephen are 100% committed to Sure Start. We always have Buck, Ms Karen Hermon, Lady been. Early years is a priority, and Sure Start has proven Burden, Richard Heyes, David itself as a programme that has the capacity to be life Burnham, rh Andy Hillier, Meg changing. We have no intention of forgetting that; on Byrne, rh Mr Liam Hilling, Julie Campbell, Mr Alan Hodgson, Mrs Sharon the contrary, we want to build on the success of Sure Campbell, Mr Ronnie Hoey, Kate Start and to put it at the heart of our approach to early Caton, Martin Hood, Mr Jim intervention. We want to narrow gaps in achievement Chapman, Mrs Jenny Hopkins, Kelvin and improve social mobility, which the previous Clarke, rh Mr Tom Howarth, rh Mr George Government singularly failed to do as they presided Clwyd, rh Ann Hunt, Tristram over an unprecedented widening of the poverty gap. Coaker, Vernon Irranca-Davies, Huw Coffey, Ann Jackson, Glenda However, this Government believe that the best way Connarty, Michael Jarvis, Dan to do that is through greater local decision making and Cooper, rh Yvette Johnson, rh Alan accountability, greater involvement of organisations that Corbyn, Jeremy Johnson, Diana have proven expertise in service delivery, and the greater Crausby, Mr David Jones, Graham use of evidence-based intervention. We want children’s Creasy, Stella Jones, Helen centres to provide the foundation for stronger earlier Cruddas, Jon Jones, Mr Kevan support, retaining a network of children’s centres that Cryer, John Jones, Susan Elan offers universal services that are accessible to all families, Cunningham, Mr Jim Joyce, Eric but with targeted support for those families who are in Cunningham, Tony Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald greatest need. Curran, Margaret Keeley, Barbara Dakin, Nic Kendall, Liz This coalition Government are 100% committed to Danczuk, Simon Khan, rh Sadiq Sure Start children’s centres, but reform is needed to Darling, rh Mr Alistair Lammy, rh Mr David make them more effective in providing a universal service David, Mr Wayne Lavery, Ian that is focused more effectively on families in greatest Davidson, Mr Ian Lazarowicz, Mark need. This Government, however, have an approach to De Piero, Gloria Leslie, Chris reform that is radically different from that of the previous Denham, rh Mr John Lloyd, Tony Government. Children’s centres need to have more flexibility Dobbin, Jim Llwyd, rh Mr Elfyn to do more to help the families in the greatest need, to Dobson, rh Frank Love, Mr Andrew involve a greater diversity of providers and to be more Docherty, Thomas Lucas, Caroline accountable to local communities. There are no easy Donaldson, rh Mr Jeffrey M. Lucas, Ian solutions or quick fixes, but it is time we trusted local Donohoe, Mr Brian H. MacShane, rh Mr Denis authorities to make the right decisions for local people—we Doran, Mr Frank Mactaggart, Fiona do, but Labour does not, and that is why I urge the Dowd, Jim Mahmood, Mr Khalid House to vote against this opportunistic motion. Dromey, Jack Mahmood, Shabana Eagle, Ms Angela Mann, John Question put. Eagle, Maria Marsden, Mr Gordon 235 Sure Start Children’s Centres27 APRIL 2011 Sure Start Children’s Centres 236

McCann, Mr Michael Sheerman, Mr Barry Collins, Damian Heaton-Harris, Chris McCarthy, Kerry Shuker, Gavin Colvile, Oliver Hemming, John McClymont, Gregg Singh, Mr Marsha Crabb, Stephen Henderson, Gordon McDonagh, Siobhain Skinner, Mr Dennis Crouch, Tracey Hendry, Charles McFadden, rh Mr Pat Slaughter, Mr Andy Davey, Mr Edward Herbert, rh Nick McGovern, Alison Smith, rh Mr Andrew Davies, David T. C. Hinds, Damian McGovern, Jim Smith, Angela (Monmouth) Hoban, Mr Mark McKinnell, Catherine Spellar, rh Mr John Davies, Philip Hollingbery, George Meale, Mr Alan Straw, rh Mr Jack Davis, rh Mr David Hollobone, Mr Philip Mearns, Ian Stringer, Graham de Bois, Nick Hopkins, Kris Michael, rh Alun Stuart, Ms Gisela Dinenage, Caroline Horwood, Martin Miliband, rh Edward Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Howell, John Dorrell, rh Mr Stephen Hughes, rh Simon Miller, Andrew Tami, Mark Mitchell, Austin Dorries, Nadine Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy Thomas, Mr Gareth Moon, Mrs Madeleine Doyle-Price, Jackie Hunter, Mark Thornberry, Emily Morris, Grahame M. Drax, Richard Huppert, Dr Julian Timms, rh Stephen (Easington) Duncan, rh Mr Alan Hurd, Mr Nick Trickett, Jon Mudie, Mr George Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Jackson, Mr Stewart Murphy, rh Mr Jim Turner, Karl Dunne, Mr Philip James, Margot Murphy, rh Paul Twigg, Derek Ellis, Michael Javid, Sajid Onwurah, Chi Twigg, Stephen Ellison, Jane Jenkin, Mr Bernard Owen, Albert Umunna, Mr Chuka Ellwood, Mr Tobias Johnson, Gareth Pearce, Teresa Vaz, Valerie Elphicke, Charlie Johnson, Joseph Phillipson, Bridget Walley, Joan Eustice, George Jones, Andrew Pound, Stephen Watson, Mr Tom Evans, Graham Jones, Mr David Qureshi, Yasmin Watts, Mr Dave Evans, Jonathan Jones, Mr Marcus Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Whitehead, Dr Alan Evennett, Mr David Kawczynski, Daniel Reed, Mr Jamie Wicks, rh Malcolm Fabricant, Michael Kelly, Chris Reeves, Rachel Wilson, Phil Fallon, Michael Kirby, Simon Reynolds, Emma Winnick, Mr David Farron, Tim Knight, rh Mr Greg Riordan, Mrs Linda Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Featherstone, Lynne Kwarteng, Kwasi Robertson, John Wood, Mike Field, Mr Mark Laing, Mrs Eleanor Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Woodcock, John Foster, rh Mr Don Lancaster, Mark Fox,rhDrLiam Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Rotheram, Steve Woodward, rh Mr Shaun Roy, Mr Frank Francois, rh Mr Mark Latham, Pauline Wright, David Roy, Lindsay Freer, Mike Leadsom, Andrea Wright, Mr Iain Ruane, Chris Fuller, Richard Lee, Jessica Ruddock, rh Joan Tellers for the Ayes: Gale, Mr Roger Lee, Dr Phillip Sarwar, Anas Mark Hendrick and Garnier, Mr Edward Leech, Mr John Sharma, Mr Virendra Mr David Hamilton Garnier, Mark Lefroy, Jeremy Gauke, Mr David Leigh, Mr Edward NOES Gibb, Mr Nick Leslie, Charlotte Gilbert, Stephen Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Adams, Nigel Brady, Mr Graham Gillan, rh Mrs Cheryl Lewis, Brandon Afriyie, Adam Brake, Tom Glen, John Lewis, Dr Julian Aldous, Peter Bray, Angie Goldsmith, Zac Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Amess, Mr David Brazier, Mr Julian Goodwill, Mr Robert Lidington, rh Mr David Andrew, Stuart Bridgen, Andrew Gove, rh Michael Lilley, rh Mr Peter Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Brine, Mr Steve Graham, Richard Lloyd, Stephen Bacon, Mr Richard Brokenshire, James Grant, Mrs Helen Lopresti, Jack Bagshawe, Ms Louise Brooke, Annette Gray, Mr James Loughton, Tim Baker, Norman Browne, Mr Jeremy Green, Damian Lumley, Karen Baker, Steve Bruce, Fiona Greening, Justine Macleod, Mary Baldry, Tony Bruce, rh Malcolm Grieve, rh Mr Dominic Main, Mrs Anne Baldwin, Harriett Buckland, Mr Robert Griffiths, Andrew Maude, rh Mr Francis Barclay, Stephen Burley, Mr Aidan Gummer, Ben May, rh Mrs Theresa Barker, Gregory Burns, Conor Gyimah, Mr Sam Maynard, Paul Baron, Mr John Burns, rh Mr Simon Hague, rh Mr William McCartney, Karl Barwell, Gavin Burrowes, Mr David Halfon, Robert McIntosh, Miss Anne Bebb, Guto Burstow, Paul Hames, Duncan McPartland, Stephen Beith, rh Sir Alan Burt, Lorely Hammond, rh Mr Philip McVey, Esther Benyon, Richard Byles, Dan Hammond, Stephen Menzies, Mark Beresford, Sir Paul Cable, rh Vince Hands, Greg Mercer, Patrick Berry, Jake Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Harper, Mr Mark Metcalfe, Stephen Bingham, Andrew Carmichael, Neil Harrington, Richard Miller, Maria Binley, Mr Brian Carswell, Mr Douglas Harris, Rebecca Mills, Nigel Blackman, Bob Cash, Mr William Hart, Simon Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Blackwood, Nicola Chishti, Rehman Harvey, Nick Moore, rh Michael Blunt, Mr Crispin Clappison, Mr James Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Mordaunt, Penny Boles, Nick Clark, rh Greg Hayes, Mr John Morgan, Nicky Bone, Mr Peter Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Heald, Mr Oliver Morris, Anne Marie Bradley, Karen Coffey, Dr Thérèse Heath, Mr David Morris, David 237 Sure Start Children’s Centres 27 APRIL 2011 238

Morris, James Smith, Julian Higher Education Policy Mosley, Stephen Smith, Sir Robert Mowat, David Soames, Nicholas Mulholland, Greg Soubry, Anna Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): I remind Munt, Tessa Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline the House that because of the large number of Members Murray, Sheryll Spencer, Mr Mark wanting to participate in this debate, there is an eight-minute Murrison, Dr Andrew Stanley, rh Sir John limit on Back-Bench speeches. Neill, Robert Stephenson, Andrew Newmark, Mr Brooks Stevenson, John 4.15 pm Newton, Sarah Stewart, Bob Nokes, Caroline Stewart, Iain Mr John Denham (Southampton, Itchen) (Lab): I beg Norman, Jesse Stewart, Rory to move, Nuttall, Mr David Streeter, Mr Gary That this House condemns the failure of the Government to O’Brien, Mr Stephen Stride, Mel deliver the commitment made to Parliament that £9,000 a year Offord, Mr Matthew Stuart, Mr Graham student fees would be ‘exceptional’; further notes that the Office Ollerenshaw, Eric Sturdy, Julian of Fair Access (OFFA) has said that it has no powers to set Ottaway, Richard Swales, Ian university fees or determine university admissions policies; notes Paice, rh Mr James Swayne, Mr Desmond with alarm the warning of the Secretary of State for Business, Parish, Neil Swinson, Jo Innovation and Skills that average fees higher than £7,500 would mean reducing student numbers or further cutting university Patel, Priti Swire, rh Mr Hugo teaching funding; condemns the failure of Ministers to explain Paterson, rh Mr Owen Syms, Mr Robert their policies by publishing a Higher Education White Paper; Pawsey, Mark Tapsell, Sir Peter believes that Ministers are putting at risk the success of universities Penning, Mike Thurso, John and the future of generations of students; further believes that Penrose, John Timpson, Mr Edward current policies are unfair, unnecessary and unsustainable; and Phillips, Stephen Tomlinson, Justin therefore calls on Ministers, as soon as practicable, to set out to Pickles, rh Mr Eric Tredinnick, David Parliament how they will meet the promise that fees of £9,000 will Pincher, Christopher Tyrie, Mr Andrew only be in exceptional circumstances, to guarantee that there will Poulter, Dr Daniel Uppal, Paul be no fall in the number of university places or further cuts to Prisk, Mr Mark Vaizey, Mr Edward university teaching budgets, and to outline what powers, if any, Pugh, John Vickers, Martin they propose for OFFA on determining fee levels and enforcing access arrangements. Raab, Mr Dominic Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa Randall, rh Mr John Walker, Mr Charles I am glad to see the Secretary of State for Business, Reckless, Mark Ward, Mr David Innovation and Skills in his place, although I understand Redwood, rh Mr John Watkinson, Angela that he is not following the usual courtesy of responding Rees-Mogg, Jacob Weatherley, Mike to my opening remarks. I am nevertheless grateful to Reevell, Simon him for attending the debate. Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Webb, Steve Robathan, rh Mr Andrew Wharton, James I make no apology for raising for the third time in an Robertson, Hugh Wheeler, Heather Opposition day debate the dismal record of this Secretary Robertson, Mr Laurence White, Chris of State and the Minister for Universities and Science Rogerson, Dan Whittaker, Craig on university fees. Nothing is more important to this Rosindell, Andrew Whittingdale, Mr John country’s future than the rising generation of young Rudd, Amber Wiggin, Bill people, including all those who are working hard as we Ruffley, Mr David Willetts, rh Mr David speak on their GCSEs and A-levels. We owe it to them Russell, Bob Williams, Mr Mark to give them the best opportunities, to make the most of Rutley, David Williams, Stephen their talents, the most of their abilities, the most of their Sanders, Mr Adrian Williamson, Gavin willingness to work hard and do the best for themselves. Sandys, Laura Willott, Jenny All of us depend on them to ensure that, through their Scott, Mr Lee Wilson, Mr Rob innovation and creativity, this country can pay its way Selous, Andrew Wollaston, Dr Sarah Shapps, rh Grant in the world and create jobs in the future. Despite Wright, Simon fashionable sneers, we need more people, not fewer, Sharma, Alok Yeo, Mr Tim Shelbrooke, Alec educated at a higher level. That is what is happening in Young, rh Sir George Shepherd, Mr Richard every country with which we compete. Young people Zahawi, Nadhim Simmonds, Mark will benefit from their higher education, but so will the Simpson, Mr Keith Tellers for the Noes: rest of us. That is why our young people deserve a fair Smith, Miss Chloe Mr Shailesh Vara and deal and good opportunities. Smith, Henry Jeremy Wright Under the last Labour Government, the number of students in English universities increased by almost Question accordingly negatived. 380,000, and 51% of young women now go to university. Now, however, the ladders of opportunity are being Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Inow kicked away. The education maintenance allowance has have to announce the results of the deferred Division been scrapped, and Aimhigher, which persuaded countless on the question relating to short selling. The Ayes were young people that they could go to university, has been 287 and the Noes were 20, so the Ayes have it. scrapped. Sir Peter Lampl of the renowned Sutton [The Division list is published at the end of today’s Trust said: debates.] “I think these fees are going to put a lot of children from lower and middle-income homes off universities.” A poll today shows that more than half of final-year students at 14 Russell group universities in England would not have enrolled if annual fees had been £9,000. 239 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 240

For those who do aim high, fees are being trebled—to for them to charge low fees, and it is young people who the highest average fees of any public university system will pay the price. Some will be put off university in the world, and all because this Secretary of State altogether, while those who go to university will face decided to cut the higher education teaching grant by 30 years of debt repayments, with middle-income graduates 80%, to make most students pay the whole cost of their paying more money and a larger proportion of their higher education and to embark on a bizarre ideological incomes than the wealthiest. They will still be paying off experiment devised by the Minister for Universities and their student debt when their own children have started Science. It was always a bad idea, but these Ministers university. have implemented it with truly staggering incompetence: The Minister is now trying to say that what matters is they have lost control and are making it up as they go the average once the reduced fees for some students along. Instead of being open and honest about finances have been taken into account. How disingenuous can and open and honest about their future policies, they you get? When the Minister promised fees of £9,000 “in are resorting to veiled and not-so-veiled threats, planning exceptional circumstances”, I do not believe that a the biggest ever interference in the autonomy of universities. single Member of the House thought, “Oh—that means that most universities will charge most students £9,000, Mr Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) (Con): or as near as makes no difference.” That is not what If a Labour Government had been re-elected, would Members thought; they thought that he meant “in tuition fees have risen? exceptional circumstances”. I do not think they thought that middle-class, middle-income students would have Mr Denham: We have made it quite clear in every no choice but to pay close to £9,000 a year no matter debate since the Browne report was published that it which university they chose to go to. The Minister’s would be unrealistic to say that higher education budgets failure to admit that he got it wrong does him no credit. would be untouched by the deficit reduction that we would have had to introduce. However, we have also pointed Mr Sam Gyimah (East Surrey) (Con): Given that that if, for the sake of argument, the reduction in higher universities that charge £9,000 will have to satisfy fairly education spending had been in the order of 10% to stringent access requirements, will they not be helping 20%, as faced by most public services, we would certainly the very students whom the right hon. Gentleman says not have been talking about tuition fees above about we should be helping? £3,800—and certainly not the £9,000 that this Government are implementing. Mr Denham: That argument is worthy of further Since Parliament voted to treble tuition fees in December, examination, and I assure the hon. Gentleman that I Ministers have ensured through their actions that record will be dealing with it in due course, at—I hope—not numbers of disappointed students will be turned away too much length. It gets worse. from university this year, with perhaps 150,000 applicants missing out on places. More of the students across Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab) rose— England who are studying hard for their A-levels today will be rejected than ever before, because tens of thousands are rushing to avoid the trebling of fees, and because Mr Denham: Ministers have consistently claimed that Ministers have already cut 20,000 places for 2012 from fees above £6,000 will be allowed only if tough access the number that Labour had planned for 2010—and agreements are in place. Before I say more about that, that is before any more cuts that may be in the pipeline. however, I will give way to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington North (Jeremy Corbyn). On 3 November, the Minister for Universities and Science told the House: Jeremy Corbyn: I am sure my right hon. Friend “We… are… proposing a basic threshold of £6,000 a year, and realises that the universities that have not raised their in exceptional circumstances there would be an absolute limit of £9,000.”—[Official Report, 3 November 2010; Vol. 517, c. 924.] fees to £9,000, such as my own London Metropolitan university, are giving themselves a large financial problem That was the solemn promise on the basis of which the which is resulting—in the case of the London Met—in House was asked to treble fees. The Minister did not the loss of possibly as many as 10,000 students places say, “Most universities will charge £9,000 or as near as over the next three years, a large number of redundancies, makes no difference”; he said that £9,000 would apply and a loss of access to higher education for students “in exceptional circumstances”, and that is not going to from working-class backgrounds. That is the perverse happen. Of the universities that have made declarations, effect of the Government’s strategy of effectively trying 71% have declared fees of £9,000 and 85% have declared to privatise higher education. fees of £8,000 or more. The Minister continues to live in a world of his own. Mr Denham: My hon. Friend has underlined a point In March he was saying of arts and humanities degrees: that I have already made. Individual institutions have “Most institutions should only need to charge £6,000—or had to make their own choices, but this was a system in perhaps a bit more once inflation has been accounted for.” which almost every incentive for the vast majority of So where are those £6,000 arts and humanities degrees institutions was to raise fees, and there were almost no in the most sought-after universities? Where, for that incentives to lower them. Given the number of professors matter, are the £6,000 arts and humanities degrees in of game theory in the universities of England, one less sought-after universities? The truth is that the Minister would have thought that Ministers could have got a few and the Secretary of State have lost control of the together and asked them, “What will you do, in practice, system through their own incompetence. They have if we introduce a system like this?” Every single one of created a system in which there is every incentive for them would have replied, “We will make the fees as high universities to charge high fees and virtually no incentive as we possibly can.” The Minister and the Secretary of 241 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 242

[Mr Denham] The cynical talk of tough access agreements is raising false hopes among students, and now the finances are State are just about the only people with any connection unravelling. The permanent secretary at the Department to higher education who are surprised by what has for Business, Innovation and Skills recently appeared in happened. front of the Public Accounts Committee, and he was Of course, Ministers have consistently claimed that asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow fees above £6,000 will be allowed only if tough access (Stella Creasy) about the consequences of fees higher agreements are in place. When Cambridge university than an average of £7,500. She asked: announced it wanted a fee of £9,000 per year, the “You have a gap, haven’t you, that you are going to have to Deputy Prime Minister—the man who promised no fee plug”? increases—exploded, stating: The permanent secretary replied: “Yes.” “They can say what they like. They can’t charge £9,000 unless The Secretary of State has already made it absolutely they’re given permission to do so. And they’re only going to be clear how he will respond. He told the Higher Education given permission to do so if they can prove that they can dramatically Funding Council for England conference: increase the number of people from poorer and disadvantaged backgrounds who presently aren’t going to Oxford and Cambridge.” “Government essentially has two ways of dealing financially with collective over-pricing: either cutting the teaching grant or That sounded pretty clear, but what has Cambridge student numbers.” actually proposed? Its current access target under the current fees policy is to reach 60% to 63% of state So there will be more cuts in teaching grant, or even school students—not, we should note, poorer or more cuts in student numbers beyond the cut of 20,000 disadvantaged state school students, just any state school from the total Labour planned for September 2010 and students including those from selective schools. What the number he will allow in 2012-13. has it proposed in the new access agreement? It has Frankly, the Government are all over the place on proposed that the target should be not 60% to 63% of this. On the one hand the permanent secretary says state school students, but 61% to 63% of state school there is a problem, and the Secretary of State says he students. As the Financial Times put it: may cut student numbers or the teaching grant. On the “Cambridge basically reckons it can triple student fees and other, he says there is not a black hole. The House of placate the Government by adjusting the bottom of its target Commons Library has published estimates of the financial range for state school pupils by one percentage point.” shortfall at average fee levels above £7,500. Ministers Does anybody in this House believe that Cambridge say they do not recognise the Library figures, so will the will not be allowed to charge £9,000? Minister guarantee to the House today that the average fee will be no more than the £7,500 first promised? If he The Secretary of State’s guidance to the Office for cannot guarantee that, will he tell the House what the Fair Access did not request that OFFA take into account black hole will be, and how he is going to balance the past performance on benchmarks or widening participation, budget? nor could it legally have done so. It will be many years, at best, before OFFA can possibly judge whether the That is not the only question about finances, because new access agreements have been complied with and the whole fiasco has been driven by the Secretary of made any difference to access. Will the Minister for State’s claim that he needed to sacrifice higher education Universities and Science tell the House today how long to cut the budget deficit. There are increasing concerns he expects it to be before OFFA could feasibly sanction that the policy will not save any public money. The cut any university for failure to comply? in teaching grant has to be set against the massive increase in the level of student debt that has to be It is obvious that these bungling Ministers thought written off because of loans that will never be repaid. OFFA had powers it simply did not have. When The London Economics, million+ and the Higher Education Times asked Sir Martin Harris, the director of OFFA, Policy Institute are among the organisations that have whether Ministers had been aware of his limited powers pointed out that quite small changes in assumptions when plans to treble the cap on fees were approved by about future graduate earnings or the rate of non-repayment Parliament, he replied: would wipe out any savings. Yesterday, the director of “I think that the powers of OFFA became clearer as this the Office for Budget Responsibility wrote to me confirming debate went on.” that the OBR will re-examine the Government’s That is a tremendously polite way of saying, “They assumptions once all the universities have set their fees. didn’t understand what they were talking about,” and As it has become increasingly clear that fees approaching he went on to say, for the avoidance of doubt: £9,000 will be the norm, Ministers have constantly “It is very important that everybody understands that OFFA is threatened to enact new laws to stop them. In their not a fee regulator.” guidance to the Office for Fair Access, these Ministers Tory peers made sure of that in 2004. In another place, said that they passed amendments that ensured that Labour’s “if the sector as a whole appeared to be clustering their charges at fees legislation could not allow the very interference the upper end of what is legally possible, and thereby increasing that the Tory-led Government are now threatening. the pressure on public funds, we will have to reconsider what Of course, in theory OFFA can reject an access powers are available, including changes to legislation, to ensure scheme, but only a stupid and incompetent vice-chancellor there is differentiation in charges.” would run that risk. Universities just need a rational They have talked of cutting all university places by plan for school outreach work, and bursaries or fee 5% to 10% and then auctioning them off to the lowest waivers for some students; if they get that right, OFFA’s bidder, including foreign-owned private universities. They powers to limit fees to £6,000 collapse, and the university have also talked of strengthening OFFA’s legal powers, is free to charge up to £9,000. That is the second reason but part of this disgraceful situation is that they make why £9,000 is becoming the norm, not the exception. threats but they will not publish any details. 243 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 244

So I ask the Secretary of State and the Minister for Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North) Universities and Science whether, having said that they (Lab): Does my right hon. Friend share my concern are prepared to legislate to stop universities charging about a matter that was brought to my attention by a high fees, they will stop hiding behind weasel words and constituent? She is so concerned about the level of fees tell us what they actually propose to do. Will there be an that her children will have to pay for the rest of their auction of student places? Is OFFA going to be given lives if they go to university that she is looking into powers to set fees or impose quotas for students from retiring early to prevent them from being burdened with different backgrounds? There are people on both sides them. That could be an unintended consequence of this of the House who would like to have the answer to that policy across the board—people could be incentivised question. Does the Minister have any idea how he not to work. would get such a policy through the House of Lords, given that the Lords insisted on explicitly limiting OFFA’s Mr Denham: Although this does not apply to the case powers in 2004? It really is not good enough for the that my hon. Friend raises, she has touched on an issue Secretary of State and his Minister to keep making it up that will need to be examined in greater detail on as they go along. another occasion. It has long been an oddity that the The Minister said that he would double the level of incomes declared to the Student Loans Company by student loans available for study at private universities those applying for loans appear to be rather low if they and he has made it clear that he wants more competition are set against the statistics about the social class from from private universities, but he has not set out how which people come. There is a financial incentive for they will be regulated, how quality will be maintained minimising declared income when applying to the student or how the problem of fraud, which is being investigated loan system, and we must acknowledge that that was by congressional committees in the USA, will be avoided— present to a degree under our system, too. Any sensible this involves the same companies he wants to expand person will have real concerns that as fees rise towards their activities here. Once again, veiled threats are being £27,000 for a typical degree, with possible significant made in panic as Ministers lose control of the system, differences in the maintenance awards available and but we are being given no details, no substance and no significant fee advantages for declaring a lower income, openness. It is not good enough to keep this House, the temptation creatively to declare household income, future students and universities in the dark about what shall we say, may well rise. they plan to do. I think that it is a tragedy if, in a legitimate way, Let me turn now to another aspect of Government people take a household decision that takes somebody policy that is becoming clear. The Secretary of State out of the labour market to enable somebody to take and his Minister plan to force tens of thousands of advantage of such opportunities. I am just flagging up students from squeezed-middle homes to pay a levy to this point without developing it further, but there is an cut the fees of other students, often those from similar issue here that the whole House will have to consider in backgrounds. In a typical access scheme—hon. Members the years to come. can go on websites to look at these—a student with two working parents both on £24,000 a year will pay a full Nick de Bois (Enfield North) (Con): Does the shadow £27,000 a year in fees, but that will include a £3,000 levy Secretary of State not understand that he is fuelling to cut the fees of the student from next door with one fears for those who wish to go university by constantly working parent on £24,000 a year. So two graduates referring to what students have to pay? They do not. In with the same degree from the same university starting the words of a former Home Secretary, it is graduates the same job will start their working life with as much as who pay and who benefit. That is the difference. I a £9,000 difference in their level of debt. How many of suggest that the right hon. Gentleman thinks carefully our constituents will think that having two hard-working about the damage that he is doing to the potential of parents should be a disadvantage that stays with someone young individuals. for 30 years?

Mr Denham: With due respect to the hon. Gentleman, Mr Gyimah: Will the right hon. Gentleman briefly I shall read back to him directly the words I spoke explain to us how his proposal of a graduate tax can before I took those interventions: two graduates with address the challenges in higher education that he has the same degree from the same university starting the so eloquently highlighted? same job will start their working life with as much as a £9,000 difference in their level of debt. That is an Mr Denham: I am flattered by the hon. Gentleman’s accurate representation of the system that there will be remarks. No system of student payment for the cost of and of the current system, in which, as Government higher education makes easy the problem of an 80% cut Members do not understand, fee repayments start after in teaching grant. The fundamental problem we face is graduation. The issue, however, is that students—those that the Government have decided to make most students planning to go to university—are being told that they pay the entire cost of their higher education. The great will be responsible in most courses for footing the entire advantage in a system of repayment of moving towards cost of their university education. That is undoubtedly a graduate tax is that it is fairer; it ensures that what true. people pay is better related to what they are able to earn as a graduate. But nobody should be under any illusions: the fundamental problem we are dealing with is not the Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con) rose— choice between a graduate tax and a fees system; it is the choice between slashing higher education teaching grant by 80% and not doing so. Margot James (Stourbridge) (Con) rose— 245 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 246

Mr Denham: I am going to make a little more progress, the sad truth is that all this was not only predictable, but because I am aware of Madam Deputy Speaker’s strictures was predicted. From the outset, the Opposition have about time and I need to draw to a close very quickly. said that the Government’s policy was unfair, unnecessary Let me complete the point I was making about the and unsustainable. We called for a delay in the fees vote unfairness that is being introduced into the access system. and said that the House should not vote before the Labour’s progress on social mobility must be maintained— Government were clear about how they would control [Laughter.] There is laughter from those on the student numbers and how private providers would be Government Benches, but let me remind Ministers and regulated. We wanted them to give details about the the House that under the previous Labour Government cost and fairness of the new loans system and to be the proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds clear about having an independent assessment of the going to university increased every single year after the effect of their measures on social mobility, but they changes we made to higher education. We will wait to ignored us and four months later they have still failed to see whether this Government can maintain that progress. answer those crucial questions. In January, the Minister for Universities and Science told the House: These Ministers have put the burden unfairly on the shoulders of hard-working squeezed middle families “We are consulting students, universities and other experts and will publish a White Paper in the early part of this year.”—[Official and the Commons Library suggests a significant risk of Report, 13 January 2011; Vol. 521, c. 421.] no overall increase in money spent on widening access because schemes such as Aimhigher have been scrapped It is nearly May and there is no sign of this White Paper. and the widening participation premium is in doubt. England’s higher education system is not perfect, but That risks the worst of all worlds: middle income students it is widely recognised as one of the best in the world. and their families being asked to pick up the tab, with That is not just because of the quality of its world-class no increase in spending on widening access. research institutions but because of the diversity and quality across the whole higher education system. No Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) one should be afraid of having an honest debate about (LD): First, will the shadow Secretary of State confirm how it can be made better, but it is so important to all that, under Labour, a widening of participation did not our futures that it needs competent Ministers who are occur in the Russell group universities? Secondly, if he capable of protecting all that is good about it. is concerned about those on middle incomes, is not the Public concern about the Government’s NHS reforms answer for him to say that universities should offer no has at least forced a temporary period of reflection on fee waivers, because if there were none, the inequity that that policy, but no such luxury exists for students and he suggests will follow would not happen? universities, which are on a tight timetable to introduce the new system for 2012-13. The Secretary of State Mr Denham: This is bizarre. The right hon. Gentleman must act now, so will Ministers tell the House today is the Government’s access tsar, but he is asking, “Why what action will be taken to deliver the promise that fees do not we all agree that there should not be any fee of £9,000 will be charged only in exceptional circumstances? waivers?” Because it is a requirement of the national Will they legislate and if so how and when? Will they scholarship programme that there should be fee waivers. promise that there will be no further cuts to student That is the scheme that he has advocated, designed and numbers and no further cuts to spending on the teaching developed. grant, research or public funding for widening participation? The right hon. Gentleman has been as guilty as What will they do to deliver the wild promises of anybody of raising false hopes about what the Government’s widened participation and improved access? Will they policies are going to do. It was he who said there was strengthen the powers of the Office for Fair Access to going to be set fees or to impose quotas? If the measures, which are “a really tough regime that does not allow any college or university the biggest interference in university autonomy in history, to charge more than £6,000 unless it is in exceptional circumstances”. are rejected, what will they do? If the Minister for The truth is that he is one of those who have no Universities and Science cannot answer these questions, understanding of how the system operates. I hope that the House must conclude that he and the Secretary of further progress is made on widening participation, State have lost control of the policy for which they are including in the Russell group universities. However, responsible. nothing that Ministers have set out, and nothing that the right hon. Gentleman has said, matches the rhetoric 4.44 pm that he has been putting all over the newspapers. He has played a role in trying to persuade the media in this The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David country that the Government are serious about social Willetts): I welcome this opportunity for us to set before access while doing absolutely nothing to deliver on that. the House the Government’s approach to higher education He should be ashamed of the role that he has played. and to clear away the farrago of confusion, misplaced He knows that he should have voted against the measures speculation and plain old-fashioned errors that we have in the first place but he was bought off with a title and just heard from the shadow Secretary of State. he has done nothing to deliver on the responsibilities he I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on one thing: has been given. his sheer audacity in standing in the Chamber and The Government have broken their promise on the denouncing cuts and financial black holes, when he was level of fees. They have made claims about access they in the Cabinet of a previous Government who got our cannot deliver and they have based their arguments on finances into the crisis that the coalition inherited. So savings that may never materialise. They said that they yes, we are having to take some tough and difficult wanted to set universities free but they are planning the measures, but that is because, as always, Labour left biggest attack on university autonomy in history, and behind a mess and then denounced us for clearing it up. 247 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 248

Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): Some months Mr Willetts: It was made perfectly clear—[Interruption.] ago the Minister indicated in the House, in response to Let me quote from the very first sentence of the terms a question from me, that his proposals were not to do of reference of Lord Browne’s report. It was to with the deficit, but were to do with a new way of “analyse the challenges and opportunities facing higher education providing for the financing of higher education, yet he and their implications for student financing and support. It will introduces his speech by referring to the deficit. examine the balance of contributions to higher education funding by taxpayers, students, graduates and employers.” Mr Willetts: I will turn to that point as I develop my So, the previous Government left us a deficit, recognised argument. I hope the hon. Lady will accept that the that they needed to make £14 billion of savings and set Government whom she supported left behind a fiscal up an inquiry under Lord Browne to look at how crisis. We were borrowing £120 million a day and were universities should be financed in those circumstances— heading for the largest budget deficit in the G20. In fact, almost in the same month, incidentally, that we had the the position was so bad that the previous Chancellor plan from the right hon. Member for Edinburgh South had set out proposals for bringing down the deficit by West (Mr Darling) for large reductions in public spending. reducing public spending. It is an irony that the Opposition After considering Lord Browne’s report, which took called this debate in the very month when the previous him a year to produce and in which time he took a large Government’s spending cuts would have started to take amount of evidence, the coalition has adopted a strategy effect—£14 billion of cuts planned for this financial that, although not in every respect his strategy—[HON. year by the previous Chancellor, £16 billion of cuts that MEMBERS: “Ah!”]I do not know why Opposition Members we are implementing. react with such glee; in many ways, we have improved As the shadow Secretary of State knows because he on the strategy that Lord Browne put forward. The was in the Government at the time, it is clear from the fundamental proposal in the report that the previous pre-Budget report of December 2009 that there was a Government commissioned is the one that we are now commitment to £600 million of cuts from the higher implementing in order to put the finances of higher education and science and research budget. It was never education on a stable footing. explained what those were to be. As we know from the Tristram Hunt (Stoke-on-Trent Central) (Lab): Will work done by the Institute for Fiscal Studies when the right hon. Gentleman give way? it tried to assess Labour’s plans when the previous Government left office, there were to be reductions in Mr Willetts: Let me just develop this point, because public expenditure that the IFS estimated as a 25% crucially the best way to save money is not to go for reduction in the budget of the Department where the reductions in the teaching grant per student, as that Secretary of State and I serve. So we inherited a mess simply means a lower-quality experience for students in that we have to sort out. our universities; instead, the aim is to provide universities, as the teaching grant is reduced, with an alternative Hugh Bayley (York Central) (Lab): The question is source of income from fees and loans which does not not whether the deficit needs to be reduced, but whether involve students paying any money up front. the decision to impose cuts of 80% on universities is the right way to do it. How will students benefit when they Hugh Bayley rose— pay three times as much in fees but get less spent on the quality of their education in our universities? Mr Willetts: I am just going to carry on explaining the basic finances of the measure, because they are so Mr Willetts: Let us turn to that. Given that we face a important and the Opposition clearly do not understand crisis in the public finances, and given that even the them. The point is about lending students money to pay previous Government had planned £14 billion of saving, fees. For example, if we lend them £1,000, we can how does one best deliver those in a departmental reasonably expect, on the basis of outside forecasts, budget which I do not think any of the three parties about £700 of that to be repaid, so we account for the represented in the House said could be exempted from £300 of the loan that is written off—that will not be reductions? Fortunately, the previous Government set repaid—but know that we will get approximately £700 back. in train an exercise that helped tackle precisely that That is the financing model in Lord Browne’s report, problem. In November 2009 they commissioned Lord which the Labour party commissioned, and that is what Browne to review the financing of higher education, enables this coalition to save money for the Exchequer, and they made perfectly clear the wide range of options to continue with high levels of finances and to ensure that they wanted him to look at. that students do not have to pay any money up front. That is an excellent combination of policies at a time Mr David Lammy (Tottenham) (Lab) rose— when money is tight. Tristram Hunt: I am grateful to the Minister for Mr Willetts: I will give way in a moment to the right giving way as he digs himself ever deeper and reveals hon. Gentleman, not least because of his role as a the fallacy of the sums involved. The whole point of the Minister in the previous Government, but I hope he will Browne review was that it would introduce a market in accept that Lord Browne’s report was commissioned higher education, but, if we strip away the teaching precisely so that when public expenditure had to be grant and everyone charges £9,000, we do not have a saved, the finances of higher education would be examined. market. That is why the policy is such a car crash.

Mr Lammy: The right hon. Gentleman knows that Mr Willetts: I will move on to that stage of the the higher education review was indicated in the Higher argument in a moment, but let me just explain to the Education Act 2004, some years before the deficit. hon. Gentleman why this measure, which is not mine 249 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 250

[Mr Willetts] Mr Willetts: I need to make some progress because this is not simply a matter of finances, important though but that of the report commissioned by the Government they are. It is essential that the measures be accompanied whom he supported, is very straightforward, simple and by reform. Above all, that means a focus on the quality absolutely the right way to tackle the challenge of of the teaching experience for students. Many students, financing higher education at a time of fiscal crisis. It and their parents, come away from university not convinced enables us to save money for the Exchequer, because the that they had the teaching that they needed during their money that goes into universities is lent to students and time in higher education. The third challenge, therefore—as is not a grant, and at the same time we ensure that well as saving money for the public finances and ensuring universities are well financed. that proper financing gets into our universities—is to The shadow Secretary of State sounded as if he was focus on improving the quality of the teaching experience. willing to contemplate large reductions in the amount We do not achieve that by— of resource going to universities, but that would affect the quality of students’ education. On our estimates, Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab): the cash going to universities rises from about £9.2 billion Will the Minister give way? in 2010-11 to £10 billion in 2014-15, so we save money, there is more resource going into universities and, crucially, at the same time the money is accompanied by reform. Mr Willetts: I am responding to the point made by the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent Central (Tristram Several hon. Members rose— Hunt); it is an important stage in the argument. The money must be accompanied by reform that puts teaching Mr Willetts: I give way to my hon. Friend the Member up front and enables students, for the first time, to for Beverley and Holderness (Mr Stuart). choose the course and university that they believe will best meet their needs. That is why the Secretary of State Mr Graham Stuart: Will my right hon. Friend nail the and I are absolutely committed to ensuring that it is misinformation, peddled not least by Opposition Front easier for universities to escape from the shackles of the Benchers, about the increase in fees putting people from detailed quotas and restrictions set, university by university, lower-income backgrounds off going to university? The in the system that we inherited from the previous truth is that the payments per month will be lower Government. One of our highest priorities is to ensure under the new system, that those who earn lower amounts that our reforms also improve the quality of the student will pay less, that the new system is more progressive experience. That will be at the heart of our White Paper. and that Opposition Front Benchers, who cry crocodile tears for caring about those from the lowest incomes Graham Stringer: Will the Minister explain how the having access to a university, are scaremongering and quality of education will improve? Due to his providing misinformation. Will he please put them right? miscalculations about the number of universities charging £9,000 and the structure of the students who will be Mr Willetts: That was an excellent intervention. After going, there will be a huge deficit. That will lead to cuts this debate, I hope that Members on both sides will in universities or in the number of students going to agree to commit ourselves to visit, between now and the universities. summer, the secondary schools and colleges in our constituencies and explain to them that not a single young person is going to have to pay up front for their Mr Willetts: Let me deal briefly with that point. A higher education. They will repay only if they are fortnight ago, the Labour party was claiming that there earning more than £21,000 a year and that means that was a £1 billion shortfall; last week, apparently, the their monthly repayments under our proposals will be shortfall was £450 million. We simply do not recognise lower than under the system we inherited from the those figures. We will see in autumn next year exactly previous Government. what students are paying and how much they choose to borrow; they do not necessarily even need to borrow the Dr Eilidh Whiteford (Banff and Buchan) (SNP) rose— full amount of fees that they face. That will be a decision for them. At that point, we will assess the Mr Willetts: I will accept the hon. Lady’s intervention, financial situation that we face, but we see no reason to especially if she makes that commitment. amend the broad estimate that we put before the House last autumn. Dr Whiteford: Last month, the BBC published figures from the accountants Baker Tilly. They suggested that a Angela Smith: Given what the Minister has just said, student who borrowed £39,000 to complete their higher will he guarantee that there will be no cuts in quality or education would end up paying back something in the numbers in higher education? region of £83,000. What does the right hon. Gentleman make of those figures? Mr Willetts: We have a set of proposals that ensures Mr Willetts: I am afraid that I do not recognise those that increasing resources will go to our universities, so, specific figures. We are talking about a system whose absolutely, I see no reason why quality should suffer. powerful logic is simple—no student pays up front, a Indeed, I believe that as we liberalise the system in the point that my hon. Friend the Member for Beverley and way that the Secretary of State and I wish to, we will see Holderness correctly made. improvements in the quality of the student experience. I do not see any need for a reduction in student numbers; Graham Stringer (Blackley and Broughton) (Lab) on the figures that we have in front of us, I do not rose— believe that that will be necessary. 251 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 252

I want to deal with another point made by Labour crucial way in which we have done that is by improving Members. There is so much confusion and misapprehension the repayment terms for graduates. A very important on their part that there is a large amount to sweep away. feature of the new system is that instead of the repayment threshold of £15,000 that was left to us by the previous Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op): Will Government, we propose a threshold of £21,000. The the Minister give way? only way in which people pay for higher education is as graduates repaying their loans, so the level of threshold Mr Willetts: I wanted to move on to the improvements and the amount of the repayment that they make is that we have made to the Browne plan, but of course I crucial. Under our scheme, a care worker graduating in give way to the shadow Minister. 2016 with a £20,000 starting salary would repay nothing. Under Labour’s £15,000 repayment threshold, that care Mr Thomas: Will the right hon. Gentleman distance worker would have been repaying £37.50 a month. himself from the Secretary of State’s comments at the Under our scheme, an accountant graduating in 2016 Higher Education Funding Council for England conference with a £25,000 starting salary would repay £30 a month. when he threatened universities with either more cuts to If the repayment threshold had remained at £15,000, the teaching grant or further cuts to student numbers? that accountant would have been repaying £75 a month. The crucial figure that matters for young people Mr Willetts: We will obviously have to keep a very thinking about the cost of their higher education is how close eye on the situation. When one looks behind the much they will have to repay. Under our scheme, their headline figure of the £9,000 fee, there are so many monthly repayments will be significantly lower. That is waivers and special arrangements that the average fee why the Secretary of State and I are confident that these will be significantly lower than that. Given the evidence reforms are the right way forward and are genuinely that has so far come through, we do not recognise the progressive. We are discharging our obligation to future so-called figures for fiscal black holes that are being generations in exactly the way the shadow Secretary of perpetrated by Labour Members. I suggest that they State set out at the beginning of his speech. That is the calm down and wait until the autumn of 2012 when we crucial challenge and we believe that our reforms rise see what students are actually paying in fees when they to it. arrive at their universities. That is not just my view or that of the Secretary of State, but the view of bodies that have scrutinised our Mr Thomas: The right hon. Gentleman was asked a financing proposals. The Institute for Fiscal Studies very straight question—does he, or does he not, agree said that with his Secretary of State, who clearly threatened universities at the HEFCE conference with either further “the Government’s proposals are more progressive than the current cuts in teaching grant or further cuts in student numbers? system or that proposed by Lord Browne.” Does he agree with him—yes or no? The OECD endorsed the coalition’s policy: “The increase in the tuition fee ceiling is reasonable and should Mr Willetts: I am always in agreement with the pave the way for higher participation in tertiary education”. Secretary of State. The position that he was describing related to options that would be necessary if the financial Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): Can position was very different from the one that we estimated the Minister quote any vice-chancellor of any reputable last autumn. On the basis of the evidence that we have, higher education institution in this country who has we do not believe that that will be the case. said that the Government’s record in their first year of office has been good for higher education in this country? Margot James: Does my right hon. Friend agree that university costs should be looked at very closely, just as Mr Willetts: I have been at many events with university with every other kind of public sector institution? Lord vice-chancellors at which they have all accepted that, Browne found that the average fee was £6,000 if one given the circumstances that we inherited and faced took into account efficiencies that universities could with the policy options of reducing teaching grant, make in relation to what would be the break-even point reducing student numbers or implementing Lord Browne’s compared with what they currently enjoy in terms of proposed changes in student finance, we took the right funding. decision. I am confident that we have improved on Lord Browne’s proposals by making the repayment threshold Mr Willetts: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We more progressive. look forward to the report that Ian Diamond is preparing Let me quote someone who is not a vice-chancellor, on precisely how we can improve efficiency in our but who is perhaps still treated with a degree of respect universities. by some Opposition Members, namely Lord Mandelson. The new postscript to his excellent memoirs, which I Mr Andrew Smith (Oxford East) (Lab): Will the Minister commend to Opposition Members, states: give way? “When the university fee debate came up before the Lords, for example, there was a large part of me that felt I should weigh in.” Mr Willetts: No, I am going to make some progress because Members in all parts of the House wish to I am sure that there was. It goes on: speak and I have a lot more ground to cover. “It was I, after all, who had set up the Browne Review”— We have not only taken on Lord Browne’s proposals the Labour party seems to have forgotten that— in the report commissioned by the previous Government “into what future changes were necessary to ensure proper funding as their way of reforming the finances of our education for universities in the best and fairest way, for both them and their system, but tried to improve on those proposals. The students. When I did so in November 2009 I assumed, as the 253 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 254

[Mr Willetts] Once again, the memoirs of Peter Mandelson are very clear on this point, and we now know where the Treasury did, that the outcome would have to include a significant Labour party’s policy comes from. He writes: increase in tuition fees. I felt that they would certainly have to “To be fair to Ed”— double in order to offset the deficit-reduction measures that we too would have implemented had we won the election. The he is referring to the current Labour leader”— alternative would be a disastrous contraction of higher education.” “from his days in the Treasury when we were first introducing the Those are the words of the previous Secretary of State, top-up-fees scheme in government, he shared Gordon’s preference and I take them as an accurate account of what was in for an alternative graduate tax”. the minds of Labour Ministers when they set up the So it was Gordon who wanted a graduate tax—that is Browne review. where this bold, new Labour idea comes from. The memoirs continue that the current Labour leader held Andrew Bridgen: I remind the Minister of the words that view of Professor Steve Smith, the president of Universities “even when our research concluded that it was simply unworkable.” UK, who said that the coalition Government’s higher That is what Peter Mandelson says. Labour’s research education policies showed the defects of a graduate tax, and we are still “will bring in the resource needed to allow students to go to waiting to hear from the shadow Secretary of State university regardless of their financial circumstances, provide what his policy is on such a tax. financial sustainability for universities, and ensure that we can The position is clear: the Government have a plan for maintain the UK’s international competitiveness in terms of undergraduate education.” financing higher education in tough times. We are financing it in a way that continues healthy support for our Mr Willetts: Absolutely. That is the view of Universities universities and enables us to save funding for the UK, and, as I have explained to the House, it holds that Exchequer at the same time. We are doing that without view because in the difficult circumstances that we any cuts to student numbers or to the teaching resources inherited from the previous Government, we have taken going to universities, without any burden on students the correct strategic decisions. when they are at university and while improving the I have set out our approach to higher education. regime for graduate repayments after they have left What was striking in the speech of the shadow Secretary university. That is why our plan is realistic, sober, reformist of State was the complete absence of how he believes and progressive. We believe it is the right way forward, higher education should be financed in tough times. and in the absence of any constructive proposals from What was particularly noticeable was the absence of the Labour party, we remain convinced that ours is the any reference to what we understand to be the preferred correct strategy. policy of his party leader, namely a graduate tax. We Several hon. Members rose— are still waiting to see the move to the graduate tax, which we understand is now the view of the shadow Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. This is Secretary of State. Of course, the last Labour Government a popular debate, and an eight-minute limit has been produced a helpful document on the subject entitled, put on Back-Bench speeches, with the usual two-minute “Why not a Pure Graduate Tax?”, which sets out clearly injury time allowance for interventions. some of the issues surrounding a graduate tax. We are still waiting to hear whether the shadow Secretary of 5.12 pm State advocates it. Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab): I am Of course, our proposals involve a capped graduate grateful for the opportunity to speak in today’s debate, tax, which has a threshold of £21,000 and a rate of 9%, as I am very worried about the Government’s plans for is linked to the university that one went to, and is higher education and their impact on many of my extinguished when one has discharged the cost of one’s constituents and the city I represent. higher education. That is the right way of delivering a I was deeply concerned when the Government announced graduate tax to pay for higher education. I would be their intention to raise the cap on fees, and like every very interested to hear from the shadow Secretary of Opposition Member I voted against that rise. I did so State whether he believes that that system should be not just because my pledge during the general election improved in some way. Does he prefer a model of campaign but because I felt that the Government were graduate tax with, perhaps, a lower threshold and a rushing through their plans without proper thought lower rate? and consultation. Like many Members, I felt that fees of £6,000, £7,000 or £8,000 would deter many bright Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab): Will and able students from low and middle-income families the right hon. Gentleman give way? from applying to university, or from applying to the university or course that would best suit them. As Mr Willetts: No, I am going to make some progress university after university has announced its intention on this important point. to charge fees of £9,000, my concern has only deepened. Would the shadow Secretary of State prefer a model Far from being the exception that the Prime Minister with a 3% tax for graduates? That is one possibility, but promised, £9,000 fees are becoming the norm. Why? It of course it would bring low earners into the burden of is because universities have to fill the huge hole left by graduate tax, whereas they will be exempt from it under the cut in the teaching grant. our proposals. It would have another significant defect, because whereas we can collect student fees from people Mr Graham Stuart: Will the hon. Lady confirm for across Europe, there is no way in which a graduate tax the benefit of her constituents that the monthly payment could be collected from a graduate who has been educated that each of them will have to make will be lower under in Britain and then goes to live abroad. the new system than it was under the previous system? 255 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 256

The monthly payment will be lower at all times. The bad to go on to higher education, tell me that it has become news is that people will have to pay for longer, but the increasingly difficult to convince such young people payments will be more affordable and people will have that university is for them. to pay only when they are earning £21,000. Her constituents Young people and their parents frequently bring this need to hear that so that they are not put off. I hope that issue up on the doorstep. On Monday afternoon, a she agrees. constituent asked me how he could afford to send his children to university. Lilian Greenwood: The concern that many of my constituents express is that they will have to pay back at Andrew Bridgen: Will the hon. Lady give way? least three times more than they would if they were a student now or had been recently. Lilian Greenwood: No. I have already taken several interventions. Stella Creasy (Walthamstow) (Lab/Co-op): One difficulty My constituent was in work and owned his own is that we do not know the real rate of interest that will home, and his children would not qualify for bursaries. be charged. When we debated the Education Bill, He understood the importance of learning as a worthwhile Opposition Members proposed measures that would investment in their future, but like many middle-income enable us to find out what those interest rates would be, parents he felt that higher education was becoming out but Government Members, including the hon. Member of reach for his children. The Government talk a great for Beverley and Holderness (Mr Stuart), voted against deal about widening access and ensuring that more such a process, so we simply cannot tell how much the young people from lower-income families go to our top bills will be for our constituents. universities, and about improving the chances of those in state schools, which are admirable aspirations, but Lilian Greenwood: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. they have done nothing to ensure that those things The fact is that many of my constituents who are happen. considering going to university are terrified at the prospect of paying back debts of £30,000 or £40,000. That is I fear not only the impact that the fees increase will about not just how much they have to pay, but how long have on our young people from low and middle-income they have to pay for. I am sorry that the Minister would families, but the impact that those policies will have on not take my intervention, but under a graduate tax Nottingham. As many in the House will know, Nottingham system, surely those who earn more would pay more. is home to two excellent universities that attract students from all over the country, and indeed the world. The Nick de Bois: Will the hon. Lady give way? university of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent university make a huge contribution to our city and are vital to our local economy. Our city’s most successful businesses Lilian Greenwood: No, not at the moment. Under the tell me that one of the main reasons for locating in Minister’s scheme, those who earn the most will pay Nottingham is the availability of highly educated young less, because they can pay their loans off quickly, before people. Although residents may on occasion wish that they have substantial amounts of interest to pay on top. there were fewer students in the local neighbourhood, Sir Martin Harris, the director of the organisation they also know that our universities are vital to the charged with improving access to higher education, says city’s economy and future financial success. that there is a “real risk” that teenagers from low-income Last week, I spoke to a senior member of staff of homes will feel unable to attend university, which makes Nottingham Trent university. She expressed concern me even more convinced that this Government’s policies that the increase in fees represents a threat to our ability are not properly thought through. to attract the brightest and best students to Nottingham, and reported that many young people and their families Mr Graham Stuart: Will the hon. Lady give way? are considering studying close to home because they feel that they cannot afford the costs of living away on Lilian Greenwood: No—I am not taking another top of fees. intervention. Unfortunately, my concerns were further confirmed Anna Soubry (Broxtowe) (Con): Has the hon. Lady when I recently met staff from Nottingham and met the vice-chancellor of Nottingham university? If Nottinghamshire Connexions services. Careers advisers she has, will she confirm that he supports the Government’s were not only demoralised by cuts to their service when policy? young people most need advice and guidance to help them to make difficult choices, but deeply concerned Lilian Greenwood: I have met him, and he is in favour about the impact of Government policies on the teenagers of an increase in fees, but unfortunately the people of whom they are committed to assist. They told me that Nottingham, and prospective students, do not agree fee increases are having a clear impact on many young with him, and I am rather more concerned about people, and that many young people in Nottinghamshire representing them. feel that they can no longer afford to study for a degree. I was speaking about a senior member of staff at The problem is heightened by the increase in youth Nottingham Trent university who said that many young unemployment. Young people are worried not only that people and their families are considering studying closer they will rack up debts of £30,000 or £40,000, but that to home. They are limiting their choice of university for they may not even be able to secure a job at the end of financial rather than educational reasons, which has it. It was particularly sad to hear a member of staff of implications not only for individual students who feel the Aimhigher campaign, which supports young people unable to choose the university that is right for them but from disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential for the universities, particularly those in areas of high 257 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 258

[Lilian Greenwood] Mr Denham: The hon. Gentleman makes an important point, but does he accept that the Government have not supply. The east midlands is a net importer of students, told us how they intend to allocate student numbers—or and therefore might expect to suffer disproportionately indeed whether we will have a model in which the if more students choose to study close to home. What money follows the student or whether numbers will be analysis have the Government made of this problem, centrally allocated, as they are at the moment? The what discussions have they had with local enterprise Opposition called for that information before December, partnerships on its impact, and how do Ministers expect so does he share my regret that Ministers have completely any reduction in the number of students coming to the failed to answer that question? Indeed, the lack of an east midlands to affect local and regional economic answer means that we do not know whether the point growth? that the hon. Gentleman is making is valid or not. It is increasingly clear that in their rush to secure a deeply unpopular rise in fees as soon as possible after Mr Wilson: I thank the right hon. Gentleman for the election and before the next one, Ministers failed to making that point, because there are certainly questions come up with a coherent plan for higher education. Six still to be answered, which is something I will come to. months after the fee rise, we still have no higher education I am concerned that the restrictions on student numbers White Paper. The Department’s spending plans, based will mean that we fail to realise the full benefits of on average fees of £7,500, are in disarray, and measures competition in the higher education sector, which would sold to the electorate as necessary to save money are have encouraged universities to achieve greater efficiency likely to cost the same or more. On top of 80% cuts in and offer more value for money. As a recent report by teaching grants, universities now face the threat of Tim Leunig for the think-tank CentreForum put it, further cuts in grants or student numbers. The impact “because government restricts the number of students that each on local economic growth is uncertain, and young university can take, this is not real competition”— people and their families are paying the price of this Government’s incompetence. It is no wonder they feel and indeed, it is not. I am sure that my right hon. Friend so let down by the Business Secretary and his colleagues. the Minister will agree that the Government must devise I have no doubt that we will see quite how let down they a system in which universities and courses that are feel when next week’s election results deliver the verdict popular and economically important can expand, if on 12 months of the miserable compromise that is the necessary at the expense of unpopular courses and coalition Government. institutions. Does he therefore share my concern that capping student numbers will threaten one of the key benefits offered by the Government’s reforms? What 5.22 pm further action does he propose to take to ensure that courses that students want to take, at a price that they Mr Rob Wilson (Reading East) (Con): It is a great want to pay, can expand at the expense of courses that pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Nottingham they do not want to take, at prices that they do not want South (Lilian Greenwood), who spoke passionately in to pay? In these difficult times the Treasury is keen not defence of students in her constituency. I do not intend to spend more on subsidies for students than it absolutely to speak for long—I hope to keep to five or six minutes. has to, which provides the Secretary of State and the I make no apology for continuing to support and Minister with a big challenge if they want real competition vote for the policies of the Government, because I am in in the higher education sector. If the Minister cannot no doubt that the medium and long-term strengths of convince the Treasury that removing the cap on student our higher education sector will be substantially improved numbers will reduce overall HE costs, there will be no by the measures we have taken so far—and, I hope, will genuine market in HE. continue to take. It is true, however, that over time we However, I hope that the Government are thinking will need to make further changes in some areas. creatively about seeking micro-solutions to the problem. Nevertheless, the Opposition and the shadow Secretary In particular, I would recommend that they look at of State have got this one wrong. As Lord Mandelson three areas that are perhaps worthy of further consideration. has shown, even many members of the Labour party The first is how we encourage private sector institutions believe that mistakes are being made. In particular, the to enter the HE sector and offer degree courses. There is analysis of the role of the Office for Fair Access is no reason why they should not be allowed to enter the wrong. But I will come to that later. sector and overcome any real or perceived barriers to My first observation concerns student numbers. One entry, which can easily be removed. Secondly, the further of the fundamental strengths of the new system is that education sector needs to be encouraged to offer more it empowers students by making money follow their degree and higher education courses. The changes that choices, so that universities are incentivised to raise the we have made in the HE sector offer huge opportunities quality of their courses and of the student experience in for FE colleges to offer high quality, affordable, specialist order to attract students and generate income. Professor courses. Once again, we can look across the Atlantic at David Eastwood, vice-chancellor of the university of what is happening in the US community college system Birmingham and a member of the Browne review, as an example of the model that we need to strive to recently emphasised that the follow in this country. “key policy imperative is to say that numbers will follow informed student choice”. Mr Graham Stuart: My hon. Friend is making a He has argued that expanding higher education places powerful speech, the content of which I agree with. to meet demand would force down fees at less popular Does he agree that many FE colleges are now delivering universities and cost the taxpayer less. I believe that he the quality that should enable them to confer degrees, is probably right. rather than being dependent on universities, which in 259 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 260 times of financial uncertainty tend to reduce what they they can expect OFFA to set much more onerous allow FE colleges to do? We need to give them freedom obligations and require them to devote more of their if they are to compete properly in the market. resources to outreach and financial support. In addition, they could be fined. So, while the Opposition call for Mr Wilson: Indeed I do agree with that. There are new powers for OFFA, will the Minister confirm that some fabulous FE colleges that could easily deliver high the Government remain committed to protecting the quality higher education degrees. academic freedom of universities, and that they have no Thirdly, if we are to have a Treasury-imposed affordability plans to interfere with university admissions policies limit on student numbers, we need to think more creatively through access agreements? about how we tease the best out of a more limited market system. As I have said, we need to encourage the Mr Willetts: I can make that assurance. We have no best high-quality, sought-after courses that students plans to change the legal framework guaranteeing the actually want to take. We have to design a system that freedom of universities to run their own admissions allows good universities with good courses to expand, procedures. and poorly performing universities with poor quality courses to decline, or at least take action to improve Mr Wilson: I thank my right hon. Friend for that their offering. assurance, but the legal framework is slightly different from the access agreement. I do not have time to go into Mr Willetts: My hon. Friend is focusing on the that now, however. crucial issues of how we get more competition and I agree with the Russell group when it argues that too choice into the system. I assure him that these are few poorer pupils are getting the right grades and that absolutely the issues that we will focus on in the White the achievement gap according to socio-economic Paper. background is getting even wider. It also argues that the most effective way to get low income students into the Mr Wilson: I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for best universities is to help them to improve their academic that reassurance. performance at an early stage. It is in the schools that Let me turn quickly to my other point about the we should be looking to change things, not in the Office for Fair Access. As Professor Eastwood rightly universities. As I have said, I am passionately committed argued, more higher education places should mean to raising aspirations and spreading opportunities more more social mobility.Although I welcome any constructive widely in our society, but it would be far better to tackle suggestion to increase social mobility and opportunities the real cause of unfair access to higher education—too in this country, I am concerned that a heavy-handed few poorer children achieving the right grades at school— attempt to do so would risk another cornerstone of our than to bring the Government into conflict with the university system, which is academic freedom. legal duty to protect university independence and academic In a commendable feature of the Higher Education freedom. Act 2004, OFFA was given a legal duty “to protect academic freedom including, in particular, the freedom 5.33 pm of institutions…to determine the criteria for the admission of students and apply those criteria in particular cases.” Mr Adrian Bailey (West Bromwich West) (Lab/Co-op): The first guidance letter issued by the Labour Secretary I welcome the fact that the Minister admitted that these of State in October 2004 confirmed that the Government’s proposals have been driven by the need to cut the public priority was financial support for the poorest students, sector deficit, rather than by any wider educational and noted that considerations. Borrowing to give grants to universities counts as public borrowing, whereas borrowing to make “institutions that generally attract a narrower range of students loans to students does not, because that is offset, at may want to put more money into outreach activity to raise aspirations”. least in part, by an income stream. This is an accountancy smoke and mirrors exercise, on which the Minister has The guidance also made it clear that institutions’admissions based one of the most seismic changes in educational policies and procedures were outside OFFA’s remit. funding imaginable. At the end of the day, if the figures This Government’s new guidance to the director of are wrong, it will still be the taxpayer who foots the bill. fair access is much more aggressive, and I believe that it If the loan obligation is higher than expected, that will has clear and serious implications for universities’admissions present problems. If the income, in return, is lower than policies. It instructs OFFA that it expected, that will present additional problems. On the “will want to ensure that each institution is making sustained and basis of the evidence that we have seen so far, that is the meaningful progress towards a more balanced and representative situation that is emerging. student body, reflected year on year in its own benchmarks, measures and targets.” Mr Andrew Smith: Was my hon. Friend struck, as I Under the February 2011 guidance letter, if an institution was, by the failure of the Minister, who declined to take is deemed to have seriously or wilfully breached its my interventions on the point, to address the issue put access agreement, OFFA can decide not to approve or to him by our right hon. Friend the Member for renew the agreement. That would remove the institution’s Southampton, Itchen (Mr Denham)—that at the Public right to charge its students above a basic fee level. I Accounts Committee, his own permanent secretary had understand that a fine of up to £500,000 is also available. said that at the current level of fees, universities faced a The message to universities, via OFFA, appears to be cash funding gap, which could be plugged only by that unless they make progress each year towards achieving cutting the teaching grant further or by cutting numbers? a “more balanced and representative” student body, Is not that the mess they have left us in? 261 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 262

Mr Bailey: Yes, my right hon. Friend anticipates one The outcome is that the figures in the financial model of my later points. Both the Higher Education Policy do not appear to stack up. I mentioned the potential Institute and, by implication, the Office for Budget long-term financial implications earlier. As the Minister Responsibility have recognised that issue. has acknowledged, the options are to cut funding for Let me make it quite clear that from my personal universities further and to reduce student numbers. I perspective I have always believed that graduates should believe that if tuition fees averaged £8,000 per annum, it make a contribution to their education. There is a would be necessary to reduce the number of students legitimate debate—it should have been had before these going to university by 17,000 in order to stay within the proposals were introduced—about the appropriate balance model. There is actually a third option: the Government of benefit between an individual and the country’s could change graduates’ repayment conditions. I think economy and about the appropriate obligation for payment that that would open another can of worms, and would should be between the individual and the state. That has provide the basis for further research to assess the to take place, obviously, within the constraints of possible outcome. affordability. Mr Graham Stuart: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): The hon. Gentleman comments on the allocation of Mr Bailey: No, I will not give way again. payments and the contribution that graduates should A reduction in student numbers is inevitable, either make to their education, but was that not the entire because the Government decide to ration them or because function and purpose of the Browne report, which has of the deterrent effect of the higher fees on student been taken into account? recruitment. I should like the Government to make it clear whether, if the figures indeed do not stack up and Mr Bailey: Yes, it certainly was and I was just coming the average fees exceed £7,500, they will limit student to that. We should have had a White Paper, followed by numbers. I do not know the answer and I am not sure a full debate, which would have enabled the Government that the Government do, but I should welcome their to put forward their proposals and the Opposition and opinion none the less. others to probe them. A range of educational institutions I should also welcome some sort of statement on —there are an enormous number of them—would have when we will see the White Paper so that we can debate been able to contribute their expertise. What we have the issues further. It was originally to be published in had, however, is this seismic shift in Government funding, January, we were then assured that it would be published carried out without adequate research and debate. in June, and I understand that in subsequent speeches I spent 10 years on the Government Benches listening to the civil service the Minister has referred to the to lectures from Conservative Members about the dangers summer. It is a bit like Billy Bunter’s postal order. I of hasty legislation and the unintended consequences pressed the Secretary of State on the matter in the that almost inevitably arise from it. If ever there was a Select Committee this morning, and even then he would case in point, I honestly think this is it. Hasty legislation, not give a commitment that the White Paper would be or hasty regulation in this case, is usually bad legislation, published in June. What I should like him to do today is or regulation. tell us when it will be published, and whether it will deal with questions raised not just by me but by a range of The lack of research and work done highlights a Members about the funding implications of the current number of issues. The first is the setting of the fee levels. proposals. The Minister’s hopelessly optimistic estimates, on which the financial model was predicated, have been demonstrated Other countries recognise the value of higher education as completely incorrect. The repayment implications and the number of graduates who make an economic are considerable. A whole range of expert research has contribution. Other countries, even those that have been done to demonstrate that the income stream on suffered from the same sort of financial problems that which the Government predicated their financial model we have experienced during the recession and are subject will not be met. There will therefore be a long-term to the same sort of financial constraints, are investing financial liability, possibly an expanding one, that the more in higher education. The long-term implication of Government will have to meet. not getting this right and reducing the number of graduates is very serious indeed. On the basis of the picture that is Another issue that could and should have been explored emerging at the moment, I think that we are in danger far more comprehensively if we had had a White Paper of having fewer graduates, of damaging our economic is of course the role of the Office for Fair Access. When growth, and of adopting a financial model that will Ministers were pressed on the setting of the level of make our public sector deficit far worse in the long tuition fees, they seemed to ascribe to OFFA powers term. that were completely beyond it, as my right hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr Denham) 5.43 pm said in his opening remarks. The fact remains that OFFA is an organisation of four people, to whom Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) responsibility was attributed by the Deputy Prime Minister (LD): I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in what for setting the tuition fee levels of all universities. That is a timely debate, four and a half months or so after the is totally beyond their resources, and they could not do House took a decision on the future financing structure it anyway, because they do not have the legislative basis for universities. As the House knows, it was not a to do so. This could and would have been teased out in a decision with which I, or the majority of my parliamentary full and open debate of a White Paper, but by virtue of party colleagues, agreed. It was proposed by the the Government’s actions it has been precluded. Government after negotiation between the two coalition 263 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 264 parties, and after they had read the Browne report Mr Lammy: First, let me say to the right hon. Gentleman commissioned by the last Labour Government. But the that £375 a month is a lot of money to our constituents. House made that decision, and I believe that the issues Secondly, he knows that not a single Member of this to be addressed now are, as the hon. Member for House would accept the new terms if their mortgage Nottingham South (Lilian Greenwood) said, the issues company were to ring them up and say, “I’ll treble your that are in the minds of the students whom she mortgage, but you’ll pay a lower monthly sum.” That is represents—indeed, those whom we all represent—in why students think it is patronising to suggest that this the minds of their families, and in the minds of future is a good deal. students. I want to make four brief comments. I want to talk Simon Hughes: The right hon. Gentleman and I have about the future as opposed to the past, about the cost many concerns for the same sorts of people in our to future students, about whether the fees being announced communities, and I respect what he has done in that by universities are justified, and about what we and they regard, but most of our constituents do not earn £71,000 should do in the months between now and the time a year. They will not be earning that amount, and he when the system begins to operate. First, I ask Labour and I do not earn that much as Back-Bench MPs. Members and other colleagues on the Opposition Benches to change their rhetoric from today onwards, after they Mr Lammy: They want to earn that much. have had this debate, because it is not the amount of the fee that is going to determine the cost to the student. Simon Hughes: Yes, they may want to, and people in The key question for young people and their families is: this country understand that if they earn more they will what will it cost me if I go to university? The new pay more to the state and pay more back into the proposal has many improvements over the last and the system. That is fair Britain; it is not fair Britain if they present systems. First, as everybody has agreed, the pay the same amount for a service they have received monthly repayment will be less for everybody. Secondly, irrespective of their earnings. Of course there are issues the starting point for repayment is higher: it is £21,000, about perception—and they are big issues, which is why not £15,000. Thirdly, for everybody who pays it will be a I did not vote for the policy—but I hope the right hon. progressive system under which people pay more for the Gentleman agrees that we now need to concentrate on privilege of a university education according to their the cost to the individual who will graduate in 2015 and ability to pay more. It is therefore fundamentally different later. If we start getting that message across, we will be from a system— helping young people to go to university, not hindering them, and our prime obligation now is to encourage, Several hon. Members rose— not reduce, access. Simon Hughes: Labour Members should calm down for a second. It is fundamentally different from a system Mr Chuka Umunna (Streatham) (Lab): The right under which we pay the same irrespective of our earnings. hon. Gentleman’s constituency and mine share a local university: London South Bank university. May I ask Several hon. Members rose— him two questions? First, does he accept that the concerns expressed on this side of the House about the new Simon Hughes: I will of course give way in a moment, regime and its deterrent effect on students are not, as it although I am trying to be brief as many colleagues still were, crocodile tears, but, rather, reflect real concerns want to speak. that are felt not least in both of our constituencies? The Under the new system, the cost for those who earn worries about what this proposal will mean for students £22,000 a year—which is just above the threshold—will and their families have been raised by my constituents, be £90 per year or £7.50 a month; that will be the cost of and I am sure they have been raised by the right hon. their university education. Gentleman’s too. Secondly, does the right hon. Gentleman accept or Mr Lammy rose— buy into the principle that higher education should be a partnership between government and the individual? If Simon Hughes: If the right hon. Gentleman will so, how does he explain the 92% cut in the teaching forgive me, I shall give way in a moment. grant, the 60% cut in the capital grant and the 50% in Those who earn £25,000, which is just above the the innovation grant for London South Bank university average wage, will have to pay back £360 a year, or £30 a from the Government? month. Those who earn £41,000 a year—which is much more than the average wage, let alone the average graduate Simon Hughes: That was a lot of questions and I shall wage—will have to pay £150 a month. These sums will try to answer them briefly. Of course I share a concern be deducted from their salaries, in the same way tax is about perception, which is why I took on this job. By deducted. Those who earn £71,000, which is more than the time I have carried it out and given my final report a Back-Bench MP earns, will pay £375 a month. to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister at the The first and most important step is to get the message end of June, I hope—I have been working with Ministers across that there are no up-front fees—no fees when to make sure this happens—that we will have the right students are at university, and no fees for part-time messages coming out about the real cost in the future in students at university. They will pay only when they a way that encourages people to go to university rather have the money to pay. In that respect, it is therefore not than discourages them. a debt in the normal sense; rather, it is a repayable sum On the hon. Gentleman’s second issue, the Government contingent on income. I shall now give way to the have to take responsibility for the tough spending decisions, former higher education Minister. as they have done. There were other choices they could 265 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 266

[Simon Hughes] robust. If widening participation processes are not in place, I hope that OFFA will say so, and some universities have made, but if the choice was reducing the money may have to be told that they cannot go above the limit. going from the state to universities or reducing the I wish to make two final points and if I still have some money going to fund apprenticeships for people who do time remaining, I will give way. not go to university, I, on behalf of my constituents and The Russell group, in particular, must do much better. his, believe that it may well be better to fund those who It did not improve on widening participation under go to further education college and have apprenticeships, Labour and it must change its interview and recruitment rather than spend the money on people who will be process. At the moment, those universities are being far earning £71,000 a year. too subjective, particularly Oxbridge. Harvard does not have the people who are going to do the teaching doing Mr Thomas rose— the recruiting; it has selection on a needs-blind basis and it is one of the best universities in the world—other Simon Hughes: If the shadow Minister will excuse places are the same. The Russell group has no excuse me, I will not give way for a moment. now for not changing its process of recruitment, and if My second point is what now is the issue for universities it does not do better I sincerely hope that the Government that have submitted to OFFA their case for wanting to will make conditions that will require it to do so in go above £6,000 with any fee. There is an issue as to future. whether the Government were justified in saying that Finally, we need much better requirements on universities £9,000 would be the fee only in exceptional circumstances, to give satisfaction to students. That should be written as that appears, on the basis of the incomplete evidence, into the system in future and should be part of the not to have been an accurate prediction. Some questions preconditions for higher fees to be charged. need to be asked, not least about the advice that Ministers were given about what the prediction should be, but Several hon. Members rose— there is also clearly something wrong with the universities’ response. It is not just us saying that, because the Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. In principal of Queen Mary college, a part of the university order to get greater participation, the time limit is now of London in the east end, said: being reduced to six minutes. “I think we could say, based on the brief press releases, the possible implication or inference could be that £9,000 fees have not been based on any calculation of cost but on perception of status.” 5.55 pm Universities should not be charging above what it costs Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab): It is illuminating them to deliver a course, but many appear to have to follow the right hon. Member for Bermondsey and forgotten that. They appear to be taking an opportunity Old Southwark (Simon Hughes). His transformation which they should not be taking. The money is also from critic to passionate advocate is part of the there for one more thing, which is to make sure that extraordinary nature of the road that the Government access is improved as a part of widening participation, have been travelling along with this policy. It is almost and universities will be watched to make sure that they surreal. are really delivering. As a new Member almost a year ago, I expected that the Government would put forward policies with which Mr Thomas: On that point— I disagreed, but I had at expected that they would at least be carefully considered, carefully evaluated, thoughtful Simon Hughes: I cannot give way at the moment, but and mindful of their impact. That was not so. The let us see whether I can do so a little later. Minister for Universities and Science said earlier that I hope that next year when future OFFA guidance is the Government have a plan, but it seems that that plan given by the Secretary of State that fee waivers will not is increasingly shaped not by Ministers but by events be allowed and indeed will be excluded. I do not think it that they do not control and, at many levels, do not is logical to state, “You don’t have to pay fees up front understand. Broken promises, conflicting statements or when you are there” and then to say, “But actually we and policy shifts: only when the dust settles will we find are going to give you a mechanism for you not paying out the plan, with the publication of the repeatedly the fees at all.” If we are really going to support students delayed White Paper. from poor families, the money should go towards the Assurances were given to the House when we debated accommodation and living costs, which is where the real the Government’s plans back on 9 December, but those bill will apply and where the credit card debts will assurances have proved worthless. Indeed, had the House accrue. I hope that we will not be trying to pretend that known then what we know now, who is to say, given the reducing fees is the most useful thing for students who discomfort of some of those on the Government Benches may not have to pay them or much of them at all. at that time, what the outcome would have been? I Thirdly, I hope that Sir Martin Harris and OFFA will recall the right hon. Member for Bermondsey and Old be extremely rigorous. The hon. Member for Reading Southwark, in particular, seeking reassurance that £9,000 East (Mr Wilson) made the point that powers are now fees would be exceptional. Let me remind him what the in place and OFFA is able to make sure that each Business Secretary said. He gave the right hon. Gentleman institution has to make sustained and meaningful progress, a clear pledge—huh, a Liberal Democrat pledge—that year on year, on its own benchmarks, measures and he would not allow the targets. OFFA is entitled to say to universities that they “migration of all universities to the top of the range.”—[Official cannot have fees above £6,000 and I hope that it will be Report, 9 December 2010; Vol. 520, c. 547.] 267 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 268

Consistently, the Prime Minister and other Ministers creating for the higher education sector, he expects there gave assurances that £9,000 fees would be exceptional. to be a bigger role for private sector providers. He has So where are we? We have seen precisely the migration already prepared the ground by awarding university that the Secretary of State said that he would not allow. college status to BPP, which is part of the Apollo Far from being the exception, £9,000 fees are the norm. Group, which is currently being investigated by the We were told at one stage that fees would average United States Higher Learning Commission for deceiving £7,000, then that they were calculated at £7,500, then prospective students. Where is the accountability for that they might average £8,000. Now we find that the private sector higher education institutions? They do average fee is likely to be just £360 short of £9,000, at not face the same requirements on quality, access and the very top end of the range. It did not have to be like numbers, and on the Government’s intentions in relation this, however. The situation became inevitable because to the private sector we have had nothing but silence. the Government decided to cut the undergraduate teaching In December, the Business Secretary was quoted as grant by 80% without considering the impact or listening saying of the Government: to those who knew what it was likely to be. From the “There is a kind of Maoist revolution happening in lots of outset, vice-chancellors were clear, including many of areas like the health service, local government, reform, all this those who had been browbeaten into supporting the kind of stuff, which is in danger of getting out of control.” Government’s proposals, that fees of about £8,000 would What he failed to say was that the greatest chaos was be needed for their institutions simply to stand still. unfolding in the area for which he is responsible. Mr Lammy: Does my hon. Friend agree that the 80% cut and effective withdrawal of the state from higher 6.3 pm education and the funding of arts, humanities and social sciences—there is no other country in the developed Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): world that has made that kind of departure in higher The future funding of higher education was one of the education—will have catastrophic effects in the future? immediate issues, like that of the budget deficit, that had to be addressed after the months and years of drift at what I can only describe as the fag end of the Paul Blomfield: I completely agree. Back in December, previous Labour Administration. If we had not addressed the Minister for Universities and Science made the it we would have risked reaching a point of decline in point that this was not about deficit reduction, as my further education from which we would have been unable hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh East (Sheila to climb back. Hon. Members should have no doubt Gilmore) reminded us earlier, but about changing the that doing nothing was certainly not an option. The shape of our system. We stand only with Romania previous Government recognised that, which is why among OECD countries in cutting higher education, they commissioned the Browne review in November 2009. and we should be ashamed of that. The review’s remit was to investigate the balance of As universities have looked more closely at the figures, contributions to universities by taxpayers, students, university councils and governing bodies have exercised graduates and employers and to consider how much the responsibility that they have a duty to exercise by students should be charged for attending university. setting the fees that their institutions need. It appears that many in government expected universities to fall If our universities are to compete in the global economy, into line with their picture of them, with Oxbridge they need to be well funded. With a huge budget deficit, setting fees at £9,000 and other universities ranking one cannot argue that when other Departments are themselves where they fitted into the system. But those facing cuts, the further education budget could be in in government did not understand that university governing any way immune. However, the increase in tuition fees bodies would recognise their responsibilities to their proposed by the coalition Government does not, as the students and the communities they serve and would set shadow Secretary of State has claimed, signal a wholesale the fees that they need. withdrawal of state support for higher education. Under the current system, higher education is funded 40% by What about widening participation? I stress that this the student and 60% by the state, and under the new is not simply about Oxbridge. We should credit universities regime it will be funded 60% by the student and 40% by across the sector with the achievements on widening the state. That is far from the wholesale withdrawal of participation that my right hon. Friend the shadow state funding. The fact that fees are to be capped means Secretary of State has mentioned. Back in February the that there will be no up-front payments for students. No Deputy Prime Minister pledged in a BBC interview that one will pay anything back until they are earning at Oxford and Cambridge would be given permission to least £21,000. charge £9,000 fees only “if they can prove that they can dramatically increase the number Tristram Hunt: Will the hon. Gentleman confirm of people from poorer and disadvantaged backgrounds” that that £21,000 figure is at 2016 money, so in current who attend. In the past few days, it has become clear terms the figure is £15,900? Once someone earns more that Cambridge is not in a position, or is not intending, than £15,900, they begin to pay back. significantly to increase access for poorer students. What are the Government going to do about that? Will they Andrew Bridgen: I would need to check the hon. tell Cambridge that it cannot have its £9,000 fees or will Gentleman’s figures, but the sum is considerably more they tell the Deputy Prime Minister that he is going to than the current level. The bottom 20% of earners will have to confess to another broken promise? pay back considerably less in total, and those earning What about the involvement of the private sector? less than £25,000 will pay back less than £1 per day for The Minister for Universities and Science confirmed to their university education. That is a progressive repayment The Times on Monday that, out of the crisis he is system. The Government are working on ways to help 269 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 270

[Andrew Bridgen] It argues that its own proposals would force universities to improve standards to compete for students. Under students from the most economically disadvantaged the coalition policies, the relationship of universities backgrounds by reducing the fees that they will have to with students would rightly become more important pay back. than their relationship with Government. In opposition to this, we have the puffed-up inaction of the Labour party and the support given by the Paul Farrelly (Newcastle-under-Lyme) (Lab): I fought Leader of the Opposition and the shadow Chancellor against a market system under our last Government. to the idea of a graduate tax, which is not a solution to We agreed a reasonable compromise, but not without a higher education funding. It would provide no guarantee fight. On the Opposition Benches there was no fight. that universities would receive the additional funding We knew where the Liberals used to stand. Can the hon. raised. There is no mechanism for former students to Gentleman tell the House where his party’s manifesto repay early, and it would not allow any differentiation mentioned a trebling of tuition fees and an 80% cut to between a student from a lower income background teaching grants to universities? and one from a higher income background. Andrew Bridgen: The policies are fair. There is increased Margot James: Does my hon. Friend think that is fairness, increased opportunity and stability of income, why so many senior members of the last Labour and it is my firm belief that the coalition’s policies will Government disagreed with a graduate tax, including allow our universities to prosper. Alan Johnson, Lord Adonis, the former Prime Minister, I am a graduate, and I had a full grant in my day, but Mr Blair and Lord Mandelson, as quoted by the Secretary in those days 4% of the school-leaving population went of State? to university; last year, the figure was 43%. That is a considerably different proposition, and I remind the Andrew Bridgen: My hon. Friend makes an excellent hon. Gentleman that in my constituency 84% of people point. The Opposition are split on the matter for obvious are not graduates. An average graduate will over his reasons. A graduate tax is not the solution. A considerable lifetime earn in excess of £100,000 more than a non- number of graduates would pay substantially more graduate, so, if we are talking about fairness, is it fair than the cost of their course. In addition, there would that my non-graduate taxpayers should subsidise the be a large funding gap in the short term. The Browne earnings of those who have had the benefit of a university review estimates that if all new students from 2012 paid education? They will have that benefit not for the 30 years a 3% graduate tax which would start at £8,000, not that they might pay back their student fees, but for all £21,0000, the tax would not provide sufficient revenue their working life, and I hope the hon. Gentleman to fund higher education until 2041-42. remembers that. With the reckless spending habits displayed by the To those who say that the system will not work, I say previous Government, universities would have much to “Look at America”, where for decades the fees system fear if they had to rely on a graduate tax, which would has resulted in the country having eight of the world’s inevitably fail to raise sufficient money, in contrast to top 10 universities. If Oxford and Cambridge universities the up-front and stable tuition fee income, which will are to remain in the top 10 and other UK universities allow universities to spend money as they see fit, rather are to have any chance of breaking into the top 10, we than being subjected to constant Government interference. need that stability of funding. The policies of the previous Government discouraged part-time students from studying, as they are expected The increased tuition fees will create an expectation to pay tuition fees up front and had no access to student and demand for quality teaching among students, and loans. The fact that part-time students will have equal with the proposed changes to A-level marking, which I access to student loans will give more opportunity to support, students will apply with actual rather than those who may wish to study later in life, and will give predicted grades, helping state students to go to the best universities a more balanced age range of students. universities, reducing the drop-out rate and ensuring Hon. Members should be aware that more than 250,000 better results for students all round. students are studying at the Open university, and they Fairness, opportunity, quality and stability are the will all be better off under the present Government’s hallmarks of this coalition policy on higher education policies. Given the need to retrain in a rapidly changing funding, and these tough long-term decisions will secure world, I welcome this. the future of our nation’s universities, our graduates The changes being bought in by the coalition and our undergraduates. Government will result in a higher standard of teaching being maintained, a higher completion rate of degree courses as a result of an informed and considered 6.11 pm decision-making process, and students from poorer Roberta Blackman-Woods (City of Durham) (Lab): backgrounds being given a better opportunity to make The Government are purposefully and quite the right decisions. This can only help universities by unprecedentedly shifting the burden of the costs of having students on the right courses. university tuition from the public purse on to the shoulders We should also consider what the Opposition would of individual graduates, moving away from the assumption call the ideological argument—whether universities should that both society and the student should bear the costs be dependent on the Government for their finance. The of university education. It is notable that the right hon. Browne review argues that a graduate tax would weaken Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark (Simon the independence of universities, which would become Hughes), who is not in his place, simply refused to entirely dependent on the Government for their funding. engage with that point when he spoke earlier. 271 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 272

The Business Secretary announced to Members in of the proposals on postgraduate education in this Parliament that a fee cap of somewhere between £6,000 country. The House will have to return to that issue in and £9,000 would be introduced, and that fees would be due course. £9,000 only in exceptional circumstances—that £9,000 Graduates could be incurring extraordinarily high would be an exception, not the rule. The announcement debts. The Government simply have no electoral mandate was much repeated elsewhere, but we know that, of to do what they have done; it was not in any of the those universities that had made their plans public by manifestos or in the coalition agreement. The costs are last week, the average fees will be £8,678.36—so just being pushed on to students because of the massive marginally less than that £9,000 figure. 80% cut being made to the university teaching grant. We also have to bury the myth that students will pay That does not fall uniformly across all universities; it less under the Government’s proposals. It is true that hits hardest the universities with high numbers of students monthly outgoings, in some circumstances and for some studying arts-based subjects. We simply do not know students, might be less, but graduates will pay back what the impact will be on the longer-term career their loans for much longer and at an interest rate that aspirations of our students, but we need to continue to has not been fully determined. This is despite the fact develop jobs in the creative industries. That is important that the independent Office for Budget Responsibility for my region of the north-east, but it is also important said in November and reiterated more recently that across the board. increasing tuition fees and funding student loans in I am also really concerned that the Government do 2015-16 will require the Government to borrow not seem to be paying any attention whatever to the £10.7 billion, compared with the £4.1 billion that they possible deterrent effect of the proposals. There is an borrowed in 2010-11, a point that was excellently made increasing constellation of evidence showing that an by my right hon. Friend the Member for Oxford East increase in tuition fees—particularly to the levels proposed (Mr Smith). —puts off people from applying to university. An Ipsos In the context of such sharply rising fees, it is worth MORI survey last year of 2,700 11 to 16-year-olds showed looking at some international comparisons. What is that even marginal increases in tuition fees had a significant happening elsewhere in higher education? A recent article deterrent effect on participation among young people. in The Economist on American fees reported that annual Some 17% of the young people who responded said tuition and fees averaged £1,639 at two-year colleges, that they were unlikely to go to university if tuition fees £4,595 at public four-year colleges for in-state students increased to £5,000, with 46% saying that that they and £7,246 at public four-year schools for out-of-state would not go if fees were increased to £10,000 a year. If students—all substantially less than the fees proposed the Government dispute those findings, they need to for students in this country. come up with alternative findings of their own. They The situation gets worse if we look at Canada. have simply not commissioned research into the issue. The Government say that they are remedying the Dr Whiteford: I remind the hon. Lady that she does situation with the national scholarship programme and not have to look so far from home to find students who tuition fee waivers, but we know from work that million+ do not have to pay fees, because education is an investment has carried out on the national scholarship programme in their future. so far that it is over complex and that students simply do not know what will be available to them. The information Roberta Blackman-Woods: Indeed. The hon. Lady makes about the programme is not available in an easily accessible an excellent point; we should always refer to what is format. That could lead to a postcode lottery. happening in the devolved Administrations as well. We know, of course, that all these changes are part of In 2007-08, the fees in the Canadian system were a wider trend, with the scrapping of the education £2,866 and in Australia they were £2,600. What has maintenance allowance and the future jobs fund, which been proposed for this country is absolutely out of line helped to get young people into jobs. The Government with our competitor countries across the board. According are deliberately engineering a situation where the life to quite a conservative estimate, the debt that a student opportunities of young people will be increasingly worse will accrue, if they have to pay the £9,000 maximum and than those of their parents, and that is simply a disgrace. then accommodation and living expenses, could amount Several hon. Members rose— to about £48,000. If they then went on to do a master’s and a PhD, the student could come out with a debt of Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. The £70,000-plus. That is extraordinary. wind-ups are going to commence at 6.40 pm so we have only 20 minutes left. I still have 11 people on my list, so Mr Lammy: On that excellent point, is my hon. can we please show great time restraint in speeches and Friend as concerned as I am that the plans will lead to interventions? catastrophically low levels of UK students deciding to go on to postgraduate study? Is she concerned that 6.20 pm our university sector is actively recruiting abroad— Lorely Burt (Solihull) (LD): I have been listening notwithstanding the visa requirements imposed on it—and carefully to the debate so far, and the remarks made by that we will therefore educate international students but Opposition colleagues make me feel as though I have deny that to students from this country? been transported into some sort of alternative reality. This is a reality where the Labour Government did not Roberta Blackman-Woods: Indeed. My right hon. introduce up-front tuition fees in the first place, one Friend has made a number of excellent points. It is year after Tony Blair had promised not to in 1997; interesting that we have heard nothing from the Government where they did not introduce top-up fees two years after parties and nothing from the Minister about the impact they had promised not to in the 2001 Labour manifesto; 273 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 274

[Lorely Burt] Those were the words of Lord Mandelson in January 2010, when he was Secretary of State for Business, where they did not go into the last election having Innovation and Skills. In the same debate, he said that commissioned the Browne review; and where Lord student numbers should be dictated by what is affordable Mandelson did not say, this very March, that had with the resources available. The numbers should not be Labour still been in government it would have needed to dictated by a central Government diktat, which says double tuition fees, at least. So we will not be taking any that 50% of young people should go to university. lessons from Labour Members this afternoon. Labour set that target, but quickly realised that it did Now I have got that off my chest, it is fair to say that not know how to pay for it. It was left with a financial the motion poses some important questions, and it is black hole and was forced to slash student places to fill fair that they should be properly addressed. Let me it, leaving thousands of students in the lurch. Surely the start with the £9,000-a-year exceptional student tuition right number is the number at which every student who fees. At the moment, universities are publishing their has the desire and capability to benefit from university maximum fee, not their average fee. Institutions with a can go. Despite the previous Government’s undoubtedly “sticker” price of £9,000 will have a significantly lower strenuous efforts, the number of students from poorer average fee because of fee waivers. At Oxford, for backgrounds did not increase proportionately. That is example, some first-year students will pay only £3,500— Labour’s legacy on universities. about the same as now. At Cambridge, all students from It is no secret that had the Liberal Democrats won households earning under £25,000 will pay £6,000. At the general election, we would have done things differently. Warwick, students whose family income falls below However, I am proud of the coalition agreement, which £25,000 will receive a package of up to £4,500, and their incorporated two thirds of our manifesto pledges. Sadly, two-plus-two degrees and part-time degrees will have a our tuition fees policy fell into the group of manifesto fee of £6,000, which may be further reduced by an pledges that remain unfulfilled. Working in coalition additional fee waiver. has its challenges, believe me, but it also has its rewards. One of the rewards was negotiating with Conservative Paul Farrelly: I do not want to make party political colleagues to make the system that we have ended up points about broken promises, and I shall not, even with more progressive than the Labour system we inherited. when those promises were being written while people That is not only my view, but that of the Institute for were planning to break them, because that amounts to Fiscal Studies. There are no up-front fees for students, hypocrisy and the Deputy Speaker would rule me out of graduates will start to pay only when they can afford to, order. However, I have one question. If the Government’s and there will be lower lifetime contributions for the policy is to allow universities to charge the top amount poorest quarter of students compared with the system of fees only in exceptional circumstances, is it not that Labour left behind. There will also be more support incumbent on the Government, the Business Secretary, for the Cinderellas of the HE and FE systems, part-time the leader of the Liberal Democrats and the deputy students, who had previously been shunned by a system leader of the Liberal Democrats to define, in percentage geared towards full-time students. terms, what counts as exceptional and therefore what percentage of applications charged the £9,000 fee will In conclusion, it is hard to predict what will happen, be refused? given that universities are yet to announce many of the measures such as bursaries and waivers. I have concerns Lorely Burt: I was trying to be helpful to the hon. about the number of places and their uptake. As the Gentleman by explaining some of the examples of how Minister said earlier, that will be reviewed in autumn average fees will be lower than that figure. 2011 and I greatly hope that the steps we have taken will The motion tries to commit the Government to be vindicated. guaranteeing that there will be no fall in the number of university places. This is another bit of collective amnesia. 6.27 pm Labour Members cut places; they promised additional Tristram Hunt (Stoke-on-Trent Central) (Lab): First, places and then cut the numbers. In 2009, the shadow I declare my interest as a part-time lecturer at Queen Secretary of State, who was then Secretary of State for Mary, university of London. I therefore take a keen Innovation, Universities and Skills, put a 10,000 cap on interest in universities and know slightly more about the expansion of places, leaving 140,000 A-level students their workings than some Government Members who chasing just 10,000 unfilled places at the UK’s universities. have contributed. That is 14 anxious students for every unfilled place available through clearing and 130,000 willing and able I am privileged to represent Stoke-on-Trent Central, students without a place. They encouraged thousands in which Staffordshire university sits and many students of hopeful students to apply for university and then from Keele university reside. In the university libraries slammed the door in their face when they got there. In of those great universities sits a book by Tony Travers 2010, they did it again, leaving 150,000 people without a and Andrew Adonis called “Failure in British Government: university place, some of whom had six A-levels at The Politics of the Poll Tax”. That wonderful text tells grade A. In 2009, they cut the budget of the Department one how not to make Government policy from beginning for Business, Innovation and Skills by £1.9 billion, and to end. I am going to write to Andrew Adonis and Tony in 2010, they cut the universities budget by £500 million. Travers to suggest a second volume on the introduction If I may, I will read a quotation from a debate in the of the tuition fee fiasco that we see before us. other place: “The Government have made it clear that higher education Mr Gyimah: When the hon. Gentleman speaks to needs to shoulder its fair share of the burden of reductions in Andrew Adonis, he should also discuss the graduate tax public spending”.—[Official Report, House of Lords, 21 January with him, which he looked at in detail and dismissed when 2010; Vol. 716, c. 1101.] Labour was in government, and which is now Labour policy. 275 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 276

Tristram Hunt: I thank the hon. Gentleman for that society research could not have been more laughable. intervention. I am happy to look at that. Personally, I There will be an effect on history, French and humanities am no fan of the graduate tax. courses. I, too, am new here, but as I understand it, what Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): Design, happens in this place and in government is that people as well. come up with ideas and then there is a Green Paper, a White Paper, some debate, a decision, and then a policy Tristram Hunt: And on design courses. enactment. What we have here is the imposition of an I will wrap up so that some of my colleagues can arbitrary fee level, followed by the scurrying around for deliver the coup de grâce to these terrible proposals. I a justification, which we have seen over recent months, end with a point that Government Members clearly to make the figures add up. have not got their heads around. The figure that people The Government’s policy is driven by ideology. It is will only pay when they earn more than £21,000 is the ghost of Keith Joseph coming back to life. It is based on 2016 values. At today’s values, the figure is neo-liberalism rather than Liberal Democrat politics. £15,900. In future, let us have a debate about people However, let us be generous for a minute and argue, as beginning to pay back their fees when they are earning the confused Minister for Universities and Science tried that much. to, that some of it is driven by a desire for deficit Universities always suffer under Tory Governments. reduction. We will leave aside for a second the fact that They did in the 1980s and they are again now. The for every £1 million invested in universities £2.5 million Minister for Universities and Science is like a recherché comes back, and we will leave aside the fact, mentioned Keith Joseph, and we need to finish off these terrible by my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield Central proposals. (Paul Blomfield), that the only other country deciding to slash spending on universities and science during the 6.33 pm recession is Romania. Clearly Ministers are using the Mr Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) (Con): It is always an Romanian model, when we thought they were interested honour to follow the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent in a knowledge-driven economy. Central (Tristram Hunt), even though his arithmetic If deficit reduction is the strategy, why do the sums and his assessment of inflation seem like those of the not add up? Why will the Government’s plans cost Labour party of the late 1970s. more, not less, over the coming years? Because the Quite often during Opposition day debates, purely Government have got their sums wrong and do not partisan posturing overtakes thoughtful and reasoned understand how universities work. They thought fees debate. People put partisan politics before making decisions would be £6,000 or £6,500, but why would universities for the right reasons, even if such decisions have to be charge that amount when it costs them £10,000, £11,000 taken with a heavy heart. I would not say that I am or £12,000 to educate someone? At the university of disappointed by the level of party politics that we have Cambridge, it costs £14,000 to educate an undergraduate. heard, particularly from the Opposition Benches, but I Why on earth would it not charge £9,000 to recoup am more than disappointed by the way in which the some of that cost? The incompetence of Ministers has Opposition have put their points. been absolutely breathtaking, and the suggestion of the Once again, the Opposition have given us no ideas right hon. Member for Bermondsey and Old Southwark and shown no vision on higher education. They have (Simon Hughes) that the problem was advice from civil not acknowledged that Labour introduced tuition fees servants was, I thought, rather grotesque. and increased them on more than one occasion when it And what fees they are! Nine thousand pounds. Every was in government. The Opposition have also not decent university will go for the top rate, so we will go acknowledged that they instigated the Browne review. from having some of the lowest fees to having some of Lord Mandelson, the former Business Secretary, now the very highest. That represents an ideological decision says that when the previous Government instigated the to withdraw the state from higher education. Only that review in 2009, he assumed, as the Treasury did, that the can explain the decision to cut 80% of the higher outcome would have to include a significant further education teaching grant. The headline fees will put increase in tuition fees. Whether that was Labour party students off, and for all the guff that we heard about policy at the time, you have to acknowledge that the special provisions, when people see the figure of £9,000, Labour party gave the Browne review its terms of it will be very hard to convince them. reference—[HON.MEMBERS: “You?”]Sorry, Mr Speaker. The Labour party no longer acknowledges that it Jeremy Corbyn: My hon. Friend must be aware, as flirted with the graduate tax—Labour Members seem I and many others are, that the cuts are wholly to be in denial. Only one thing is clear: they have no disproportionate. We are destroying humanities, arts plan for higher education. and language courses all over the country, and we are Paul Farrelly: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? denying the opportunity of education to many working- class youngsters, because the cuts are in favour of vocational Mr Jones: I will not because I want to give other hon. courses rather than pure academic ones. Does he believe Members an opportunity. that that is selling the whole country short? The motion makes important points about fees and how they will be implemented, and I hope the Minister Tristram Hunt: I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. comments on the timetable and on how quickly students The Government’s attack on humanities has been grotesque and their parents can find out what the true level of fees from the beginning. Their intervention to try to make will be. That is important because a small number of the Arts and Humanities Research Council fund big parents and students go to their constituency MPs to 277 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 278

[Mr Marcus Jones] Cambridge, but Oxford Brookes, Lincoln, Leicester, the university of East London, Aston, Hull, Essex, Newcastle, ask for that information so that they can plan for the Bradford and many, many more are set to charge the future. I understand why the Government want to get full £9,000 in tuition fees. Then there are all those that things right, but the uncertainty does not help. will charge close to—albeit not quite—the maximum. However, Labour’s constant politics of fear helps no Kingston university, which the Secretary of State will one. Rather than supporting our young people by engaging know well, is charging £8,500. Northumbria, Teesside in the debate and trying to get things right, Labour and Portsmouth are all set to charge £8,500 as well. As Members maintain the party line—a misleading line my hon. Friends the Members for Nottingham South that fills our young people with fear and dread, putting (Lilian Greenwood), for Sheffield Central (Paul Blomfield) them on the back foot before they even learn the facts, and for City of Durham (Roberta Blackman-Woods) crushing and stifling aspiration, and certainly not underlined in their excellent contributions, the Prime encouraging it. Minister got it wrong. Fees of £9,000 are not the exception; they are the reality that a huge number of the Aspiration is important, but it needs to be realistic. brightest and best of the next generation will face. The most capable, regardless of their background, should have the opportunity to attend university. Under the Even before the tuition fees vote, however, independent new system, the Government will help to achieve that experts such as the Higher Education Policy Institute for young people. There will be lower repayments for were arguing that fees of £9,000 would soon become student debts than under the current system, and most the norm, not the exception. So the right hon. Member of those from underprivileged backgrounds will have for Bermondsey and Old Southwark (Simon Hughes) the opportunity to get into higher education. is wrong to say that Ministers were not warned what Warwick university—one of my local universities—says would happen. Surprisingly we had no explanation that all students whose parents have an income of from the Government Front-Bench team of why £9,000 £25,000 or less will receive a package of up to £4,500 a fees will not after all be the exception. Is not the year to assist with their studies. We must also acknowledge truth that Ministers have lost control of higher that the Government’s policy involves no up-front fees, education policy, and that instead of a clarity of vision and that students will not start paying until they are and purpose for the future of our universities, there is graduates earning £21,000 a year, rather than the £15,000 confusion? a year under the current system. As Labour Members The Secretary of State has put off and put off and know, monthly payments will also be lower. put off again the White Paper on the future of higher That is not to say that the current system or the education, as my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on- system that the Government propose are ideal. Young Trent Central (Tristram Hunt) made clear. That lack of people will leave university with debt, and nobody in clarity has left the Department responsible for business the House would wish that on a young person. However, and universities being pushed around in Whitehall. We we must be realistic. For many young people, taking on have had the overseas students debacle, as Ministers that debt is the path to a career—a good and proper publicly argued across Whitehall, in the media and in career in which they make a substantial living. We know the House about the level of new restrictions on overseas that young people who go to university earn on average students. University vice-chancellor after vice-chancellor £100,000 more over their career than young people who has pointed out the damage done already to Britain’s do not. reputation as a result; and many are still worried about That is not to say that university is a success for all. It how having 80,000 fewer overseas students—a cut of is not, and many come out of our universities unable to 20%—will hit their institutions in the long run, given all gain employment for many years. Many certainly do the benefits that the extra income brings. not enjoy the glittering careers that they thought they would have when they initially went to university. I Then we have the Department for Education launching know that because I used to work for a firm of lawyers a major review of the future of teacher training—never that received hundreds of thousands of applications for mind the high Ofsted ratings for the quality of that training contracts every year—applications for jobs that teacher training! Is it not the truth that Ministers have just did not exist. That is not acknowledged by the been warned that up to 25% of income for some of Labour party. Britain’s universities is now at risk as a result of this review? Is there any sign of Ministers from the Departments To sum up, the proposed new system is not perfect or for Business, Innovation and Skills and for Education ideal, but it is a move in the right direction. Social getting together to resolve the uncertainties that universities mobility stalled under Labour, but it will begin to face in this area? No, none at all! improve once again with the measures put in place by this coalition Government. The Department of Health is all set to axe strategic health authorities. They are the very bodies that negotiate 6.39 pm with universities over the number of nurses, midwives and radiographers—and all the other vital health Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op): As professionals who need university training—who are to ever, we have had an interesting and fascinating debate, be trained. Some universities receive approximately with many excellent contributions, although I fear that 25% of their total income from NHS-funded health I will not be able to do justice to them all. professional courses, and others are already expecting As my right hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, cuts in the number of funded student places in this area Itchen (Mr Denham) said at the outset, the Prime of about 10% to 15%. Is it any wonder, then, that there Minister promised us that tuition fees of £9,000 would is considerable financial uncertainty facing universities be the exception, not the rule. Not only Oxford and in the short and long term in this area as well? 279 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 280

Stella Creasy: Does my hon. Friend also think that of the brightest and best of the next generation being there is considerable uncertainty for students such as denied the chance to better themselves through a place Nancy Quilliam, from Walthamstow, who has deferred at university. entry? She is being asked to pick a university by next Frankly, watching Ministers on tuition fees has become Thursday, but she cannot find out how much she will be increasingly like watching a bad episode of “Only Fools charged—she has no certainty about the rate of fees—so and Horses”, with Front Benchers desperately trying to risks incurring a further £9,000 of debt. Is that not sell any old line on tuition fees to people whom they another level of uncertainty that the system has created clearly think are gullible punters. The right hon. Member for students across the country? for Havant (Mr Willetts)? The Department’s very own Rodney Trotter. Grumpy old Uncle Albert, with his Mr Thomas: My hon. Friend is absolutely right that best years behind him? Who else but the Secretary of our students or would-be students face huge uncertainty State? And Derek “Del Boy” Trotter? It has to be the about the fees that they will incur. Perhaps if the Deputy Prime Minister: never selling the real McCoy, Government had published the White Paper that they never telling the whole truth—inadvertently, of course—a promised to publish even early this year, her constituents dodgy promise here, there and everywhere, and all his might have had just a little bit of certainty. Is not the best deals done down the Nag’s Head with Boycie the truth that Ministers in the Department for Business, spiv. Talking of whom, where is the Prime Minister for Innovation and Skills have failed to stop other parts of this debate? Government creating huge uncertainty for Britain’s “I’m sorry, we rushed into this and we got it wrong”—I universities, thereby creating incentives for fees to be paraphrase the Secretary of State for forests. “We’re higher rather than lower? going to have a pause, listen to people’s concerns and make changes”—the Secretary of State for Health, Paul Farrelly: When the Government say that universities never mind the fact that his mea culpa is just an advertising will be allowed to charge fees of £9,000 only in exceptional gimmick. Either his lines or those of the right hon. circumstances, is it not incumbent on them not only to Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman) would have been a say what control they will exert to turn down the 40% to more appropriate starting point for the Minister this 50% that will want to charge £9,000 anyway, but to tell afternoon. He should have said, “I’m sorry, better access the House how they will square the circle and make up to university looks unlikely, despite our great promises.” the funding that universities will otherwise lose? He should have said, “I’m sorry, we thought OFFA could control fee levels. We were wrong.”And he certainly should have said, “I’m sorry that we were so spectacularly Mr Thomas: You would think that it was indeed wrong when we claimed that only a few universities incumbent on Ministers to do that, Mr Speaker, but so would charge the full £9,000.” far they have not done so. Ministers need to publish the White Paper to give us some certainty. Thus far, it does This is a policy in need of a radical overhaul. Trebling not look as though they intend to do that any time tuition fees was never fair. It was not necessary and soon. neither is it sustainable. I commend our motion to the House. There is also continuing uncertainty about how the remaining teaching grant will be allocated, if indeed some universities get any at all. As Opposition Members 6.49 pm have made clear, it is the huge cut to university teaching funds and to capital that continues to drive fees higher. The Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Surrey university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Christopher Learning (Mr John Hayes): The Labour Government’s Snowden, has said that his university’s plans to charge unhappy, unwelcome bequest was an immense financial £9,000 reflected the financial uncertainties for English black hole. Then, as now, Labour was characterised by universities and the substantial cuts that the Government chaos. Better-informed Members will know that, according have made to grants for teaching and building to some advocates of chaos theory, black holes are a refurbishment. The university of Sheffield Hallam, which portal to a parallel universe—an alternative reality, as the Deputy Prime Minister may know something about, my hon. Friend the Member for Solihull (Lorely Burt) has said: described it. Perhaps there is a parallel universe in “The new fee will compensate for the government’s 80% cut in which Labour won the election. Does anyone here truly our teaching grant and the significant cuts in capital funding.” believe that if it had done so, it would be prosecuting the case it has been making today? After all, Labour The Government based their financial plans on average was the party that introduced variable tuition fees, fees of £7,500. In the face of such uncertainty, it should established the Browne review and laid down the criteria come as no surprise that many expect average fees to be by which Browne considered these matters. somewhat higher. Indeed, as I made clear in my interventions, the Secretary of State has confirmed that This is not science fiction; it is hard fact. When the Government are considering either a cut in student Labour was in office, it defended the very principles it numbers or an even greater cut in the teaching grant as has attacked today. As the Minister for Universities and tools to plug the funding gap. Either he was scaremongering Science, my right hon. Friend the Member for Havant or the threat was real. Because the Government have (Mr Willetts) pointed out, Lord Mandelson hinted at a lost control of higher education policy, if we take the tuition fee rise five months before the Browne review Secretary of State at his word, then on top of an almost was launched, telling vice-chancellors that excellence in 80% cut in university teaching funds and a 20,000 cut in higher education was “not cheap” and that the country student places already, we face the prospect of our had to universities being starved of even more income, or more “face up to the challenge of paying for excellence”. 281 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 282

Andrew Bridgen: What are the Minister’s views on the Mr Hayes: I am sure that the hon. Gentleman viability or otherwise of a graduate tax as a solution to understands that the headline fees that are being published higher education funding, as proposed by the Opposition? are not the same as the amount that students will pay in all cases; neither are they the same as the amount that Mr Hayes: My hon. Friend the Member for Havant the Government will fund. We know that fee waivers referred to an interesting document that Labour has and bursaries, for example, have a real impact on the produced, “Why not a Pure Graduate Tax?”, which figures. The figures that are being published are maximum concludes: figures, not average figures. That point has been made “We have been unable to identify any other country with a by Members on this side of the House, although it does graduate tax system along the lines described that could serve as not seem to have been grasped, for the most part, by an exemplar for how a pure graduate tax might work.” Opposition Members. I have good news! Experts in Labour central office have now found one. Ethiopia has a graduate tax, but it is Sheila Gilmore rose— thinking of ditching it, just as Labour has decided to Paul Farrelly rose— take the idea on board. As for the charge that variable fees will deter working- Mr Hayes: I will not give way again, as time is short. class students, we heard the hon. Member for Stoke-on- The previous Government defended both the extra Trent Central (Tristram Hunt) speak with authority on independence variable fees gives institutions and the the subject. I know that he is a close student of working-class principle that universities should justify the fees they culture—[Laughter.] I said merely that he was a student; charge. That is why this debate on the future of higher he does study it. He and the hon. Member for Nottingham education is, above all, about three things. First, it is South (Lilian Greenwood) told us that fees would deter about securing a settlement to fund higher education working-class students. When the right hon. Member that is sustainable. The right hon. Member for Tottenham for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle (Alan Johnson) (Mr Lammy) is right: the deficit was not the context was a Minister, he introduced variable fees, saying: when Browne began, but it certainly was the context “I reject the notion that working-class kids are more debt when Browne reported. The previous Government averse than youngsters from other backgrounds. I just reject it recognised that we had strategically to rethink university completely, absolutely completely.” funding to give them sufficient funds to compete with That was his view of the effect that variable fees would the best. That was acknowledged by the right hon. have on the participation of working-class students. Gentleman when was the Minister and it is acknowledged by Conservative Members. Luciana Berger: Has the Minister seen the research I think it would serve the Labour party if that was published today by High Fliers, which shows that 51% of acknowledged once again. It was hesitatingly and falteringly existing final-year undergraduates said that they would acknowledged by the shadow Secretary of State, but he not have gone to university if their tuition fees had been has to answer this question: if the reduction in BIS three times as high as they are now? spending on higher education had been of the order he suggested—around 8% to 10%—where would the cuts Mr Hayes: I would be the first to acknowledge that I have fallen? Would basic skills have taken the hit; would have not seen that research, but I would be more than it have been adult and community learning; would it happy to look at it. I am a straightforward politician, as have been apprenticeships; or would it have been further the hon. Lady knows, and I have to say to her that when education? Let us face it, we cannot have it all ways—yet fees were first introduced, I was one of the doubters. I too often the shadow Secretary of State tries to do just wondered whether they would have the effect that has that. been articulated again today. However, the evidence is that they have not done so. They have not affected Mr Denham: The answer is, of course, that the BIS applications in the way that was predicted by some team, including the hon. Gentleman, conceded this people, and she is on dangerous ground if she thinks huge cut in higher education and offered it up to the that they will have that effect this time round. Treasury. It is not a matter of choosing one cut or It does not seem credible for the Opposition to prosecute another. A BIS team of any credibility or influence the argument that students will be deterred from applying would simply have said that an 80% cut in higher to university and that there will therefore not be enough education teaching is unsustainable, unnecessary and of them, and simultaneously to argue that there will be unfair. It is the failure of the ministerial team to deliver too many applications and that the universities will be that is at the centre of this debate. unable to fund sufficient places to meet the demand. The Opposition seem to be running two horses, neither Mr Hayes: The hon. Gentleman’s predecessor, the of which is likely to reach the winning post. noble Lord Mandelson, was first to the table when it came to volunteering to cut in his Departments. He Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab) rose— took more hits when he was in BIS than any other Secretary of State. It is not credible for the right hon. Mr Hayes: I shall give way to the hon. Gentleman, Gentleman to claim that, had Labour been elected, it who is a great expert on these matters. would not have faced exactly the same challenges or, indeed, not have employed exactly the same approach Nic Dakin: The Minister says he was a doubter in the to deal with them. past. Is he surprised that so many universities are now The second big issue is whether this system is progressive. setting fees of £8,500 and £9,000? If such fees create a The right hon. Member for Bermondsey and Old gap, how will the problem be solved? Will it be solved by Southwark (Simon Hughes) made the point very clearly: cutting student numbers or by cutting university income? there are no up-front fees; no repayments until someone 283 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 284 is earning £21,000; and debts are written off after Cunningham, Tony MacShane, rh Mr Denis 30 years. This is a more progressive, fairer system than Curran, Margaret Mactaggart, Fiona the one we inherited. Frankly, no one can honestly deny Dakin, Nic Mahmood, Mr Khalid that. Indeed, it has not been denied, even by Labour Danczuk, Simon Mahmood, Shabana Members. A graduate on a starting salary of £25,000 Darling, rh Mr Alistair Mann, John will repay around £30 a month under the new system David, Mr Wayne Marsden, Mr Gordon Davidson, Mr Ian McCann, Mr Michael and we know that graduates typically earn about £100,000 De Piero, Gloria McCarthy, Kerry more than non-graduates over an earning lifetime. Denham, rh Mr John McClymont, Gregg The third key point is access. No one is a greater Dobbin, Jim McDonnell, John champion of widening access to higher education than Dobson, rh Frank McFadden, rh Mr Pat I am—with the possible exceptions of my right hon. Docherty, Thomas McGovern, Alison Friends the Minister for Universities and Science and Doran, Mr Frank McGovern, Jim the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Dowd, Jim McKinnell, Catherine Skills. Widening access, however, is not just about fees. Dromey, Jack Meale, Mr Alan It is about the patterns and rhythms of higher education Eagle, Ms Angela Mearns, Ian study matching the patterns and rhythms of more kinds Eagle, Maria Michael, rh Alun Edwards, Jonathan Miliband, rh Edward of lives. That is why the changes to part-time provision Efford, Clive Miller, Andrew are so important and why the White Paper—for the Elliott, Julie Morris, Grahame M. record, it was published in June—explains how we will Ellman, Mrs Louise (Easington) look to provide more higher education in further education Engel, Natascha Mudie, Mr George colleges, look at more modular courses, more distance Esterson, Bill Murphy, rh Mr Jim learning and more part-time provision. That is exactly Farrelly, Paul Murphy, rh Paul the way to get more under-represented groups into Field, rh Mr Frank Murray, Ian higher education. Fitzpatrick, Jim Onwurah, Chi Today, we have heard from the Opposition a critique Flynn, Paul Pearce, Teresa Fovargue, Yvonne Phillipson, Bridget of a policy that is very close to what they might well Gapes, Mike Pound, Stephen have had to adopt in similar circumstances had they Gardiner, Barry Qureshi, Yasmin been in government. What we have not heard, however, Gilmore, Sheila Raynsford, rh Mr Nick is their alternative. I believe it ill befits an Opposition to Glindon, Mrs Mary Reed, Mr Jamie table a motion when they have no real alternatives— Godsiff, Mr Roger Reeves, Rachel Goggins, rh Paul Reynolds, Emma Mr Alan Campbell claimed to move the closure (Standing Goodman, Helen Reynolds, Jonathan Order No. 36). Green, Kate Riordan, Mrs Linda Question put forthwith, That the Question be now Greenwood, Lilian Robertson, John put. Griffith, Nia Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Gwynne, Andrew Rotheram, Steve Question agreed to. Hamilton, Mr David Roy, Lindsay Main Question accordingly put. Hamilton, Fabian Ruddock, rh Joan Hanson, rh Mr David Sarwar, Anas The House divided: Ayes 197, Noes 304. Harris, Mr Tom Sharma, Mr Virendra Division No. 260] [6.59 pm Healey, rh John Sheerman, Mr Barry Hendrick, Mark Shuker, Gavin AYES Heyes, David Skinner, Mr Dennis Hillier, Meg Slaughter, Mr Andy Abbott, Ms Diane Brown, Lyn Hilling, Julie Smith, rh Mr Andrew Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Spellar, rh Mr John Alexander, Heidi Bryant, Chris Hoey, Kate Straw, rh Mr Jack Ali, Rushanara Buck, Ms Karen Hood, Mr Jim Stringer, Graham Allen, Mr Graham Burden, Richard Hopkins, Kelvin Stuart, Ms Gisela Anderson, Mr David Burnham, rh Andy Howarth, rh Mr George Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Bailey, Mr Adrian Byrne, rh Mr Liam Hunt, Tristram Tami, Mark Bain, Mr William Campbell, Mr Alan Irranca-Davies, Huw Thomas, Mr Gareth Balls, rh Ed Campbell, Mr Ronnie Jarvis, Dan Trickett, Jon Barron, rh Mr Kevin Caton, Martin Johnson, rh Alan Turner, Karl Bayley, Hugh Chapman, Mrs Jenny Johnson, Diana Twigg, Derek Beckett, rh Margaret Clarke, rh Mr Tom Jones, Graham Twigg, Stephen Begg, Dame Anne Clwyd, rh Ann Jones, Helen Umunna, Mr Chuka Bell, Sir Stuart Coaker, Vernon Jones, Mr Kevan Vaz, Valerie Benn, rh Hilary Coffey, Ann Kaufman, rh Sir Gerald Walley, Joan Benton, Mr Joe Connarty, Michael Keeley, Barbara Watson, Mr Tom Berger, Luciana Cooper, Rosie Kendall, Liz Watts, Mr Dave Betts, Mr Clive Cooper, rh Yvette Khan, rh Sadiq Whiteford, Dr Eilidh Blackman-Woods, Roberta Corbyn, Jeremy Lammy, rh Mr David Whitehead, Dr Alan Blenkinsop, Tom Crausby, Mr David Lavery, Ian Wicks, rh Malcolm Blomfield, Paul Creagh, Mary Lazarowicz, Mark Williams, Hywel Blunkett, rh Mr David Creasy, Stella Leslie, Chris Williamson, Chris Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben Cruddas, Jon Lloyd, Tony Winnick, Mr David Brennan, Kevin Cryer, John Love, Mr Andrew Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Brown, rh Mr Gordon Cunningham, Mr Jim Lucas, Ian Wood, Mike 285 Higher Education Policy27 APRIL 2011 Higher Education Policy 286

Woodcock, John Tellers for the Ayes: Hemming, John Munt, Tessa Woodward, rh Mr Shaun Phil Wilson and Henderson, Gordon Murray, Sheryll Wright, David Angela Smith Hendry, Charles Murrison, Dr Andrew Wright, Mr Iain Herbert, rh Nick Neill, Robert Hinds, Damian Newmark, Mr Brooks NOES Hoban, Mr Mark Newton, Sarah Hollingbery, George Nokes, Caroline Adams, Nigel de Bois, Nick Hollobone, Mr Philip Norman, Jesse Afriyie, Adam Dinenage, Caroline Hopkins, Kris Nuttall, Mr David Aldous, Peter Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Horwood, Martin O’Brien, Mr Stephen Alexander, rh Danny Dorrell, rh Mr Stephen Howell, John Offord, Mr Matthew Amess, Mr David Dorries, Nadine Hughes, rh Simon Ollerenshaw, Eric Andrew, Stuart Doyle-Price, Jackie Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy Osborne, rh Mr George Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Drax, Richard Hunter, Mark Paice, rh Mr James Bacon, Mr Richard Duncan, rh Mr Alan Hurd, Mr Nick Parish, Neil Bagshawe, Ms Louise Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Jackson, Mr Stewart Patel, Priti Baker, Norman Dunne, Mr Philip James, Margot Pawsey, Mark Baker, Steve Ellis, Michael Javid, Sajid Penning, Mike Baldry, Tony Ellison, Jane Jenkin, Mr Bernard Penrose, John Baldwin, Harriett Ellwood, Mr Tobias Johnson, Gareth Perry, Claire Barclay, Stephen Elphicke, Charlie Johnson, Joseph Phillips, Stephen Barker, Gregory Eustice, George Jones, Andrew Pickles, rh Mr Eric Baron, Mr John Evans, Graham Jones, Mr David Pincher, Christopher Bebb, Guto Evans, Jonathan Jones, Mr Marcus Poulter, Dr Daniel Beith, rh Sir Alan Evennett, Mr David Kawczynski, Daniel Prisk, Mr Mark Beresford, Sir Paul Fabricant, Michael Kelly, Chris Raab, Mr Dominic Berry, Jake Fallon, Michael Kirby, Simon Randall, rh Mr John Bingham, Andrew Farron, Tim Knight, rh Mr Greg Redwood, rh Mr John Binley, Mr Brian Featherstone, Lynne Kwarteng, Kwasi Rees-Mogg, Jacob Blackman, Bob Field, Mr Mark Laing, Mrs Eleanor Reevell, Simon Blackwood, Nicola Foster, rh Mr Don Lancaster, Mark Robathan, rh Mr Andrew Blunt, Mr Crispin Fox,rhDrLiam Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Robertson, Hugh Boles, Nick Francois, rh Mr Mark Latham, Pauline Robertson, Mr Laurence Bone, Mr Peter Freeman, George Laws, rh Mr David Rogerson, Dan Bradley, Karen Freer, Mike Leadsom, Andrea Rosindell, Andrew Brady, Mr Graham Fuller, Richard Lee, Jessica Rudd, Amber Brake, Tom Gale, Mr Roger Lee, Dr Phillip Ruffley, Mr David Bray, Angie Garnier, Mr Edward Leech, Mr John Russell, Bob Brazier, Mr Julian Garnier, Mark Lefroy, Jeremy Rutley, David Bridgen, Andrew Gauke, Mr David Leigh, Mr Edward Sandys, Laura Brine, Mr Steve Gibb, Mr Nick Leslie, Charlotte Scott, Mr Lee Brokenshire, James Gilbert, Stephen Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Selous, Andrew Browne, Mr Jeremy Gillan, rh Mrs Cheryl Lewis, Brandon Sharma, Alok Bruce, Fiona Glen, John Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Shelbrooke, Alec Bruce, rh Malcolm Goldsmith, Zac Lidington, rh Mr David Shepherd, Mr Richard Buckland, Mr Robert Goodwill, Mr Robert Lilley, rh Mr Peter Simmonds, Mark Burley, Mr Aidan Graham, Richard Lloyd, Stephen Simpson, Mr Keith Burns, Conor Grant, Mrs Helen Lopresti, Jack Smith, Miss Chloe Burns, rh Mr Simon Gray, Mr James Loughton, Tim Smith, Henry Burrowes, Mr David Grayling, rh Chris Lumley, Karen Smith, Julian Burstow, Paul Green, Damian Macleod, Mary Smith, Sir Robert Burt, Lorely Greening, Justine Main, Mrs Anne Soames, Nicholas Byles, Dan Grieve, rh Mr Dominic Maude, rh Mr Francis Soubry, Anna Cable, rh Vince Griffiths, Andrew May, rh Mrs Theresa Spencer, Mr Mark Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Gummer, Ben Maynard, Paul Stanley, rh Sir John Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Gyimah, Mr Sam McIntosh, Miss Anne Stephenson, Andrew Carmichael, Neil Hague, rh Mr William McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Stevenson, John Carswell, Mr Douglas Halfon, Robert McPartland, Stephen Stewart, Bob Cash, Mr William Hames, Duncan McVey, Esther Stewart, Iain Chope, Mr Christopher Hammond, rh Mr Philip Menzies, Mark Stewart, Rory Clappison, Mr James Hammond, Stephen Mercer, Patrick Streeter, Mr Gary Clark, rh Greg Hands, Greg Metcalfe, Stephen Stride, Mel Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Harper, Mr Mark Miller, Maria Stuart, Mr Graham Coffey, Dr Thérèse Harrington, Richard Mills, Nigel Stunell, Andrew Collins, Damian Harris, Rebecca Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Sturdy, Julian Colvile, Oliver Hart, Simon Mordaunt, Penny Swales, Ian Cox, Mr Geoffrey Harvey, Nick Morgan, Nicky Swayne, Mr Desmond Crabb, Stephen Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Morris, Anne Marie Swinson, Jo Davey, Mr Edward Hayes, Mr John Morris, David Swire, rh Mr Hugo Davies, David T. C. Heald, Mr Oliver Morris, James Syms, Mr Robert (Monmouth) Heath, Mr David Mosley, Stephen Tapsell, Sir Peter Davis, rh Mr David Heaton-Harris, Chris Mowat, David Thurso, John 287 Higher Education Policy 27 APRIL 2011 288

Timpson, Mr Edward Whittaker, Craig Section 5 of the European Communities Tomlinson, Justin Whittingdale, Mr John Tredinnick, David Wiggin, Bill (Amendment) Act 1993 Turner, Mr Andrew Willetts, rh Mr David Tyrie, Mr Andrew Williams, Stephen 7.13 pm Uppal, Paul Williamson, Gavin Vaizey, Mr Edward Willott, Jenny The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr Mark Vickers, Martin Wilson, Mr Rob Hoban): I beg to move, Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa Wollaston, Dr Sarah That this House takes note with approval of the Government’s Walker, Mr Charles Wright, Jeremy assessment as set out in the Budget Report, combined with the Ward, Mr David Wright, Simon Office for Budget Responsibility’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook, Watkinson, Angela Yeo, Mr Tim which forms the basis of the UK’s Convergence Programme, for Weatherley, Mike Young, rh Sir George the purposes of section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993. Webb, Steve Zahawi, Nadhim Wharton, James Tellers for the Noes: As we look at the economic history of the past Wheeler, Heather Norman Lamb and decade, we see clearly that economic imbalances create White, Chris Mr Shailesh Vara the conditions for recession, and even growth fuelled by imbalances can prove illusory.This Government’s economic programme tackles the imbalances built up under the Question accordingly negatived. previous Government, which triggered the deepest recession since the 1930s. As the Chancellor set out in his Budget and as is set out in the convergence programme document before us, growth in the United Kingdom under the previous Government was fuelled by debt. Imbalances arose from the UK’s overreliance on the south-east and the financial services sector, from high levels of Government debt and an over-inflated housing market. The OECD said of the UK that these imbalances “exacerbated the downturn during the global recession and contributed to a more pronounced fall in GDP, a larger fiscal deficit and higher inflation than in most of the OECD”. That is the legacy we inherited from the Labour party, which we need to tackle. As we look across Europe and beyond, we see that we have had to learn the hard way that in an open, global marketplace, no economy exists in isolation: imbalances in individual countries can cause instability on a regional and global basis; the failures of economic policy in one country can be quickly exported to other nations; and unsustainable levels of debt, asset bubbles and uncontrolled deficits can destabilise whole regions through contagion, as we have seen in recent years. In the light of the global and economic crisis, there is increased emphasis on economic surveillance to identify imbalances and take action to deal with them. Existing surveillance by the International Monetary Fund and the OECD has taken on renewed importance. The IMF has recognised the need to focus on multilateral surveillance and monitoring spill-over effects and systemic risks, and the OECD has recognised the importance of labour markets, housing markets and current account imbalances for strong and sustainable growth. Furthermore, the G20 is looking at countries with large and persistent imbalances to ensure that growth is strong, sustainable and balanced across the world. In Europe, work to address this has been done through the stability and growth pact. The pact has been around for many years, but in more than a decade of monetary union the sanctions it contains have never been used. The recent proposals to strengthen the stability and growth pact aim to make it more effective. The changes recognise that maintaining economic stability is not just about deficits. Just as the OECD and the IMF are refreshing their approach to macro-economic surveillance, so too is the European Union as it considers a scoreboard of indicators such as labour market flexibility, current account balances and unemployment to ensure that we are alert to risks across Europe. 289 Section 5 of the European 27 APRIL 2011 Section 5 of the European 290 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North) (Lab): The Minister The information we are supplying to the Commission talks about imbalances. We always talk about financial in the convergence programme document that we are imbalances, but the real imbalances in the European debating tonight is the first to be provided under the Union are the massive imbalances in trade. Germany new European semester arrangements. People were has looked after its manufacturing and we have neglected concerned that the Commission would receive information ours under several Governments over the past 30 years. before Parliament, but the information provided to the We at least are able to depreciate our currency and to Commission in the document is already public and address that to an extent, but there has still been a much of it was provided when the Chancellor made his complete failure by successive Governments to do anything Budget statement in March. to counter the collapse of manufacturing that began in 1979 when we lost a fifth of it following the election of a Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): Will the Minister Conservative Government. confirm that all the information in the convergence programme document is in the public domain and Mr Hoban: The hon. Gentleman makes an important available to anyone outside the House who wants to point. Under the previous Government, we saw a further gain access to it without the document’s publication? deterioration in manufacturing and an overreliance on the financial services sector, creating some of the imbalances Mr Hoban: Indeed. If my hon. Friend has studied that led to the deepest recession since the 1930s. Part of this carefully, as I am sure he has, he will recognise that the challenge faced by the Government is how to tackle large chunks of it are familiar from the Red Book. Of those imbalances and move to a more broadly based course, chapters 6 onwards are taken from the Office for economy, and I shall touch on that later in my speech. Budget Responsibility’s economic and fiscal outlook. We must remember that sustainable economic growth This information is in the public domain and Parliament across Europe is vital to the success of the British has had sight of it before its presentation to the European economy. Having the right warning mechanisms in place, Commission. underpinned by sound data, will help to identify future economic crises that could harm the UK economy. Mr Ian Davidson (Glasgow South West) (Lab/Co-op): Even though we are not part of the single currency and Will the Minister remind me exactly why we have to will not be joining it in the lifetime of this Parliament, produce all this information for the European Union? I we cannot consign ourselves to be bystanders in the have not read it in enormous detail but it seems that debate. Parliament is telling teacher or the boss why we have done what has been done. That places the House of Mr William Cash (Stone) (Con): I noticed the Minister Commons very much in the position of being subordinate use the expression “we will not be joining the single to the European Union. currency in the lifetime of this Parliament”. I thought there was a clear commitment that we were never going Mr Hoban: I do not agree that Parliament has been to join the single currency. placed in a subordinate position. We are passing this information to the European Union having already Mr Hoban: As I am sure my hon. Friend is aware, I made it available to the House, particularly during am following what is set out in the coalition agreement. my right hon. Friend the Chancellor’s Budget speech, Like him, I do not anticipate that we would seek to join and there is no requirement on us to accept any the euro. recommendations that the Commission might make as Tonight’s debate is a consequence of the stability and a consequence of having read the information. We are growth pact. Since 1999, as a result of the pact, the in a very different situation to those member states that Government have reported to the Commission on the will provide their convergence programmes at the same UK’s economic and budgetary position and our main time as the UK, but before their Budgets rather than economic policy measures. I want to reassure the House, after them. however, that the UK is not subject to sanctions under the stability and growth pact—the Treaty is clear that Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD): Does the Minister they apply only to euro area countries. The EU can agree that all European economies have a shared interest make recommendations as regards our budget, as can in there being proper economic governance in all other other international organisations such as the OECD European economies? Britain therefore clearly has an and the IMF, but, crucially, we are under no obligation interest in proper economic management within the to take action and we are not subject to any sanctions eurozone. Indeed, will he go further and welcome the by virtue of our opt-out. Any recommendations made recommendations of the European Parliament’s Economic will remain just that—recommendations. and Monetary Affairs Committee, which pressed for even stronger sanctions against those countries that do Mr James Clappison (Hertsmere) (Con): My hon. not manage their public finances as well as this Government Friend is making a very persuasive case, but on the are doing? question of sanctions, may I take it from what he has just said that he is ruling out Britain’s being subject to Mr Hoban: Of course, sanctions are a matter for the the economic imbalances procedure set out in the Van eurozone countries. They do not apply to us, as we are Rompuy report? outside the eurozone thanks to the opt-out secured under the Maastricht treaty and reiterated in the Lisbon Mr Hoban: We are not subject to sanctions as a treaty, so that point is not relevant to tonight’s debate. consequence of our opt-out from the single currency. I We have ensured, through our opt-outs and our made that point when we had a debate last year on commitment not to join the euro—this addresses the economic governance, and it continues to be the case point raised by the hon. Member for Glasgow South now. West (Mr Davidson)—that Parliament remains sovereign. 291 Section 5 of the European 27 APRIL 2011 Section 5 of the European 292 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 The Commission has endorsed the UK’s domestic Chris Leslie (Nottingham East) (Lab/Co-op): Can consolidation plan, which is laid out in the convergence the Minister remind the House what the OPR predicted programme. As a result of the measures the Government the growth rate would be for the first quarter of 2011? I have taken, the path set for fiscal policy means that think it is on page 54 of the convergence programme. the UK is on course to meet the Commission’s recommendations and deadline for dealing with our Mr Hoban: I am rather surprised that the hon. Gentleman excessive deficit. We are not doing this to get a gold has not congratulated the Government on taking the star—to use the language of the hon. Member for tough action that put the recovery on track and made Glasgow South West’s analogy—from Brussels; we are sure that we have lower interest rates than Greece, doing it for the UK’s economic health. The plan will Ireland and Portugal. That is a consequence of the tackle our record deficit, with expenditure falling as a actions that we have taken—actions that the Opposition share of income in every year of this Parliament and would not take. We are tackling the legacy that they left. national debt falling as a proportion of gross domestic The problem is that the scale of the legacy is huge. That product by 2014-15. makes the recovery challenging. Today’s figures demonstrate For those in opposition who question this approach that we are making good progress on that. and who would condemn Britain to years of unaffordable To support the economy and to continue the growth and wasteful expenditure, let us look at the facts. In in the private sector, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor Britain we have a higher budget deficit than both Portugal set out a new economic strategy as part of this year’s and Greece. Last year, we also had a similar level of Budget. The strategy has four ambitions at its heart—that national debt to Ireland, but our market interest rates Britain will have the most competitive tax system in the are a fraction of those countries’ rates. Greece’s currently G20; that it will be the best place in Europe to start, stand at more than 14% and Portugal’s at more than finance and grow a business; that it will be a more 9%, while Ireland’s is approaching 10%. Britain’s market balanced economy, by encouraging exports and investment; interest rates have fallen to 3.6%, our triple A credit and that it will have a more educated work force that is rating has been secured and we have avoided the sovereign the most flexible in Europe. In pursuit of these objectives, debt storm that has engulfed our continent. That is a we have announced further cuts to corporation tax, direct result of the decisive action that we have taken. taking it down to 26% this year and 23% by the end of this Parliament. Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con): Does the Minister agree This is alongside our decision to introduce a highly that it is not only the absolute value of interest rates competitive tax rate on profits derived from patents and that is important but so is the spread over countries our fundamental reform of the complex rules for controlled such as Germany? Indeed, the spread over German foreign companies, making them much more territorial bunds for UK sovereigns has dropped by almost two and making the UK a much more attractive place for thirds since the election, confirming the validation of businesses to locate, ensuring that we have a far more this fiscal convergence programme. attractive tax system than either Germany or France. This year’s Budget also deals directly with the challenge Mr Hoban: My hon. Friend makes an important of education and youth unemployment, which has been point. Interest rates are low and the spread is narrowing. rising steadily for the past seven years. Instead of 20,000 That is a huge benefit to the British economy. It ensures young people benefiting from our new work experience that mortgage rates for families are kept low and it helps scheme, as we originally planned, we will increase that to encourage the economy by reducing the costs faced number fivefold to 100,000 places over the next two by businesses that borrow. There is a significant benefit years. Although in Austria and Germany one in four to this country as a consequence of the firm action that employers offers apprenticeships, in England fewer than we have taken. These actions have shown the world that one in 10 does so. That must change. Britain’s future is now in safe hands, and that this is a That is why last year my hon. Friend the Minister for Government who know how to manage their finances Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning published and who have a credible plan that is delivering stability, a skills strategy and confirmed the largest ever expansion certainty and growth. in adult apprenticeships. At the Budget we committed The independent Office for Budgetary Responsibility to funding another 40,000 apprenticeships for young has forecast growth in each and every year of this unemployed people. That brings a total of 250,000 Parliament, with growth of 1.7% forecast for 2011. This more apprenticeships over the next four years, as a is in spite of the rise in world commodity prices and result of this Government’s policies. This will help to higher than expected inflation. The OBR points out ensure that all parts of the country have access to a that this effect better educated work force. This year’s Budget will help to create a more balanced “creates scope for slightly stronger growth in later years” economy, tackling the imbalances of the past that than previously forecast. So although it expects real undermined the economy and led to the longest and GDP growth of 2.5% next year, it forecasts that it will deepest recession since the war. This year’s Budget gives then rise to 2.9% in 2013, 2.9% again in 2014 and 2.8% support to the private sector and hope to those looking in 2015. for work, and will stimulate job creation across Britain. The European Commission last month published its own economic forecasts. These show that the UK will Mr Cash: One word that the Minister has not mentioned grow more strongly in the coming year than Spain, is “deregulation”. In view of the fact that 4% of GDP is Italy, France, the average for the eurozone, and the lost as a result of European regulation, does he agree average for the EU. that we need to override European regulation, such as 293 Section 5 of the European 27 APRIL 2011 Section 5 of the European 294 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 [Mr Cash] Chris Leslie: But I am quite pleased that the hon. Gentleman keeps his eye on these developments. the working time directive, when it has the effect of increasing unemployment and preventing businesses from Mr Cash: We certainly do our best on the European growing? Scrutiny Committee, which included our making sure, by the way, that this debate took place on the Floor of Mr Hoban: My hon. Friend makes an important the House by objecting to the motion to refer it to a point about the burden of regulation on business, and Committee. I thought that we might just as well get it that is why in the Budget my right hon. Friend the on the Order Paper. Chancellor set out our plans for a moratorium on new regulations for micro-businesses and for start-ups, why the Prime Minister, along with several other European Chris Leslie: I am very grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s leaders, called for plans to cut the burden of European work on the European Scrutiny Committee. This is, as I red tape, and why the Prime Minister has also required say, an incredibly important debate, and more hon. José Barroso, the President of the European Commission, Members ought to be aware of it. to deliver on his commitment to reduce the cost of red tape for business by 25%. Martin Horwood: I am not sure what greater publicity the hon. Gentleman wants other than a debate on the We need to work on those issues to tackle regulation Floor of the House in the middle of a parliamentary that hampers growth not just here in the UK but week, but, if the implication behind his references to the throughout Europe, because regulation is a Europe-wide obligation to report to the European Union is that we issue. We need to tackle and reduce that burden if the should not do so, is he suggesting that that shared eurozone is to grow at the levels that we expect to see in obligation among all European economies should not Asia and in the far east. apply to places such as Greece, Italy, Spain or Ireland? As I said to my hon. Friend, this Budget tackles Would he be happy for those countries not to report the regulation and introduces a moratorium, and that is state of their economies? why it stands firm on our plan for recovery. It is good for business, it is good for growth, and with the approval of the House it will form the basis of the information Chris Leslie: I simply note at the outset that we are that we provide to the European Commission. I commend now engaging in a particular debate. Yes, I am glad that this motion to the House. it is taking place on the Floor of the House, but we did not really know that it was going to be on the Floor of the House, in this particular form, with this set of 7.30 pm papers and this particular motion, until 24 hours ago. It Chris Leslie (Nottingham East) (Lab/Co-op): Many is curious that the Government, in their relationship hon. Members might wonder why we are having this with many hon. Members throughout the Chamber, debate tonight. It is an incredibly important debate, but have not made it clear that this is quite an important they might be forgiven for not having spotted the small component of our obligations under European Union print on, I think, page minus 2 under the ISBN number treaties. I know that Ministers are keen to abide by their of the Red Book in probably seven or eight-point font, obligations under such treaties, but I just point out that where it points out that the UK is required to submit to some Members might be less keen. Brussels an annual convergence programme so that it can monitor our economic policy. Mr Davidson: Given that this debate is so important, I am, however, grateful to the Financial Secretary for will my hon. Friend clarify whether the programme has having written to me to draw attention to the debate already been sent to the European Union or if we will this evening, the papers for which were published only have to wait for the result of this debate before it is at lunchtime yesterday. In fact, the motion appeared on posted off second class? the Order Paper only yesterday, too, and I am surprised about that, because in the parallel debate a year ago Chris Leslie: I presume that the House has to agree following the 2010 pre-Budget report, the hon. Member the contents of the convergence programme before it for South West Hertfordshire (Mr Gauke), now the can be posted to the European Commission. The hon. Exchequer Secretary, then speaking from the Opposition Member for Bury North (Mr Nuttall) implied that the Benches said: Commission could probably glean all the information “It was also very difficult to locate the report. I obtained a online, and there is a perfectly reasonable argument that copy last week, but it was not available in the Vote Office the Commission should follow events in member state yesterday. This is a point that has been made many times before”. —[Official Report, 10 February 2010; Vol. 505, c. 947.] countries rather than expect these matters to be handed to it on a platter. I do not think that presenting the I am surprised that the Government have not really information is necessarily genuflecting in front of Brussels, listened to their own Members when it comes to flagging but the obligation to do so is certainly a core component up the importance of this particular debate, but, given of the treaties. I simply point out that fact. that we have a motion asking the House to note “with approval” the Government’s assessment of the economy, The point of the motion about which we need to be and to conform with the requirements laid down in the most wary is the noting “with approval”the Government’s various European Union treaties, I am sure that it is assessment of the economy, particularly given the pure coincidence that Ministers did not flag it up or put Chancellor’s and Treasury Ministers’ lamentable failure bells and whistles around it to draw its attention to to understand the need for economic growth. Page 13 of many hon. Members. the convergence programme, which was published just 24 hours ago, says that the recovery is in line with Mr Cash rose— previous recoveries. That, of course, is not the case. 295 Section 5 of the European 27 APRIL 2011 Section 5 of the European 296 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 In the recessions of the early ’80s and ’90s the economy Yet the Prime Minister says that this is “good news”—those had clawed back economic strength by this stage in the were his words as he trumpeted this resounding success economic cycle. However, since this Government took at Prime Minister’s Questions today. Even the Minister office, the trajectory of recovery has stalled. We are said, a matter of minutes ago, that it is good progress. I already seeing that the information in the document, am afraid to say, however, that the document we are published just 24 hours ago, is becoming out of date. being asked to approve is already out of date, even though it was published only 24 hours ago. It is a bit of Kelvin Hopkins: Is it not rather regrettable that we dead parrot. It is no more, it has ceased to be, it has should have chosen to acquiesce in the Government’s expired; it is an ex-convergence programme. decision rather than call for a Division? I would be It is not good enough if the Minister cannot even happy to vote against the document if we had the produce a document when he gets advance notice of chance. ONS growth statistics that matches the realities of the Chris Leslie: We have the opportunity to divide the economy rather than the forecasting ideas that are House on this matter, although I think that it would be dreamed up in the Treasury. That is a sign that the a deferred Division; obviously, that is a matter for Government do not understand the importance of growth Mr Speaker. in our economy, especially when today’s statistics showed that construction has fallen back by 7% over the past As we go through the details of the document, we see six months, with total production already falling back that there are problems in it. Page 17 says that the even from the last quarter before Christmas. Government economy is forecast to grow by 1.7% in 2011—lower cuts have not yet started in earnest, and the VAT than the forecast in the June Budget. Is that forecast increase is already biting hard. sustainable? The Government and the Office for Budget Responsibility revised down their forecasts for growth What are the prospects for business growth? On in June and revised down expectations in November. page 14 of the document, the Treasury says: The OBR then revised down expectations for a third “Credit conditions have shown signs of stabilisation”. time after the March Budget. That is certainly not the experience of small and medium- The answer to the question that I asked the Minister sized enterprises: lending to businesses is in an atrocious earlier—what was the OBR’s prediction for the first state. It goes on to say in paragraph 2.43: quarter of this calendar year—is 0.8%. Yet today the “however, credit conditions for smaller firms remain tight”. Office for National Statistics gave a rather comatose and limp growth rate of 0.5%. That comes on the heels That is an exceptional understatement. The Bank of of a growth rate in the fourth quarter of 2010 of minus England’s lending report shows that lending to SMEs 0.5%. Essentially, there has been a zero rate of growth— fell by a further 3% in February. That is echoed by the flat-lining—over the past six months. British Bankers Association’s growth rate statistics on lending to small businesses, which cited a figure of As Stephanie Flanders, the BBC’s economics editor, minus 6% in December. So much for the much-vaunted said, it is Project Merlin. Yet the mark-ups that small businesses “depressing to think that the economy is treading water…in a have to pay for loans are widening, and the banks are normal recovery we would expect to see a lot of momentum at charging small businesses even more even though less this point”. and less lending is available. We have a serious systemic Chris Giles, economics editor at the Financial Times, problem with our economy. Underpinning the difficulties said that for there to have been any credible claim to a with growth are the factors that businesses need in return of underlying growth, this quarter’s figure should order to fire up the economy, which are going wrong. have been 0.7%. He went on: We also have to look at the Government’s failure on “Add in one quarter of the growth expected in 2011—about another 0.5 per cent—and the figure necessary to show the employment. Page 84 of the convergence programme economy growing at an average pace in the first quarter is at least document says: 1.2 per cent. “In line with a weaker outlook for output growth, we expect Arguably, it should be even higher, at somewhere about 1.7 per employment to be lower than forecast in November.” cent, if the underlying stagnation in the fourth quarter of 2010 The OBR predicts that unemployment will go up by has been recovered in the first quarter of this year.” 200,000 as a result of the Government’s policies. If each We are a long way from that, and that is a serious unemployed person costs the Exchequer about £7,800 problem. Yet the Chancellor seems to think that we are in welfare costs and lost taxes, that could represent a on the right track; as somebody said today, if he thinks loss to the Exchequer of more than £1 billion—money that, he needs to chuck away his satnav and get a new that the Exchequer should have coming in that is going one. the wrong way. In addition, inflation is undermining The GDP growth figure of 0.5% for the first three Government spending plans, as the document admits in months of this year merely replaces the loss of output terms of VAT fuelling inflation, and it is forecast that in the snowbound fourth quarter of 2010 and suggests borrowing and debt will be higher than predicted in that the economy has no underlying momentum at all. June. As a consequence, the interest that we will need to The chief statistician at the ONS said today that we had pay on our borrowing will be higher because of the been “on a plateau” for the past six months. Tony inflationary costs of social security expenditure. Dolphin, the chief economist at the Institute for Public Policy Research, says that a 0.5% fall followed by a Mr Cash: I have no doubt that the hon. Gentleman 0.5% bounce-back is equivalent to two successive quarters has looked at the comparison of unit labour costs of zero growth— throughout the whole of Europe. It shows that in the “as close as it is possible to come to a recession without actually past 10 years Germany’s costs have increased by only being in one”. 2% whereas almost every other country’s have increased 297 Section 5 of the European 27 APRIL 2011 Section 5 of the European 298 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 [Mr Cash] Chris Leslie: I would regard the hon. Gentleman’s approach as credible, if it was not for the fact that in by massive multiples of up to 35%. Does he accept that precisely the same debate a year ago, he would have one of the real reasons Germany is predominating in argued precisely the opposite points. The Liberal Democrat the European economy includes, in particular, the fact party has made a volte-face away from supporting the that its labour costs are so low, which means that it can economy and pursuing a pro-growth strategy, and has compete in the BRIC countries, including India, China absolutely no credibility when talking about strategies and the rest? for growth. They used to be a pro-growth party; they are now an anti-growth party that has joined and been Chris Leslie: There are several factors underpinning assimilated into the Conservative party. the German economy. The Germans do not pursue the same degree of hard and fast austerity that we are Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con): I wonder pursuing, they have a different approach to productivity, whether I can help the hon. Gentleman. Will he outline and they are achieving higher levels of growth. Our for the House whether his speech is based on Keynesian economy needs a pro-growth strategy. I do not say that or Brownite economics? as a whim—it is a hard-headed credible necessity for reducing the deficit and getting the economy moving Chris Leslie: It is actually based on common-sense again. Without growth, the Treasury will be losing revenue. economics. I regret that the Government cannot see that. Unfortunately, I think that they will rue the day Jacob Rees-Mogg (North East Somerset) (Con): When that they neglected growth in the economy. As we know, the hon. Gentleman talks about a pro-growth strategy, there is anxiety in the Treasury at the flat-lining, almost does he mean spending? If so, where on earth is the comatose nature of the economy. We hope sincerely money coming from? that it picks up through the next quarter, but many people predict choppy times in the second quarter of Chris Leslie: As the hon. Gentleman knows, the this calendar year. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the paradox of austerity and of an anti-growth strategy is paradox that I spoke about: pursuing the austerity that it costs more in the long run. I quite understand approach too hard and too fast undermines growth and that many Government Members do not understand pulls from under the economy some of the key drivers the causes of the deficit. It is therefore improbable that for future prosperity that support it. Cutting too far they are the right people to solve the deficit. If they and too fast is bad not just for the economy, but for understood its causes, perhaps I would accept their deficit reduction strategies. rationale on how to solve it, but they do not. The Government’s spending plans are already coming Kelvin Hopkins: I hope to help my hon. Friend a little. unstuck. I will wind up with this point because I know If one makes unemployment go up, fewer people pay that a lot of hon. Members want to speak. On tuition taxes, more people depend on benefits and the deficit fees, which we debated earlier, we know that the cuts to gets worse, not better. That is precisely what will happen. higher education budgets will mean that universities will charge the highest fees, which will result in the Chris Leslie: That is precisely the point that we need ballooning of student loan pressures and the creation of to make this evening: an austerity approach that cuts a funding shortfall. Where will that money come from? too far and too fast will cost more in the long run. That We know that the Government have U-turned on school is not just in terms of the lost generation of young sports and that, when it came to the crunch, even the people who are now on the dole—one in five young Financial Secretary had to U-turn on the financial people are now unemployed—and not just in terms of inclusion fund. We are glad that he did so, but it the higher welfare costs, which will mean higher borrowing. changed the spending trajectory. On forests and on any The House of Commons Library told me today that if number of other spending plans, when the rubber has the past six months of the economy had emulated the hit the road, the Government have been unable to fulfil first six months since the general election, the Exchequer many of the so-called spending cuts that they promised would have received an additional £6 billion in revenues. in their much-vaunted June Budget. However, because growth is flat-lining, the Treasury is recouping less revenue. The Chancellor will therefore Mr Cash: Does the hon. Gentleman concede that, have to add £6 billion to borrowing and the deficit will leaving aside the question of cuts for a moment, the be higher as a consequence of low growth in the years motor for an economic revival comes from growth, ahead. which in turn can come only from private business and private enterprise generating the taxation to pay for Martin Horwood: The hon. Gentleman has expanded public expenditure? Without that, there is no public at length on the fragility of the economy and the sector. recovery, which I do not think is in dispute, but we are still a little thin on the alternative from Labour. In Chris Leslie: I agree with the first part of the hon. recent months, it has talked rather admiringly of the Gentleman’s point. Of course we need a pro-growth American economy and its expansionist approach. However, policy, and of course the private sector has to be the that has earned America a credit warning from the engine of that. However, he suggests that the Government rating agencies. If that had happened to us, it would somehow have no role to play in encouraging and undoubtedly have led to higher interests rates, which fostering growth, and that is where we differ. The Opposition would have hit everyone with a mortgage, everyone with believe in supporting firms in moving forward into an overdraft, and all the people who are vulnerable to prosperity. The laissez-faire attitude of the Conservative- debt—people about whom the hon. Gentleman is supposed Liberal alliance has moved us into wholly different to be concerned. That, in turn, would have hit economic terrain and proves that it does not have a credible fiscal growth. What is Labour’s alternative? stance. 299 Section 5 of the European 27 APRIL 2011 Section 5 of the European 300 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 Unfortunately, the convergence programme is a hollow that for the EU is a slightly different debate, and my document that is already out of date. Its predictions are hon. Friend the Member for Bury North (Mr Nuttall) not probable or plausible, and for those reasons I urge was right to say that we are using parliamentary time Members to reject the motion. and publishing documents containing information that the EU could quite easily find out for itself. That adds to the already bloated EU system, and perhaps indicates 7.51 pm why it asks us for a 5% increase in its budget, which is Alec Shelbrooke (Elmet and Rothwell) (Con): I start an absolute disgrace at times of austerity. by drawing on the last intervention by my hon. Friend The hon. Member for Glasgow South West the Member for Stone (Mr Cash). He made an important (Mr Davidson) spoke of the imbalance of trade with point, and it was the one that I made last night. Government the German economy. The German manufacturing money is not our money, it is the public’s money generated economy is a powerhouse of Europe, and as my hon. by the private sector. We cannot simply say that we Friend the Member for Stone outlined, we have a very should carry on pouring in money, because it is not our low manufacturing base. The picture that that paints is money. We must think about where it comes from. that economic integration in the EU is not possible with The hon. Member for Nottingham East (Chris Leslie) sovereign countries generating high GDP growth and said that if certain actions had not been taken, an extra trade imbalances. For integration, countries must move £6 billion would have come in to the Exchequer, but in to one common taxation policy. That, if anything, is our emergency Budget we cut the deficit by £6 billion. If proof that the euro is leading to a common taxation we had not done that, there would not have been any policy and a loss of fiscal sovereignty. extra money, would there? We would have borrowed an extra £6 billion instead. We would have been borrowing Mr Cash: As my hon. Friend may have noted, I raised money, churning it out, collecting it back in and saying, that question with the Prime Minister earlier today in “What great money generation”. We would just have relation to voting against the provisions for a corporate been turning money around. We can get money coming tax base for the whole of Europe. That decision will in in to the Exchequer only through growth, and that can fact be made unanimously, and we can get rid of it with occur only if the private sector is in a credible position our veto. I did not get an answer from the Prime so that it can move forward. Minister, and I hope my hon. Friend continues to urge The Opposition’s comments are interesting, because against having a tax system imposed upon us by the rest there is a paradox in that they paint a gloomy picture of Europe. but meet it with glee and struggle to keep a straight face. Of course, we know that if we had followed the previous Alec Shelbrooke: My right hon. Friend the Prime Chancellor’s spending plans, we would have been cutting Minister has a very pragmatic view on such things, and £7 for every £8 that is being cut now. The margins are I am sure he took great note of my hon. Friend’s small. Let us not get into a discussion about the idea question. I am also sure that the Prime Minister will that if the Government’s actions had not been taken, a listen to the mood of the country and ensure that the further £6 billion would have come in. We cut the deficit EU does not move towards such a common economic by that amount in the emergency Budget, so there base. would not have been any extra money. The money that This is crux of the matter: we are publishing documents we borrowed would just have been churned out and tonight to pass back to the EU that show that the UK is collected back in, which would have done nothing to in compliance with the rules. Those rules mean that we stimulate the growth of the economy. I agree with the could qualify for the euro. People have often asked, hon. Member for Nottingham East that the growth “With the pound so close to parity with the euro, why figures are small, but they are growth figures. He says don’t we join?” but we will not join because we will not that they may be flat, but we know that things can be fudge the figures just to get into the euro—not that we choppy. The point is that we are growing and moving want to join—[Interruption.] Please! I would not want forward. anyone to leave the Chamber thinking that I am pro-euro, Let us come back to tonight’s debate and the history because I certainly am not—perish the thought. of the Council of the European Union. Back in July To qualify for the euro, countries must have a budget 2008, the Council of Ministers decided that the UK had deficit of 40% of GDP and they must borrow no more an excessive deficit and asked it to correct that by the than 3% of GDP annually. We know that the Italians financial year 2009-10 at the latest. In April 2009, the fudged that. That is one reason why the euro is in the Council concluded that the UK had failed to correct its mess that it is in, and why it is nowhere near competing excessive deficit within the time set. In December that with the US dollar, or indeed the Chinese currency, in year, it adopted a recommendation that the UK end its the way that people thought it would. The fact is that if continuing excessive deficit by the financial year 2014-15, the EU wants to have a strong economic case, it must go by bringing it below 3% of gross domestic product. In for full monetary union, which is totally unacceptable 2009-10 it was at 11.4% of GDP, but the convergence for sovereign countries. document now predicts it to be at 2.6% of GDP. As we know from the treaty of Rome, the original That is in stark contrast to the Opposition argument European partnership of six nations was set up to try to that it is unnecessary to make cuts and that we should prevent further wars in Europe, to bring peace to the continue as before. I shall tell the House later how I European nations, and to get everybody trading together actually feel about the EU’s interference in such matters, as one bloc. That was the vision. However, I do not but people outside this country were saying, “You are think that the rise of far-right parties across Europe and spending too much; you need to make those changes,” the increasing moves down the federalist route are and we are now doing so. Whether we should have to do coincidental. People feel that they have lost their sovereignty 301 Section 5 of the European 27 APRIL 2011 Section 5 of the European 302 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 [Alec Shelbrooke] eurozone economy. We are its major trading partner and we have an exchange of population, so Ireland is a and identity. If the EU moves forward to a full, integrated different case from the rest of the EU. For us to be economic policy, that will be the end of the EU, because bailing out other countries in the eurozone is complete people around Europe will vote in extremist parties to and total nonsense. The sooner they leave the eurozone, try to reclaim their national identity. I say that as a recreate their own currencies and depreciate them, the warning, with no joy. I am probably one of the more sooner they will recover. dove-ish Government Members when it comes to violence or military matters, but I fear where those moves could Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry) (Con): The hon. lead. Gentleman puts a happy and cuddly aura around the The Opposition’s main argument this evening has old hard-left of the Labour party. Bearing in mind that been: “You’ve got your economic policy completely for years we and other European countries have been wrong. You could have had more money coming to the reporting to the European Commission on these matters, Exchequer.”However, they have forgotten that the money does he think that the Commission has learned any coming to the Exchequer was the money they printed, lessons from the information it has been sent? If it has, pumped out and brought back in before saying, “Oh, why did it not try to help the economies of Greece, look at all the money we’ve generated!” I do not think Ireland, Portugal, Italy and so on? so. This is about creating growth, and in the document before us, an independent body has said that the Kelvin Hopkins: I think that the hon. Gentleman and Government’s policy is correct and in line with what we I agree on this point. It has learned absolutely nothing. want to achieve, which is what the previous Government To try to squeeze the life out of an economy that is singly failed to achieve despite the warnings in December already almost wrecked is nonsense. The Commission 2009. should allow those economies to grow, and they can grow only if they can recreate and depreciate their own 8pm currencies, and start to compete again. Ireland is in a terrible state because it chose—foolishly, I think—to Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North) (Lab): I want to speak join the euro. I have said to Irish politicians—in as briefly on this document and to support my hon. Friend friendly and comradely a way as possible—that they the Member for Nottingham East (Chris Leslie), who should recreate and depreciate the punt to something sits on the Opposition Front Bench. The Government’s like the level of sterling, and rejoin the sterling zone, economic policy will drive us into recession. The cuts which is where Ireland belongs. Its economy would then have not really started yet, and when they do, unemployment start to recover. Without that, it will not recover. will rise, and when unemployment rises, people will lose confidence and stop spending, and we will see a downward spiral into recession. I am convinced of that. I am not Martin Horwood: I am just curious: who does the the only person saying it. As I have pointed out in the hon. Gentleman think would lend those Governments Chamber more than once, Paul Krugman, the Nobel the money to finance that public spending, given their prize-winning economist, has said that the Government credit ratings at present? are going in precisely the wrong direction. They should be trying to stimulate the economy through additional Kelvin Hopkins: In the end Governments can print spending in labour-intensive areas, such as construction money if they wish to, but the idea that we can squeeze and the public sector—but that is the absolute opposite those economies into growth is complete nonsense. We of what they are doing. could debate these matters at great length—I would be If we bring down unemployment, revenues will rise, happy to do so on another occasion—but that is not benefit payments will reduce and the economy will what this debate is about. I want to focus on the grow, and that will reduce the deficit. I have used this Government’s economic policy, which I think is profoundly example many times: after the second world war, under mistaken. Conservative and Labour Governments, we had a gross Another point in the document is the emphasis on debt two and a half times GDP—about four times what fiscal neutrality.The Government do not seem to appreciate it is now—but we just maintained a policy of full that fiscal neutrality can be achieved in various ways. If employment, led by the magnificent Atlee Governments we cut public spending and taxation at the same time, in 1945 and 1951. We had full employment, we created that is, in a sense, fiscally neutral. If we raise public the national health service, living standards rose and we spending and taxation, that is also fiscally neutral. We even ran a labour shortage such that people came from can also achieve fiscal neutrality by raising taxes on the abroad to work here because the economy was growing rich and reducing them on the poor. Fiscal neutrality so fast. We ran a growth economy led by public spending. can have all sorts of different effects. If we cut taxes on That is what we should be doing now, but we are doing the rich and raise them on the less well-off, we will drive the absolute opposite. If other countries do the same, the economy into recession, because poor people will we will see the 1930s relived, but people have so much spend less money. The marginal propensity of the poor more to lose now it will be politically quite dangerous. to consume is higher, so if we tax the rich and give more There is already a reaction in Europe to what is to the poor, they will spend. If we give pensioners a rise happening. In Finland, a Government have been elected in their pensions, for example, they will spend more, but who are baulking at the idea of bailing out some of the if we give a wealthy person a tax cut, they will not weaker members of the eurozone. I have no idea why we spend. should be bailing out members of the eurozone. Ireland Those are marginal changes, but my general point is is a special case, because it is our nearest neighbour and that fiscal neutrality can be achieved in various ways. In effectively part of the sterling-zone economy, not the fact, it is nonsense to have fiscal neutrality when growth 303 Section 5 of the European 27 APRIL 2011 Section 5 of the European 304 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 is flatlining. We ought to have an expansionary fiscal and—they may not be prepared for this—will make strategy, not a neutral fiscal strategy. I might add that them detested and massively unpopular. I remind them this is my view, not necessarily the view of my hon. that, after the second world war, Labour took office Friends on the Opposition Front Bench. They are perhaps with a massive majority as a result of the working more cautious than me, but in the end I would like to people of Britain rejecting what had happened in the think that I and others will be proved right. We have to 1930s: the recession and the war. We are in danger of generate growth, but it will not happen if the Government going in that direction again, and the end result would continue to operate in the way that they are at the be the election of a Labour Government who would moment. have to pick up the pieces of an economy that had been destroyed. Steve Baker (Wycombe) (Con): As the hon. Gentleman Even PricewaterhouseCoopers—not a noted left-wing knows, I have great admiration for him on many subjects, organisation—has suggested that, for every job lost in but does he realise that when Keynes was suggesting the public sector, one would also be lost in the private those fiscal stimulus packages, the state accounted for sector, as opposed to the private sector picking up only about a quarter of GDP, whereas now the figure is where the public sector left off. Much of the demand in up to 45% and getting on for 50%? The capacity is just the private sector comes from public sector spending not there. I would suggest to the hon. Gentleman that and public investment. We have already seen construction even Keynes would be horrified at the notion of levels falling, with the cancellation of many school Governments spending more from present levels? building programmes. That will create unemployment in the private sector as well as the public sector, and it is Kelvin Hopkins: The role of the state is much larger conceivable that unemployment could rise by 1 million. than it was even in Keynes’s day; therefore, the state has If we had 1 million unemployed, in addition to the to generate more demand. The state has a bigger role in 2.5 million that we already have, we would be in very the economy—I think that is a good thing—but we serious economic waters. It would be a terrible time, not cannot withdraw from the idea of managing economies just for young people but for the whole economy. We in the way that we did after the second world war. would see falling living standards, mass unemployment Between 1945 and the 1970s, we had a world that and a mass political reaction to what was happening. actually worked. We had rising living standards and the I had a different view on this matter from those on highest rate of growth in our history. We had full my own Front Bench, particularly before the election, employment, we developed a welfare state and the when I and a number of Labour comrades rejected the national health service, and we had free tuition at idea of cuts altogether. We believe that dealing universities. Since then, the neo-liberals and the monetarists with the deficit has to be done by generating growth. have got hold of economic policy again and we have After the banking crisis, the Labour Government did gone back to something like the early 1930s, albeit with exactly the right thing. They pushed demand into the higher living standards, at the moment, but that could economy by printing money, reducing interest rates so easily be destroyed if the current mistakes continue almost to zero and recapitalising the banks, all of which to be made. had to be done. In fact, the Conservative Government, in their first six months, were living on the growth Alec Shelbrooke: I really do not understand the hon. generated by Labour’s policies—[Interruption.] That is Gentleman’s rose-tinted view of the 1960s and 1970s. In the reality. Now, Conservative policies are kicking in the 1960s we had to devalue, and by the 1970s inflation and we are starting to see the economy go down. and wage inflation were huge, to the point where teachers were given a 25% pay rise in the mid-1970s that was I could go on about this at greater length, but others worthless the following year. As for the Keynesian want to speak and this is a short debate. I am happy to arguments, the new deal in 1930s America failed until come back and talk about these issues time and again if the second world war came along and the country could hon. Members wish me to. Indeed, I am happy to manufacture and lend money to support the war effort. discuss them in private as well as in public. I am That is what created the recovery.Surely the hon. Gentleman convinced that the Government have got this wrong, is not suggesting that we need another war to sort out and that Keynesian economists such as Krugman and the economy. Stiglitz have got it right. We need to generate growth through public spending and public investment; we do Kelvin Hopkins: I would advise the hon. Gentleman not need to cut. to read an excellent book by J. K. Galbraith called “The World Economy Since the Wars”. He said that wartime 8.12 pm investment in American manufacturing transformed the Mr William Cash (Stone) (Con): It will be useful to economy, which emerged as the strongest economy in remind the House of what section 5 of the European the world. Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 actually says. Some We could go into those matters at great length; the of us were here in 1993 during the Maastricht debates, point is that it is nonsense to try to deflate our way to and it was rather an interesting moment when the only growth, as has been said by a number of leading economists. piece of reality in the whole of that Session occurred. Okay, so they happen to be Keynesians rather than That was when an attempt was made to restrain the monetarists, but do we want to go back to a world of movement towards a European Government. Section 5 high unemployment and greater inequality, or do we states: want to go forward to a world of full employment and “Her Majesty’s Government shall report to Parliament for its greater equality? That is the choice. The Government’s approval an assessment of the medium term economic and budgetary proposed strategy, as set out in the document under position in relation to public investment expenditure and to the discussion, will have a devastating effect on our economy social, economic and environmental goals set out in Article 2”— 305 Section 5 of the European 27 APRIL 2011 Section 5 of the European 306 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 [Mr William Cash] be needed to pay for the public sector that is needed unless we get out of that vicious circle. That is point they are pretty extensive— No. 1. “which report shall form the basis of any submission to the Point No. 2 is that the consequences of not having Council and Commission in pursuit of their responsibilities under sufficient growth and of having the deeply regrettable Articles 103 and 104c.” legacy of the deficit will mean that riots and protests—not What this really boils down to is that, in order for us to only in other countries, but in our own—will grow as be able to continue—leaving aside the opt-out from the the pain bites into the economy and into people’s daily euro—we effectively have to comply with the convergence lives. This will lead to an increase in the potential for criteria and other criteria that are laid down by the parties of the far right to gain traction. I do not think European Union. Effectively, leaving aside the question that the policy pursued on the stability and growth pact of the European stability mechanism—my hon. Friend can be described as anything other than a disaster area the Member for Elmet and Rothwell (Alec Shelbrooke) because there has been no stability, no growth and no knows that I totally agree with the extremely important pact. I wrote an article about that in The Times five or point that he made earlier—the bottom line is that we more years ago, but it is exactly the same now. Nothing have been moving inexorably, regrettably and avoidably changes. That is terribly depressing, which is why we towards deeper and deeper European integration, with must have the political will to do something about it. more and more requirements and obligations being The Europe 2020 strategy is another re-run of the imposed on us. vast amount of verbiage that accompanied the Lisbon As Chairman of the European Scrutiny Committee, I agenda, which those involved had to admit was a complete and other colleagues here tonight—my hon. Friends the disaster. It is words, words and words; it is nothing to Members for Daventry (Chris Heaton-Harris) and for do with the practical question of generating growth. I North East Somerset (Jacob Rees-Mogg), and the hon. mentioned Brazil, India and China earlier. The plain Member for Luton North (Kelvin Hopkins), a distinguished fact is that we have to compete with these other countries member of the Committee from the other side of the and it is impossible to do so when looking at the House—know the sheer, massive extent of the invasion question of unit labour costs in those countries and and the vast range of impediments that are put in our then looking at the European Union and noticing that way as a result of decisions taken not by this Parliament Germany had an increase of only 2% in the last 10 years, but by other countries, by the European Commission compared with 30% in most other EU countries. We are and by the European institutions. So this is an important in a completely impossible situation. I say this with the debate, and the Minister will understand why I objected greatest respect to my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary, to the idea that it should be shunted off to some but I did not hear anything in his speech to respond to innocuous Committee, well controlled by the Whips, this situation except for the fact that he said we were without having any real opportunity for the whole getting close to achieving the parameters laid down by House to participate. the EU for the excessive deficit procedure. Let me ask a question that I asked before the general I can make my points briefly. Some have already been election and again during it. It is simply this: what is the made and others I have made myself in the past, so I do true level of our debt? Suppose that the Chancellor of not need to elaborate on them. First, I very much agree the Exchequer had risen to make his Budget speech in with the suggestion that this undemocratic process affects the House the other day and said, “The first thing I the daily lives of the people of this country and inhibits must tell the House is that we will have to knock our ability to grow our economy, particularly when at £6 billion off the figures that I am about to announce least 4% of our gross domestic product is lost through because we will be bailing out Portugal—and, by the excessive European regulation of small and medium-sized way, our budget contribution to the European Union businesses. I find it utterly absurd—it is incomprehensible will rise to £10 billion, so we had better start factoring to me—that the Government cannot simply say, “Look, that in as well.” we’ve tried. We’ve gone ahead. We’ve tried to negotiate, but they are not listening. We are going to have to Some Members may not know—I do not think many override the European legislation.” I think it negligent people do—that a spat is going on between the Office not to do so. for National Statistics and Eurostat about the formulation of our figures in relation to the deficit. I am looking I received a letter from the Prime Minister only a few into it, but it is the sort of thing that really troubles me. days ago, reminding us that the European Council If we do not get the figures right, and if the Eurostat “agreed on the need for robust actions to support growth”. figures are imposed in a way that makes it difficult for us to accord with the parameters of the rules, that will He went on to refer to reducing be another matter that should concern us. “the overall burden of regulation including exemptions for micro- There are many other issues that I could raise, but let enterprises from future regulations”. me end by dealing with the question of looking to the In my right hon. Friend’s absence, I have to say—he will future. The plain fact is that Germany has now taken know that I would say it anyway—that “future”regulations pole position in the European Union. The European are not the issue. The real question is about existing Central Bank—which has not been mentioned tonight, regulations. I do not need to go through them all and to an extent I understand why—has been more or again—I have written pamphlets about them, as have less working in a German environment, if I may put it many others—and we know that there is a vast array of in those general terms, and has become the owner of completely negative regulations that cause a vast amount vast quantities of bad assets. Another problem is being of difficulty for small and medium-sized businesses. We stoked up there. As was pointed out in a very interesting are not going to achieve the private enterprise that will article in The Economist a few weeks ago, all that is part 307 Section 5 of the European 27 APRIL 2011 Section 5 of the European 308 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 and parcel of Germany’s pole position at the heart of Mr Nuttall: I think there is always scope for margins Europe and also the heart of the problem itself. We of difference in predictions for five years ahead. I agree cannot afford to work on the basis of a system—to that on page 54 of the document in question a figure of which the Government have foolishly agreed—in which 0.8% is referred to in respect of the quarterly growth we would not be isolated, but would be engaged in the figures, but what was not mentioned is that the previous process of a two-tier Europe because we had agreed to a line refers to erratic factors, and the very use of the treaty that will have a serious adverse effect on us. We word “erratic” implies there is some deal of scope for must renegotiate these treaties and return to a European the figure not to be precisely bang on the nail. As we all Free Trade Association-type arrangement, so that we know, the figures that have been released today are have independence and, with it, the ability to deliver an provisional, and it would be very surprising indeed if economy that the British people deserve. they are not revised one way or the other. [Interruption.] They may well go up, but it would be very surprising Several hon. Members rose— indeed if they were not to be revised. Let me move on to my concern about this motion. I Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. Three have said that I am entirely supportive of the Government’s Members are standing; I remind them that the debate economic policy, but I am not at all supportive of the must end at 8.43 pm. I call Mr Nuttall. idea of our supplying 201 pages of information, which I am grateful the Minister confirmed is all in the public domain, to Europe. Why cannot we send the Europeans 8.22 pm one simple e-mail with a link to the Treasury website, Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): I will bear that where we say the following: “Here you are chaps; if in mind, Mr Deputy Speaker. you’re interested in what we’re doing, look at our website as it’s all on there, and you’ll be able to read what you It is always a great pleasure to follow my hon. Friend want. We are a sovereign nation, and we are not going the Member for Stone (Mr Cash), who speaks with such to produce 201 pages of bumf for you to no doubt knowledge and who gives the House the benefit of his translate into dozens of other languages. If you want to long experience of these matters. Let me say at the see what we’re doing, look at our website or read outset that I am 100% supportive of the economic Hansard, as it’s all in there. We’ve got nothing to hide”? policies that the Treasury and its Ministers have pursued Frankly, I have to ask what on earth they do with these since the general election. It cannot be the case that the documents when they get them, as they obviously have way out of the financial mess created by the last not been keeping an eye on Greece, Ireland or Portugal, Government, who were borrowing, borrowing, borrowing, because look at the mess they are in! They obviously get is to borrow even more, and to continue to borrow at these documents, file them under “Too difficult”, and those levels. let those countries get on their merry way. That is not good enough, and that is why I do not Alec Shelbrooke: Will my hon. Friend give way? support this motion. I do not think we should be sending any documents to the Europeans. We should be Mr Nuttall: Briefly. saying, “If you want to see what we’re doing, look at our documents, which are all in the public domain, and Alec Shelbrooke: I am grateful to my hon. Friend, where it is all confirmed.” I am fully supportive of our and I will be brief. Is his view not confirmed by what the economic policies. Let us stick at it, and let us say no to hon. Member for Nottingham East (Chris Leslie) said Europe. about inflation creeping into the system, and by the suggestion of the hon. Member for Luton North (Kelvin 8.27 pm Hopkins) that the way out of the problem was to print Steve Baker (Wycombe) (Con): I shall try to confine more money? my remarks to three points on the report. First, the report rightly talks about imbalances in the economy. Mr Nuttall: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. As The hon. Member for Nottingham East (Chris Leslie) everyone knows, printing money invariably leads to talked about serious systemic problems in the economy, inflation. I am sure that that would be the case if we and I agree that there are such serious systemic problems, continued to print money today. albeit not, perhaps, those that the hon. Gentleman I want to address the issue of our dealings with thinks there are. Europe, but first let us consider our net borrowing On the first page of section 2, the report talks about figures. According to forecasts from the House of Commons debt and unsustainable levels of private sector debt. It is Library produced just a few days ago—on 21 April—even estimated that the UK has become the most indebted if we take into account all the measures that the Treasury country in the world, and one sentence stands out: are taking, we will borrow £122 billion in the current “the spending plans set out in the 2007 Comprehensive Spending financial year and £101 billion next year. We are not Review were based on unsustainable revenue streams from the paying back our debts; we are simply reducing the scale property boom and the financial sector.” of the debt. The report also talks about geographical and sectoral imbalances. Given the limited time available, I will be Kelvin Hopkins: I could raise a number of issues, but very brief, but let me say that I feel that far too little one in particular is that the Treasury is now predicting effort has been made to explain some of these imbalances that the deficit at the end of this Parliament will be through monetary factors. Printing money has been £11 billion higher than it thought a few months ago, mentioned. The problem with printing money is that it simply because it expects the economy to grow less. creates patterns of economic activity that can last only 309 Section 5 of the European 27 APRIL 2011 Section 5 of the European 310 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 [Steve Baker] supporting the Government’s financial outlook position and policy. The reason for that is that the situation will as long as that supply of new money. When the new be increasingly difficult. The economy was left to us in a money comes to an end—[Interruption.] From a sedentary terrible mess, in terms of not only the public finances, position, the hon. Member for Luton North (Kelvin but private sector debt. The idea that this will easily be Hopkins) talks about the multiplier effect, and, again, recovered by getting people to borrow again or banks to he has appealed to Keynes. I have to say to him that one lend again is simply wrong. thing I have learned over the past few years in setting up The hon. Member for Luton North (Kelvin Hopkins), a think-tank and talking to economists is that it is really who is an hon. Friend on European matters but an hon. no good at all appealing to the authority of economists. Gentleman on other matters, talked about getting more There are always several schools of thought, and one of people to spend and taking money off the rich so that it the things they are no good at is making accurate can be spent by poorer people, who have a greater predictions—or, indeed, agreeing with one another. I propensity to spend. That might be fine when the banks am therefore afraid that that leads us to thinking for have money to lend, but we need to get the loans-to-deposit ourselves. ratio for the banks as a whole in the United Kingdom One of the most important factors to do with money below 100%, so that the banks have the liquidity to is something long known, called the Cantillon effect: lend. Until we are able to do that, the idea that we can the fact that when money is created, it always arrives in have debt-fuelled re-growth is simply mistaken. one place in the economy first. So when banks are On Government debt, I wish to return to a point lending money into existence and into the housing made yesterday by the shadow Chief Secretary on Ricardian sector, of course house prices rise, the financial sector is equivalence. She does not believe in Ricardian equivalence better off and the economy reorients itself to the south-east, and I do not think that many people do in exactly the where the banking sector is based. Although the report terms that Ricardo spelt it out. None the less, his diagnoses the problem very satisfactorily, I am disappointed underlying point was completely sound: the debt of that the monetary policy framework consists of one Governments will ultimately have to be paid back through short paragraph. We have learned tonight that there is tax income raised. Intelligent electors realise that and an appetite in this House for a serious debate about know that if the economy is growing on the basis of monetary policy, and the monetary framework and how Government debt, that will eventually be a charge to it has an impact on the real economy. them. It might not affect their behaviour over one or Secondly, and further to my point about new money two months, but over one, two or five years it certainly creating unsustainable patterns of economic activity, does. Economies that run indefinitely on debt find that sustainable investment requires prior production and their growth levels are neutered, and anybody who real saving. That involves individuals, families and businesses doubts that should look at the Japanese economy. consuming less than they produce to make real savings If we look at what has been going on in Japan since and invest them. Easy money will not create sustainable 1990, we see that the Japanese have increased their development and sustainable growth. public sector debt from next to nothing to 200% of their I wish to allow other hon. Members to speak, so I GDP and that in that period they have had absolutely shall make one final point. I must ask to what end we no growth—their economy has been stagnant. Their tax are making this report. The lexicon has suddenly developed revenues were lower in 2010 than in 1985, because the the term “convergence programme” and I am not sure level of growth in the Japanese economy has been so where it came from. We have talked about Maastricht, low. but the term has certainly only just emerged into the public debate today. Why are we converging? With Alec Shelbrooke: Would my hon. Friend like to bring whom? To what end? I would be grateful for an answer. things up to date and comment on the US economy and the fact that the Americans decided to pour a lot of 8.31 pm money in, found that that did not work and are now considering very strong austerity measures? Jacob Rees-Mogg (North East Somerset) (Con): I do not know how long I have before we move on to the Jacob Rees-Mogg: It is relevant to look at the United wind-ups, if indeed we are having them. States economy and at the gold price, which is up at $15,000 and not because more people are getting married Mr Hoban indicated dissent. and want wedding rings—although I congratulate my hon. Friend on his forthcoming nuptials and I am sure Jacob Rees-Mogg: We are not having them, so I have he is buying a large piece of gold for his future wife. The 11 minutes—this is very exciting. Thank you, Mr Deputy gold price has been so strong because the financial Speaker for calling me last—it does sometimes happen markets have lost confidence in the US dollar and that the first will come last and the last first. because the American political forces—the President and Congress—have not been willing to tackle the Chris Heaton-Harris: Like under AV. deficit in the way that Her Majesty’s Government have done. The gold price in sterling terms has not risen by Jacob Rees-Mogg: That is a good point. anything like so much, because people have confidence I had not intended to speak until we heard so eloquently in what the Government are doing. from the shadow Minister about the virtues of reckless Normally, I take the view that there are two people in spending—it is tremendously important to stop that this world who should be obeyed. One is the Holy view of the world. We have to get back to some of the Father and the other is my hon. Friend the Member for debate we had yesterday, which is why it is worth Stone (Mr Cash). When my hon. Friend speaks on 311 Section 5 of the European 27 APRIL 2011 312 Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 European matters, he does so with a degree of infallibility than later. That is the way to minimise pain—not thinking that belongs to only one other living person, although I that there is a never-never land with no pain after we hasten to add that the remit of the Holy Father does not have lived on debt and incompetent Government policies cover European matters. My views diverge slightly from for the past 13 years. those of my hon. Friend on one point: I think we should be proud of the document that Her Majesty’s Alec Shelbrooke: We hear about fairness from the Government are sending because of what the Government Opposition, but which does my hon. Friend feel is more have got right. The situation they faced a year ago was unfair: bringing in higher taxes to get us out of this desperately serious, needed urgent attention and had to problem or letting the economy run away and allowing be brought under control by their taking measures that interest rates to rocket, thereby leaving thousands of are not necessarily popular. people’s homes to be repossessed? It is important to emphasise that point because all Governments, when they take tough decisions, face Jacob Rees-Mogg: My hon. Friend is absolutely spot gentlemen such as the shadow Minister, the hon. Member on. This is one of the great virtues of the Government’s for Nottingham East (Chris Leslie). Over the next year policy, which is being welcomed by the gilt market. or two, as people see the cuts coming through, it will be It is also worth noting what the late John Maynard very tempting to listen to such voices and to think that Keynes said on such matters. Everyone in opposition perhaps there is an easier way and a land flowing with quotes him and says that we should follow his policies milk and honey that we have not yet found where we but one of his policies, to quote the Chancellor, was can borrow more money, where the financial markets that Governments should mend the roof while the sun will turn a blind eye, where we can spend money we do shines and should build up reserves in the good times. not have and not worry about our children and our My godfather interviewed John Maynard Keynes late in grandchildren and where the banks will suddenly life and asked him, “What happens if Governments do miraculously lend to bankrupt people to keep inefficient not do this? What happens if they spend money in the systems going. That is when those on the Treasury good times?” to which Keynes replied, “If they do that I Bench must stiffen their sinews and summon the blood shall make a speech in the House of Lords and that will and not give way to those voices. At the moment, that is put them off.” Sadly, he was not here between 1997 and still relatively easy, because there has not been much 2010 to make a speech in the other House to tell the coming through in the way of cuts. We have not seen the other side of the policy failures when the economy was pain that will come from those difficult decisions. Now, booming, so there was no money when the economy however, we are sending our plan abroad. We are telling went wrong. people not just in this country but in foreign countries Time is short and I have a point to make about the of what we are doing and we should be proud of it presentation of the document to Europe. I hope that we because it is right. If we do what is right, the economy have a Division because it will be delayed until after the will begin to recover. deadline for sending in the papers. I hope that Her We on the Back Benches, in particular, must support Majesty’s Government will show their independent- those on the Front Benches when they do such things mindedness and ensure that the House’s approval comes and when the critics from the other side appear to be before the requirements of a foreign international body. doing well in the opinion polls. That is the point of It would be a great discourtesy to the House if the maximum difficulty. Let us think of the great lady in document were presented to the European Commission 1981, when 360-odd economists wrote to The Times—a before the deferred Division that we are likely to have great newspaper with very fine editors—to suggest that on Wednesday. the economic policy was wrong. That was two years in Question put. and it was the hardest point and that Government stuck The Deputy Speaker’s opinion as to the decision of the to their guns, which led to the recovery we then had. Question being challenged, the Division was deferred until Wednesday 5 May (Standing Order No. 41A). Mr Davidson: The hon. Gentleman has spoken movingly about the need for cuts and indeed for pain—pain that I suspect will not be felt by him. Pain will be felt by poor Business without Debate people whereas bankers, who are rich people, will feel no pain whatsoever. It is the unfairness of what the Government are doing that is causing so much opposition DELEGATED LEGISLATION and bad feeling in the country and that is why the Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Liberals will suffer so badly in the AV referendum and Order No. 118(6)), the election.

CIVIL CONTINGENCIES Jacob Rees-Mogg: The fundamental flaw in the hon. Gentleman’s argument is to think that there is a painless That the draft Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (Amendment of List of Responders) Order 2011, which was laid before this House way out of a major crisis. It is simply a question of on 28 February, be approved.—(Mr Vara.) whether we deal with it now and ensure that the problem is resolved and that the economy can grow again or Question agreed to. whether we delay it and have a much worse crisis later. The pain I was talking about was political pain for the Government as people notice the cuts. Our approach EUROPEAN UNION DOCUMENTS will reduce the pain for individuals because it will Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing ensure that the economy is rebalanced sooner rather Order No. 119(11)), 313 Business without Debate 27 APRIL 2011 314

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN Press Self-regulation That this House takes note of the proposed draft Directive on Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, repealing Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA; do now adjourn.—(Mr Vara.) supports the Government in welcoming the objectives of the draft Directive in raising the standards of protection from sexual 8.43 pm exploitation for children across Europe; and supports the Government’s view that national law or practice in England and Mr Michael McCann (East Kilbride, Strathaven and Wales fulfils the obligations in the draft Directive.—(Mr Vara.) Lesmahagow) (Lab): I thank those hon. Members who Question agreed to. have remained behind for this Adjournment debate, which is rather later than expected. There has been some speculation on the internet today that the debate DELEGATED LEGISLATION (COMMITTEES) would be about super-injunctions, so I must apologise Ordered, to hon. Members who have turned up to be titillated by That the draft Employment and Support Allowance (Limited stories of the exotic adventures of premier league football Capability for Work and Limited Capability for Work-Related players as they will be sorely disappointed. It is not Activity) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I., 2011, No. 228) be about that; it is about the self-regulation of the press—hon. referred to a Delegated Legislation Committee.—(Mr Vara.) Members are leaving immediately!—and particularly about the Press Complaints Commission and the editors PETITION code of practice. Mahatma Ghandi said: Pleck Library (Walsall) “I believe in equality for everyone, except reporters and photographers.” 8.43 pm On that point, I disagree with the great man. If anyone Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): The petition is is attending this Adjournment debate expecting an all-out from the users of Pleck library, Walsall. The petitioners assault on the printed media in the Chamber tonight, wish to prevent the closure of Pleck library and therefore they should leave now. That is not my intention. request that the House of Commons urges the Government The printed news media, which from now on I shall to take all possible steps to protect Pleck library for the refer to simply as the press, have the right to publish future. There are 1,108 signatories to the petition in anything they want, so long as they do so fairly and similar terms. accurately. The press is free to be partisan, although it The petition states: must distinguish clearly between comment, conjecture and fact. I will fight to ensure that it continues to enjoy The Petition of users of Pleck Library, Walsall, those freedoms. I value the freedom of the press, the Declares that the Petitioners wish to prevent the closure of right of journalists to criticise or praise and the right of Pleck Library. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take all possible steps to photographers to do their job, because the freedom of protect Pleck Library for the future. the press is a cornerstone of our democracy. And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. There has always been tension between those who [P000916] argue for press freedom and those concerned with a range of other issues, including the invasion of privacy, the restriction that complaints can be made only ex post facto, and the practice of newspapers paying for stories. The case for the defence of the press is more often than not that a story is in the public interest, but who decides what is in the public interest and how do they arrive at that decision? The stand-off between self-regulation and statutory controls has been around for decades. A 1947 royal commission recommended in 1949 that a General Council of the Press should be created as a governing body to regulate behaviour, but it was not until the threat of statutory regulation was mooted again in 1953 that the General Council was set up. The friction continued and by the time of a second royal commission in 1962 the General Council had been the subject of considerable criticism. The General Council became the Press Council. This organisation stumbled on ineffectively until the Calcutt report in 1990, which recommended the formation of the Press Complaints Commission. The PCC was originally given 18 months to prove that self-regulation could work, with the threat that if it failed to do so, a statutory system would be introduced. It passed that first test and has continued to evolve. The code has changed 30 times since its formation, the last revision taking place in January 2011 on the question of the prominence of corrections, an issue that 315 Press Self-regulation27 APRIL 2011 Press Self-regulation 316

I will touch on shortly. It is right for the press to work Despite the huge loss of life, that most despicable of within a voluntary code, but evidence is emerging of men, Kelvin MacKenzie, used the front page of The problems that need to be addressed. Sun newspaper to peddle lies about Liverpool supporters The most disconcerting issue is that these challenges under the banner headline “The Truth”. When the are not new. They have been around for some years but scurrilous claims that it made were proven to be— no solutions have been found, despite genuine attempts to look for them. These problems have been parked, but Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. This is I believe the industry must get into gear, move on and an intervention, not a speech. Please, could the hon. find solutions, for it would be a major advantage to the Gentleman make it briefly? industry if, as well as being seen as a champion of self-regulation, it were seen in the vanguard of promoting Steve Rotheram: When the scurrilous claims that the and introducing change. That, more than anything, would newspaper made were proven to be entirely fallacious consign to the dustbin of history the period I spoke of and without foundation, Kelvin MacKenzie refused to earlier, when the stick had to be used more often than print a banner headline of a similar size and font, with the carrot. If we can achieve that, those who feel compelled the same page prominence that my hon. Friend talks to complain to the PCC will have more confidence in about, stating quite simply that they had lied, something the system. for which he and his former newspaper will never be Right now there is a serious lack of confidence in the forgiven in Liverpool. Does my hon. Friend therefore system. My views are based on my personal experience agree that if editors were forced to give equal prominence of dealing with the PCC editors code of practice which, to retractions, they would be think carefully before sadly, I have had to do in my short spell as fabricating stories and besmirching the reputations of a Member of Parliament. It will come as no surprise individuals or of great cities such as Liverpool? to Members in the Chamber this evening that my first dalliances with the PCC were in relation to the first Mr McCann: I agree. My trials and tribulations with batch of expenses published by the Independent the press pale into insignificance when compared with the Parliamentary Standards Authority. grievous claims that that publication made against the The code states: people of Liverpool. I agree wholeheartedly, and I am going to deal in some detail with the issue of prominence, “The Press, whilst free to be partisan, must distinguish clearly between comment, conjecture and fact.” because it has to be covered. Paragraph 1(i) states that the press must also The issue of prominence has to be addressed by the PCC. It is currently parked, but it needs to be moved “take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted on, otherwise—and I do not say this lightly—it might information”. have to be clamped by some sort of statutory mechanism. One of my local newspapers printed a story stating that If newspapers get it wrong, ex post facto a complaint is I had claimed expenses for hotels in London, while at made and that complaint is upheld, the correction must the same time claiming rent for a London property. The be given equal prominence to the original story. The story was trailed on page 1 and appeared prominently very least that an individual or organisation can expect, on page 9. If it had been true, it would have been a if their integrity or actions have been inaccurately called sensational story and helpful to the paper’s dwindling into question, is that the apology should be of the same circulation, but it was a complete and utter falsehood size, weight and prominence as the article that besmirched that had been fabricated in an attempt to mislead them. That is exactly the point that my hon. Friend readers and to destroy my reputation. makes. For those who argue that the same end result The newspaper then refused to publish the truth or to can be achieved by negotiation, let negotiation be the apologise, and I was forced to complain to the Press driving force of the settlement but let the persuader of Complaints Commission. The PCC carried out a full, “equal prominence” be available. thorough and professional investigation and found that the code had been breached, but the adjudication that Mr John Whittingdale (Maldon) (Con): When the was eventually printed was placed at the bottom of Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport, which I page 9, much less prominently than the original article, have the honour to chair, examined press standards, we and there was no trail on the front page. It was said to certainly looked at the issue of due prominence. I share have been given due prominence by the PCC; I contend the hon. Gentleman’s view that, when an adverse ruling that it was given less prominence. is reached by the PCC, it is vital that it appear with the The PCC further took the view that, as the misleading same due prominence as the original article. The PCC words had appeared on page 9 and not on the front in response suggested to us that the failure to do so page, the page 9 adjudication, less prominently placed, would in itself constitute a potential breach of the code. was sufficient. If the hon. Gentleman felt that the adjudication did not receive the proper prominence that it should have, I Steve Rotheram (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab): My hon. should be interested to know whether he went back to Friend makes a powerful argument in favour of press the PCC and made a further complaint against the freedoms as the cornerstone of our democracy, but I newspaper. am sure he will agree that with press freedom there should equally be press responsibility. I cite the example Mr McCann: The hon. Gentleman will not believe of the worst sporting disaster in British history, when this, but the newspaper tried to editorialise the adjudication. 96 football supporters were killed at Hillsborough on It was forced to reprint it the following week because I 15 April 1989. In the immediate aftermath of that immediately complained to the PCC that the words of human tragedy, press reporting hit an all-time low. its adjudication had been changed. 317 Press Self-regulation27 APRIL 2011 Press Self-regulation 318

[Mr McCann] meets periodically to take account of public and— crucially—parliamentary comment, as well as reports On the hon. Gentleman’s other points, I should say from the PCC itself. The purpose of the committee is to that, yes, I did contact the PCC and spoke to Stephen allow the code to develop and respond quickly to changing Abell, the chief executive. I made the very point to him. practices and technology in the industry and to the He said that because the misleading words were not on concerns of readers. page 1, the adjudication could not be on page 1. I said, The two issues that I have raised are not new; they “Hold on a second. The page 1 trail took people to the have been around for some time, yet no solutions have misleading article. Why could there not have been a been brought forward. page 1 trail taking people to the PCC adjudication?” Surely that would be a fair and reasonable way to deal Nadine Dorries (Mid Bedfordshire) (Con): I congratulate with my complaint and the subsequent adjudication. the hon. Gentleman on this Adjournment debate. The Another feature that needs to be addressed is the greater public perhaps regard MPs talking about their letters pages of newspapers. I discovered that letters pages experiences with the media as self-indulgent. I am one are also covered by the editors code of practice, so the of the Members who can speak with authority as one same rules that cover articles in newspapers also cover letters; who has been maligned time after time by page after those letters, like everything else in the paper, are the page of pure lies, but I have never gone to the PCC, editor’s responsibility. He or she is the sole arbiter. which I regard as a toothless tiger. In the normal chronology of events, newspapers I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on this debate. print stories and, post-publication, they receive comments The issue is not about MPs because we rarely feature in from readers. When I was the subject of the misleading the local press, which is full from front to back cover article that I referred to earlier, the same edition of the with stories about individuals in our constituencies. newspaper contained a letter attacking me in the same They do not know how to go to the PCC or how to way as the so-called news story. In my opinion, that was complain. They try to complain but do not have their an unlikely coincidence. complaints answered in any way.Does the hon. Gentleman To add insult to insult, the author was protected agree that what he is proposing tonight would benefit under the guise of anonymity; all I know about my those people far more than it would us? We are, after so-called critic is “name and address withheld”. Mr Deputy all, here to represent our constituents, who suffer far Speaker, I am a trusting fellow as you very well know. I more than we Members do. We can decide not to bother have tried hard over the years to find the best in people because we know that the PCC is a toothless tiger. Our wherever I go, but my sixth sense told me that that was a constituents, however, may have expectations that will stitch-up. I made a complaint to the PCC about the be thwarted. veracity of the letter, only to be told that because the writer wanted to remain anonymous no investigation Mr McCann: Let me say to the hon. Lady, in the could take place. words of Bill Clinton, that I feel her pain, because she If the PCC thinks that its position on this matter is and I have been in the same place. The code is meant to justified in any way, it is seriously out of touch with protect everyone—not only people like us in public reality. If I do not know who wrote the letter, how do I positions, but our families. My daughter had problems know that it was not a political opponent seeking to at school because people were suggesting that her dad make mischief? How do I know that it was not a had acted inappropriately. That is wrong. My family is journalist pretending to be a member of the public? not in public life; I am, and I have broad shoulders and How do I know that the letter was genuine? thick skin. We have to put in place a code that ensures that everyone is protected. What is wrong with people standing Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): My hon. Friend up when they make a mistake and saying, “I’ve got it has raised an incredibly interesting point about the wrong”, and the mistake being remedied in the same letters pages of newspapers. However, there are also way that the original story and besmirchment took place? anonymous contributions to newspapers’ online presence; people can anonymise the comments that they make These problems need to be resolved, and I hope that online. Very rarely do the newspapers have the resources this short debate can at least put the issues into the or time to look at those in detail and deal with issues public domain. The press have enormous power: they against an individual or organisation. Does my hon. have the power to make the innocent guilty and the Friend think that that aspect should come under a guilty innocent. With that great power, they have massive statutory code as well? responsibility, as my hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool, Walton (Steve Rotheram) said. For the PCC editors Mr McCann: Some might think that I am foolish to code of practice to be effective, it must be able properly hold this debate, because they might think that taking to scrutinise the press. Fairness must run through the on the press on any subject whatever is not a good idea. code like the lettering through a stick of rock. I found I think that it is better to take small steps rather than this quote from Franklin D. Roosevelt that I thought large ones. If we can deal with the first two issues of very appropriate: prominence and the letters pages, we can then move on “If in other lands the press and books and literature of all to deal with some of the content on the internet. kinds are censored, we must redouble our efforts here to keep For a code to work, it must operate in the them free.” unoccupied territory between the press and the consumer. If this debate makes a pinprick of a contribution to that The code must be able to interrogate complaints openly cause, it has served its purpose. I hope that the Minister and fairly, yet this element of the system does not allow will take on board the points that I have made and join that to happen. The PCC administers the code; the editors me in pressing the Press Complaints Commission to code of practice committee is its keeper. That committee deal with these two big issues. 319 Press Self-regulation27 APRIL 2011 Press Self-regulation 320

9.2 pm complainant sees as the right decision. We have to be realistic and understand that that would be the case The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, with any system, whether statutory or self-regulatory. Olympics, Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey): Iam grateful for the opportunity to respond to the hon. The PCC can and should constantly scrutinise how it Member for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow works. It should listen to what others have to say, (Mr McCann), whom I congratulate on securing this respond to them and act on the feedback. It will certainly Adjournment debate. I am also grateful to have heard have received significant feedback from tonight’s debate. the contributions made by other hon. Members in I know that it receives useful and constructive criticism expressing their concerns about press reporting. from other sources. As the hon. Gentleman said from the outset, this Mr McCann: I am grateful for the Minister’s explanation, debate is not an opportunity to attack the press or to a lot of which I was aware of. Will he answer one point? lose sight of the importance of a free press. It is worth I have had direct discussions with Stephen Abell and recalling that more than a third of the world’s people Scott Langham, and when I put these points to them, live in countries where there is no press freedom. It is they do not say that they will look at the problem and therefore important to emphasise that however the press try to resolve it, but argue for the status quo. It is surely may transgress, a free press is fundamental to our wrong that they absorb the information that they get, democracy. The independence of the press from state but do not do anything about it. We have to get to a intervention is also fundamental to our democracy, and position where they do. As I mentioned in my speech, that is why this Government and previous Governments these problems have been around for a long time. When have always fought shy of statutory regulation of the are we going to deal with them? press. However, the press are not immune from criticism, as we have heard from several hon. Members, and this Mr Vaizey: The hon. Gentleman makes an extremely makes the work of the Press Complaints Commission important point. I will come on to how the PCC deals as important today as it has ever been. It is worth with criticism and recommendations of how it should remembering that, as the hon. Gentleman said, the change its ways. PCC covers not only Fleet street but the 1,300 regional and local newspapers. As he informed the House, the As the hon. Gentleman said in his speech, the code PCC was set up in 1991 to replace the failing Press has been changed more than 30 times. I will give one Council, so this debate gives us an opportunity to example, which may draw another intervention. One celebrate its 20th anniversary. way in which the PCC is scrutinised in this House is by the excellent work of the Culture, Media and Sport The PCC was designed to deal with complaints from Committee. It is good that the Chair of that Committee members of the public based on the terms of an agreed is in the Chamber tonight. I gather that the PCC places code of practice. Since it was established, it has handled great weight on its recommendations and has adopted tens of thousands of complaints and, as the hon. Gentleman many of the recommendations from its last report, the said, the code has been amended more than 30 times. thrust of which was about making the organisation a The PCC has also sought to expand its remit to more more public-facing body. than just the handling of complaints: for example, it now runs a training programme for journalists and Before I come on to the hon. Gentleman’s specific journalism students. It advocates on behalf of individuals point, it is important to say that although the press pays to prevent intrusive stories appearing in the press—it is for the PCC, it should not be seen as a creature of the worth recalling that it can help individuals before a press. The Select Committee commented on that problem story is actually printed—and deals with the problem of with self-regulation in 2003. As a result, the PCC changed media scrums by communicating with the whole press the balance of the commission so that there is a two-thirds and broadcast industry as a story is breaking. It is right majority of lay people. The PCC has announced three that it has evolved as an organisation and that the appointments recently, who will take up their posts process of evolution continues. soon: Lord Grade, the former chairman of the BBC, Michael Smyth, the chairman of Public Concern at Public confidence in the PCC’s work is vital. To Work who retired recently from the law firm Clifford maintain that confidence, not only must it be effective Chance, and Jeremy Roberts, who is soon to retire as a and robust; it must be seen to be effective and robust. permanent judge at the central criminal court and the Court of Appeal. Nadine Dorries: Will the Minister say how many There is no room for complacency, and that starts times the PCC has been involved in a story before it has with the code itself. One benefit of a non-statutory been printed and how many media scrums it has assisted approach is the flexibility that such a code offers. The in dealing with? PCC would tell me its code committee is able to move quickly to incorporate issues of public concern, and Mr Vaizey: I am afraid that I do not have those that anyone is free to contact the committee to ask that figures to hand, but I will ensure that my hon. Friend is it includes coverage of any issue. informed of them tomorrow by e-mail or letter. The PCC holds an annual consultation so that the It is my experience that the PCC has a strong appreciation public can suggest changes, and Members of Parliament, of the need to be seen to be effective and robust. It including the hon. Gentleman, are free to raise concerns spreads the word on what it does and what it can do. It about the coverage of the code. I am told by the PCC seeks to be transparent in how it works and is extremely committee that all proposals are fully considered and helpful in providing advice. It is always willing to discuss answered, but he has said that he has advocated a decisions and the reasons behind them. Of course, that change and been met in response with an argument does not mean that it will always reach what the against that change and for the status quo. I was obviously 321 Press Self-regulation27 APRIL 2011 Press Self-regulation 322

[Mr Vaizey] Mr Whittingdale: Does my hon. Friend recognise that the revelations that have streamed out over the past not privy to that conversation, but I suggest to him that six months have probably led to a greater loss of confidence he make a formal proposal to the PCC for a change to in the self-regulation of the press than there has been at the code as part of the annual consultation, to get on any previous time? I strongly support self-regulation, the record from the PCC why it feels that a change from but if the public are to regain confidence in that self- due prominence to equal prominence would not be the regulation, the PCC will have to be seen to have stronger right way forward and that the code deals adequately powers. My Committee strongly recommended that it with the provenance of readers’ letters. was not sufficient for the PCC simply to require a newspaper to publish an adjudication. In cases of serious Mr McCann: May I ask a direct question, then? Will breaches of the code, there should be some sanction the Government support the plea for those changes? available to the PCC to demonstrate that the breach was unacceptable and to ensure that newspapers take seriously the requirement to abide by the code. Mr Vaizey: I think it is very important that the Government do not take a view. That sounds mealy- Mr Vaizey: I have run out of time, but I would say in mouthed, but I have been keen to stress that the system conclusion that the PCC and the press will have heard is self-regulatory, and no Government—not this hon. Members’ remarks in the debate. The Chairman of Government, and not the previous Government—want the Culture, Media and Sport Committee will be aware statutory regulation of the press. It would be the thin that the PCC is conducting its own review following the end of the wedge if Ministers recommended specific phone hacking allegations. As well as being a criminal changes to the code. offence, phone hacking is of course a breach of the code. The PCC is reviewing the matter to see whether it Mr McCann rose— can make its recommendations stronger, but it will have heard the important— Mr Vaizey: May I finish this point before the hon. 9.13 pm Gentleman intervenes again? House adjourned without Question put (Standing Order It is open to hon. Members to raise the issue in the No. 9(7)). House, and of course it is open to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee to examine the PCC and make recommendations. In a self-regulatory system, individuals should be able to put their case, whether they are Members of Parliament or, as my hon. Friend the CORRECTION Member for Mid Bedfordshire (Nadine Dorries) pointed Official Report, 26 April 2011: in Division 257, out, members of the public. column 144, in the Noes insert: “Shannon, Jim” 323 27 APRIL 2011 Deferred Division 324

Deferred Division Harper, Mr Mark Moore, rh Michael Harrington, Richard Mordaunt, Penny Harris, Rebecca Morgan, Nicky SHORT SELLING AND CERTAIN ASPECTS OF CREDIT Hart, Simon Morris, Anne Marie DEFAULT SWAPS Harvey, Nick Morris, David That this House takes note of European Union Document Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Morris, James No. 13840/10 and Addenda 1 and 2, relating to the draft Regulation Hayes, Mr John Mosley, Stephen on Short Selling and certain aspects of Credit Default Swaps, and Heald, Mr Oliver Mowat, David No. 7379/11, relating to the corresponding Opinion of the European Heath, Mr David Mulholland, Greg Central Bank; and supports the Government’s position that proposals Hemming, John Munt, Tessa should not impact market efficiency and liquidity, in particular in Henderson, Gordon Murray, Sheryll relation to sovereign debt. Hendry, Charles Neill, Robert The House divided: Ayes 287, Noes 20. Herbert, rh Nick Newmark, Mr Brooks Division No. 258] Hermon, Lady Newton, Sarah Hinds, Damian Nokes, Caroline AYES Hoban, Mr Mark Norman, Jesse Hollingbery, George O’Brien, Mr Stephen Adams, Nigel Colvile, Oliver Hopkins, Kris Offord, Mr Matthew Aldous, Peter Crabb, Stephen Horwood, Martin Ollerenshaw, Eric Alexander, rh Danny Crouch, Tracey Howell, John Osborne, rh Mr George Amess, Mr David Davey, Mr Edward Hughes, rh Simon Ottaway, Richard Andrew, Stuart Davies, Philip Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy Paice, rh Mr James Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Davis, rh Mr David Hunter, Mark Parish, Neil Bacon, Mr Richard de Bois, Nick Huppert, Dr Julian Patel, Priti Bagshawe, Ms Louise Dinenage, Caroline Hurd, Mr Nick Paterson, rh Mr Owen Baker, Norman Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Jackson, Mr Stewart Pawsey, Mark Baldry, Tony Doyle-Price, Jackie Javid, Sajid Penning, Mike Baldwin, Harriett Drax, Richard Johnson, Gareth Penrose, John Barclay, Stephen Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Johnson, Joseph Phillips, Stephen Baron, Mr John Dunne, Mr Philip Jones, Andrew Pickles, rh Mr Eric Barwell, Gavin Ellis, Michael Jones, Mr David Pincher, Christopher Bebb, Guto Ellison, Jane Jones, Mr Marcus Poulter, Dr Daniel Beith, rh Sir Alan Elphicke, Charlie Kawczynski, Daniel Prisk, Mr Mark Benyon, Richard Eustice, George Kelly, Chris Pugh, John Beresford, Sir Paul Evans, Graham Kirby, Simon Raab, Mr Dominic Berry, Jake Evans, Jonathan Kwarteng, Kwasi Randall, rh Mr John Bingham, Andrew Evennett, Mr David Laing, Mrs Eleanor Rees-Mogg, Jacob Binley, Mr Brian Fabricant, Michael Lancaster, Mark Reevell, Simon Blackman, Bob Fallon, Michael Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Blackwood, Nicola Farron, Tim Latham, Pauline Robathan, rh Mr Andrew Blunt, Mr Crispin Featherstone, Lynne Laws, rh Mr David Robertson, Hugh Boles, Nick Field, rh Mr Frank Lee, Jessica Robertson, Mr Laurence Bottomley, Sir Peter Field, Mr Mark Lee, Dr Phillip Rogerson, Dan Bradley, Karen Flynn, Paul Leech, Mr John Rosindell, Andrew Brady, Mr Graham Foster, rh Mr Don Lefroy, Jeremy Rudd, Amber Brake, Tom Fox,rhDrLiam Leslie, Charlotte Ruffley, Mr David Bray, Angie Francois, rh Mr Mark Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Russell, Bob Brazier, Mr Julian Freer, Mike Lewis, Brandon Sanders, Mr Adrian Bridgen, Andrew Gale, Mr Roger Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Sandys, Laura Brine, Mr Steve Garnier, Mr Edward Lidington, rh Mr David Scott, Mr Lee Brokenshire, James Garnier, Mark Lilley, rh Mr Peter Selous, Andrew Brooke, Annette Gauke, Mr David Lloyd, Stephen Bruce, Fiona Gibb, Mr Nick Lopresti, Jack Shapps, rh Grant Buckland, Mr Robert Gilbert, Stephen Loughton, Tim Sharma, Alok Burley, Mr Aidan Gillan, rh Mrs Cheryl Lumley, Karen Sheerman, Mr Barry Burns, Conor Glen, John Macleod, Mary Shelbrooke, Alec Burns, rh Mr Simon Goldsmith, Zac MacShane, rh Mr Denis Simpson, Mr Keith Burrowes, Mr David Goodwill, Mr Robert Main, Mrs Anne Smith, Miss Chloe Burstow, Paul Gove, rh Michael Maude, rh Mr Francis Smith, Henry Burt, Lorely Graham, Richard May, rh Mrs Theresa Smith, Julian Byles, Dan Grant, Mrs Helen Maynard, Paul Smith, Sir Robert Cable, rh Vince Grayling, rh Chris McCartney, Karl Soames, Nicholas Cameron, rh Mr David Green, Damian McIntosh, Miss Anne Soubry, Anna Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Griffiths, Andrew McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Gummer, Ben McPartland, Stephen Spencer, Mr Mark Carmichael, Neil Gyimah, Mr Sam McVey, Esther Stevenson, John Chishti, Rehman Hague, rh Mr William Menzies, Mark Stewart, Bob Clappison, Mr James Halfon, Robert Mercer, Patrick Stewart, Iain Clegg, rh Mr Nick Hames, Duncan Metcalfe, Stephen Stewart, Rory Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Hammond, rh Mr Philip Miller, Maria Streeter, Mr Gary Coffey, Dr Thérèse Hammond, Stephen Mills, Nigel Stride, Mel Collins, Damian Hands, Greg Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Stunell, Andrew 325 Deferred Division27 APRIL 2011 Deferred Division 326

Sturdy, Julian Ward, Mr David Young, rh Sir George Zahawi, Nadhim Swayne, Mr Desmond Weatherley, Mike Swinson, Jo Webb, Steve NOES Swire, rh Mr Hugo Wharton, James Syms, Mr Robert Wheeler, Heather Baker, Steve Llwyd, rh Mr Elfyn Tapsell, Sir Peter White, Chris Bone, Mr Peter Lucas, Caroline Timpson, Mr Edward Whittingdale, Mr John Carswell, Mr Douglas Nuttall, Mr David Tomlinson, Justin Wiggin, Bill Corbyn, Jeremy Paisley, Ian Tredinnick, David Williams, Mr Mark Davidson, Mr Ian Shannon, Jim Dodds, rh Mr Nigel Tyrie, Mr Andrew Williams, Stephen Skinner, Mr Dennis Uppal, Paul Williamson, Gavin Donaldson, rh Mr Jeffrey M. Weir, Mr Mike Vaizey, Mr Edward Willott, Jenny Edwards, Jonathan Whiteford, Dr Eilidh Vara, Mr Shailesh Wilson, Mr Rob Hollobone, Mr Philip Vickers, Martin Wollaston, Dr Sarah Hopkins, Kelvin Wilson, Sammy Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa Wright, Jeremy Walker, Mr Charles Wright, Simon Question accordingly agreed to. 71WH 27 APRIL 2011 Zimbabwe 72WH

being diverted from what is happening in southern Westminster Hall Africa, and there is a risk that that will continue. Mugabe and his strategists in ZANU-PF have for decades Wednesday 27 April 2011 relied on a combination of regional intransigence and international indifference to neutralise anyone who opposes their monopoly on power. I am glad that the UK [JOHN ROBERTSON in the Chair] Government have not allowed Zimbabwe to fall off their agenda, and I pay tribute to the tremendously Zimbabwe hard work and commitment shown by the Minister with responsibility for Africa, the Under-Secretary of Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the hon. be now adjourned. (Angela Watkinson.) Member for North West Norfolk (Mr Bellingham), who, unfortunately, cannot be here today, but we are 9.30 am delighted to have the Minister for Europe, the right hon. Kate Hoey (Vauxhall) (Lab): It is a pleasure to have Member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington), here to respond this debate under your chairmanship, Mr Robertson, to the debate. The Under-Secretary has followed in the and I am grateful to the Speaker for granting this footsteps of his predecessors in recent years. opportunity to discuss the political situation in Zimbabwe. We are also being well served by our ambassador to The Minister will know that for many years I have been Zimbabwe, Mark Canning. He and his team could not visiting Zimbabwe, and have done so during the current have done more to make our visit useful and productive. serious political crisis. I was there during the dark days The Minister will understand that because we have had of Operation Drive Out Rubbish, when hundreds of conversations about Europe, and he knows how pleased thousands of homes and small businesses were demolished, I was to see our flag being proudly flown not just at the and many people, particularly trade union activists, embassy well above the European Union flag, but from were singled out for beating and arrest. the ambassador’s car as it drove through Harare. That I visited Zimbabwe again last month, and I was was an important symbol of the United Kingdom’s pleased to be accompanied by two other members of continuing engagement in trying to help that country. the all-party group, of which I am pleased to be the I also pay tribute to Dave Fish, head of the Department chairman. We were there particularly to see what was for International Development in Zimbabwe. He has happening with the parliamentary situation. The hon. won huge admiration in the country for his understanding Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport (Oliver of the context in which our UK aid programme is Colvile), who will contribute to the debate, was returning delivered. It is not an easy job, and we saw at first hand to Zimbabwe for the first time since 1979. His background his outstanding commitment to getting it right. as a trained election agent was valuable when we looked We witnessed a real unity of purpose binding together at political processes in Zimbabwe. the courageous men and women who are at the forefront Lord Joffe was the other member of the delegation, of the struggle to bring reform and progress to Zimbabwe, and has an eminent record in southern Africa. He was whether they are active in politics or in civil society. the defence lawyer for Nelson Mandela when he faced Above all, it is a tribute to the people of Zimbabwe and the death penalty at the Rivonia trial, and defended those who have led the struggle for democracy that the many other leaders in the struggle against apartheid. He process of transition is still on track, and that the long also defended a very young Jacob Zuma, so he is no march of reform is continuing. It is important to remember stranger to political oppression. He was chairman of that despite appalling provocation, the Movement for Oxfam at one time, so he has seen development and aid Democratic Change has remained a peaceful political close up in many parts of the world. The delegation was party, and has not reacted in the way that Mugabe very strong. presumably wanted it to react in the face of the tremendous We came away from our visit with many anxieties, violence and intimidation. particularly about harassment of parliamentarians, but Of course, the vast majority of Zimbabweans would I also felt hopeful about Zimbabwe’s future. Given the like the process to move more quickly, as would members high-profile events connected with Parliament in Zimbabwe of the all-party group. We are impatient, and we wish during our stay, it was appropriate that our visit was that reforms could be implemented much more speedily. funded by the UK branch of the Commonwealth It is frustrating to see opportunities being missed, and Parliamentary Association. That was the first of my people’s lives passing by with promises unfulfilled. The many visits during the past 10 years that was funded. I process is fragile, and there are still powerful elements am grateful for that, and pay tribute to the CPA, who want it to stall or be reversed. They are from the particularly Andrew Tuggey, for continuing to engage old political establishment, and have a vested interest in with Zimbabwe, even though Mugabe withdrew from maintaining a system that makes them rich, and consigns the Commonwealth in 2003. It is very much in line with the mass of the population to disease, destitution and the Commonwealth principles set out in Harare and dependency. It is a shameful irony that those who Millbrook in New Zealand that such engagement continues. shouted loudest about independence and sovereignty I hope that before long, Zimbabwe will be able to rejoin and condemned the role of the British colonial Government the Commonwealth family.I know that many Zimbabwean have driven their once-proud country to hunger and members of Parliament are waiting for that to happen. handouts. Despite the hope, there are huge difficulties to be There is still massive resistance to political and economic overcome. When the inclusive Government was formed, reform from those in the political and military and particularly now with events in other parts of the establishments. They see their personal position of wealth world, especially in north Africa, attention was and is and privilege threatened. We were all angry to see the 73WH Zimbabwe27 APRIL 2011 Zimbabwe 74WH

[Kate Hoey] and violence, Prince Matibe and his colleagues in the MDC have worked on projects that are making a real blatant dishonesty of those who are intent on protecting difference to the people of Chegutu. We visited a newly their own power. It was tragic to drive through Zimbabwe built primary school for which funds have been raised, and see factories lying idle, farmland lying uncultivated, and we met the headmaster and some of the children. and the people who should be working them cast aside We also met the local councillor, a member of ZANU-PF and unemployed. who praised the project and, I am glad to say, was fully During our visit last month we went to Chegutu, and engaged with it. We visited a new market established by I pay special tribute to two people from that area who the MDC so that local people can buy and sell local have helped to show the world not just what has gone produce. It was a small but confident beginning towards wrong in Zimbabwe, but what can be done to make reviving a town where the biggest local employer, a things better. I am sure that many hon. Members saw cotton ginnery that a few years ago employed 5,000 the striking film “Mugabe and the White African”. The people, now stands empty and derelict. all-party Zimbabwe group arranged a screening at We had a full morning’s meeting with many Zimbabwean Westminster when the film was launched nearly two MPs, and we were struck by the fact that they described years ago. It features Ben Freeth and his father-in-law, themselves as “engines for development” in their Mike Campbell, and their attempts to keep farming at constituencies. As Lord Joffe pointed out, there are not Mount Carmel in Chegutu. ZANU-PF bigwigs with many countries where MPs would describe themselves their armed thugs were determined to take control of in that way. One thing that came to light during our the farm, and to drive Ben and Mike off the land, even discussions with MPs, particularly those from the MDC, though it had been purchased legally in the relatively was that they did not feel sufficiently engaged with or recent past, and with no expression of interest from the consulted by the implementing agencies of aid programmes Zimbabwe Government. that are funded by donor Governments, including the UK. Those responsible for aid programmes are of course Mike Campbell decided to challenge the seizure of anxious for their work not to be seen as interfering in his farm through the courts not only in Zimbabwe, but any way with the internal politics of the places in which going right up to those of the region, and to the South they operate. However, there can be dangers if local African Development Community tribunal. Bringing a circumstances are not acknowledged. court case in Zimbabwe requires courage, and Mike Campbell, his wife Angela, and son-in-law Ben all Normally, aid agencies will consult local officials suffered dreadful beatings and violence for daring to who are seen as being professional rather than political, challenge ZANU-PF. Their farmhouse was ransacked but that is not the case in Zimbabwe. A deliberate ploy and burned, and the police failed to take any action of ZANU-PF has been to politicise every level of life against the perpetrators. The SADC tribunal ruled that and government in Zimbabwe, meaning that district the actions of the Government of Zimbabwe were officers and officials in health care and education are all illegal. At that point the lawyers representing the Zimbabwe likely to represent the views of ZANU-PF. To counter Government promptly walked out and declared that that, it is important that elected MPs and councillors they did not recognise the tribunal, although for weeks who have a mandate from the people be consulted. they had appeared before it, argued their case and Otherwise, there is always the risk that the views of delayed the process by asking for adjournments. ZANU-PF are fed into the consultation by the officials, and the alternative MDC view is excluded because it is The response to the SADC tribunal ruling showed up regarded as political. That happens at the openings of Mugabe and his ZANU-PF colleagues and demonstrated new aid projects, for example, when the elected MPs that their fight is not only with reformers in Zimbabwe, would not be invited because they are seen as political. not only with the British Government, and not only Those present are the officials, who are seen as not with the Commonwealth and the EU, but with anyone political, despite actually being even more political than who dares to stand up to their violent and destructive the MPs but without a mandate. I know that Dave Fish policies. ZANU-PF’s intransigent and dishonest response took that on board as a result of some of our discussions to the tribunal helped leaders of SADC Governments with MPs. to recognise the true nature of what they are up against The different experience of MDC MPs and ZANU-PF with the old guard in Zimbabwe. Sadly, Mike Campbell MPs was brought home to us very starkly. Although paid a high price for his battle, and just three weeks ago ZANU-PF representatives seem to be above the law, he died. He never really recovered from the beatings he MDC MPs are frequently arrested and detained in suffered at the hands of Mugabe’s thugs, but I hope that custody. One of those was Shepherd Mushonga, who is his death will not be in vain. an MDC MP for the Mazowe Central constituency and We were also able to visit the constituency of Chegutu chair of the parliamentary legal committee. We met him West, and its member of Parliament, Prince Matibe. He just after his release on bail and he is a lovely, cheerful is the second person from that area to whom I want to man. The charge against him was that he had stolen pay tribute, and he is an example of a promising young $700-worth of excess quarry stones donated for building generation of Zimbabweans who are determined to a nurses home in his constituency, and used them to play their full part in restoring Zimbabwe and making build a primary school. There is a widely held perception the country work again. They want a Zimbabwe that that the rise in arrests of MPs was part of the plan to can stand proudly on its feet, feed its people and provide change the voting strength of the parties in the House them with jobs. It was uplifting to travel around that of Assembly and facilitate the election of a ZANU-PF constituency with the young MP, and hear not only Speaker. what he wanted to achieve for the people of his home The Zimbabwean Speaker currently holds the town, but to see some scenes of hope. Despite having chairmanship of the Southern African Development slender resources, and in the face of constant harassment Community Parliamentary Forum. ZANU-PF does not 75WH Zimbabwe27 APRIL 2011 Zimbabwe 76WH like the fact that the MDC Speaker chairs that body Government. That line is less strong now, but over the because it plays a crucial role on behalf of the SADC in years it has unfortunately been picked up and repeated planning, deploying and reporting on election monitoring far too easily by some of the eminent academics involved programmes for the whole region. in commentary on Africa. That is dangerous. There are We arrived in Zimbabwe on 13 March. Three days many capable and talented men and women in the earlier, the Supreme Court had ruled by a majority of MDC, and if we look at what ZANU-PF has done to three to two that the election of the MDC chairman, the country over the past 31 years, it is ridiculous to say Lovemore Moyo, as Speaker of the House of Assembly that the MDC could not do better. The economic in 2008—he has been Speaker since then—was null and progress that has been made since Tendai Biti became void. That ruling overturned an earlier High Court Minister of Finance is encouraging, and it was such a decision that declared the election valid. The Supreme change from my previous visits to see well-stocked Court decided that, of the 208 MPs voting, six had shops. However, until there is the rule of law, an end to displayed their marked papers before depositing them violence and intimidation and free and fair elections in the ballot box, and that the secrecy of the ballot had under a new constitution, investment will be scarce. been compromised. That seems a peculiar decision. On It is amazing what can be achieved with scarce resources. that basis, a few voters in one of our general elections Paul Madzore, another energetic and impressive MDC could display their marked voting papers before depositing MP, showed us around his constituency of Glen View them in the ballot box, and render the entire election South, which is a high-density suburb on the south-eastern null and void. The ballot box is secret to protect voters. outskirts of Harare. We were warmly welcomed by the If people choose to disclose how they are voting, that is staff and pupils of Glen View high school, which has their business. brilliant O-level and A-level results—the hon. Member The good news, however, is that after a period of for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport suggested that having no Speaker and no Parliament, Lovemore Moyo perhaps one of our Education Ministers might like to was reinstated as Speaker of the House of Assembly— visit that school. Despite having hundreds of children many hon. Members will have met him when he visited and very few resources, that school’s results are fantastic, this country. The voting figures showed that he had and I am sure we could learn something from it. been backed not only by colleagues in the mainstream Unfortunately, the new textbooks paid for by taxpayers MDC and the tiny breakaway faction, but by some MPs in the UK and donated to Zimbabwean schools via the from ZANU-PF. That shows that the longing for reform Education Ministry had not yet arrived at either of the and for a country that works is spreading to the ranks two schools that we visited. However, the good manners of Mugabe’s own party, and we came across that attitude and smart uniforms were, despite all the poverty, a in some ZANU-PF MPs whom we met. Although they delight to see. What a shame that for many pupils, their were less robust in their support for democratic processes hard work and dedication will not be rewarded by jobs than their MDC counterparts, we gained the clear when they finish their education. impression that they too are weary of living in a country that is paralysed by failed policies and an intransigent I could list all the MPs who have been arrested, but I leadership. Whether he really believed it or whether he will not go into all the details. I will simply say that just said it simply as part of the diktat that is continually put a month before our visit, another MDC MP, Douglas forward, it was depressing to hear one ZANU-PF MP Mwonzora, who is co-chairman of the constitutional state clearly that Zimbabwe is in such a mess because of parliamentary committee, or COPAC, was arrested outside sanctions, which are stopping even medical supplies Parliament. He went to the police to make a formal from entering the country. That is complete and utter complaint after a meeting that he held in his constituency nonsense, but that MP believed it with a fervour that was disrupted by a gang sent by a ZANU-PF MP, but could have come only from total indoctrination. ended up being charged himself. His arrest clearly had a serious impact on the timetable for the COPAC consultation Another MDC MP under arrest while we were in programme for a new constitution. That consultation is Harare—again, someone known to many hon. Members— vital under the GPA and must be completed before new was Elton Mangoma. He is the Minister responsible for parliamentary or presidential elections can be held. energy and power development and the co-negotiator with Tendai Biti in the talks on the implementation of That was strongly reinforced shortly before our visit, the global political agreement, facilitated by President following the claim by President Mugabe that he would Zuma of South Africa under the auspices of the SADC. call for elections whether or not a new constitution was His arrest and detention in custody not only had a ready. He was contradicted by Marius Fransman, South serious impact on the working of the inclusive Government, Africa’s Deputy Minister of International Relations but exacerbated the already protracted delays in making and Co-operation, who said that progress with Zuma’s facilitation team on a road map “any calls for elections without the finalisation of the constitution- towards the full implementation of the GPA. While we making process are in breach of the GPA as well as the constitution were in Harare, Elton was granted bail, but he was then of Zimbabwe Amendment number 19, which gives legitimacy to rearrested on another charge. When he was granted the inclusive government.” bail, the state prosecutors invoked section 121 of the A number of people were arrested, including Munyaradzi Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, which suspends Gwisai and 45 other social and human rights activists, bail orders for seven days, thus allowing him to be kept who had simply brought people together to watch some in detention. He was subsequently rearrested on a further of the videos coming in about the uprising in Egypt and charge, but that time the attempts of the state prosecutor revolts in Tunisia. They were arrested because watching to deny him bail were dismissed by the High Court. those videos was apparently a move to subvert a There is an attempt by ZANU-PF and the establishment constitutionally elected Government. We can therefore to smear MDC MPs, and it is continually suggested see the difficulties that people have when they want to that they lack the capacity to be Ministers or form a organise. 77WH Zimbabwe27 APRIL 2011 Zimbabwe 78WH

[Kate Hoey] that the Minister will give us his assessment of current attitudes in Governments throughout the SADC region The fighting talk that we have heard from ZANU-PF and more widely in the African Union. about clamping down mercilessly on plotters of any In his report to the summit, President Zuma said that revolts is entrenched in the thinking of the ZANU-PF it was time for the SADC to “speak with one voice” in old guard. Just this week, Stan Mudenge, who is a impressing on all the parties concerned the fact that the member of the ZANU-PF politburo and the Minister situation can no longer be tolerated. He said: of Higher and Tertiary Education, vowed to search out “The focus that Zimbabwean parties have placed on elections all the people who vote against ZANU-PF and mete without creating the necessary climate for those elections is an out retribution. Addressing Mugabe directly, he said: unfortunate sidetrack.” “President, I want to tell you that some people in my constituency He referred to delays in reform of the mass media, have rebelled and they voted against you in 2008. They are now saying that there was a “lack of political will”to implement supporting the puppet party MDC but I want to say that we will fish them out and deal with them until they come back to us and reform. do things our way.” I hope that Zuma and his SADC colleagues will pay He went on to threaten: equal attention to the need for security sector reform. I hope that the Minister will be able to tell us what we in “We have a very forceful and vigorous youth wing and our the UK are doing to support the SADC in that important members of the armed forces who will make sure that no one loses direction again like what happened three years ago.” area, because historically we played an important role in the integration of the Zimbabwean army after There is clearly a severe attempt to intimidate and independence and I am sure that at more junior levels frighten people in the lead-up to what eventually will be, there is still a desire for the police and military to we hope, free and fair elections. resume a professional rather than a political role. That sort of talk and those threats show how important The Joint Operations Command is composed of the it is for international monitors to be in place well in high command of the military, the police and the Central advance of the next election. It underlines the fact that Intelligence Organisation. Many regard it as a de facto they should be widely deployed during polling and that ruling junta with the ability to overrule and countermand they should remain on the ground afterwards to observe any decisions of Ministers that run counter to the the aftermath and to deter any attempts at retribution. vested political and business interests of the ZANU-PF It is good to see that South Africa also recognises political and military oligarchy. that. Deputy President Motlanthe recently said: During our visit, we were honoured to meet Prime “The conception is that these elections would be a watershed Minister Morgan Tsvangirai shortly before he left on a like the 1980 elections that happened when the old Rhodesia tour to meet Heads of Government in the SADC region, became Zimbabwe. There would be a need for an international including President Banda of Zambia, who chairs the presence of the same scale, to ensure a bridge with the past”. SADC troika on politics, defence and security, as well He went on to say: as leaders of Botswana, Swaziland and Mozambique. “The next elections are viewed by all parties as watershed On his return, Prime Minister Tsvangirai said: elections, and therefore they have to prepare for them thoroughly “While I was away in the last four days, it appears the civilian to ensure that there will not be any more violence or intimidation authority is no longer in charge and dark and sinister forces have during the course of the election campaign.” engaged in a hostile takeover of running the affairs of the country, with or without the blessing of some leaders of the I know that monitors and observers cannot simply be civilian authority.” imposed on a country, but as British taxpayers are expected to foot the bill for much of the electoral That underlines the fragility of the situation and the infrastructure, I hope that the Minister will agree that, real threat to progress, particularly in the light of the working with the SADC, we should surely be setting threats made just this week by ZANU-PF Ministers some conditions now in the framing of the electoral such as Mudenge. It shows why President Zuma is road map. Can he tell us what exactly the current state anxious about the threat of serious upheavals in the of affairs is as far as election monitors from donor region following the trend that we have seen in north nations are concerned? UK taxpayers have very gladly Africa. given substantial amounts of money to provide ever We in the UK have close ties with Zimbabwe. There increasing aid to Zimbabwe, but they cannot be expected are social, political and diplomatic links. Despite all the to do that without some freedom of access to see how talk of Africa’s new connections with China, India, these important affairs inside the country are being run, Russia and other parts of the world, it is to the UK that so we do need to put conditions on some of our aid. Zimbabweans come for asylum. It is in the UK that I am reassured that a new consensus is developing in Zimbabweans feel most at home if they need to live or the SADC that the crisis in Zimbabwe is dragging down work away from southern Africa. The diaspora have a the region and compromising social stability and economic crucial role to play in the new Zimbabwe, and I hope progress. As many hon. Members know, I was a great that we are giving the diaspora in the UK as much help critic of the previous President of South Africa, Mbeki, and support as we gave those in exile from South Africa because of how little he seemed to do or how little he under apartheid. seemed to care, but President Zuma has adopted a I am very proud of the role that successive robust approach and the recent SADC troika meeting Administrations in the UK have played as advocates for in Zambia seems to have made it clear to Mugabe change in Zimbabwe. The international response would finally that he can no longer get away with his old tricks have been far more feeble without resolute leadership of duplicity and reneging on undertakings. Indeed, from successive Prime Ministers and Foreign Secretaries. Mugabe was very angry about what he was told. I hope I think that the EU continued with its sanctions partly 79WH Zimbabwe27 APRIL 2011 Zimbabwe 80WH because the UK Government played a very important outside Harare, which is likely to contain communications role in those discussions. I am glad that in this Parliament equipment similar to that which one might find at we have been able to play a part in keeping Zimbabwe in GCHQ. the spotlight and in giving a voice to the oppressed people of Zimbabwe. Many of those who lead the Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP): The hon. Gentleman struggle for democracy and freedom there have given raises a most interesting point about Chinese investment me their heartfelt thanks for the way in which their in Africa. Does he agree that our Government should plight has been kept on the agenda in the House over do all they can to ensure that any Chinese investment recent years. I look forward to hearing from the Minister overseas is used for good, not for bad? about our current engagement with our counterparts in the region Oliver Colvile: I thoroughly agree, and I will come to North Africa and the middle east may be in the one or two points about that in the next few moments. headlines, but the UK has a particular responsibility for There is a real danger that Zimbabwe, sitting on Zimbabwe and our job as parliamentarians is to ensure South African borders, could become a Chinese-compliant that the Government continue to give support and help nation. It should be noted that the Chinese are now wherever they can to bring about a clear timetable and a South Africa’s largest trading partners. Unless we are road map towards democracy, freedom and prosperity careful, the Chinese could easily have access to the for the people of Zimbabwe and of southern Africa as a submarine base in Simon’s Town and therefore have an whole. opportunity to control the all-important cape routes, which we need to send our trade to the far east. That is why what happens in Zimbabwe matters, and why it is 9.59 am important that there are free and fair elections. Oliver Colvile (Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport) Fairly soon after my colleagues and I arrived, we (Con): May I begin by thanking you, Mr Robertson, for grasped the fact that two campaigns were going on in calling me in the debate and giving me the opportunity Zimbabwe: the air war to place pressure on SADC and to serve under your chairmanship? May I also congratulate President Zuma to encourage peaceful, free and fair and thank the hon. Member for Vauxhall (Kate Hoey) elections; and a ground war to ensure that the MDC for securing this debate on Zimbabwe, a part of the and other Opposition parties can campaign on a level world with which I have had a long association since I playing field in the general election expected this autumn. was 19? I lived in southern Africa for several months The first process, which is intended to encourage SADC in 1979, and I was there when, following the Lusaka and the African Union to support the efforts of President Commonwealth conference, this country’s Conservative Zuma and his facilitation team to plan and implement a Government announced the setting up of the Lancaster road map towards credible and internationally recognised House conference. In 1994, I spent nearly a month in elections, will be much easier said than done. neighbouring Malawi with my hon. Friend the Member It is part of African culture always to be deferential for Ribble Valley (Mr Evans) observing the campaign to leaders, who are seen as heroes and warriors. Whatever that saw Hastings Banda lose the first presidential else we might feel and think, I am afraid that President election he had ever contested. That experience taught Mugabe is seen as one such warrior and as someone me that fighting elections in Africa is very different who successfully fought for Zimbabwe’s independence from fighting elections in the United Kingdom, because after years of colonial rule. During his recent visit to a the roles of the chief and the village leaders, as well as South African football stadium, he gained a standing access to balanced radio, are vital if the Opposition are ovation from the general public. Jacob Zuma’s desire to to triumph. find ways of returning the 2 million Zimbabwean refugees Having spent 13 years as a Conservative party agent in South Africa is being hindered by the fact that he in south London, I found the trip with the Commonwealth faces local council elections in the summer and is likely Parliamentary Association to strengthen parliamentary to suffer some fairly heavy defeats, especially in some of links most stimulating and rewarding, but it was also the urban conurbations. deeply worrying. Last month, while the eyes of the If we are serious about creating an environment for world were focused on Libya and the middle east, I, the fair and peaceful elections, we must provide Mugabe hon. Member for Vauxhall and Lord Joffe, who was and his supporters with a face-saving solution. Mugabe’s Nelson Mandela’s and Jacob Zuma’s lawyer during the disappearance as President will not be the end of the apartheid years, spent three days in meetings with the matter, as too many people around him, especially those Prime Minister, MDC and ZANU-PF MPs, human in the army, including senior army officials, have too rights lawyers and members of Zimbabwe’s civil society. much invested in his presidency. ZANU-PF sees him as I should say that at one stage during a dinner with some its greatest asset in the forthcoming election. Whatever of the human rights lawyers I asked what they would do happens, the role of the army and the high command for a living should the whole situation be cleared up, will be important, because they will be keen to hold on and they did not have too much of a response. The trip to their investment, especially their farms and other also gave me an opportunity to have a refresher course assets. They want to use Mugabe to secure their future in Zimbabwe’s politics, and I am grateful to the hon. for a few more years. Lady, Lord Joffe and David Banks, who is the all-party Within minutes of arriving in Harare, my colleagues group’s convenor, for all their briefing and advice. and I were astonished to learn that 26 MDC MPs had As many Members might be aware, the Chinese are been arrested, that the Speaker, Lovemore Moyo, was investing heavily in Africa, particularly in Zimbabwe. being forced to face re-election, and that beatings had They are financing the building of the Robert Mugabe started again in rural communities in the run-up to the national school of intelligence, a military academy just general election expected later this year. Hon. Members 81WH Zimbabwe27 APRIL 2011 Zimbabwe 82WH

[Oliver Colvile] the markets, however, I was fortunate to be able to liberate one or two of the ZANU-PF leaflets lying can imagine what the outcry in this country would be if around. 27% of MPs from one political party were arrested, We need to impress on SADC that if it is serious placed in prison and forced to raise funds to pay their about credible elections, something must be done to bail. That would be the equivalent of 83 Conservative make sure that, during the campaign, ZANU-PF is not MPs or nearly 60 Labour MPs being arrested. I have allowed to deploy state resources, as well as the proceeds no doubt that there would be an absolute outcry about of illegal diamond sales and illegally seized commercial that in this country and throughout the world—and assets, while the MDC is under-resourced and unable to rightly so. produce leaflets and to inform the electorate of a country in which 97% of children can read and write. Is not that Stephen Twigg (Liverpool, West Derby) (Lab/Co-op): statistic a fantastic result? It is certainly something It would depend on which MPs were arrested. about which there should be great pride, and perhaps we can learn some lessons from it. Oliver Colvile: I recognise that some in the Chamber We need to ensure that there is balance in the electronic might wish a number of those 83 Conservative MPs to media and that the non-ZANU-PF Opposition have the be arrested, and that some of my hon. Friends might opportunity to broadcast their message via radio. Although want some of those 60 Labour MPs to be arrested. there has been some freedom in parts of the written press, there is no freedom on television or radio. Perhaps Little international attention is being paid to the the Department for International Development could plight of those Zimbabwean MPs, to the beatings or to consider funding a transmitter in a neighbouring state, how the proceeds from the Marange diamond fields, such as Botswana or Mozambique, to provide balance. which are said to be the largest in the world, are being I hope that our useful debate has done much to raise managed. Some 97% of those diamond fields are under the profile of some of the issues that face a country that the military’s direct control, and it is thought—I say it was once the breadbasket of Africa. I urge the Minister no more strongly than that—that the proceeds are being to consider further ways to encourage SADC to bring used to fund ZANU-PF’s political activities. about fair and free elections, and to ensure that there is On preparing for the elections, many of those whom a level playing field for all the political parties. my colleagues and I met during our brief stay made it clear that there is a real need to allow outside observers Several hon. Members rose— into the country to follow the registration process at an early stage. The need for a new list of electors was John Robertson (in the Chair): Order. We should be underlined by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, able to fit in all colleagues wishing to speak, but I intend which reckons that 27% of the names on the existing list to call the Front-Bench spokesmen no later than 10.40 am, are those of dead people. so will Back Benchers please use the time as best they Overseeing the elections will cost money, and the EU can? and the UK will be asked to make a significant contribution. I quite understand that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office feels that it cannot observe the elections unless it 10.11 am has received an invitation. However, the Mugabe Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): I congratulate the Government have been keen to drive a wedge between hon. Member for Vauxhall (Kate Hoey) on bringing themselves and the MDC so that the MDC will walk this topic to the Chamber today. I also congratulate the out and the Government can say, “There we go. They hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport couldn’t stomach it.” We need to encourage SADC and (Oliver Colvile) on his speech. I shall make only a President Zuma to place pressure on President Mugabe couple of quick points because I am conscious that and ZANU-PF to begin registration soon and to allow other hon. Members wish to speak. My interest in our observers in. Observers must be allowed into the Zimbabwe—or Rhodesia, which probably puts me an country at the start of the process, not in the last few older age bracket—comes from my constituency and weeks of the campaign. If European and British observers from those who left Rhodesia, as it was called when are allowed in only at the end of the election campaign, they were residents, due to persecution, discrimination the damage and intimidation will already have taken and because they wanted a different life for their children place. and families. There are, however, other practical things that we in Previous speakers have commented on the need for Britain can do through our established political parties elections, about which I have some concerns. Will they or the highly respected Westminster Foundation for be fair? Will they be called too soon? Worry has been Democracy, which is chaired by my hon. Friend the expressed about holding the elections this year, because Member for South West Devon (Mr Streeter). During they could be construed as unfair because of the nature our visit, my colleagues and I talked to a number of of the electoral list. I make that comment because MDC MPs and looked at the equipment in their perhaps a third of the 5.5 million people in Zimbabwe constituency offices and at what they can spend on who are registered to vote are not even in the land of the campaigning. We also met moderate ZANU-PF MPs, living, which makes predicting how an election will go who may well be needed in a future MDC-led Government. very interesting. If a third of those 5.5 million people When visiting Paul Madzore’s Glen View South have passed on to the next world but can reach from the constituency on the outskirts of Harare, we were struck grave to cast their vote, there must be suspicions about by the lack of duplicators to produce leaflets and by the whether the elections will be fair and give the result that lack of access to broadband. During a visit to one of they should. 83WH Zimbabwe27 APRIL 2011 Zimbabwe 84WH

Some figures indicate that if someone wants a long at least my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for life, they should live in Zimbabwe, because some people Energy and Climate Change has not ended up in chains on the voting list are between 111 and 120 years old. In in court, and at least my hon. Friend the Minister for one area of Zimbabwe alone, 503 people on the voting Equalities has not had to go into hiding, which is what list have passed on. Will the elections be fair? Will the their opposite numbers in the Zimbabwean Government Minister indicate how he, through his Department and have had to endure. Elton Mangoma and Theresa Makone his contacts with Zimbabwe, will ensure that fair elections deserve enormous credit for the courage with which take place? Only when there is a credible electoral list they have faced appalling abuses not only of public can we be sure that the elections will be fair and will give freedom, but of parliamentary, political and even the result that they should. governmental and ministerial freedom. It is extraordinary, I wish to comment on the views expressed about but they are of course only the tip of the iceberg. The ZANU-PF and its treatment of the MDC. I am concerned hon. Member for Vauxhall and many others pointed about the trumped up charges and the spurious allegations, out the level of abuse in Zimbabwe, which unfortunately which undermine the democratic process that is being seems to be increasing again as the elections draw closer taken forward in Zimbabwe. I hope that the Minister after it had seemed to subside. will indicate how he sees change being brought about to The situation in north Africa, particularly Libya, secure the democratic process and ensure that the electorate holds lessons for various people, but sadly the lesson for in Zimbabwe has the chance to speak. some dictators might be that if they treat rebellion and I commend MDC members for their contribution in dissent with sufficient violence and determination, they their ministerial posts. They have been able to change a might have a chance of surviving and succeeding. That bankrupt economy into one that is showing growth. is obviously a lesson that we do not want ZANU-PF to That is good news, and it shows what can happen in be able to draw, so there is an interest in this for the what was once the breadbasket of southern Africa, as international community, and the same lesson could be the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport drawn from the situations in Yemen and Syria as we said. speak. We need to make it clear to the international I have the same concerns as the hon. Gentleman community that that must not be the lesson drawn, and about Chinese imperialism—I use that term honestly it must act with resolution in all those situations. and factually, because that is exactly what it is. China Luckily or unluckily, any thought of military intervention has armed Zimbabwe with planes, weapons, artillery in Zimbabwe, despite what some constituents might and everything that a modern army needs. It has ensured occasionally call for, is absolutely out of the question, that Zimbabwe has modern communications equipment, as I am sure the Minister will confirm. The important as he indicated. China clearly has a path and strategy on thing is that we should work not only with the international Zimbabwe. Given our close relationship with Zimbabwe, community but with regional organisations. Others have I hope that we will use our political and diplomatic referred to the lead role of the Southern African channels to ensure that we bring about change. Such Development Community, but the African Union is a change can happen only with the support of Zimbabwe’s co-guarantor of the global political agreement. I would neighbours, which I hope they will give. be interested to hear from the Minister the latest intelligence I conclude with a comment made by Ian Smith when from the African Union and others, and what position he was the Prime Minister of Rhodesia, as it was then, they are taking to guarantee that the constitutional at a time of change. Looking back now, the change that process is going forward. he was looking at was never the change that we all Of course, one country has an absolutely key role: would like. The change we need today is the same as the South Africa is the leading political and economic force change that we needed in Ian Smith’s time. His statement in the region. It is interesting that President Zuma has was taken from Winston Churchill, who was a real hero taken a robust line on the constitutional process. In of mine as a schoolboy: gratitude, he is coming under attack from the state “this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it media in Zimbabwe, which recently described him as a is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” “dishonest broker”. The language is becoming quite We hope that Zimbabwe will reach that stage from fierce, but in a funny sort of way that is an encouraging which it can move forward. I look forward to the development. It is a sign that the southern African Minister’s response, and I hope that we can make the political community as a whole is becoming more realistic changes necessary in Zimbabwe. in its treatment of Robert Mugabe’s regime, and that it is prepared to make enemies within the ZANU-PF 10.17 am movement. South Africa’s historic position in the region Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD): I congratulate is inevitably one of moral and political leadership. We the hon. Member for Vauxhall (Kate Hoey) and all the should give President Zuma all possible support in that members of the all-party group, including the hon. role, and I would be interested to hear what the Minister Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport (Oliver has to say on his latest contacts with the president. Colvile), on securing the debate and on keeping the With the onset of elections in Zimbabwe, we are in a issue high up the political agenda. The hon. Lady is sense putting the cart before the horse. The constitutional right when she says that there is a risk of indifference at reform process was supposed, ideally, to precede the times, especially as more exciting political events on the next round of elections, but that now seems to be in international stage seem to take people’s attention, but doubt. I would be interested to hear the Minister’s latest it is important that Zimbabwe remains on the agenda. take on that aspect. We may take different views on which reforms we We are in a difficult situation with all countries where want and when we want them, but whatever our coalition’s violent and dictatorial forces are in play. In many countries disagreements over constitutional reform and its progress, around the world—I look at East Timor, the former 85WH Zimbabwe27 APRIL 2011 Zimbabwe 86WH

[Martin Horwood] Government could make representations to the Mozambique Government to take a stronger attitude to Yugoslavia and, I hope, Côte d’Ivoire—these dictatorial controlling the Zimbabwean border, as it is a vital and violent forces have ultimately been defeated. We see financial link in the chain that supports the regime. clear defeat there, rather than compromise, yet our urge I shall be encouraged if the Minister has good news to avoid confrontation obviously leads us to suggest for us, but I realise that it is a difficult situation. However, political solutions, with compromises and deals. Indeed, I believe that our instinct to take a robust line on human that was the source of the global political agreement in rights and democracy and to seek internationally based Zimbabwe, but it has not served the purposes that we co-operation as a solution to problems of dictatorship hoped. Perhaps we should encourage the regional and violence will serve us well. community to take a more robust political approach in Zimbabwe. 10.26 am The hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport was right to mention China. It is clearly investing a Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con): I thank great deal of money in Africa. It is not generally clear the hon. Member for Vauxhall (Kate Hoey) for securing where that money is going, but some of it is certainly this debate, and I thank my hon. Friend the Member for going in less than helpful directions, such as armaments Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport (Oliver Colvile) and and intelligence and communications capacity. China’s others for their contributions. I believe that Zimbabwe hand is being seen in some of the least savoury regimes has a place in all our hearts. I am a former farmer. I around the world—we can add Sudan and North Korea visited Zimbabwe as an election observer for the European and various other countries to the list—and that has the Union in 2000 and fell in love with the country. Its potential to do China’s international reputation a great politics are a disaster. It is not about race or creed; it is deal of harm. Commercial logic alone should show the about politics—and the man, basically a madman, who Chinese that investing in regimes that are inherently is destroying the country. I find it amazing that over the unstable because they rely on violence and coercion will years the people of Zimbabwe have been able to stand not be a good long-term strategy for China. the pressure, yet there is still some semblance of what is right and wrong, of what is law, despite all that ZANU-PF Oliver Colvile: One reason that the Chinese are interested and Mugabe have done. in Africa is that it is wealthy in mineral rights and such I emphasise the need for election observers to be in things. If the Chinese can have some control over that, Zimbabwe quite early in the process. I was in Zimbabwe they will be very happy.They are not particularly interested, in 2000, when MDC first came to the fore; it would have as I understand it, in what takes place in the country; won the election, no two ways about it, had it not been they tend to bring in their own workers, who do everything for the fear and intimidation. We should not forget the that they have to do and then leave. That is a big re-education camps out in the countryside; basically, problem. Some may say that they are acting in an they get hold of a population and re-educate them to imperious manner—they most certainly are, and in a ensure that they vote for ZANU-PF. They dig trenches very big way—and we in the UK have to be most and put coffins in them, and then make the people walk concerned about that as it could be another sparking across them saying, “If you don’t vote for ZANU-PF, point. We may have trouble at the moment in the middle that’s where you’ll land up—in that coffin.” The guys east, but it could be significantly worse elsewhere. that have been doing all this beating up and intimidation are then found sitting in the polling stations on election John Robertson (in the Chair): Order. Interventions day, watching people come in to vote. I cannot believe should be short. what the people of Zimbabwe have to go through. I remember that one of the returning officers in Martin Horwood: The hon. Gentleman makes a good Harare in 2000 was a school headmistress. She went point. The risk is that the Chinese will not leave once along to the polling station and hoiked out all the the resources have been exploited but that its interests ZANU-PF polling agents. In those days she would have will continue in many of these countries. It is imperialism had the power and audacity to do that, but ever since, of on the model of the East India Company, I suppose. course, it is being broken down. That is why we have to Imperialism is a strong word to use, but there is get election observers in there, and we have to get them certainly a risk of Chinese political and commercial in reasonably early so that we can see what is going on. dominance in some of these countries, and exploitation The electoral roll will be completely manipulated, as of the political vulnerability of these unsavoury and it was back in 2000. Then it had been worked out that undemocratic regimes. That, of course, raises uncomfortable most of those who would vote for the MDC were more political questions for China itself, but the democratic educated and moved around Zimbabwe a lot, so no one international community needs to make a stand on that was allowed to re-register. In that way, they managed to question. There certainly seems to be potential for an exclude an awful lot of the population. Not only were alliance between the UK, the European Union and the 25% or 30% unable to vote, but they found reasons to democratic west and the democratic nations of southern exclude anyone that they thought would vote for the Africa. MDC. I turn briefly to Mozambique. It is a democracy and We are rightly giving aid to Zimbabwe, but we must a member of the Commonwealth. However, the exploitation put some conditions on that aid. There must be some of the Marange diamond fields is allowing diamonds to form of governance. We in the UK are in a coalition, be smuggled or illegally exported to avoid Zimbabwean are we not; but how on earth would a coalition work in taxation. Revenue clearly passes back to the military Zimbabwe? We in the Conservative party might think, and the coffers of ZANU-PF. It seems to me that the “Right, we don’t like what the Liberal Democrats are 87WH Zimbabwe27 APRIL 2011 Zimbabwe 88WH doing, so we’ll arrest them all and put them in jail, to her tenacity and long-standing involvement in this especially if there’s a vote and we think we’re likely to cause, in her role as chairman of the all-party group on lose it in Parliament. Let’s lock ‘em all up. It’s a very Zimbabwe. She and other Members have spoken eloquently good form of democracy, isn’t it? You make sure you today about the tragedy of what has happened in recent win the vote by arresting the opposition.” It is not any years in Zimbabwe, and about the courage of those in form of coalition or democratic Government as we the country who have stood up to Mugabe. She mentioned know it. That is where things are going horribly wrong the Movement for Democratic Change, the trade union in Zimbabwe. movement in Zimbabwe and Zimbabwean civil society. Then there are all the farms in Zimbabwe that are Debates such as this are an important opportunity being given to the so-called “war veterans”. Some of for Parliament to demonstrate on a cross-party basis them look remarkably young if they are war veterans our commitment to and solidarity with the people of from the 1970s. Most of them are probably in their 30s Zimbabwe in these difficult times. On 10 March there or 40s—there is no way that they are war veterans. I will was a debate in the other place, secured by Lord Avebury, be quite blunt: they are a bunch of thugs, basically, in which a number of important contributions were hired by Mugabe to go round and destroy these farms. made, again on a cross-party basis. One was from Lord Of course, once they get the farms, there is another Chidgey, who placed great emphasis on the importance problem. They drive off not only the farmers themselves of security sector reform in Zimbabwe, an issue raised but the farm workers, and we should not forget that by my hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall this morning. these farms are homesteads that include a school and a In that debate, Baroness Kinnock, a former Minister medical centre. These farms are communities in themselves with responsibility for Africa, placed great emphasis on and everyone is driven off them, leaving nobody to farm the important role that the European Union can play, a them. The machinery is destroyed and the cattle are point echoed in a number of this morning’s speeches. killed, and the whole process just brings about a degradation My hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall referred to of agriculture. Instead of Zimbabwe being the bread the tendency of ZANU-PF to smear the MDC and basket of Africa, it is now receiving food aid. That is other critics and opponents. In February, I had the just impossible to believe. opportunity to meet Zimbabwe’s Deputy Prime Minister, I know the Minister will say how difficult the situation Thokozani Khupe, and the Minister of State in the is, and it is very difficult. I am fairly hawkish about Prime Minister’s Office, Jameson Timba, here in London. these matters. Let me be blunt: if we had enough armed Both are members of the MDC and, like my hon. forces I would be quite happy to see some of them sent Friend, I was very impressed by their dedication and to Zimbabwe, but that is not going to happen and I am professionalism, which give the lie to the smears against a realist in that respect. Nevertheless, we must face up to them that she described. the fact that the Chinese are going into Zimbabwe with I also want to put on the record my appreciation for their own work force. If they want to take out minerals, the work of a number of organisations in and around they take away the hill that the minerals are in and it Zimbabwe, such as the Open Society Foundation. Here just disappears from Zimbabwe and goes back to China. in the UK there is Action for Southern Africa, which That is what the Chinese are about. They are not arose out of the former Anti-Apartheid Movement, investing in Zimbabwe for the right reasons and we and the British Trades Union Congress. I also echo the must be clear about that, because what we need is thanks and appreciation that my hon. Friend expressed investment—good international investment—in Zimbabwe. to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and However, who will provide that investment while the I support her in saying that we look forward to the farms are being repossessed? In fact, the thugs are now eventual return of Zimbabwe to the Commonwealth. fed up because there is not enough wealth to find on the farms, so they go into the cities, such as Harare and I know that the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Bulawayo, and that is the problem. They are destroying and Commonwealth Affairs, the hon. Member for North the businesses that people should be investing in. West Norfolk (Mr Bellingham), who is the Minister with responsibility for Africa, is in Africa today, and I I say to the Minister with all sincerity that, however welcome the Minister for Europe to his place in Westminster difficult it is to do so, when we give support to Zimbabwe Hall to respond to the debate. Last month, I tabled a let us actually try to bring about a democratic change, question to the Under-Secretary asking him what recent because when we can get some form of reasonable discussions he has had on the role of the Southern governance in Zimbabwe the people of Zimbabwe will African Development Community in monitoring progress be more than ready for it. They will work together. That towards the 24 goals in the global political agreement. I country, which is a highly educated country, will prosper. want to take this opportunity to thank him for his Perhaps in some way, that is where Mugabe went wrong: response and to put on the record on the Opposition’s he educated people in Zimbabwe, and they could then behalf that we absolutely share the Government’s concerns find out that there was a better way to run and rule their about the situation in Zimbabwe, and that we appreciate country. I urge the Minister to bring about genuine the strong and real personal commitment to Africa that change in Zimbabwe, and we will give him all the help he has demonstrated since he took office almost a year we can. ago. I also want to put on the record that we welcome the 10.33 am statement in February by the Foreign Secretary supporting Stephen Twigg (Liverpool, West Derby) (Lab/Co-op): the European Union’s rolling over of restrictive measures— Thank you very much, Mr Robertson, for calling me to travel restrictions and asset freezes—for those who have speak. I join other hon. Members in congratulating my perpetuated human rights abuses and political oppression hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall (Kate Hoey) on in Zimbabwe, and of course the continuation of the securing this important and timely debate. I pay tribute arms embargo on Zimbabwe. These measures from the 89WH Zimbabwe27 APRIL 2011 Zimbabwe 90WH

[Stephen Twigg] short of what we would expect. Targeted measures remain an essential lever at our disposal, but we also EU offer an important bargaining tool with which we need to press a number of issues that require immediate can apply pressure on Mugabe’s regime. As a number of and intensive political and diplomatic pressure. hon. Members have said during the debate, we cannot First, there is the need for a new constitution that is and must not leave unchallenged ZANU-PF’s claims endorsed by the people of Zimbabwe, and I press the that the EU’s targeted measures are in any way undermining Minister to respond to the points made by almost all the humanitarian aid that is needed to assist the people this morning’s speakers about the vital importance of of Zimbabwe. As the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton getting election monitors on the ground as soon as and Devonport (Oliver Colvile) said, those measures possible. Secondly, there is the importance of opening are only needed because of the policies of Mugabe. space for a free media to publish. The hon. Member for As the hon. Gentleman also said, Zimbabwe was Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport spoke about access formerly the bread basket of Africa, but in recent years to balanced radio and the possibility of securing we have seen a very significant increase in the UK’s Department for International Development funding for bilateral aid to Zimbabwe. I am pleased that the previous that. Thirdly, there is the crucial importance of an Labour Government increased that aid to £67 million in independently verified electoral register. The hon. Member the last financial year—2009-10—and I very much welcome for Strangford (Jim Shannon) spoke about people who the fact that this Government have decided to maintain are on the register but are no longer with us, and about that bilateral aid. However, I agree with hon. Members, fairness in the electoral register being important in from all parties, who have said that that aid should be there being a free and fair election. The hon. Member an opportunity for us to exert more leverage on Zimbabwe for Tiverton and Honiton (Neil Parish) spoke about the in this crucial period. My hon. Friend the Member for experience of manipulation of the register in Zimbabwean Vauxhall made the very important point that, in the elections. Fourthly, there is the crucial role that we can case of Zimbabwe, consulting officials rather than elected play in securing the root-and-branch reform of the politicians is perhaps not the best route, and certainly security sector. should not be the only route in terms of the implementation Progress, as this debate has demonstrated, has been of aid; and that we should also consider consulting painfully slow. I welcome the establishment of the elected members of Parliament and councillors in Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Human Rights Zimbabwe on a cross-party basis. Commission and Media Commission, but it is demonstrable that those bodies do not have sufficient resources to Martin Horwood: We need to treat the conditionality operate effectively, and there is a real danger that what of aid very cautiously. The hon. Gentleman’s Government should be independent bodies might serve no purpose —the last Labour Government—were right to grant aid other than the objectives of Mugabe and his supporters. to Zimbabwe through the UN and NGOs exclusively, Any election that is held ahead of an agreement to a rather than giving aid from Government to Government, new constitution, the opening of space for free media, and we have been right to follow that policy. It is an independently verified electoral register and security important to understand that point. sector reforms, will not be acceptable, and it is vital to restate that throughout this debate. Stephen Twigg: I entirely agree with the hon. Gentleman. The hon. Member for Cheltenham (Martin Horwood) What I sought to do was to echo an important point spoke about the escalation of abuse in the run-up to made by my hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall elections, and I want to highlight the very concerning about the specific circumstances right now in Zimbabwe. recent escalation of violence in Zimbabwe, and to refer An approach that relies on officials, which may well to an excellent but disturbing report from Human Rights make sense in the vast majority of countries, does not Watch, “Perpetual Fear: Impunity and Cycles of Violence make sense in the case of Zimbabwe, for the reasons my in Zimbabwe”, which documents the context of impunity hon. Friend set out earlier. within which ZANU-PF activists have perpetrated systematic violence against other Zimbabweans, whose I echo what a number of hon. Members have said only aspirations are for a free and democratic Zimbabwe. about the robust approach of President Zuma, which, Human Rights Watch has observed the active and as my hon. Friend has said, stands in stark contrast to passive forms of impunity that are fostered by the the lamentable record of his predecessor. I also agree democratic deficit in Zimbabwe, and as long as fear and with the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton and intimidation are either encouraged or ignored by the Devonport. I happened to be in South Africa in 2003 state apparatus, democratic developments will not be when Walter Sisulu had just died, and I saw the pictures achieved. of Mugabe at Sisulu’s funeral. Mugabe got exactly the As my hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall said, sort of response then that the hon. Gentleman described SADC has an increasingly important role to play. She in his speech today, and we need to remember that said that there are reasons to be hopeful, but the situation public opinion in Africa, particularly southern Africa, is fragile. What today’s debate has demonstrated once is a challenge, and that we should give whatever support again is the very real cross-party agreement in this we can to President Zuma and to other Governments in House in standing up for the people of Zimbabwe. The the region who are now prepared to stand up to Mugabe’s hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport thuggery. talked about the important role that the Westminster We have seen some progress in recent years towards Foundation for Democracy could play, and I echo those economic improvements in Zimbabwe—my hon. Friend words. the Member for Vauxhall referred to visiting shops that A number of hon. Members have referred to events were full of produce—but clearly, as this debate has elsewhere in Africa and the middle east, and there is demonstrated, political developments have fallen well clearly a danger that the world, and the UK in particular, 91WH Zimbabwe27 APRIL 2011 Zimbabwe 92WH will take its eye off the ball. We have a unique influence frailties, has helped to open up democratic space. The and we need to use it, as has been said, both directly important point to note is that those achievements, with South Africa and with the other SADC countries, both economic and political, are a tribute to the courage, the wider African Union, which has its own responsibilities, dedication and persistence of reformers of all stripes in and our European Union partners. I am keen to hear Zimbabwe. I pay tribute to all the reformist politicians, the Minister’s current assessment, as the Minister for civil society groups, free trade unionists, churches and Europe, of the perspective at a European level, and also others in Zimbabwe who express their hopes for and at an African level, with the role that SADC and the work their utmost towards a better future for their African Union have to play. country. Those people and organisations are not the My hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall paid tribute creatures of any foreign power; they are the authentic to Mike Campbell, and said that we must hope that his expressions and voices of the people of Zimbabwe. death was not in vain. Too many lives have been lost in However, those efforts by many in Zimbabwe risk Zimbabwe; too many people have suffered through the being undermined by a few who wish to sacrifice their tyranny and thuggishness of the Mugabe regime. We own country’s prosperity and political development in must not take our eye off the ball. I again congratulate order to hang on to power and the opportunity for my hon. Friend and the other members of the all-party plunder. Resisting those efforts and reinforcing Zimbabwe’s group, and I look forward to the Minister’s response, progress with a process for free, fair and credible elections which I am sure will demonstrate that the Government will demand still greater courage and commitment from maintain their absolute commitment to the people of reformers in Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe’s neighbours in the Zimbabwe, and the absolute commitment of the British region and those members of the wider international people to securing a democratic future for the country. community in Africa and elsewhere, including the United Kingdom, that support Zimbabwe’s transition to full 10.46 am democratic freedom. The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington): I Rightly, much of this debate has focused on the great thank the hon. Member for Vauxhall (Kate Hoey) for concerns about the increase in reports of politically initiating the debate and for giving the House the motivated violence since the new year. The Government opportunity to express views upon Zimbabwe this morning, share that concern. The high-profile arrests and threatened and I also thank all those who have taken part: the hon. arrests of senior members of the inclusive Government Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Stephen Twigg), in March and April signalled a stepping up of the my hon. Friends the Members for Plymouth, Sutton partisan politicisation of the legal process. My hon. and Devonport (Oliver Colvile), for Tiverton and Honiton Friend the Member for Cheltenham was right to pay (Neil Parish) and for Cheltenham (Martin Horwood), tribute to the courage and endurance of leading democratic and the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon). politicians in Zimbabwe in the face of such treatment. All of their contributions spoke from a mixture of heart We remain equally concerned by ongoing reports of and head. What came through to me was the profound rising intimidation targeting civil society groups and commitment, and love—I do not think that too strong a political activists. word—on the part of those Members for Zimbabwe Several hon. Members asked about the Government’s and its people, coupled with an appreciation of the view of the regional approach to the political challenges complexity and difficulty of the challenges that the facing Zimbabwe. South Africa and the Southern African country faces, and of the efforts by successive United Development Community more generally act as the Kingdom Governments to do what is best to try to facilitators and guarantors of the global political agreement make it possible for the people of Zimbabwe to decide and play the lead role in brokering an agreement on a upon the destiny of their own country. I thank the hon. road map to free and fair elections. As my hon. Friend Lady also for her kind words about the Minister for the Member for Cheltenham pointed out, it is somewhat Africa, my hon. Friend the Member for North West ironic that the global political agreement should have Norfolk (Mr Bellingham), and about our ambassador been fully implemented by now, yet Zimbabweans and to Zimbabwe and the head of the DFID team in that the SADC are trying to agree on a path to the next country. round of elections before the GPA has been implemented In discussing Zimbabwe, it is right to focus on not anywhere near fully. only the deep-rooted and abiding problems that afflict President Zuma of South Africa has shown in the the country, but, as the hon. Lady did in her opening creation of the elections road map that he is prepared to speech, on the progress that has been made in the face demonstrate strong and active leadership in the region. of difficult odds, since the formation of the inclusive We hope that that critical document will address the Government in 2008. There has been a marked economic many individual points raised by hon. Members during recovery, illustrated by a robust 8% growth rate in 2010, this debate, including the quality of the electoral register, although it is also fair to remind ourselves, as has been the reform of the electoral commission, access to media said, that some sectors, most notably agriculture, are and provision for the presence of international observers failing to perform at anything like their full potential at the elections. The United Kingdom is certainly ready because of the disastrous economic policies pursued by to support international observers in any way possible, Zimbabwean leaders. yet it remains the case that we can send observers only Reports of human rights abuses since the formation in response to an invitation from the Government of of the inclusive Government have fallen well below the Zimbabwe. peak, but there has been a worrying trend in the early On the points made about this country’s programme months of this year of a reverse in those promising of bilateral aid, following the bilateral aid review, our signals. There has been greater freedom for the print programme of aid to Zimbabwe has been increased media, and the constitutional review process, despite its further to £80 million for 2011-12, the largest amount 93WH Zimbabwe27 APRIL 2011 Zimbabwe 94WH

[Mr David Lidington] policy and give the commitments to good governance that will attract investment and add to Zimbabwe’s yet. That is crucial. Our aid provides vital support, in trade relationships with the region and the rest of the particular for primary education and basic health treatment world. inside Zimbabwe. For example, last year we provided Given the time, I will write to my hon. Friend the essential medicines to 1,300 primary care clinics and Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport about rural hospitals. The nature of that aid and the fact that the Kimberley diamond process and Marange, and I it is distributed via the United Nations and non- will copy the letter to other Members who have taken governmental organisations rather than through the part in this debate. As my hon. Friend the Minister with Zimbabwean Government means that I am cautious, to responsibility for Africa has made clear on numerous put it lightly, about calls for greater conditionality in the occasions, we continue to take a firm line within the provision of aid, although I guarantee to the hon. EU, which acts on our behalf in the Kimberley process, Member for Vauxhall and my hon. Friend the Member insisting that Zimbabwe should comply fully with the for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport that I will report rules laid down in the process before diamond exports to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for are permitted. International Development on the points they made about conditionality. China has an important role in the growth and development of Africa, and considerable progress has Kate Hoey: I thank the Minister. I think we are all been made in areas such as infrastructure as a result of conscious of the issues involved in aid. Our point is that Chinese financing. Like China, we see trade as vital to it is not necessarily the Department for International helping African economies to grow and escape poverty, Development but the agencies themselves—the big charities but one lesson of the developing world is that as countries working in countries such as Zimbabwe—that need to grow and develop, they require not just physical be much more aware. They try so hard not to be infrastructure but skills, improved health services and, political that they end up being political in how they critically, better governance, better public institutions operate on the ground. and a clear commitment to the rule of law rather than arbitrary government. We believe that it is vital that Mr Lidington: The hon. Lady has made her point donors, including China, be open about their investments well. I will ensure that my right hon. Friend is made and make clear what they are spending and what results fully aware of the case that she makes. they achieve. That enables people to hold Governments to account and ensure that donors co-ordinate their The EU targeted measures on Zimbabwe remain in work effectively. force. This Government remain committed to them, and the European Union has made clear its commitment Interestingly, some of China’s recent experience, for to the continuation of those measures. We remain willing example in Zambia or Libya, might give pause for to revisit them within the year, but only if further thought to those who have assumed that China can concrete developments take place on the ground. We maintain an economic relationship with African nations will not be shifted by coerced signatures on a partisan without regard to issues of governance and the rule of petition. On behalf of the Government, I make it clear law. Where those prove lacking, investment and the again that we need to lay to rest the delusional nonsense safety of expatriate workers can sometimes turn out to that the EU targeted measures, which apply to 163 be at considerable risk. individuals and 31 entities in Zimbabwe, are somehow I express once again my gratitude to all those who responsible for the widespread deprivation and suffering have taken part in this debate. The Government remain endured by the people of Zimbabwe. The right way to determined to pursue the course on which we are set, help with the economic plight of the people in Zimbabwe and we hope to see Zimbabwe reach a more prosperous is for Zimbabwe’s leaders to pursue the kinds of economic and democratic future. 95WH 27 APRIL 2011 Irish Communities in Britain 96WH

Irish Communities in Britain Welsh for a star in the heavens, and my second daughter Mairead, which is Irish for Margaret. Turning from my personal past to the political present, 11 am we pray that the contemptible murder of the Police Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd) (Lab): First, I declare an Service of Northern Ireland constable, Ronan Kerr, interest as chair of the all-party group on the Irish in earlier this month will not turn back the clock, that the Britain, which seeks to raise awareness and to represent light of peace and political progress is undimmed, and within Parliament the interests and concerns of the that war is over. We share a weighty responsibility to Irish community in Britain. The group works closely ensure that the process continues to offer hope, and with the Federation of Irish Societies, which is an to resist any move to untangle the intricate latticework umbrella organisation serving the community in England of political agreement that has emerged over the past and Wales. The federation also provides the able secretariat 20 years. Strong British-Irish links are essential to build for the group. The all-party group is a genuine cross-party on the peace in Northern Ireland. I pay tribute to my enterprise, reflecting the rich and diverse Irish community right hon. Friend the Member for Torfaen (Paul Murphy), in the UK. Indeed, I would hope that you would be a not only for the role that he played in the peace process member of the group, Mr Robertson, because you as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, but for his represent a Scottish community with Irish connections. role as co-chair of BIPA and as a founder member of I am immensely proud of my Welsh heritage. My the all-party group on the Irish in Britain. children were born in Rhyl, the same town where their Looking around, I see a new generation of Irish, and father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great- a new generation of Irish in Britain. In the absence of grandfather were born. They are fluent Welsh speakers. fear and the consequences of the troubles, the community In 1997, I set up the first Welsh language lessons in is less isolated, more diverse and more optimistic than Parliament for MPs, their staff and journalists. I was ever. People are proud of their Irishness like never also informed by the Eisteddfod committee that I helped before, and I include in their number the many MPs of to raise more private sector funding for the Eisteddfod Irish origin, a number of whom are present today. than any other MP when it met in Denbigh in my The coalition Government’s response to the Saville constituency 10 years ago. inquiry into Bloody Sunday set a strong moral tone that I am, however, a Welshman of half Irish descent. My was welcomed by the Irish community here. We are all father, Michael Ruane, was from a little village called stronger as a result and more able to deal with the past Carnmore, near Oranmore in the County Galway, as and to move on. I give particular credit to the Prime the song goes. He was one of the hundreds of thousands Minister for his role in replying to the Saville inquiry. of Irishmen and women who crossed the Irish sea to His response convinced many sceptics that he was serious Britain in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s to help to rebuild about continuing the good work of the peace process in Britain after the devastation of the blitz and a six-year-long a positive, non-sectarian and non-party political way, war in which 700,000 young British people—mainly and about building the bonds between the UK and males—lost their lives. He helped to build the roads, dig Ireland. the tunnels and lay the telephone wires. More than half Times are not easy, however. There are few left to his siblings followed him. His sisters Mary and Norah brag about the invincible rise of the Celtic tiger. The worked as nurses in the NHS in Birmingham, and his effects of the global economic crisis that is wreaking other sister Sally, a Carmelite nun—Sister Columbanus havoc on this country are also devastating Ireland. The —taught children with special educational needs in Irish in Britain share a sense of uncertainty for the Worcester. They were not alone. The emigration in the future. For too many there is real fear. The so-called 1940s was almost as great as that of the 1840s after the forgotten Irish—the elderly, the poor, the homeless and famine. Irish Travellers threatened with eviction—benefited from the generosity of the Irish Government during the Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab): I boom years, but their situation remains vulnerable. congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this important The all-party group is working to encourage recognition debate. In Newcastle, which is where my Irish ancestors of the Irish in Britain, to support the Federation of settled, that combined pride in Irish heritage and regional Irish Societies, to stimulate dialogue and co-operation identity is very strong, as is exemplified by the Tyneside on Irish affairs, to promote Irish culture and sports and, Irish centre, which is in my constituency and which importantly, to raise awareness of the needs of the campaigns and raises money for our local charities. vulnerable Irish and those at risk. Again, I give full credit to the Prime Minister—I am giving him a lot of Chris Ruane: I thank my hon. Friend for her intervention credit today—for his big society initiative, which I support and I pay recognition to her work for our all-party fully if it is about inclusivity and if it includes the most group. Indeed, I believe she was present on the night we vulnerable, in which group I include Irish Travellers and re-founded it last year. Gypsies. Of all ethnic groups in the United Kingdom, I am proud of my Irish roots. I helped to set up the Irish Travellers in Britain face the worst prejudice and North Wales Irish Society more than 20 years ago, experience the worst rates of infant mortality and lowest along with Tom Noone, Patsy Scahill, Tom Wilkie, life expectancy. It is a community on the edge. It is a Angela and Stuart McDonald, and many others. I community with a real fear that Government policies joined the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly more may fuel worsened social exclusion and deterioration in than 10 years ago, and last year I re-established, along community relations, compounded by a dramatic new with Lord Dubs, the all-party group on the Irish in accommodation crisis and a situation in which education Britain. As a mark of my joint loyalties to Wales and and health needs go unaddressed. Government at all Ireland, I named my first daughter Seren, which is levels—the UK Government, devolved Administrations 97WH Irish Communities in Britain27 APRIL 2011 Irish Communities in Britain 98WH

[Chris Ruane] highlighted the specific health needs of the elderly Irish. My father’s generation, which helped to rebuild this and local government—should ensure that there is ongoing country out of the ruins of war, helped to staff the dialogue and consultation with the Traveller community hospitals and the NHS. That generation is now elderly on issues that affect it. and in need of such help. Does the Minister agree that A few worrying signs are coming from elements in the elders in our big society should be valued and protected, new coalition. I am concerned about other vulnerable that all available means should be employed to identify groups, such as the unemployed, those with drug and and measure the disadvantage faced by specific groups, alcohol problems, single mothers and—this is an old- and that steps should be taken to provide a remedy? fashioned term that is being given new credence—the Our recent report also recognised the role played by “undeserving poor”. A truly big society would recognise Irish centres in the cultural and social care needs of that all members deserve to be included and helped. To local communities. Given the importance of the flagship vilify those groups, as was done in the past with Lilley’s Irish cultural centre in Hammersmith, the assembly famous list, will not result in a big society and a better accepted our recommendations and considered that the Britain, but in a beg society and a bitter Britain. threat of closure that has resulted from the council’s I want to say a few words about the British Irish decision to terminate the lease and put the premises on Parliamentary Assembly. It was set up more than 20 the market represents a tragic blow to the Irish community years ago to help improve east-west relationships between not just in Hammersmith, but across the whole of politicians in Ireland and the UK. Its membership the UK. extends to the devolved Governments of Wales, Northern Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab): I thank Ireland and Scotland, as well as to the Isle of Man, my hon. Friend not only for securing the debate and his Jersey and Guernsey. It has achieved its aim of improving comments about the Irish cultural centre, but for everything relationships between the political classes. Politicians as that the all-party group—along with the embassy, the diverse as Arthur Morgan from Sinn Fein—a former Irish Government and the Irish community—is doing Teachda Dala—and the former Conservative MP Michael to try to save that centre, because it is valued internationally Mates have been listened to with respect by all sides of and nationally. It is a terrible shame that the Conservative the assembly, which meets once a year in the UK and council is holding the centre to ransom and demanding once a year in Ireland. £2 million. If it does not get that money, it will sell the The assembly has four committees that look at various centre to a property developer. I ask all hon. Members aspects of UK-Ireland issues. Committee D, which is who are here, including the Minister, to join the “Wear ably chaired by my friend, Lord Dubs, has twice looked your hearts for Irish arts” campaign and save the Irish at the issue of the Irish in Britain, including at our most cultural centre in Hammersmith, which is doing something recent report last year. One of its strongest for our country, not just for my constituency. recommendations to both the Irish and British Governments was not to see the Irish community in Chris Ruane: I concur entirely with my hon. Friend. Britain as an option for easy cuts. Those cautionary Hammersmith is known for promoting Irish talent and words were immediately welcomed by the Irish community. encouraging Irish philanthropy throughout the whole The Federation of Irish Societies chief executive, Jennie of the UK. McShannon, said: The fact that cross-generational talents have been “If the better off are uncertain for the future; the less well off harnessed and closer relations with local business developed have cause to be fearful. I am certain that recovery will not be shows the potential of the community as a long-term accelerated by ignoring the needs of those most in need of help. investment in the development of community and Even in a tough climate, hard-won progress on equalities cannot community values. We are talking about the big society be lost.” in action. Does the Minister agree that local councils Fabian Hamilton (Leeds North East) (Lab): I congratulate have a responsibility to the community in all its diversity, my hon. Friend on securing this extremely important and that all parties should in good faith work together debate at a timely period in our Parliament. Unfortunately, to find a viable solution for Hammersmith and all other I cannot claim to have any Irish ancestry. Does he agree centres under threat? that the Irish experience in Britain has sometimes equalled Our report on the Irish in Britain recognised the need the Jewish experience? Secondly, and more importantly, to make sure that there is a full and accurate count of will he pay tribute to those organisations that make the number of Irish in Britain through the national such a contribution to the welfare of Irish people in census. We campaigned for a national tick box for the Britain, such as Leeds Irish Health and Homes, the Irish, and I give full credit to the Federation of Irish Leeds Irish community and Irish centre, and many Societies, which launched a public awareness campaign other organisations of a similar ilk up and down the in the build-up to the 2011 national census to tackle country? persistent undercounting of the Irish community. It did so with the full co-operation of parliamentarians from Chris Ruane: I share my hon. Friend’s concerns about all parties in both Houses. In fact, the launch of the how the Irish were treated in the UK many years ago. campaign took place just 20 yards away from here in the Over the past 20 or 30 years, that has been put right. I Jubilee Room last year. The ethnicity box on the 2011 pay tribute to the work of the organisations he mentioned census attempts to make clear that it is about Irish roots in Leeds and across the UK to bring the Irish together and identity, not about someone’s passport or place of and protect Irish communities. birth. What assurance can the Government offer to vulnerable Irish community groups campaigned to make the groups that the axe will not fall unfairly on their heads census inclusive and to try to prevent anyone from and that the dignity of minorities will continue to be being excluded. Census statistics inform millions of recognised and respected? The reports I have mentioned decisions made by public authorities and businesses 99WH Irish Communities in Britain27 APRIL 2011 Irish Communities in Britain 100WH that are trying to meet demand for goods and services, this side of the Irish sea? The BBC and others have and to distribute resources fairly. An underestimation taken initiatives to capture the thoughts and memories means that the needs of the weak and vulnerable in our of the ex-soldiers and key workers of the two world community are overlooked. The assembly agreed that wars, as well as the peacetime triumphs of other key the problems facing the Irish community could not be groups within society. Will the Minister consult his properly addressed unless they were assessed on the colleagues to see whether greater recognition can be basis of full, reliable data. It called on public authorities given to the contribution of that post-war Irish cohort in Britain to make it standard practice to keep and who did so much to improve this country? As Sir Alfred monitor data on the Irish as an ethnic community, and McAlpine said, for them to use those data to inform policy. What “the contribution of the Irish to the construction industry in the assurances can the Minister offer that the data collected UK was immeasurable”. in the course of the census will be analysed thoroughly Where are the statues and plaques to these people who and that information on all ethnic groups, specifically did so much? including the Irish, will be used to inform and direct A great deal of effort has gone into the report on the public policy in the years ahead? Irish in Britain. What assurance can the Minister give Simon Hughes (Bermondsey and Old Southwark) that his Government value the contribution of the Irish (LD): Will the hon. Gentleman give way? in Britain? Will he undertake to study the recommendations of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly and address Chris Ruane: I give way to the co-chair of the all-party its concerns, and will he agree to meet a small delegation group. representing the Irish in Britain to take this agenda Simon Hughes: Obviously I endorse what the hon. forward? Gentleman said, but may I make a plea through him? I gather that one in 10 census forms have not yet been 11.18 am returned and that people were told that they could return them in six weeks. I make a final plea to the Irish The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for community to do just what he and the campaign called Communities and Local Government (Andrew Stunell): for: ensure that the forms get in. The number of Irish in It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship this Britain is currently recorded as around 900,000, but morning, Mr Robertson, and to have the opportunity some of us believe that the realistic figure is more like to respond to what is an important debate. I congratulate 2 million than just under 1 million. the hon. Member for Vale of Clwyd (Chris Ruane) on giving me the opportunity to do that and, on the way, to Chris Ruane: I concur entirely with the right hon. establish why some of the questions he has asked are Gentleman. The 10% of people who have not registered rather difficult to answer. He very properly drew attention are likely to be the most poor and vulnerable, many of to his own mixed heritage and the hon. Member for whom are illiterate or semi-literate. It is incumbent on Newcastle upon Tyne Central (Chi Onwurah) and others the Government to find out exactly who those people spoke in the same vein. Until somebody tests my DNA, are and to make sure that they are registered so that I do not think I have any Irish in me, but it would be they receive the services that they deserve. surprising if there were not some somewhere in there. I shall conclude so that the Minister has time to One of the realities of Britain—which we should glory respond. We of Irish heritage are proud of our community in rather than be embarrassed about—is that we are all and believe in pulling our weight—I have lots of it. The mongrels in our heritage and culture, and we rightly recognition of the Irish in Britain extends beyond the value and treasure that. I thank the all-party group for collection and use of census data. A strong and confident the work it does in ensuring that the two Houses of community organisation has benefits for all. Groups Parliament and the Government are kept fully appraised such as the Federation of Irish Societies are already of the concerns and the needs of the Irish community. working in partnership with the Irish Government on We welcome the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly their global emigrant strategy. report and the work of the all-party group in Westminster The term “the forgotten Irish” has great resonance on behalf of the Irish community. within the Irish community in the UK. I feel that their contribution to the rebuilding of the UK after the war The report makes some interesting observations. I and to the successful establishment of the NHS has want to pick up three themes, each of which the hon. been unsung and under-recognised. Their story has Member for Vale of Clwyd also brought into his discourse. largely been untold. Perhaps that was because of their Time will be short: if I leave out points, I hope that he reticence within the community and a natural rural will remind me afterwards. I will be happy to respond shyness, or perhaps it is because there was not a willing more fully to some of his more arcane points. audience to listen. My father had only one picture taken I thank the hon. Gentleman for his generosity in in his time over here, which was at his wedding, and he acknowledging that the coalition Government have was not too happy with that. continued to invest energy in securing a full, comprehensive and successful resolution of the difficulties in Northern Simon Hughes: With the picture or the wedding? Ireland. I share his condemnation of the incidents and Chris Ruane: With the picture—cheeky! the murder, which are obviously designed to disrupt Many of the memories of the forgotten Irish were not that process. I am sure that all parties share an utter committed to film, or to video or audio recording. The determination to ensure that attempts at disruption are chance to capture their memories is fast fading as many unsuccessful. die off. The Irish TV station RTE has produced the The hon. Gentleman rightly drew attention to the fascinating series “The Forgotten Irish”. What can the importance of delivering services to the Irish Traveller Government do to help to promote similar interest on community, which is one of my personal ministerial 101WH Irish Communities in Britain27 APRIL 2011 Irish Communities in Britain 102WH

[Andrew Stunell] at addressing the range of issues: educational attainment, health outcomes, employment, access to financial products, responsibilities. Both I and the Secretary of State have and unlawful denial of access to commercial premises. made it clear that this problem must be dealt with. The The group’s agenda has been set in consultation with indicators for Gypsies and Travellers—including Irish members of the Gypsy and Traveller community. We Travellers—are not good. With regard to education, are moving ahead with that, and further information there are currently 4,000 Travellers of Irish heritage and progress will be reported to the House in due registered in English primary, secondary and special course. schools. They are, unfortunately, among the lowest-achieving Turning to data collection, I heard the plea from the pupil groups at every key stage of education. At key chairman and the deputy chairman of the all-party stage 2, just over 26% of Travellers of Irish heritage group for the census forms to be filled in, with the Irish achieve level 4, compared to the 73.5% of all pupils. At tick-box used. I am not sure that describing it as the key stage 4, 21.8% of Travellers of Irish heritage achieve Irish tick-box does it justice. I understand the plea, but I five or more A* to C GCSE grades, compared to the ask the hon. Member for Vale of Clwyd—bearing in national average of 54.8%—ess than half the level of mind his introductory remarks—whether he ticked the achievement. Irish box, the Welsh box or the British box. The alleged As the hon. Gentleman rightly pointed out, there is a or stated under-recording of the Irish is part of the strong link between deprivation and under-achievement. much broader question of what it means to be British Some 43% of all pupils registered as Gypsy, Roma or and to be a member of society here. How people Irish Traveller are eligible for free school meals—an self-identify is surely the way to go. The hon. Gentleman indication of the deprivation that so many of those can perhaps tell me later whether he ticked the Irish households suffer. box.

Mr Slaughter: With other members of the all-party Simon Hughes: The Minister is well known for his group for Gypsy Roma Travellers, I had the opportunity support for minority communities and for the to visit Dale Farm last Thursday. The Minister will be disadvantaged. Following the invitation from the hon. aware, because of his responsibility, of the particular Member for Vale of Clwyd (Chris Ruane), is the Minister problems of Dale Farm. Ignoring the legal and other willing some time in the summer to meet not just the history, will he acknowledge that in relation to Dale all-party group, but the Irish ambassador, if willing, Farm, mass eviction is not the answer? Will he meet and the Federation of Irish Societies? It would be very members of the all-party group to discuss other ways to significant for the communities Minister to have a meeting resolve the issues there, without contemplating perhaps with representatives of the Irish community in Britain. the largest ever eviction of a Gypsy and Traveller community, most of whom are Irish Travellers? Andrew Stunell: I am strongly inclined to say yes. However, the Foreign Secretary might have a point of Andrew Stunell: The hon. Gentleman tempts me to view about that. The Government are willing to meet at use my remaining six minutes on an issue that is not at the appropriate level; if that is me, I am happy to be that the core of this debate. Of course, I would be happy to person. I do not want to pre-empt the whole of Government meet the group to discuss matters of mutual interest, on to my shoulders. whenever it is appropriate. I would like to squeeze one point into my last 90 I spoke about the educational disadvantages facing seconds. In introducing the debate, the hon. Member Irish Travellers. Health indicators are also bad: 22% of for Vale of Clwyd raised fears that the Government Gypsies and 34% of Travellers report asthma or chest were not focusing properly on ensuring that discrimination pain, compared to 5% and 22% of the general population. was eliminated in our society. I remind him that the There is a national health inclusion programme designed public sector equality duty came into force on 5 April. to reach those people. The hon. Member for Hammersmith That places a duty on public bodies to consider the (Mr Slaughter) made the point about accommodation. needs of all the individuals they serve when they are Of course, there is a statutory requirement for local developing policy, in delivering services and in relation authorities to assess Gypsy and Traveller accommodation to their employees. The Government believe that local needs. The Government have secured £60 million of providers are best placed to decide which data are funding, for the comprehensive spending review period, needed to inform their local priorities and monitoring. for the provision of new Traveller pitches and the If they choose to do so, they are in a good position. refurbishment of existing ones. Under the new homes bonus scheme, local authorities will be given cash incentives With regard to the centre in Hammersmith, the to deliver new homes, which does include new Traveller Government hope that the parties involved can work sites. together to achieve a satisfactory outcome. However, it is not the job of the Government to intervene in that I could elaborate on other matters, but I should press discussion. on. The Secretary of State has set up a cross-Government ministerial working group to address the inequalities faced by Gypsies and Travellers. I am a member of that 11.30 am group, which has met a number of times. We are looking Sitting suspended. 103WH 27 APRIL 2011 Railway Expansion 104WH

Railway Expansion We have inherited that structure, which did not necessarily occur for the right reasons and not necessarily on a 2.30 pm wholly rational basis. In turn, we have had to pick up the economic consequences that that structure gives us. John Pugh (Southport) (LD): It is a pleasure to serve Since then, clearly, there have been changes. Some changes under your chairmanship, Mr Robertson. I want to talk are favourable to rail development, some not so. Recently about a number of schemes associated with such places we have seen oil prices rise and road congestion become as Colne, Skipton, Bidston, Halton, Burscough, an increasing worry to Governments of whatever Todmorden, Fleetwood and so on—places that I know persuasion, and we have seen environmental concerns flummox Hansard reporters, so I will give some clarification move to the front of the stage. Counter to expectations—it on those at a later stage. was assumed that rail was in decline—we have seen I would like to start with a largely unquestioned truth that, despite prices, an element of overcrowding and that I think most people will buy into, which is that occasional poor reliability, rail use has increased connectivity between centres of economic activity further dramatically. I saw the first transport plan during the stimulates whatever economic growth and activity one course of the previous Government, and even that gets there. I am also happy to agree with anybody who predicted a decline in train use that was never fulfilled. suggests that growth cannot be stimulated simply through People were genuinely surprised—I was on the Transport connectivity—by building a railway line or a road. A Committee at the time—to see that trend reverse. It did classic example in the north-west is Skelmersdale, which not just reverse as far as passenger traffic was concerned, has an excellent motorway joining it to the rest of the but for freight traffic as well. world, but which still has a very poor economic performance. What has not changed significantly, or has not increased, is what I would call the rail reach—the speed with In the past, in bolder days, it is true that Governments which trains move around the place and the overall built roads to nowhere and built rail tracks that are not capacity of the system. That is despite lobbying from used. Private developers also have a sharper eye for groups and communities across the country. Normally, what needs to be done. Normally, however, one connects such lobbying has not been for anorak-based nostalgia areas on the assured assumption that people or goods schemes, but for quite modest, sensible, rationally argued will want to travel along the line of connection. In the enhancements—restoration of linkages, replacement of beginning of rail, the assumptions that were made were curves that had been taken out by Beeching—and in very bold indeed. People built trains out into the wild places where there is clearly some sort of demand, and west in the United States. They built trains through the where a demand case can be made. Those are not south American jungle. I have even been on a train demand cases based on nostalgia, but on what people through a mountain in Switzerland. I am not sure that consider to be hard economic realities. the Department for Transport would consider such a project in these days, but certainly people were very We have to ask the question why. Why, despite the bold and imaginative. They even built train services—very increase in ridership—if I can put it like that—and good train services, at one stage—to the English coast, despite the fact that the rail service has survived relatively although they have curtailed some of those in recent intact since the days of Beeching, have we not extended years. anywhere at all to any great extent? That is something They were all, by and large, high-risk ventures with of a puzzle and I have tried to explain why. Several potentially high returns. Increasingly, as time went on, different explanations can be given. One is a belief private developers got less of an appetite for that and among hard-edged planners at the Department for the state was expected to shell out more to fund, subsidise Transport that all schemes are necessarily based on and back whatever rail infrastructure was put in place. sentiment and nostalgia, and not on a dispassionate Of course, with state involvement came a gradual sense review of the economic facts. Another explanation—this of entitlement. People feel entitled to connections, whether is clearly a major consideration—is the fact that in rail by road or by rail. In many parts of the country, where terms capital works are very expensive so far as signalling the rail connections have gone, they grumble and have is concerned, particularly since privatisation. Signalling grumbled for many decades since they departed. There has almost become a private monopoly, and it is very is, however, an acceptance by most people that the hard to get the price down. If there is any kind of plan quality of the connections, whether by rail or road, have that involves alteration of signalling, we can expect the something to do with the size of the place and how figures to increase dramatically beyond expectation. isolated it is. Another reason why schemes are hard to progress is In the early days of rail it soon became apparent that that unlike roads, the rail planning process is fairly they had one very big competitor—roads. Roads are an opaque. The fragmented character of the rail industry— obvious substitute. Certainly, in the 1940s and 1950s with Network Rail providing the track, and train operating roads were seen as an almost lethal competitor, and so companies with relatively short-term leases providing we got what we call, or might be regarded as, a managed the railway carriages—means that people often work to contraction—an ill-managed contraction—under the short-term considerations with limited horizons. The much-defamed Dr Beeching. I say it was ill-managed fact that there are a number of players involved—including because all sorts of peculiar things were done. For planning authorities, transport authorities and whoever example, Blackpool was deprived of a railway line supports the scheme locally in business terms—means simply because not enough people bought tickets in that progressing a rail scheme is no easy matter. Anybody Blackpool. The fact that thousands and thousands of who has been associated with any campaigns of the people bought tickets in Glasgow to go to Blackpool kind I described at the start of this peroration will know and then return did not seem to affect the planning they how difficult it is to get all the ducks lined up. One good engaged in then. reason—or one bad reason—why we do not seem to get 105WH Railway Expansion27 APRIL 2011 Railway Expansion 106WH

[John Pugh] Graham Stringer (Blackley and Broughton) (Lab): The hon. Gentleman makes an interesting case and anything to happen is that we have not actually done might be getting to the point that I want to make. Is the anything. All those schemes have remained in the pending real reason why there has been little investment in new tray for as long as I can remember, so all the fear, bias, lines over the past 30 years or so because of the anxiety and expectation that people have about such methodology used for new investment? A terrific amount schemes remain exactly in place. of investment is going into the railways at the moment, but nearly all of it is for the south-east, because the criteria used are about capacity and overcrowding, not Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): I am grateful to about economic development, which is the point he was the hon. Gentleman who represents a neighbouring making. Does he agree that a rebalancing of the criteria constituency.He talked about the difficulties of developing of economic development and of overcrowding is needed new railway schemes. Does he think that it is easier to because otherwise all the money will go to the south-east? make more use of the existing network, and what the opportunities are there? There is a scheme in my constituency that he is familiar with—the plan to build John Pugh: I heartily endorse that sentiment, as well a new station in north Maghull. I think that he will go as the hon. Gentleman’s point about methodology. He on to talk about the same railway line. That would be a makes a very good case. However, the Government are much easier scheme, because that is a development on in favour of rebalancing the economy, and they accept the existing network. The economic benefits of that that one of the ways of doing so is through infrastructure should be relatively easy to attain. I wonder what his capital projects, particularly on something such as rail. thoughts are on the cuts that the Government have It is sad that really big rail schemes are being progressed pushed through, which mean that that scheme and in the south yet very little is happening up north, apart many others on the existing network have gone. from such necessary developments as the Manchester hub. John Pugh: Strangely enough, and I hate to be parochial, It is fair presumption that if we want to move people I am not completely familiar with the scheme the hon. around the country, laying down metal track and then Gentleman mentions, even though it is close to my shifting people around in large, uncomfortable iron constituency. I will say that Governments, and Network boxes need not automatically to be seen as the best Rail in particular, have found it quite easy simply to approach. However, if we took that presumption to its develop what we have, rather than extend beyond that. logical conclusion, it would debar any tram schemes, Certainly, in discussions I had with Network Rail in the although in places such as Manchester they have been previous Parliament, it was fairly clear that that was the extraordinarily successful. Even if that presumption is mandate they were being given by Government—to in place, it has to be tested, although that rarely happens. sweat the assets they had, rather than do anything as It is contested, however, when we come to the really venturesome as actually building a new track, or putting large schemes such as Crossrail, high-speed rail and the a new line down anywhere. What the hon. Gentleman Thames Gateway, on which the Government seem to be suggests is certainly complementary to what I am suggesting, prepared to proceed—most hon. Members would support rather than the opposite. that. To be fair, the Government have looked at the area I Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): After 13 years in am speaking about: restoring curves. During the passage which the Labour Government did not invest properly of railways legislation under the previous Government, in infrastructure, I welcome and celebrate the Government Tony McNulty, the then Transport Minister, let it slip delivering £45 million to redouble the Swindon to Kemble that the Department for Transport was looking closely line. That is exactly the right kind of decision that will at some of the schemes to see if they had any value. The develop our infrastructure for an effective, rebalanced Government were taking the folders out of the cupboard, and powerful economy. dusting them down and seeing what worked and what did not. However, since that inadvertent confession of what the Government were up to, none of the research John Pugh: I certainly endorse that point, which is has seen the light of day, as far as I know. There is a similar to that made by the hon. Member for Sefton presumption against such development, and that Central (Bill Esterson), about getting more value and presumption is not argued but insidious. It was actually use from the assets that we have. contested just before the general election by my hon. I would like the Government to be bold just once in a Friend the Member for Lewes (Norman Baker), who is while and to put down a piece of rail that had not now Under-Secretary of State for Transport. He expressed previously been there—as happens in other countries—or his support for a range of smaller schemes, some of even to restore a piece of rail. I will talk later about which I have mentioned already. huge schemes such as Crossrail, which are the exception, Being completely fair, there is evidence that rail travel but all I am pressing for is that the Government advance is more expensive than it looks, given that it has a a small railway scheme—anywhere. At the moment, we hidden public subsidy, as the Minister will no doubt say have no such practice or history to look at. We know at some point. However, there is rather less evidence about bypasses and what happens as a result of them, than there used to be that empty carriages are being but we have no idea whether restoring the Todmorden, carried around unnecessarily. I remember the right hon. Halton or Burscough curves will involve either the Member for Edinburgh South West (Mr Darling), during impact that the promoters believe, or some of the costs his short spell as Secretary of State for Transport, that the Government fear. We simply have not done calming things down by suggesting that he was going to anything. contract the network further because parts of it were 107WH Railway Expansion27 APRIL 2011 Railway Expansion 108WH full of carriages of fresh air. No one is saying that any money on railway schemes—of spending money futilely. more. However, a man would never lose money by We can look with equanimity on an unused road, but an betting against the Department for Transport’s dismal unused railway is a different proposition. However, I projections on rail use. I recently looked at some statistics agree with the hon. Member for Blackley and Broughton that demonstrated that even branch lines, which are one that this does matter. If any such schemes represent of the archaic aspects of our structure, are showing economic opportunities missed, they are largely economic increased use. opportunities missed in areas that need them: in the There is a case that needs to be answered. Many hon. north, and outside the south-east and the London area. Members during their time in Parliament make cases Not to progress such schemes leaves in place a transport for specific schemes, but what happens when we question structure that, post-Beeching, does not make much the institutional inertia on the topic and when rational sense, would never have been designed like that, and has people bring forward considerations? Whether or not it been vandalised. Investigation of such schemes and is because of the methodology used, which the hon. why some people are keen advocates of them shows that Member for Blackley and Broughton (Graham Stringer) they were often attempts to deal with a huge transport mentioned, hurdles get put in place. anomaly in their area. The third reason for requiring In the past, the Department for Transport has asked clarity is that while schemes remain in limbo, the land is me for a business case. Sensibly, I have asked what needs preserved, the track bed is kept, and the aspiration and to go into a business case, but the Department is completely hope is retained—but for what, if there is no case for incapable of telling me, so I do not know what a good implementing them? business case should look like. There simply has never Many post-Beeching schemes that are still alive and been a good business case for a project such as I am kicking today are not based on pure nostalgia, and suggesting that has been accepted by the Department. there is normally not a case for never implementing Demand studies have been carried out, but they are not them, but there is also no clarity about when all the so much optimised as—if this is a word—pessimised. boxes for implementing them will be ticked. The situation People always assume the worst-case scenario, and that is strange and Kafka-like, and we cannot get out of if the track is laid and the trains are built, no one will them. The Government have been honourable and clear use them. Prices, however, are always maximised, without in saying that such schemes are off the books for four any indication of how competitive they are by international years, although I understand that some are an exception, standards. I point out again that if we had adopted the but while they are in that strange transport limbo we same approach for trams that we have for small-scale may be missing serious economic opportunities that we railway infrastructure development, we would never should investigate to a conclusion. have got a tram scheme off the ground. I want to pick up a point made by the hon. Member If the Department for Transport puts in place the for Blackley and Broughton about the London parallel. demand and the business case hurdles yet enthusiasm is The Chair of the Select Committee on Transport constantly still not dimmed, it is normally then suggested that the recites figures—they elude me for the moment—on how obvious way to promote the scheme would be under much is spent on transport in London compared with some local funding solution. However, there is always elsewhere. an underestimate of what a hard ask that is. Promoters of any substantial scheme would certainly have to talk Graham Stringer: Nearly all. to local councils to get them lined up, as well as dealing with passenger transport authorities and regional John Pugh: I suggest that the ratio is 10:1, and development authorities, when there were such perhaps an hon. Member will correct me if I am wrong. organisations. All such organisations, by and large, have I speak with some bitterness, because I spent two years erratic, on-off funding streams. Their strategies have discussing the Crossrail Bill. Its Committee stage was been revised over recent years and then changed again. one of the longest in the past 50 years, and it was pure The demands made of them have also changed, and endurance, but one could not help being impressed by even the labels of the organisations have changed, given the scale of what was being attempted, although there that PTAs became integrated transport authorities. They were days when one thought there were better uses for are subject to changing mandates and central directives, one’s time. It is an engineering marvel, and will link the some of which come from the Department for Transport. bankers of Canary Wharf with their planes at Heathrow. The promoters are then expected to pull all those I am not against that, but London is already probably organisations together and to work with national bodies the best connected capital in the world, and it already such as Network Rail, which are also subject to prescriptions has a tube and bus network that is the envy of every from the Government and the Office of Rail Regulation. other city in the UK. I genuinely doubt whether London’s Granted, Network Rail is more approachable than the contribution to UK plc will be massively affected whether disaster that was Railtrack, but it is still hard to deal or not we build Crossrail on the most expensive real with it. Had doing so been easier, we would have got to estate on the planet, with all that is involved. If the the yes-or-no stage for a scheme before now. What bankers of Canary Wharf, like their Venetian counterparts, actually happens is that most schemes exist in limbo—they are forced to take a vaporetto along the Thames, life are simply around; neither in nor out, and neither done would not be greatly worse for the nation or the economy. nor not done. Periodically, there are outbursts of activity in connection with them, but nothing that would represent The Minister of State, Department for Transport substantial progress. (Mrs Theresa Villiers): I cannot help intervening. Does We can ask whether that is a problem, because no the hon. Gentleman accept that the coalition has embarked progress means that no money is spent, which means on the biggest programme of rail capacity expansion in that no money is lost. People have a horror of losing modern history, which includes significant projects in 109WH Railway Expansion27 APRIL 2011 Railway Expansion 110WH

[Mrs Theresa Villiers] the economic interests in the area, and it has now been done, but I genuinely believe that it would not have the north of England, not just electrification, but most taken the same length of time had it occurred at Felixstowe, recently the announcement that the Ordsall chord scheme near Tilbury or elsewhere in the south-east. has had the go-ahead? That will provide significant benefits for people living in cities throughout the north I am encouraged by the pre-election support of the of England. Under-Secretary of State for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for Lewes for smaller schemes. I am heartened by the Secretary of State’s view that even in times of John Pugh: I am not saying that the Government austerity it is sensible to sustain capital investment in have done nothing. I am saying that, like all Governments transport, and that is what the Government are doing. I previously, they have in the pending tray schemes on am restrained by due and proper caution with regard to which they have reached no rational conclusion or that some of the schemes, their costs and so on, but we can have not been investigated thoroughly, and many of all travel in hope and never arrive. The Department can them are in the north-west. Even taking into account set out clearly what it can achieve, or it can simply wash the investment in the north, which I welcome, applaud its hands of the matter and put it down to local decision and wholly support, the proportion of that investment—the making. I have given reasons why that is not the best Minister may contradict my figures later—compared outcome. with the proportion anticipated for London, including Crossrail and the Thames Gateway, does not chime I want to address the real problem of institutional with the general drive to rebalance the economy. inertia. We would never have found out that passengers I accept that there is a problem with overcrowding in do not suffocate in railway tunnels had we not sent London. Anyone who travels on the Northern line at passengers through them—that should not be done in certain times of day will testify to that. However, that is an uncontrolled way, but we certainly managed to find largely because London’s population is always swelled out what happens. We do not know what happens if a by the enormous number of people coming here every scheme such as that at Todmorden progresses, because day by train, not because they cannot do business such schemes do not progress; they remain static. We elsewhere, but because getting into and around London will never find out whether restoring curves make sense, is already quite easy for business purposes. It is not easy unless we restore them. That should not be done randomly, absolutely, but it is easy compared with many other and I suggest that the Department rescues its paperwork places. on curves and their restoration, and prioritises its projects using criteria that can be understood. We must learn Anyone who takes a few cross-country journeys by lessons by actually carrying out a project and make rail, such as from Reading to Liverpool or somewhere something happen. that is not on the London axis, knows how difficult they are. Although there has been investment in the north, We must also consider other alternatives. There is a we often have regurgitated rolling stock that the south-east long historic link between housing development, which does not want or has finished using. The bulk of the the country sorely needs, and rail development. Housing new rolling stock is coming to the Thames Gateway and development often provides a subsidy for rail development. the London area, but in Lancashire—the hon. Member A few years ago I attended a reception—other hon. for Blackley and Broughton will agree—we have the Members may also have been there—at which the Kilbride most appalling, aged rolling stock rolling up and down Group promoted what it was doing for railway development the northern line with no immediate improvement in in the south-west. That was linked to a major housing sight. We have not gone as far as I would like in doing development, and a similar aspect of housing subsidy something about regional inequality in transport investment. could creep into a project such as the Burscough curves. If I transpose in my mind any of the schemes to which I I am aware of the role played by that group and of the have alluded and imagine them happening in London possibilities elsewhere. Given that so many people have and the south-east, I conclude that they would take less banged on about this issue for so long, it would not time. harm the Department for Transport to invite those with The Burscough curve is my scheme of first preference. such schemes in mind to some sort of seminar, at which There are two stations, half a mile apart, in a growing, problems and prospects on both sides could be aired. substantial dormitory town. Trains of two major franchises It would also help enormously for the Department to cover two city regions: Merseyside and Preston, as well point to an extra mile of track somewhere, and say why as central Lancashire. Those two conurbations have it had or had not worked, and to explain why it appears been identified as being poorly linked by transport, but to be neither physically nor financially possible to put linking those two city regions requires only half a mile back track in England. That would be one way forward. of track. If that were the case in Southwark, Kensington, It does not commit the Government to a single penny Walthamstow, Richmond or the Thames Gateway, I but it means that we can discuss the various schemes. A have no doubt that it would have been funded and done while ago I asked to speak personally to the Minister years ago. Colleagues may play the game for themselves about the Burscough curves, but I understand that she with their own pet schemes. What is a no-brainer in had other priorities at the time and I lay no blame at her London is often a half-century campaign elsewhere. door for that. However, I am not comfortable with the A simple example with which some hon. Members strange, Kafkaesque world in which nothing really happens will be familiar is the snarl-up between freight traffic except that the odd consultant gets paid from time to from the docks and passenger transport trains from time. The bizarre anomalies that lead to people supporting Liverpool Lime Street station. That went on for a long various schemes continue, but no final decisions are time, and arose simply because of the failure to put in made. I suggest that there is a more intelligent way to the Olive Mount chord. It was wholly supported by all do things. 111WH Railway Expansion27 APRIL 2011 Railway Expansion 112WH

3.2 pm only—criterion, we end up with a final result that means that 90% of investment goes to the south-east. Graham Stringer (Blackley and Broughton) (Lab): I Because that investment is put into transport, which is came to this debate to listen, rather than to participate, economically vital and important and helps the economy but that was such an interesting speech and I would like to grow, more congestion is created. The best way to put to make three simple points. I congratulate the hon. that argument is to say that investment is provided to Member for Southport (John Pugh) on securing this support congestion. As the hon. Member for Southport important debate. He made an excellent speech with said, we should not get rid of criteria on overcrowding, many important points. but we should balance them up so that investment is My first point is a bit of a boast. It might come as a also made in places where it will have an economic surprise to the hon. Gentleman to know that, when I benefit. That will probably involve a lower cost-benefit was chair of Manchester airport, I was responsible for ratio than one would get in the south-east, but if we do creating two new railway lines in the north of England. otherwise, we will create more congestion. As the hon. One was to the south of Manchester airport, and one to Gentleman said, London probably has one of the best the north, and they connected the airport to the main transport systems of any capital city in the world. It can rail network. It was tough getting those lines. At the certainly compare with most, but there is still a lot of time there was Railtrack—there is much to say about congestion because there is an imbalance in the country. Railtrack and some of the current problems that we have in the railway system of too much money going in My third point was to compliment the Government—not and not enough coming out. Turning the railways into a something I do regularly—on their commitment to property company was one of the worst mistakes of the High Speed 2. That is a generational project for rail 1990s. Having first created a link to the rail network to expansion, but it will happen only if all three parties are the north of Manchester airport, we agreed with Railtrack committed to it. Not long ago, along with other members to create a link to the south and the west coast main of the Transport Committee, I questioned Minister line. As we reached an agreement, Railtrack withdrew after Minister about High Speed 2, and they all gave all the funding and Manchester airport had to put in good reasons for why it was not going to happen. To be the money. That was a difficult problem. fair, the Liberal Democrats have always been in favour of it. The Conservatives came out in favour of it because My second point is to expand on my intervention. If they thought it was a way of answering the question looked at over a period of 10 or 15 years, the amount of about capacity in the London airport system and winning money that enters the transport system in the south-east the London mayoralty, which was a bad reason, although of England and London is unjustifiable on a national the outcome was good. The Labour party also came to basis, given that we are one country with huge regional support High Speed 2, partly because we eventually disparities. Some statistics are worth quoting. The overrun had a Secretary of State who understood something of costs on the Jubilee line extension came to more than about transport before he took up his post, which has the total investment in rail and transport in the rest of been unusual over the past 50 years or so. He was England over the 18 months that it took to finish that committed to High Speed 2, and the Labour party came extension. I am not talking about the cost of the Jubilee to support it. line extension itself, which was built partly to connect south-east London and partly to justify the money High Speed 2 is vital for the country’s future. It is one spent on the enterprise zone in the docklands. That of the key measures that will rebalance the economy in statistic is an outrageous imbalance, and if we take that the way I described. If it does not happen, the economy example, it is not surprising that we have such regional will become unbalanced in the opposite direction. At disparities. some point in the next 10 or 15 years—I cannot give the If we add up the public-private partnership, which is exact date, and the projections are never that accurate sometimes left out of the equation, Thameslink, Crossrail anyway—the west coast main line, even though it is and the investment going into the Olympics and transport much improved and has extra capacity, will reach full into east London, the rest of England is left with only capacity. That is the best case that can be made to about 4% or 5% of that investment—the figure varies doubters in the Conservative and Labour parties. There depending on how the sums are done. It is interesting to will have to be extra capacity on the west coast main note that whatever area is looked at, such as education line at some time, and it might as well come in the form or health, London receives more per capita than the rest of High Speed 2, which would link this country to the of the country, probably for good reasons. Nevertheless, continent and make us feel like the rest of Europe, with the one block of expenditure where the gap between excellent train services. That is the basic case for High London and the south-east and the rest of the country Speed 2, and it has nothing to do with the environment has been growing is in transport. Ministers have never or getting people off aeroplanes; it is an economic case been able to justify such disparities—I am not talking and it relates to the north of England. specifically about the current Minister; I am referring to There are two other things I would like to say. If we those in the previous Government—and to explain why are going to build extra capacity down the west coast that change took place when the London economy was main line, we also have to build extra capacity into the doing better. That comes back to the methodology used ordinary rail system in the north of England. It is a for investment in the capacity of the system in terms of shame that we have to wait for control period 5 for that carriages, and for new investment in signalling and increase in capacity to take place, but I hope that it will tracks. be there before High Speed 2 happens. The rail system The arguments based on capacity and overcrowding in the north of England—this is another great statistic are not stupid. If people have to sit on top of each other that I often use—runs on schedules that are slower than there is a case for making platforms longer and putting they were 130 years ago. The schedules for the trains on extra coaches. However, if that is the main—or running between Blackburn and Manchester, between 113WH Railway Expansion27 APRIL 2011 Railway Expansion 114WH

[Graham Stringer] and a degree of frustration. I want to deal with a micro issue that affects my constituency, but I hope that it Bolton and Manchester and in the rest of the north-west illustrates some of the points that the hon. Gentleman would have shamed Gladstone; they are quite shameful. made about people’s frustrations. It takes as long to get from Doncaster to Manchester in First, however, I want to make a couple of general round terms—there are a few minutes difference—as it points, prompted by the comments of the hon. Member does to get from Doncaster to London, and that illustrates for Blackley and Broughton (Graham Stringer). I served the imbalance in the transport system. By and large, on a development agency for four years and I was a someone can get to London very quickly, but it will take councillor for 17 years in what was then quoted as them quite a long time to get anywhere else, and that is Britain’s poorest borough. If we had spent the money true not just in the north of England. We therefore need that we subsequently spent year in, year out on system-built extra capacity, whether or not that involves electrification. council estates and projects to upskill people on getting I welcome the commitment to the Ordsall chord. I also the transport link right, the rest would have followed, hope that we can have the northern hub as soon as and we would have saved an immense amount. I want to possible in control period 5 and that we can really discuss that in the context of regeneration. improve the capacity and speed of trains. Secondly, I congratulate the Minister and the coalition I have one final point about high-speed rail. As I said, Government on doing the unexpected. Many of us did the case for it is economic. The case for the connection not expect what happened in the capital budget round, between Birmingham and London is based on capacity. when so much was made available, particularly to the However, High Speed 2 will be a failure if it goes only north-west. I am talking about the electrification of the between London and Birmingham. What is the point of lines between Liverpool and Manchester and between that? It really must go to Manchester and Leeds, and I Preston and Blackpool and about the extra coaches on hope that it will go beyond, to Edinburgh and Glasgow. the west coast main line, which will help to relieve some That will really bring the country together and bring of the pressure. I know full well that the Minister is economic benefits to the west and east sides of the determined to get the new contracts right and to have country. Although I do not expect this to happen—things longer contracts so that we can deal with the explosion have probably gone too far—I would have started building in the number of customers on the west coast main line. the lines from the north to the south. That is partly As the hon. Member for Blackley and Broughton said, because we would have had support for that. I understand the Government’s support for High Speed 2 is also why Conservative MPs have done what they have, and important. they have every right, and the responsibility, to represent their constituents’ interests and to oppose what is going I should put on the record my total support for the on, but I suspect that it would have been much easier hon. Gentleman’s concept that we start from the north politically to start high-speed lines in the north, given and go south. While the home counties have their little the enthusiasm and support for them in Yorkshire, difficulties, let us get on with building High Speed 2 Lancashire, Manchester and Merseyside. I have tilted at from the north. I would start from Glasgow and Edinburgh many windmills in my political life, however, and that is and prove that we are going to reunite this nation. If we not one that I will tilt at too much. see this project actually happening, that will, of itself, provide the psychological boost that we want in the If High Speed 2 cannot be started in the north of north and in Scotland. I totally support that concept. England, however, there must be a solid commitment as the hybrid Bill dealing with this issue goes through the I hope that the Minister does not see this as a House that the lines will go at least to Manchester and north-west conspiracy, although I sometimes wonder Leeds, if not further. Those of us who are long enough what would be wrong with one. However, I want to in the tooth to have been talking about regional disparities focus on the town of Fleetwood in my constituency, in transport for 25 or 30 years remember the commitments which has the unenviable record of being one of the given regarding the Channel Tunnel Bill. There were largest towns—it has a population of 58,000—without commitments that trains would come through the tunnel a railway connection. Funnily enough, it was the original and go to cities in the north of England, including end of the west coast main line in the 19th century. We Manchester. Those trains were built, and they were in have a Euston hotel because the line ran from Euston sheds outside Manchester for years before they were station to Fleetwood, where, before the railway managed scrapped; indeed, every time anyone got on the west to get over the Lake district, people got off the railway coast main line in Manchester, they would have gone and got on the boats to get to Scotland. That rail line past those sheds. disappeared with the Beeching axe, as it was known. The four and a half miles of track between Fleetwood I will support High Speed 2, and I want the Labour and the nearest railway station, Poulton-Le-Fylde, still party to stay committed to it. However, in keeping the lie unused. Fleetwood suffered recently when Stena three parties together, which will be a national project Line pulled the ferry service to Northern Ireland, and that might take 25 or 30 years, there must be an absolutely the ferry service to the Isle of Man has also gone. To be solid, unbreakable legal commitment to build the line to fair, Fleetwood is at the end of the line for the tram the north of England and beyond, if possible. I hope upgrade from Blackpool. That in itself possibly offers that the Minister can respond to those points. some future improvement through getting bigger and faster trams on the line, but in the interim, overruns in 3.16 pm the contract have nearly devastated a lot of small family Eric Ollerenshaw (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Con): business in Fleetwood; however, at least we are getting I, too, congratulate the hon. Member for Southport near to its end. (John Pugh), who gave us a macro appreciation of these The key to Fleetwood’s regeneration is the railway rail systems, and he obviously speaks with great experience line. The Fleetwood master plan states: 115WH Railway Expansion27 APRIL 2011 Railway Expansion 116WH

“The reinstatement of the line is physically and operationally John Pugh: It would seem to anybody listening to the feasible.” hon. Gentleman expand on his scheme that a very small That takes us back to what the hon. Member for amount of money is needed to make a very important Southport said. As other hon. Members have said, change. We could almost call it a social experiment, some of these schemes are small-scale when compared which, if it comes off, we could learn from and apply with what happens in London. The plan continues: elsewhere. Does he agree? “It would create significant economic and social benefits and a positive impact on the local economy supporting further sustainable Eric Ollerenshaw: I am grateful for that intervention, growth that is hard to envisage without a rail link.” because the hon. Gentleman puts the possibilities into words better than I can. At the moment, Fleetwood has a tremendous fish processing industry. The bulk of that fish no longer comes from the The scheme and the enthusiasts are there, and, as the fishing fleet, which I think is down to two and a half Minister has seen, the track is there bar one mile of it, boats, but comes in at night by truck from every other but I am sure that we can easily borrow a mile of track fishing port in Britain down a narrow A road. Even from some other disused railway. I am asking for some with the freight possibilities, rail could provide momentum ministerial support for the scheme, particularly in respect to the expansion of an indigenous industry. of Network Rail, and for another demonstration from the coalition Government that they are committed to I want to illustrate that such a project could be seen the north and to the north-west in particular. as an example of the big society. The Poulton and Wyre Railway Society trust has operated for five years, and I hope the Minister can come and see at some point what 3.25 pm it has done to restore Thornton station. It estimates Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): I add my that to reopen the line now would cost £5.5 million, and compliments to those already paid to my hon. Friend it hopes to apply for grant funding. I am asking the the Member for Southport (John Pugh) on securing the Minister for support. The trust is negotiating to get the debate, and I apologise for missing the early part of his lease for the remaining bit of the line, from Poulton to speech. Judging from the part that I caught, however, I Fleetwood, to be assigned to it by Network Rail. That am sure that reading his speech in the Official Report would save money, but the dealings with Network Rail tomorrow will be instructive. have now gone on for more than two years. These are enthusiasts and volunteers, but I must say that the local Given that the debate is about railway expansion and council, Wyre borough council, supports them. I pay smaller schemes, the Minister will not be surprised that tribute to Councillor Don MacNaughton, who has I wish to talk about several smaller schemes in my been remorseless in trying to get this moving, but we constituency about which I have spoken before. Although seem to have hit an impasse in dealing with all the I support investment in the railway and some of the strands of Network Rail. I would be extremely grateful larger schemes that we have heard about this afternoon, for any support the Minister could give. She stood part of the point I wish to make is that there are some beside that track before the general election, so she very small schemes that do not require new infrastructure, understands where it goes and the possibilities therein. nor even a mile of track, that would benefit the rail network. Decisions taken in previous decades have meant I am also interested in hearing from the Minister that the network has had to do without such schemes. about the tram-train concept—I have met with a group My concern, and I think the concern of my hon. Friend to discus that—which operates in Germany and which I the Member for Southport, is that in the old plans to understand might be tested in Rotherham. To be fair, which we still turn for our railways, we do not have a that scheme was started under the previous Government. decision-making structure that is open to embracing Particularly as Fleetwood is now getting the upgrade of such ideas. a tram system, such a scheme could provide another solution, albeit a long-term one, for an area that badly The scheme in my constituency and county that I am needs uplift. I talked about the uplift to the psychology keen to advocate first and foremost is the TransWilts of the north-west from High Speed 2. If work on such a project. I have been most encouraged for its prospects in line were started in Fleetwood, that would in itself light of the Government’s announcement late last year motivate the people there to realise that they can stay on additional rolling stock. Given the correspondence there, bring up their children and run a business, and and meetings that I have had with the Department, that they can expect their children to get jobs there. however, I have been on something of a rollercoaster That is the critical nature of the scheme. about how optimistic I should be. On the day that the statement was made, I asked the Secretary of State if In the Association of Train Operating Companies the determination on where the additional rolling stock 2009 report, the Fleetwood-Poulton line was fourth would go would be entirely dependent on the commercial from top in terms of cost-benefit when compared with strength of the operator on any part of the network, or other lines. Such schemes are possible; they do not need on wider economic benefits. I was told that it would not the mega-millions and billions that London has. One be exclusively about the commercial strength of the could argue about that and the justifications for it in franchisee, but following further scrutiny, it has become different ways. However, we need ministerial support to apparent that getting additional rolling stock is a very unlock the connections among Network Rail, the Poulton competitive process, not least due to the strained public and Wyre Railway Society and the council, to see if we finances and concerns about the viability of the subsidy can provide one more link in the chain that we need to what are termed the regional railways. The rolling across the north-west—I accept what other hon. Members stock will have to be paid for somehow, and without a have said—and provide the lift and regeneration we source of support or the willingness to contemplate need. including these operations within existing franchise and 117WH Railway Expansion27 APRIL 2011 Railway Expansion 118WH

[Duncan Hames] be rather less than they were at the time it was abandoned. I offer that scheme as an example of something that is support arrangements, it could prove very difficult to very small and simple that would not make an enormous get additional rolling stock on to certain services without difference, but could prove to be of wider benefit to the a franchisee in strong commercial health. resilience and flexibility of our rail infrastructure, especially In my case, I am somewhat confident that there will if we are looking to the future following the Government’s be additional rolling stock on the Cardiff-Portsmouth decisions on electrifying the Great Western line, given line, which would address the congested trains on routes the likely need to divert trains during the engineering in and out of Bath and Bristol. However, it might be works that will be required. rather harder to make the argument—it is probably a Time and again when I sought to make the case for much stronger argument from an economic point of many of these improvements, I found that if they did view, but it is one that requires time for its case to be not make it into the Great Western route utilisation proved—for connecting the towns in western Wiltshire strategy produced under the previous Government, my with Chippenham and Swindon through a TransWilts hopes of being able to make the case for them were service. Given the excellent support that we have from much diminished. However, the current Government the community rail partnership in Wiltshire and the have made some very enlightened decisions about the enthusiasm of at least some of the councillors on Wiltshire railways in the past 12 months that were not envisaged council, however, I remain hopeful that between us we at the time of that strategy, whether we are talking will be able to persuade decision makers in the industry about the decision that has already been made about about that. the high-speed fleet for the Great Western line, the Another long-standing campaign for a small but decision about electrifying the route from London beyond significant improvement to the railway in my constituency Bristol into Wales, and the decision that I referred to is for the reopening of Corsham station. That seemed earlier about additional rolling stock that could be very close at hand until around the time of the Hatfield available for my part of the country. I hope that those train crash, when something of a retrenchment on the hon. Members representing northern constituencies will railways led to the withdrawal of plans for services that forgive me for saying that my area is not part of the would have been able to serve Corsham station in a way blessed London network that they have described and that current high-speed services cannot. As we no longer we have struggled to secure additional rolling stock have an Oxford-Bristol service passing over that piece under previous decisions. The fact that those recent of track, the campaign has been very hard to fight. decisions have been made calls into question some of However, moneys have been set aside—through section the assumptions in that strategy, but they still exist and 106 agreements in relation to the substantial residential underpin the problems that campaigners encounter when development that there has been—for redeveloping that trying to have decisions revisited. station. We need a more joined-up approach between I shall conclude shortly because I want to leave local government and the funds that it has available in sufficient time for the Front Benchers to respond to the this case, and decision making in the transport sector. debate. If we really want to support and embrace smaller rail schemes, which can provide excellent value for My final example is an extreme case that makes the money if we have a little confidence in the potential of point about the value that smaller schemes can provide. our railways, we will need to loosen the straitjacket that I am referring to the northern curve at Bradford junction, I have described. We need a little more joined-up thinking north of Trowbridge. That is an area where, essentially, between local government and the rail sector, more tracks heading in three directions meet. At the moment, enlightened allocations of funding streams—be they there is an east-to-south curve and a west-to-south from parking or from economic development—and perhaps curve. We have a railway line that forks in a Y shape, but even the ability for local authorities to take more of an traditionally there was a northern curve, which in effect equity stake so that it is not simply a matter of responding created a triangle at that point. It does not take long to to a begging bowl. realise the flexibility that that would provide for the diversion of trains. People will know, especially if they I hope that some of these ideas will give us the ability travel on a Sunday, as I often do, that there are a lot of to break the current cycle. Those of us who are campaigners engineering works on the Great Western main line, in Wiltshire find that if we want to make an improvement which often mean that trains are not able to travel the to our railways, the Department says that local government full route, such as the one that I take into London from should be able to promote those schemes, but local Wiltshire. We might be much better able to deal with government says that operators need to be able to pay that in our rail network if we had the option to divert for them themselves, and operators then say that they trains in the way that we could if they were able to travel will need support from the Department—a subsidy—if from Bath and then back up to Chippenham having they are to be able to support a scheme. We therefore all taken that curve, even if work was being done on the go round in circles and progress cannot be made on our intervening track. railways. I hope that we can build on the early decisions that the Government have taken and take full advantage The amount of track that we are talking about is very of all opportunities, and not just those presented by the small. The land is still available for the railway—it has big projects of which we hear so much. not been developed. I believe that that piece of track was not maintained because of the costs of improving 3.35 pm the reliability of the electricity supply to the signalling infrastructure. Now that residential development goes Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab): It is a right the way up to the railway line on the eastern side, pleasure to speak under your chairmanship, Mr Robertson. the costs of improving the electricity infrastructure for I, too, congratulate the hon. Member for Southport that piece of track and the signalling used there would (John Pugh) on securing the debate, which has been 119WH Railway Expansion27 APRIL 2011 Railway Expansion 120WH excellent. Clearly, it raises important matters about Lancaster and Fleetwood (Eric Ollerenshaw) that people smaller rail schemes and how, in many instances, they could mistakenly think that this is a north-west conspiracy. could benefit local areas by increasing economic prosperity However, he knows that there is a great deal of rail and improving access to the rail network for local congestion in the whole of our region, and many communities. I agree with the hon. Gentleman that commentators have said that smaller schemes, many of smaller rail schemes clearly should be considered as we which make up elements of what is called the northern consider how best to deal with expansion on our railway hub, are key components in improving rail services network. across the north of England. We need to consider all ways of making our railways One ambition of the northern hub project is to work in the most economically efficient way. Given that, increase train services in the north by 40% during the as my hon. Friend the Member for Blackley and Broughton next 20 years, including for cities such as Newcastle, (Graham Stringer) rightly said, there will be serious Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield. That would capacity issues all over the rail network in the years to mean 700 more trains a day, which would make it come, we need to think about the best ways of expanding possible for 3.5 million more passengers to travel by the railways for the best value for money, which clearly train each year. The estimated wider economic impact involves looking at the types of scheme that have been of the project is significant as it involves the creation of discussed today. 23,000 jobs and a return of £4 for every £1 that is spent. With more and more people wanting to travel by rail, Although I welcome the recent announcement on the continued investment in increasing rail capacity and Ordsall curve, it has been frustrating for those of us expanding the network is vital. With passenger growth who believe in the northern hub project that the expected to increase by up to 50% by 2020, and rail Government have not yet made a firm commitment freight expected to grow by 30% during the next decade, about when work on that worthwhile and economically substantial changes to the rail network will be needed. beneficial project will begin. That would be a good Clearly there has been a great deal of debate in the starting point. I hope that any approval will not be House and media coverage about larger rail expansion piecemeal, however, because we need to take the northern projects such as Crossrail and Thameslink, the electrification hub project as a whole. I welcome the fact that the schemes in Wales and the north-west, and the ongoing Ordsall curve will link Manchester Piccadilly and discussions about high-speed rail. Those projects will Manchester Victoria stations by the end of 2016, but clearly attract the lion’s share of transport funding in that is only one aspect of the northern hub scheme. the future. However, growing demand on the rail network There is no Government commitment to the entire can sometimes be satisfied, as we have heard today, by programme, so I ask the Minister to give a firm commitment smaller enhancements, such as lengthening platforms to that the project will be included in the next Network allow for longer trains or doubling single tracks. The Rail control period. former approach has been taken on some London Labour clearly remains committed to dealing with commuter routes, and the latter is appropriate in rural overcrowding and capacity problems on the network, areas that have become bottlenecks. and to considering how best to use further rail expansion Of course, local rail expansion has been made more to do so in the most cost-effective way. However, rail difficult—particularly given the expectation that these expansion and investment decisions can have a real schemes and their business cases will be primarily led by impact on regional growth, and may help to perpetuate local authorities, integrated transport authorities where a cycle of increasing disparity of wealth between regions. they exist, local enterprise partnerships where they exist, Such decisions will be all the more important in light of and so on—following the comprehensive spending review, the abolition of the regional development agencies. which left a 28% cut in local government transport Smaller rail schemes obviously have beneficial effects spending. That has implications for the immediate future. in all areas of the country. In a previous debate, I played Sometimes smaller rail projects will not be the best a parliamentary version of rail Top Trumps with the solution all over the rail network. As we see on an hon. Member for Chippenham over who had the worst increasing number of routes, peak trains are already at rail service in the country—I think that I won with my maximum length and no further trains can realistically example of one train a week in one direction only. be added. However, the hon. Gentleman made a powerful case for I welcome the campaigning work of the hon. Member extra investment in his constituency. I was disappointed for Southport and particularly the work that he has that the Government sneaked out their decision to end done to make the case for the Burscough curve, which all funding for local rail schemes developed by local will help to revive the disused electric track between authorities and integrated transport authorities on the Ormskirk and Burscough, thus bringing links to Southport. same day that they announced the public consultation He must have found it a bit disheartening that the on High Speed 2. present Government in effect slapped a four-year ban on funding such projects, as he discussed in his speech. Mrs Villiers: Does the hon. Gentleman know of any However, he is to be congratulated on showing the local authorities or local promoters that complained determination to find alternative sources of funding for about that announcement? The fact is that none of the scheme, which will certainly benefit his constituents. those schemes are ready to kick off before April 2012, I wish him well with that. so they will still be subject to the same three-year As many of us in the room are north-west MPs—the consideration for national funding as under the system exceptions are the hon. Member for Chippenham (Duncan that we inherited from the Labour Government. Hames), the Minister and her parliamentary private secretary, the hon. Member for Elmet and Rothwell Andrew Gwynne: If that was the case, putting a block (Alec Shelbrooke)—I agree with the hon. Member for on the schemes was a pointless exercise. 121WH Railway Expansion27 APRIL 2011 Railway Expansion 122WH

[Andrew Gwynne] that maze of bureaucracy to bring forward schemes promoted by local partnerships, as described by the The Government’s decision means that no central hon. Gentleman? funding will be available for new schemes until April Will the McNulty review make suggestions, and if so 2015, which will obviously affect schemes such as that what is the Government’s view? What further advice in the constituency of the hon. Member for Southport. does the Minister have for local authorities to get funding Why was that decision not included in the announcement for their projects? Will she make a statement about about the comprehensive spending review? Such an smaller rail schemes such as the Todmorden curve? important decision should have been announced on its What work has the Department done to examine the own, rather than being overshadowed by an announcement benefits of reopening other disused rail lines? What will on the same day about the public consultation on happen to the schemes that were in line for funding high-speed rail. That is a blow to further passenger before the Government’s announcement earlier this year? choice and to economic regeneration. The Southport scheme and others represent a small The Eddington review outlined the significant returns proportion of the schemes on our rail network, and we that can result from smaller projects that unblock pinch hope that those and many others will be given due points, saying that variable infrastructure schemes to consideration by the Government for the next control support public transport in urban areas are likely to period. offer the highest returns. A recent report by the Transport Committee clearly identified the way in which the south, 3.48 pm and particularly London, has benefited from rail investment, which was a point made eloquently by my hon. Friend The Minister of State, Department for Transport the Member for Blackley and Broughton and others. (Mrs Theresa Villiers): I join others in congratulating The report also noted that transport investment per my hon. Friend the Member for Southport (John Pugh) head in London and the south-east was three times as on securing the debate and on his eloquent and articulate much as in other regions of the country. I do not wish to speech. All contributions to this good debate have given be misrepresented, so I point out that Labour certainly us an insight into what approach to take on rail expansion, supports investment in London and the south-east, but particularly with regard to local schemes. I highlight the similar interest should be shown in the needs of the rest fact that my hon. Friend the Member for Elmet and of the country, and my hon. Friend made a valid and Rothwell (Alec Shelbrooke) is in the room because he powerful point in that respect. Some smaller rail projects also takes a keen interest in local rail services in his might be a way to redress the balance, but we will have constituency and campaigns to improve them. to wait to see what is included in the next Network Rail My hon. Friend the Member for Southport control period. acknowledged that there has been a problem in recent years due to a failure to address the increase in passenger I wonder whether there is a greater role for tram-train, numbers by increasing capacity. To be fair to the previous which was mentioned by the hon. Member for Lancaster Government, they started to wake up to the problem, and Fleetwood. Such services could vastly improve but rather late in the day.However, a significant programme local passenger services—and the passenger experience—by of rail investment is now under way. That is a response utilising existing infrastructure. It will be interesting to to the sort of points that my hon. Friend made about see the success or otherwise of the south Yorkshire trial the success of the railways in increasing passenger numbers, and to note whether that can be adopted elsewhere. as well as about the significant economic and wider regeneration benefits that can be produced by the better Hon. Members will know that Labour is undertaking connectivity that comes with the railways. a fundamental review of all its policies, exactly as the Conservatives did when the Prime Minister became I assure my hon. Friend that there is no presumption leader of his party. We are looking at all areas of policy, against local rail schemes, as he indicated that there and I must tell my hon. Friend the Member for Blackley might be. He and other hon. Members have highlighted and Broughton that that includes the question of High the benefits of local rail expansion, whether by reopening Speed 2. I urge him to take part in that because his disused lines or providing better or more frequent services serious points about capacity on the west coast main on existing track. The Government fully recognise the line and regional economic disparities should be fed possible benefit of such schemes. I shall set out what into the process. Whatever the outcome of the policy assistance we can give on those and the sources of review, the party will remain committed to assisting the funding that local authorities might look to. However, it Government to secure the legal powers for High Speed is also important to talk about some of the bigger 2 in the hybrid Bill. Like my hon. Friend, I urge the capacity expansion programmes, because my hon. Friend Government to do so for the whole of the Y-shape is right that they are much needed. network, not only the route from London to Birmingham. Despite the deficit that we inherited, the coalition has placed a priority on capital spending on rail programmes Local rail schemes can make an important contribution for exactly the sort of reasons that my hon. Friend to solving transport challenges. Many of the points outlined. We have heard about the major electrification raised today will help to inform the debate. However, as programme in the north-west, including for routes between we heard from a number of hon. Members, many local Liverpool and Manchester, Liverpool and Wigan, and rail projects may be suspended until funding is identified. Manchester and Blackpool. As well as benefiting long- What the hon. Member for Southport said about building distance services, that enables local services to be operated a viable business case was extremely valid, and it is by electric trains, thus providing faster journeys for difficult to pursue the process through a vast array of passengers and releasing diesel carriages for use elsewhere bureaucracy. How will the Government cut through on the network. 123WH Railway Expansion27 APRIL 2011 Railway Expansion 124WH

New Pendolinos will be added to the west coast main they must get over, about from whom the groups need line in the months to come. We have announced plans to get buy-in, and about who is necessary and who is for the electrification of the Great Western line between incidental. London, Newbury, Oxford, Bristol and Cardiff. Long- distance services on both Great Western and the east Mrs Villiers: Guidance is published on the Department’s coast will benefit from the new fleet of intercity express website, but officials are always happy to engage with programme trains. Line improvements are also going campaign groups and local authorities to help them to on for the east coast. A major redevelopment at Reading navigate something that is not an easy process. When station will benefit railway users right across the south-west one is talking about significant amounts of taxpayers’ of England and south Wales. The long-awaited upgrade money, we need to ensure that care is taken when of the London underground has been secured. Crossrail judging how to deploy it. The Public Accounts Committee and Thameslink are under way and will provide a major and the National Audit Office analyse very astutely boost for public transport capacity in London and the whether we are making the right decisions on how south-east. Funding has been secured for the whole of money is spent, and that means that business cases have the CP4 programme of capacity enhancements. More to be considered. My officials will be happy to engage than 2,000 new carriages will be introduced on to the with my hon. Friend on the issue. I will be happy to network across the country by May 2019, around 1,800 meet him to discuss the Burscough curves. My officials of which will be additional capacity. That will include are heavily engaged with local authorities in the area 650 extra carriages by May 2014. about the Todmorden curve, which another scheme We are also consulting on our plans to deliver a with considerable local support. Y-shaped high-speed rail network connecting London, My hon. Friend the Member for Lancaster and Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. I am grateful for Fleetwood (Eric Ollerenshaw) spoke eloquently about the graciously expressed support of the hon. Member the potential for reopening the Poulton to Fleetwood for Blackley and Broughton (Graham Stringer). I assure line. I much enjoyed my visit there. If he is having him that we are absolutely committed that the line will problems engaging with Network Rail, I will be happy go to Manchester and Leeds, because we believe that to take that up and to encourage Network Rail to work will not only provide the vital uplift in capacity that he with the group mentioned by hon. Friend. rightly highlights is needed on the west coast and east In response to my hon. Friend the Member for coast routes, but help to meet the ambition to rebalance Chippenham (Duncan Hames) on the TransWilts rail the economy and close the prosperity gap between project, I know that the Secretary of State has looked at north and south. Our programme of rail and transport that recently. Again, if progress is to be made, the first improvements includes significant investment in the step is to get the support of the local authorities. We north. When taking decisions about which investments want local authorities to be more heavily involved in to make, we of course take on board the wider regeneration decisions about rail and we are actively considering how issues and our ambition to rebalance the economy, not best to bring down the cost of such rail schemes so that just the straightforward business case. it is more viable to deliver the kind of improvements Further investment was announced in the Budget, that hon. Members have asked for. We hope that the including for the Ordsall curve, which is another important McNulty review will generate ideas on that point. In benefit for the whole of the north of England. A second addition, we hope that projects such as the Rotherham project was the Swindon and Kemble redoubling, which tram train and the Abbey line tram project will give us will help to improve local services and resilience on the an insight into whether light rail can provide a lower-cost route to south Wales. The next high level output specification alternative for some of the schemes mentioned today. is in preparation, and we will give full consideration to Sources of funding for such local schemes might the northern hub. The shadow Minister asked for the include the private sector, if developer contributions are Government’s commitment to that, but I would be available. The local sustainable transport fund or the interested to know whether such a commitment is now regional growth fund are also available. The spending official Labour party policy—I noticed that he did not review has provided significant funds for major local specify that. transport schemes—£1.5 billion up to 2015. A number I welcome the points made by my hon. Friend the of schemes have already been given the go-ahead, including Member for Southport about the Burscough curves. I improvements to Leeds station and the extension of the know that he has campaigned for that project for a long Midland metro. Projects such as Kirkstall Forge and time. I emphasise that the key first step to make progress Apperley Bridge are under consideration. on that is to get support from Lancashire county council A further funding source is available after a certain and Merseytravel. It is important for local authorities period. For projects that are primarily local in nature, to set priorities on a direct rail link between Ormskirk we think that it is fair to ask the local authorities to take and Southport, and Southport and Preston. It is for initial responsibility for getting the scheme up and local transport authorities to decide the best way to running, and funding it. We recognise, however, that the meet a local transport need. railway network needs to adapt to population growth, and we are always prepared to consider the case for John Pugh: Several hon. Members have voiced concern reopening disused local lines or the enhancement of —the Minister is helping us a little with it at the local services on existing lines. When a local authority moment—about the opaqueness of the procedure for has chosen a rail solution to meet its transport needs, it getting these schemes to fruition. It would be helpful if is appropriate for it to demonstrate its commitment to the Department for Transport would give guidance to that solution by taking initial responsibility for revenue the campaign groups across the country about the funding. Once the service has run for a few years and stages through which they must go, about the hurdles demonstrated its success, we will then assess it on the 125WH Railway Expansion 27 APRIL 2011 126WH

[Mrs Villiers] Brown Signs same basis as existing franchised services. If the scheme 3.59 pm has a good business case, and if the ongoing subsidy required is affordable and can be accommodated within Julian Smith (Skipton and Ripon) (Con): It is a available budgets, we are prepared to consider providing pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Robertson. funding at a national level from the departmental rail It is also a pleasure to have secured this debate. I am budget. Schemes would normally be considered for grateful to the Minister, who I have been corresponding such central funding after three years, but because of regularly with on the topic of brown signs, for responding the constraints on the budget, we have made it clear that to it. new schemes will not be considered for central funding Brown signs, or more specifically white-on-brown on that basis until after 2015, although we do not signs, might not sound the sexiest or most modern topic believe that that will have an impact on any existing for debate in this House, unlike high-speed rail or schemes. superfast broadband. Economically, however, brown signs are vital to attract tourists to our key destinations throughout the country. In the UK, 200,000 businesses are dedicated to tourism—

4pm Sitting suspended for a Division in the House.

4.14 pm On resuming—

Julian Smith: Before the Division, I was speaking about the importance of the tourism industry to Britain. It represents £52 billion of our GDP and more than 4% of our jobs, and is one of the fastest growing sectors of our economy. For rural areas, such as the one I represent in north Yorkshire—Skipton and Ripon—tourism is a vital part of the economy, as it is for areas that colleagues here represent.

Chris White (Warwick and Leamington) (Con): I am extremely grateful to my hon. Friend for having secured this debate. In my constituency, we are very proud to host Warwick castle. It is a fantastic tourist attraction, but we have many other, smaller attractions that similarly lack exposure. Does my hon. Friend not agree that, although it is important to have rules that prevent too many signs from being put up, we should be prepared to relax those rules to allow other attractions the necessary promotion—such as brown signs—to boost tourism and support local economies?

Julian Smith: I agree wholeheartedly, and I will come on to that recommendation later. I requested this debate as a result of the many representations that I have received, first as a candidate and then as an MP, largely because of the upgrading of the A1 just north of Ripon. The upgrading has opened up a Pandora’s box of brown sign issues. People who had them under the guidance that was in place in the early 2000s are fighting to retain them under the new guidance that came in a few years ago. Newby hall, which is thought to be the real-life Downton abbey, got a big shock a couple of years ago when its sign was removed during an upgrade, and it has had to fight hard for a replacement. It has been waiting several months now for confirmation that it will get a permanent new brown sign. The hall is one of the north of England’s most successful visitor attractions and stately homes.

Simon Hart (Carmarthen Westand South Pembrokeshire) (Con): I urge my hon. Friend to urge the Minister not to fall into the trap in which we seem to find ourselves in 127WH Brown Signs27 APRIL 2011 Brown Signs 128WH

Wales, where this issue is devolved. There, McDonald’s the micro-businesses creating the jobs and wealth that has a brown sign in Haverford West, but the wonderful we desperately need? The machinery of the Highways Slebech park in my constituency cannot, for some reason, Agency and the regulations under which it operates do obtain one. not seem to be on the same wavelength as the reality on the ground. The A1 upgrade has raised lots of questions Julian Smith: That is another excellent point, from a about Whitehall’s responsiveness to small business and colleague who also represents a rural area. the Government’s policy on brown signs. Ripon cathedral, in my constituency, had a brown There are some positive indicators. A recent Department sign with the old A1, but with the new A1(M) it has to for Culture, Media and Sport tourism policy paper disaggregate its visitors into religious and tourist ones stated that brown signs had come in for a lot of criticism and no longer qualifies for a sign. Lightwater Valley, a and that the Highways Agency would be asked to work theme park near Ripon, has been told that it cannot much more closely with the Minister with responsibility have a brown sign on an A road directing travellers up for tourism to consider how they can be improved. I the A1(M), just in case cyclists get confused and start to urge my hon. Friend the Minister to ensure that he travel up the motorway. works closely with the Tourism Minister on the issue. Karl McCartney (Lincoln) (Con): I have written to Fundamental issues are at stake. Yet again, Labour’s the Minister on this point. He might know that Lincoln decade of disrespect for the countryside is being is not a million miles from the A1 either, but it is yet to demonstrated. Why are rural areas—and, as my hon. have any brown signs pointing from that road to the Friend the Member for Newton Abbot (Anne Marie city’s plethora of attractions, including its cathedral, Morris) said, coastal areas—subject to the same visitor the castle, various galleries and the Magna Carta, of number rules as our country’s major towns and cities? which there are not many copies in this country. Many tourism attractions in north Yorkshire and the other English rural areas represented by my colleagues Julian Smith: I am sure that travellers down the A1 here cannot attract a footfall of 200,000 a year or would visit Yorkshire first, before Lincoln, but my hon. 40,000 in a given month. We must relax the rules and Friend makes a very good point. make special exemptions for rural areas. Why cannot Anne Marie Morris (Newton Abbot) (Con): I rise to our major market towns or areas such as the Yorkshire express my concern that this problem exists not just in dales be given signs if they can attract good aggregate rural areas but in coastal towns. If someone were travelling visitor numbers? Why can they not be recognised as along the A380, they would not know that Newton areas of note? Not every pub or village should get a Abbot, my constituency, existed. Brown signs to highlight brown sign, but more judgment should be used for our the cattle market in St Leonard’s tower would be welcome, rural areas. Rural England has lots of quirky, small but they are very much noted by their absence. visitor attractions that will never draw enough visitors for a brown sign, whatever the rules are, but if we could Julian Smith: My hon. Friend makes an excellent help them with brown signs to the general destination, it point, and again, as long as tourists come through would make a major difference. Yorkshire first, I am sure that the Minister will encourage Brown signs should be seen as an opportunity to them towards the coasts. draw visitors to an area. A recent letter to me from a The town of Masham in my constituency has lost six Liberal Democrat Minister in the Department for Transport directional signs off the A1(M) and is desperately trying said that brown signs to get a brown sign to replace them. This is a stunning “should only be used where they will benefit road users, particularly part of the world, with Wallace and Gromit, Wensleydale those seeking a pre-selected destination that might require additional trees, James Herriot and the Black Sheep and Theakston’s guidance in the latter stages of their journey.” breweries, together with many small inns, hotels and I believe that we should change the raison d’être of bed and breakfasts. brown signs. Between 11% and 16% of visitors to rural Local tourism relies largely on the traffic coming areas decide what to do based on chance rather than from the A1—the soon to be A1(M). Flo Grainger, who deciding before they leave home. Seducing people to leads the “Keep Masham on the Map” campaign and our major tourist areas should surely be part of the runs the Old Station café, has described the double review of how and why we use brown signs. Brown signs whammy that businesses in the area have received from should be the passionate signposts to England’s green both the recession and the Highways Agency policy on and pleasant land. brown signs. We have been told time and again that it is The question of how the Highways Agency treats just not possible to have a sign for a market town businesses needs addressing. I urge the Minister to set without that town having a specific tourism site that up a much clearer structure within the Highways Agency will attract 200,000 visitors a year or 40,000 in a given that involves individuals who understand business and month. It is not even possible to have a brown sign will ensure that applications for brown signs are much denoting a well-known area—a generic label—such as shorter, sharper and swifter. The Treasury should also the Yorkshire dales or Wensleydale, and yet recent be involved. Tourist businesses are open about the fact visitor surveys by Welcome to Yorkshire have shown that brown signs have value. Relaxing the rules a bit that the top concern of visitors to my constituency, and would provide an opportunity for a little income. While to north Yorkshire as a whole, is the lack of good our economy remains in intensive care, we need to work signage. with every industry to take immediate action to help. My first question to the Minister is a specific one. Better brown sign policy would make a difference to the Why has the upgrade of the A1(M) forced so many tourist industry. businesses to chase the Highways Agency for clarity on Will the Minister ask the Highways Agency to address such a vital aspect of their business? Why am I, as their the concerns of my constituents in Ripon, Masham and MP, having to hassle the Highways Agency to support beyond? Will he ensure that visitor number targets for 129WH Brown Signs27 APRIL 2011 Brown Signs 130WH

[Julian Smith] could understand exactly what we want from a road sign. If we stick rigidly to the guidance from 2003, we brown signs are lowered in rural areas? Will he consider will not get that. We know that to be the case. relaxing the regulations, opening them up to include Since becoming a Minister, I have had interesting general areas of note and taking a more discretionary debates with officials, particularly at the Highways Agency, approach to the rules on brown signs? Brown signs are a involving the word “why”. Why cannot Warwick castle practical and low-cost way for the Department for have a sign indicating that it is off the A1? Why, when a Transport to assist the Government’s growth agenda. I huge investment was made on the M1 in Bedfordshire, hope that the Minister can assure me that brown signs was no sign for Centre Parcs allowed, when that will be at the top of his in-tray before the summer development was a multi-million-pound project to which recess, and that soon thereafter, he will join me in people from all over the country will go? I hope that it is Masham for a pint of Theakston or Black Sheep bitter. successful, but there is no sign for it. Motorway services companies came to me asking, 4.25 pm “Why can’t we say what’s in our services instead of just The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport saying ‘Motorway service station’? Why can’t we say, for (Mike Penning): It is a pleasure to serve under your instance, ‘Costa Coffee’ or ‘McDonald’s’ or point out chairmanship, Mr Robertson, and to speak in this the different choices?” debate, which affects nearly every constituency in the What we have done in the past couple of months is country. That is why so many hon. Members are here deregulate that. As the Minister with responsibility for for a half-hour debate. I am conscious that I need to deregulation in the Department for Transport, I have take up my time. I should be okay. started to use, I hope, a common-sense approach. For I am a Minister at the Department for Transport, but instance, if someone now drives down a motorway, they I have been corresponding with Ministers about this should be able to know whether a service station has issue since I came here in 2005. I have the wonderful a—I will get into trouble with all the companies that I Ashridge management college in my constituency, in do not name—Costa Coffee, Starbucks, Pret a Manger the fantastic Ashridge forest. I highlight that because or Marks and Spencer. I have tried very hard to make everybody else seems to have highlighted something in sure that it is not a case of why we cannot do it; it their constituency, and it seems apt for me to do so as should be a case of how we can do it, particularly with well. By the way, it is possible to get to Yorkshire, brown signs. especially north Yorkshire, by going through Hertfordshire, Colleagues touched on an issue when they said that although that is not a sensible thing to do. The reason I they have a plethora of different historic places, monuments corresponded with Ministers about this issue is that and facilities in their constituencies. Lincoln is a classic brown signs involve a bureaucratic mess. Previous Ministers example. I know Lincoln fairly well from my military from various parties have wrestled with the conundrum days. How many brown signs should be put on the road of how best to inform the public and motorists without side and the strategic road network to indicate what is causing a hindrance on the road network. I am responsible in Lincoln? I think that the answer is to have a sign for strategic road networks, so that is what I will be indicating that Lincoln is an historic city. That is the discussing. way in which it needs to be done. There is, however, a My hon. Friend the Member for Skipton and Ripon tradition within the Department, based on previous (Julian Smith) mentioned the correspondence that he legislation—civil servants do what they are told based received from my coalition colleague, the Minister with on the legislation and the rules that they are given—which responsibility for local transport, the hon. Member for means that the issue is difficult for them, unless we Lewes (Norman Baker). The Minister was obviously review it carefully and work together. referring to the policy agreed by Ministers in 2003 and Colleagues have touched on tourism. I was pleased to inherited by us; the problem has been going on for a receive yesterday a letter from the Under-Secretary of considerable time. The letter to my hon. Friend was State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, my hon. factually correct when it described the role of a sign. We Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare (John Penrose), see the role of a sign in more common-sense terms. who is responsible for tourism and heritage, reminding The Department has been engaged for some time in a me of a meeting we had and of our agreement that the traffic signs policy review. Believe it or not, it has been “Highways Agency will work with DCMS and other interested going on for years, but it will come to fruition soon, and parties to ensure its approach best reflects the needs of drivers a report will come to transport Ministers in May. That and gives the industry a helping hand at the same time.” is not really what we are discussing today, though; it has That pragmatic approach is brand new and cross- more to do with clutter on the roadside and ensuring departmental, and we are working on it. The working that our beautiful countryside is not scattered with group of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, poles and signs, some of which are completely irrelevant. the Highways Agency and VisitEngland officials is due Some were probably fine post-war, but are not useful at to meet for the first time on 16 May. We will discuss not all these days. Different agencies also put up signs on how we can restrict, but how we can best promote safe different poles instead of on the same one. roads, informative signs and tourism throughout the I have been the Minister responsible for the strategic United Kingdom. road network for nearly a year now, and during that I know that I do not speak for the whole nation, time I have considered whether the Department for because a lot of the powers are devolved, particularly in Transport and I as the Minister could issue common-sense Wales, as my hon. Friend the Member for Carmarthen guidance to the Highways Agency that could be replicated West and South Pembrokeshire (Simon Hart) has around the country so that local authorities and businesses mentioned. If people are not careful, they will miss 131WH Brown Signs27 APRIL 2011 Brown Signs 132WH what they are looking to do and advertise something been there for several years—many years in some cases— that is not a tourism site, but a straightforward business. and new road improvements are made, all of a sudden There is sometimes a grey area between the two. What the question is, “Where are my signs?” constitutes tourism? Is it an area of outstanding natural I accept that there have been delays, but I hope that beauty, a world heritage site, or are we talking about a issues about particular road signs have been addressed. business that employs lots of people locally and that I am informed that several road signs were removed would like to be promoted by a brown sign? I think that after the Dishforth to Leeming works were done. In what we will get from the meetings is a definitive position accordance with TD52/04—that is what officials are on what the brown sign is. Will it be where we started still working to—the tourist attractions affected were with the 2003 legislation? No, it will not. It will be a invited to re-apply, apart from Ripon cathedral, which relatively new and pragmatic approach for England, was accepted without re-applying. If there was a delay and I hope that the devolved Assemblies and other for Ripon cathedral, I do not understand how that was parts of the country will look carefully at how they the case and perhaps my hon. Friend and I can correspond opened Pandora’s box without thinking through carefully on that again. The cost of re-signing was part of the how it could be done. actual project cost. It is important that we do not just stick to a mantra. I I apologise—I have misread. We may need to correspond shall quote something that was going to be in my on what happened with Ripon, because it says here that speech. I am not being derogatory in any way to my the Ripon sign had insufficient justification, which is officials. The speech asked me to mention “TA 93/04 probably what my hon. Friend was alluding to earlier. Traffic Signs to Tourist Attractions and Facilities in That does not make any sense to me. England—General Introduction”. If colleagues want to I argue that, if we are talking about tourism and read that, it is available on the Department website, but historic sites, a sign on the A64 that reads, “Farmer’s it will make them none the wiser—to touch on what has Cart/York Golf Range,” would probably not, these been said—about how we will work better with local days, fit the criteria of an area of outstanding natural businesses and local authorities in particular, so that we beauty, a world heritage site, or a site such as Ripon do not dictate to them, but work with them. cathedral. That is the sort of thing where we have to be It will be difficult to balance what should and should careful with the balance. not be advertised. I use the word “advertising,” but my The numbers game that the Department plays with officials and I are not technically supposed to do that. the legislation is another grey area. If a certain number The legislation needs to be tweaked, so that we can of people go to Newton Abbot for the races or for the carefully work through what constitutes promoting road beautiful coastline, why should it be designated as a safety—in other words, giving people an option to get problem if the numbers are taken from a particularly off nice and early, so that they know where they are bad summer? I hope that that does not happen and that going—and what constitutes impulse tourism, which is the tourism industry does fantastically well, as it has something that I have done for most of my life, especially over the Easter weekend. I do not understand why, if we since my kids came along. I want to go somewhere and have fixed criteria, one area of outstanding natural they see somewhere else, but we end up going somewhere beauty is not as great as another simply because the completely different. That is what impulse tourism is numbers do not go there. A lot of that is to do with the about. If someone is in one of the beautiful parts of the weather and our wonderful climate in this country. country represented by colleagues present, that is part I think that we can work together and that the and parcel of what goes on. Highways Agency is learning fast, with the new I was in Cornwall the other day, and for the first time Administration under a coalition Government, that it is in many years, I was being driven. I went to Cornwall not about why we cannot do something, but about how many times on holiday as a young man and when I was we can do it. I met my officials this morning to discuss in the military and always drove. It is a completely several brown signs that are not in areas represented by different county if one is being driven, because one can any colleagues present, but those issues need to be see some completely different things. I saw signs, resolved quickly. There is no logic as to why those signs advertisements and tourist attractions that I did not could not be used. even know existed when I had visited previously. I had To sum up, are things being done? Yes, they are. Do I an excellent time. It is about how we manage this. It is a accept that the Highways Agency needs to work more big change, after years of a review of road signage to efficiently and be more responsive to local authorities look at how we make sure that strategic road network and businesses? Yes, but there are myriad different signage works. communication routes to the Highways Agency. I ask Colleagues have talked about specific areas. My hon. colleagues, particularly in local authorities, to try to Friend the Member for Skipton and Ripon was worried channel their applications through a single route, if about certain aspects of what happened after the road possible. That would make it much easier for the local improvement on the A1. That was based on new guidance authority to be supportive of the brown sign of a local that was introduced after the initial signs were put in, so business or tourism attraction. Singing from one hymn when the new road improvements went through, the sheet tends to achieve a more cohesive approach. new criteria were met. I am sure that my hon. Friend Over the next couple of months, I will keep a very was pleased with the road improvements on the A1. If close eye on exactly how the Highways Agency responds not, I could mention other parts of the A1 north of and how the new working relationship with the Department Newcastle where people are screaming for me to address for Culture, Media and Sport and the Tourism Minister their part of the world, as is the case in other parts works. If the two Ministers have agreed to work closely of the country. I accept that, sometimes, if things have together to promote tourism in the United Kingdom, it 133WH Brown Signs 27 APRIL 2011 134WH

[Mike Penning] Coroners (Recording of Suicides) is absolutely crucial that the civil servants behind that 4.41 pm mechanism listen to what Ministers have been saying Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): I look forward and take action. to taking part in the debate this afternoon under your At the same time—I am going to make a rod for my excellent, impartial and always fair chairmanship, own back here—if there are individual attractions, areas Mr Robertson. I must admit that I have already had a of outstanding natural beauty, world heritage sites or certain amount of generous time offered to me by the anything else that colleagues think should have a brown Minister and his team to discuss some of the issues that sign, I will be more than happy to listen to delegations I wish to raise. However, these matters are of such of colleagues from across the House to discuss how we importance that I want to rehearse them again here, so can promote the UK. We are coming out of a difficult that the Minister can hear them outside the meeting financial situation that we have inherited. No matter that he had with me in his Department with Professor what the Government do with cuts and how careful we Keith Hawton from Oxford university and Professor are with taxpayers’ money, growth is the way forward. David Gunnell from Bristol university, both of whom Tourism has to be part of that growth and anything that are from departments of suicide studies. my Department and my officials can do to help to This is a very serious issue. Every suicide is a tragedy promote growth in tourism will get my backing. for the individual who takes their own life and for their friends, family and community. More than 4,000 people take their lives in this country every year. Only heart disease and lung cancer are responsible for the loss of more years of life. Suicide is the leading cause of death among young men. The figures are shocking, but it is vital that statistics about suicide are recorded accurately in our effort to ensure that fewer people feel that they have to take their own life and fewer people lose a loved one in such a tragic way. Accurate statistics help academics to understand the causes of suicides and the key groups at risk. They help local and national Government and health care professionals to decide what prevention strategies will work best and where to target resources. Statistics about causes of death including suicide are collected by the Office for National Statistics based on reports submitted by coroners following inquests. As I will explain, the increasing use of narrative verdicts by coroners and the variation of practice between coroners risk undermining the reliability of the statistics that we have and our ability to combat suicide. Like any cause of death, suicide rates vary by age, gender, background and geographic area. More than any cause of death, the way in which the suicide rate varies across those demographic groups changes over time. Twenty years ago, men aged over 75 had the highest risk of any group, but they now have the lowest. Men aged between 15 and 44 have the highest rate of suicide of any group, but women within that same cohort have the lowest. External factors can have a dramatic effect on the rate of suicide and can affect different demographics. Economic recession and high unemployment have a particularly striking effect on the suicide rate of working-age men. Different areas have different profiles of suicide victims, and those demographic profiles change over time. A paper by Bristol university’s Professor David Gunnell and others published in December concluded that in the past 25 years “there has been a marked change in the spatial epidemiology of suicide”. Such changes must be accurately recorded if our work to prevent suicide is to be effective. I will return to geographic recording in a moment. There is also the question of the occurrence of so-called suicide hotspots and suicide clusters, where suicides occur more often than would be expected. Those areas of research can help to have an impact on suicide prevention in specific geographic areas. 135WH Coroners (Recording of Suicides)27 APRIL 2011 Coroners (Recording of Suicides) 136WH

University researchers have been able to use statistics gap between actual suicides and those reported will rise to identify trends in suicide methods and increases in further, thus making it difficult to estimate any progress the use of a particular method. Professor Keith Hawton that is being made in reducing deaths by suicide. of Oxford university has produced work on the use of The Ministry of Justice was unable to provide me smaller packets of paracetamol and co-codamol, which with information about the number of narrative verdicts reduces the use of those medications in suicides. The given by each coroner’s district. However, narrative fitting of catalytic converters to cars reduced the number verdicts made up around 81% of the verdicts classified of suicides from car exhaust fumes, and the move from as “other verdicts” in MOJ figures in 2009. In one very coal gas to North sea gas reduced the number of incidents large district, Birmingham and Solihull, more than 48% of suicide by gassing. Such an approach does not just of the 962 verdicts were classified as “other”, compared reduce the number of suicides by a particular method; it to a national average of 13%. In contrast, there were reduces the number of suicides overall because people four districts, each one recording dozens of deaths, in do not tend to simply move to another method. Tackling which no narrative verdicts were given. Almost a third and understanding the methods used is very important. of coroners’ districts used “other verdicts” less than 5% Information about geographic regions and suicide of the time. That is not a criticism of the way that any informs Government interventions and where resources coroner practises. However, there is clearly a lack of need to be targeted to have the best effect. They also consistency in the way that narrative verdicts are used help us to understand the nature of suicide itself. However, and therefore in the records that can be collected. the reliability of suicide statistics is being undermined At the root of the problem is the coroner system by a significant rise in the use of narrative verdicts by itself. In 2003, a review of the system concluded that coroners. In 2001, 111 deaths were recorded by narrative “the coroner is a law unto himself.” verdict. By 2009, the number had increased to 3,012. Inquest, which operates a free advice service for bereaved Narrative verdicts were introduced to the UK as a people, has described coroners as operating requirement of article 2 of the European convention on “as a fragmented, non-professional assortment of individual human rights, which includes a duty to investigate and coroners who operate with no compulsory training and little prevent deaths and a duty for the Government to take accountability.” action to prevent further deaths. Narrative verdicts The system, or the lack thereof, creates a lottery in how were intended for fairly limited use. Although they can deaths are recorded. There is no consistency and no provide more details about the circumstances of a death, guidance on how narrative verdicts could be presented, they do not use a standard verdict to express the conclusions. so that they could include the information that is required That presents a challenge for coders at the Office for by the ONS. Narrative verdicts vary from a couple of National Statistics, which is responsible for collating lines to a couple of pages. coroners’ verdicts into usable data. Many deaths given a The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 contained a provision narrative verdict are likely to have been suicides, but to create the office of chief coroner. Under that Act, the they might not be identified as such by coroners. chief coroner would have responsibility for driving up The ONS uses international classification of disease standards in the system through training, and they rules, so it is not permitted to infer anything from the would issue guidance and set national standards of coroner’s narrative verdict. Coroners must use certain service. The performance of the system would be monitored key words in their narrative verdicts for them to be and there would be a consistent way of operating, properly categorised. Unless there is a clear reference to which is the point most relevant to the debate today. In an intention to cause self-harm, the death must be addition, differences between coroner areas would be recorded as accidental by the ONS, regardless of any kept under review. other information given. Even a narrative verdict that The Government have determined that the function gives a number of details surrounding a death could fail of the chief coroner can be carried out by others. I to specify the intention of the deceased. served on the Public Bill Committee for the 2009 Act, Let us consider the following hypothetical example, and I must say that we need a senior legal officer who which is used by the ONS to illustrate the problem. I oversees the coroner operation and ensures consistency apologise if this description causes distress to anyone, in coroners’ courts. That is my preferred option, but a but it is hypothetical. Mr X, after being found hanging second option is to issue regulations and clear guidance in his cell at X youth offenders institution on date X, to ensure that all narrative verdicts contain all the died on date X at X infirmary. It was a serious omission necessary information, with clear direction that any by X young offenders institution not to have informed narrative verdict must include a statement on the intention, X’s parents on each occasion that X had self-harmed. if any, of the person who has died. That would allow The jury’s verdict was that X died from hanging, which the accurate recording of the information that we need. caused his death. In that example, there is evidence of I want to mention briefly a third option, which is intent to self-harm because previous instances of self-harm discussed in a paper by Lucy Biddle, a researcher at are mentioned in the narrative. However, there is no Bristol university. It is to remove suicides from the mention of intent surrounding the initiating act that coronial system altogether. I will quote briefly from her caused the death. Therefore, the death is classified as paper: “accidental”. “Indeed, suicide requests seem to be more to do with tradition The ONS has estimated that such examples could than functional necessity, since their origins relate to when suicide was a crime and the property of those committing the offence was have resulted in the suicide rate being underestimated forfeited to the state. The suicide case is a misfit that presents by at least 6%, which is a third of the target for reducing today’s coroner with something of a contradiction in practice, deaths by suicide established by the last suicide prevention since it still hinges around establishing intent and attaching a strategy. If the use of narrative verdicts increases, the moral classification to the cause of death.” 137WH Coroners (Recording of Suicides)27 APRIL 2011 Coroners (Recording of Suicides) 138WH

[Mrs Madeleine Moon] for any other verdict. I should point out that the standard of proof that needs to be satisfied if the coroner is to The primary recommendation of the British Isles suicide return a verdict of suicide is the criminal standard, that research group’s report on good practice and changes to is “beyond reasonable doubt”. Therefore, suicide can court procedure in 2006 was that in non-complex cases, never be presumed and a suicide verdict cannot be where the facts are not disputed and the family agrees, based on ambiguous evidence. A verdict of suicide can coroners should be allowed the discretion to process only be returned if the coroner is satisfied that the death suicides without a public hearing. I hope that the Minister occurred as a result of a deliberate act by the deceased will at least agree to consider that option. and that in doing so they intended that the consequence Finally, coroners’ offices are part of the judicial system, would be their own death. but they also play a vital role in assisting health services It is also worth bearing it in mind that the list of and researchers, so they should be considered as part of verdicts provided by the Coroners Rules 1984 is not our health system, as well as part of our legal system. In mandatory for coroners to use in all cases. Indeed, the the past, the MOJ has perhaps focused too narrowly on list is only supplied as a suggestion. That is particularly the judicial aspect of the coroner system. It has failed to important as inquests are detailed fact-finding exercises recognise the importance of coroners’ work in the health that involve the careful discovery and interrogation of care system and thus failed to ensure that coroners are facts. It follows that it is sometimes difficult to achieve a provided with guidance and training that reflects that tidy reduction of a lengthy consideration of facts into a role. I hope that we can have a commitment to take a one-word or two-word verdict. more proactive approach to the issuing of guidance and Before 2004, coroners sometimes found cause to return regulation. Anything that we can do to prevent further verdicts that were narrative based. Those were used in tragic deaths from suicide is vital. cases in which it was not possible to return a short-form verdict because of a series of findings that was not 4.56 pm conducive to a single, short-form verdict. That approach The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice was approved in case law. However, in 2004, the House (Mr Jonathan Djanogly): Thank you, Mr Robertson, of Lords handed down its judgment in Middleton v. and good afternoon. Coroner for the Western District of Somerset. I congratulate the hon. Member for Bridgend Inquests are the principal way in which we discharge (Mrs Moon) on securing this debate. I am certainly our obligations under article 2 of the European convention aware that coroners’ use of narrative verdicts at inquests on human rights and the judgment in Middleton held is a subject in which she has taken a keen interest. that short-form verdicts might not always be adequate Indeed, as she mentioned, we have met before to discuss to satisfy the requirements of that article. The House of this topic, in her capacity as chairman of the all-party Lords went on to clarify that, in some cases, coroners group for suicide and self-harm prevention. I welcome might need to interpret more broadly the requirements the opportunity that this debate provides to reaffirm the of the Coroners Act 1988 and determine not simply Government’s commitment to improving the coroner “how”, meaning “by what means”, a person came by system for all those who come into contact with it. their death, but rather “how”, meaning “by what means The hon. Lady set out the statistics about the number and in what circumstances.” In the light of the Middleton of suicides in the UK. I know that last October she held judgment, therefore, coroners are at times bound by an Adjournment debate in the main Chamber on suicide, case law to return a narrative verdict. That is the reason discussing the subject more broadly, when the Minister for such a substantial increase in the use of narrative of State, Department of Health, my hon. Friend the verdicts since 2004. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Paul Burstow), responded I realise, however, that hon. Lady’s primary concern and discussed the Government’s new suicide prevention is not to suggest that there should be any limit placed on strategy. coroners’ discretion to return narrative verdicts. Such a I want to begin today by setting out the background suggestion would impede their judicial independence to the use of narrative verdicts by coroners. Coroners and would be wholly inappropriate. Additionally, I are independent judicial office holders, who are appointed would not like to suggest that the hon. Lady is concerned and paid for by local authorities. Except for a few about the standard of proof that needs to be applied technical areas, the Ministry of Justice has no operational when considering the verdict of suicide. responsibility for coroners and is responsible for coroner It is clearly inappropriate to suggest that coroners law and policy only. apply the civil standard of proof to a verdict as serious Coroners are required by law to inquire into violent, as suicide. Indeed, it is understandable that coroners unnatural or sudden deaths of unknown cause, and into might return narrative verdicts for cases where suicide is deaths that occur in prison or police custody. When suspected but cannot be proved. That might be because investigating a death, it is the coroner’s duty to establish, the deceased was intoxicated at the time of death, or first, who the deceased was, and secondly, how, when was suffering from depression, and it cannot be proved and where they died. At the close of an inquest, coroners that they were fully aware of their actions. A coroner are required to return a verdict covering those questions would have to consider such issues in the hon. Lady’s and to certify the verdict in an inquisition. example of death by hanging in a cell. It is fair to say, A suggested list of verdicts that may be returned, therefore, that, arguably, such deaths include some suicidal commonly referred to as “short-form”verdicts, is contained elements, even if they cannot be deemed as “suicide” at in the Coroners Rules 1984. These are: natural causes; the close of an inquest. accident or misadventure; suicide; unlawful killing; lawful A key concern of the hon. Lady, as I see it, is the killing; industrial disease, or open verdict. An open effect that the increased use of narrative verdicts might verdict, of course, is where there is insufficient evidence have on the accuracy of mortality statistics, in particular 139WH Coroners (Recording of Suicides)27 APRIL 2011 Coroners (Recording of Suicides) 140WH in deaths that could involve some elements of suicidal new strategy has been supported by leading experts in intent. That is because, it is argued, some narrative suicide prevention, including members of the national verdicts do not give statisticians enough clear information suicide prevention strategy advisory group under the to indicate whether the event leading to the death was chairmanship of Professor Louis Appleby. The strategy carried out intentionally or accidentally. Statisticians will set out its high-level objective to deliver a reduced are, understandably, not permitted ever to infer what rate of suicide among the general population and improved happened and must use the information provided by the support to those bereaved or affected by suicide, through coroner. However, if they cannot derive any intention a series of shared areas for action and working with from the action of the deceased, they must record the other key partners in the public, private and voluntary death as an accident. I appreciate that that might lead sectors. to inaccuracies in national mortality statistics, the associated In relation to that, the Office for National Statistics risk being that local authorities might not be able published the latest edition of “Health Statistics Quarterly” identify, procure and provide adequate preventive measures in February, which included a short paper, “Narrative against, for example, suicidal intent. verdicts and their impact on mortality statistics in England The hon. Lady went on to say that some coroners are and Wales”. It is interesting to note that, while the seen as a law unto themselves. I must repeat that they paper confirmed that the use of narrative verdicts has are independent judicial appointments and, as such, increased in recent years, it concluded that that increase they cannot be forced into doing the same thing. It is has not had a detrimental effect on the Office for important to realise that a chief coroner would not have National Statistics’ mortality statistics. At the same had any powers of coercion in any event. To address time, however, the paper also cautioned that a continued such issues, however, I will outline the work on the issue rise in the use of narrative verdicts could start to affect that is currently underway in my Department, in the accuracy of those statistics. conjunction with the Department of Health, the Office As I explained when I met the hon. Lady, the Office for National Statistics and the Coroners’ Society of for National Statistics is currently reviewing its current England and Wales. coding practices, in conjunction with the Coroners’ My Department has issued guidance to coroners on Society, and I will take an interest in that matter. The narrative verdicts in the past. We are currently considering work has been ongoing and will also feed into any work revising that guidance, with a view to highlighting some that might be taken forward on the possible implementation of the concerns discussed in the debate and elsewhere. of part 1 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. In In addition, my officials will consider exploring whether particular, the Ministry of Justice will look to liaise any further training can be given to coroners on the use with the Office for National Statistics on the development of narrative verdicts. I understand that such training of any new coroners’ rules and regulations. has been given in recent years, but we can certainly look I hope that the hon. Lady is therefore somewhat to repeat it. We have no plan for private hearings for reassured that such an important matter is receiving suicide inquests—that was a new idea, which I will look proper consideration. Finally, I caution that, as the at, and I will come back to the hon. Lady on her work is taken forward, we must be careful not to impinge suggestion. on coroners’ judicial independence, or to do anything The Government plan to launch shortly for formal that might prevent them from following established case consultation a new strategy for suicide prevention. The law. plan builds on some of the successful measures of Question put and agreed to. the previous suicide prevention strategy and takes into account the changing demographics within our society 5.7 pm and the current economic climate. Development of the Sitting adjourned.

7WS Written Ministerial Statements27 APRIL 2011 Written Ministerial Statements 8WS

questions so as to ensure that these costs are increased Written Ministerial in line with increases in underlying costs. The revised costs, which will apply from today, are: Statements Oral Questions £437 Written Questions £159 Wednesday 27 April 2011 The disproportionate cost threshold (DCT) will remain at £800.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

United Kingdom Space Agency Departmental Work (Easter Recess 2011)

The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Willetts): I have tasked the UK Space Agency to provide Government (Mr Eric Pickles): I would like to update policy support to Ministers on civil space issues and to hon. Members on the main items of business undertaken lead a civil space programme which delivers maximum by my Department since the House rose on 5 April 2011. economic, scientific, and policy benefits for the UK. I have set the UK Space Agency the following targets Transparency for 2011-12: The Department continues to reinforce the importance 1. Improve performance of the agency programme over the of local transparency, audit openness and accountability. period 2011-12 to 2014-15. On 13 April, I announced new transparency rules which 2. To ensure the ESA programme brings benefit to UK will require councils to publicise to the press and public, industry, and the research base. on their website, the little-known rights to inspect their 3. To initiate a national technology programme, jointly detailed financial accounts, ledgers and records. funded with industry as a means of accelerating the development In a deregulatory move, changes will also reduce the of the International Space Innovation Centre. financial bureaucracy and burdens imposed on the smallest 4. Undertake an impact assessment of the Outer Space Act local authorities. Increasing the budget threshold to 1986 to develop reforms which will remove restrictions which £6.5 million means that up to 100 smaller local bodies put UK operators at a competitive disadvantage, and prepare (assorted parish councils, drainage boards and joint proposals for new regulation for space vehicles to promote committees) will immediately benefit from less burdensome space tourism in the UK. audit requirements, reducing costs on reporting duties 5. Work with Ofcom to support international reform at the world radio conference of the processes used to gain access imposed by Whitehall and making it easier for authorities to orbit satellite slots to ensure that British industry has full to be accountable to their community. and fair access to them. Council tax 6. Promote wider international co-operation and have a On 13 April, I published new figures showing who clear export support policy, including guidance on export pays what for local government services. The new analysis controls and assistance for industry. makes it possible to compare how much residents contribute Target measurement techniques: in council tax and conversely how much their area Target 1: Efficiency gains in administration costs will be receives in formula grant. It marks another step towards reflected in the budget profiles when agreed. The use of a demystifying the local government finance system for scorecard technique across all programmes is being developed for use in 2011-12. taxpayers. Target 2: Measured by the industrial return figures of ESA Community Celebrations that reflect the work won by UK organisations against an With Easter, St George’s day and the impending royal ideal of return co-efficient of 1. wedding, there are great opportunities for communities Target 3: A report showing the placement of the first tranche across the nation to come together and celebrate. Alongside of contracts to the value of £10 million in 2011-12 on key my Cabinet colleagues and the Prime Minister, we urged technology activities in the national technology road map will be produced. councils to adopt a common-sense approach to street Target 4: A report showing how the changes produce a level parties and to help local residents from all backgrounds playing field will be prepared. to come together and reinforce our shared identity and Target 5: Agreement at the WRC conference in February sense of Britishness. This included publishing an updated 2012 on the way forward. version of the deregulatory guidance on organising Target 6: Clear guidance available to industry by December street parties, shooting down myths and misconceptions 2012. On co-operation a report on the status of implementation around them. of agreements with other agencies will be prepared. In addition to this, the Department flew the flag of The corporate plan period referred to is the financial St George above its headquarters and I encouraged years 2011-12 to 2014-15. public bodies to fly the English flag as a unifying symbol for the English nation, to be followed by flying the Union flag come the royal wedding. TREASURY Homes and tenants Costing Parliamentary Questions Millions of social housing tenants take real pride in their homes and my Department believes they should have the power and incentive to take control of the The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Justine maintenance of their own homes. On 7 April the Minister Greening): The Treasury has conducted its annual indexation for Housing and Local Government launched tenant exercise of the cost of oral and written parliamentary cashback. Tenant cashback will allow residents to take 9WS Written Ministerial Statements27 APRIL 2011 Written Ministerial Statements 10WS more control of their repairs budget for their homes, (Greg Clark), announced that four organisations taking on their own repairs and keeping any cash savings with expertise in planning will share a £3.2 million they have made. fund to provide assistance to local groups developing Tenants will also be able to pool their resources to neighbourhood plans. create a “community cashback” account, which could Communities can choose to take up free advice and be used to fund improvements to the local area for the guidance depending on their needs through The Prince’s benefit of all their residents. The plan will give tenants Foundation, Locality, The Royal Town Planning Institute, more power over their homes and neighbourhoods; and the National Association of Local Councils in allow poorer households to build up savings, strengthen partnership with the Campaign to Protect Rural England. bonds between neighbours; and provide work for small Each organisation will use its expertise, skills and track traders. record advising on development to empower communities to reach the full potential of their neighbourhood plan Decentralisation from start to finish. Ending the culture of top-down Whitehall management Planning and Travellers and putting the focus on local accountability and local communities is a key priority for the Department. On 13 April, I announced proposals for a more localist and fair way of providing Traveller sites. New On 12 April, the Under-Secretary of State for proposed planning policy will give the green belt and Communities and Local Government, my hon. Friend countryside more robust protection, give local councils the Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Robert Neill), more discretion and local planning authorities a stronger set out how local decision making and restoring focus hand in supporting appropriate development. The proposals on local communities will be central to fire and rescue will also remove the central guidance to councils on service policy, as the Department published its response compulsory purchasing of land for Traveller sites. In to the Fire Futures reports. consultation with local communities, councils will have The voluntary and community sector are relied upon the freedom and responsibility to determine the right by communities across the nation and we believe they level of Traveller site provision in their area, while should be given the freedom from excessive burdens and ensuring fairness in the planning system. red tape that can impede their work. On 13 April, I The proposed planning policy is capable of being announced a new fair deal for the voluntary and community regarded as a material consideration in planning decisions. sector which calls on councils to give greater support I would encourage local councils, elected representatives to local community and voluntary groups. The social and community groups to respond to the consultation. responsibility deal will seek to avoid disproportionate reductions in funding and encourage a more collaborative approach involving councils working with organisations HEALTH to shape the future of their service. We are also giving councils the freedoms to serve the local community Parliamentary Written Answer (Correction) and work more flexibly with the sector by scrapping the 56 pages of statutory guidance on local priorities which The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health spelled out exactly how councils should engage with the (Anne Milton): In answering a parliamentary question people in their area. from the hon. Member for Worthing West, (Sir Peter Increasing housing supply Bottomley), 1 March 2011, Official Report, column 379W, We believe that a key barrier to increasing the much- I provided details of the protection afforded by the two needed housing supply is the lack of land and buildings HPV vaccines licensed for use in the United Kingdom. available for residential development or conversion. Many These are Cervarix manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline towns and cities have office blocks, warehouses and and Gardasil manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur MSD. business parks needlessly lying empty. By unshackling However, my answer also referred to the cross-protection developers from a legacy of bureaucratic planning we afforded by Cervarix, but I omitted to provide equivalent can help them turn thousands of vacant commercial information on Gardasil and in doing so may have properties into enough new homes to jump start housing presented an incomplete view to the House. supply and help get the economy back on track In the case of Gardasil, the “Summary of Product On 8 April, my Department published a consultation Characteristics” states that proposing to abolish the planning approval requirement “statistically significant efficacy against disease was demonstrated against HPV types…related to HPV 16 (primarily HPV31) whereas for changing use from a commercial property to a no statistically significant efficacy was observed for HPV types ... residential property; deregulating the planning system related to HPV 18 (including HPV 45). For the 10 individual to increase housing supply. This is part of a wider HPV types, statistical significance was only reached for HPV 31”. review of use classes orders and its interaction with To ensure clarity and completeness of information permitted development rights, which will further unlock about the efficacy of both vaccines, I have placed copies unnecessary planning restrictions and help stimulate of their “Summary of Product Characteristics” in the sustainable development. Library. Copies of the SPCs for Cervarix and for Gardasil Neighbourhood Planning are available for hon. Members from the Vote Office We believe that local people should have greater and for noble Lords from the Printed Paper Office. power and support to shape planning and development They can also be seen at: in their local area. On 13 April, the Minister with www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/20204/SPC/ responsibility for decentralisation, the Minister of State, Cervarix/ Department for Communities and Local Government, www.medicines.org.uk/EMC/medicine/19016/SPC/ my right hon. Friend the Member for Tunbridge Wells GARDASIL/ 11WS Written Ministerial Statements27 APRIL 2011 Written Ministerial Statements 12WS

HOME DEPARTMENT guidance on appraising transport projects will recognise the benefits of low-carbon proposals more accurately. Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2011 Spending review decisions were informed by a value- for-money measure, used across Government. This measure incorporated the latest monetary values of carbon, The Minister for Immigration (Damian Green): I regret published by the Department of Energy and Climate to inform the House that there was an inaccuracy to the Change, which are higher than previous values. It also opening speeches made in each House during the debates treated indirect tax revenues (such as fuel duty) in a way on the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations consistent with the Department for Transport’s “in-draft” 2011. The debates took place in the Fourth Delegated benefit-cost ratio (BCR) formula. These changes tend Legislation Committee on Monday 28 March, column 4, to improve the BCRs of schemes that reduce carbon and in the House of Lords Grand Committee on Tuesday emissions and weaken the BCRs of schemes that result 29 March 2011, column GC 155: in higher carbon emissions. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/ Stakeholder groups have made representations that cmgeneral/deleg4/110328/110328s01.htm. the Department should consider amending the value of time to reflect regional variations in earnings. We have http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ considered these representations and have decided not ldhansrd/text/110329-gc0001.htm#11032963000180 to make any change at this stage, but we will keep the Both speeches made reference to the introduction of issue under review. a new fee for providing certain stateless persons the Over the coming days, my officials will update the ability to acquire the status of British protected person. appraisal guidance to incorporate the higher carbon The status means they can receive consular protection, values and new BCR formula that were used in the a British passport and are eligible to register as a British spending review. In addition, the Department will also citizen if they meet the appropriate criteria. The volumes release further changes to the appraisal guidance that under this route are minimal. However, it is a cost to the reflect Government’s priorities and recent updates to agency to process these applications and we believe that values and methodologies. A full list of these changes the rights associated with this status are valuable and can be found on the Department’s website (www.dft. therefore these applications should be charged for. gov.uk/webtag). I can confirm that this fee was erroneously omitted from the regulations and as such will not be introduced DfT processes for assessing schemes and supporting as planned. A very small number of people are estimated ministerial decisions to have been affected by this—there have been only two Today, my Department is publishing “The Transport such applications in the past 12 years. I am now announcing Business Case”which sets out the Department’s approach a correction to the speech made during the debates. My to producing business cases that support ministerial officials will ensure that this is made clear to any decisions. This approach ensures decisions are made by applicants applying under this route, on the UK Border taking account of all the relevant information set out in Agency website, www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk. However, five cases, consistent with the Treasury Green Book, I will also take the opportunity to introduce this fee specifically, to show whether schemes: when I next make an amendment to the existing regulations. are supported by a robust case for change that fits with wider public policy objectives—the “strategic case”; TRANSPORT demonstrate value-for-money—the “economic case”; Department for Transport (Decision Making) are commercially viable—the “commercial case”; are financially affordable—the “financial case”; and The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr Philip are achievable—the “management case”. Hammond): I am announcing today reforms to the way This means that there will no longer be a separate decisions are made on which transport projects to prioritise. process called NATA. My Department’s business plan states we will “reform the way transport projects are assessed and funding Option development and presentation prioritisation decisions are made so that the benefits of low-carbon My Department will revise the formats used to present proposals are fully recognised”. information to support decision-making so that all the It specifies that in order to achieve this we will: five cases receive appropriate consideration from an (a) review and revise DfT guidance on appraising transport early stage in a clear and transparent way. Forthcoming projects, and changes to the guidance will set out to scheme promoters (b) review and revise DfT processes for assessing schemes how to develop a range of innovative solutions to and supporting ministerial decisions. transport problems in the early stages of option The rest of this statement explains how we have met development and a clear process for option selection these commitments. that aligns with the subsequent appraisal process. Today, DfT guidance on appraising transport projects I am also publishing the “Early Assessment and Sifting The evidence supporting decisions needs to be robust. Tool”, which will aid scheme promoters in comparing Updates and changes that I am making to my Department’s and refining options in those early stages.

9P Petitions27 APRIL 2011 Petitions 10P Petitions Isham Bypass (Wellingborough) The Humble Petition of residents of the Isham area of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, and the surrounding Wednesday 27 April 2011 areas,

OBSERVATIONS Sheweth, That for forty years there has been a need for a by-pass of the village of Isham; that the recent increase TRANSPORT in housing and traffic has led to the environmental conditions for the residents of the main road in Isham Bus Service (Croyland, Wellingborough) being intolerable; and that the lack of a by-pass has The Humble Petition of residents of the Croyland area caused unacceptable levels of noise and air pollution, of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, and the surrounding safety issues for pedestrians and motorists and structural areas, damage to properties. Sheweth, Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House urges the Secretary of State for Transport to That the proposed loss or reduction of public transport liaise with Northamptonshire County Council and the routes within the Croyland Ward of Wellingborough Borough Council of Wellingborough to find a resolution will significantly disadvantage local residents, in particular that will lead to the reconsideration of the cancellation the elderly, disabled and young; and that the potential of the Isham By-Pass and a high priority given to its loss of the W3 bus service will leave many residents with construction. no way of getting to the town centre. Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever House urges the Secretary of State for Transport to pray, &c.—[Presented by Mr Peter Bone, Official Report, liaise with Northamptonshire County Council and the 5 April 2011; Vol. 526, c. 1016.] Borough Council of Wellingborough to find a resolution [P000914] that will lead to the maintenance of an acceptable level of public transport in Croyland. Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport: And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever The proposed A509 Isham bypass, promoted by pray, &c.—[Presented by Mr Peter Bone, Official Report, Northamptonshire county council, was identified as a 5 April 2011; Vol. 526, c. 1016.] priority for funding within the previous regional funding allocation funding process. The scheme is proposed to [P000915] ease congestion on the A590 through Isham by construction Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport: of a 4.3km dual carriageway to the west of the village. The Government continue to provide significant funds The Secretary of State for Transport announced on for local bus services, in Wellingborough and elsewhere: 10 June 2010 a suspension of activity on major schemes through bus subsidy for operators, via the national as part of the spending review process. On 26 October concessionary travel entitlement, which was protected 2010 he announced the process for prioritising funding in the budget, and through general support for local for inherited major schemes following the outcome of authorities. the spending review. The Isham bypass was placed in However, it is not the role of central Government to the “Pre-Qualification Pool” of schemes on which a determine which non-commercial bus services should preliminary assessment would be undertaken following be supported by local transport authorities. These are receipt of a revised funding offer, which was subsequently decisions which must be made locally, in consultation received from Northamptonshire county council. On with the public. 4 February the Secretary of State for Transport announced I recognise that local councils are making difficult his decision on the pre-qualification schemes. Eleven decisions in the light of reductions in revenue support schemes, including Isham bypass, were not selected for from central Government, but they have almost total inclusion in the further funding round. In the case of discretion about which services to value when budgeting Isham bypass this was because the promoters had not for the future. Certain councils, such as East Riding of proposed any reduction in the amount of funding they Yorkshire Council, have taken the decision to protect intended to request from the Department for Transport. bus services and to make efficiencies elsewhere instead. This compared with an overall reduction on the call on departmental funds from other schemes amounting to a In many areas, community transport can play a valuable saving of 42%. role in preventing isolation amongst the young, elderly and disabled. I therefore strongly encourage local councils It will be for the promoter to decide the next steps on to work in partnership with operators and local this scheme. The process for providing future funding communities to examine how more flexible services for major local authority transport schemes has yet to might be provided. To facilitate this, my Department be agreed. Promoters will therefore need to consider, in recently announced a £10 million fund for community consultation with the business community and local transport in rural areas. Northamptonshire County Council residents, whether further investment in the development will receive a £209,995 share of this fund, as well as six of this scheme would be in the best interests of local days of consultancy resource from the Community council tax payers. Further development costs would be Transport Association. at the promoters own risk.

249W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 250W

As part of that review, it was decided that the Equality Written Answers to and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) will be retained and radically reformed, while the Women’s National Questions Commission (WNC) would be closed down and its core functions brought into the Government Equalities Office (GEO). Tuesday 26 April 2011 The WNC closed in December 2010. All public appointments relating to the WNC came to an end as a [Continued from Column 248W] result of its closure as follows: (i) 15 women; (ii) No men. WOMEN AND EQUALITIES For the EHRC no public appointments have been affected as a result of the review to date. Departmental Official Cars Disability Maria Eagle: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities on what date (a) she and (b) each other Margaret Curran: To ask the Minister for Women Minister in the Government Equalities Office last used and Equalities (1) what accessible versions for disabled a Ministerial car while travelling in an official capacity; people of the Government Equalities Office consultation and how many times (i) she and (ii) each other Minister on the specific duties under the Equality Act 2010 she in her Department has travelled to their constituency in plans to produce; and if she will make a statement; a Ministerial car since May 2010. [50199] [50441] Lynne Featherstone: The Minister for Women and (2) when the Government Equalities Office plans to Equalities does not use a ministerial car. In her dual produce an easy-read accessible version of its consultation role as the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the specific duties under the Equality Act 2010; and she uses transport provided by the Metropolitan Police. if she will make a statement. [50442] I last used a ministerial car on official Government Lynne Featherstone [holding answer 1 April 2011]: Equalities Office (GEO) business on 29 March 2011. Previous documents on the public sector Equality Duty Since May 2010 I have made seven journeys to my have been produced in ‘easy read’ format and are available constituency after attending official (GEO) events. in alternative formats on request. The policy review paper will also be published in this format next week. Maria Eagle: To ask the Minister for Women and This version will focus on explaining the changes to the Equalities how much the Government Equalities Office specific duties. has spent on ministerial travel by (a) ministerial car, Any reasonable request for alternative accessible formats, (b) train, (c) bus, (d) commercial aircraft and (e) such as Braille or large font, which are made to the private aircraft since May 2010. [50208] Government Equalities Office, will be considered. Lynne Featherstone: The Minister for Women and Equalities and I share dual roles between the Home Equality Office and Government Equalities Office. We use transport provided by the Metropolitan police and the Home Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Minister for Women Office respectively. Details of our travel and expenditure and Equalities (1) how much was spent from the public are published quarterly on the Home Office website and purse on consultation on the public sector equality expenditure on ministerial cars by the Department of duty draft specific duties regulations which took place Transport’s website. between August and November 2010; [50003] On 1 April 2011 the Government Equalities Office (2) how much staff time was spent on the consultation joined the Home Office under a Machinery of Government on the public sector equality duty draft specific duties Transfer. regulations which took place between August and November 2010; [50004] Departmental Public Bodies (3) what the cost to the public purse was of preparing the draft specific duties regulations published by the Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Minister for Women Government Equalities Office on 12 January 2011; and Equalities pursuant to the answer of 28 March 2011, [50005] Official Report, column 2W, on departmental public (4) how much staff time was spent on the draft bodies, how many (a) women and (b) men are no specific duties regulations published by the Government longer members of public bodies for which she is responsible Equalities Office on 12 January 2011; [50006] as a result of mergers, reorganisations and abolitions resulting from decisions taken since May 2010. [51441] (5) if she will estimate the cost to the public purse of consultation on the policy review paper on proposals Lynne Featherstone [pursuant to the reply, 28 March for draft specific duties regulations announced on 2011, Official Report, c. 2W]: We announced the outcome 17 March 2011; [50007] of the cross-Government review of all public bodies on (6) if she will estimate the amount of staff time 14 October. The review was conducted in order to which will be spent on the consultation on the policy deliver our commitment, as set out in the coalition review paper on proposals for draft specific duties agreement, to reduce the cost and number of quangos. regulations announced on 17 March 2011. [50008] 251W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 252W

Lynne Featherstone: Since June 2010, work to implement Actual cost the public sector Equality Duty-including developing incurred by the and consulting on the draft specific duties regulations, Commission compiling the list of public bodies to which the Equality (after Duty should apply, and drafting guidance for public Number of Total cost reimbursements1) bodies on complying with the Equality Duty—has been trips of trips (£) (£) the main task for a team of three policy officials, and October 2007 to 16 16,500 — about 50% of the work of a Government lawyer. March 2008 It is not possible to provide an exact breakdown of April 2008 to 46 32,938 — the staff time devoted to the each of the tasks identified March 2009 in the questions. April 2009 to 65 34,701 — March 2010 In addition to staff costs, publishing the August 2010 April 2010 to 57 29,768 14,884 consultation document cost £12,500. The draft regulations March 2011 and the policy review paper were only published on-line, Total 184 113,907 — so incurred no additional costs. 1 A substantial proportion (estimated at around 50%) of these overseas travel costs are covered by the meeting organisers, and are Sandra Osborne: To ask the Minister for Women and then reimbursed to the Commission (for example from the European Equalities what discussions she has had with (a) Commission, the Commonwealth Institute, the Council of Europe). representatives of equality organisations and (b) public Exact figures of reimbursement are only available from 2010/11. Figures for earlier years, and details of individual visits as requested sector bodies on her decision to re-draft and re-consult in the question, are available only at disproportionate cost. on the specific duties of the Equality Act 2010 public sector equality duty. [51251] Equality Duty: Public Sector Mrs May: As Minister for Women and Equalities I meet regularly with equality organisations and public sector bodies to discuss a number of issues. Mr Lammy: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities whether the decision to re-draft and re-consult Equality and Human Rights Commission on the specific duties as part of the Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010 has been discussed by the Cross-Ministerial Group on Equalities. Tessa Jowell: To ask the Minister for Women and [51742] Equalities what estimate the Government Equalities Office has made of the level of savings which will Lynne Featherstone: The Inter-Ministerial Group on accrue from the change in function of the Equality and Equalities meets quarterly to review progress on equality Human Rights Commission. [48765] and implementation of Government’s Equality Strategy, published on 2 December 2011. In order to enable a free Lynne Featherstone: Changes to the functions of the exchange of views between Ministers, details of discussion Equality and Human Rights Commission are one element are not published. of the proposed reform plans for the Commission, as set out in the consultation document published on 22 March. Equality: Public Bodies We estimate that our reforms of the Commission will result in total savings of £84 million over the period to Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Minister for Women the end of the spending review (2014-15). and Equalities which public bodies with a remit which includes issues related to women and equalities have Equality and Human Rights Commission: Visits Abroad been merged, reorganised or abolished since May 2010; and if she will make a statement. [52138] Priti Patel: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities how many visits overseas have been undertaken Lynne Featherstone: The Women’s National Commission by members of the Equality and Human Rights which had a remit Commission since its establishment; who travelled on “to make known to Government, by all possible means, the each visit; whom they met; what the purpose was of informed opinion of women,” each visit; and what the total cost was of each of these was closed in December 2010. visits. [52471] The Union Modernisation Fund Supervisory Board Lynne Featherstone: The Equality and Human Rights was closed in November 2010. It had a remit, which Commission (The Commission) is an arm’s length body; included women and equalities, to: the following is based on information it has provided. improve the ability of unions to respond to the increasing diversity of the labour market, and to supply services geared to The Commission undertakes overseas travel as required the needs of a diverse membership; by its mandate as a National Equality Body and National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), for example, to capacity build for equality reps; and, attend meetings of the United Nations Human Rights develop support mechanisms for vulnerable workers. Council. The number of overseas visits undertaken by All public bodies are expected to take the Gender board members or staff of the Commission since its Equality Duty and, since 5 April 2011, the Equality establishment and the total cost of these visits is in the Duty into account as appropriate in their day-to-day following table: work. 253W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 254W

Equality: Public Sector Mr Prisk: Each regional development agency, including Advantage West Midlands (AWM) has developed a Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Minister for Women detailed plan for the disposal and treatment of its assets and Equalities when she plans to lay before Parliament and liabilities and scrutiny of these is on going. We have regulations to provide for the new public sector agreed aspects of AWM’s assets and liabilities plan and equality duty. [46875] we are still in discussions about others, including the future of Longbridge. However, disposals will be made Lynne Featherstone: The Government intend to make in a way that secures best value for the taxpayer and a commencement order bringing the Equality Duty minimises costs. It will be for the AWM to set out a into force on 5 April 2011. strategy for disposing of individual sites and assets. Following further consideration of the draft specific duties regulations published on 12 January 2011, I have Animal Experiments: Cosmetics published today a policy review paper inviting comments by 21 April 2011 on new draft specific duties regulations Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, designed to ensure that public bodies consider equality Innovation and Skills what scientific advice he has when carrying out their functions without imposing received on the alternative testing techniques available unnecessary burdens and bureaucracy. to the cosmetics industry following the introduction of the prohibition on the testing of cosmetic products on European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights animals in 2013. [50128]

Priti Patel: To ask the Minister for Women and Mr Davey: The National Centre for the Replacement, Equalities what the cost was of the visit by the Chair of Refinement and Reduction of the use of animals in the Equality and Human Rights Commission to the Research (NC3Rs)—an organisation funded by the headquarters of the European Union Agency for Department—provides scientific input to policy on the Fundamental Rights in Vienna on 14 March 2011; who development of alternative techniques for the testing of else participated in the visit; what the purpose of the cosmetic products on animals. visit was; what the mode, class and cost of travel was; and what the cost of accommodation used was. [52472] Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what representations he has Lynne Featherstone: The Equality and Human Rights received from representatives of the cosmetics industry Commission (The Commission) is an arm’s length body; on the preparedness of that industry for the prohibition the following is based on information it has provided. on the testing of cosmetic products on animals in 2013; The total cost for the Commission’s visit to the EU [50129] Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) on 14 March 2011 (2) what representations he has made to the European was £1,918.18. Commission on the implementation in 2013 of the seventh amendment to Council Directive 76/768/EEC The following six staff participated in the visit (in and Regulation (EC) No 1223/200 on the testing of addition to the chair): Director of Foresight; Director cosmetics on animals. [50136] of Research; Head of Social Analysis and Foresight; Head of Research; Head of European and International Policy; and Senior Social Analyst. Mr Davey: I have not received representations from the cosmetics industry, neither have I made representations The purpose of the visit was a learning exchange to the European Commission on the subject. seminar hosted by the FRA for staff of both organisations. Its primary objective was to make links, share insights and learn from each other’s work. Apprentices: Chester The chair and all Commission staff travelled by air in economy class. Stephen Mosley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people were The total cost of travel was £1,183.16. The total cost participating in apprenticeship schemes in City of of accommodation was £735.02. Chester constituency (a) in April 2010 and (b) on the latest date for which figures are available. [51157]

Mr Hayes: Table 1 shows the number of learners BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS participating on an apprenticeship programme on 1 April 2010, and 1 January 2011 in the City of Chester Advantage West Midlands parliamentary constituency. Table 1: Apprenticeship participation in the City of Chester Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for constituency, 1 April 2010 and 1 January 2011. Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what assessment he City of Chester constituency Number of participants has made of the likely effects on the redevelopment of the former MG Rover site at Longbridge of his Participation on 1 April 2010 380 proposals for disposal of land and property owned by Participation on 1 January 2011 460 Advantage West Midlands on the site; [51728] Notes: (2) what plans he has for the future ownership of 1. All Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Geography information is based upon the home postcode of the land and property owned by Advantage West Midlands learner. on the former MG Rover site at Longbridge; and if he Source: will make a statement. [51729] Individualised Learner Record 255W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 256W

The participation figures in this table show the number introduced, it can take these businesses a disproportionate of apprentices in learning on the given dates. However, amount of time and effort to interpret, understand and to ensure consistency and clarity, for comparative purposes comply with them. we use the number of people starting an apprenticeship The moratorium is intended to give micro businesses over the full academic year. and start-ups breathing space from the constant flow of Information on the number of apprenticeship starts new domestic regulations and requirements. Combined is published in a quarterly statistical first release (SFR). with other measures announced in the Budget, such as The latest SFR was published on 31 March 2011: improving regulatory guidance on Business Link and http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/ improving regulatory enforcement, we believe that the statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current time and cost savings for micro businesses will be considerable. Apprentices: Pendle Departmental Accountancy Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, to encourage small and medium-sized businesses in Innovation and Skills whether any ministerial directions Pendle constituency to take on apprentices; what recent have been issued to the accounting officers of his representations he has received on this matter; and if he Department since his appointment. [52004] will make a statement. [50962] Mr Davey: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of Mr Hayes: The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) State, has not issued any ministerial directions to the is working closely with employers and others to increase accounting officer of the Department since his appointment. the number of apprenticeships in the Pennine and East Lancashire area. For example working with the Chamber Departmental Early Retirement of Commerce in East Lancashire hosting breakfast briefings to increase awareness; and working with CXL, Jobcentre Plus and Enterprise 4 All, promoting Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, apprenticeships to Asian and minority ethnic businesses Innovation and Skills how many of his Department’s across Lancashire. staff have taken early retirement in each of the last five Nationally, Government are focusing on making it years; and at what cost to his Department in each such easier for small and medium-enterprises (SMEs) in year. [49309] particular to take on new apprentices and recently announced a new £75 million programme of training Mr Davey: The number of early retirements in each and other targeted support focused specifically on SMEs year from 2006-07 to 2010-11 is given in the following to help them access advanced and higher level table. Early retirements give rise to costs spread over a apprenticeships. number of years. The table shows the total, multi-year cost associated with the early retirements that occurred Arts: Research in each year. Staff can retire or be retired early in the circumstances Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for prescribed by the Civil Service Management Code. There Business, Innovation and Skills what meetings (a) Ministers is only a cost to the Department where an enhanced and (b) officials in his Department have had with the early retirement package is provided under the Civil Arts and Humanities Research Council on strategic Services Compensation Scheme. research priorities in the last 12 months. [50927] 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

Mr Willetts: Three meetings have taken place between FER or Staff 14 97 16 18 55 Ministers and the Research Council chief executives CER since May. These included an introductory meeting Cost 1,808,618 14,007,013 2,019,297 2,890,342 6,084,767 with the Research Councils, and the growth and spending reviews. Officials have held numerous meetings with the AER Staff 1 1 0 0 147 Arts and Humanities Research Council in the past year. Cost 12,780 11,626 0 0 14,727,882 These covered issues relating to governance and sponsorship, and discussions around the spending review. Departmental Meetings Business: Regulation Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many meetings his Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has Department has had with (a) the Higher Education made of the benefit to businesses employing fewer than Funding Council for England, (b) Universities UK, 10 people and start-ups of reduced administrative (c) the Qualifications and Assessment Authority and burdens and compliance costs arising from the (d) the Confederation of British Industry in each moratorium exempting such businesses from new month since 1 January 2011. [51566] domestic regulations for the next three years. [51558] Mr Willetts: I, my ministerial colleagues and the Mr Prisk: There are 4.6 million micro businesses in Permanent Secretary have had the following meetings the UK and we know that when new regulations are with these organisations: 257W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 258W

Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for January February March April Business, Innovation and Skills on what date each HEFCE 4 3 11 0 relevant (a) local authority and (b) local enterprise UUK 0 0 1 0 partnership was informed officially by his Department QAA0000prior to the announcement of the 2011 Budget that its CBI 5 1 3 5 area had been selected as an enterprise zone. [51982]

In addition there will have been other meetings with Mr Prisk: Discussions with both representatives from these organisations and departmental officials, which local authorities and local enterprise partnerships were are not recorded centrally and could be provided only at handled by officials in the run up to the Budget and disproportionate cost. they were informed of the decisions shortly before the Budget announcement. Ministers were not directly involved Enterprise Zones with the discussions but were kept informed. Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had with Business, Innovation and Skills if he will publish the the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the criteria local evidence taken into account in the determination of the enterprise partnerships should consider in putting forward locations of the first 10 proposed Enterprise Zones bids for the second tranche of enterprise zone awards. announced in the 2011 Budget. [49423] [52031]

Justine Greening: I have been asked to reply. Mr Prisk: The exact detail of the criteria that will be Budget announced the first 11 Local Enterprise used to assess bids to host the second tranche of enterprise Partnerships, outside London, which will host Enterprise zones are still being developed. However Government Zones. These were selected by clear criteria. Six of the have made clear that a key focus of the new enterprise 10 LEPs were selected on the basis that they encompass zones will be around economic growth and job creation. one or more of England’s largest cities, ranked by population. The remaining four LEPs were selected on Ed Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, the basis of need, using the published location criteria Innovation and Skills which Office of National that are used to assess bids to the Regional Growth Statistics standard geographical areas are to be covered Fund. by those enterprise zones with confirmed locations. Economic Development in London is uniquely devolved. [52142] Government will therefore work with the Mayor of London to develop an EZ for London. Government Mr Prisk: At present four enterprise zones sites have will also work with the devolved Administrations to been confirmed, these are: explore opportunities for developing Enterprise Zones Liverpool—Wirral Waters across the UK. Manchester—Airport City Nottingham—Boots Campus Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what net change in the London—Royal Docks number of businesses he expects to be attributable to The exact boundaries for these enterprise zones have the introduction of Enterprise Zones. [51559] still to be confirmed.

Mr Prisk: Local areas are being asked to submit their EU External Trade: India bids with the aim to maximise business creation/growth and job creation. These bids will be assessed on their Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for ability to drive this and create as many new businesses Business, Innovation and Skills which (a) non- as is possible. governmental organisations, (b) trade associations and An accurate number of the net change of businesses (c) charities Ministers in his Department have met to is not possible to supply at this stage as business rate discuss the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and discounts do not necessarily have a bearing as to the India. [51127] number of new businesses created. Other factors, such as the type of business and floor space, will also determine Mr Davey: The Department’s Ministers have met the level of business rate due. with a wide range of stakeholders to discuss the EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA). These include those from Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for trade associations, charities, and non-governmental Business, Innovation and Skills on what dates prior to organisations who have an interest in the FTA overall. the 2011 Budget Statement (a) he and (b) officials in In recent months this has included The Society of his Department discussed with (i) local authorities and Motor Manufacturers and Traders Limited and Tear (ii) local enterprise partnerships designation of areas as Fund. In addition, officials regularly meet with a range an enterprise zone. [51952] of stakeholders who have an interest in the FTA.

Mr Prisk: Discussions with both representatives from Executives: Females local authorities and local enterprise partnerships were handled by officials in the run up to the Budget. Ministers Mrs Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, were not directly involved with the discussions but were Innovation and Skills whether his Department plans to kept informed. promote mentoring and sponsorship of women in the 259W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 260W

(a) private and (b) public sector in order to increase future commissioning of pre-registration, post-registration the number of female senior executives. [51129] and continuous professional development healthcare courses in universities; and if he will make a statement. Mr Davey: The Government welcome the review [52284] being undertaken by Lord Davies of Abersoch into women on boards, which recommends the consolidation Mr Willetts: My officials and I are working very and improvement of training provision for the development closely with our colleagues in the Department of Health of potential board members for listed UK companies, on issues which affect both the higher education and including mentoring and sponsorship, and will be working health sectors, as they take policy and funding decisions. with companies, business organisations and academia BIS officials participate in the Health Education National to encourage them to do so. Strategic Exchange which considers such issues, including The Government have set an aspiration that by the the provision of health education courses and workforce end of the Parliament at least half of all new appointees planning. being made to the boards of public bodies will be Higher Education: Access women, and will shortly set out their action plan to achieve this aim. Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Mrs Grant: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many representations he has Innovation and Skills what plans he has to encourage received on his plans to improve access to university for public companies to have a gender-balanced boardroom. those from disadvantaged backgrounds in each month [51134] since 1 January 2011; and if he will make a statement. [51568] Mr Davey: The Government strongly welcome the review being undertaken by Lord Davies of Abersoch Mr Willetts: Our records show that the Department into women on boards which was published in February. has received the following numbers of parliamentary We are working with the Financial Reporting Council, questions and general correspondence that relate to who will shortly launch a consultation on proposed improving access to university for those from disadvantaged amendments to the Corporate Governance Code, and backgrounds. with executive search firms, who will soon launch a Voluntary Code of Conduct covering search criteria January February March and processes for FTSE 350 board appointments. Parliamentary 91553 In addition we are working with key stakeholders, questions including chairmen, company secretaries, academia and Correspondence 5 3 13 business representative organisations to encourage companies to adopt other measures set out by Lord Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Davies of Abersoch in his business-led strategy, including Innovation and Skills how many meetings he has held publishing aspirational targets for the number of women with external bodies to discuss universities which have on their boards in 2013 and 2015. not met the access benchmarks agreed with the Office Further Education: Higher Education of Fair Access in each month since 1 January 2011; and if he will make a statement. [51570]

Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Willetts: No meetings have been held with outside Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has to bodies to discuss access benchmarks. increase the number of higher education places offered in further education colleges. [51882] Each year the Higher Education Statistics Agency publishes performance indicators and benchmarks in Mr Willetts: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave relation to access that have been developed by the UK on 4 April 2011, Official Report, column 687W to my HE sector. hon. Friend for Crawley. Any institution wishing to charge above £6,000 from 2012 will have to have in place an access agreement Graduates: Manufacturing Industries approved by the director of Fair Access. In guidance issued by the director to the sector on 8 March he made Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, clear that he expected all institutions to establish their Innovation and Skills whether he plans to take steps to own indicators and benchmarks as part of new access raise the profile among graduates of the process and agreements. manufacturing industry. [51508] Higher Education: Business Mr Prisk: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 29 March 2011, Official Report, column 307W. Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, We began discussion at the Manufacturing summit on Innovation and Skills how many meetings his Department the scope for promoting manufacturing careers to graduates. had with representatives of the business community to discuss the relationship between universities and business Health: Higher Education in each month of 2011. [51804]

Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Mr Willetts: All BIS Ministers and many of its officials Innovation and Skills what discussions he has had with are engaged in frequent meetings with representatives the Secretary of State for Health on proposals for the of the business community. The link between universities 261W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 262W and business often forms a regular part of such meetings, student place on the apprenticeships programme is to discuss training, research, skills, innovation or enterprise equivalent to three Train to Gain places. [51483] issues. Mr Hayes: I will respond to the hon. Member as soon Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for as possible. Business, Innovation and Skills how many meetings his The broad assumption that one student place on an Department had with senior university staff to discuss Apprenticeships programme is equivalent to three Train the relationship between universities and business in to Gain places derives from the following information. each month of 2011. [51805] The Skills Funding Agency Funding Guidance (see following) states that an Apprenticeship takes on average Mr Willetts: BIS meets regularly with a wide range of twice the Guided Learning Hours of a Train to Gain senior university staff and officials from across the HE place. In addition, Apprenticeship courses include a sector, including HEFCE, UUK, GuildHE, UCAS and number of additional elements, which together with the UKCES. The relationship between universities and provider uplifts as described in the Funding Guidance, business often forms part of such meetings when discussing result in Apprenticeship student places being about training, research, skills, innovation or enterprise issues. three times the cost of Train to Gain places. Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Courses can be fully funded by the Department or Innovation and Skills how many meetings his Department co-funded between the Department and the employer/ had with senior staff of regional development agencies learner. to discuss the relationship between universities and The funding guidance’s for Apprenticeships and Train business in each month of 2011. [51806] to Gain can be found at the following addresses: http://readingroom.lsc.gov.uk/SFA/ Mr Prisk: This Department did not have any meetings ApprenticeshiFunding_Requirements_2010_11- in 2011 with senior staff of regional development agencies v2_October.pdf (RDA) specifically to discuss the relationship between http://readingroom.skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk/sfa/ universities and business. ttg_funding_requirements_2010_11-v2_october.pdf However in each of January and March 2011 BIS officials took part in the regular two-monthly meetings Neurology of the Regional Innovation Science and Technology Group (RIST). Membership of this group includes the Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for RDA Innovation leads, BIS officials, and staff from Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has TSB, RCUK and HEFCE. The meetings discuss a made of the potential effects of measures set out in The range of innovation issues. Collaboration at regional Plan for Growth on neuroscience research in the UK. and local level between businesses and universities are [52486] an integral part of the agenda. Mr Willetts: The Plan for Growth set out the Higher Education: Finance Government’s plans to put the UK on a path to sustainable, long-term economic growth. For the health and life Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for sciences sector, which includes neuroscience and other Business, Innovation and Skills whether he will permit medical research and development, measures in the higher education courses currently delivered by further Plan for Growth include streamlining regulation and education colleges funded by a university to be funded improving the cost effectiveness of clinical trials, forming directly by the Higher Education Funding Council for new translational research partnerships and ensuring England in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13. [51881] educators provide skilled individuals the sector needs to grow. Mr Willetts: The Higher Education Funding Council Neuroscience research will continue to be supported for England (HEFCE) is legally responsible for funding both by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research individual institutions. Ministers have no role in the Council (BBSRC), where strategically relevant, and by process. Currently the council directly funds 124 of the the Medical Research Council (MRC). 249 FE colleges in England. We are though seeking to encourage new providers, including FE colleges into the system. When the new funding system is introduced in One NorthEast 2012/13 funding will follow the informed choices of students rather than direct grant. Where colleges and Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for other providers are able to offer high quality programmes Business, Innovation and Skills if he will ensure that at a price which offers good value for money, we would the expertise built up by specialists working in One wish to see them able to expand. We will consult after North East is retained in the North East. [51503] any proposals on this are announced in the forthcoming Higher Education White Paper. Mr Prisk: Where we have identified the need for continuing functions, arrangements are being put in Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth Strategy place to ensure ONE staff are transferred so that expertise is retained in the north-east. We are also working with Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for ONE to ensure their knowledge assets are managed Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to page 26 of effectively and that useful knowledge is transferred or the Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth strategy, made available to relevant bodies, including those in the what the evidential basis is for the assumption that one north-east. 263W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 264W

Post Offices The minimum requirements enshrined in the Bill are the same as we currently enjoy under existing legislation, Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, with the addition of a free service for blind and partially Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of sighted people. We have repeatedly confirmed that we the potential to provide Government services through have no intention of reducing these minimum requirements. Post Office essentials branches. [51108] Postgraduate Education Mr Davey: The Post Office Ltd is currently piloting Post Office Locals in some 60 locations across the UK, Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, with plans to extend piloting activity this year. Innovation and Skills how many representations he has Details of the precise Government services that will received on the future of postgraduate (a) taught and be offered through the final model will be a matter for (b) research degrees in each week since 1 January 2011; the Post Office Ltd, using learning from current and and if he will make a statement. [51567] future pilots. Recent research by Consumer Focus shows that over 95% of customer transactions by volume are Mr Willetts: I and my ministerial colleagues regularly already available in Post Office Local pilots—for example meet with stakeholders and receive letters on the future the collection of pensions and benefits. of postgraduate taught and research degrees. I have recently asked Professor Sir Adrian Smith to reconvene Post Offices: Bank Services his Postgraduate Review Panel to look at the issue of taught postgraduate degrees. Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, The Government are committed to Britain being a Innovation and Skills which Post Office financial services world leading place to do research. This is why, despite are not offered by a Post Office essentials service. enormous pressure on public spending, the overall level [51101] of funding for science and research programmes has been protected in cash terms within a ring-fenced budget. Mr Davey: Post Office Ltd is currently piloting Post Office Locals in some 60 locations across the UK, with Regional Development Agencies: Assets plans to extend piloting activity this year. Details of the precise financial services that will be Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, offered through the final model will be a matter for Post Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 4 April Office Ltd, using learning from current and future 2011, Official Report, column 692W, on regional pilots. Recent research by Consumer Focus shows that development agencies: assets, on what dates the meetings over 95% of total customer transactions by volume are (a) he and (b) his officials had with (i) the Department already available in Post Office Local pilots—for example for Communities and Local Government and (ii) HM chip and pin cash deposits and withdrawals and postal Treasury on the options for disposal of assets owned by orders. regional development agencies took place. [52441]

Postal Services Mr Prisk: Officials have had weekly and sometimes twice weekly, meetings with both the Department of Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and HM Innovation and Skills how many (a) packets, (b) parcels Treasury (HMT) to discuss the regional development and (c) large letters were posted in the UK in each of agencies’ proposals for disposing and transferring their the last five years. [51111] assets and liabilities. The subject of asset disposal is also discussed at the fortnightly National Transition Mr Davey: There is no definitive source for this Board on which both DCLG and HMT are regular information. Royal Mail handles 68 million items of members. mail per day (small letters, large letters and parcels). The wider market for parcels has been fully deregulated Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, since 1981 so is consequently difficult to measure. Postcomm Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 4 April valued the postal market at £11.4 billion in 2008. 2011, Official Report, column 692W, on regional development agencies: assets, on what dates and at what Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for times he met (a) the chief executives and (b) staff of Business, Innovation and Skills if he will ensure that each regional development agency (RDA) on their proposals the minimum requirements of the universal service for the disposal of assets held by each RDA. [52442] obligation under the provisions of the Postal Services Bill 2010 are maintained at current levels for a period Mr Prisk: I, and my officials, have had eight meetings of not less than five years. [52438] with the Chairs of the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), discussing all related matters concerning the Mr Davey: The Government are committed to securing closure of the RDAs. The officials also have regular the universal postal service for everyone in the UK. This meetings with the chief executives and staff working on objective is at the heart of the Postal Services Bill. the closure of their RDAs. Three RDA chief executives The minimum requirements of the universal service sit as members of the National Transition Board. All are clearly set out in the Bill, which also puts in place matters concerning the transition to closure of the new and stronger protections around the level of the RDAs, including asset disposal, are discussed in the universal service than are currently the case. above. 265W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 266W

Regional Development Agencies: Finance Mr Willetts: The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for for Twickenham (Vince Cable) and I have received Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer representations on the future of research funding. This of 23 March 2011, Official Report, column 1119W on Government recognises the importance of research funding regional development agencies: finance, whether he has to the UK. That is why this Government are committed identified assets which would potentially be suitable for to investment in science and research as a major driver transfer from regional development agencies to the of economic growth—with a flat-cash, ring-fenced Homes and Communities Agency. [51623] settlement for science and research funding of £4.6 billion pa for 2011-15. Mr Prisk: Coalfields assets and liabilities will transfer to the Homes and Communities Agency. The disposal Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for of other land and property assets, deemed not suitable Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he for short-term market sale, is still being reviewed by the has had with (a) his EU counterparts and (b) other Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the organisations on the setting of targets for the proportion Department for Communities and Local Government of gross domestic product spent on research and and the regional development agencies. development. [52436]

Renewable Energy: Finance Mr Willetts: The Secretary of State has not had discussions with neither his EU counterparts nor other organisations on the setting of targets for the proportion Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for of gross domestic product spent on research and Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to paragraph development. 2.159 of The Plan for Growth, what assessment he has made of the likely effect of capping the impact of Science levy-funded support on energy bills on the availability of funding for small and medium scale renewables. [52020] Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills when he plans to publish Justine Greening: I have been asked to reply. the long-term plan for science for 2016 onwards. [52480] HM Treasury has responsibility for setting the overall cap for DECC’s tax and spending through policies that Mr Willetts: The coalition Government’s long-term entail levy-funded spending, balancing the support needed vision for science was published alongside their plans to meet the Government’s energy objectives with the for science funding up to 2011-15 in December 2010. need to minimise energy bill increases for consumers. DECC has responsibility for managing their levy-funded Science: Finance spending policies such that they remain within the cap. It is therefore for DECC to determine the split of Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for funding between and within policies, including the Business, Innovation and Skills what criteria he used to availability of funding for the support of small and determine that his plan for science funding was sufficiently medium-scale renewables. long-term in nature. [52479]

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State Mr Willetts: Resource funding was protected with a for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to flat-cash, ring-fenced settlement for 2011-15 providing paragraph 2.159 of The Plan for Growth, which levies long-term stability and certainty to the research base. are to be affected by the proposal on the impact of Key capital projects have been funded including the UK levy-funded support on energy bills. [52021] Centre for Medical Research and Innovation (UKCMRI), Diamond and the Birth Cohort Study. An additional Justine Greening: I have been asked to reply. investment announced in the budget of £100 million in The new control framework for DECC levy-funded science investment projects, including ISIS, the International spending covers the Renewables Obligation, Feed-In Space Innovation Centre and national research campuses, Tariffs and Warm Home Discount, to help ensure that, will develop infrastructure at national research campuses. they achieve their objectives cost effectively and affordably. These investments will protect national capability, maintain These policies are classified as tax and spend for National international competitiveness and maximise the economic Accounts purposes. They operate by placing an obligation and social benefits of research over many years. on energy companies to provide support to certain activities or groups. Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 31 March 2011, Official Report, column 509, on Research: Finance science and research, what time period constitutes the long term in the context of his plans for science funding. Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, [52483] Innovation and Skills how many representations he has received on the future of research funding in each Mr Willetts: The coalition Government’s long-term month since 1 January 2011; and if he will make a vision for science was published alongside its plans for statement. [51569] science funding up to 2011 to 2015 in December 2010. 267W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 268W

Resource funding was protected with a flat-cash, attended the British Retail Consortium parliamentary ring-fenced settlement for 2011 to 2015 providing long-term reception on 2 November 2010, at which representatives stability and certainty to the research base. Key capital of at least one of the companies referred to were projects have been funded including the UK Centre for present. Medical Research and Innovation (UKCMRI), Diamond and the Birth Cohort Study. An additional investment Technology announced in the budget of £100 million in science investment projects, including ISIS, the International Space Innovation Centre and national research campuses, Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, will develop infrastructure at national research campuses. Innovation and Skills (1) how much his Department These investments will protect national capability, maintain has spent on the development of the East London Tech international competitiveness and maximise the economic City to date; [51577] and social benefits of research over many years. (2) what recent assessment he has made of the development of the East London Tech City initiative; Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for and if he will make a statement; [51578] Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has (3) what estimate he has made of the number of jobs made of the international ranking of the UK for science attributable to the East London Tech City initiative; funding measured (a) in absolute terms and (b) as a [51579] proportion of gross domestic product in each of the (4) what financial incentives he plans to put in place next five years; and what estimate he has made of the to attract investment to the East London Tech City likely effects of public sector funding for science on area; [51580] private sector funding in each such year. [52492] (5) how many companies have notified his Department Mr Willetts: It is not possible to make an estimate for of a commitment to locate in the East London Tech other countries as we do not have access to their funding City; [51607] plans for the next five years on a comparable basis to (6) what estimate he has made of the level of investment the UK. The OECD publish retrospective data on science committed to businesses in the East London Tech City funding by country. area subsequent to the announcement of the East London The UK’s research base is world class: second in the Tech City initiative. [51608] world only to the USA for number of citations, and the most productive in the G8. The ring-fenced flat cash Mr Prisk: The Shoreditch area of east London already science and research funding together the £100 million hosts 200 high-tech companies. The initiative announced additional capital investment announced in the Budget by the Prime Minister on 4 November 2010 is aimed at will protect national capability, maintain international promoting the development of Tech City further as a competitiveness and maximise the economic and social world-leading tech cluster and, as a result, so far over a benefits of research over many years. dozen leading companies and universities have committed to investing in Tech City. Students: Finance I have made no recent assessment of the jobs attributable to this initiative, and the Department is not offering any Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, financial incentives specific to Tech City. However, UK Innovation and Skills how many meetings his Department Trade and Investment (UKTI) has established the Tech has had on the creation of a fund to allow the allocation City Investment Organisation (TCIO) to co-ordinate its of student places to for-profit institutions since his efforts to promote east London’s Tech City as a location appointment. [51548] for high-tech investments. Mr Willetts: The Department has not held meetings This will include engaging further with the above to discuss the creation of a fund to allow the allocation mentioned companies to turn their commitment into of student places to for-profit institutions. However, the tangible investments, and engaging with a second wave Department is considering how student number controls of companies to do the same; putting together propositions might apply in the future regulatory system, including for the best non-UK venture capital firms and business options for a fund to support expansion of those providers angels to encourage them to focus on deals in the UK which best offer students high-quality programmes at a and to expand their operations in the UK; and identifying price that represents good value. We will consult after experienced entrepreneurs and business people to take any proposals are announced in the forthcoming Higher up roles as mentors or non-executive directors to help Education White Paper. the development of early stage companies and beyond. The TCIO is made up of four experienced entrepreneurs, Supermarkets four UKTI business specialists and four other UKTI officials. Project meetings are convened at No 10 on a Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for weekly basis to review progress against TCIO’s delivery Business, Innovation and Skills what meetings he has plan. had since September 2010 with representatives of (a) Tesco, (b) Sainsbury’s, (c) Asda, (d) Morrisons and Technology Strategy Board: Finance (e) trade associations of which these companies are members. [52210] Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Prisk: Since September 2010, my right hon. Friend Business, Innovation and Skills how much funding has the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and been allocated to the Technology Strategy Board for Skills has met with Tesco on 8 September 2010 and each of the next three years. [51268] 269W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 270W

Mr Willetts: The Technology Strategy Board’s budget a core responsibility of the NHS Commissioning Board. for 2011/12 is £317 million, which includes funding for In the meantime, we will be supporting a new round of Technology and Innovation Centres and to deliver a grants to organisations in this field in 2011-12. national grant for research and development (R and D) scheme. We cannot be specific on future year allocations, Boarding Schools: Disabled but it will be of the order £300 million pa resulting in support worth over £1 billion in business led R and D Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for over the spending review period. Education how many disabled children were living in a residential school or care home on the most recent date Vocational Guidance for which figures are available. [51723]

Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Tim Loughton: The number of looked after children Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has who were recorded as being in need of services due to had with the Secretary of State for Education on the their disability and were living in a residential school or sum that his Department plans to contribute to the new care home on the most recent date for which figures are all-aged careers service. [52030] available, is shown in the following table. Children looked after at 31 March owing to disability1,2,3; year ending Mr Hayes: As Minister with responsibilities for careers 31 March 2010, coverage: England services in both the Department for Business, Innovation Number and Skills and the Department for Education I have All children looked after at 2,200 had regular discussions about the new careers service 3 with my ministerial colleagues in both Departments. I 31 March owing to disability hope to be able to confirm the level of funding for the careers service soon. Residential schools 560 Care Homes4 700 Other placements5 900 1 Numbers above 1,000 have been rounded to the nearest 100, otherwise EDUCATION to the nearest 10. 2 Figures exclude children looked after under an agreed series of short Academies: Admissions term placements. 3 Looked after children are only known to be disabled if this is Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for reported as their primary reason for being looked after. Some children may have come into care for another reason, but also have a disability. Education what guidance his Department has issued to 4 Care homes comprise of the following: Secure Units, Homes and academies on their admissions policy. [51747] hostels subject to Children’s Homes regulations, Residential care homes and NHS Trusts providing medical/nursing care. Mr Gibb: Each Academy has a contract with the 5 Other placements where children with a disability were accommodated, Secretary of State that sets out its admissions duties. include: Foster placements, Placed with parents, Placed for adoption, Living independently, Homes and hostels not subject to Children’s Academies are required to have an admissions policy Homes regulations, Family centre or mother and baby unit, Young and arrangements which comply with admissions law, offenders institution or prison and Other placements (unspecified). the School Admissions Code and the Admission Appeals Source: Code. SSDA 903 When a new academy is established, officials will Brighton work with it in order to ensure its admission arrangements comply with the Code. Other than this, the guidance Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for which the Department issues to academies is the same Education how many ring-fenced grants provided by as that issued to maintained schools: the School Admissions his Department were available for Brighton and Hove Code and the Admissions Appeal Code. city council to claim in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09, (c) 2009-10 and (d) 2010-11; how much was available in Better Communication Action Plan such grants; how many such grants were made; and how much was awarded in such grants. [51843] Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether the commissioning of services under the Better Mr Gibb: Tables giving details of the ring-fenced Communication Action Plan will include services for revenue grants allocated by the Department to Brighton children requiring communication aids; and if he will and Hove city council for each year since 2007-08 are make a statement. [51313] provided in the following tables. The tables include the type of grant and the amount awarded to the council in Sarah Teather: The Department of Health recently each year. published commissioning tools that were produced as There were 39 ring-fenced revenue grants available to part of the Better Communication Action Plan. In Brighton and Hove council in 2007-08, 33 in 2008-09; addition, the recently published ‘Green Paper, Support 36 in 2009-10; and 29 in 2010-11. and aspiration: A new approach to special educational needs and disability—A consultation’, includes proposals Ring-fenced grants to Brighton and Hove council—2007-08 to bring commissioning of augmentative and alternative Revenue Grant Allocations (£) communication (AAC), which enables some children to Dedicated Schools Grant 117,598,000 communicate, within the scope of NHS commissioning. School Development Grant 6,525,016 Subject to parliamentary approval, the commissioning General Sure Start Grant 4,567,367 of highly specialised services, including AAC, will become 271W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 272W

Ring-fenced grants to Brighton and Hove council—2007-08 Ring-fenced grants to Brighton and Hove council—2008-09 Revenue Grant Allocations (£) Revenue Grant Allocations {£)

School Standards Grant 4,442,458 School Standards Grant 1,435,536 School Standards Grant 1,488,719 (Personalisation) (Personalisation) Secondary Strategy: Targeted 684,998 Targeted Support for Secondary 537,790 Support Strategy Primary Strategy: Targeted 670,278 Targeted Support for Primary 529,746 Support Strategy Music 425,580 14-19 Engagement Programme 435,000 National Challenge 412,500 Extended Schools 417,688 Targeted Mental Health in 382,000 Music Services 330,580 Schools Parenting Early Intervention 287,558 Parenting Support Strategy 320,000 Pilots Grant Budget Holding Lead 275,000 School Lunch Grant 316,267 Professional Pilot Short Breaks (AHDC) 306,300 Ethnic Minority Achievement 274,569 Ethnic Minority Achievement 302,162 Grant (EMAG) Grant Targeted School Meals Grant 196,663 Extended Schools– 283,020 Transition Information 166,350 Sustainability Sessions: Demonstration KS4 Engagement Programme 272,100 Projects Playing for Success (DCSF 160,000 ContactPoint 166,054 grant only) Playing for Success (DfES grant 161,668 ContactPoint 152,172 only) Entry 2 Learning Pilots 146,900 Youth Taskforce 150,000 Youth Opportunity Fund 140,900 Youth Opportunity Fund 140,880 Family Intervention Projects 121,856 Parenting in Areas delivering 125,000 Consortia funding 120,000 the Respect Programme Challenge and Support Funding 100,000 Flexible 14 to 19 Partnerships 108,242 1-2-1 Tuition and Participation 68,234 Funding KS2 early roll-out Devolved School Meals Grant 96,723 Youth Crime Action Plan Grant 65,000 Music at Key Stage 2 94,247 Parenting Practitioner Grant 50,000 Computers for Pupils: 52,300 Diploma Grant 35,112 Recurrent Teenage Parent Supported 26,000 Parenting Practitioner Grant 50,000 Housing School Intervention Grant 48,600 Friday and Saturday Night 25,000 Additional Parenting 30,000 Activities Grant Practitioner Grant Aimhigher: 2008/09 First Two 17,500 Choice Advisers 28,472 Terms Regional School Travel Advisers 22,200 Targeted Improvement Grant 12,000 School Improvement Partners 20,730 Information System for Parents 11,000 (SIPs) and Providers Parenting Support Strategy 16,546 Aimhigher: 2007/08 Final Term 7,000 Grant Total 146,315,058 General Duty on Sustainable 16,236 Travel To School Ring-fenced grants to Brighton and Hove council—2009-10 Aiming Higher for Disabled 15,000 Children Revenue Grant Allocations (£) Targeted Improvement Grant 14,500 Dedicated Schools Grant 127,734,000 Extended Rights for Free Travel 14,163 School Development Grant 6,998,534 Care Matters 14,000 Sure Start, Early Years and Childcare Grant 6,372,256 Aimhigher: 2007/08 First two 14,000 School Standards Grant 4,664,141 terms School Standards Grant (Personalisation) 1,483,839 Walking to School Initiatives 9,000 Aiming High for Disabled Children (SSEYCG) 863,900 Aimhigher: 2006/07 Final Term 7,000 Targeted Support for Primary Strategy 830,127 Transition Information 1,878 Think Family Grant 819,299 Sessions: Capacity Entry 2 Learning Pilots 719,703 Total 139,489,943 1-2-1 Tuition 530,764 Extended Schools—Sustainability 522,536 Ring-fenced grants to Brighton and Hove council—2008-09 National Challenge 456,050 Revenue Grant Allocations {£) Targeted Support for Secondary Strategy 435,060 Dedicated Schools Grant 122,581,000 Total Music Allocation 426,880 School Development Grant 6,643,750 Ethnic Minority Achievement (EMAG) 336,082 Sure Start, Early Years and 5,484,683 Early Years:Extending and increasing flexibility 332,375 Child Care of free entitlement for 3-4 year olds School Standards Grant 4,536,210 School Lunch Grant 310,126 273W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 274W

Ring-fenced grants to Brighton and Hove council—2009-10 Building Schools for the Future Programme: Leicester Revenue Grant Allocations (£) Targeted Mental Health in Schools 241,000 Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Teenage Parent Supported Housing 206,373 which schools in the City of Leicester have received or KS4 Engagement Programme 200,000 will receive funding under the Building Schools for the Consortia Support Grant 194,303 Future programme; and what the level of funding is in Youth Crime Action Plan Grant 169,680 each case. [42176] Playing for Success (DCSF Grant) 160,000 ContactPoint 152,172 Mr Gibb: The following table sets out the schools in Youth Opportunity Fund 140,900 the City of Leicester that have received funding under Extended Schools Subsidy 124,189 the Building Schools for the Future programme, and Diploma Formula Grant 78,681 the level of funding for each school: Challenge and Support Funding 75,000 Targeted Improvement Grant 69,801 £ Community Service Programme Pilots 52,290 Conventional funding including for Fair Play Playbuilder 27,281 School ICT PFI credits Tackling Alcohol Disorder Grant 20,000 Aimhigher; 2009/10 Second Term 13,166 Soar Valley College 1,907,000 35,299,000 14-19 Prospectus/CAP 11,333 Beaumont Leys 15,221,000 — Aimhigher: 2009/10 First Term 9,668 School Aimhigher: 2008/09 Final Term 8,500 Fullhurst 12,372,000 — Community College Total 155,790,009 Judgemeadow 1,740,000 27,934,000 Ring-fenced grants to Brighton and Hove council—2010-11 Community College Revenue Grant Allocations (£) In his announcement about schools capital on 5 July Dedicated Schools Grant 131,594,000 2011, Official Report, columns 47-50, the Secretary of Sure Start, Early Years and 7,563,926 State confirmed that he would “continue to look at the Childcare Grant scope of savings in all” BSF projects that are continuing. School Development Grant 7,063,581 Partnerships for Schools has been following up this School Standards Grant 4,671,519 commitment, working closely with local authorities on School Standards Grant 1,407,379 a case-by-case basis to identify efficiencies. (Personalisation) Early Years: extension of free 1,339,286 All of the following schools will go through final entitlement allocation, subject to approval of a final business case: Primary Strategy: Targeted 1,311,648 School Support 1-2-1 Tuition 1,062,608 The City of Leicester College Aiming High for Disabled 894,730 Crown Hills Community College Children New City Centre School Extended Schools– 736,213 Sustainability Rushey Mead School Extended Schools Subsidy 672,884 Sir Jonathan North Community College’ Secondary Strategy: Targeted 463,022 The Lancaster School Support Moat Community College Music 428,287 Babington Community Technology College Ethnic Minority Achievement 349,715 Grant English Martyrs Catholic School National Challenge 313,000 Hamilton Community College School Lunch Grant 301,597 St Paul’s Catholic School Playing for success (DfE grant 160,000 only) New College Leicester Targeted Mental Health in 157,000 Fullhurst phase 2 Schools Ash Field School Foundation Learning at Key 140,000 Ellesmere College Stage 4 Local Delivery Support Grant 135,807 Keyham Lodge School Diploma Formula Grant 91,373 Millgate School ContactPoint 81,602 Nether Hall School Youth Opportunity Fund 35,225 West Gate School Targeted Improvement Grant 32,200 The Children’s Hospital School Aimhigher:2010/11 Second 18,399 Term Soar Valley Vocational Centre 14-19 Prospectus/CAP 11,333 Millgate Lodge Specialist Learning Centre Aimhigher:2009/10 Final Term 11,166 The Newry Specialist Learning Centre Aimhigher: 2010/11 First Term 9,601 Carisbrooke Specialist Learning Centre Total 161,057,101 Coleman Specialist Learning Centre 275W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 276W

Children in Care http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/ courts-and-sentencing/judicial-quarterly.htm Mr Burley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Children: Death whether his Department has targets for the performance of local authorities in relation to the handling of children John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for who are taken into care. [51764] Education how many children’s deaths were recorded in an Ofsted significant incident report as resulting Tim Loughton: The Department does not set targets from suspected abuse and neglect in (a) 2008, (b) 2009 in relation to children in care. Local authorities must and (c) 2010. [50750] operate within the framework of legislation and statutory guidance. Local authorities cannot remove children from Tim Loughton: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief their parents’ care (unless this is with the parents’ Inspector, Christine Gilbert, has written to the hon. consent) without first referring the matter to a court. Member and a copy of her reply has been placed in the Children in Care: Applications House Libraries. Letter from Christine Gilbert, dated 4 April 2011: Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as how many care applications were made in England and Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, for response. Wales (a) in each month of (i) 2009 and (ii) 2010 and I refer you to my response dated 7 March 2011 to Parliamentary (b) January and February 2011. [51774] Question 044778: “To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many Mr Djanogly: I have been asked to reply. children’s deaths were recorded in an Ofsted significant incident report as resulting from suspected (a) abuse and (b) neglect in (i) The following table shows the number of children 2008, (ii) 2009 and (iii) 2010.” made subject to a care application, in all tiers of court In my response I explained that Ofsted does not hold ‘significant in England and Wales, for each month in 2009 and incident reports’. However, Ofsted receives serious incident notifications 2010. from local authorities. Data on the number of children’s deaths owing to ‘abuse’ and Number of care applications ‘neglect’ in either serious incident notifications or serious childcare January 2009 1,250 incident briefings for the period requested are not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. February 2009 1,360 March 2009 1,550 I provide more detail here to assist you. Serious incident notifications are made immediately after a serious incident, when April 2009 1,380 it is not possible in the majority of cases to determine the exact May 2009 1,380 cause of death or the possible contributory factors to the death. June 2009 1,650 Such determination takes place at a later stage, as the result of July 2009 1,460 post mortem or inquest processes. It would therefore be inappropriate August 2009 1,270 for Ofsted staff to be asked to make judgements on these important issues in the light of information provided within the initial September 2009 1,470 serious incident notifications. October 2009 1,410 For these reasons, Ofsted does not detail ‘cause of death’ on November 2009 1,390 our database. In order to ascertain individual information about December 2009 1,520 each serious incident, Ofsted staff would be required to investigate January 2010 1,230 each serious incident notification by reading the initial information February 2010 1,380 and forming a view based only on this information. Local authorities March 2010 1,610 are not obliged to update the initial information to Ofsted. Any judgement about whether a death may have been as the result of April 2010 1,200 abuse and/or neglect would therefore require too great a level of May 2010 1,540 subjective judgement on the part of our staff, who are dependent June 2010 1,300 on the depth of information known to, and submitted by, each July 2010 1,260 local authority. Such a manual interrogation of any information August 2010 1,580 held would also require a level of staff time which would, as stated above, incur disproportionate cost. September 2010 1,140 October 2010 1,490 A copy of this reply has been sent to Tim Loughton MP, Minister for Children and Families, and will be placed in the November 2010 1,240 library of both Houses. December 2010 1,060 Notes: Children’s Services: Nottingham 1. Figures relate to the number of children subject to each application. 2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. Source: John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education HMCS FamilyMan system and summary returns. (1) what discussions he has had with Nottinghamshire Comparisons between single months should be made County Council in 2011 on the adequacy of its children’s with caution as the monthly figures are subject to more services department in 2011; [51246] volatility than those covering longer time periods. Statistics (2) how many complaints his Department has on public law applications for England and Wales are received about children’s services in Nottinghamshire published on a quarterly basis by the Ministry of Justice in each of the last three years. [51208] in the National Statistics publication “Court Statistics Quarterly”. Statistics for Q1 2011 are due to be published Tim Loughton: I issued an Improvement Notice to in the next edition on 30 June 2011, and will be available Nottinghamshire county council following Ofsted’s from the Ministry of Justice website at: inspection of their Safeguarding and Looked After 277W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 278W

Children’s Services in March 2010, which found their Staff services to be “inadequate”. Staff Numbers The Improvement Notice sets out the improvements Numbers March the Council, with its partners, is required to make, and Name May 2010 2011 requires that the Council establish an independently General Teaching Council for England 216 175 chaired Improvement Board, to monitor progress and (GTCE) provide robust challenge. The chair of the Improvement National College 367 326 Board provides regular reports to me on progress, and a Office of the Children’s Commissioner 26 27 representative from the Department sits on the Board. (OCC) An unannounced inspection of Contact, Referral Office of Qualifications and 162 163 and Assessment services in Nottinghamshire council Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) took place in February 2011. I subsequently wrote to Office for Standards in Education, 1,945 1,615 the leader of the council to acknowledge the findings of Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) the inspection report and the improvement Ofsted found. Partnerships for Schools (PfS) 186 168 Qualifications and Curriculum 502 363 The current Improvement Notice stipulates there will Development Agency (QCDA) be a formal review of progress in July 2011, at which School Food Trust (SFT) 74 72 point I will take a view as to what action, if any, is Training and Development Agency 311 311 necessary to secure further improvement. I will of course (TDA) take into account any representations about children’s Young People’s Learning Agency 561 534 services in Nottinghamshire and any complaints I have (YPLA) received by that point. TOTAL 9,544 8,529 The specific information the hon. Member requests about complaints is not available in the format required Further detail on reduction targets for the next two and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. years is still to be worked out, but the Department and its ALBs expect to make further reductions during the Colchester Academy: Finance next two financial years as some ALBs close and Agencies open. The Department is also anticipating year on year headcount reductions during the rest of the spending Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education review period in order to meet its target to reduce when he plans to announce his decision on capital administrative spend by 33%. funding for the Colchester Academy; and if he will The Department hopes the majority of these reductions make a statement. [22831] will be made through natural wastage, but given the timescales for ALB reform, some reductions may have Mr Gibb [holding answer 9 November 2010]: The to be made through targeted voluntary early releases Under-Secretary of State for Schools wrote to the hon. (which will be in line with the Civil Service Compensation Member on 20 December 2010 to inform him of the Scheme). capital allocation for the Colchester Academy. Departmental Mobile Phones Departmental Manpower Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many officials in his Department are Education what public sector job reduction targets provided with mobile communication devices; and how have been set for his Department and its non- much his Department spent on mobile telephones and departmental public bodies for each of the next related data services in the last year for which figures 24 months; and what steps he plans to take to meet are available. [51417] such targets. [51529] Tim Loughton: 1,037 officials are currently provided Tim Loughton: Since May 2010, the Education Family with mobile communication devices within the Department (the Department for Education (DfE) and its Arms for Education to meet their business requirements. During Length Bodies (ALB) has reduced by over 1,000 people the previous financial year, April 2010 to March 2011, as a result of the recruitment freeze and the ALB the Department spent £25,363 on the procurement of reform programme. The total number of people that mobile telephones and £314,708.32 on associated rental, have left the Department and its Arms Length Bodies is usage and data services (all costs exclude VAT). set out in the table below: Departmental Vacancies

Staff Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Staff Numbers Numbers March what the staff vacancy rate in his Department was in Name May 2010 2011 2010-11; and what vacancy rate has been assumed in his Department’s budget for 2011-12. [51391] Department for Education 2,622 2,605 British Educational Communications 264 9 Tim Loughton: In 2010-11, the Department had a and Technology Agency (BECTA) monthly vacancy rate of less than 1% of its average Children and Family Court Advisory 2,098 1,997 headcount of 2,588 and an annual turnover rate of and Support Service (CAFCASS) 12.44%. The vast majority of its vacancies were filled Children’s Workforce Development 210 164 Council (CWDC) internally, or by the redeployment of staff made surplus as a result of closing the Government Office Network. 279W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 280W

The Department has not made any assumptions about able to apply for support from their school, college or either its vacancy or its turnover rate for 2011-12 but training provider through the discretionary element of anticipate it will be broadly similar to 2010-11. The the 16-19 Bursary Fund. Department will continue to focus on the recruitment and redeployment challenges presented by our work to Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education reduce the size of the Education Family Workforce (the whether the funding allocated to (a) the continuation Department and its arm’s length bodies) and the creation of education maintenance allowance for some students of its new agencies. and (b) discretionary learner support is to be transferred from any other project or scheme in his Department. Early Intervention Grant: Newham [51084] Mr Gibb: We have always had money set aside within Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education the Department for Education budget for 16-19 financial what percentage change he proposes to the Early support. As part of the budget discussions we agreed a Intervention Grant allocation for the London Borough call on Treasury reserves for a minority of the funding of Newham in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13. [44966] to help with the new 16-19 Bursary Fund. Sarah Teather: The Early Intervention Grant (EIG) Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education is a new un-ring-fenced and un-hypothecated funding how much funding he has allocated to the continuation stream to enable local authorities to act more strategically of funding for the education maintenance allowance for and target investment early, where it will have greatest those who commenced study in academic year 2010-11; impact. In challenging times the Government are freeing and from which budget this funding was allocated. local authorities to focus on essential frontline services, and to invest in early intervention and prevention to [51085] produce long-term savings and better results for children, young people and families. Mr Gibb: We expect that the cost of making weekly payments of £20 to those young people who started The London borough of Newham’s final EIG allocation post-16 study in 2010/11 and are currently in receipt of for 2011-12 is £22,503,392 which represents a cash the maximum weekly EMA payment will be £113 million reduction of 12.5% based upon the 2010-11 allocation in 2011/12. We have always had money set aside within of the predecessor grants. The indicative EIG allocation the Department for Education budget for 16-19 financial for 2012-13 is £22,911,985 which represents a 1.8% cash support. As part of the budget discussions we agreed a increase on the 2011-12 EIG allocation. call on Treasury reserves for a minority of the funding to help with the new 16-19 Bursary Fund. Education Maintenance Allowance Education Maintenance Allowance: West Midlands Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 14 March 2011, Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Official Report, column 47W,on education maintenance how many students (a) in England, (b) in the West allowance, what steps he plans to take to (a) monitor Midlands, (c) in Dudley borough and (d) enrolled at the effect of the replacement of education maintenance Dudley college who started courses in the academic allowance with a targeted support payment and (b) year 2010-11 received education maintenance allowance evaluate any difference in effect between the two schemes. at a rate of (i) £30, (ii) £20 and (iii) less than £20 a week. [51628] [50801]

Mr Gibb: Currently schools, colleges and training Mr Gibb: This is a matter for the Young People’s providers with an allocation of discretionary learner Learning Agency (YPLA) who operate the education support funds are required to provide management maintenance allowance for the Department for Education. information to the Young People’s Learning Agency. Peter Lauener, the YPLA’s chief executive, will write to We expect that this arrangement will continue for the the hon. Member for Dudley North with the information 16-19 Bursary Fund, allowing us to monitor its requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the introduction. In addition we are considering how best House Libraries. to evaluate the impact of the new arrangements.

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Education: Finance what estimate he has made of the proportion of students in receipt of education maintenance allowance who will Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education receive funding under the new bursary and discretionary whether funding for discretionary learner support for payment system. [51082] 16 to 19 education will be allocated solely for the purposes of student support; and whether it may or will Mr Gibb: Around 315,000 young people currently in be used to support administration of the system. [51058] receipt of education maintenance allowance (EMA) will receive guaranteed support in 2011/12 as a result of Mr Gibb: The new 16-19 Bursary scheme will be less the measures we announced on 28 March 2011. This bureaucratic and better targeted than EMA. At least represents around 90% of those currently in receipt of 95% of the fund will be used directly to support students. EMA who would have been expected to continue in Schools, colleges and training providers will be allowed education or training in 2011/12. Young people who are to use up to 5% of their allocation to meet the costs of not covered by the transitional arrangements will be administering the scheme. 281W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 282W

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Mr Gibb: As at January 2010, there were 77,540 what assessment he has made of the effects of reductions pupils in year 11 known to be eligible for free school in funding on student support services in (a) further meals in England. We expect there to be just over 74,500 education colleges, (b) sixth forms and (c) schools. young people in this ‘group’ starting post-16 courses for [51059] the first time in 2011/12. In total, we estimate that there will be just under 166,000 young people aged 16-19 in Mr Gibb: One of our key priorities with 16-19 full-time education or training in 2011/12 who were participation funding has been to support the most eligible for free school meals in year 11. disadvantaged and less able young people as much as possible. We have been able to do this by increasing the If every young person who was eligible for free school amount given over to disadvantaged funding and additional meals in year 11 and has continued in full-time education learner support. By recycling some of the savings from or training post-16 were to receive a total of £800 in the reduction to the entitlement we have been able to 2011/12 it would cost £132.8 million. increase funding for the more disadvantaged and those Once the cost of providing bursaries of £1,200 to the needing additional support by £150 million. This, along most vulnerable groups is taken into account, £165 with the additional funding we have also made available million will be available to schools, colleges and training to support Foundation Learning, will ensure that funding providers to award discretionary bursaries. This would is targeted where it is most needed. be sufficient to provide a bursary of £800 to 15% of 16 On 28 March 2011 we announced a new £180 million to 19-year-olds in full-time education or training, more 16-19 Bursary Fund, which will enable schools, colleges than covering those who were eligible for free school and training providers to target support towards those meals in year 11. young people facing the greatest financial barriers to participation. Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether students in receipt of a 16-19 education bursary Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education will be required to sign a learner agreement. [51340] what cost-benefit analysis his Department has made of the merits of (a) a nationally administered and (b) a Mr Gibb: We expect that schools and colleges will localised 16 to 19 student finance system. [51061] make receipt of a bursary conditional on a student Mr Gibb: The education maintenance allowance (EMA) meeting expected standards, for example, of attendance, was a nationally administered system of financial support behaviour or standard of work. Schools and colleges for 16-19-year-olds. Evidence suggests that around 90% have told us that the ability to set conditions is important of young people receiving support would have participated for promoting a positive attitude to education. anyway. The 16-19 Bursary Fund—a locally administered system—will focus resources more sharply on those Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education who are facing the greatest financial barriers to participation, how much funding his Department holds in reserve; in order to achieve the same benefits at a lower cost to and for what purpose such funding is held. [51342] the taxpayer. Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Tim Loughton: At the beginning of financial year what estimate he has made of the cost to further education 2010-11 the department held £207 million of reserve providers of administering a discretionary support fund funding which has been fully drawn down in the financial for 16 to 19 learners. [51063] year. The Department follows HM Treasury Consolidated Mr Gibb: Under arrangements for the new 16-19 Budgeting Guidance on allocating reserve funding which Bursary Fund, schools, colleges and training providers states: will be able to use up to 5% of their allocation to meet “1.48 Departments are encouraged not to allocate their the costs of administering the scheme. departmental expenditure limits (DEL) fully against their programmes at the start of a financial year but to hold some provision back to Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education deal with unforeseen pressures that emerge subsequently, including whether funding for discretionary learner support for their known contingent liabilities. This departmental unallocated 16-19 education will be ring-fenced. [51064] provision (DUP) is published in Main Estimates and Supplementary Budgetary Information.” Mr Gibb: Under current arrangements discretionary learner support funds are allocated as a discrete budget Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which can only be used for that purpose. We expect that pursuant to the oral answer to the hon. Member for to be the case for the new 16-19 Bursary Fund, which Scunthorpe of 28 March 2011, Official Report, column 59, we announced on 28 March 2011. We are currently on post-16 education funding, what estimate he has consulting on our proposals. made of the number of further education colleges that Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education have a canteen or catering facilities on site; and how pursuant to the statement of 28 March 2011, Official many further education facilities he has visited since his Report, column 53, on post-16 education funding, how appointment. [51349] many pupils in year 11 are eligible for free school meals in England; and how much funding will be required in Mr Gibb: Information on the number of further discretionary funds in order to ensure that each student education colleges that do not have kitchens or cafeterias who was eligible for free school meals in year 11 could on site is not held by the Department for Education or receive up to £800 in discretionary learner support for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (the 16-19 education. [51081] sponsoring Department for further education colleges). 283W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 284W

Last month the Secretary of State for Education Mr Gibb: Since announcing in December 2010 the announced a new £180 million 16-19 Bursary Fund, subjects that would be reported as counting towards the which will enable schools, colleges and training providers English Baccalaureate in the 2010 performance tables, to target support towards those young people facing the the Department has received a wide range of greatest financial barriers to participation. They can correspondence on the decision not to include religious decide whether to provide subsidised meals in college or studies GCSE. Ministers and departmental officials give young people a bursary that allows them to pay for have held a number of meetings with interested parties. food outside of college. The Government are currently considering the content Since his appointment, the Secretary of State for of the English Baccalaureate for the purposes of the Education has visited two further education colleges: 2011 performance tables. We intend to publish information Westminster Kingsway college on 3 March this year; on all measures to be included in the 2011 performance and Goole college, which forms part of the Hull college tables in our annual statement of intent, which will be group of colleges, on 1 April this year. published at: www.education.gov.uk/performancetables Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what financial support his Department Family Courts provided to school cadet forces in the (a) independent and (b) state sector in 2010-11; and what financial support he plans to allocate for 2011-12. [51364] Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the average caseload of family court practitioners Mr Gibb: In 2010-11 £60,000 was paid to schools in instructed by his Department was on the most recent the state sector by the Department to support a pilot date for which figures are available; and what estimate project enabling young people in the state sector to he has made of the likely average caseload on 31 March access cadet provision through partnerships between 2012. [51775] independent and maintained schools. No financial support was provided to participating independent schools. Tim Loughton: The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) is responsible for the The pilot project has now ended and the Department management of family court practitioners and their for Education has no plans to provide funding in 2011-12. caseloads. I have asked Anthony Douglas, CAFCASS’s Future funding for cadet forces is a matter for the chief executive, to write to the right hon. Member for Ministry of Defence. Dwyfor Meirionnydd with the information requested. On 28 February 2011 the Secretary of State for A copy of Mr. Douglas’s letter will be placed in the Education announced that the Department for Education House Libraries. will provide £1.5 million for the charity SkillForce to train former members of the armed forces to become Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Education mentors for young people in schools across England. whether he has any plans to introduce separate representation for children in care or family proceedings. Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for [51777] Education pursuant to his Statement of 28 March 2011, Official Report, column 51, on post-16 education funding, Tim Loughton: In care proceedings, children are what plans he has to allow further education and sixth represented both through a court appointed Cafcass form colleges to access information on students enrolling guardian, who represents the child’s wishes and feelings in September 2011 who were in receipt of free meals to the court and provides independent social work whilst in compulsory schooling; and if he will make a advice to the court on the child’s best interests, and by a statement. [51505] solicitor appointed to represent the child’s legal interests. In private law cases, including contact and residence Mr Gibb: Further education and sixth form colleges disputes, there is no automatic right to legal representation will be able to exercise their discretion to award 16-19 but, in that minority of cases where a court deems it bursaries to young people-including young people who appropriate to make a child party to the proceedings, were in receipt of free school meals in year 11—in ways there is provision for a child to be represented by a that best fit local needs and circumstances. We have no Cafcass guardian. plans currently to establish a national system to make information on eligibility for free school meals available The Government will consider changes needed across to further education and sixth form colleges. We are the whole of the family justice system once the Family consulting on the details of the new arrangements and Justice Review panel has issued its final report in the will work with the Association of Colleges and the autumn. The panel’s interim report is currently subject Sixth Form Colleges Forum to consider how, at a local to consultation. level, colleges could work with schools and local authorities to identify those students who might benefit from a Free School Meals bursary. Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for English Baccalaureate Education what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the free school meals pilots operating in (a) the Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for London borough of Newham, (b) County Durham Education what consultation he has undertaken on his and (c) Wolverhampton; and if he will place in the decision not to include religious education as a Library a copy of each interim report produced on the humanities subject in the English Baccalaureate. [51047] pilots for his Department. [51283] 285W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 286W

Mr Gibb: The Department makes regular assessments for Gateshead with the information requested and a of the effectiveness of the free school meals pilots. The copy of his reply has been placed in the House Libraries. final evaluation report is due to be received by the Letter from Peter Lauener, dated 7 April 2011: Department on 31 March 2012. We shall publish the I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question that report within 12 weeks of its receipt. The aim of the asked; evaluation is to measure the impact of the free school “How many young people in further education received education meals pilots in the London borough of Newham, County maintenance allowance at the higher level in (a) Gateshead, (b) Durham and Wolverhampton. the North East and (c) England in each year from 2006 to 2010.” EMA take-up is defined as young people who have received Further Education: Catering one or more EMA payments in the academic year. The numbers of young people who have received Education Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Maintenance Allowance at the higher level of £30 a week are whether he has made an estimate of the number of (a) shown in the table below. sixth form colleges and (b) further education colleges which do not have (i) kitchens and (ii) cafeterias. [51644] 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 Gateshead 1,670 1,921 2,132 2,533 Mr Gibb: Information on the number of sixth form North 27,915 29,894 33,599 36,216 colleges and further education colleges that do not have East kitchens or cafeterias on site is not held by the Department England 441,014 461,289 518,143 567,106 for Education (the sponsoring department for sixth It is important to note that the above data may include form colleges) or the Department for Business, Innovation duplicates as a result of learners changing their learning provider and Skills (the sponsoring department for further education in-year. colleges). EMA take-up data showing the number of young people who have received one or more EMA payments during 2004/05, 2005/06, Further Education: Domestic Visits 2006/07, 2007/08, 2008/09 and 2009/10 is available on the YPLA website at the following address: Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education http://ema.ypla.gov.uk/resources/research/takeup/ (1) how many further education college and sixth form cafeterias he has visited in 2011; [51316] Further Education: Finance (2) which (a) sixth forms and (b) further education colleges he has visited in 2011. [51645] Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the statement of 28 March 2011, Tim Loughton [holding answer 5 April 2011]: The Official Report, column 59, on post-16 education funding, Secretary of State for Education, my right hon. Friend whether (a) sixth form colleges and (b) further education the Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) has colleges are eligible to receive funds from the sum for visited seven school sixth forms and two further education capital support announced in the 2011 Budget. [52395] colleges in 2011. The Department does not hold any record as to whether he visited their cafeterias. The Mr Gibb: Through the Budget, the Chancellor has institutions visited are as follows: released £125 million of additional capital spending for School Sixth Forms England. Most of this is intended to ensure that we have a new generation of University Technical Colleges, Haberdashers Knights Aske’s Academy which are new 14-19 institutions. Some of it will also Twyford CoE High School support new Technical Academies, where the Department King Solomon Academy welcomes proposals for any age range, including 16-19. Chellaston Academy Colleges and other educational institutions may come Altrincham Girls Grammar School forward with UTC or Technical Academy proposals. Goole High School Details of how to apply can be found on the Department’s website: Pimlico Academy http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/leadership/ Further Education Colleges typesofschools/technical/a0076307/technical-academies-and- Westminster Kingsway College university-technical-colleges Goole College Further Education: Manpower Further Education: Education Maintenance Allowance Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Education what information his Department holds on how many young people in further education received the number of staff employed in student support in (a) education maintenance allowance at the higher level in further education colleges, (b) sixth form colleges and (a) Gateshead, (b) the North East and (c) England in (c) schools in each of the last five years. [51344] each year from 2006 to 2010. [51588] Mr Gibb: The following tables provide the full-time Mr Gibb: This is a matter for the Young People’s equivalent number of teaching assistants and support Learning Agency (YPLA) who operate the education staff employed in further education colleges (FE), sixth maintenance allowance for the Department for Education form colleges and publicly funded schools in England in and manage the Capita contract. Peter Lauener, the each year from 2004-05 to 2008-09 (FE and 6th form YPLA’s chief executive, has written to the hon. Member colleges) and 2006 to 2010 (publicly funded schools). 287W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 288W

Full-time equivalent number of teaching assistants and support staff in the SFR refers to three distinct cohorts of young people service in further education/sixth form colleges1 and publicly funded in their first, second and third year post compulsory schools. Years: FE and 6th form colleges (2004-05 to 2008-09) and publicly funded schools (January 2006 to 2010), coverage: England schooling. For selected statistics a time series of participation in education and/or employment is available from 1985, Further education and 6th form colleges updated each year, with the most recently published Other support Total support Support staff staff2 staff figures relating to the end of 2009. Further, statistical tables are published in addition to 2008-09 25,220 59,950 85,170 the main SFR that disaggregate participation in education 2007-08 23,500 60,100 83,600 (but not employment) into the local authority of residence 2006-07 20,740 57,880 78,620 of the young person. These are available for 16 and 2005-06 20,930 59,820 80,750 17-year-olds in a time series extending back to 1994. 2004-05 20,600 60,260 80,860 Most recently figures were published for end 2009, with Source: further updates planned annually every second or third Staff Individualised Record (SIR) survey conducted by Lifelong week in March. Learning UK. Separately, the Department releases figures for the Publicly funded schools3 number of young people who are not in education, Teaching Total support employment or training (NEET) at local authority level. assistants4 Support staff5 staff The data are based on operational data currently collected 2010 194,230 168,640 362,870 by local authorities. The result of this data collection is 2009 183,700 162,210 345,920 the Client Caseload Information System (CCIS), which 2008 176,990 149,590 326,580 is used by local authorities to keep track of the participation 2007 163,800 144,390 308,190 of individual young people in their area. CCIS enables local authorities to assess whether the young person is 2006 153,510 135,630 289,130 currently in education, training or employment, and 1 Numbers based on full-time equivalent staff calculated on the number of contracts issued. whether an offer of education and training has been 2 Includes senior and other managers, admin/clerical staff, assessors made, or for young people who are NEET whether an and verifiers, technical and service staff. appropriate intervention has been made. 3 Publicly funded schools include local authority maintained schools, The Department is committed to continue publishing academies and city technology colleges. 4 Includes higher level teaching assistants, nursery nurses, nursery participation data in the forms described above. The assistants, literacy and numeracy support staff and any other teaching next release of the SFR showing the participation of staff regularly employed to support teachers in the classroom, special 16-18-year-olds at the end of 2010 is planned for June needs support staff and minority ethnic pupil support staff. 2011, with a disaggregation into local authority areas 5 Includes secretaries, bursars, other admin/clerical staff, technicians for 16 and 17-year-olds to follow in March 2012. Similarly, (laboratory assistants, design technology assistants, home economics and craft technicians and IT technicians), matrons, nurses, medical CCIS will continue to be the means by which local staff, child care staff and other education support staff (librarians, authorities collect and record offers of education and welfare assistants and learning mentors). training for young people. Note: Figures are-rounded to the nearest 10. GCE A-level Source: School Census Elizabeth Truss: To ask the Secretary of State for Further Education: Monitoring Education how many and what proportion of GCE A-level students were entered for GCE A-level (a) chemistry, (b) geography, (c) French, (d) German and Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for (e) Spanish in (i) comprehensive schools, (ii) selective Education what steps his Department plans to take to schools, (iii) independent schools and (iv) sixth form monitor participation in post-16 education by 16 to colleges (A) nationally and (B) in each local education 19-year-olds in future academic years; and what plans authority in the most recent he has to publish the results of such monitoring. [51643] Mr Gibb [holding answer 5 April 2011]: The information requested has been placed in the House Libraries. Mr Gibb: Data on participation in education post-16 currently are principally monitored and published through GCSE the Department for Education (DfE) Statistical First Release (SFR) entitled “Participation in Education, Mr Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Training and Employment by 16-18 YearOlds in England”. how many secondary school students sat GCSE This is an annual publication, typically released in the examinations in (a) vocational subjects and (b) academic third or fourth week in June. subjects in (i) 2009 and (ii) 2010. [50486] The SFR provides detailed statistics for 16, 17 and 18-year-olds both separately and aggregated to 16-18 Mr Gibb: The information shown in the table below on whether they are participating in education, and if covers all pupils at the end of key stage 4 in all secondary so at what type of institution, what level and type of schools. course or programme, and type of attendance (full time or part time). Additionally, for young people who are in Number of pupils in secondary schools who employment, statistics are given for whether they are sat GCSE examinations in: also participating in education and training, either Number of pupils at Vocational Academic independently or funded by their employer. These statistics the end of key stage 4 qualifications qualifications are calculated on an academic age basis; this means that 2009 634,496 126,575 618,729 289W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 290W

Children who have been looked after continuously for at least 12 months at Number of pupils in secondary schools who 31 March, aged 111, 2, 3 , 2006 to 2010, England sat GCSE examinations in: Childrenaged113 Number of pupils at Vocational Academic Number of % of children the end of key stage 4 qualifications qualifications children looked looked after Number of after continuously continuously for 2010 639,744 103,299 622,787 children looked for 12 months 12 months Source: after continuously attending attending School and College Performance tables. for 12 months4 grammar schools2 grammar schools5 Grammar Schools: Disadvantaged 2006 3,000 10 0.3 2007 3,000 10 0.4 2008 2,800 10 0.4 Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 2009 2,800 20 0.7 what proportion of children (a) in receipt of free 2010 2,700 10 0.4 school meals, (b) with a statement of special educational 1 Children looked after continuously for 12 months at 31 March excluding those need, (c) from a Black and ethnic minority community children in respite care. and (d) looked after by a local authority received a 2 Children looked after continuously for 12 months at 31 March, who were matched to their School Census record via the National Pupil Database. place in a grammar school in each of the last five years. 3 Age at 31 August each year, i.e. at the start of the school year. [52256] 4 All children who have been looked after continuously for 12 months at 31 March each year. 5 Children looked after continuously for 12 months at 31 March attending Mr Gibb: The Department does not collect information grammar schools expressed as a percentage of all children looked after continuously for 12 months at 31 March. on the placement of pupils. Pupils in national curriculum Note: year 7 have been used in this answer, except for looked Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 100 if they exceed 1,000 and to the after children where children aged 11 have been used. nearest 10 otherwise. Source: Information on the characteristics of these pupils is CLA-NPD matched data and EduBase shown in the tables. Greater Manchester Challenge State-funded secondary schools1, 2 and grammar schools: characteristics of national curriculum year 7 pupils, as at January each year, 2006 to 2010, England Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for National curriculum year group 7 Education what assessment he has made of the effectiveness All pupils3 Pupils known to be eligible for of (a) Greater Manchester Challenge, (b) London and claiming free school meals4 Challenge and (c) Black Country Challenge; and if he Number Number will place in the Library a copy of each (i) report and of Of of Of (ii) assessment prepared for his Department on the pupils which: pupils which: attending number attending number effectiveness of these projects. [51284] state- of %of state- of %of funded pupils pupils funded pupils pupils secondary attending attending secondary attending attending Mr Gibb: Last year, the Secretary of State approved schools1, grammar grammar schools1, grammar grammar an evaluation of the City Challenge programme, to 6 6 2 schools schools 2 schools schools enable its effectiveness to be assessed. This will report 2006 569,255 21,895 3.8 93,840 490 0.5 towards the end of the 2011 and copies will be placed in 2007 557,350 21,775 3.9 89,695 485 0.5 the House Libraries. Our initial view, however, is that, 2008 552,325 21,805 3.9 88,210 465 0.5 while the programme has been effective in helping to 2009 562,810 22,035 3.9 92,990 555 0.6 raise school standards it was expensive and adopted an 2010 549,725 22,070 4.0 96,680 610 0.6 approach that was too centralised. The recent Schools White Paper: ‘The Importance of National curriculum year group 7 Teaching’ set out our view that the primary responsibility for school improvement should rest with schools. The Pupils with a statement of Pupils of Black ethnicity3, 5 SEN3 wider system should be designed so that our best schools Number Number and leaders can take on greater responsibility, leading of Of of Of improvement work across the system. We are putting pupils which: pupils which: attending number attending number the building blocks of a self improving school system in state- of %of state- of %of place, increasing the numbers of Teaching Schools and funded pupils pupils funded pupils pupils National and Local Leaders of Education and intervening secondary attending attending secondary attending attending schools1, grammar grammar schools1, grammar grammar only where schools are under-performing. 6 6 2 schools schools 2 schools schools Literacy: Teaching Methods 2006 13,055 50 0.4 21,760 350 1.6 2007 12,140 40 0.3 23,045 390 1.7 Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for 2008 11,495 45 0.4 24,015 440 1.8 Education how many respondents there were to his 2009 11,670 65 0.5 25,100 545 2.2 Department’s consultation on the phonics test; and 2010 11,370 70 0.6 24,610 560 2.3 how many respondents were (a) in favour and (b) 1 Includes middle schools as deemed. 2 Includes city technology colleges and academies. against the proposals. [52150] 3 Excludes dual registrations. 4 Includes sole and dual (main) registrations. Mr Gibb: There were 1,071 responses to the public 5 Black ethnicity comprises Black African, Black Caribbean and Any Other Black background. consultation on the Year 1 phonics screening check. 6 Number of pupils attending grammar schools expressed as a percentage of We did not ask whether respondents were in favour pupils attending state-funded secondary schools. Source: of, or against, the proposals as a whole. Instead, we School Census and EduBase asked more detailed questions about the different elements 291W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 292W of the proposed phonics check. The statistics on the to undertake the 11-plus examination due to illness; responses to the consultation questions have been published [52170] as part of the Government’s response to the consultation, (2) what arrangements his Department expects schools which is available at the following link: to make for children whose education has been previously http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/ disrupted when conducting 11-plus examinations; pedagogy/teachingstyles/phonics/a0075951/ [52171] year1phonicsresponse (3) what research his Department (a) has undertaken, Music Pilots (b) plans to undertake and (c) has evaluated on the emotional, psychological and social effects on children of their performance in the 11-plus examination. [52172] Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the In-Harmony music pilots in (a) Liverpool, (b) Mr Gibb: The 11 plus, along with other tests to London and (c) Norwich; and if he will place in the determine whether a child should be offered a place at a Library a copy of each (i) report and (ii) assessment selective school, is not a statutory assessment. It is for prepared for his Department on the effectiveness of the admission authorities of those remaining schools these pilots. [51282] that are able to select, to set and administer any tests for entry, including any arrangements that they may wish Mr Gibb: The final evaluation reports for the three to put in place for children who are unable to undertake In-Harmony projects in Liverpool, London and Norwich tests due to illness or other disruption. will be published later this year and a copy will be The Department has not conducted any research on placed in the House Libraries. Ofsted has visited the the emotional, psychological and social effects on children Liverpool In-Harmony pilot and found that participation who take the 11-plus examination. We have no plans for has been beneficial for the pupils’ personal and social any research or evaluation. development, as well as for their general educational attainment. The Henley Review of Music Education Outward Grange Consultancy published in February 2011 commented that the music pilots have delivered life-changing experiences for the John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education children involved which others may wish to learn from. what information his Department holds on the salary of the head teacher of Outwood Grange School. [50504] Music: Finance Mr Gibb: Information on teachers’ salaries is published Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education as part of the results of the School Workforce Census how much funding his Department has allocated in (SWF) which have been published in a Statistical First respect of music education in each year for which Release and is available on the Department’s website: figures are available; and how much funding it expects to allocate in each of the next five years. [52390] http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000997/ SFR62011.pdf Mr Gibb: The following table shows the standards All schools, including academies, were required to fund allocations for music education in England from supply data on many factors, including staff pay. Schools 2000-11 and the funding allocation for music education supply data at individual staff member level, and actual in 2011-12. We shall be setting out our vision for music salary details for all teachers in maintained schools and education later this year, in a National Plan for Music academies are collected but are only published in £5,000 Education. The plan will set out future funding allocations and £10,000 salary bands at national level. and a new funding mechanism from 2012-13. The academy trust of Outwood Grange School like all academy trusts is required to publish annual accounts £ in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. In addition 2000-01 40,300,518 to this, the Charity Commission has published a Statement 2001-02 50,060,500 of Recommended Practice which clarifies how charities 2002-03 59,633,546 should prepare their accounts in order to reflect these legal requirements. This states that charities which are 2003-04 61,049,563 subject to a statutory audit should include a note in 2004-05 59,567,563 their accounts disclosing the number of employees whose 2005-06 61,053,563 pay was £60,000 or above, presented in £10,000 bandings. 2006-07 64,053,456 The Department expects academy trusts, as charitable 2007-08 82,562,725 companies, to comply with this. 2008-09 82,562,467 2009-10 82,562,467 Pupil Exclusions: Hertfordshire 2010-11 82,562,467 2011-12 182,500,000 1 Music Education Grant Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many pupils were excluded permanently from schools National Curriculum Tests in (a) Hertfordshire and (b) St Albans constituency in each of the last five years. [52122] Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what arrangements his Department Mr Gibb: The requested information is shown in the expects schools to make for children who are unable table. 293W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 294W

Maintained primary, state-funded secondary and special schools1, 2, 3:Number of permanent exclusions4 2004/05 - 2008/09 Hertfordshire local authority and St Albans parliamentary constituency Maintained primary, state-funded secondary and special schools1, 2, 3 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 Number of Number of Number of permanent Percentage of permanent Percentage of permanent Percentage of exclusions school population5 exclusions school population5 exclusions school population5

Hertfordshire 240 0.14 230 0.13 210 0.12 St Albans 20 0.10 20 0.10 20 0.10

Tim Loughton: The Secretary of State for Education, Maintained primary, state-funded secondary and special schools1, 2, 3 my right hon. Friend the Member for Surrey Heath 2007/08 2008/09 (Michael Gove) has visited 35 schools across England Number of Percentage Number of Percentage permanent of school permanent of school since May 2010; and the breakdown by region is as exclusions population5 exclusions population5 follows:

Hertfordshire 130 0.11 80 0.05 Region Number of schools visited St 10 0.06 10 0.03 Albans North East 5 1 Includes middle schools as deemed. North West 2 2 Includes city technology colleges and academies (including all-through Yorkshire and the Humber 5 academies). West Midlands 2 3 Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools. Excludes East Midlands 1 general hospital schools. 4 Figures for the local authority are as confirmed by local authorities East 2 as part of the data checking exercise, figures for the constituency are Greater London 18 as provided by schools. South East 0 5 The number of permanent exclusions expressed as a percentage of South West 0 the number (headcount) of pupils (excluding dually registered pupils). Note: Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10, Schools: Admissions Source: School Census Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Schools how many local authorities have indicated to his Department their support for the abolition of admissions forums. [51672] Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many (a) secondary and (b) primary Mr Gibb: We are not proposing the abolition of schools are grant maintained; and which such schools Admission Forums. Clause 34 of the Education Bill had the (i) highest and (ii) lowest number of pupils in removes the requirement on local authorities to set up a the latest period for which figures are available. [51194] Forum, leaving it to local decision making whether they should be retained. We already know of a number of Mr Gibb: Grant maintained schools were abolished areas where the decision has been taken by the local under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. authority and their local partners to keep the Forum in The last School Census to collect information on grant place. maintained schools was January 1999. The requested information as at January 1999 is shown in the table. Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to his contribution of 24 November Grant maintained primary and secondary schools1, 2:Numberof schools and the highest and lowest number of pupils3.AsatJanuary 2010, Official Report, column 284, on the Schools White 1999. In England Paper, what progress he has made on revising the School Of which: Admissions Code. [51759] Number of grant Highest Lowest Mr Gibb: We will shortly launch a national consultation Number of maintained number of number of to allow parents, schools and other stakeholders to schools schools pupils pupils consider revised School Admissions and Appeals Codes. Primary 18,234 511 861 32 Schools: Asbestos Secondary 3,560 668 2,361 50 1 Includes middle schools as deemed. 2 From 1 September 1999, all previous categories of school, including Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for grant-maintained, were replaced by four new categories, all maintained Education (1) what guidance his Department issues on (or funded) by the local authority: Community, Foundation, Voluntary the level of exposure to asbestos of (a) school staff Aided and Voluntary Controlled. 3 Headcount of solely registered pupils. and (b) school children below which (i) individuals Source: exposed and (ii) parents of children exposed need not School Census be informed; [51916] (2) what guidance his Department issues to local Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Education authorities and schools on the level of exposure to how many schools in each region he has visited since asbestos that constitutes a significant risk to (a) school May 2010. [51620] staff and (b) school children; [51917] 295W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 296W

(3) what guidance his Department issues on the minimum Non-frontline schools grants/funding streams level of exposure to (a) amosite, (b) crocidolite and £ million (c) chrysotile which poses a significant long-term risk 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 to (i) school staff and (ii) school children; [51969] Music Grant1 82.5 82.5 77.0 (4) what his policy is on referring schools and local Assessment for —50.0— education authorities to the Health and Safety Learning Executive guidance LAC 5/19 following a release of Playing For Success 13.1 13.0 — asbestos fibres in a school. [51970] Prospectus and 1.7 1.7 — Common Application Mr Gibb: The Control of Asbestos Regulations and Process the Codes of Practice published by HSE do not differentiate School Travel Advisers 6.9 6.9 — between the risks at different levels of exposure to School Improvement 23.6 24.2 — asbestos fibres. No exposure level is deemed to be safe. Partners The Regulations and Codes of Practice require all Secondary National 13.8 13.8 — Strategy—Behaviour reasonable steps to be taken to manage asbestos to and Attendance prevent exposure to all types of asbestos fibres, and Primary National 30.0 30.0 — cover school buildings. Therefore no guidance is currently Strategy—Central issued by the Department on the level of exposure to Co-ordination asbestos that constitutes a risk to school staff and Secondary National 30.0 30.0 — children. Strategy—Central Co-ordination The Department has however asked the Health and Extended Schools Start 171.9 70.7 — Safety Executive (HSE) and Partnerships for Schools to Up Costs produce a website to develop the awareness among key Flexible 14-19 14.5 14.5 — personnel of their responsibilities in relation to asbestos Partnerships Funding in schools. The intended users of the website are head School Intervention 15.0 15.0 — teachers, governors, teachers, support staff; and those General Duty on 4.0 4.0 — local authority officers identified as duty holders under Sustainable Travel to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. The objectives School2 of the website are to ensure that all these groups are School Development 168.3 168.3 — aware of their responsibilities and of the risks if asbestos Grant is not managed properly. Extended Rights for 19.7 28.9 38.0 Free Travelt2 In the event of asbestos fibres being found, the school Designated Teacher 3.3 3.3 — or local authority should refer to HSE guidance note Funding Local Authority Circular 5/19 “The level of risk from Choice Advisers 5.6 5.6 — occupational exposure to asbestos: guidance for HSE Education Health 21.3 13.2 — and LA staff when responding to enquiries”. Partnerships National Challenge 52.2 45.7 — Schools: Contracts City Challenge 28.4 13.2 — Targeted Improvement 32.5 16.1 — Grant John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Total 730.3 650.6 115.0 how many contracts his Department has awarded to 1 Music Grant is paid to authorities via the Federation of Music Challenge Leadership relating to school improvement. Services (FMS) in 2011-12. [50461] 2 A single funding stream for Extended Rights and General Duty on Sustainable Travel (total £38 million) is available through the Local Service Support Grant in 2011-12, which is paid and administered Tim Loughton: The Department’s central contract by the Department for Communities and Local Government. records show that the Department has not recorded a contract with Challenge Leadership relating to school Schools: Milton Kenyes improvement. A search of the Department’s finance system shows that the Department did not make any payments to Challenge Leadership between November Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for 2009 and March 2011. Education what proportion of children receiving free school meals in maintained schools in Milton Keynes council area achieved five GCSEs at grade A* to C in Schools: Finance the latest period for which figures are available. [51757]

Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Mr Gibb: The latest available figures were published which (a) grants and (b) funding streams for schools in table 5 of the Statistical First Release “GCSE and are not included in the definition of core funding; and Equivalent Attainment by Pupil Characteristics in England, what their total value was in the financial year 2010-11. 2009/10” at: [35861] http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000977/ index.shtml Mr Gibb [holding answer 24 January 2011]: The In 2009/10, at the end of Key Stage 4, 297 pupils in following table shows the grants or funding streams for state-funded schools in Milton Keynes were eligible for 2010-11 that have not been transferred into main school free school meals. 56% of these pupils achieved five or funding, through the Dedicated Schools Grant, in 2011-12. more GCSEs or equivalents at grade A* to C. 297W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 298W

Schools: Transport profound and multiple learning disabilities to participate in further education; and if he will make a statement. Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for [51274] Education pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole of 14 March 2011, Sarah Teather: The Green Paper, ‘Support and aspiration: Official Report, column 57W, on schools: transport, A new approach to special educational needs and whether his Department’s review of school transport disability—A consultation’, includes proposals for people will include transport provision for 16 to 19 year olds. with profound and multiple learning disabilities and [51662] support to participate in further education. We welcome the views of young people, colleges and others as we Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for decide on the best way to do this. The consultation Education pursuant to the answer of 14 March 2011, period runs until 30 June 2011 and we will publish our Official Report, column 57W, on schools: transport, plans later this year when we have considered the responses whether the review of school transport will include received. transport provision for 16 to 19 year olds. [51721] Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Gibb: The main focus of the review will be to Education what steps he is taking to increase the work with local authorities to identify and share best number of people with profound and multiple learning practice and how efficiency savings made by some local disabilities who participate in further education; and if authorities can be replicated more widely. We intend to he will make a statement. [51275] consider all aspects of school transport but will also examine what practice exists for post-16 provision. Mr Gibb: The Green Paper ‘Support and aspiration: A new approach to special educational needs and disability’ Social Services: Children includes proposals for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and support to participate in further education. We welcome the views of young people, John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education colleges and others as we decide on the best way to do how many vulnerable children in Bassetlaw he estimates this. The consultation period runs until 30 June 2011 are not currently assigned a social worker. [51852] and we will publish our plans later this year when we have considered the responses received. Tim Loughton: The Government does not collect data on the numbers of vulnerable children assigned Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for social workers. There is not a standard definition of Education whether he plans to provide incentives for vulnerable children and that data which is collected is specialist colleges to partner with non-specialist further done so on an upper tier local authority area basis. The education colleges to improve the quality and provision Department published statistics on 30 November 2010 of education for people with profound and multiple on “Children In Need in England, including their learning disabilities; and if he will make a statement. characteristics and further information on children who [51360] were the subject of a child protection plan” for the period 2009-10. Those statistics can be found at: Mr Gibb: As set out in the Green Paper ‘Support and http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/STR/d000970/ aspiration: A new approach to special educational needs index.shtml and disability’, we will consider how best to encourage and show that year ending 31 March 2010 Nottinghamshire partnership working between independent specialist colleges, county council received 9,736 referrals of concern about special schools and non-specialist further education a child’s welfare. They completed 5,173 initial assessments colleges. This will help spread knowledge, improve expertise, to determine whether each of those children where build capacity, and share delivery arrangements so that children in need under the Children Act 1989, and 631 colleges and training providers can respond effectively children became subject to child protection plan during to the needs of students, employers and communities. the period 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010. Government We will listen to the views of young people, colleges statutory guidance, Working Together to Safeguard and others as we decide on the best way to do this and Children (2010) sets out that, “The initial assessment question 19 of the Green Paper consultation invites should be led by a qualified and experienced social responses to this issue. The consultation period runs worker who is supervised by a highly experienced and until 30 June 2011 and we will publish our plans later qualified social work manager”. The full guidance can this year when we have considered the responses received. be found at: http://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/ Special Educational Needs: Free School Meals publicationdetail/page1/DCSF-00305-2010 Further details at district council level may be available Laura Sandys: To ask the Secretary of State for from Nottinghamshire county council. Education if he will make it his policy to allocate funding for the establishment of free schools for children Special Educational Needs with special educational needs. [50933]

Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Gibb: We invited groups to develop proposals to Education with reference to the Special Educational establish Free Schools on 18 June 2010, including those Needs Green Paper, Support and aspiration: A new wanting to establish special Free Schools catering for approach to special educational needs and disability, children with special educational needs. The recent Green what steps he plans to take to enable people with Paper, “Support and aspiration: a new approach to 299W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 300W special educational needs and disability”, published on Allocations for 2011/12 Secondary Primary 9 March set out that the first special free schools will open in September 2012 catering for those with statements University of Chester 102 158 of special educational needs. Funding will be provided for such schools and, as every free school is different, Merseyside and Cheshire GTP Partnership 28 22 the costs will vary between projects. (EBITT) North West and Lancashire GTP 70 23 Students: Transport Consortium (EBITT) Kingsbridge Education Improvement 79 Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Partnership GTP (EBITT) Education whether he plans to bring forward proposals University of Chester (EBITT) 26 30 to change local authority duties relating to 16 to 19 Key: EBITT = Employment-based initial teacher training transport under the Education Act 1996 following the Source: introduction of his Department’s bursary scheme for Training and Development Agency for School 16 to 19 year-olds in education. [51722] Vocational Guidance Mr Gibb: The Government have no plans to amend local authorities’ statutory duties relating to post-16 transport arrangements. The 16-19 Bursary Fund, which Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education we announced on 28 March 2011, will give schools, pursuant to the answer of 22 March 2011, Official colleges and training providers the flexibility to make Report, columns 1052-3W, on vocational guidance, how payments to support students’ transport costs. This many meetings have taken place between officials of his does not replace the statutory duty that local authorities Department and officials in the Department for Business, have to make sure that no young person in their area is Innovation and Skills on the implementation of the prevented from attending education post 16 because of all-age careers service since November 2010; on which a lack of transport. date each such meeting took place; and at what level each such meeting was conducted. [52440] Teachers: Merseyside Mr Gibb: The Department for Education and Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Department for Business, Innovation and Skills established Education what estimate he has made of the number of a formal project board and advisory group to consider newly qualified teachers in Merseyside without a permanent the implementation of the all-age careers service. Both job at the end of their training in the latest period for are chaired jointly by the responsible deputy director which figures are available; and what his estimate is of from each Department. The project board met on the average length of time between teachers being made 24 November 2010, 21 January 2011, 22 February 2011 redundant and their next permanent post in the latest and 25 March 2011. The advisory group met on period for which figures are available. [52508] 17 December 2010, 28 January 2011 and 10 March 2011. Mr Gibb: The information requested is not collected centrally. The data that most closely relates to the Voluntary Organisations: Grants question are collected by the Training and Development Agency. Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Training and Development Agency figures show, for Education which voluntary and community sector grants 2008/09 (the latest available), that of the 1,070 teachers will provide (a) revenue funding for the organisations gaining Qualified Teacher Status through providers based involved and (b) funding for specific projects; and in Merseyside, 75.2% were in a teaching post six months which projects have been funded in each category. later. This compares with 80.9% for England. [51676] Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many teacher training places there were Sarah Teather: On 25 February 2011, the Department in Merseyside in the latest period for which figures are announced which voluntary organisations had been successful in their bids for funding from our Voluntary available. [52522] and Community Sector (VCS) grant worth around Mr Gibb: There are two teacher training providers £60 million each year in 2011-12 and 2012-13. located in the Merseyside area. These are Liverpool The VCS grant has been allocated according to activities Hope University and Liverpool John Moores University. offered under specific grant themes, these are: There are also a number of providers who are located 1. Families and Relationship support just outside, but which contribute to the employment of 2. Early Years and Childcare teachers in the area. The allocations of new entrant places for these providers in 2011/12 are given in the 3. Special Educational Needs and Disability table. 4. Children in Care 5. Child Protection and Safeguarding Allocations for 2011/12 Secondary Primary 6. Young People. Liverpool Hope University 267 473 In addition, ‘Strategic Partner’ grants have been Liverpool John Moores University 276 87 established to ensure Government get advice about Edge Hill University 584 622 issues affecting VCS organisations and to help capacity 301W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 302W building of the sector, in particular smaller organisations, Successful VCS organisations through transition. The themes for strategic partner Amount Amount grants are: Theme/ offered offered Organisation name/consortium strategic 2011-12 2012-13 Family Services lead partner (£) (£) Early Years and Childcare Communication Trust (1 CAN) 3 1,000,000 750,000 SEN and Disability Contact a Family 1 216,525 203,298 Young People Contact a Family 3 438,649 419,780 Overarching children, young people and families. ContinYou 2 400,000 386,000 I refer you to the press notice at: Council for Disabled Children SP 749,642 695,650 (CDC) SEND http://www.education.gov.uk/inthenews/pressnotices/ a0074906/voluntary-and-community-organisations-awarded- CSV 5 158,672 132,507 60-million-grant CSV 1 402,423 375,423 on the DfE website. Please note that final negotiations Daycare Trust 2 300,000 300,000 are still taking place and indicative amounts may vary Diana Award (The) 5 198,922 132,614 slightly from the final amount awarded. Dyslexia Action 3 750,000 600,000 Dyslexia-SpLD Trust 3 693,456 630,579 Successful VCS organisations Early Education (British 2 131,374 108,040 Amount Amount Association for Early Theme/ offered offered Childhood Education) Organisation name/consortium strategic 2011-12 2012-13 Endeavour 6 312,868 230,691 lead partner (£) (£) Families Need Fathers 1 261,415 263,807 4Children 2 350,000 350,000 Family and Parenting Institute 1 329,088 181,616 4Children 2 390,000 300,000 (The) 4Children (Foundations for the SP EY 500,000 500,000 Family Delivery Team 1 960,097 933,375 Future) and C (Interface Associates UK) A National Voice 4 100,000 100,000 Family Rights Group 4 93,000 93,000 ACE Centre North 3 135,251 115,133 Fatherhood Institute (The) 1 302,310 164,665 Action for Advocacy 4 50,000 50,000 Fatherhood Institute (The) 5 310,890 166,476 Action for Children 1 735,000 670,000 Fostering Network (The) 4 78,000 79,000 Action for Prisoners’ Families 1 100,000 100,000 Foyer Federation 6 500,000 353,519 (APF) Gingerbread 1 193,102 174,081 Addaction 1 274,000 214,852 Groundwork UK 6 1,500,000 1,215,600 Addaction 6 413,264 282,592 Home-Start UK (HSUK) 1 1,230,000 1,200,000 Adfam 1 92,500 92,500 Home-Start UK (HSUK) 5 792,020 717,663 Alcohol Concern 1 177,000 220,000 Independent Parental Special 3 70,800 70,800 Anna Freud Centre (The) 5 381,417 434,410 Education Advice (IPSEA) Asian Family Counselling 1 150,000 149,800 Service Institute of Wellbeing 1 450,000 400,000 Autism Education Trust (AET) 3 652,469 555,441 KIDS 3 385,800 270,100 Barnardo’s SP FS 1,119,663 1,142,221 Kids Company 6 4,485,000 4,485,000 Barnardo’s 4 290,000 290,000 Kidscape 6 133,456 127,966 Barnardo’s 5 518,316 879,360 Lucy Faithfull 5 210,519 222,911 Bolton Lads and Girls Club 6 355,041 294,278 Foundation(The) British Association for 4 299,000 299,000 MacIntyre 3 399,168 326,004 Adoption and Fostering Marriage Care 1 690,269 616,475 Brook 5 139,631 100,181 Media Trust 6 400,000 375,000 Care for the Family (CFF) 1 300,000 200,000 Missing People 5 215,828 222,303 Careers South West Ltd 6 1,200,000 1,200,000 Movement for non-mobile 3 257,437 199,340 (Positive Transitions) children (Whizz Kidz) (The) Catch22 6 1,500,000 1,454,121 National Association for 3 600,000 520,000 Catch22 4 350,000 330,000 Special Education Needs Centre for Separated Families 1 240,000 180,000 (The)—Nasen (The) National Association of Child 1 160,000 160,000 Challenging Behaviour 3 192,655 222,136 Contact Centres (NACCC) Foundation (The) National Autistic Society (The) 3 107,681 74,941 Child and Family Training 5 145,483 153,437 Limited (C and FT) National Childminding 2 500,000 600,000 Association Children and Families Across 5 113,000 116,320 Borders National Children’s Bureau 4 99,000 79,000 (NCB) Children England (Kindle Plus SP OA 1,250,964 1,209,075 Consortium) National Children’s Bureau 2 540,000 510,000 Children Our Ultimate 6 254,000 234,000 (NCB) Investment National Children’s University 2 350,000 350,000 Children’s Legal Centre (The) 5 176,265 154,291 National Council for Voluntary SP YP 1,490,300 1,089,000 Children’s Society (The) 1 243,726 267,535 Youth Services Clubs for Young People 6 650,000 480,000 (NCVYS) (known as Catalyst) 2 500,000 500,000 303W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 304W

Successful VCS organisations Successful VCS organisations Amount Amount Amount Amount Theme/ offered offered Theme/ offered offered Organisation name/consortium strategic 2011-12 2012-13 Organisation name/consortium strategic 2011-12 2012-13 lead partner (£) (£) lead partner (£) (£)

National Day Nurseries 3 196,292 155,496 YoungMinds 3 213,792 142,900 Association Note: The funding amounts are indicative. Year 1 funding is dependent on National Deaf Children’s 2 137,300 119,800 successful negotiations on detail of the grants and securing Society (The) exemption for activity which is subject to the marketing and National Education Trust 2 175,000 175,000 advertising efficiency controls. Year 2 amounts are dependent on successful delivery of agreed outcomes. National Portage Association 3 200,000 150,000 Key to themes: (NPA) 1. Families and Relationships National Sensory Impaired 5 630,000 650,000 2. Early Years and Childcare Partnership 3. SEN and Disability 4. Children in Care NSPCC (Safe Network) 1 921,250 724,500 5. Child Protection and Safeguarding One Plus One (OPO) 1 120,550 108,050 6. Young People SPEYandC=Strategic Partner Early Years and Childcare Parenting UK 1 698,688 603,392 SP FS = Strategic Partner Family Services Parentline Plus (Family Lives) SP SEND = Strategic Partner SEN and Disability SP YP = Strategic Partner Young People Partners of Prisoners and 1 150,000 150,000 SP OA = Strategic Partner Over Arching children, young people and Families Support Group families (POPS) Pen Green Children and 2 200,397 168,752 Young People’s Learning Agency Families and Research Centre Place2Be (The) 1 221,815 240,939 Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Place2Be (The) 5 160,338 162,031 which of the statutory duties and powers held by the Young People’s Learning Agency will (a) pass to his Pre-school Learning Alliance 2 865,000 930,000 Department, (b) pass to the Education Funding Agency Prince’s Trust (and Fairbridge) 6 900,000 858,891 and (c) be abolished following the passage of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers 1 500,000 500,000 Education Bill; and if he will make a statement. [51730] (The) Prison Advice and Care Trust 1 314,525 343,546 Mr Gibb: Subject to its successful passage, the Education (PACT) Bill will abolish the Young People’s Learning Agency Project for Advocacy 1 153,853 157,206 (YPLA) and repeal all of its statutory duties and powers Counselling and Education as set out in Part 3 and Schedule 3 of the Apprenticeships, (PACE) Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009. QEDUK 6 113,521 106,767 From April 2012, the YPLA’s functions will become Relate 1 1,850,403 1,711,630 the responsibility of the Secretary of State and its Roma Support Group 1 86,387 65,431 funding functions will be administered by a new Education Safe Ground 1 240,979 235,380 Funding Agency (EFA). The EFA will be established as an executive agency within the Department for Education. School Food Trust (The) 2 160,000 200,000 It will be responsible for calculating and distributing SCOPE 3 121,693 135,256 funding directly to all academies, free schools and providers Shared Care Network 3 112,000 81,000 of 16-19 education and training. The EFA will also distribute resources to local authorities for them to pass SHS (School-Home Support) 1 500,000 500,000 on, as now, to those primary and secondary schools Social Care Institute for 5 518,193 424,208 that are not yet academies. Excellence The Education Bill also sets out changes to provisions Spurgeons 1 350,000 350,000 in the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. It Tavistock Centre for Couple 1 699,000 657,000 proposes that the YPLA’s power to intervene in sixth Relationships (The) form colleges and associated duties in respect of an Terrence Higgins Trust 6 207,664 214,603 intervention policy should be repealed, also with its Time for Families 1 150,000 150,000 power to appoint members to a sixth form college’s governing body. The requirement for sixth form colleges Tomorrow’s People 6 750,000 750,000 to gain consent of the YPLA before they exercise their UK Youth 6 576,000 391,000 supplementary powers in relation to certain investments, V, National Young Volunteers 6 800,000 769,904 borrowing and related matters would be removed. The Service Bill transfers to the Secretary of State the YPLA’s Victoria Climbié Foundation 5 168,880 167,280 powers in respect of instruments and articles of government UK (The) of a new sixth form college and amendments to instruments Voice (Voice for the Child in 4 75,000 75,000 and articles of existing colleges. It also transfers to the Care) Secretary of State the YPLA’s power to make payments to local authorities in relation to certain loan liabilities. Who Cares? Trust (The) 4 74,000 72,000 The Secretary of State’s duty to consult the YPLA WomenCentre Ltd 5 155,400 160,800 before making an order dissolving a further education YMCA Derbyshire 1 600,000 600,000 corporation or sixth form college would also be repealed. 305W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 306W

Young People’s Learning Agency: Manpower Tim Loughton [holding answer 28 March 2011]: I have been asked to reply. Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Education On 22 March 2011, Official Report, column 834, the how many Young People’s Learning Agency staff work Chancellor of the Exchequer announced the Government’s (a) full-time and (b) part-time on issues relating to the intention to provide funding to enable looked after education and training of people in youth custody. children across the United Kingdom to benefit from the [51731] new tax free children’s savings account known as the junior ISA. Mr Gibb: The YPLA has one full-time member of We have already met representatives from Action for staff who operates as the national policy lead on issues Children, Barnardo’s and the Share Foundation. Over relating to the education and training of young people the coming months the Department for Education will in youth custody and nine regional leads who work on be working with charities and other interested parties these issues on a part-time basis. on the details of how the scheme will work, including the eligibility criteria and the level of Government contributions. TREASURY Banks: Iceland Air Passenger Duty John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what recent discussions he has had with the government Gregg McClymont: To ask the Chancellor of the of Iceland on repayments from Icelandic banks to (a) Exchequer whether he has made an estimate of the local authorities and (b) individual depositors; [52146] amount of revenue which will be raised by bringing business jets into air passenger duty in each year to (2) what estimate he has made of the net cost to the 2015-16. [52437] economy of the collapse of Icelandic banks in 2008. [52147] Justine Greening: The Government’s plans to extend air passenger duty (APD) to passengers aboard business Mr Hoban: Treasury Ministers and officials have jet flights are included in the Budget consultation document. meetings with a wide variety of organisations, overseas Details of the new tax will be determined in light of the governments and ministries as part of the process of consultation responses; it is not therefore possible to policy development and delivery. As was the case with accurately estimate revenues at the current time. previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of all such meetings. Bank Levy The local authorities are creditors in the administrations of the failed Icelandic banks. The timing and quantum Chris Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer of recoveries will be determined by the administrators. for what reasons the Bank Levy rates for short-term Arrangements have been made for all eligible UK chargeable liabilities and long-term chargeable depositors in the Icelandic banks to be fully compensated equity and liabilities were chosen for the periods (a) by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and 1 January 2011 to 28 February 2011, (b) 1 March 2011 HM Treasury. to 30 April 2011, (c) 1 May 2011 to 31 December 2011 The failure of the Icelandic banks is part of the wider and (d) 1 January 2012 onwards. [51791] global financial crisis and is impossible to separate so the Government have made no separate assessment of Mr Gauke: An explanation of the rates set for the the economic impact of this specific issue. Bank Levy is included in the Tax Information and Impact Note published at Budget 2011, available at: Contact details for the administrators in the various www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2011/tiin6123.htm resolutions are available on the HM Treasury website: http://hm-treasury.gov.uk/ Bank Services: Children in Care fin_stability_icelandic_resolution.htm Banks: Loans Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much financial support he plans to provide to Caroline Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer savings accounts for looked-after children in each of with reference to section 1 of Project Merlin-Banks’ the next four financial years. [49491] Statement, what discussions he and his officials have had with each banking institution subscribing to the Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer statement on the effect on economic recovery of the (1) whether Government contributions to the proposed interest rates at which the banking institutions will lend junior ISA for looked-after children are to be to small and medium-sized businesses engaged in real backdated to 3 January 2011; [49817] economy activity; and if he will make a statement. (2) how much funding his Department will provide [52267] for the proposed junior independent savings account for looked-after children in each year between 2011-12 Mr Hoban: Treasury Ministers and officials have and 2014-15; [49371] meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the (3) what the proposed level of contribution from the public and private sectors as part of the process of public purse to the proposed junior individual savings policy development and delivery. As was the case with account for looked-after children will be in its first year previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s of operation. [49372] practice to provide details of all such meetings. 307W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 308W

Budget March 2011 The published static costings are the Exchequer impact before taking account of the behavioural effects as a Alison McGovern: To ask the Chancellor of the result of these measures. Exchequer (1) with reference to Budget 2011, page 75, if he will publish the evidential basis for the data in Chart Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer A.1; [51653] how many individuals he expects to be affected by the (2) with reference to Budget 2011, page 76, if he will increase in the capital gains tax entrepreneurs’ relief publish the evidential basis for the data in Chart A.2; lifetime limit in each year to 2015-16. [51542] [51654] Mr Gauke: Budget 2011 announced that the lifetime (3) with reference to Budget 2011, page 78, if he will limit on gains qualifying for capital gains tax (CGT) publish the evidential basis for the data in (a) Chart entrepreneurs’ relief would be increased from £5 million A.5 and (b) Chart A.4; [51655] to £10 million from 6 April 2011. (4) with reference to Budget 2011, page 77, if he will Further information can be found in the published publish the evidential basis for the data in Chart A.3. Tax Information and Impact Note of the Overview of [51656] Tax Legislation and Rates document: http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/ Mr Gauke: Chart A. 1 is produced using table 14 of 2011budget_taxation_overview.pdf the ONS publication ‘The effects of taxes and benefits on household income, 2008/09’, published in June 2010. Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer For more information on the methodology, see: how many new businesses he expects to be established http://www.statistics.gov.uk/articles/nojournal/ as a result of the changes to (a) the enterprise Taxes_Benefits_0809.pdf investment scheme, (b) venture capital trusts and (c) Charts A.2 and A.3 are produced using HM Treasury’s capital gains tax entrepreneurs’ relief announced in the tax and benefit microsimulation model, as described in 2011 Budget. [51543] paragraph A.14 of the Budget 2011 data sources document: http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2011budget_datasources.pdf Mr Gauke: No such estimates have been made. The numbers of companies qualifying under the EIS Business are published by HMRC as National Statistics at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/ent_invest_scheme/table8-1.pdf Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer The numbers of VCTs are also published by HMRC what estimate he has made of the sums to be invested as National Statistics at: in UK businesses directly attributable to the measures http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/venture/table8-6.pdf announced in the 2011 Budget in each year from 2011-12 to 2015-16. [51606] Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much additional investment he expects to arise Mr Gauke: The OBR stated in their June forecast that from changes to capital gains tax entrepreneurs’ relief they expect the recovery to be supported by business announced in the March 2011 Budget (a) for investment, and that business investment growth will be businesses directly benefiting from the changes and (b) strong in the next five years. across the economy. [52536] The aggregate effect of all the measures announced in Budget 2011 forms part of the OBR’s assessment of Mr Gauke: No such estimates have been made. the economic outlook, but the impact of individual measures is not considered explicitly. Child Benefit However, their forecast is underpinned by the Budget measures announced—for example, the reductions in the rate of corporation tax—that will help to reduce the Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer cost of capital. what recent estimate he has made of the effect on child benefit payments in real terms in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14 of freezing such payments at Capital Gains Tax the existing level. [51073]

Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Gauke [holding answer 5 April 2011]: The following what estimate he has made of the deadweight cost of table shows the estimated average change per week per proposed changes to (a) the enterprise investment child as a result of freezing the rates of child benefit for scheme, (b) venture capital trusts and (c) capital gains the next three years rather than uprating by the change tax entrepreneurs’ relief announced in the 2011 in the Consumer Price Index. These estimates are based Budget. [51540] on the latest projections of CPI.

Mr Gauke: Estimates of the Exchequer impact of the £ proposed changes to (a) the enterprise investment scheme, 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 (b) venture capital trusts and (c) capital gains tax entrepreneurs’ relief were published at Budget in the Forecast change 0.65 1.55 2.05 policy costings document available at: 1st child Forecast change 0.40 1.00 1.35 http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/ subsequent child 2011budget_policycostings.pdf 309W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 310W

To ensure support is better targeted at low-income This information is based on tax credits snapshot families with children, the savings from the freeze in data. More information about this data can be found at: child benefit have been recycled into significant increases http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc- to the child tax credit. The child element of the child tax dec2010.pdf credit will be increased by £180 above indexation in 2011-12 and £110 above indexation in 2012-13. As a Companies result, modelled tax and benefit reforms announced since Budget 2010 may have a small reduction in child Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer poverty in 2011-12 and 2012-13; however given the what estimate he has made of the change in the level of uncertainty around these types of estimates, this change revenue accruing to the Exchequer as a result of may not be statistically significant. companies moving profits outside the UK in response to the changes to controlled foreign company rules announced in the 2011 Budget. [51544] Child Care Tax Credit Mr Gauke: The Exchequer impact of the CFC interim Ian Lavery: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer and full reforms was published at Budget 2011. if he will estimate the likely annual loss of income to http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/ affected households attributable to the reduction in 2011budget_policycostings.pdf the childcare element of working tax credit in (a) http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2011/tiin6370.htm Wansbeck constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) England and (d) Great Britain for individuals earning Corporation Tax (i) up to £16,000, (ii) between £16,000 and £24,000, (iii) between £24,000 and £30,000, (iv) between £30,000 and Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the £40,000, (v) between £40,000 and £50,000 and (vi) Exchequer what estimate he has made of the likely level £50,000 and above in each of the next four financial of corporation tax receipts in each year from 2011-12 years. [51354] to 2015-16 based on the economic and fiscal forecasts of the Office of Budget Responsibility in March 2011, Mr Gauke: All households in which the childcare before taking into account the corporation tax element of working tax credit is payable will see a fall in measures announced in the 2011 Budget. [52379] the support provided through the childcare element of working tax credit in the next four financial years. Mr Gauke: The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts of onshore corporation tax receipts before However, the reduction of childcare support to 70% taking account of all the onshore corporation tax measures from 80% is part of a range of reforms to the tax credits announced in Budget 2011 are as follows: system announced at the spending review, for example child tax credits increased £180 real size from April. £ billion There are interactions between the measures so estimating the impact of just one measure does not give a clear 2011-12 38.0 indication of the full impact on households. 2012-13 40.7 The Government published estimates of the distributional 2013-14 43.3 impact of the whole package of announced tax and 2014-15 45.4 benefit measures which can be found at: 2015-16 47.8 http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/sr2010_annexb.pdf The OBR published its forecast of Corporation Tax This distributional analysis is not available at the receipts for 2010-11 to 2015-16, after taking account of geographical breakdowns requested. the corporation tax measures announced in Budget 2011, as part of its ‘Economic and Fiscal Outlook’ Ms Buck: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer document on 23 March 2011 (Table 4.7, page 103). A how many families (a) nationally and (b) in London link to the full document is available here: were in receipt of the childcare element of working tax http://cdn.budgetresponsibility.independent.gov.uk/ credit and claiming for eligible childcare costs of more economic_and_fiscal_outlook_23032011.pdf than (i) £100 per week for one child and (ii) £170 for two or more children in the latest period for which Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the figures are available. [52511] Exchequer what estimate he has made of the likely change to the level of business funding in each year from 2011-12 to 2015-16 as a result of the changes to Mr Gauke: The following table shows the number of the corporation tax package announced in the 2011 households (a) nationally (in the UK) and (b) in Budget. [52380] London that were benefiting from the child care element of working tax credit by (i) more than £100 a week for Mr Gauke: A number of measures announced in the one child or (ii) more than £170 a week for two or more 2011 Budget are expected to have a positive effect on children. This is as at December 2010. investment in businesses and the level of finance available to them. Number of children Nationally (UK) London The aggregate effect of the measures announced in One 74,860 14,970 Budget 2011 on business funding has not been estimated Two or more 49,690 10,780 but the exchequer impact of individual measures announced in the 2011 Budget is available here: 311W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 312W

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/ The aggregate effect of all the measures announced 2011budget_policycostings.pdf in Budget 2011 forms part of the OBR’s overall assessment of the economic outlook, but the impacts of individual Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the measures are not considered explicitly. However, their Exchequer what estimate he has made of the effect of forecast is underpinned by Budget measures, and the the reductions in corporation tax announced in the June Budget 2010 reductions in the rate of corporation 2011 Budget on levels of economic growth in each year tax will reduce the cost of capital. The measures announced from 2011-12 to 2015-16. [52523] in Budget 2011 will further lower capital costs and promote investment and economic growth. Mr Gauke: In their March 2011 Economic and Fiscal Outlook the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer have forecast further increases in business investment how much additional fixed business investment as from 2011 onwards. defined in table 3.7 of the Office for Budget The OBR have stated that the cost of capital is the Responsibility March 2011 Economic Outlook he fundamental determinant of business investment in the expects to arise from the corporation tax changes long-run. The additional corporate tax measures announced announced in the March 2011 Budget in each year to at Budget 2011 provide further reductions in the cost of 2014-15. [52535] capital for firms and will promote higher levels of business investment. Mr Gauke: Reductions in corporation tax are central to the Government’s economic ambition to secure the Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the most competitive tax system among the G20 group of Exchequer what estimate he has made of the change in countries . the level of business investment arising from implementation The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) stated in of the proposed changes to corporation tax announced their forecast for Budget 2011 that they expect the in the 2011 Budget in each year from 2011-12 to 2015-16. recovery to be supported by business investment, and [52525] that reductions in the rate of corporation tax underpin their forecast for strong business investment growth Mr Gauke: Reductions in corporation tax are central over the next five years. to the Government’s economic ambition to secure the The aggregate effect of all the measures announced most competitive tax system among the G20 group of in Budget 2011 forms part of the OBR’s overall assessment countries. of the economic outlook, but the impacts of individual The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) stated in measures are not considered explicitly. However, their their forecast for Budget 2011 that they expect the forecast is underpinned by Budget measures, and the recovery to be supported by business investment, and June Budget 2010 reductions in the rate of corporation that reductions in the rate of corporation tax underpin tax will reduce the cost of capital. The measures announced their forecast for strong business investment growth in Budget 2011 will further lower capital costs and over the next five years. promote investment and economic growth. The aggregate effect of all the measures announced in Budget 2011 forms part of the OBR’s overall assessment Corporation Tax: Scotland of the economic outlook, but the impacts of individual measures are not considered explicitly. However, their Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer forecast is underpinned by Budget measures, and the how many businesses in (a) Scotland, (b) Kilmarnock June Budget 2010 reductions in the rate of corporation and Loudoun constituency and (c) East Ayrshire will tax will reduce the cost of capital. The measures announced be affected by the proposed reduction in the rate of in Budget 2011will further lower capital costs and promote corporation tax. [50886] investment and economic growth. Mr Gauke: The approximate number of UK businesses Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with lower tax bills as a result of the reductions in the how much additional fixed business investment as defined main rate of corporation tax announced in both the in table 3.7 of the Office for Budget Responsibility June 2010 and March 2011 Budgets, are estimated to be March 2011 Economic Outlook he expects to arise around 30,000 that pay tax at the main rate, and around from the decrease in the main rate of corporation tax to 40,000 that are taxed at the main rate but who benefit (a) 26 per cent. in 2011-12, (b) 25 per cent. in 2012-13, from marginal relief. (c) 24 per cent. in 2013-14 and (d) 23 per cent from 2014-15. [52534] These estimates were published in an impact assessment of the reductions in the main rate of corporation tax Mr Gauke: Reductions in corporation tax are central announced in the June 2010 Budget, but the number of to the Government’s economic ambition to secure the UK businesses affected are unchanged from those previously most competitive tax system among the G20 group of published, following the further reductions announced countries. in the March 2011 Budget. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) stated in A link to the document is given here; their forecast for Budget 2011 that they expect the http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/ recovery to be supported by business investment and corporation_tax_charge_and_main_rate_for_financial_year_2012.pdf that reductions in the rate of corporation tax underpin HMRC do not routinely estimate the number of their forecast for strong business investment growth businesses affected or the fiscal impact of business tax over the next five years. changes at regional or constituency level. 313W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 314W

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Justine Greening: There have been no ministerial what estimate he has made of the savings to businesses directions issued since the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s in (a) Scotland, (b) Kilmarnock and Loudoun appointment. constituency and (c) East Ayrshire as a result of the reduction in the rate of corporation tax in each of the Departmental Manpower next four years. [50887] Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Mr Gauke: The UK-wide fiscal impact of the reductions Exchequer what public sector job reduction targets have in the main rate of corporation tax announced in the been set for his Department and its non-departmental March 2011 Budget, and the previously announced public bodies for each of the next 24 months; and what reductions in the June 2010 Budget, were shown in steps he plans to take to meet such targets. [51517] Table 2.1 (page 42) and Table 2.2 (page 44) respectively of the “Budget 2011” document published by HM Justine Greening: The Government have not set targets Treasury on 23. March 2011. for a reduction in the number of posts in HM Treasury A link to the full document is given here: or its non-departmental public bodies. Workforce implications of the spending review settlement will depend http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2011budget_complete.pdf on internal budget allocations and subsequent management HMRC do not routinely estimate the number of decisions. businesses affected or fiscal impact of business tax changes at regional or constituency level. Departmental Retirement

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Crausby: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the number of businesses how many of his Department’s staff have taken early in (a) Scotland, (b) Kilmarnock and Loudoun retirement in each of the last five years; and what the constituency and (c) East Ayrshire which will be affected cost to his Department was in each such year. [50841] by the increase of the small and medium-sized enterprise rate of research and development tax credits; [50888] Justine Greening: Under the Principal Civil Service (2) what estimate he has made of the monetary value Pension scheme (PCSPS), staff can resign their employment to businesses in (a) Scotland, (b) Kilmarnock and and take their pension early on reduced terms if they Loudoun constituency and (c) East Ayrshire of the meet the critieria laid down in the PCSPS rules at no increase in the small and medium-sized enterprise rate cost to the department. These staff, are not included in of research and development tax credits in each of the the following table. next four years. [50889] Similarly, those taking early retirement on medical grounds are also excluded. Mr Gauke: The information requested is not available. The following table therefore only gives details of Estimates of the number of businesses affected and the staff retiring early and where the department has incurred fiscal impact of changes to the rate of relief are not costs. broken down by geographical region. Number of staff Cost £000 Debts 2006 to 2008 10 466 2008 to 2011 8 497 Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the likely effect of the Due to the low numbers of staff leaving on early measures in the 2011 Budget on (a) household debt as retirement the years have been amalgamated to avoid a proportion of gross disposable income and (b) total identification of individuals. household debt in each of the next four years. [51910] Departmental Vacancies Justine Greening: The Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) was formed in May 2010 to make an independent Mike Freer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer assessment of the public finances and the economy. what the staff vacancy rate in his Department was in 2010-11; and what vacancy rate has been assumed in In March, the OBR published forecasts of the UK his Department’s budget for 2011-12. [51388] economy which took into account the impact of the measures in the 2011 Budget. In the ‘Economic and Justine Greening: The staff vacancy rate in HM Treasury Fiscal Outlook’ (Cm 8036, paragraph 2.44, page 35), during 2010-11 was around 5%. No vacancy rate has the OBR stated, that aside from inflation, there is no been assumed in the Department’s budget for 2011-12 significant adjustment to their economic forecast as a due to the fluidity of the staffing levels of HM Treasury. result of the measures announced in the Budget. Diesel Vehicles: Snow and Ice Departmental Accountancy John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Jon Trickett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will issue guidance to parish councils on whether any ministerial directions have been issued to agreements with farmers on the use of red diesel in the accounting officers of his Department since his vehicles used to clear heavy snow from roads; and if he appointment. [51996] will make a statement. [51856] 315W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 316W

Justine Greening: Farmers can use tractors running The costing for the Enterprise Zones measure is set on red diesel to clear heavy snow from roads. Full out at page 20 of “Budget 2011 policy costings”, published guidance on this can be found in Notice 75—Fuel for alongside the Budget: road vehicles which is available on the HMRC website http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2011budget_policycostings.pdf at: Chapter 1 of the document explains which effects are www.hmrc.gov.uk included in the policy costings and how the costings fit Energy: Subsidies into the Office of Budget Responsibility forecasts. Enterprise Zones John Cryer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the name is of each subsidy and levy programme in the energy sector which (a) does and (b) does not Mr Marsden: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer count against public expenditure limits. [52539] on what dates prior to the 2011 Budget Statement (a) he and (b) officials in his Department discussed with (i) Justine Greening: The renewables obligation, feed-in local authorities and (ii) local enterprise partnerships tariffs and warm home discount are classified as levy-funded designation of areas as an enterprise zone. [51951] spending programmes, in line with the Office of National Statistics’ guidance, including their 2006 classification Justine Greening: Treasury officials began discussions decision on the renewables obligation: with local authorities and local enterprise partnerships http://www.statistics.gov.uk/articles/economic_trends/ about the possible location of enterprise zones in March ET635Gazely.pdf 2011. This followed decisions by the Chancellor about There are a number of conventional spending the criteria that would be used to select local enterprise programmes aimed at the energy sector that are funded partnership areas, within which the initial round of from within DECC’s budget. This includes support for enterprise zones would be located. the first carbon capture and storage project and for the offshore wind infrastructure fund. The renewable heat Entrepreneurs: Scotland incentive is also conventional spending, funded from general taxation, and budgeted for through annually Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer managed expenditure. (1) what estimate he has made of the number of businesses Energy suppliers are subject to a range of regulatory in Scotland which will be affected by the change in the instruments that are not currently classified as public lifetime limit for entrepreneurs’ relief; [50890] expenditure. Examples include the carbon emissions (2) what estimate he has made of the monetary value reduction target, environmental permitting regulations to businesses in Scotland of the change in the lifetime implementing the large combustion plant directive and limit for entrepreneurs’ relief in each of the next four the regulations governing the introduction of smart years. [50891] meters. Mr Gauke: No such estimate has been made. However, Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme the Government have published further information about the impact of Budget announcements in the Tax Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if Information and Impact notes. he will estimate the number of agricultural businesses likely to participate in the Enhanced Capital Allowance EU Budget scheme; and what estimate he has made of the average annual monetary value of the scheme to such Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer businesses. [50813] how much was paid by his Department (a) to the EU budget gross, (b) to the EU budget net of expenditure Justine Greening: The Government does not collect which returned to the UK, (c) to all EU institutions information to the level of detail required to estimate gross and (d) to all EU institutions net of expenditure the number of agricultural businesses that currently which returned to the UK in (i) 2008, (ii) 2009 and (iii) participate in the Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme 2010. [51754] or the average annual worth of the scheme to this sector. The tax savings for all types of businesses arising Justine Greening: Details of the UK’s gross and net from the Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme for energy contributions to the EU Budget in the years 2008 and and water saving technologies is estimated to be £65 2009, together with an estimate for 2010 can be found in million for 2011-12. Table 3.1 (page21) of European Union Finances 2010 Enterprise Zones (Cm 7978) which is available in the House Library. Other payments, e.g. UK contributions to the European John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Development Fund (EDF) are paid direct by Departments. what assessment his Department has made of the likely The Department for International Development makes effects of enterprise zones on levels of (a) revenue payments in the case of EDF, and not HM Treasury. from corporation tax and (b) economic growth (i) within enterprise zones and (ii) nationally. [51784] Excise Duties: Fuels

Justine Greening: The Government are working with Nick Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Local Enterprise Partnerships to maximise the economic what his evidential basis was for setting the base oil impact of Enterprise Zones by supporting opportunities price for the return of the fuel duty escalator at $75 per for real growth identified by local partners. barrel. [51369] 317W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 318W

Justine Greening: The Government believe that the In response to the Government’s Green Paper on increased rate of Supplementary Charge should prevail business finance, the British Bankers’Association published when the oil price is high, given increased profitability the outcomes of their Business Finance Taskforce, which of UK oil and gas production at such times. The was written in conjunction with the six major UK Government will set out the final level of the trigger banks. The Taskforce banks have committed to improving price mechanism after seeking the views of oil and gas customer relationships through a new Lending Code, companies and motoring groups, but suggest that ensuring better access to finance and promoting better $75 per barrel would be appropriate. understanding.

Exports: Forecasts Food: Prices

Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Donohoe: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the likely change in the if he will assess the effects on food prices of speculation level of UK exports directly attributable to measures in on commodities without regulation; and if he will make the 2011 Budget in each year from 2011-12 to 2015-16. a statement. [51950] [51604] Justine Greening: Food supply and prices are affected Justine Greening: The Office of Budget Responsibility by a number of factors including global energy prices, (OBR) was formed in May 2010 to make an independent global stock levels, the size of harvests, changes in assessment of the public finances and the economy. On exchange rates and national agricultural trade and 23 March 2011, the OBR released its official forecast marketing policies. On balance the Government are for trade, which incorporates the effect of all the measures sceptical about the degree to which speculation has announced in the Budget. As the OBR sets out in table played a significant causal role. The Government continue 3.7, page 79 of its “March 2011 Economic and Fiscal to monitor relevant research in this area with interest. Outlook (Cm 8036)”, it expects exports to grow by 7.9% Foreign Companies in 2011, 6.5% in 2012, 6.2% in 2013, 5.7% in 2014 and 5.6% in 2015. Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Faster Payments System if he will estimate the monetary value to each industrial sector of (a) reform of the controlled foreign company rules, (b) reform of taxation of foreign branches, (c) Michael Fallon: To ask the Chancellor of the interim changes to controlled foreign company rules Exchequer what plans HM Revenue and Customs has and (d) reform of corporate capital gains simplification. to introduce the Faster Payments system; and what [51555] cost-benefit analysis of the system has been conducted. [51335] Mr Gauke: The CFC rules potentially affect all UK companies with overseas subsidiaries. The changes Mr Gauke [holding answer 5 April 2011]: HMRC introduced are designed to make the current CFC rules plan to introduce the capability to accept Faster Payments easier to operate, more competitive internationally, and during 2012 driven largely by the requirements of an to benefit as many businesses as possible. EC Payment Services Directive (PSD) which will have an impact on all banks within the EU. The sector profile of the exemption of foreign branches owned by UK companies indicated that certain UK The costs and benefits of introducing Faster Payments groups with significant overseas operations will be the in HMRC will be analysed as part of the project that most immediate beneficiaries of the rule changes. has been established to manage its implementation. The simplification of the rules covering corporate Financial Services capital gains are expected to benefit any corporate groups who undertake the relevant transactions. Mr Umunna: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Foreign Currency Reserves what steps he is taking to ensure that financial services companies which operate in the UK and are not Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) covered by the Project Merlin agreement make a whether he consulted the Governor of the Bank of greater contribution to regional economies. [50122] England before announcing his decision to increase the UK’s holdings of foreign currency reserves; [50810] Mr Hoban: The Government’s response to the Green (2) what advice on foreign currency holdings he Paper ‘Financing a Private Sector Recovery’, published received from the (a) Debt Management Office and in 2010, set out a comprehensive package of Government (b) Bank of England prior to taking the decision to and industry-led measures to support small businesses. increase UK holdings in foreign currency reserves. These include: [50833] Additional support for the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) over the next four years to enable over £2 billion of lending to Mr Hoban: As set out in the Debt Management viable small businesses that lack collateral or track record; and Office (DMO) Executive Agency Framework document, increased equity finance, through a £1.5 billion bank-led ‘Business Treasury Ministers set the annual financing remit for Growth Fund’ (since increased by a further £1 billion) and through £200 million of additional funding for the ‘Enterprise gilts, including any sterling financing for the reserves, Capital Funds programme’, both of which could unlock further having regard to advice from the chief executive of the debt finance for small and medium-sized businesses, including DMO. The Framework document is published on the those in the regions. DMO’s website at: 319W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 320W

http://www.dmo.gov.uk/documentview.aspx? market interest rates over the next four years. Interest docname=publications/corpgovernance/ received on the reserves is recorded in the annual accounts fwork040405.pdf&page available at: In its role as HM Treasury’s agent for the Official http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/ukecon_eea_index.htm Reserves, the Bank of England provided advice to HM Treasury on the financing of the reserves. Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans he has for the level of the UK’s foreign Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer currency reserve holdings of (a) euros, (b) US dollars whether he plans to purchase overseas bonds as part of and (c) yen in each of the next four financial years; his policy to increase holdings of foreign currency [50989] reserves in any of the next four financial years. [50831] (2) what plans he has for the level of the UK’s foreign Mr Hoban: The funds of the Exchange Equalisation currency reserves in each of the next four financial Account are predominantly invested in securities issued, years. [50990] or guaranteed, by the national governments of the United States, euro-area countries and Japan. Mr Hoban: As at end February 2011, the gross reserves stood at $85.4 billion (£52.5 billion) of which $47.6 Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if billion (£29.3 billion) was foreign currency. he will assess the effects on (a) levels of trade, (b) As set out in the Debt and Reserves Management financial stability and (c) economic growth of an Report 2011, the Government will raise £6 billion of increase in the UK’s foreign currency reserves. [50832] sterling financing for the Official Reserves in 2011-12. The Government envisages sterling financing for the Mr Hoban: The direct effects of the plans for the Official Reserves being held at a similar level on average UK’s foreign currency reserves on trade, financial stability over the three years up to, and including, 2014-15; and economic growth are negligible. However, the additional making £24 billion in total. This sterling financing will financing will meet potential calls from the International be sufficient to meet potential calls on the Official Monetary Fund, helping to ensure the stability of the Reserves from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). global monetary system. The full report is available at: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2011budget_debtreserves.htm Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if The overall level of the UK’s foreign currency reserves he will assess the effects on the value of sterling of over the next four years will depend on actual calls from increasing levels of UK holdings of foreign currencies. the International Monetary Fund, exchange rate movements [50834] and changes in the value of assets held. The level of the reserves is reported on a monthly basis on the HM Mr Hoban: As in the previous financial year, the Treasury website at: Government plan to hedge most of the foreign exchange http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/press_notices_index.htm exposure for assets purchased using new sterling financing. This means the Government plan no net selling of In addition to the factors above, the levels of individual sterling when undertaking these purchases and expects currency holdings within the Official Reserves will depend no material impact on the value of sterling. on asset allocation decisions made over the next four years. Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if The current currency breakdown of the reserves is he will estimate the interest which would accrue to the available on the Bank of England website at: Exchequer from increasing holdings in foreign currency http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/statistics/reserves/index.htm (a) cash reserves and (b) bonds by £18 billion in the The framework within which these asset allocation next four financial years. [50835] decisions are currently made is available on HM Treasury’s website at: Mr Hoban: As set out in the Debt and Reserves Management Report 2011 the Government will raise http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/ £6 billion of sterling financing for the Official Reserves management_official_reserves.pdf in 2011-12. The Government envisages sterling financing for the Official Reserves being held at a similar level on average over the three years up to, and including, 2014-15; Fuels: Prices making £24 billion in total. The full report is available at: Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2011budget_debtreserves.htm what estimate he has made of the likely increase in fuel Any increase in foreign currency holdings arising bills attributable to the tax on carbon proposed in the from this financing will depend upon calls from the 2011 Budget in each year from 2013-14 to 2019-20. International Monetary Fund and exchange rate [51817] movements. In accordance with the service level agreement, the Bank manages the official reserves so as to ensure Justine Greening: An explanation of the impact of adherence to Treasury policy aims and thereby maintain the carbon price floor on wholesale electricity prices their liquidity and security, and subject to that, maximise and the likely average bill impact is given in HMRC’s the return from holding reserves. Tax Information and Impact Note published alongside The actual interest received on increased foreign currency the Budget. This is available online at: holdings will depend on the asset allocation chosen and http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2011/tiin6111.pdf 321W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 322W

Gift Aid High-Risk Corporate Programme

Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr David Davis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that changes to the gift how many cases have been dealt with under HM Revenue aid scheme announced in the 2011 Budget will bring and Customs’ high-risk corporate programme in each maximum benefit to genuine charities; and what steps year since its inception. [49960] he plans to take to prevent diverting resources away from genuine charities. [51536] Mr Gauke [holding answer 30 March 2011]: The Justine Greening: The changes to the Gift Aid scheme number of cases dealt with under HM Revenue and announced in the 2011 Budget will benefit a wide range Custom’s High Risk Corporates Programme is as follows: of donors and charities by increasing the income of charities while reducing their administrative burdens. Settled Opened Many of the changes were recommended by the Gift 2006-07 2 4 Aid Forum and, following implementation, these changes 2007-08 3 11 will be kept under review. 2008-09 6 4 Charities may only benefit from Gift Aid if they meet 2009-10 12 7 the definition of a charity for tax purposes in Schedule 2010-11 7 13 6 of Finance Act 2010. Under that legislation HMRC applies a number of checks to help ensure that only Import Duties and VAT genuine charities benefit from Gift Aid and other tax reliefs. Alun Cairns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Government: Assets if he will estimate the cost to the Exchequer of customs duty and value added tax foregone on the contents of packages inbound to the UK identified as containing Luciana Berger: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer gifts which did not contain gifts in the latest period for pursuant to the answer of 31 March 2011, Official which figures are available. [52240] Report, column 474W,on Urenco, which publicly-owned assets the Government is considering for sale; and if he will make a statement. [51860] Mr Gauke: It is not possible to provide such an estimate. Information is not gathered at a level of detail Justine Greening: We publish statements on assets we that would allow such estimates to be made. intend to dispose of at appropriate moments from time to time. The latest was at Budget 2011. Where decisions Income Tax are made to use proceeds from such disposals for the Green Investment Bank, we will also announce this. Ed Balls: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if The Government intend to continue their policy of he will estimate (a) the number of people who would only announcing sales or commercialisations where the pay less tax as a result of and (b) the cost to the major policy decisions have been reached, for example Exchequer arising from increasing the income tax personal the terms of a sale, and where we are confident that a allowance to £8,205 immediately and then in £100 transaction could take place within 12 months. increments to £10,005 in 2013-14 with the same threshold levels in 2014-15 and 2015-16. [52143] Green Investment Bank Mr Gauke: The Exchequer costs of increasing the Caroline Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer personal allowance can be approximated from Table 1.6 with reference to paragraph 1.112 of the Budget Red “Direct effects of illustrative tax changes”, available on Book, March 2011, whether his Department made an the HM Revenue and Custom’s website at: estimate prior to the 2011 Budget of the amount of http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/tax_expenditures/table1-6.pdf money the Green Investment Bank could leverage if it Budget 2011 announced that the personal allowance were allowed to borrow in (a) 2012, (b) 2013, (c) 2014 for under 65s will increase by a further £630 to £8,105 in and (d) 2015; and if he will make a statement. [52496] 2012-13, reducing income tax for 25 million individuals. A similar number of individuals would benefit from Justine Greening: The Budget announced that the further increases in the personal allowance, consistent Green Investment Bank (GIB) will be given borrowing with the Government’s objective to support lower and powers from 2015-16 and once public sector net debt is middle income earners by raising the personal allowance falling as percentage of GDP.The amount of borrowing to £10,000, with real terms progress towards that goal that it will be possible to leverage will be dependent on every year. the model taken forward, including the mechanism for borrowing and the risk profile of the institution’s investment portfolio. Income Tax: Tax Rates and Bands The £3 billion initial capitalisation for the GIB announced at the Budget will be used to leverage significant additional Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer private investment into green infrastructure, such that what his most recent estimate is of the likely yield from there could be in the region of £18 billion of investment the 50 pence rate of income tax in each of the next four by 2014-15 as a result of the GIB. financial years. [51067] 323W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 324W

Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer scheme, but the Government hope that parents across what estimate he has made of the amount of revenue all income groups will choose to save for their child’s which was raised by the 50 pence rate of income tax in future through Junior ISA accounts and is encouraging 2010-11. [51556] providers to set low minimum payments to help facilitate this. Mr Gauke: These estimates are available in the March Budget 2010 report, (table A11 on page 140), available Land Registry at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100407010852/ Mr Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/budget2010_annexa.pdf how much the Exchequer has received from Land Registry The Government believe the 50% rate could do lasting operations in each of the last 10 years. [51321] damage to the UK economy if it were to become permanent. The Chancellor has asked HMRC to assess Danny Alexander [holding answer 5 April 2011]: In the revenue raised by this measure after self-assessment the past 10 years, the following amounts have been paid data for the 2010-11 tax year are available. into the Exchequer, representing the cost of capital charge on the public dividend capital vested in the Land Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Registry when it became a trading fund. what the terms of reference are for the HM Revenue and Customs review of the 50 pence rate of income £000 tax. [51557] 2000-01 15,624 2001-02 18.102 Mr Gauke: The Chancellor has asked HMRC to 2002-03 22,312 assess the revenue raised by the 50% rate using relevant 2003-04 22,847 self-assessment data. 2004-05 12,793 Income Tax: Tax Yields 2005-06 14,229 2006-07 16,548 2007-08 19,709 Mr Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 2008-09 18,572 (1) how much tax was collected from taxpayers paying 2009-10 15,279 the higher rate of income tax in 1988-89; [51769] (2) what proportion of income tax was paid by the In addition, the Exchequer received £114.188 million top 1% of taxpayers in 1988-89. [51883] in 2003-04 from the Land Registry as an equity withdrawal n respect of its accumulated reserves and cash balances. Mr Gauke: Taxpayers were liable to pay an estimated £46.5 billion of total income tax in 1988-89. Taxpayers Loans: Foreign Nationals paying at 40% were liable for an estimated £15.6 billion. The 1% of taxpayers by total income in 1988-89 were Mike Weatherley: Toask the Chancellor of the Exchequer liable for 15% of total income tax liabilities. (1) whether his Department has underwritten any bank The figures provided are estimates of income tax loans given to foreign nationals residing in the UK since liabilities based on the 1988-89 Survey of Personal 2006; [52363] Incomes. Married couples are treated as one taxpaying (2) what discussions his Department has had with unit in 1988-89. banks on the repayment of bank loans given to foreign nationals residing in the UK. [52364] Individual Savings Accounts: Children Mr Hoban: Decisions about whether to lend to specific individuals or businesses remain commercial decisions Chris Leslie: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for banks and building societies. It would be inappropriate (1) how much additional saving by individuals the for the Government to intervene in these decisions. Government expects to arise from the introduction of Junior ISAs; [51796] Members: Correspondence (2) how many savers in Junior ISAs he expects to have household incomes between (a) 0 and £10,000, Mr Donohoe: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (b) £10,000 and £20,000, (c) £20,000 and £30,000, (d) when he plans to reply to the letters from the hon. £30,000 and £40,000 and (e) £50,000 and over; and Member for Central Ayrshire of 17 November 2010, how much he expects to be saved by households in each 16 December 2010 and 13 January 2011, on mortgage income band. [51797] regulation. [51612]

Mr Hoban: The Government believe that Junior ISAs Mr Hoban: I wrote to all hon. Members on 10 will create the conditions for families to save more for December 2010 to set out the Government’s overall their children than would otherwise happen. position on Mortgage Market Review. This letter was in For the purposes of estimating the Exchequer impacts response to any outstanding correspondence that hon. we have estimated that 20% of eligible children will have Members may have raised. a Junior ISA however, this is not a target. The Government have made no estimates of the Mr Donohoe: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer take-up levels of Junior ISA accounts among the income when he plans to reply to the letters from the hon. groups specified by the hon. Member. This is a voluntary Member for Central Ayrshire of 15 October 2010, 26 325W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 326W

November 2010, 12 January 2011 and 10 February £ 2011, on Crown Currency Exchange. [51613] July 2009 5,934,106 Mr Hoban: I wrote to all hon. Members on 18 August 2009 11,301,062 November 2010 to set out the Government’s overall September 2009 20,958,373 position on Crown Currency Exchange. This letter was October 2009 14,638,705 in response to any outstanding correspondence that November 2009 19,032,714 hon. Members may have raised. December 2009 22,378,944 January 2010 24,914,262 Mr Donohoe: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer February 2010 24,203,411 when he plans to reply to the letters from the hon. March 2010 25,418,752 Member for Central Ayrshire of 16 September 2010, Total for 2009-10 219,133,295 26 October 2010, 25 November 2010, 11 January 2011 and 10 February 2011, on deregulated commodity speculation. [51614] Offshore Industry

Mr Hoban: I wrote to all hon. Members on 1 December Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 2010 to set out the Government’s overall position on what representations he received from representatives agricultural derivates markets. This letter was in response of the UK oil and gas industry between the June 2010 to any outstanding correspondence that hon. Members Budget and the 2011 Budget; and on what dates. [51564] may have raised.

Mrs Moon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Justine Greening: The Government have ongoing when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. meetings and engagement with the oil and gas industry. Member for Bridgend of 3 February 2011 on bank mortgage interest rates. [51673] Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the likely effect on Mr Hoban: I have replied to the hon. Member. investment in oil and gas production in the North Sea of the announcements made in the 2011 Budget. [51615] National Insurance: Income Tax Justine Greening: The Government do not expect a Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer significant impact on investment or production in the whether he has set a timetable for decision-making on forecast period as a consequence of this measure. his proposed merger of the national insurance and As set out in the Budget, in cases where the tax taxation systems. [51919] change has made previously commercial new projects uncommercial, the Government will consider with the Mr Gauke: The Government believes that integrating industry the case for introducing a new category of the operation of income tax and national insurance qualifying field for field allowance to support marginal contributions (NICs) can remove distortions, reduce fields. burdens on business and improve fairness for individuals. However, it recognises that any change will be complex Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer and involve a wide range of policy and implementation what consultation he undertook with the oil and gas issues. industries on the increase in the North Sea oil An initial consultation document will be published supplementary charge; and on what dates such consultation later this year to consult on the options, stages and took place. [51616] timing of reform. Responses to the consultation will inform future decisions on the timing of any subsequent Justine Greening: It is not the current (or previous) reforms. Government’s policy to consult on tax rate changes in advance of Budget announcements. National Savings PAYE Mr Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of the provision of tax exempt National Savings and Lindsay Roy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Investment products in the last year for which figures what recent discussions he has had with the Chief are available. [51749] Executive of HM Revenue and Customs about members of the public receiving an incorrect tax coding; and if he Justine Greening: The following table sets out the will make a statement. [52057] total tax foregone for NS&I tax free products, for 2009-10, as the most recent published information. Mr Gauke: Treasury Ministers and officials meet representatives from a wide range of organisations and £ individuals in the public and private sectors as part of April 2009 21,388,588 the process of policy development and implementation. May 2009 24,209,757 As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of all such June 2009 16,622,832 meetings. 327W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 328W

PAYE: Social Enterprises 2010 to include the distributional impact of public spending decisions. The analysis was most recently updated Ian Austin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer at Budget 2011. what representations he has received on proposals to It shows the cumulative impact of tax, tax credit and extend the Simplified PAYEDeduction Scheme to include benefit measures announced by this Government along non-profit community member organisations; and what with changes announced in March Budget 2010 or assessment he has made of such representations. [51137] earlier (such as changes to national insurance contributions) on which the Government have introduced or will be Mr Gauke: We are not aware of any representations introducing legislation. The data sources document, in respect of this issue. available from the HM Treasury website, contains a full list of the measures it has been possible to capture. Pensions: Uprating Chart A.2 shows the impact of all tax, tax credit and benefit measures in cash terms by income decile in Nick Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 2012-13 while chart A3 shows this information as a whether his Department has undertaken research on proportion of income. the effects of using the consumer price index when Chart A.4 shows the impact of all tax, tax credit and uprating benefits for army invalid pensioners and war benefit measures in cash terms by expenditure decile in widows under pensionable age. [51368] 2012-13 while chart A.5 shows this information as a proportion of expenditure. Mr Robathan: I have been asked to reply. Chart A.6 shows the overall impact of the consolidation No specific research has been undertaken on the on households in 2014-15 as a per cent of 2010-11 net effect of the change on this benefit group. The Treasury income, including households’ benefits in kind from took the decision to change from retail price index to public services. consumer price index (CPI) across all areas of the public service. Calculations and research were not carried Public Finance out within this Department. The Ministry of Defence calculates war pensions Mr Tom Harris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer benefits programme costs and produces annual forecasts what proportion of the Government deficit at May and estimates. The estimate for financial year 2011-12 2010 he has attributed to (a) spending and (b) reduced prepared in January 2010 was reduced by 2.8% to £938 tax revenues. [51971] million in January 2011. However, this takes into account a number of changed assumptions including revised Mr Gauke: The Office for Budget Responsibility mortality rates in the number of claimants or potential published their pre-Budget forecast in June 2010. This claimants and the use of CPI as the basis for indexation. contained projections to 2015-16 of Public Sector Current Public Expenditure Receipts and Total Managed Expenditure. Public Sector: Pensions Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the distributional impact on households by 2014-15 of each measure Michael Fallon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in (a) the March 2010 Budget, (b) the June how much was (a) received in contributions and (b) 2010 Budget, (c) the comprehensive spending review paid out by each public sector pension scheme in each and (d) the 2011 Budget as a proportion of net income year since 1981. [47157] in 2010-11, including benefits in kind from public services; [52159] Danny Alexander: [holding answer 16 March 2011]: (2) what estimate he has made of the distributional Expenditure on public service pensions reflects the pensions impact of each (a) tax, (b) tax credit and (c) benefit promises made to public servants over the last few measure announced in (i) the March 2010 Budget, (ii) decades and is dependent on a range of factors including the June 2010 Budget, (iii) the comprehensive spending the number of pensions in payment, the size of these review and (iv) the 2011 Budget as a proportion of net pensions and also annual inflation. expenditure in each expenditure decile in 2012-13; Contribution receipts reflect the promises being made [52160] to today’s public servants and are dependent on the (3) what estimate he has made of the distributional number of individuals accruing a pension and the salaries impact of each (a) tax, (b) tax credit and (c) benefit they earn. measure announced in (i) the March 2010 Budget, (ii) Receipts and expenditure are not expected to balance. the June 2010 Budget, (iii) the comprehensive spending For example, the level of receipts can exceed expenditure review and (iv) the 2011 Budget (A) as a proportion of when a work force is growing. This is a separate issue to net income in each income decile, (B) in cash terms in the long-term sustainability of a scheme, which is to do each expenditure decile and (C) in cash terms in each with the ability of the scheme to meet liabilities as they income decile in 2012-13. [51989] fall due. Detailed information and data, including past levels Mr Gauke: The Government have gone further than of expenditure and receipts, for individual public service any previous Government in publishing detailed pension schemes is available from the relevant Government distributional analysis of tax, tax credit and benefit Department, and for many of the schemes is published decisions. This analysis was first published at June in annual resource accounts, copies of which are placed Budget 2010, and was expanded at spending review in the House Library. 329W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 330W

For the year 2001-02 onwards, the aggregate level of or Venture Capital Trusts where commercial electricity contribution receipts and expenditure for all the centrally generation commences before 6 April 2012. The change administered unfunded public service schemes is published will not apply to any shares issued before 23 March annually in the Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses, 2011. copies of which are placed in the House Library and This change is designed to improve the focus of the available online at the following address: schemes on smaller, higher risk companies. Draft legislation http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/pespub_pesa10.htm will be published for consultation before it is implemented. Aggregate levels of expenditure and receipts for all unfunded schemes (except the locally administered police Stamp Duty Land Tax: Tax Avoidance and fire pension schemes) as published are shown in the following table. Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the level of avoidance of stamp duty on £ million the purchase of homes through the use of companies, Contribution partnerships, or limited liability partnerships in (a) Expenditure receipts each of the last four financial years and (b) the next 2001-02 14,773 9,861 four financial years. [51068] 2002-03 16,518 12,610 2003-04 16,080 14,279 Justine Greening: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) 2004-05 16,377 15,119 keeps tax revenues for all taxes under review. HMRC 2005-06 17,641 17,368 intends to include further details about the avoidance 2006-07 19,080 17,934 risk to stamp duty land tax later in the year, in the ‘Measuring Tax Gaps’ publication for 2011. 2007-08 21,356 19,066 2008-09 22,525 19,439 Sterling: Valuation 2009-10 24,276 21,167

In 2001, the methodology for charging and accounting Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for unfunded public service pensions was revised and what discussions he has had with the Governor of the comparable information from before this date is not Bank of England on the short and medium-term available centrally. valuation of Sterling. [51535] The Office of Budget Responsibility forecasts levels of expenditure and receipts for all the unfunded schemes Mr Hoban: The Chancellor has frequent discussions going forward. with the Governor of the Bank of England on a wide Information on the funded local government pension range of issues including prospects for the UK economy. scheme is presented in chapter 7 of the Local Government Finance Statistics England, a summary is shown in the Tax Allowances following table and the document is available online at the following address: Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/ Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 28 March 2011, statistics/financialstatistics202010 Official Report, column 38W, on tax allowances, what information his Department holds on the distributional £ million effect of tax reliefs and allowances relating to (a) Contribution pensions and (b) individual savings accounts. [51605] Expenditure receipts

2001-02 3,463 3,756 Mr Hoban: The available information on the distributional aspect of pensions and individual savings 2002-03 3,623 4,144 accounts as published by HM Revenue and Customs on 2003-04 3,770 4,551 their website can be found at: 2004-05 4,014 4,975 http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/pensions/table7-10-may10.pdf 2005-06 4,272 5,700 2006-07 4,757 6,231 http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/isa/table9-7-07-08.pdf 2007-08 5,222 6,689 http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/isa/table9-10-07-08.pdf 2008-09 5,600 7,326 Tax Avoidance Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs Chris Bryant: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what representations he has received from Lord what assessment he has made of the potential effects of Lawson of Blaby on tax loopholes operated through excluding feed-in tariff businesses from the Enterprise the Channel Islands; [51167] Investment scheme and Venture Capital Trusts on the (2) what advice he has received on closing tax Government’s capacity to encourage community-owned loopholes used by British companies in the Channel renewable energy schemes. [52189] Islands to avoid paying tax in the UK. [51168]

Mr Gauke: Legislation will be introduce in Finance Mr Gauke [holding answer 5 April 2011]: Treasury Bill 2012 providing that companies whose trade consists Ministers receive advice from HM Treasury and HMRC wholly or substantially in the receipt of feed-in tariffs officials on the range of tax policy issues. This includes will only be eligible for the Enterprise Investment scheme advice on risks to the Exchequer from tax avoidance 331W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 332W and how they might be addressed. Ministers also receive Mr Gauke: As announced at Budget, we are about to representations from representative bodies, businesses, consult formally on modernising the definition of trade associations and individuals. Incapacitated Persons used for direct tax purposes. This As was the case with previous administrations, it is definition is used mainly to identify who is responsible not the Government’s practice to provide details of all for meeting tax obligations under the income tax self such meetings. assessment system where a person is mentally incapable of doing so. This consultation proposes changes to the Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer language that defines how those persons are defined for what estimate he made of the level of attrition into new this purpose, while keeping the scope of those covered avoidance schemes in calculating the revenue he by the definition the same as now. The document will estimates will accrue from the disguised remuneration not propose any changes to the scope of taxation itself. avoidance measure announced in the 2011 Budget for Taxation: Domicile each year from 2011-12 to 2015-16. [51538]

Mr Gauke: The assumptions and methodologies Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer underlying the costing for the disguised remuneration what estimate he has made of the level of revenue measure are set out at page 46 of Budget 2011 policy which will accrue to the Exchequer from changes in costings, published alongside the Budget: non-domiciled taxation announced in the 2011 Budget. [51541] http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2011budget_policycostings.pdf Mr Gauke: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the Tax Credits “Taxation of Non-Domiciles” section of the Budget 2011 Policy Costings document which is published on Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer the HM Treasury website at the following address what assessment he has made of the likely change in http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/ the level of research and development activity which 2011budget_policycostings.htm will result from the tax credit rate increase for small and medium-sized enterprises announced in the 2011 Taxation: Environment Protection Budget. [51545] Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Gauke: The policy costing published at Budget what estimate he has made of the likely change in the assumed that for every pound of tax revenue foregone, level of carbon dioxide emissions attributable to the tax caused by raising the rate of research and development on carbon proposed in the 2011 Budget in each year (R&D) tax relief for small and medium-sized enterprises, from 2013-14 to 2019-20. [51983] one extra pound would be spent on R&D. The increase in R&D expenditure is expected to be around £20 million Justine Greening: The impact of the carbon price to £30 million per annum. floor on the level of carbon dioxide emissions in the Budget policy costings are available at: UK is set out in the Tax Information and Impact Note http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/ published alongside the Budget. This is available online 2011budget_policycostings.pdf at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2011/tiin6111.pdf Tax Credits: Business Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the proportion of his what estimate he has made of the deadweight cost of proposed carbon tax which will be passed on to (a) the change in the rate of the research and development electricity consumers, (b) electricity generating businesses tax credit for small and medium-sized enterprises and (c) other groups. [52145] announced in the 2011 Budget. [51539] Justine Greening: An explanation of the impact of Mr Gauke: Estimates of the Exchequer impact of the carbon price floor on wholesale electricity prices is raising the rate of research and development (R&D) tax set out in HMRC’s Tax Information and Impact Note relief for small and medium-sized enterprises were published published alongside the Budget. This is available online at Budget in the policy costings’ document available at at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2011/tiin6111.pdf http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/ 2011budget_policycostings.pdf Taxation: Fuels The published static costing is the Exchequer impact with no increase in the forecasted expenditure on R&D Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer as a result of the measure. if he will assess the effects of the differential in price between diesel and unleaded petrol on the economic Taxation growth potential of the UK; and if he will consider the merits of using the tax and duty regime to equalise the Alison Seabeck: To ask the Chancellor of the price at the pump of diesel and unleaded petrol. [50870] Exchequer with reference to paragraph 2.195 of the 2011 Budget, if he will make it his policy not to bring Justine Greening: I refer the hon. Member to the within the scope of the taxation system incapacitated answergivenon30March2011,Official Report, column persons who are not taxed at present. [51829] 365W,to the hon. Member for Midlothian (Mr Hamilton). 333W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 334W

The price difference between petrol and diesel varies VAT: Clubs over time and is determined by market forces. A neutral excise duty treatment of diesel and petrol supports Ian Austin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer market transparency. The Chancellor keeps all taxes what representations he has received on ending the under review. charging of value added tax on payments of Government grants to sports clubs; and what assessment he has Taxation: Pensions made of such representations. [51211]

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the Mr Gauke: The Government have not received any Exchequer what his Department’s most recent estimate representations on this matter. In general Government is of the likely cost to the public purse of pensions tax grants do not represent payment for any services supplied relief in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14 and (d) to the Government and thus no VAT is due on them. 2014-15. [52252] Grant income may, of course, be used to purchase goods and services on which VAT is borne. The expectation Mr Gauke: There are a number of ways in which is that the bid for the grant will reflect this. pensions tax relief can be received, including from contributions and investment income of funds. Ian Austin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer The estimated cost of the various tax reliefs relating what representations he has received on exempting to pensions are published by HM Revenue and Customs community amateur sports clubs from value added tax on their website and can be found at on capital expenditure. [51220] http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/pensions/table7-9.pdf Mr Gauke: The Government have not received any The estimated cost of each of these reliefs in future representations on this matter. Many amateur sports years is not available. clubs have been able to register with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as Community Amateur Sports Clubs Unemployment (CASCs) and benefit from a range of tax reliefs, similar to the tax reliefs normally given to charities. These Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer reliefs include exemption from corporation tax on interest, what assessment he has made of the effect on the level on trading income and income from property (within of unemployment in (a) the UK, (b) each region of limits) and capital gains tax on disposals of assets. England, (c) Scotland, (d) Wales and (e) Northern There are a number of specific VAT reliefs for charities Ireland of the increases in duty under the beer duty including the construction of certain buildings. escalator. [51547] Unfortunately, there are no equivalent VAT reliefs for CASCs. The application of VAT reliefs is governed by Justine Greening: I refer the hon. Member to the European agreements that have been signed by successive answer I gave to the hon. Member for Shipley (Philip governments. Under these agreements, we cannot extend Davies) on 16 March 2011, Official Report, column or introduce new zero rates to cover supplies to CASCs. 379-81W. VAT: Construction Unpaid Taxes Ian Austin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Evennett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on measures to how many people in (a) Bexleyheath and Crayford end the charging of value added tax on construction constituency, (b) the London borough of Bexley and costs for all schools which open sports facilities out of (c) London have received demands for unpaid tax from hours; and what assessment he has made of such HM Revenue and Customs in the last 12 months. representations. [51212] [50399] Mr Gauke: The Government have not received any Mr Gauke: The information is not available at representations on this matter. The construction of constituency or regional level. school buildings can qualify for the zero rate of VAT if they are intended to be used by charities at least 95% for VAT non business purposes.

Tessa Munt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Water Charges what recent representations he has received on the application of HM Revenue and Customs rules to Alison Seabeck: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer value added tax on bartering transactions in respect of over what period he plans the funds he provided in the the gifting of energy provided from photovoltaic 2011 Budget to apply to reduce water charges in the installations; and if he will make a statement. [50711] South West to be disbursed to South West water bill payers. [50463] Mr Gauke: The Government have received no Richard Benyon: I have been asked to reply. representations on this matter. HM Revenue and Customs has already issued guidance on the treatment for VAT The Government pledged in the Budget that we will purposes of income received by property owners through consult on proposals to support households which face the generation and export tariffs, and it is discussing water affordability pressures, and those in areas with with various interested parties the position where this particularly high water bills, such as the south-west. income instead accrues to companies installing photovoltaic We will provide more details on the support that will panels. be provided following this consultation. 335W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 336W

Winter Fuel Allowance HOME DEPARTMENT Mr Crausby: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Forensic Science Service: Contracts (1) what factors he took into account when making the decision to reduce the level of winter fuel allowance paid to those over 75 years; [50440] Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the (2) for what reasons the annual winter fuel payment Home Department what contracts the Forensic Science for people over 80 is to be reduced from £400 to £300; Service has been awarded in each of the last three years. [50011] and if he will make a statement. [50685] Justine Greening: As set out in the spending review, James Brokenshire: The Forensic Science Service (FSS) winter fuel payments will continue as budgeted for by have provided details of contracts they have been awarded the previous Government. Winter fuel payments from in the last three years. winter 2011-12 will be worth £200 for pensioner households, Awarded in 2008 or £300 for households with someone aged over 80. 1. South West, North West and Wales region all The spending review also announced that cold weather services tender—all services: payments have been permanently increased to £25 a The SW,NW and Wales contract was for initial three years and week during periods of very cold weather. The lowest has since been extended to 31 March 2013. The FSS was awarded income pensioner households will also be among those part of this tender alongside five other providers. benefiting from the warm home discount on their electricity 2. HMRC—all services tender: bill. The FSS won the drugs, fingerprints and tachographs work. Three year contract. Winter Fuel Payments 3. National Forensic Framework Agreement (NFFA)— Helen Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer all services: what savings he expects to accrue to the Exchequer as a FSS was awarded a place on the framework for each of the result of his decision to reduce the level of winter fuel 14 lots. allowance in each of the next five years. [50986] 4. Thames Valley and Surrey—SOS services: 2008 contract was initially awarded to another supplier but Steve Webb: I have been asked to reply. later awarded to the FSS. Contract was signed for six months in Winter fuel payments for winter 2011-12 will be £200 March 2009, but still ongoing. for households with someone who has reached women’s Awarded 2009 state pension age and is under 80 and £300 for households with someone aged 80 or over. This return to the 5. West Midlands Region (West Midlands, Staffordshire, standard rates of winter fuel payment is exactly as West Mercia and Warwickshire)—DNA and Drugs: budgeted for by the previous Government. It does not, Awarded March 2009 DNA Contract. Three year contract. therefore, represent a saving to the Exchequer. 6. Independent Police Complaints Commission An additional temporary amount of winter fuel payment (IPCC)—Homicide and Violent: was paid for the last three winters, taking the rates to Awarded May 2009 Lot 7 of the National Framework for £250 for households with someone who had reached Homicide and Violent Crime. women’s state pension age and was under 80 and £400 7. Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)—Specialist for households with someone aged 80 or over. DNA services: Figures in the following table show the estimated Awarded October 2009 for initial period of one year to be difference between forecasted expenditure of winter extended in periods of one year. fuel payments at the standard rates compared to if they 8. NPIA—Environmental Monitoring of CAS Sample were continued at the higher temporary rates over the Preparation Room: next five years. As noted above, this difference is not a Awarded December 2009 saving to the Exchequer, compared with previous plans. 9. West Yorkshire police—mobile phones: £ million, cash terms Awarded December 2009. 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 Awarded 2010

Total winter 2,140 2,120 2,110 2,090 2,080 10. East Midlands Region (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, fuel Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire)—all payments at services: standard Awarded May 2010 to supply all services for region relating to rates NFFA Lot 8 Sexual Offences and Lot 11—Road Traffic Investigation. Total winter 2,730 2,710 2,690 2,680 2,660 fuel 11. Metropolitan Police Service—mobile phones: payments at Awarded place on E-Forensics Framework December 2010 temporary along with multiple other suppliers—awaiting contracts. rates Difference 590 590 590 590 580 Notes: Forensic Science Service: Research 1. Figures are in cash terms rounded to the nearest £10 million. 2. Difference is estimated based on unrounded figures and then Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the rounded to the nearest £10 million. Therefore they may differ from the difference between the rounded figures available in the table. Home Department how much the Forensic Science 3. Figures include winter fuel payments made to eligible recipients Service spent on research and development in each of now resident in European economic area countries or Switzerland. the last three years. [50010] 337W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 338W

James Brokenshire: Information provided by the Forensic Animal Experiments Science Service (FSS) suggests that operating costs of their Research and Development Group were £4.01 Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home million and £4.11 million for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 Department what her policy is on the use of monkeys financial years respectively. The most recent estimate for experimental purposes in laboratories. [52027] received from the company for the 2010-11 financial year shows operating costs for the Research and Development Group of £3.3 million. Lynne Featherstone: The Government recognizes that many people have a particular concern about the use of Alcoholic Drinks: Death non-human primates. Under the terms of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 they, together with Nick Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the some other species, are given special protection and can Home Department what estimate she has made of the only be used where animals of no other species are average annual number of deaths which will be avoided suitable. through implementation of her proposals for a minimum price for alcohol. [51312] Antisocial Behaviour: Prosecutions

James Brokenshire: The Home Office is currently analysing the impact of the ban on the sale of alcohol Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the below the cost of duty plus VAT. This analysis seeks to Home Department how many prosecutions under the incorporate recent HM Revenue and Customs estimates Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 there have been in of the responsiveness of demand to price and the Sheffield respect of (a) noise, (b) graffiti and fly posting and (c) Alcohol Policy Model analysis of the associated social waste and litter in each (i) local authority and (ii) police harms. It will inform an estimate on the average annual authority basic command unit in each region of England number of deaths avoided. This data will be published and Wales since January 2008. [52387] as part of an impact assessment to accompany legislation on the ban. Mr Blunt: I have been asked to reply. Alcoholic Drinks: Prices Defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for criminal offences of waste disposal, littering and noise, are likely to be proceeded against under the Mr Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Noise Act Home Department what legal advice she has received 1996. The number of defendants proceeded against on the introduction of a minimum unit price for under these statutes, by Government office region and alcohol within a local authority area. [52156] police force area, England and Wales 2008 and 2009 (latest available) can be viewed in tables 1 and 2. It is not James Brokenshire: The Secretary of State for the possible to identify separately offences of graffiti and Home Department has received legal advice on a range fly-posting from other criminal damage offences. of issues pertaining to alcohol pricing, including the effect of introducing a minimum price per unit of Court proceedings data held centrally are not available alcohol within a local authority area. The content of at local authority or police authority basic command legal advice is subject to legal professional privilege and unit level. it is not appropriate to set it out at this stage other than Court proceedings data for 2010 are planned for in terms of the areas to which it relates. publication on 26 May 2011.

Table 1: The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for waste disposal, littering and noise offences, by Government office region and police force area, England and Wales, 20081,2,3,4 2008 Environmental Environmental Environmental Environmental Protection Act Protection Act 1990 Protection Act Protection Act 1990 1990 s.87, 93 Area s.33(8) 1990 s.33(9) s.33(6) and 94 Noise Act 1996

North East Cleveland 8 3 — 95 — Durham 3 4 2 88 — Northumbria 39 2 — 334 — Sub-total 50 9 2 517 —

North West Cheshire 15 12 2 5 — Cumbria 12 2 3 17 2 Greater Manchester 46 4 34 414 — Lancashire 37 15 8 48 — Merseyside 18 2 10 680 — Sub-total 128 35 57 1,164 2 339W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 340W

Table 1: The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for waste disposal, littering and noise offences, by Government office region and police force area, England and Wales, 20081,2,3,4 2008 Environmental Environmental Environmental Environmental Protection Act Protection Act 1990 Protection Act Protection Act 1990 1990 s.87, 93 Area s.33(8) 1990 s.33(9) s.33(6) and 94 Noise Act 1996

Yorkshire and Humberside Humberside 3 1 1 57 — North Yorkshire 8 5 — 12 3 South Yorkshire 8 28 3 130 — West Yorkshire 9 2 53 182 1 Sub-total 28 36 57 381 4

East Midlands Derbyshire 15 3 8 21 — Leicestershire 7 6 2 25 — Lincolnshire 9 1 1 8 — Northamptonshire 13 — — 58 — Nottinghamshire 2 6 20 86 — Sub-total 46 16 31 198 —

West Midlands Staffordshire 31 6 1 11 1 Warwickshire 6 1 — 1 — West Mercia 8 4 9 21 — West Midlands 24 5 8 473 3 Sub-total 69 16 18 506 4

East of England Bedfordshire 2 — 4 6 — Cambridgeshire 5 — 4 229 — Essex 7 4 7 105 — Hertfordshire 15 4 6 4 — Norfolk 8 — — 4 — Suffolk 13 3 6 5 — Sub-total 50 11 27 353 —

London City of London — — — — — Metropolitan Police 78 19 34 111 8 Sub-total 78 19 34 111 8

South East Hampshire 8 4 2 55 1 Kent 28 13 4 77 — Surrey 4 2 3 — — Sussex 9 — 13 4 — Thames Valley 52 16 10 26 1 Sub-total 101 35 32 162 2

South West Avon and Somerset 11 4 13 26 — Devon and Cornwall 17 4 9 48 2 Dorset 10 — — 8 — Gloucestershire 4 2 — 9 — Wiltshire 2 1 1 3 — Sub-total 44 11 23 94 2

Wales Dyfed-Powys 2 2 3 17 — Gwent 4 1 14 11 — 341W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 342W

Table 1: The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for waste disposal, littering and noise offences, by Government office region and police force area, England and Wales, 20081,2,3,4 2008 Environmental Environmental Environmental Environmental Protection Act Protection Act 1990 Protection Act Protection Act 1990 1990 s.87, 93 Area s.33(8) 1990 s.33(9) s.33(6) and 94 Noise Act 1996

North Wales 7 1 7 22 — South Wales 17 8 55 35 — Sub-total 30 12 79 85 —

England and Wales 624 200 360 3,571 22

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 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. Corresponding offence descriptions for statutes are as follows: Environmental Protection Act 1990: s.33(8) Depositing, causing the deposition or permitting the deposition, treating, keeping or disposing of controlled (but not special) waste in or on land without a licence; s.33(9) Depositing, causing the deposition or permitting the deposition of controlled special waste in or on land without a licence; s.33(6) Contravening conditions of a waste management licence; s.87 Deposit litter; s.93 and 94 Failure to comply with Street Litter Control Notice. Noise Act 1996: Responsible for noise exceeding prescribed level from premises after service of notice. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

Table 2: The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for waste disposal, littering and noise offences, by Government office region and police force area, England and Wales, 20091,2 2009 Environmental Environmental Environmental Environmental Protection Act Protection Act Protection Act Protection Act 1990 s.87, 93 and 1990 s.33(8) 1990 s.33(9) 1990 s.33(6) 94 Noise Act 1996

North East Cleveland 15 3 — 248 — Durham 6 — — 79 — Northumbria 42 6 — 247 14 Sub-total 63 9 — 574 14

North West Cheshire 7 8 1 24 — Cumbria 4 8 2 49 — Greater Manchester 37 7 — 389 — Lancashire 35 10 13 28 — Merseyside 11 10 — 810 — Sub-total 94 43 16 1,300 —

Yorkshire and Humberside Humberside 17 7 — 340 1 North Yorkshire 15 20 — 18 — South Yorkshire 6 12 1 121 — West Yorkshire 66 6 3 178 1 Sub-total 104 45 4 657 2

East Midlands Derbyshire 12 5 1 47 — Leicestershire 19 2 — 31 4 Lincolnshire 2 1 2 14 — Northamptonshire 19 3 — 39 — 343W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 344W

Table 2: The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for waste disposal, littering and noise offences, by Government office region and police force area, England and Wales, 20091,2 2009 Environmental Environmental Environmental Environmental Protection Act Protection Act Protection Act Protection Act 1990 s.87, 93 and 1990 s.33(8) 1990 s.33(9) 1990 s.33(6) 94 Noise Act 1996

Nottinghamshire 27 8 1 123 — Sub-total 79 19 4 254 4

West Midlands Staffordshire 18 10 1 29 — Warwickshire7 1——— West Mercia 14 2 2 14 2 West Midlands 34 10 1 335 5 Sub-total 73 23 4 378 7

East of England Bedfordshire 19 1 2 10 — Cambridgeshire 1 — — 541 — Essex 813—36— Hertfordshire 13 5 — 3 — Norfolk24—141 Suffolk 8 3 114— Sub-total 73 22 4 608 1

London City of London — ———— Metropolitan Police 148 25 11 210 3 Sub-total 148 25 11 210 3

South East Hampshire 15 11 — 83 34 Kent 31 4 5 113 — Surrey 13 — 1 — 1 Sussex 123—58— Thames Valley 40 6 4 17 1 Sub-total 111 24 10 271 36

South West Avon and Somerset 18 4 — 22 — Devon and Cornwall 22 9 — 35 1 Dorset 6 1 — 20 — Gloucestershire — 6 — 6 — Wiltshire 15 1 2 2 — Sub-total 61 21 2 85 1

Wales Dyfed-Powys 13 3 2 22 — Gwent 5 — 2 13 — North Wales 12 2 1 47 — South Wales 36 4 18 30 — Sub-total 66 9 23 112 — 345W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 346W

Table 2: The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for waste disposal, littering and noise offences, by Government office region and police force area, England and Wales, 20091,2 2009 Environmental Environmental Environmental Environmental Protection Act Protection Act Protection Act Protection Act 1990 s.87, 93 and 1990 s.33(8) 1990 s.33(9) 1990 s.33(6) 94 Noise Act 1996

England and Wales 872 240 78 4,449 68 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 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 Corresponding offence descriptions for statutes are as follows: Environmental Protection Act 1990: s.33(8) Depositing, causing the deposition or permitting the deposition, treating, keeping or disposing of controlled (but not special) waste in or on land without a licence; s.33(9) Depositing, causing the deposition or permitting the deposition of controlled special waste in or on land without a licence; s.33(6) Contravening conditions of a waste management licence; s.87 Deposit litter; s.93 and 94 Failure to comply with Street Litter Control Notice. Noise Act 1996: Responsible for noise exceeding prescribed level from premises after service of notice. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice.

Asylum respectively. Offences of burglary in a building other than a dwelling decreased by 8% from 297,137 in 2008-09 Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for the to 272,060 offences in 2009-10. Home Department what the deadline is for completion of the asylum legacy caseload by the UK Border Agency. Children: Employment [52123]

Damian Green: The UK Border Agency provides Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the regular updates on performance of the “legacy” cases, Home Department what process was used to assess including a breakdown into grants, removals and “other” child labour in the UK prior to making the Government’s cases such as duplicates or errors, to the Home Affairs report to the International Labour Organisation under Select Committee. ILO Convention 182. [51634] On 2 March, the Agency reported to the Home Affairs Select Committee that it had concluded over Damian Green: A number of reviews and threat 403,000 cases as at 31 January 2011. assessments are currently available and used to inform The UK Border Agency has nearly completed its our understanding of the threat and extent of child review of all outstanding “legacy” cases that have not labour and exploitation issues, including child trafficking, yet been concluded on 31 March. It remains on track to within the UK. The most recent strategic threat assessment conclude the legacy backlog by summer 2011. produced by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) published in 2010 provides an update Burglary on the extent of child abuse, trafficking and exploitation within the UK. Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has At the time of the previous Government’s report on made of recent trends in the level of burglary offences the International Labour Organisation Convention 182 in (a) Gloucestershire and (b) England and Wales; and in 2009, CEOP had produced their first strategic threat if she will make a statement. [51793] assessment of the extent of child trafficking within the UK. This was available and used to inform the James Brokenshire: Recent annual trends show that Government’s report together with other sources of the total offences of burglaries recorded by Gloucestershire available information including the National Referral police decreased by 5%, from 5,823 offences in 2008-09 Mechanism. to 5,525 offences in 2009-10. For the component burglary offences, the force recorded Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the a 7% increase in burglary in a dwelling (2,292 in 2008-09 Home Department what recent discussions she has had and 2,453 in 2009-10). with representatives of non-governmental organisations Gloucestershire police also recorded 3,072 offences on the Government’s obligations under International of burglary in a building other than a dwelling in Labour Organisation Convention 182. [51640] 2009-10, a 13% decrease from the previous year total of 3,531 offences. Damian Green: The UK Government are strongly Figures for England and Wales show that total burglaries committed to tackling the worst forms of child labour recorded by the police fell by 7%, 581,577 in 2008-09 to contained in the International Labour Organisation 540,655 in 2009-10. Burglary in a dwelling fell by 6% Convention 182; including child trafficking, child sexual from 284,440 to 268,595 in the years 2008-09 and 2009-10 exploitation and prostitution. 347W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 348W

While no recent discussions have been held with James Brokenshire: The application process for the non-governmental organisations on the International Communities Against Gangs, Guns and Knives Fund Labour Organisation Convention 182 itself, the Government opened on 25 March 2011. The Fund will provide are currently developing a new human trafficking strategy £4 million to voluntary and community sector organisations which will bring an increased focus on the countries working across England and Wales to reduce gang, gun from which children are trafficked and therefore help to and knife related violence by young people over the next prevent children becoming victims of child trafficking two years. The new fund provides £0.5 million more per and exploitation in the UK. Engagement with non- year than the Community Fund and is open to governmental organisations is a key part of this process. organisations based in any part of England and Wales, The Department is also working closely with NGO’s rather than just the 10 areas covered by the Tackling to identify the range of models and approaches for Knives Action Programme in 2008. responding to prostitution within England and Wales. The criteria for the fund are focused on organisations The aims of this group include producing local guidance working with young people at risk of involvement in which will cover the local response to children sexually gang, gun and knife crime or to support those who are exploited through prostitution. already involved to leave that lifestyle. Organisations supported by the Community Fund will be eligible to bid for the new fund for two years’ funding. Those with Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the a proven track record will be well placed to meet the Home Department what recent discussions she has had criteria. Each successful organisation will receive grants with representatives of industry on ensuring that child of £10,000 each per year. Existing Community Fund labour is not used during the preparation and recipients and other interested voluntary and community manufacture of goods. [51641] based organisations have been asked to lodge their applications by the closing date of 15 April 2011. Damian Green: The Secretary of State for the Home Department has had no recent discussions with representatives of industry about the use of child labour Criminal Records in the preparation and manufacture of goods. However, the UK Government are committed to the elimination of child labour exploitation and through a number of Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the projects and initiatives in the UK and overseas such as Home Department how many and what proportion of the Ethical Trading Initiative or the Responsible and people whose details are recorded on the Criminal Accountable Garments Sector challenge fund and is Records Bureau database have not been charged, convicted working towards long-lasting changes that tackle the of or otherwise received a penalty or sanction in relation underlying poverty that is at the root of this problem. to a criminal offence; and how many such people are aged 16 years or under. [52312] COE Commissioner for Human Rights Lynne Featherstone: The Criminal Records Bureau CRB database contains details of people who have Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the made applications for criminal record certificates. It Home Department what discussions she has had with does not contain details of people who have been charged (a) the Commissioner of Human Rights of the Council or convicted of a criminal offence as these details are (b) of Europe and the Commissioner’s office on held by the police on the Police National Computer immigration and migration matters since her appointment. (PNC). [51961] In processing applications for criminal records certificates, Damian Green: The Secretary of State for the Home the CRB has access to records held by the police and Department has not had any discussions with the other data sources. Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of The overwhelming majority of CRB checks are clear. Europe, or with the Commissioner’s office since her The following table illustrates the number and proportion appointment. of people in each of the last five years who have received CRB certificates that do not disclose details of Crime: Prevention convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings. A further table shows the position for those who are aged 16 years or under during the same period: Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for the All applications Home Department what steps she has taken to ensure Percentage continuity of funding for organisations which were of total funded by the Community Fund for conflict resolution applications and which will now be expected to bid for resources Total with no under the Communities against Gangs, Guns and dispatch PNC No PNC PNC Knives Fund; which such organisations would have volumes match match match expected year three funding for existing projects under 2006-07 3,277,957 194,926 3,083,031 94.05 the Community Fund; for which such organisations 2007-08 3,323,334 208,748 3,114,586 93.72 funding under the Communities against Gangs, Guns 2008-09 3,853,686 272,083 3,581,603 92.94 and Knives Fund is not yet available; what interim 2009-10 4,299,906 311,263 3,988,643 92.76 arrangements have been put in place; and if she will 2010-11 4,311,820 337,247 3,974,573 92.18 make a statement. [50947] 349W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 350W

Under 17 Information relating to how many times Home Office Percentage Ministers have travelled to their constituency in a ministerial of total car since May 2010 could be obtained only at volumes disproportionate cost. for under 17 Total applications Departmental Redundancy dispatch PNC No PNC with no volumes match match match Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for the 2006-07 60,761 2,610 58,151 95.70 Home Department how many civil servants in her 2007-08 63,364 3,007 60,357 95.25 Department have been offered voluntary redundancy 2008-09 68,125 3,530 64,595 94.82 since April 2010; and if she will make a statement. 2009-10 71,020 3,624 67,396 94.90 [49188] 2010-11 75,589 3,326 72,263 95.60 Damian Green: Since April 2010 the Home Office has Departmental Accountancy offered no staff “voluntary redundancy” as defined by the new Civil Service Compensation scheme. The Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Department ran a voluntary early release scheme in Home Department whether any ministerial directions autumn 2010 from which 1,150 people have left. have been issued to the accounting officer of her Further to this, the Home Office launched a voluntary Department since her appointment. [51993] exit scheme in January 2011. This is still partway through its administration, with exits taking place between 31 Damian Green: No ministerial directions have been March 2011 and 31 March 2012. So far, over 360 people issued to the accounting officer of the Home Department have left the Department. since the appointment of the current Secretary of State for the Home Department. DNA: Databases Departmental Contracts Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her latest estimate is of the Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for the cost of removing records from the National DNA Database Home Department what estimate she has made of the following implementation of proposals for such removal. change in the (a) volume and (b) monetary value of [50103] services provided by her Department which have been contracted out to (i) the third sector and (ii) the private James Brokenshire: I refer my hon. Friend to the sector between January 2005 and December 2010. impact assessment produced for the Protection of Freedoms [48164] Bill, which can be found on Home Office website http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/ Damian Green: The data needed to provide a comparison legislation/freedom-bill/dna-fingerprints-ia?view=Binary could be provided only at disproportionate cost. and has been placed in the House Libraries. Departmental Official Cars Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Department what recent estimate she has made of the Home Department on what date (a) she and (b) each number of people who have not been charged with a other Minister in her Department last used a ministerial crime whose DNA records on the National DNA car while travelling in an official capacity; and how Database were added by Surrey police. [51870] many times (i) she and (ii) each other Minister in her Department has travelled to their constituency in a James Brokenshire: This information is not held centrally. ministerial car since May 2010. [50196] Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Damian Green: Section 10 of the Ministerial Code Home Department how many individuals in each police provides guidance on travel for Ministers and makes force area have records on the National DNA Database. clear that Ministers must ensure that they always make [52316] efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. Two cars have been allocated for ministerial use, one of James Brokenshire: I refer my hon. Friend to the which is provided by the Metropolitan police for the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Brigg Secretary of State for the Home Department. Other and Goole (Andrew Percy) on 3 March 2011, Official Ministers use ministerial cars according to business Report, columns 539-40W. need. Domestic Violence As at 30 March 2011, Home Office Ministers last used a ministerial car while travelling in an official capacity on the following occasions: Nicola Blackwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what amendments the UK has Nick Herbert—16 February 2011 (a) proposed and (b) supported in the Council of Damian Green—29 March 2011 Europe Committee of Ministers on the draft Convention James Brokenshire—29 March 2011 on Prevention and Combating Violence Against Women Lynne Featherstone—29 March 2011 and Domestic Violence; and if she will make a statement. Baroness Neville-Jones—30 March 2011 [51235] 351W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 352W

Lynne Featherstone: The Council of Europe Committee girls has looked at a range of issues around how MARACs of Ministers has not itself discussed the substantive currently operate. The review is due to be published in provisions of the draft convention on prevention and the summer. combating violence against women and domestic violence. However, during negotiations at official level we have Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the made dear that we are keen to see the adoption of a Home Department how many independent (a) sexual strong convention that will protect and promote human violence advisers, (b) domestic violence advisers and rights worldwide. We are not convinced that the convention (c) multi-agency risk assessment conference co-ordinators as currently drafted achieves those aims and discussions or equivalent positions were in post on the most recent continue in other meetings with our Council of Europe date for which figures are available; and in which regions partners on how our concerns may be best addressed. they are located. [51291]

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Lynne Featherstone: Since Independent sexual violence Home Department if she will estimate the number of advisors (ISVAs),independent domestic violence advisers police officers who are assigned to work on (a) sexual (IDVAs) and multi-agency risk assessment conference violence and (b) domestic violence cases. [51288] (MARAC) co-ordinators are employed and funded by a range of local organisations it is not possible to provide an overall total for any of these categories. In Lynne Featherstone: This information is not available 2011-12 the Home Office will be contributing funding centrally.Individual police forces assign officers to particular towards 87 ISVA posts, over 50 MARAC co-ordinator case types according to operational need. posts and over 135 IDVA posts. The numbers for the MARAC co-ordinator posts and IDVA posts will be Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the confirmed once the notification process has been completed. Home Department what funding she plans to allocate to new positions supporting women who are victims of Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the domestic or sexual violence in the next four years. Home Department how many applications her Department [51289] has received for funding for multi-agency risk assessment conference coordinators since her appointment; how Lynne Featherstone: In the Government’s strategic many groups made applications; and from which regions vision to end violence against women and girls, published these applications came. [51293] in November 2010, we committed £28 million of Home Office funding for specialist services on a stable basis Lynne Featherstone: We received over 120 applications over the next four years. This money will be used to for multi-agency risk assessment conference coordinator improve the response to rape and domestic violence, (MARAC) funding from over 100 organisations (statutory provide more training and early intervention programmes, and voluntary). introduce new powers and provide better support for Applications were received from London and the victims. As part of this commitment, we have almost following regions: East, South West, South East, Wales, doubled the number of Home Office funded Independent North West, North East, West Midlands, East Midlands Sexual Violence Advisors from 44 to 87. For domestic and Yorkshire and Humber. violence the funding will be used to contribute to existing and new Independent Domestic Violence Adviser and Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences Co-ordinator Home Department how many applications her Department posts. There will also be continued funding for the has received for funding for independent domestic violence National Domestic Violence Helpline, Men’s Advice advisers since her appointment; how many groups made Line and Broken Rainbow helpline. Separate funding applications; and from which regions these applications has also been allocated to continue and enhance support came. [51294] provided by the Sojourner Project during 2011-12. In addition, the Ministry of Justice recently announced Lynne Featherstone: We received over 230 applications the provision over the next three years of up to £10.5 for independent domestic violence adviser (IDVA) funding million in grant funding for existing rape support centres. from over 200 organisations (statutory and voluntary). Also, in the first phase of a wider programme of work Applications were received from London and the to develop new rape support centres where there are following regions: East, South West, South East, Wales, gaps in provision, up to £600,000 in funding will be North West, North East, West Midlands, East Midlands provided over the next 12 months to develop new centres and Yorkshire and Humber. in Hereford, Trafford, Devon and Dorset. Elections: Finance

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of Home Department what powers she plans to give the the adequacy of provision of multi-agency risk Electoral Commission in relation to the funding of assessment conference co-ordinators or equivalent election campaigns by (a) political party and (b) positions. [51290] independent candidates for posts of police and crime commissioner in England and Wales. [51169] Lynne Featherstone: A recent Home Office review of multi-agency risk assessment conference co-ordinators Nick Herbert: The Government are working closely (MARACs) commissioned as part of the Government’s with the Electoral Commission, representatives of local broader strategy on ending violence against women and government and others to draw up the regulations that 353W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 354W will set out this role. Subject to the will of Parliament, the Criminal Justice System (CJS) to agree a suitable they will be issued following Royal Assent to the Police process for the handling and retention of FSS records Reform and Social Responsibility Bill. so that historical data remains available to the CJS. Entry Clearances: Pakistan As part of this process we will also seek to ensure the necessary expertise exists to use this resource to best effect for the CJS. Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent change she has made to Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for the the evidential requirements for grant of a visa for entry Home Department what steps she plans to take to to the UK from Pakistan. [51696] ensure that expertise in (a) hair comparison, (b) fibre analysis and (c) other little-used examinations is maintained Damian Green: In October 2010, in response to the following the winding down of the Forensic Science Independent Chief Inspector’s report on the UK Border Service. [51810] Agency’s visa operation in Abu Dhabi and Islamabad, the Agency published new guidance on its website: James Brokenshire: We are committed to ensuring the www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas police and the Criminal Justice System (CJS) as a whole regarding the documentation that it recommends should have the forensics capability they need to do their jobs be submitted in support of applications in each of the effectively. We are currently reviewing the Forensic Science main visa categories. The guidance applies globally and Service (FSS) functions as part of the process of managed is not specific to applications lodged in Pakistan. There closure, including identifying whether there are any has, however, been no change in the evidential requirements needs which cannot be met by the forensics market. A for visa applications submitted in Pakistan or elsewhere. great deal of expertise already exists within private As always, it is the applicants responsibility to demonstrate sector providers, and it is our intention that valuable that they meet the requirements of the Immigration capability in the FSS, including staff, might transition Rules for entry in a particular category, and to provide to other providers as part of the managed closure. appropriate supporting documentation. Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Fixed Penalties Home Department what steps she is taking to support research and development in forensic science. [51811] Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for which offences fixed penalty James Brokenshire: We are carefully examining ways notices may be imposed by the police; and what guidance in which innovation and research in forensic science can has been issued by her Department on circumstances in flourish to build on existing expertise and continue the which such notices may be imposed. [52308] innovation for which the UK has become globally renowned. James Brokenshire: Most fixed penalties are offered Alongside this work, we recently commissioned the for motoring offences. The Secretary of State can provide Home Office chief scientific adviser, Professor Bernard for any offence in respect of a vehicle to be a fixed Silverman to carry out a review of how research and penalty offence. Schedule 3 to the Road Traffic Offenders development in forensic science is developed in the UK. Act 1988 lists the offences for which a fixed penalty can The review has been consulting widely with forensic currently be offered. Guidance on the operation of the service providers, academia, research funders and fixed penalty system was last issued in 2006 and is international forensic science networks. The review is available on the National Archives website at: also working closely with the National Policing http://tna.europarchive.org/20100419081706/http:// Improvement Agency and police service customers to www.police.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/operational- understand their view of forensic science requirements policing/ for policing. HO_00395_GFinalVersion006f.html?view=Standard&pubID=332084 Penalty notices for disorder (PNDs) are a type of fixed penalty designed to tackle low level, antisocial and Homicide nuisance offending. The list of offences covered by the scheme and police operational guidance is available on Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the the Home Office website at: Home Department how many homicides there were in http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/penalty-notices (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland, (d) Northern Ireland and (e) Brighton and Hove where there was no Forensic Science Service finding of guilt because the perpetrator committed suicide in each of the last five years; and if she will Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for the make a statement. [52226] Home Department what plans she has for the archives of the Forensic Science Service following the closure of James Brokenshire: Available data are collected by that body. [51809] the Home Office from police forces in England and Wales, including British Transport Police (BTP) where James Brokenshire: We recognize the importance of the offence was committed within England or Wales, the Forensic Science Service (FSS) archives, both in and have been extracted from the Homicide Index. academic terms and in the investigation of re-opened A breakdown for the years 2005-06 to 2009-10 showing cases (or ‘cold cases’ as they are sometimes called). The the number recorded by forces in England, Wales and Home Office is working closely with FSS, the Association by BTP is shown in the following table. Save in respect of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and colleagues across of the 7 July 2005 London bombings, it is not possible 355W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 356W to show where offences recorded by the BTP were Damian Green: The Government are committed to committed. Data specifically about Brighton and Hove reducing the length of time between arrest and court could be provided only at disproportionate cost. hearing as much as possible. The Criminal Procedure Offences1 currently recorded by the police as homicide where suspect Rules (CPR) govern the practice and procedure of the committed suicide: England and Wales, 2005-06 to 2009-102 criminal courts and give the courts explicit powers to Number of offences manage actively the preparation of criminal cases to England Wales BTP3 prevent unfair and unavoidable delays, and promote certainty about what is happening for the benefit of 2005-064 22 2 41 everyone involved. 2006-07 23 — — 2007-08 22 2 — Human Trafficking: Convictions 2008-09 20 4 — 2009-10 20 2 — Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home 1 As at 28 September 2010; figures are subject to revision as cases are Department how many convictions there were for dealt with by the police and by the courts, or as further information offences of human trafficking for the purposes of becomes available. sexual exploitation under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 2 Offences are shown according to the year in which they were initially in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010. [13433] recorded as homicide. This is not necessarily the year in which the incident took place or the year in which any court decision was made. 3 Offences recorded by British Transport Police. It is not possible to Damian Green: Statistics held by the UK Human show where in England or Wales these offences were committed. Trafficking Centre show that there have been 33 convictions 4 Includes 52 victims of the 7 July 2005 London bombings; 13 for trafficking for sexual exploitation in 2009 and 17 recorded by the Metropolitan Police Service (included within ‘England’ convictions in 2010. category), 39 by BTP. There are 65 cases still pending that arise from arrests The total number of offences recorded as homicide in 2009 and 2010. between 1999-2000 and 2009-10 for which court proceedings were either not initiated or were not concluded because Identity and Passport Service: Liverpool the person suspected of being responsible for the death had committed suicide is shown in Table 1.02 of the Mrs Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the most recent homicide chapter, which can be found Home Department who is conducting the investigation online at: into the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research- employees of Liverpool Passport Office on 21 March statistics/research-statistics/crime-research/hosb0111/ 2011; and whether the results of the investigation will hosb0111-supp?view=Binary be published. [51807] Data are as at 28 September 2010 and subject to revision as cases are dealt with by the police and by the Damian Green: The investigation is being conducted courts, or as further information becomes available. internally and is nearing completion. The report of the The collection of homicide data for Scotland and investigation will be shared with the individuals concerned, Northern Ireland is a matter for the devolved the PCS union and interested Members of Parliament. Administrations. Illegal Immigrants Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many homicides there were in Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland, (d) Northern the Home Department what recent discussions she has Ireland and (e) Brighton and Hove where more than had with the Northern Ireland Executive on steps to one family member was killed in each of the last five combat illegal migration. [50401] years; and if she will make a statement. [52227] Damian Green: The matter is discussed on an ongoing James Brokenshire: The homicide index database for basis as part of regular meetings between UK Border England and Wales provides data on the victim’s Agency officials and officials from the Office of the relationship to the principal suspect. In incidents involving First Minister and Deputy First Minister and the Police more than one victim, the database does not hold Service of Northern Ireland. information on the relationship between victims. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Information on the number of homicides where more the Home Department what recent discussions she has than one family member was killed would require an had with the Welsh Assembly Government on steps to inspection of the details of individual records and can combat illegal migration. [50403] be provided only at disproportionate cost. The collection of homicide data for Scotland and Damian Green: The matter is discussed on an ongoing Northern Ireland is a matter for the devolved basis as part of regular meetings between UK Border Administrations. Agency officials and the Welsh Assembly Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, and Welsh Assembly Human Trafficking Government officials.

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Immigrants: Detainees the Home Department what steps she is taking to reduce the length of time between the arrest of a person Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home suspected of a human trafficking offence and the court Department what the average cost to the public purse of hearing; and if she will make a statement. [50432] the arrest, detention and removal of an individual detained 357W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 358W under immigration rules was in the latest period for provisions of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; which figures are available. [51834] and what steps she has taken in response to the inclusion in the 2011 workplan of the European Union Damian Green: It is not currently possible to calculate Agency for Fundamental Rights of the first priority an average cost for an arrest without incurring identified in respect of the situation of irregular disproportionate cost, as the necessary information is migrants in the EU. [52477] not available in the required format. We estimate that detention costs, on average, £110 per Damian Green: The EU Charter of Fundamental night—length of detention will vary according to the Rights does not create new rights and does not give the individual. European Court of Justice or national courts any new powers to strike down national laws and practices for The National Audit Office (NAO) report “Management breaching fundamental rights. Consequently the of Asylum Applications by the UK Border Agency”, Government do not consider it likely that the Charter published on 23 January 2009 and available to view at: will affect levels of immigration to the UK. http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/0809/ management_of_asylum_appl.aspx The 2011 work plan of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights includes the completion of a first priority activity provides a range of upper and lower-end cost estimates on the situation of irregular migrants which began in for people who are detained or removed in different 2009. The purpose of the activity is to carry out research circumstances (for example, for a single undetained on welfare and fundamental rights issues affecting irregular adult who is removed after exhausting his/her appeal migrants, to publish reports and to organise meetings rights, the process will cost between £7,900 and £17,000 with selected key stakeholders and decision makers at excluding accommodation and support costs, and between the national and European level. £12,000 and £25,600 including accommodation and support costs). A copy of this report is available in the The Government support completion of this activity House Library. so that the research findings will be published. Research reports by the Fundamental Rights Agency are published Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home in order to assist member states and others in understanding Department how many people were arrested for the fundamental rights situation across the EU. Any immigration offences when reporting to an immigration recommendations made in these reports are not binding centre in the latest period for which figures are available. on member states. [51859] Knives: Crime Damian Green: The number of people arrested when Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for the reporting in the last calendar year (2010) was 1,532. Home Department how many mobile knife scanners These figures are provisional, based on management have been introduced into front line policing units since information, not subject to the detailed checks that apply May 2010. [51649] for National Statistics and may be subject to change. Nick Herbert: The Home Office does not hold the Immigrants: Married People requested information. It is for chief constables and police authorities to decide on the equipment needed to Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home deliver operational policing within their force area. Department what her policy is on the removal from the Licensing Laws UK of individuals whose spouses are British citizens; and if she will make a statement. [51857] Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Damian Green: Before making a decision to remove Home Department (1) whether she has assessed the an individual whose spouse is a British citizen, the UK merits of introducing measures to ensure that community Border Agency will consider the case in line with article amateur sports clubs are not subject to the same licensing 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (right laws as commercial venues; [51136] to a private and/or family life) and paragraph 395c of (2) whether she has had discussions with the Secretary the immigration rules (age, length of residence, strength of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport on the of connections, domestic circumstances, compassionate potential effects of licensing laws on sports clubs. circumstances, any representations). [51217] Each case will be considered on its individual merits. James Brokenshire: The Secretary of State for the Chapter 53 of the Enforcement Instructions and Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member Guidance sets out the extenuating circumstances which for Maidenhead (Mrs May) regularly holds discussions are considered before an individual is removed. with her Cabinet colleagues, however, she has not had This is available to view at: specific discussions with the Secretary of State for Culture, www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/ Olympics, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the policyandlaw/enforcement/detentionandremovals/ Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt) on the potential effects of alcohol licensing laws on sports Immigration: EU Action clubs. The licensing arrangements for all venues that sell or supply alcohol have been considered as part of the Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the proposals to overhaul the Licensing Act 2003 and are Home Department what assessment she has made of currently being taken forward in the Police Reform and the effect on levels of immigration to the UK of the Social Responsibility Bill. 359W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 360W

Members: Correspondence Nick Herbert: The latest available data is provided in the following table which shows the number of police officers in each police force area as at March 2010-figures Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for the for March 2011 will be available on the 21 of July 2011. Home Department when the Minister for Security and Counter-Terrorism plans to reply to the letter from the This information is also published in the “Police right hon. Member for Dulwich and West Norwood of Service Strength in England and Wales, 30 September 16 February 2011 . [46423] 2010” bulletin which can be seen from the following ink: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research- Nick Herbert: The Olympic and Paralympic Security statistics/research-statistics/policeresearch/hosb0311/ Office for Security and Counter Terrorism wrote to the ?view=Standard&publD=864093 right hon. Member on 10 March 2011. Police officer strength by police force area (full-time equivalents)1 Police officers Police: Graduates English Government FTE strength as at: Change in six Office Regions and months March 10 – Wales September 2010 John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the March September Home Department how many recruits to police forces 2010 2010 Number Percentage in England and Wales in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10 and North East 7,419 7,301 -117 -1.6 (c) 2010-11 had university degrees. [48025] Cleveland 1,724 1,694 -30 -1.7 Durham 1,507 1,463 -44 -2.9 Nick Herbert: The Home Office no longer collects Northumbria 4,187 4,144 -43 -1.0 data on the number of recruits who are graduates. However, according to Tom Winsor’s report: Independent North West 19,694 19,306 -388 -2.0 Review of Police Officer and Staff Remuneration and Cheshire 2,142 2,148 5 0.2 Conditions, in 2010, 27% of police officer recruits were Cumbria 1,238 1,220 -18 -1.5 graduates. Greater 8,148 7,976 -172 -2.1 Table 1: Number of candidates and pass rates by academic attainment, Manchester England and Wales; Exercise Suite November 2007 to October 2008 Lancashire 3,649 3,549 -100 -2.8 Number Merseyside 4,516 4,414 -103 -2.3 National of Number Percentage success national of of all rate candidates Yorkshire and the 12,254 12,102 -152 -1.2 attendees attendees (percentage) successful Humber Humberside 2,058 2,001 -56 -2.7 Postgraduate 438 2.4 81.5 357 North Yorkshire 1,486 1,452 -34 -2.3 Graduate/ 4,824 26.2 85.2 4,110 NVQLevel5 South Yorkshire 2,953 2,977 24 0.8 Total 5,262 28.5 85 4,467 West Yorkshire 5,759 5,673 -86 -1.5

Table 2: Number of candidates and pass rates by academic attainment, East Midlands 9,349 9,246 -103 -1.1 England and Wales; Exercise Suite November 2008 to October 2009 Derbyshire 2,074 2,076 2 0.1 National Number of Leicestershire 2,317 2,258 -59 -2.5 Number Percentage success national of of all rate candidates Lincolnshire 1,206 1,197 -10 -0.8 attendees attendees (percentage) successful Northamptonshire 1,343 1,337 -6 -0.4 Nottinghamshire 2,409 2,379 -30 -1.3 Postgraduate 446 2.3 70.6 315 Graduate/ 4,720 24.3 74.2 3,504 NVQLevel5 West Midlands 14,151 13,853 -298 -2.1 Total 5,166 26.6 73.9 3,819 Staffordshire 2,161 2,116 -45 -2.1 Warwickshire 973 949 -24 -2.5 Table 3: Number of candidates and pass rates by academic attainment, West Mercia 2,391 2,303 -88 -3.7 England and Wales; Exercise Suite November 2009 to December 2010 West Midlands 8,626 8,485 -141 -1.6 National Number of Number Percentage success national of of all rate candidates Eastern 11,364 11,318 -47 -0.4 attendees attendees (percentage) successful Bedfordshire 1,246 1,242 -4 -0.3 Cambridgeshire 1,471 1,441 -30 -2.0 Postgraduate 112 2.6 90.2 101 Essex 3,606 3,639 33 0.9 Graduate/ 1,139 26.2 86.7 987 Hertfordshire 2,130 2,092 -37 -1.7 NVQLevel5 Norfolk 1,665 1,631 -34 -2.1 Total 1,251 28.8 87 1,088 Suffolk 1,246 1,272 26 2.1

Police: Manpower London 34,219 33,778 -441 -1.3 London, City of 852 878 25 3.0 Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Metropolitan 33,367 32,900 -466 -1.4 the Home Department what the percentage change in Police police numbers serving in each police force area in England and Wales has been since March 2010. [51891] South East 17,119 16,897 -222 -1.3 361W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 362W

Police officer strength by police force area (full-time equivalents)1 Nick Herbert [Holding answer 23 March 2011]: I Police officers refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. English Government FTE strength as at: Change in six Friend the Member for Witham (Priti Patel) on 25 October Office Regions and months March 10 – 2010, Official Report, columns 79-84W. Wales September 2010 March September 2010 2010 Number Percentage Police: Pay

Hampshire 3,748 3,702 -46 -1.2 Kent 3,834 3,741 -93 -2.4 Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Surrey 1,890 1,864 -25 -1.3 Home Department what estimate she has made of the average change in the net income for police officers in Sussex 3,213 3,177 -36 -1.1 Wales and England in (a) 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13. Thames Valley 4,434 4,412 -22 -0.5 [47364]

South West 10,839 10,701 -138 -1.3 Nick Herbert [holding answer 17 March 2011]: There Avon and Somerset 3,302 3,264 -38 -1.1 are several factors that are likely to affect the net Devon and 3,561 3,526 -36 -1.0 Cornwall income of police officers over the next two years. The Government’s policy is to freeze the pay of public Dorset 1,486 1,478 -8 -0.6 sector workers earning over £21,000 for two years. We Gloucestershire 1,309 1,295 -14 -1.1 would expect this to apply to police officers, but will Wiltshire 1,181 1,138 -42 -3.6 take account of any recommendations from the Police Negotiating Board. We have also recently received the Wales 7,369 7,349 -20 -0.3 first part of Tom Winsor’s review of remuneration and Dyfed-Powys 1,195 1,175 -20 -1.6 conditions of service for police officers and staff, published Gwent 1,437 1,508 71 5.0 on 8 March 2011. This report contains a number of North Wales 1,590 1,558 -32 -2.0 recommendations on police officer and staff pay. Before South Wales 3,148 3,108 -40 -1.3 any of them could be implemented they would be Total of all 43 143,776 141,850 -1,926 -1.3 subject to consideration by the police negotiating machinery. forces The Secretary of State for the Home Department said in her written statement of 31 March 2011, Official Central Service 501 513 12 2.4 Report, columns 37-38WS, that she will direct the Police Secondments Negotiating Board and Police Advisory Board for England British Transport 2,677 2,652 -25 -0.9 and Wales to consider the proposals that are within Police2 their respective remits for police officers in England and Total Police Officer 146,954 145,015 -1,939 -1.3 Wales. It would not be appropriate to pre-empt that Strength consideration. In response to Lord Hutton’s interim report, the Total Police Officer 144,277 142,363 -1,914 -1.3 Government has also announced its intention to increase Strength (excluding BTP) the employee contributions of public sector workers by, 1 This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been on average, around three percentage points. The proposed rounded to the nearest whole number. Because of rounding, there increase would be phased in over three years from April may be an apparent discrepancy between totals and the sums of the 2012. Any increase in the pension contributions for constituent items. police officers would be subject to consultation with the 2 The figure for the British Transport Police for March has been Police Negotiating Board. revised since it was last published. The revised figure is for officers in England and Wales only, and does not include figures for Scotland. Police: Recruitment Police: Overtime Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for the John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Home Department how much it cost to assess a police the Home Department what the average amount paid constable candidate at each stage of assessment in the in overtime to police constables in each police force in latest period for which figures are available. [52026] England and Wales was in (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08, (c) 2008-09, (d) 2009-10 and (e) 2010-11. [48026] Nick Herbert: This information is not held centrally.

Nick Herbert: I refer the hon. Member to the answer Police: Redundancy given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cannock Chase (Mr Burley) on 28 February 2011, Official Report, columns 96-98W which provides information for the Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of years 2000-01 to 2009-10. Data for 2010-11 are not yet State for the Home Department whether she has made available. an assessment of the number of police officers who will be made compulsorily redundant in each of the next Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for three years; and if she will make a statement. [49201] the Home Department what the cost to the public purse was of overtime for (a) warranted officers and Nick Herbert [holding answer 28 March 2011]: There (b) civilian staff in each police force in England and is no provision in legislation for making police officers Wales in each of the last three years. [48533] redundant. 363W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 364W

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Number of PPOs as registered on JTRACK caseload by police force Home Department how many (a) uniformed officers, area (b) community support officers and (c) civilian staff 1 April 2007 - 1 April 2008 - 1 April 2009 - have taken voluntary redundancy from Kent police in Police force 31 March 31 March 31 March area 2008 2009 2010 each month since May 2005. [51652] Gloucestershire 137 147 156 Nick Herbert: There is no provision in regulations for Greater 1,491 1,500 1,346 police officers to take voluntary redundancy. For police Manchester community support officers and civilian staff, voluntary Gwent 110 110 119 redundancy is a matter for individual forces. The Home Hampshire 425 407 405 Office does not collect figures specifically for this category Hertfordshire 239 226 212 of exit. Humberside 295 336 344 Police: Southwark Kent 561 371 394 Lancashire 498 567 609 Leicestershire 562 447 427 Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Lincolnshire 175 125 126 Home Department how many police officers are assigned Merseyside 583 503 490 to duties in the London borough of Southwark; and Metropolitan 1,525 1,408 1,506 how many she expects there to be in (a) 2011-12 and Police [47305] (b) 2012-13. Norfolk 157 138 133 North Wales 148 156 108 Nick Herbert [holding answer 21 March 2011]: There North 143 135 137 were 964 police officers assigned to duties in the London Yorkshire borough of Southwark, as at 31 March 2010. This Northamptonshire 337 303 292 figure is based on full-time equivalents that have been Northumbria 342 308 352 rounded to the nearest whole number and includes Nottinghamshire 874 788 618 officers on career breaks and maternity/paternity leave. South Wales 298 396 453 The number of police officers that are assigned duties South 335 358 353 in the London borough of Southwark for 2011-12 and Yorkshire 2012-13 are not yet available. It is for the Commissioner Staffordshire 364 314 309 of the Metropolitan Police to determine the number of Suffolk 190 174 256 police officers that are deployed in Southwark. Surrey 247 215 157 Reoffenders Sussex 528 499 490 Thames 467 423 526 Valley Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Warwickshire 132 142 118 Home Department how many persistent and prolific West Mercia 159 161 149 offenders have been identified in each police force area West 1,043 986 958 in each of the last three years for which figures are Midlands [52467] available. West 652 631 790 Yorkshire James Brokenshire: The number of offenders designated Wiltshire 97 84 70 as prolific and other priority offenders through partnership Source: arrangements in each police force area is set out in the JTRACK following table. The data covers the last three years and is the most recent data available. Repatriation Number of PPOs as registered on JTRACK caseload by police force area Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for the 1 April 2007 - 1 April 2008 - 1 April 2009 - Home Department to which countries the Government Police force 31 March 31 March 31 March area 2008 2009 2010 does not forcibly repatriate individuals as a result of failed immigration or asylum applications. [51666] Avon and 303 347 382 Somerset Damian Green: All returns are considered on an Bedfordshire 168 140 108 individual basis, and we would not seek to remove Cambridgeshire 209 206 182 someone who needs international protection. There is Cheshire 248 240 130 no country to which as a matter of policy we would not City of 20 18 20 seek to enforce the return of those who do not need London such protection. Cleveland 204 211 231 Cumbria 102 111 110 Repatriation: Zimbabwe Derbyshire 447 426 374 Devon and 474 409 339 Cornwall Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for the Dorset 107 102 89 Home Department how many people have been forcibly Durham 116 123 141 repatriated to Zimbabwe as a result of unsuccessful Dyfed Powys 100 109 107 immigration applications since the relaxation of removal Essex 292 326 374 rules in respect of Zimbabwe. [51664] 365W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 366W

Damian Green: On 14 October 2010 I announced that ISVA posts the UK Border Agency would be resuming enforced funded in returns of failed asylum seekers to Zimbabwe after the 2011-12 to Immigration and Asylum Chamber (IAC) had issued Police force area SARC name 2014-15 its judgment in the case of EM and others. This judgement Cleveland Helen Britton House, 1 was promulgated on 11 March 2011. Middlesbrough As of the 6 April 2011 there have been no enforced Devon and Twelves Company, Plymouth 1 removals to Zimbabwe since the judgment was promulgated. Cornwall Devon and Torbay SARC 1 Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were voluntarily Durham The Meadows, Meadowfield 1 repatriated to Zimbabwe as a result of unsuccessful Gloucestershire Hope House, Gloucester 1 immigration applications in (a) 2008, (b) 2009 and Greater St Mary’s, Manchester 1 Manchester (c) 2010. [51665] Hertfordshire Sunflower Centre, Watford 2 Damian Green: There were 320 people that voluntarily Lancashire SAFE Centre, Preston 1 returned to Zimbabwe in 2008, 316 people in 2009 and Merseyside SAFE Place, Liverpool 1 370 people in 2010. Metropolitan The Havens: Paddington, 2 Police Camberwell and Whitechapel These figures are provisional, based on management Norfolk Harbour Centre, Norwich 2 information, not subject to the detailed checks that apply for National Statistics and may be subject to Northamptonshire Serenity SARC, Northampton 1 Northumbria Reach Centres: Newcastle and 1 change. Sunderland Sexual Offences: Advisory Services South Yorkshire ISIS SARC, Rotherham 2 Suffolk The Ferns, Ipswich 2 Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Wiltshire The New Swindon Sanctuary, 1 Home Department how many applications her Department Swindon has received for funding for independent sexual violence South Wales Safe Island, Cardiff 1 advisers since her appointment; how many groups made New Pathways, Merthyr Tydfil 1 applications; and from which regions these applications New Pathways, Bridgend 1 came. [51292] Dyfed Powys New Pathways, Carmarthen 1 Gwent New Pathways, Risca 1 Lynne Featherstone: In the funding round 2011-12 to Bedfordshire Bedfordshire and Luton 2 2014-15, the Home Office received 146 applications for SARC independent sexual violence adviser (ISVA) funding from 144 organisations. These applications came from all regions in England and from Wales. Grants were Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the awarded to support 87 posts across all of the English Home Department what discussions she has had with regions and Wales. This represents a commitment of the Secretary of State for Health on (a) funding £1.72 million per annum over the spending review period. provided by primary care trusts (PCTs) for sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) and (b) future plans for funding SARCs following the abolition of PCTs. Sexual Offences: Victim Support Schemes [51285] Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Lynne Featherstone: I have regular discussions with Home Department how much funding her Department ministerial colleagues from across Government on a has allocated to funding each sexual assault referral wide range of issues relating to tackling violence against centre in 2011-12; from which of her Department’s women and girls including services for victims of rape budgets each such centre will be funded; and what the and sexual violence. Discussions are ongoing with the location is of each such centre. [51281] Department for Health on future local sexual assault Lynne Featherstone: The Secretary of State for the referral centre (SARC) funding following the abolition Home Department has committed to providing £1.72 of primary care trusts. From 2011 to 2015 the Home million of funding per annum from the Department’s Office is part-funding 87 independent sexual violence crime prevention budget over the next four years to adviser posts, of which 29 will be based in SARCs. part-fund Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) UK Border Agency: Complaints posts. This includes 29 ISVAsworking in Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs). Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for the The following table provides details of the locations Home Department how many complaints the UK Border of the SARCs awarded Home Office ISVA funding in Agency has received from residents of St Albans the period 2011-12 to 2014-15. constituency in each of the last six months. [52124]

ISVA posts Damian Green: The total number of complaints received funded in 2011-12 to by the UK Border Agency and recorded on the Complaints Police force area SARC name 2014-15 Management System from residents of St Albans postcode area in the last six months is seven. A breakdown by Cambridgeshire Oasis@Riverside, 1 month is listed as follows: Peterborough Two received in March 2011 367W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 368W

One received in February 2011 requested. The counting rules for recorded crime were One received in January 2011 revised in April 1998 and the coverage was expanded. Two received in December 2010 Trends were also affected by the introduction of the One received in October 2010 National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002, which required the police to record a crime unless there UK Border Agency: Pay was “no credible evidence to the contrary”. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 in May 2004 also altered the definition Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the and coverage of sexual offences, including rape. Home Department how many staff of the UK Border Data on police recorded offences of rape for each Agency received a salary of over £100,000 in the latest year since 1997 by police force area are provided in period for which figures are available. [51833] Table A. Data on domestic violence incidents reported to the police have been collected by the Home Office Damian Green: The UK Border Agency is committed since 2003-04 and the available data are provided in to being transparent and has published detail of the Table B. Some data have been estimated due to lack of salaries of senior staff on the sites listed as follows. The provision of data from police forces. All estimated data now in the public domain represents what we can figures are indicated in the table. Data for earlier years provide while honouring the duty that we have to our are not available centrally. staff under the Data Protection Act. Detection rates are a ratio of crimes detected in a Please note that two of the 16 listed there, Lin Homer period to crimes recorded in a period. They are not and Dee Bourke, have both left this organisation; new based on tracking whether individual crimes recorded organisation charts and information on senior staff in a period have eventually been detected. salaries will be published shortly. In addition to the recorded crime revisions mentioned The information is available from the following link; above, detection data trends have also been affected by http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/our-organisation/our- additional changes. Revised guidance on detections was structure/structure-salary/ issued in April 1999 which formalised detection procedures, The report headed “UK Border Agency: structure placing a greater emphasis on the evidential basis on and salary reports” at the base of the page then select which detections can be claimed. “Senior staff salaries—UK Border Agency” and that From 1 April 2007 the rules governing recording of will provide the list of senior staff salaries. non-sanction detections were revised to reduce the scope Violence within which they can be claimed to a very small limited set of circumstances. This has significantly reduced the Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the number of non-sanction detections which has been Home Department how many recorded instances of reflected in the overall detection rates. (a) rape and (b) domestic violence there were in (i) The Home Office carried out research published in England and Wales and (ii) each police force area in July 2007 which found that the reduction in detection each year since 1997; and what the clear-up rate for rates was likely to be largely due to changes in recording each was in each such year. [52383] practices resulting from the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard, counting rules and detections Lynne Featherstone: These data are shown in the guidance (Feist et al, 2007). following tables. Detection rates for rape offences are provided in Due to changes in recording practice, data on police Table C. Detection rates for domestic violence offences recorded offences are not comparable across the period are not held centrally.

Table A: Recorded rape offences1, 2 by police force area, 1997 to 2009-10 Area 19973 1998-994 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-035, 6 2003-04

Avon and Somerset 219 175 181 199 323 429 482 Bedfordshire 81 66 96 85 92 121 147 British Transport Police n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 11 26 Cambridgeshire 73 84 105 106 156 200 232 Cheshire 101 108 62 80 74 110 184 Cleveland 37 56 51 37 54 110 145 Cumbria 33 43 34 37 47 66 74 Derbyshire 75 108 109 107 120 198 233 Devon and Cornwall 164 178 165 184 181 275 329 Dorset 68 55 66 80 122 132 144 Durham 71 60 66 46 78 62 72 Dyfed-Powys 58 43 55 47 49 46 101 Essex 130 187 196 166 202 294 335 Gloucestershire 36 54 70 90 53 122 107 Greater Manchester 432 537 548 544 574 719 846 Gwent 98 91 106 87 106 148 82 Hampshire 199 180 249 274 303 358 462 Hertfordshire 68 51 68 86 87 169 161 369W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 370W

Table A: Recorded rape offences1, 2 by police force area, 1997 to 2009-10 Area 19973 1998-994 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-035, 6 2003-04

Humberside 156 127 170 142 166 258 350 Kent 152 169 145 187 186 216 286 Lancashire 158 154 148 200 194 245 270 Leicestershire 97 152 150 147 159 257 250 Lincolnshire 54 65 63 75 111 137 163 London, City of 0 4 12934 Merseyside 175 190 237 241 283 340 383 Metropolitan Police 1,741 1,993 2,270 2,189 2,492 2,728 2,571 Norfolk 73 99 89 114 120 185 204 North Wales 95 73 96 101 128 114 140 North Yorkshire 38 42 42 49 71 131 120 Northamptonshire 56 60 44 60 97 176 163 Northumbria 125 275 249 227 290 341 338 Nottinghamshire 154 163 237 247 251 239 303 South Wales 123 169 130 125 126 189 191 South Yorkshire 113 108 126 127 121 190 182 Staffordshire 104 114 184 197 210 251 248 Suffolk 82 89 84 100 116 148 172 Surrey 59 69 83 126 118 129 144 Sussex 124 197 215 261 235 348 305 Thames Valley 165 195 233 271 291 365 436 Warwickshire 29 29 20 25 30 62 80 West Mercia 116 103 92 106 173 219 226 West Midlands 264 396 513 565 608 746 816 West Yorkshire 361 437 480 376 439 553 626 Wiltshire 71 88 81 78 89 155 139

England and Wales 6,628 7,636 8,409 8,593 9,734 12,295 13,272

Area 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Avon and Somerset 471 310 430 383 338 365 Bedfordshire 163 195 149 114 164 146 British Transport Police 43 20 19 17 22 17 Cambridgeshire 236 200 209 214 196 197 Cheshire 197 181 170 149 151 167 Cleveland 143 171 140 142 136 153 Cumbria 79 77 73 81 75 112 Derbyshire 273 282 284 235 257 307 Devon and Cornwall 388 400 389 402 431 479 Dorset 163 181 132 210 167 236 Durham 91 158 83 128 121 125 Dyfed-Powys 101 85 102 71 77 129 Essex 334 384 355 296 343 435 Gloucestershire 115 161 160 141 145 145 Greater Manchester 899 842 837 784 834 872 Gwent 112 126 145 177 154 185 Hampshire 616 656 662 595 588 574 Hertfordshire 184 211 199 172 132 187 Humberside 329 350 291 259 230 290 Kent 358 445 395 404 351 340 Lancashire 285 326 288 258 251 255 Leicestershire 308 307 298 343 313 267 Lincolnshire 178 187 155 162 152 158 London, City of 7 6 8317 Merseyside 374 378 298 250 223 334 Metropolitan Police 2,446 2,398 2,304 1,904 2,175 2,857 Norfolk 190 230 165 141 141 167 North Wales 159 170 106 153 173 180 North Yorkshire 137 145 135 129 170 151 Northamptonshire 127 159 162 152 176 185 Northumbria 344 359 345 255 261 336 371W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 372W

Area 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Nottinghamshire 254 265 255 230 301 345 South Wales 185 216 273 264 297 244 South Yorkshire 287 338 267 235 202 275 Staffordshire 306 292 285 243 240 288 Suffolk 180 207 175 170 184 246 Surrey 129 139 138 148 185 204 Sussex 458 424 440 309 370 459 Thames Valley 401 448 437 376 440 597 Warwickshire 85 86 110 107 101 118 West Mercia 214 233 220 241 274 313 West Midlands 973 943 912 827 764 893 West Yorkshire 580 604 617 626 664 665 Wiltshire 111 148 157 137 134 160

England and Wales 14,013 14,443 13,774 12,637 13,104 15,165 n/a = Data not available. 1 The Sexual Offences Act 2003, introduced in May 2004, altered the definition and coverage of sexual offences. 2 Prior to 2009-10, a small number of offences continued to be recorded relating to offences repealed by the Sexual Offences Act 2003. While these may have been legitimately recorded for offences committed prior to May 2004 it is also possible that some may have been recorded in these old categories in error, so any changes based on small numbers should be interpreted with caution. 3 The number of crimes recorded in that calendar year using the coverage and rules in use until 31 March 1998. 4 The number of crimes recorded in that financial year using the expanded offence coverage and revised Counting Rules which came into effect on 1 April 1998. 5 The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced in April 2002, although some forces adopted NCRS practices before the standard was formally introduced. Figures before and after that date are not directly comparable. The introduction of NCRS led to a rise in recording in 2002/03 and, particularly for violent crime, in the following years as forces continued to improve compliance with the new standard. 6 Includes the British Transport Police from 2002-03 onwards.

Table B: Reported domestic violence offences by police force area, 2003-04 to 2009-101 Area 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Avon and Somerset 11,215 14,364 14,714 15,532 10,719 12,513 16,049 Bedfordshire 7,749 3,984 7,800 7,341 7,289 8,095 8,693 Cambridgeshire 5,959 4,833 7,081 26,874 8,908 11,353 11,603 Cheshire 7,685 24,793 10,038 6,544 4,865 5,491 5,347 Cleveland 9,892 11,429 12,493 10,845 10,879 12,205 13,685 Cumbria 4,343 4,937 3,809 4,372 4,515 4,700 5,079 Derbyshire 13,668 14,761 12,159 11,818 16,425 17,145 18,059 Devon and Cornwall 19,331 20,123 21,417 213,973 23,789 25,872 26,181 Dorset 3,644 4,016 4,962 5,458 5,867 6,517 6,437 Durham 8,262 8,904 8,218 8,163 8,615 28,219 26,054 Dyfed-Powys 3,775 3,960 15,877 9,758 2,836 2,201 2,034 Essex 14,321 215,189 15,082 15,225 17,826 24,668 23,300 Gloucestershire 2,556 6,187 6,407 8,237 8,921 8,697 27,218 Greater Manchester 58,500 56,778 60,977 64,727 235,971 254,055 68,991 Gwent 2,196 2,192 2,249 2,229 7,399 29,605 24,832 Hampshire 19,281 18,787 25,733 23,447 22,912 21,234 24,117 Hertfordshire 6,731 6,068 10,755 10,926 11,280 11,780 11,835 Humberside 6,069 7,711 12,500 12,752 13,444 12,536 15,325 Kent 16,372 18,321 19,355 218,495 20,141 20,710 21,516 Lancashire 23,089 24,813 22,020 22,360 23,030 25,518 28,270 Leicestershire 13,160 212,918 73,393 24,439 9,033 10,651 11,149 Lincolnshire 2,130 1,471 2,515 6,110 5,712 7,125 7,751 London, City of 93 102 83 97 116 2243 2141 Merseyside 232,052 23,857 23,565 25,568 29,033 30,169 27,110 Metropolitan Police 106,879 291,619 296,903 267,201 84,026 2120,720 120,351 Norfolk 8,151 7,937 8,632 7,893 6,241 7,097 9,193 North Wales 4,930 27,203 7,807 29,682 9,860 9,434 10,951 North Yorkshire 4,367 4,926 4,870 5,759 5,466 5,891 9,422 Northamptonshire 6,435 7,012 2,818 6,780 9,586 10,479 10,697 Northumbria 22,325 22,879 22,867 223,262 25,803 26,809 28,318 Nottinghamshire 212,032 12,026 13,738 17,534 19,166 19,657 19,537 South Wales 14,986 214,402 16,791 15,421 216,196 18,423 8,389 South Yorkshire 25,685 213,031 216,582 17,819 16,027 15,829 20,321 Staffordshire 6,354 8,139 16,234 217,672 18,584 19,333 13,927 373W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 374W

Table B: Reported domestic violence offences by police force area, 2003-04 to 2009-101 Area 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Suffolk 4,800 5,515 5,515 5,339 26,061 6,021 7,319 Surrey 7,811 11,563 12,498 11,528 10,803 10,779 12,556 Sussex 14,096 15,631 8,336 14,430 15,877 18,872 15,989 Thames Valley 12,693 14,793 17,759 216,744 26,383 26,759 30,839 Warwickshire 24,434 3,455 4,168 26,014 7,305 7,908 8,008 West Mercia 8,897 10,007 210,642 211,775 13,241 215,100 215,444 West Midlands 39,835 38,355 39,729 40,233 37,897 40,980 47,729 West Yorkshire 34,505 34,914 34,857 34,400 30,276 28,412 27,976 Wiltshire 5,930 5,990 6,710 6,600 6,433 6,242 5,783

England and Wales 617,218 619,897 740,657 671,374 674,756 766,047 793,526 1 All data are provisional and unverified with forces. 2 Data are estimated for non-response, based on ratios in other forces (e.g. domestic violence incidents; total violence against the person offences). Table C: Detection rates1 of rape offences2, 3 by police force area, 1997 to 2009-10 Area 19974 1998-995 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-036, 7 2003-04

Avon and Somerset n/a 74 62 43 27 22 21 Bedfordshire n/a 56 43 34 25 29 21 British Transport Police n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 8— 8— Cambridgeshire n/a 62 56 50 46 29 15 Cheshire n/a 98 87 86 81 48 29 Cleveland n/a 91 73 8—654131 Cumbria n/a 8— 8— 8— 8—6430 Derbyshiren/a735238393533 Devon and Cornwall n/a 89 96 77 49 30 19 Dorset n/a 78 50 36 39 25 17 Durham n/a 95 85 8— 0 68 71 Dyfed-Powys n/a 8—898— 8— 8—25 Essex n/a 65 64 50 33 32 29 Gloucestershire n/a 69 66 70 57 31 28 Greater Manchester n/a 74 64 58 55 46 32 Gwent n/a 91 92 98 93 80 78 Hampshire n/a 99 65 58 53 41 34 Hertfordshire n/a 96 78 66 62 50 50 Humberside n/a 58 33 37 33 23 20 Kent n/a859057563827 Lancashire n/a 83 79 53 47 52 35 Leicestershire n/a 43 37 37 0 26 28 Lincolnshire n/a 82 87 67 50 40 28 London, City of n/a 8— 8— 8— 8— 8— 8— Merseyside n/a 78 69 66 53 47 43 Metropolitan Police n/a 32 28 24 27 29 33 Norfolk n/a943735362418 North Wales n/a 92 85 59 35 26 29 North Yorkshire n/a 8— 8— 8—594341 Northamptonshire n/a 82 8—70645337 Northumbria n/a 68 61 50 43 36 30 Nottinghamshire n/a 55 46 51 36 34 27 South Wales n/a 93 88 91 90 62 53 South Yorkshire n/a 79 88 75 72 40 38 Staffordshire n/a 68 39 38 35 40 32 Suffolk n/a732936303026 Surrey n/a 48 45 28 42 32 35 Sussex n/a 55 47 34 35 26 24 Thames Valley n/a 59 52 26 32 27 18 Warwickshire n/a 8— 8— 8— 8—2719 WestMercian/a876456443735 West Midlands n/a 68 59 53 45 41 32 West Yorkshire n/a 83 76 71 55 42 31 Wiltshire n/a 73 68 31 46 37 41 375W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 376W

Table C: Detection rates1 of rape offences2, 3 by police force area, 1997 to 2009-10

Area 19974 1998-995 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-036, 7 2003-04

England and Wales n/a 64 54 46 41 36 31

Area 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Avon and Somerset 18 22 20 25 21 28 Bedfordshire 23 23 15 18 16 19 British Transport Police 8— 8— 8— 8— 8— 8— Cambridgeshire 21 22 15 19 23 27 Cheshire 282830312618 Cleveland 22 38 34 30 37 32 Cumbria 30 36 47 25 21 21 Derbyshire 28 30 21 28 23 24 Devon and Cornwall 24 18 20 17 19 19 Dorset 16 17 27 18 11 14 Durham 60 26 43 43 44 49 Dyfed-Powys 31 18 28 20 31 29 Essex 272525191917 Gloucestershire 28 19 21 30 23 23 Greater Manchester 30 31 31 38 31 33 Gwent 514036203834 Hampshire 25 21 19 21 21 21 Hertfordshire 38 41 28 22 17 16 Humberside 19 23 24 22 28 31 Kent 22 21 23 26 22 29 Lancashire 37 35 37 30 36 37 Leicestershire 23 18 20 12 17 18 Lincolnshire 31 21 24 17 25 13 London, City of 8— 8— 8— 8— 8— 8— Merseyside 35 24 28 22 29 24 Metropolitan Police 38 36 34 34 34 24 Norfolk 22 23 24 21 36 25 North Wales 27 25 16 17 18 21 NorthYorkshire352941263130 Northamptonshire 32 33 25 21 19 36 Northumbria 24 29 33 29 34 30 Nottinghamshire 35 27 31 25 19 26 South Wales 59 29 28 42 39 45 South Yorkshire 29 24 27 34 38 28 Staffordshire302624212422 Suffolk 19 24 20 19 15 20 Surrey 243229241221 Sussex 142015211921 Thames Valley 24 22 19 19 18 24 Warwickshire 25 19 16 22 29 26 West Mercia 29 27 20 22 23 29 West Midlands 26 30 23 25 30 27 WestYorkshire252519242224 Wiltshire 32 33 18 23 35 29

England and Wales 29 27 26 26 26 25 n/a = Data not available. 1 Offences detected in the current year may have been initially recorded in an earlier year and for this reason some percentages may exceed 100. 2 The Sexual Offences Act 2003, introduced in May 2004, altered the definition and coverage of sexual offences. 3 Prior to 2009-10, a small number of offences continued to be recorded relating to offences repealed by the Sexual Offences Act 2003. While these may have been legitimately recorded for offences committed prior to May 2004 it is also possible that some may have been recorded in these old categories in error, so any changes based on small numbers should be interpreted with caution. 4 The number of crimes recorded in that calendar year using the coverage and rules in use until 31 March 1998. 5 The number of crimes recorded in that financial year using the expanded offence coverage and revised Counting Rules which came into effect on 1 April 1998. 6 The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced in April 2002, although some forces adopted NCRS practices before the standard was formally introduced. Figures before and after that date are not directly comparable. The introduction of NCRS led to a rise in recording in 2002-03 and, particularly for violent crime, in the following years as forces continued to improve compliance with the new standard. 7 Includes the British Transport Police from 2002-03 onwards. 8 Data are not reported because the base number of offences is less than 50. 377W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 378W

Young Offenders FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE Anguilla Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pupils permanently John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign excluded from school were convicted of a criminal and Commonwealth Affairs how many Ministers offence in each police authority area in each of the last representing the government of Anguilla have visited 10 years; and what the detection rate was for crimes his Department in the last three years. [51889] committed by young offenders who (a) were and (b) were not permanently excluded from school in each Mr Bellingham: The number of Ministers representing such area in each such year. [52388] the Government of Anguilla visiting the Foreign and Commonwealth Office since 2008 are: James Brokenshire: The information requested is not 2008: two visits by two Ministers collected centrally. 2009: five visits by three Ministers The Home Office is responsible for the collection of 2010: four visits by three Ministers. detections data. Data on detections held by the Home There have been no visits to date in 2011. Office do not include information on whether offenders were excluded from school. Anguilla: Tax Havens The Ministry of Justice is responsible for the collection of convictions data. John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Data held centrally on the Ministry of Justice Court and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he Proceedings Database do not include information about has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the circumstances behind each case other than that offshore UK tax avoidance in Anguilla. [51888] which may be identified from a statute. It is not possible to separately identify young offenders who were Mr Bellingham: None. permanently excluded from school from other offenders. The UK has arrangements in place for information exchange on tax matters, including tax avoidance, with Anguilla. Police Arms Trade

Mr Alan Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer to the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects right hon. Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd of to report to Parliament on the outcomes of the review 7 March 2011, Official Report, columns 862-63W, on of UK arms export licensing to the Middle East and police services, (1) whether the policing tasks North Africa; if he will extend the scope of the review associated with football matches are included in the to include all exports to authoritarian regimes; what policing functions she defines as those undertaken by types of equipment are to be covered by the review; frontline officers; [48004] and by what means he plans to consult with (a) (2) whether warranted police officers working (a) in parliamentarians, (b) industry and (c) civil society on or (b) with (i) the Serious Organised Crime Agency, (ii) the content of the review. [51818] the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, (iii) the National Wildlife Crime Unit, (iv) the ACPO Alistair Burt: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service and (v) public Commonwealth Affairs, the right hon. Member for protection units perform tasks which fall within her Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) has commissioned a definition of frontline policing; [48102] review of Government policy and practice with regard (3) whether she includes the attendance of warranted to the export of equipment that might be used for police officers at community safety partnership meetings internal repression, in particular crowd control goods. within the categories of activity carried out by frontline Although this review was originally commissioned in police officers. [49152] response to events in the Middle East and North Africa, any conclusions will apply to our procedures for arms exports to all countries. The Foreign and Commonwealth Nick Herbert: HMIC’s report Demanding Times Office is leading this internal review in close consultation published on 30 March 2011 provides a definition of with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills frontline, middle office and back office police functions. and the Ministry of Defence. The Government will be The report concludes that reporting back on the review to Parliament after Easter. As the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth “the police frontline comprises those who are in everyday contact with the public and who directly intervene to keep people safe and Affairs said to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee on enforce the law”. 16 March 2011, any decisions arising from the review will be discussed in Parliament. A copy of the report is available at: http://www.hmic.gov.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Thematics/ Balkans: EU Accession THM_20110330.pdf Full details of policing roles and their categorisation by Mr Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign frontline, middle office and back office appear on page and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he 19 of the report. has had with the Hungarian presidency of the Council 379W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 380W of Ministers on the accession process for Western Akrotiri and Dhekelia for economic diversification in Balkan states to join the EU. [50488] the latest period for which figures are available; and from which funds. [52296] Mr Bellingham: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs my right hon. Friend the Mr Bellingham: Overseas Territory governments are member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) met Hungarian responsible for their territory’s economies and any economic Foreign Minister, Janos Martonyi, on 7 December in diversification. We are helping Territories that are struggling London ahead of the start of the Hungarian EU presidency. economically to avoid unnecessary financial dependence They discussed a number of issues including the EU on the UK. We also help Territories that now rely on accession process for the countries of the Western Balkans. UK financial support to reduce their dependence and Both the UK and Hungary consider EU enlargement to pursue the path towards economic sustainability. all countries of the Western Balkans, on the basis of the accession criteria, as a key strategic priority for the The Department for International Development (DfID) European Union. The Foreign Secretary has since been provides funding towards the economic diversification in regular contact with Mr Martonyi, including at meetings of the poorer Territories, currently St Helena, Montserrat of the Foreign Affairs Council, and the Minister of and Pitcairn, through its wider programmes of financial State for Europe my right hon. Friend the member for assistance. Aylesbury (Mr Lidington) maintains a dialogue, including In 2009-10 DFID provided £22.7 million for St Helena; on enlargement, with his Hungarian counterpart. £20.8 million for Montserrat and £1.8 million for Pitcairn from its capital and programme budgets. Support for British Nationals Abroad: Homicide economic growth and sustainability is an important focus of Government assistance to the governments of Jackie Doyle-Price: To ask the Secretary of State for St Helena and Montserrat. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British No funds have been made available specifically for subjects were unlawfully killed overseas in each year economic diversification purposes to territories with no since 1997. [45253] settled population, namely the British Indian Ocean Territory; the British Antarctic Territory or South Georgia Mr Bellingham: The following table shows the number and the South Sandwich Islands. In addition, the Foreign of British nationals recorded by the Foreign and and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not provide Commonwealth Office as having been murdered overseas funding for economic diversification to the Sovereign since 2002. Prior to 2002 we used a different database Base Areas which are military bases on the island of which recorded only cases handled in London so would Cyprus and are administered by the Ministry of Defence. provide a partial picture. The FCO provided £1.4 million from our Overseas Calendar year Number of cases Territories Programme Fund in 2010-11 to support reform in the Turks and Caicos Islands in a range of 2002 54 areas, including to promote economic diversification. 2003 33 DfID has put in place a guarantee to provide the Turks 2004 77 and Caicos Islands Government with access to a maximum 2005 115 capital amount of US$260 million over the next five 2006 86 years. 2007 81 We have not provided funds specifically for economic 2008 65 diversification purposes to any of the other UK Overseas 2009 64 Territories in recent years. 2010 64 Some of those unlawfully killed overseas may not British Overseas Territories: Visits have been recorded under this heading. As part of improving the support we provide to victims’ families, John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign we are tightening our guidance to staff to ensure we are and Commonwealth Affairs how many representatives more consistent in how we compile statistics on the of the administration of (a) the British Antarctic numbers of British citizens who die abroad and how Territory, (b) the British Indian Ocean Territory, (c) they have died, including those who have been killed Pitcairn, Henderson, Oeno and Ducie Islands, (d) unlawfully. To determine these figures for past years South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and would incur disproportionate cost. (e) the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia British Overseas Territories: Overseas Aid have visited his Department’s offices in London in each of the last three years. [52297] John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department Mr Bellingham: In respect of the British Antarctic gave to (a) Bermuda, (b) the British Antarctic Territory and British Indian Ocean Territory, relevant Territory, (c) the British Indian Ocean Territory, (d) Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials act the British Virgin Islands, (e) the Cayman Islands, (f) as representatives of the Administrations of the two the Falkland Islands, (g) Gibraltar, (h) Montserrat, Territories. These officials are located at FCO offices in (i) Pitcairn, Henderson, Oeno and Ducie Islands, (j) London. Saint Helena and its dependencies, (k) South Georgia For the Pitcairn Islands, one member of the and the South Sandwich Islands, (l) the Turks and Administration visited in 2008, one in 2009 and none in Caicos Islands and (m) the Sovereign Base Areas of 2010. 381W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 382W

The FCO is usually visited by the Administration of Burma: Sanctions South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands at least twice each year. In 2010 the FCO received visits by three Emma Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for representatives. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what objectives he The Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus are administered has set for the outcome of discussions on a common by the Ministry of Defence. The FCO does not keep position on sanctions against the Burmese government records of visitors for other Government Departments. at the next meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council. [51885] John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Ministers in the Mr Jeremy Browne: The Government’s objective at government of (a) Bermuda, (b) the British Virgin the Foreign Affairs Council was to secure the renewal Islands, (c) the Cayman Islands, (d) the Falkland of tough but targeted EU restrictive measures that Islands, (e) Gibraltar, (f) Montserrat, (g) Saint strengthened the position of Aung San Suu Kyi and Helena and its dependencies and (h) the Turks and other democratic opposition groups with the Burmese Caicos Islands have visited his Department’s offices in regime. On 12 April 2011 EU Foreign Ministers agreed London in each of the last three years. [52298] to renew EU sanctions for a further 12 months. Measures renewed include: Mr Bellingham: The number of visits to the Foreign 1. An arms embargo. and Commonwealth Office conducted by Ministers from 2. An asset freeze and travel ban on the regime, its associates the Overseas Territories over the last three calendar and their families with the measures suspended for a year for years can be broken down as follows. Multiple visits lifelong civilians and the Foreign Minister. conducted over the course of a calendar year by individual 3. An investment ban on state and associate-owned enterprises. ministers have also been included. 4. Trade and investment bans on timber, precious metals and gems. 2008 2009 2010 5. A ban on development assistance to central Government and in sectors other than humanitarian work. Bermuda 1 2 2 While the measures remain tough, they are also in British Virgin Islands 1 2 3 line with Aung San Suu Kyi’s wishes to promote a broad Cayman Islands 2 4 3 1 dialogue with the Government and other political groups Falkland Islands 346both inside and outside Parliament to encourage a Gibraltar 4 1 1 move towards more democratic institutions. Montserrat 1 1 1 St Helena, Ascension 343 Island and Tristan da Children’s Rights Cunha1 Turks and Caicos 220Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for 2 Islands Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his 1 Falkland Islands, St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Department has taken to promote children’s rights in Cunha do not have Ministers. Visits by their elected representatives have been incorporated in the above table. the last 10 years; and what plans his Department has to 2 Ministerial Government in the Turks and Caicos Islands was promote such rights (a) in developing countries and suspended on 14 August 2009. (b) elsewhere. [51725]

Mr Jeremy Browne: The Government are committed Burma: Politics and Government to improving the situation of children worldwide. We work bilaterally, in multilateral fora, and fund programmes Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign that are designed to promote and protect the rights of and Commonwealth Affairs how often Government all children as set out in the UN Convention on the representatives raised issues relating to Burma in Rights of the Child and its optional protocols. meetings of the UN Security Council in 2010. [51553] Over the last decade the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has played an active role in promoting the Mr Jeremy Browne: As President of the UN Security rights of the child. We continue to work to ensure that Council during November 2010, the UK raised Burma international commitments are fully implemented, whether in Security Council meetings on 5 November, 18 November through making the UN and other international bodies and 22 November 2010. The UK also raised our concerns more effective in their efforts to promote and protect during UN Security Council meetings on 24 March child rights, or through various bilateral projects. We 2011 and 6 December 2010, and British officials in New have also committed financial and political resources to York speak to their international counterparts in the tackling the issue of child soldiers. We will continue to UN about Burma on a regular basis. Both the Secretary take steps to safeguard children’s rights in countries of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my affected by conflict. right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) Our embassies and high commissions have a (Mr Hague) and the Prime Minister discussed the matter responsibility to monitor and raise human rights issues, with the UN Secretary General in November. The UK including children’s rights, in their host countries. FCO Government will continue to highlight the situation in staff routinely raise our concerns with host governments Burma through all avenues in the UN, including through and where possible they take action on individual cases the Security Council, the General Assembly, the Human and lobby for changes in discriminatory practices and Rights Council and directly with the Secretary General. laws. The FCO will continue to raise child rights with 383W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 384W other governments when necessary. We will also work in Patti Londono on 26 January and discussed ways in the UN and with other international organisations to which the UK can support efforts to improve the situation uphold universal standards. in Colombia. We will continue to underline to the Colombian China: Human Rights authorities that those charged with crimes should have their legal rights fully respected, including to a fair and Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for efficient trial but we cannot interfere in Colombia’s Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent judicial process. discussions he has had with his Chinese counterpart on its treatment of Ai Weiwei and his colleagues. [52370] Democratic Republic of Congo: Elections

Mr Jeremy Browne: The Secretary of State for Foreign Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), made he has had with the government of the Democratic clear in a public statement on 4 April 2011 our concerns Republic of Congo on the parliamentary and presidential about the detention of Ai Weiwei. He called on the elections in that country in November 2011. [51802] Chinese Government to clarify Mr Ai’s situation and wellbeing and hoped that he would be released immediately. Mr Bellingham: Our ambassador to Kinshasa has On 11 April my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime met senior figures in the Democratic Republic of the Minister raised the case of Ai Weiwei and those of Congo Government including the Prime Minister, Foreign other dissidents detained in recent weeks when he met Minister, Interior Minister and the Presidents of the Secretary of the Communist Party of China Shanghai National Assembly and Senate to discuss the elections. Municipal Committee, Yu Zhengsheng. Senior officials He stressed that the elections must be credible and well in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have also administered with the right to freedom of expression raised the case of Ai Weiwei with the Chinese embassy protected for opposition candidates, civil society, and in London. We will continue to monitor developments journalists. Recently Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Mr Ai’s case closely and look for further appropriate officials met the head of the independent national electoral opportunities to raise our concerns. commission (CENI) who agreed to manage the electoral process in consultation with opposition parties and the China: Trade Unions international community.

Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Departmental Early Retirement Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his Chinese counterpart on Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign the right of workers in that country to join a trade and Commonwealth Affairs how many of his Department’s union. [52376] staff have taken early retirement in each of the last five years; and what the cost to his Department was in each Mr Jeremy Browne: I have not had any recent discussions such year. [50839] with the Chinese Government on the specific issue of the right of workers to join a trade union. However we Mr Bellingham: The following costs are based on have consistently urged the Chinese to make progress financial years: on all areas that would lead to the ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 2010-11 which includes the right to freedom of association with 95 staff left under Flexible or Compulsory Early Retirement others, including the right to form and join trade unions. terms (FER/CER). 13 left under a voluntary exit scheme run under the new Civil Service Compensation Scheme (CSCS). The total cost to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) was Colombia £13,170,378. This includes a sum of £819,928 which went to buying out the actuarial reduction of the pension for the seven staff who chose this option under the CSCS. 23 left under Mr Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Approved Early Retirement (AER) terms with a total cost of and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make £2,128,806. representations to the Colombian authorities on the 2009-10 detention of Professor Miguel Angel Beltran in a high security unit in La Picota prison, Bogota. [52345] 111 staff left under FER/CER terms, the total cost to the FCO was £12,407,375. 10 left under AER terms with a total cost of £1,748,774. Mr Jeremy Browne: A representative of our embassy attended the opening of Dr Beltran Villegas’ trial on 11 2008-09 November. Our ambassador raised Dr Beltran Villegas’ 79 left under FER/CER terms, the total cost was £10,986,999. case in a meeting with the Head of the Vice-President’s 2007-08 Unit for Human Rights and International Humanitarian 103 left under FER/CER terms, the total cost to the FCO was Law on 17 November 2010. His case was also raised in £18,918,138. 17 left under AER terms and the total cost was the EU-Colombia human rights dialogue on 23 November £777,707. 2010. 2006-07 Most recently, I raised our general human rights 84 left under FER/CER terms, the total cost to the FCO was concerns with the Colombian Vice Minister for Defence £11,269,250. three left under AER terms and the total cost was Yaneth Giha on 11 January and Deputy Foreign Minister £489,251. 385W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 386W

Departmental Manpower Departmental Public Expenditure

Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what public sector Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which overseas job reduction targets have been set for his Department offices, departments and places of business funded by and its non-departmental public bodies for each of the his Department, excluding embassies and consulates, next 24 months; and what steps he plans to take to are funded directly or indirectly by (a) his Department meet such targets. [51523] only, (b) devolved administrations, (c) local government and (d) non-departmental bodies for which his Department Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth is responsible. [50958] Office (FCO) is currently considering work force planning options for the comprehensive spending review period Mr Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office which runs to the end of financial year 2014-15. The (FCO) operates a network of over 260 Posts overseas FCO’s funding reduces in real terms by around 10% for Her Majesty’s Government. Some do not have formal over this period and the work force will also reduce status as an embassy or consulate, such as our missions broadly in line with the budget. The FCO is subject to to multilateral and other international bodies or other the Government-wide recruitment freeze and we expect offices, for example, the Provincial Reconstruction Team that the necessary reductions should be achievable through in Lashkar Gah. retirement and voluntary early departure. Where devolved administrations, local government We do not hold details of non-departmental public and/or non-departmental bodies are present in these bodies’ work force plans. missions, the FCO would seek to recover any costs incurred. Departmental Mobile Phones Departmental Responsibilities

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials in his for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on how many Department are provided with mobile communication occasions Ministers in his Department have met Ministers devices; and how much his Department spent on in the Government of (a) Brazil, (b) Russia, (c) India mobile telephones and related data services in the last and (d) China since May 2010. [48334] year for which figures are available. [51421] Mr Hague: My ministerial team and I have met Mr Lidington: From centrally recorded accounts the Ministers in the Governments of Brazil, Russia, India Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has provided and China on numerous occasions since May 2010. 3,259 mobile devices for officers in the UK and overseas. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers have also This figure does not include any purchases made overseas attended numerous bilateral and multilateral meetings using devolved budgets. Records of such purchases are and conferences at which Ministers from these Governments not held centrally and are only available at disproportionate have been present. cost. Under normal circumstances each officer would Diplomatic Service: Human Rights have only one device. The latest information covering 1 April to 31 December Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign 2010 shows that the FCO spent £1.9 million on mobile and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many and what devices globally. All numbers and figures provided above proportion of British (a) embassies, (b) High Commissions may have included devices and spend for other Government and (c) other overseas posts have a dedicated human Departments working alongside the FCO. rights officer; [50911] (2) how many British embassies, High Commissions Departmental Public Bodies and overseas posts have a dedicated trade officer; [50913] Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for (3) how many UK-based staff of his Department Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the work exclusively on human rights issues; and what answer of 22 March 2011, Official Report, column proportion of the total number of UK-based staff of 956W, on departmental public appointments, for what his Department this represents; [50914] reasons the answer referred to a website address that is (4) what proportion of the total number of staff of not operational; and how many (a) women and (b) his Department work exclusively on (a) human rights men who held public appointments in bodies sponsored and (b) trade issues. [50915] by his Department are no longer in those roles as a result of decisions to merge, close or reorganise such Mr Bellingham: Promoting human rights is an integral bodies taken since his appointment. [51444] part of our foreign policy.All Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) missions overseas have a responsibility to Mr Jeremy Browne: The website link given in my consider human rights in all of our bilateral and multilateral previous answer leads to the Public Bodies 2009 report work and to raise concerns about human rights wherever which has the latest summary information. and whenever they arise. The changes to the Foreign and Commonwealth The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office arm’s length bodies as a result of this process Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond have resulted in the loss of one job, held by a man. (Yorks) (Mr Hague) launched the Foreign and 387W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 388W

Commonwealth Office (FCO) 2010 report on human The UK has been a strong supporter of work by the rights and democracy on 31 March 2011. The report is OECD and UN DRC Group of Experts to produce a a comprehensive look at human rights work of the clear set of due diligence guidelines for companies FCO around the world in 2010. trading in minerals from eastern DRC. I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given on We have launched new pages on the Foreign and 16 September 2010, Official Report, column 1186W, by Commonwealth Office website designed to help companies my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign trading in minerals, originating in conflict-affected areas and Commonwealth Affairs to the right hon. Member identify the different guidelines and regulation that may for South Shields (David Miliband), which details the apply to them and where they can find further information number of staff in London working exclusively on www.fco.gov.uk/conflictminerals human rights issues. These staff are assisted by geographical The Chancellor of the Exchequer, my right hon. teams at home and by staff at FCO missions overseas. Friend the member for Tatton (Mr Osborne) raised the 32 UK-based FCO civil servants work full-time on issue of international rules on extractives transparency trade and investment issues in London. They are assisted at February’s G20 Finance Ministers meeting and made by staff in geographical teams at home and other UK clear that the UK will be arguing for a European Trade and Investment and non-UK Trade and Investment agreement that matches the new standards set in the UK-based staff at FCO missions overseas. Staff recruited US. locally to work at posts overseas also work on trade and investment issues. Egypt: Politics and Government For operational and security reasons we cannot give further details of staff deployments and activity levels. Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign he has had with the Egyptian Supreme Council of the and Commonwealth Affairs what provision exists for Armed Forces on (a) ending the state of emergency, the consideration of human rights issues at British (b) the release of political prisoners and (c) the embassies, High Commissions and overseas posts establishment of an interim civilian authority in that which do not have a dedicated human rights officer. country. [51800] [50912]

Mr Bellingham: All Foreign and Commonwealth Office Alistair Burt: My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister (FCO) overseas missions monitor and raise human visited Egypt on 21 February 2011. He met Field Marshal rights with their host countries. Since Human Rights Tantawi, Head of the Supreme Council of the Armed are an integral part of the FCO’s work, many FCO staff Forces, and emphasised Egypt’s opportunity to make a at home and overseas work directly on human rights genuine transition from military to civilian democratic issues, including Heads of Mission and some staff recruited rule. He stressed the importance of setting a clear locally. The FCO Human Rights and Democracy timetable for elections and of pursuing a broad-based Department in London supports our embassies, high dialogue with opposition groups. He also called on the commissions and overseas posts in the pursuit of their military authorities to release all political prisoners and human rights objectives by providing specialist thematic end the state of emergency. advice, training and guidance materials. All FCO staff We will continue to encourage the Egyptian authorities have access to a wide range of thematic human rights to fulfil their commitments, especially safeguarding the resources. legitimate demands of the people and overseeing a transition to a democratic, civilian-led government. In East Africa: Mining a telephone call to the Egyptian Prime Minister on 8 March 2011 the Prime Minister reinforced the UK’s support for a successful transition, and I discussed this Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for in detail with senior Egyptian Ministers during my visit Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions to Egypt from 9 to 11 March 2011. he has had with ministerial colleagues on project-by-project due diligence reporting by UK registered companies engaged in mineral extraction in the Great lakes region EU Charter of Fundamental Rights of Africa. [51801] Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Mr Bellingham: On 29 March 2011 I hosted a trade and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate the event, bringing together global experts on business, proportion of UK residents who have not received human rights, conflict and natural resources to provide adequate information about the EU Charter of advice and expertise to British business potentially dealing Fundamental Rights; and if he will take steps to ensure in conflict minerals. I invited a number of ministerial that the UK is not subject to the provisions of the colleagues with an interest in the corporate social Charter. [52470] responsibility agenda. The UK Government encourage British companies Mr Lidington: As the Charter of Fundamental Rights trading in natural resources from the Democratic Republic of the EU does not create any new justiciable rights or of Congo (DRC) and its neighbouring countries to do change the current status of fundamental rights as they so in a way which is socially, economically and apply in EU law, the Government do not believe it environmentally responsible, including adhering to the would be a cost effective use of resources to estimate the voluntary guidelines set out by the Organisation for proportion of UK residents that do not feel well informed Economic Co- operation and Development (OECD). about the Charter. 389W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 390W

The Charter and the Lisbon treaty have not changed Mr Lidington: 220 positions have been advertised in the content or effect of EU fundamental rights as they the European External Action Service (EEAS), since apply in EU law. It has long been recognised that March 2010. Of these 62 are in Brussels and 158 in fundamental rights, as guaranteed by the European European Union delegations. The advertisements are Court of Human Rights and as they result from the sent to all member states and are advertised in the EU constitutional traditions common to the member states, institutions. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office constitute general principles of EU law (as confirmed circulates the details internally as well as across Whitehall, by Article 6(3) TEU). The Charter and the Lisbon processes applications from British candidates and forwards treaty do not give the European Court of Justice or them to Brussels. Appointments into the EEAS are national courts any new powers to strike down national made in Brussels, based on an open, meritocratic system. laws and practices for breaching fundamental rights. Many of the jobs are still being processed, but a number Furthermore, the UK is required to comply with the of British candidates have either been successful or fundamental rights restated in the Charter only when it reached the final stages of the application process. is giving effect to EU law, reflecting the long-standing I am consulted and informed, where appropriate, case law of the European Court of Justice. These limits about candidates for senior positions. on the effects of the Charter are confirmed by both Protocol No 30 to the treaties and the terms of the Gibraltar Charter and the treaties themselves. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for EU Fundamental Rights Agency Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to visit Gibraltar. [52065] Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Mr Lidington: I visited Gibraltar on 12-13 April 2011 and Commonwealth Affairs how much the EU this year. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Fundamental Rights Agency has spent in each year Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member since its inception; and how many staff it has employed for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) currently has no in each such year. [52474] plans to visit. Mr Lidington: The European Union Agency for Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Fundamental Rights’ (FRA) annual accounts are published Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions online. According to their reports, their expenditure he has had with his (a) Spanish and (b) Gibraltarian was ¤14.2 million in 2007, ¤15 million in 2008, ¤17 million counterpart on Gibraltar’s sovereign territorial waters. in 2009 and ¤20 million in 2010. These accounts have been subject to UK parliamentary scrutiny. [52066] The FRA has informed us that they employed 45 Mr Lidington: The UK Government are confident of members of staff in 2007, 47 in 2008, 65 in 2009 and 78 their sovereignty over British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. in 2010. They currently employ a total of 83 members We continue to make this clear to Spain whenever of staff. appropriate at official and ministerial level. The issue was raised by the Secretary of State for Foreign and European Court of Human Rights Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) with his Spanish Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign counterpart, Trinidad Jimenez during their meeting on and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution he 17 February 2011 in London. I discussed this with the plans to make to the Council of Europe Committee of Chief Minister during my visit to Gibraltar on 12-13 Ministers informal meeting on 5 April 2011 on April 2011. preparing a draft declaration for adoption at the High Level Conference on the Future of the European Court Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for of Human Rights; and if he will place in the Library a Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what customs copy of the representations the Government have made procedures operate for Gibraltarian citizens who cross on this matter. [50271] the border from Spain to Gibraltar. [52067]

Mr Lidington: The UK will contribute fully to ensure Mr Lidington: Gibraltar is outside the EU Common that the draft declaration reflects our priorities for Customs Area and full Customs controls therefore apply reform of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). to all persons entering or leaving Gibraltar. Customs are a matter for the Government of Gibraltar. The Government have participated actively in discussions within the Council of Europe on the reform of the On the Gibraltar side of the border foot passengers ECtHR. This has not involved the submission of formal pass through a customs hall immediately after passport written representations on this issue. control when entering Gibraltar. Vehicles can choose to enter either a green “nothing to declare” or red “goods to declare”lane after passport control. Any foot passenger European External Action Service or vehicle, whether of Gibraltarian or other origin, may be stopped by customs officials. Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which vacant posts in the Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for European External Action Service have been notified Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the to his Department; and whether he has been consulted Government of Gibraltar received from the EU in each on filling such vacancies. [51772] of the last five years. [52068] 391W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 392W

Mr Lidington: Funding from the European Union for the delegation in July 2010; what steps the Government Gibraltar is allocated on a multi-year basis, Gibraltar are taking to strengthen UK-India relations; and what receives funding from the UK’s allocation of Structural trade opportunities between the UK and India he Funds under the European Regional Development Fund expects to arise in the next 12 months. [52478] Competitiveness and Employment programme. For the seven year period to 2013, this amounts to ¤5.8 million. Alistair Burt: The bilateral relationship with India This is a specific operational programme for Gibraltar, sits on solid foundations, and the UK is committed to and is managed by the Gibraltar Government. making this partnership stronger, wider and deeper to From 2007-13, Gibraltar will receive ¤3.3 million mutual benefit. Since my right hon. Friend the Prime from the European Social Fund (ESF). While the Gibraltar Minister’s visit, and the summit with Indian Prime Government manage their ESF allocation, it is part of Minister Singh in July 2010, we have set in train an the national England and Gibraltar Convergence, ambitious agenda of practical co-operation. Competitiveness and Employment programme. A number of further visits, including by Cabinet Ministers, have taken place in both directions. A significant Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for UK trade delegation accompanied the Secretary of Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. officials from his Department are posted to Gibraltar. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Dr Cable), on a [52070] visit to India in January for the annual Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) talks. In February, the Mr Bellingham: I refer the hon. Member to the reply India-UK Chief Executive Officers (CEO) Forum met given by the Secretary of State for Foreign and for the first time, with CEOs from both countries discussing Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member ways to improve bilateral trade and investment with the for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), to the right hon. Prime Minister and other Ministers. This was followed Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire South (Mr by a first visit by the Minister for Trade and Investment, Alexander) on 17 February 2011, Official Report, columns my noble Friend Lord Green, to India in March. One of 993-97W. the largest ever foreign investment deals in India was announced in March when BP signed a new $7.2 billion Human Rights oil and gas partnership with Reliance Industries. A new phase in the UK/India education and research Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign initiative will further enhance co-operation between and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has educational institutions and provide a platform for the made of the Annual Activity Report 2010 by the increased ties in science and technology that will help Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, drive economic growth on both sides. Co-operation CommDH(2011)4; and if he will make a statement; also continues in the areas of defence, counter terrorism [51684] and climate change. India’s new membership of the UN (2) with reference to the Annual Activity Report 2010 Security Council also provides an opportunity to engage by the Council of Europe’’ Commissioner for Human even more closely on key international issues. Rights, CommDH(2011)4, what his policy is on the In the next 12 months, we expect to support an request by the Commissioner for Human Rights for an ever-increasing number of firms doing business in and increase in the resources available to the Commissioner; investigating the Indian market to encourage progress and what assessment he has made of an appropriate toward the agreed target to double trade by 2015. We level of resources for the Commissioner; [51685] will support trade missions both ways, work with relevant (3) with reference to the Annual Activity Report 2010 bodies such as the UK India Business Council (UKIBC), of the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Rights, CommDH(2011)4, what his policy is on the Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), request by the Commissioner for Human Rights to and the Indian High Commission to promote opportunities, increase the permanent posts available to the Commissioner and encourage greater collaboration and business through from 19 to 30; and what assessment he has made of the Government-to-Government mechanisms such as the appropriate staffing level for the Commissioner’s office; next PM-PM summit, economic and financial dialogue, [51686] JETCO and CEO Forum. We will also promote the (4) To with reference to the Annual Activity Report successful conclusion of an EU-India Free Trade Agreement 2010 by the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for and work with India towards a conclusion of the Doha Human Rights, CommDH(2011)4, when the report Round, which will give rise to trade opportunities for will be discussed by the Council of Europe’s both countries. Committee of Ministers; and whether the Government plans to approve its contents. [51693] Indian Ocean: Piracy

Mr Lidington: The report will be presented to the Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Committee of Ministers on 25 May. We will study it and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department carefully. considers the Indian Ocean to be an at risk zone in respect of piracy. [51788] India: Foreign Relations Mr Bellingham: Yes. I refer the right hon. Member to Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign my response of 31 March 2011, Official Report, columns and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has 431-32W.Acts of piracy occur across the world, although made of the progress of UK-Indian relations following they are most prevalent in parts of the Indian ocean. 393W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 394W

Military forces define the high risk area by the coordinates the Iranian authorities on the trial of Mrs Fariba of the voluntary reporting scheme used by the UK Kamalabadi, Mr Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr Afif Maimi, Maritime Trade Operation and industry-agreed Best Mr Saeid Rezaie, Mrs Mahvash Sabet, Mr Behrouz Management Practice. These co-ordinates are the Suez Tavakkoli and Mr Vahid Tizfahm; [52108] canal to the north, 10°S latitude and 78°E longitude. (2) pursuant to the answer of 10 January 2011, Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice advises Official Report, columns 225-26W, on Iran: trials, what against all but essential travel in the area and uses the recent representations he has made to the government following latitude and longitude: 15°N in the Red sea, of Iran on the trial of Mrs Fariba Kamalabadi, Mr 23°N in the Arabian sea, 78°E and 15°S in the Indian Jamaloddin Khanjani, Mr Afif Maimi, Mr Saeid ocean. Rezaie, Mrs Mahvash Sabet, Mr Behrouz Tavkkoli and Mr Vahid Tizfahm. [52191] Iran: Baha’i Faith Alistair Burt: I remain deeply concerned about the Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for plight of the seven Baha’i leaders still in custody in Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent Iran. I strongly condemn the recent rushed re-trial of representations he has made to the Iranian Government the leaders, and their re-sentencing to 20 years in prison. on the sentences of Baha’i leaders imprisoned in 2010. We remain clear that the leaders are being tried for no [51799] more than practising their faith. On 4 April the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Alistair Burt: I remain deeply concerned about the right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), plight of the seven Baha’i leaders still in custody in released a statement calling on the Iranian judiciary to Iran. I strongly condemn the recent rushed re-trial of review the case and calling on Iran to cease the persecution the leaders, and their re-sentencing to 20 years in prison. of members of the Baha’i faith. We continue regularly We remain clear that the leaders are being tried for no to raise the case of the Baha’i leaders and discrimination more than practising their faith. On 4 April 2011 the against the Baha’is with the Iranian authorities, including Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth twice with the Iranian chargé d’affaires in February and Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond March. It is important that we keep the international (Yorks) (Mr Hague) released a statement calling on the spotlight on Iran and highlight the frequent abuses as Iranian judiciary to review the case and calling on Iran they occur. to cease the persecution of members of the Baha’i faith. We continue regularly to raise the case of the Baha’i leaders and discrimination against the Baha’is with the Iran: Human Rights Iranian authorities, including twice with the Iranian Charge d’Affaires in February and March. It is important Mrs Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign that we keep the international spotlight on Iran and and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations highlight the frequent abuses as they occur. he has made to the government of Iran on respect for human rights in that country. [52109] Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) whether he plans to Alistair Burt: The human rights situation in Iran make representations to the government of Iran on the remains deeply disturbing and was highlighted prominently increase in sentences for members of the Baha’i faith in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Human Rights imprisoned in Iran; [51841] Command Paper, placed in the house on 31 March (2) what reports he has received of arbitrary increases 2011. The UK has been at the forefront of recent action in the prison sentences of members of the Baha’i faith in the EU to apply restrictive measures against human imprisoned in Iran. [51868] rights abusers in Iran. The UK also worked to support the establishment of a UN Special Rapporteur for Iran, Alistair Burt: I remain deeply concerned about the and highlighted the human rights situation in Iran in plight of the seven Baha’i leaders still in custody in statements in the UN Human Rights Council meeting Iran. I strongly condemn the recent rushed re-trial of in Geneva in March. On a bilateral level, we continue to the leaders, and their re-sentencing to 20 years in prison. highlight our concerns and request additional information We remain clear that the leaders are being tried for no about specific cases during meetings with the Iranian more than practising their faith. On 4 April the Secretary embassy in London, and through the our embassy in of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the Tehran. We will continue to do so, while also making right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), clear statements condemning cases where injustice has released a statement calling on the Iranian judiciary to occurred. review the case and calling on Iran to cease the persecution of members of the Baha’i faith. We continue regularly Iraq: Politics and Government to raise the case of the Baha’i leaders and discrimination against the Baha’is with the Iranian authorities, including twice with the Iranian chargé d’affaires in February and Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for March. It is important that we keep the international Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports spotlight on Iran and highlight the frequent abuses as he has received of violence and alleged human rights they occur. abuses in Sulaymania. [51798]

Mrs Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Alistair Burt: We have received reports of intimidation and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent meetings and violence being committed against journalists and the UK’s diplomatic representative to Iran has had with protestors during recent demonstrations across Iraq, 395W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 396W including the Kurdistan region. Following the Alistair Burt: The Government strongly condemn the demonstrations, I released the following statement on continued prevalence of anti-Semitism around the world 10 March: and promote policies to tackle this through a range of “We have been following events in Iraq closely. We are concerned international organisations. The Foreign and at a number of reports of harassment of protestors, including Commonwealth Office’s overseas missions have a political groups associated with the protests, and of violence responsibility to monitor and raise human rights in against journalists and media offices across Iraq. We call on the their host countries and routinely raise our concerns Iraqi and Kurdish authorities to investigate these incidents and to with host Governments, including freedom of religion protect the right to freedom of expression and assembly.” or belief when appropriate. Officials at our embassy in Iraq regularly discuss the Attitudes towards Jewish people across the Arab human rights situation with senior members of the world are linked to attitudes towards Israel. We receive Iraqi Government, and raise concerns when appropriate. independent research on these issues from institutions Our consul-general in Erbil recently made representations such as Chatham House, Carnegie Middle East Centre to the Kurdistan regional Government about the and the Brookings Institute. The latter, in association importance of respecting the rights and freedoms of with the University of Maryland, produced a report protestors. last autumn mapping Arab public opinion towards Israel, across six Arab states, from 2008 until 2010. Libya: British Nationals Abroad They reported that in 2010 just over half of the respondents were prepared for peace with Israel upon a successful conclusion of the peace process. Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will assess the effectiveness of arrangements for the evacuation of Middle East: Armed Conflict British nationals from Libya in comparison with (a) the evacuation from Lebanon in 2006 and (b) other Mrs Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign recent evacuations; and if he will make a statement. and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he [48876] has made of the conclusions of the report of the UN Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict; and if he Alistair Burt: Each evacuation takes place in different will make a statement. [51858] circumstances and under different constraints. This makes it difficult to compare evacuations directly. In Lebanon Alistair Burt: The Goldstone report outlines serious in 2006, some 4,500 persons, including around 2,000 allegations of breaches of international humanitarian British nationals, were safely evacuated by British forces, law during the Gaza conflict. Justice Goldstone the majority by sea. The recent crises in Tunisia and acknowledges in his recent comments that some aspects Egypt were examples of how we have assisted the of his report would look differently in light of new departure of British nationals from a country without evidence, correcting the allegation in the report that reaching the stage of a formal evacuation. In Tunisia we Israel intentionally targeted civilians. worked closely with tour operators to repatriate more Justice Goldstone has made clear that there is no than 3,000 British nationals. In Egypt we helped over reason to reconsider the various other serious allegations 2,000 British nationals to leave the country by commercial contained in the report at this time. means and arranged two charter flights to facilitate the departure of a further 200 British nationals and their This latest insight into the events surrounding the dependants. In Libya, around 140 British nationals Gaza conflict have come about because of the process were evacuated by sea and over 450 by air, using a that was set in train by his Fact Finding Mission, and is combination of civilian and military flights. In addition, absolutely consistent with our longstanding policy of over 150 British nationals were evacuated from remote calling for full, credible and independent investigations desert locations using military assets. In total the UK by the parties into any and all allegations of breaches of evacuated over 1,600 people from Libya, including nationals international humanitarian law. from 54 countries. Allegations of breaches of international humanitarian law made against all parties to the Gaza conflict are not The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) always limited to the Goldstone report and have arisen from carries out a lessons learned exercise following any various other credible sources. We firmly believe that crisis, including evacuations. Additionally, the FCO is any and all such allegations must be met with credible carrying out a review of arrangements for leading an and independent investigations by the parties to the evacuation of British nationals in a crisis. The review conflict. will consider the contingency arrangements that the FCO has in place and the triggers and procedures for moving to a crisis footing and mounting civilian and Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign military evacuation operations. and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on rocket attacks from Gaza on 25 March 2011; and if he will make a statement. [51956] Middle East: Anti-semitism Alistair Burt: Our embassy in Tel Aviv monitor rocket Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign attacks on Israel closely. As we have consistently made and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has clear all such attacks should stop. The Secretary of received on attitudes to Jews in the Arab world; what State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right recent discussions he has had with the Arab League hon. member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) made about this issue; and if he will make a statement. [50302] a statement on these issues on 25 March 2011: 397W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 398W

“I am extremely concerned at the escalating violence in Israel 2011; what (i) equipment and (ii) personnel he plans to and the Occupied Palestinian Territories over the past week. We send to Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands; what bird have seen a surge in rockets and mortars launched at Israeli life he has assessed as being at risk in the region; and if civilians from the Gaza strip. This is abhorrent. Three people have he will make a statement on any assistance he plans to been injured, many more are living in fear. Six Palestinian civilians, including four children, have been killed as a result of Israeli send to the population of Tristan da Cunha in respect actions in the Gaza strip. We have urged the Israeli government to of the crisis. [51516] ensure everything is done to avoid further civilian casualties while calling for a complete end to attacks on Israel. Mr Bellingham: Leaked fuel oil from the wreck of the And we have seen the terrible sight—which we hoped belonged MV Oliva has washed ashore on Nightingale and to the past—of a bomb at a bus station in Jerusalem. A British Inaccessible Islands. It has impacted both protected woman was killed and more than 30 injured. I condemn this wildlife and the fisheries on which the islands’ economy attack in the strongest terms and call for those responsible to be relies. The Tristan Authorities and community are working held to account. Elsewhere, we have seen Israeli settlers opening hard to help the wildlife affected by the oil. The greatest fire on a Palestinian funeral procession, wounding two mourners. Also, another Palestinian was stabbed in an unprovoked attack. impact has so far been on the Northern Rockhopper penguins, some 4,000 of which have been moved to We condemn the extremists who are instigating this violence and who are deliberately attempting to wreck the chances of Tristan Island for cleaning and rehabilitation. The fisheries peace. We call on all sides to do all that they can to prevent at Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands will remain further loss of innocent life, to bring the perpetrators to justice closed until testing has been completed. The full impact and to reduce current tensions.” on the wildlife and fisheries will take time to assess. The responsibility to clean up the damage caused to Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign the environment of the Tristan da Cunha islands, and and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has to compensate the Tristan community for any losses lies received on the deployment of the Iron Dome missile with the ship’s owners and insurers. We are determined defence system outside Be’er Sheva, Israel on 27 March that they will continue to meet this responsibility in full. 2011; and if he will make a statement. [51957] We have also been in close touch with the Tristan da Cunha Authorities throughout and are ensuring that Alistair Burt: Israel has the right to defend its citizens. they have all the advice and support they need from We respect and recognise that fact. The stationing of an across Government and elsewhere. anti-rocket defence system around Be’er Sheva is an While the Government are quite clear that all costs important step in this context. resulting from this incident must be borne by the owners and insurers of the vessel, a top-up to Tristan da Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Cunha’s financial reserves of £500,000 has been made and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received from Foreign and Commonwealth Office funds to protect on the location by Hezbollah of missile bunkers adjacent the community against immediate and short-term to civilian facilities south of the Litani river in Lebanon; expenditure. A salvage tug carried the first material for and if he will make a statement. [51958] the clean up to the islands. Additional equipment and personnel arrived at Tristan Island on 4 April 2011 and Alistair Burt: International investigations carried out a further vessel carrying supplies reached Tristan on after the 2006 Lebanon Israel war found that Hezbollah 12 April. The remoteness of the site and the demanding often stored and fired weaponry from civilian buildings. conditions mean, however, that this is a very difficult There is no reason to believe that Hezbollah would operation. reconsider operating from civilian buildings in any future conflict with Israel. Reports suggest extensive preparations North Africa: Refugees for Hezbollah to fight in built up areas south of the Litani. Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for UN Security Council Resolution 1701 calls for a full Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he had ceasefire, including no weapons south of the Litani discussions with his Italian counterpart on the (a) River. We remain concerned by reports of weapons physical condition and (b) human rights of refugees transfers to Hezbollah, including Hezbollah’s own claims from North Africa who have arrived in Lampedusa in that it possesses significant military capabilities. the last three months; and whether he has had discussions The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth with his EU counterparts on (i) resettlement capacity, Affairs, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks) (ii) resettlement programmes, (iii) assessment of needs, (Mr Hague) during his visit to Syria in January made (iv) resources for the processing of applications and clear and firm representations to President Assad and resettlement needs, (v) resources for (A) children, (B) Foreign Minister Muallem on the dangers to the stability women at risk of physical, sexual or psychological of the region in allowing the smuggling of weapons to violence or exploitation, (C) survivors of torture, (D) Hizballah. My officials continue to raise UN Security people with urgent medical or other special needs and Council Resolution 1701 at a senior level in both Beirut (E) disabled people and (vi) integration support and and Damascus. services for resettlement in respect of refugees from North Africa; and if he will make a statement. [51326] Nightingale Island: MS Olivia Mr Lidington [holding answer 5 April 2011]: The Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Council of the European Union is considering carefully Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the impact of current events in North Africa on migratory he has made of the damage caused to (a) the flows. At its meeting on 11 March, the European Council environment and (b) natural life following the collision asked the Justice and Home Affairs Council to consider of MS Olivia with Nightingale Island on 16 March how to develop capacities to manage migration and 399W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 400W refugee flows. The Prime Minister and the Secretary of have welcomed, although we believe that the Council State for the Home Department will report the outcome should go even further. Indeed, the EU institutions of meetings of the Justice and Home Affairs Council must set an example of reform, with a robust value for and of the European Council to the House as usual, money drive, in line with the austerity measures and including progress on this issue. The Secretary of State public spending reprioritisation in member states. for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs has not had any specific bilateral discussions with his Italian counterpart Somaliland on this issue. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Palestinians Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance his Department has given to UK nationals (a) living in Guto Bebb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and (b) visiting Somaliland in the last five years. and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received [50410] on the naming of a town square in the Palestinian town Al-Bireh after Dalal al-Murghrabi; and if he will make Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth a statement. [52231] Office advises against all travel to Somalia, including Somaliland. There is no British representation in any Alistair Burt: The UK deplores all incitement to part of Somalia and we are unable to provide consular violence. The naming of a square after the leader of the assistance there. However, the Foreign and Commonwealth 1978 terrorist attack would have been distasteful under Office, through its embassy in Addis Ababa and High any circumstances, but particularly so in the wake of Commission in Nairobi, has provided some consular the murders that occurred in Itamar. We also strongly assistance to British nationals there, most often issuing oppose the payment of cash directly linked to acts of replacement passports. violence. Our consulate general in Jerusalem will raise these issues with the Fatah Leadership. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for We welcomed Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas’ Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate has condemnation of the murders that occurred in Itamar. been made of the number of UK nationals who have He said they were despicable, immoral and inhuman, (a) visited and (b) worked in Somaliland in the each We endorse President Abbas’ commitment to a path of of the last five years. [50411] non-violence and a negotiated solution to the peace process. Mr Bellingham: We are unable to estimate the number of British nationals who have visited Somaliland in Piracy each of the last five years. We are aware that British nationals work in Somaliland on a short term basis with Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign the UN and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department and that many dual nationals visit Somaliland, but do has had discussions with the Save our Seafarers not have precise figures. We advise against all travel to Campaign on action against piracy. [51789] Somalia, including Somaliland. We urge anyone travelling to Somaliland in spite of our travel advice to register Mr Bellingham: I meet regularly with shipping industry with us. There are 65 registered at present. and shipping union representatives, including those involved in the SOS Save Our Seafarers campaign, and discuss Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the plight of seafarers, which is a matter of great Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions concern to the Government. The Government support has he had with representatives of the administration in the six key actions proposed by the campaign, have Somaliland. [50414] advocated these actions strongly with our partners through the Contact Group on Piracy off the Coast of Somalia, Mr Bellingham: The Secretary of State for Foreign and distributed them to UN Security Council members and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the through the UK Permanent Mission to the United member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) has not yet Nations. held discussions with any members of the Somaliland administration. However, I held discussions with President President of the European Council: Operating Costs Silanyo in November 2010. I also met the Somaliland Foreign Minister, Minister for Planning and Development Mr Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Minister for Mining, Energy and Water Resources and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has at the Somaliland investment conference on 31 March received on the running costs of the office of the 2011. President of the European Council. [50489] Somaliland: British Nationals Abroad Mr Bellingham: The Minister of State for Europe my right hon. Friend the member for Aylesbury (Mr Lidington) Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for has not received any specific reports on the running Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he costs of the office of the President of the European has received of crimes against British tourists in Somaliland Council. in the last 12 months. [52073] The Council President’s budget is part of the general budget of the European Council and Council of Ministers Mr Jeremy Browne: There have been no specific reports (Section II of the European Union budget). For 2012, of crimes against British tourists in Somaliland in the the Council has proposed savings of 4.4% which we past year. Our consular office in Addis Ababa, which 401W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 402W covers Somaliland, has issued a number of emergency Tristan da Cunha: Oil travel documents to British nationals over the last 12 months. But we have no evidence that these documents were required as a result of crime in Somaliland. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance he has provided with the clean up operation resulting Sudan: Referendums from the M.S. Oliva bunker oil leak in Tristan da Cunha. [52063] Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions Mr Bellingham: The responsibility to clean up the he has had with (a) his Sudanese counterpart and (b) damage caused to the environment of the Tristan da officials of the Sudanese government on determining Cunha islands, and to compensate the Tristan community the borders of Abyei. [51244] for any losses lies with the ship’s owners and insurers. We are determined that they will continue to meet this Mr Bellingham: I raised the issue of Abyei when I met responsibility in full. We have also been in close touch Presidential Adviser Dr Mustafa Osman Ismail on with the Tristan da Cunha Authorities throughout and 28 March 2011. Our ambassador in Khartoum and the are ensuring that they have all the advice and support UK Special Representative for Sudan regularly discuss they need from across Government and elsewhere. Abyei with the Governments in both Khartoum and The Tristan Authorities and community are working Juba. The Secretary of State for Foreign and hard to help the wildlife affected by the oil, and to clean Commonwealth Affairs issued a joint statement with up the pollution from the wreck. Equipment and expert his US and Norwegian Troika colleagues on 15 March help has been supplied by the wrecked vessel’s insurers. 2011 urging both parties to resume their dialogue on The fisheries at Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands post-referendum issues, including Abyei. will remain closed until testing has been completed. But the full impacts on the wildlife and fisheries will take Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for time to assess. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the situation at the Abyei border in While the Government are quite clear that all costs Sudan; and if he will make a statement. [51245] resulting from this incident must be borne by the owners and insurers of the vessel, a top-up of £500,000 has been made to Tristan da Cunha’s financial reserves Mr Bellingham: We have been very concerned at the from Foreign and Commonwealth Office funds to protect recent clashes in the Abyei region, including those on the community against immediate and short-term 27-28 February 2011 and 1-2 March 2011 between expenditure. Northern and Southern groups in the area. The Permanent Court of Arbitration issued its judgment Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for on the Abyei boundary on 22 July 2009. Both the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps National Congress Party and the Sudanese People’s he has taken in relation to the salvage of M.S. Oliva on Liberation Movement agreed to abide by the decision. Nightingale Island, Tristan da Cunha. [52064] Supermarkets Mr Bellingham: We have ensured that the Tristan da Cunha authorities have had expert advice from across Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Government and elsewhere on all issues arising from Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has the wreck of the Motor Vessel (MV) Oliva. had any meetings since September 2010 with representatives The responsibility for any salvage of the wreck lies of (a) Tesco, (b) Sainsbury’s, (c) Asda, (d) Morrisons with the owners and insurers of the vessel. A salvage and (e) trade associations of which these companies tug spent over a week at the site. But poor sea and are members. [52212] weather conditions and the deterioration of the wreck meant it was too dangerous to attempt salvage. The Mr Lidington: No such meetings have taken place. next opportunity to review the condition of the wreck properly and to consider its future will be after the Tax Avoidance austral winter, the onset of which is imminent.

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Turks and Caicos Islands: Corruption and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on offshore avoidance of UK taxes in (a) Bermuda, (b) Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the British Virgin Islands, (c) the Cayman Islands, (d) Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost of the Falkland Islands, (e) Gibraltar, (f) Montserrat the Turks and Caicos Special Investigation and Prosecution and (g) the Turks and Caicos Islands. [52299] Team investigation has been to date. [52082]

Mr Bellingham: None. Mr Bellingham: The Special Investigation and The UK has arrangements in place for information Prosecution Team has confirmed that the total cost of exchange on tax matters, including tax avoidance, with the investigation up to the end of January 2011 was all of the above mentioned territories. approximately £4.3 million. 403W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 404W

Turks and Caicos Islands: Dominican Republic channel were made redundant in November 2009. There were no other civil service redundancies during this Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for period. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Dominican Republic citizens are resident on the British Overseas Turks and Caicos Islands: Young Offenders Territory of Turks and Caicos. [52074] Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Bellingham: The Turks and Caicos Islands Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many juveniles Government do not hold this information. are detained in Grand Turk Prison, Turks and Caicos. [52079] Turks and Caicos Islands: Haiti Mr Bellingham: On 7 April 2011, there were two Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for juveniles in Her Majesty’s prison in Grand Turk. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Haitian citizens are resident on the British Overseas Territory of Turks and Caicos Islands: Youth Custody Turks and Caicos. [52075] Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Bellingham: The Turks and Caicos Islands Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provision Government do not hold this information. there is for juvenile detention in Turks and Caicos. [52081] Turks and Caicos Islands: Prisoners Mr Bellingham: In general, custodial sentences in the Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) are usually only given Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many inmates to juveniles who commit very serious offences. In such are detained in Grand Turk Prison, Turks and Caicos. instances, juveniles are housed in an area of the prison [52080] that is isolated from the general population and are monitored by the Department of Social Development. Mr Bellingham: On 7 April 2011, the population of The previous practice had been to send juveniles abroad Her Majesty’s prison in Grand Turk stood at 99; 41 on after sentence. remand and 58 serving sentences. The Ministry of Home Affairs and Public Safety is seeking funding from the TCI Government and the Turks and Caicos Islands: Radar Governor’s Office to establish a juvenile facility in TCI.

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for UN Convention on Special Missions Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on the Coastal Radar System project in Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Turks and Caicos; and when he expects the project to and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on be completed. [52083] ratification of the 1969 UN Convention on Special Missions. [51887] Mr Bellingham: Considerable progress has been made on the Coastal Radar System project. The tower and Mr Bellingham: The Government signed the Special antennae have been mounted and testing is imminent. Missions Convention on 17 December 1970, but have The Turks and Caicos Islands Government expect not yet ratified it. The Government have kept the question that installation and testing will be completed in the of ratification under review, though ratification would summer. entail the passage of primary legislation. However developments in customary international law regarding Turks and Caicos Islands: Redundancy special missions and certain high-level official visitors that have been recognised by our courts require that Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for appropriate privileges and immunities are extended to Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the visitors on special missions and other high-level visitors. Turks and Caicos government spent on redundancy payouts in each of the last three years. [52084] USA: Visits

Mr Bellingham: Following the closure of the Turks Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for and Caicos Islands Government-sponsored New Media Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the TV channel in November 2009, US$107,467 was paid in answer of 22 March 2011, Official Report, column terminal benefits. There were no other redundancy 961W,on USA: visits, what information his Department payments in this period. holds on the involvement of the embassies of other countries to the United States in facilitating visitor Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for tours of the White House for their nationals. [51499] Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many civil servants have been made redundant in Turks and Alistair Burt: We understand that all embassies have Caicos in each of the last three years. [52085] had to suspend the processing of White House tours while the State Department re-examine the service, with Mr Bellingham: 14 staff members of the Turks and a view to re-opening it in due course using a new Caicos Islands Government-sponsored New Media TV request programme and new staff. 405W Written Answers26 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 406W

Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Visa applicants are responsible for applying to alternative Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the visa points. Yemeni nationals have been able to apply answer of 22 March 2011, Official Report, column on-line to a number of regional Visa Application Centres 961W on USA: visits, what information he holds on the (VACs) including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Cairo and Amman. embassies in Washington, DC that (a) do and (b) do All visa centres ensure supporting documentation is not offer to process White House tours for their safely couriered to applicants when the visa process is citizens; and in respect of which embassies his concluded. If the VACs are unable to deliver visas, Department holds no information. [52233] passports and other documentation by post, for instance if the address is incomplete, they send them to the Alistair Burt: At the time of the decision to cease the British embassy in Sana’a. The applicants are contacted facilitation of White House tours for British nationals and asked to collect papers. Due to heightened concerns in September 2010, our embassy in Washington contacted over security, access to the Embassy was not permitted the embassies of Australia, France, Germany, Japan, for a period, but this is now possible, and those needing New Zealand and South Africa. These embassies confirmed to collect applications have been contacted and informed. they were not offering facilitation of White House tours. Some state on their own websites that they do not facilitate tours of the White House, and advise visitors Zimbabwe: British Nationals Abroad to go to the official website of the White House for further information. While no embassy can currently Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for process tours, the Italian and French embassies have Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice on informed us that they are waiting for details of the new safety and security his Department provides to UK procedures. citizens wishing to relocate to Zimbabwe. [51667] Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Mr Bellingham: The Foreign and Commonwealth answer of 22 March 2011, Official Report, column Office website hosts the Travel Advice pages, which 961W on USA: visits, what information he holds on includes a page for Zimbabwe. The advice is designed to trends in domestic demand from United States citizens help British travellers make their own decisions, on an informed basis, about travelling abroad, and to help for White House tours. [52234] them to avoid trouble by providing information on Alistair Burt: We do not hold any information on the threats to personal safety arising from political unrest, numbers of US citizens applying for White House tours, terrorist activities, lawlessness, violence, natural disasters, or the reasons for the increase. The relevant department epidemics, anti-British demonstrations and aircraft/shipping in the US Administration is closed while they reorganise safety. This advice is regularly updated. their tour request procedures. For those without access to the internet the advice can be obtained through our 24/7 Travel Advice call Yemen: Entry Clearances centre on 0845 850 2829. Our embassy has a website called UK in Zimbabwe Mr Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign which is found at: and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure the transfer of documentation to alternative visa www.ukinzimbabwe.fco.gov.uk points in the UAE and Amman following the closure of This website gives contact details for our embassy in the visa route for those seeking to regain their Harare as well as providing a link to our Travel Advice documentation from the embassy in Yemen; and if he web page. will make a statement. [52097] Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Alistair Burt: Due to the increased threat to our Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what advice his embassy staff the visa section was forced to close in Department has made available to UK citizens resident October 2010. There were a number of outstanding visa in Zimbabwe who wish to return to the UK. [51668] applications at this time. Consequently, a temporary visa officer was despatched to Sana’a to work through Mr Bellingham: Our consular team at our embassy in outstanding visa applications. All non-settlement Harare are always available to respond to inquiries and applications were taken to the visa hub in Abu Dhabi have several publications that give advice to those British for processing. Once decisions were reached, all nationals wishing to move back to the UK: documentation was couriered either directly to the “Moving to the UK” gives comprehensive advice on everything applicants or via the embassy in Sana’a. Embassy staff from employment to healthcare as well as outlining the financial in Sana’a notified all applicants of settlement visas, and help that may be available on return to the UK. those whose paperwork was returned to the British “Repatriation Advice” outlines generic information on how to embassy in Sana’a, that they should attend the embassy access UK social services, welfare benefits and health care. It also to collect their paperwork and receive full refunds where gives additional information on more specific areas of interest appropriate. There are no outstanding documents or such as obtaining fit to fly certificates and contact details of applications in Sana’a other than those awaiting collection airport support agencies. by the applicants. “Residence in the UK” gives visa advice.

407W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 408W

devices; and how much her Department spent on mobile Written Answers to telephones and related data services in the last year for which figures are available. [51419] Questions Richard Benyon: The following tables show the number of mobile communication’ devices issued at the end of Wednesday 27 April 2011 fiscal year 2010-11 and how much the Department and its Executive Agencies spent on mobile telephones and related data Services in the same period. ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS The expenditure figures are unaudited as year-end processes in all organisations are still incomplete. Anaerobic Digestion Organisation Total devices 2010-11 Spend (£)

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for DEFRA1 1153 527,153.39 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assistance VMD 61 13,835.24 her Department is providing for the development of CEFAS 234 59,034.00 farm co-operatives to enable farm-scale anaerobic FERA 586 105,230.93 digestion. [51823] AH 987 462,373.02’ VLA 170 31,000.00 Richard Benyon: The Government are committed to increasing energy from waste through anaerobic digestion Total 3191 1,198,626.58 1 Device information is dependent on external supplier data and (AD) to produce, for example, heat, electricity and relates to active connections in March 2011. transport fuels. This work is led by DEFRA, working closely with the Department of Energy and Climate 1 April 2009 - 1 April 2010 - Change and other Government Departments. RPA 31 March 2010 31 December 2010 Steps which the Government believes need to be Devices 999 988 taken to achieve this goal are set out in the AD Framework Spend (£) 164,257.33 117,219.14 document, published in November 2010. The project aims to facilitate collaborative work between industry, Government and a wide range of interested parties to Employment Agencies identify barriers to the uptake of AD, and key actions that can be taken forward by industry or in partnership. Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for The project will cover issues relating to all AD models Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her and technologies, which will include on-farm plants and Department spent on (a) recruitment agency fees, (b) community AD. outplacement agency fees for displaced or redundant staff and (c) staff training in the last year for which An AD strategy document is set to be published in figures are available. [51397] the second quarter of 2011. Departmental Cleaning Services Richard Benyon: The departmental spend on recruitment agency fees, outplacement agency fees and staff training Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for for the financial year 2010-11 is set out in the following Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make table. it her policy to require all cleaning contracts held with her Department to stipulate that the cleaning products £ used should be EU Ecolabel products accredited by her Recruitment Outplacement agency fees agency fees to Department; and if she will make a statement. [52372] (incl. media support Core DEFRA/ costs where displaced/ Staff Richard Benyon: Our cleaning contractor sources cleaning agency reported) redundant staff training costs chemicals which have been chosen with sustainability in mind. The products they use are also considered under Rural 0 20,800.00 276,275.49 Payments the broader context of sustainability rather than simply Agency whether it has an EU eco-label or not. The standard (RPA) cleaning chemicals are all super concentrate products. Centre for 42,476.54 0 276,586.00 These have a number of sustainability benefits including Environment, reduced packaging, carbon reduction in deliveries and Fisheries and production and precise dosing capability which minimises Agriculture Science wastage and pollution. (CEFAS) Our cleaning contractor continues to consider the Animal 10,980.00 0 11,192,540.00 Government’s minimum buying standards when specifying Health/ its cleaning products. Veterinary Laboratories Departmental Mobile Phones Agency (AH/ VLA) Veterinary 0 0 68,220.00 Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Medicines Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many officials Directorate in her Department are provided with mobile communication (VMD) 409W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 410W

£ Allocation per financial year (£) Recruitment Outplacement Local agency fees agency fees to authority 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 (incl. media support Core DEFRA/ costs where displaced/ Staff Ceredigion 195,113 179,113 195,113 agency reported) redundant staff training costs Cheshire — 56,000 49,930 The Food and 16,179.00 0 320,716.00 (East) Environment Cheshire — 48,500 48,500 Research (West and Agency (Fera) Chester) Core DEFRA 107,942.71 0 1,209,469.00 Cheshire 93,080 — — 1 2009-10 costs. Staff training costs for AH/VLA will not be City of 10,180 10,180 10,180 available until the end of April 2011 London Government Departments: Business Plans (Chelmsford) City of 12,673 12,673 12,673 London Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for (Reigate) Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans City of — — 1,685 to publish her Department’s sustainability appraisals of London departmental business plans. [51824] (Reading) City of 10,852 10,852 — Mr Paice: We are currently developing the approach London for sustainable development proofing departmental business (Wokingham plans to feed into the refresh of business plans. This and Reading) includes considering how best to provide updates on City of York 10,850 10,850 10,850 progress. Conwy 146,284 146,000 146,000 Cornwall 140,389 160,389 140,389 Livestock: Animal Welfare Coventry 4,000 5,000 6,000 Cumbria 290,826 256,342 264,539 Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Darlington 36,649 36,649 36,647 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much money Denbighshire 136,372 136,372 136,272 her Department allocated to each local authority for Derby City 6,692 5,792 5,792 animal health and welfare work in each of the last three Derbyshire 199,112 196,543 181,539 financial years. [52100] Devon 501,678 505,733 500,733 Mr Paice: DEFRA funding allocated to each local Doncaster 51,456 46,456 46,456 authority for animal health and welfare work in each of Dorset 109,780 101,885 114,960 the last three financial years is shown in the following Dudley 17,870 17,870 17,870 table: Durham 81,567 87,567 82,567 East Riding 209,483 214,483 209,483 Allocation per financial year (£) of Yorkshire Local East Sussex 53,611 53,611 53,611 authority 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Essex 150,996 130,996 150,996 Barnsley 24,474 28,274 23,266 Flintshire 73,930 73,930 73,930 Bath and 60,015 60,015 60,015 Gateshead 2,018 2,018 2,018 North East Somerset Gloucestershire 196,970 201,190 192,720 Bedford — 19,338 19,338 Gwynedd 130,937 130,937 130,937 Bedfordshire 48,345 — — Halton — — 1,033 Birmingham 27,815 28,515 27,315 Hampshire 38,108 38,108 38,108 Blackburn 6,052 5,465 4,074 Hartlepool 7,050 4,550 4,550 with Darwen Havering 2,000 14,000 14,000 Blackpool 385 385 385 Herefordshire 119,768 119,768 114,768 Blaenau 16,841 16,841 16,841 Gwent Hertfordshire 26,285 26,285 26,285 Bolton 12,208 12,208 12,208 Isle of 96,018 96,018 82,018 Anglesey Bradford 39,080 41,080 38,080 Bridgend 35,462 35,462 35,462 Isle of Wight 34,449 28,949 32,449 Buckinghamshire 88,924 88,924 88,924 Isles of Scilly — 22,000 22,000 Bury 2,901 2,901 2,901 Kent 208,188 206,677 203,170 Caerphilly 22,521 20,414 20,414 Kirklees 31,357 33,657 29,640 Calderdale 54,699 54,699 54,699 Lancashire 339,945 339,945 339,945 Cambridgeshire 72,975 72,975 72,975 Leeds 29,049 29,049 29,049 Cardiff 5,103 7,103 7,103 Leicestershire 62,736 62,736 62,671 Carmarthenshire 192,297 178,296 192,296 Central — 29,007 29,007 Lincolnshire 173,691 173,691 173,691 Bedfordshire Med way 8,240 8,240 8,240 411W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 412W

Allocation per financial year (£) Allocation per financial year (£) Local Local authority 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 authority 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11

Merthyr 71,856 66,856 66,856 Warrington 9,491 9,491 9,491 Tydfil Warwickshire 127,828 132,000 131,000 Middles 936 936 936 West — — 27,061 Milton 37,725 18,037 25,089 Berkshire and Keynes Wokingham Monmouthshire 128,705 135,943 155,228 West 27,061 27,061 — including Berkshire Torfaen West 65,356 65,356 64,416 Newcastle 34,920 34,800 33,970 Glamorgan Newport 70,412 38,937 37,873 West Sussex 46,743 44,743 44,743 Norfolk 129,284 129,284 129,284 Wigan 8,000 6,087 6,087 North 23,520 23,520 23,520 Wiltshire 60,912 60,912 60,912 Lincolnshire Windsor and 38,117 34,542 34,542 North 30,158 30,158 30,158 Maidenhead Somerset Wirral 473 2,008 2,008 North 12,431 12,431 12,431 Wokingham — — 9,167 Tyneside Wolverhampton 3,934 3,934 3,873 North 374,691 404,691 414,691 Worcestershire 215,909 202,709 180,630 Yorkshire Wrexham 57,208 57,208 57,208 Northamptonshire 84,872 79,644 79,644 Source: Northumberland 178,377 178,377 178,377 Core DEFRA Nottinghamshire 89,433 89,433 89,433 Oldham 52,694 45,428 45,428 Oxfordshire 113,198 112,929 111,629 Meat: Ritual Slaughter Pembrokeshire 133,560 133,560 133,560 Peter 9,668 9,668 9,668 Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Powys 259,260 262,260 253,260 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate Redcar and 4,046 4,046 3,727 she has made of the number and proportion of Cleveland domesticated animals and birds slaughtered without Rhondda 50,659 50,659 50,659 prior stunning in 2010. [51899] Cynon Taf Rochdale 2,885 3,335 3,335 Mr Paice: The most recent data on the slaughter of Rotherham 33,188 33,188 33,188 animals without prior stunning was published in March Rutland 10,839 10,839 10,839 2004 by the Meat Hygiene Service in its Animal Welfare St Helens 2,788 — — Review. The data was collected through a survey of Salford — 1,494 1,313 meat plants between 1 and 7 September 2003. The Sandwell 6,357 6,357 6,357 following table shows the number of animals killed over Sefton 4,994 4,994 4,994 that period without prior stunning for the production Sheffield 38,059 42,700 36,169 of kosher and halal meat: Shropshire 127,332 131,782 127,320 Slough — — 6,000 Species Not stunned Solihull 18,113 18,113 18,113 Cattle 365 Somerset 234,469 232,469 224,469 Calves 8 South 69,309 66,309 66,309 Gloucester Young lambs 6,845 South 740 1,200 3,020 Other sheep 11,454 Tyneside Goats 62 Staffordshire 270,467 293,767 268,767 Broilers 167,745 Stockport — 3,658 5,593 Hens 15,900 Stockton 13,727 13,727 13,727 Turkeys 749 Stoke on 8,570 8,570 8,570 Ducks 610 Trent Suffolk 120,884 120,884 120,884 More recent data collected by the EU Dialrel project Surrey 134,777 132,841 132,841 see: Swindon 5,242 5,242 5,242 http://www.dialrel.eu/images/factsheet-assesment- Tameside 630 630 630 practices.pdf Telford and 30,618 30,618 30,618 shows that, of the UK abattoirs surveyed, 100% of the Wrekin animals and birds slaughtered for the production of Trafford — 3,711 3,711 kosher meat were slaughtered without prior stunning. Vale of 23,350 23,350 23,350 For halal meat, 25% of cattle and 7% of sheep were Glamorgan slaughtered without prior stunning. The Dialrel data Wakefield 32,452 37,764 32,452 also indicates that no poultry were slaughtered for halal Walsall 4,401 4,401 4,401 production without stunning. 413W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 414W

Pesticides The monitoring programme indicates that pesticide residues in food are almost always within the MRL Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for limits. These are not safety limits but are set under EC Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what mechanism regulation to represent the largest amount of pesticide she has put in place to monitor the export to developing expected to be found in a crop when it has been treated countries of chemical pesticides produced in the UK. in accordance with good agricultural practice. Where residues are found, case by case assessment demonstrates [52328] that the vast majority involve no risk to consumers. For 2009 (the most recent full year of data), out of 3,835 Mr Paice: Monitoring of the export to the developing samples tested 42 (1.1%) contained a residue exceeding world of certain dangerous chemicals (including pesticides) the relevant MRL. Seven samples contained residues is focused on those that pose the greatest concern with that could be a risk to health. These were notified to the regard to human health risk or environmental Food Standards Agency which took action to inform contamination. the European Commission under the Rapid Alert System Under Regulation EC 689/2008, exporters of these for Food and Feed. chemicals are required to share information on how to It can be misleading to make simple comparisons of store, transport, use and dispose of them safely. In the annual survey results as different foods are tested addition, they are required to notify or seek consent each year, analytical capability increases over time (so from importing countries outside of the EU before more pesticides can be tested for at lower levels), and their first export each year. This enables importing the statutory MRLs change to reflect changing agricultural countries to make informed decisions about the import practice. and appropriate management of these chemicals. This process is operated by the Health and Safety Executive on behalf of the UK. Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Exporters are also required to declare the total quantity Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) of each notified chemical they have exported to each budget and (b) number of full-time equivalent staff of country, a summary of which is published by the European her Department and its public bodies responsible for Commission. monitoring the levels of pesticides in the foodchain (i) was in each of the last 10 years and (ii) will be in each In addition Regulation EC 1107/2009 concerning the of the next five years. [52331] placing of plant protection products on the market which will come into operation on 14 June will introduce a statutory requirement for record keeping by all companies Mr Paice: The information is as follows: exporting plant protection products. (a) The national programme of pesticide residue testing in food in the UK is administered by the Chemicals Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Regulation Directorate (CRD) of the Health and Safety Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what mechanism Executive. Expenditure on this work is published each her Department has put in place to measure the level of year in the annual report of the Pesticide Residues pesticide residue in imported food and drink; [52329] Committee, which advises Ministers on the design and (2) how many incidents of foodstuff contamination implementation of the programme. This information is with pesticides were detected in each of the last 10 summarised as follows. Costs include sample collection, years for which figures are available. [52330] analysis, collation and reporting of results. A further £30,000 is spent each year on the administration of the Pesticide Residues Committee. Mr Paice: The UK carries out an annual programme to monitor pesticide residues in food and drink. The Programme year Cost (£ million)1 purpose of the programme is to: support the statutory approvals process for pesticides by checking that no 2000 1.7 unexpected residues are occurring; check that residues 2001 2.0 do not go above statutory maximum residue levels 2002 2.0 (MRL); and check that the residues in food and drink 2003 2.2 are within acceptable levels. The sampling is reflective 2004 2.2 of the food supply chain and in particular the places 2005 2.2 where people buy food. 2006 2.1 This monitoring programme and its results have been 2007 2.1 overseen by the independent Pesticide Residues Committee 2008 2.1 from 2000 to 31 March 2011. From 1 April this Committee 2009 2.1 has been replaced by an Expert Committee of DEFRA, 2010 1.9 which will carry out the same role of providing scientific 1 These expenditure figures include a proportion of analytical costs and technical advice. The results of the monitoring which are met by the devolved Administrations. programme, including full details of the brand-name and manufacturer of each sample taken, and the detailed (b) Staffing in the team managing this work has been risk assessments considered by the Committee, are published between 3.5 and 4 full-time equivalent staff throughout in quarterly reports. The Committee also publishes an the period. annual report summarising each year’s work and giving The budget for 2011 for this work will be similar to information on those samples where residues were found the 2010 level. Beyond 2012 the budgetary position is above the MRL and on follow-up action taken. These not finalised but expenditure will be in line with spending reports are available on the Committee’s website. review commitments. 415W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 416W

Recycling Armed Forces: Allowances

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she which military allowances for members of the armed has for the national roll-out of (a) Recyclebank and services he proposes to reduce. [53038] (b) other recycling reward schemes. [51825] Mr Robathan: I refer the hon. Member to the written Richard Benyon: This Government believes in rewards, ministerial statement I made on 20 January 2011, Official rather than penalties, to encourage recycling and other Report, columns 45-47WS. beneficial behaviours. As part of the Waste Policy Review we are looking at how we can support councils to reward householders for recycling. A number of local Armed Forces: Germany authorities have entered into contracts with Recyclebank to provide rewards for recycling, and we support them Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for taking this initiative. It is for individual local authorities Defence how much his Department paid to the German to decide whether a reward scheme is appropriate in government on each occasion since 1981 that British their area and what type it should be. forces stationed in Germany were returned to the UK. [52005]

PRIME MINISTER Nick Harvey: Information is only available as far back as 1989. 10 Downing Street: Gardens Since 1989 the total sum paid out to Federal Republic of Germany in this regard has been ¤332,126. Luciana Berger: To ask the Prime Minister whether his Office has taken steps to ensure biodiversity and protection for rare and endangered flora and fauna in Armed Forces: Private Education the Downing Street gardens. [52321] Mr Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence The Prime Minister: The gardens of number 10, 11, what plans his Department has for the future of the and 12 Downing Street are maintained by The Royal continuity of education allowance for children of Parks. Biodiversity is supported in the Downing Street armed forces personnel. [52837] gardens through a range of horticultural regimes and practices, including the provision of a pond, borders to Nick Harvey: Continuity of education allowance support wildlife, and nesting boxes for birds and insects. continues to be available to all ranks of the armed forces. However, I am in the process of carrying out a Supermarkets review to consider the fundamental rationale for the allowance, look at alternatives and the justification for Alison McGovern: To ask the Prime Minister whether the current set of entitlements. he has had any meetings since September 2010 with The review involves consultation with the service representatives of (a) Tesco, (b) Sainsbury’s, (c) community and families federations. Its conclusions Asda, (d) Morrisons and (e) trade associations of will be announced later this year. which these companies are members. [52208]

The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the Armed Forces: Redundancy list of official meetings by Ministers with external organisations which is published on a quarterly basis, in accordance with the new ministerial code. This is available Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State on the Number 10 website: for Defence what effects the redundancies in the armed forces announced in the Strategic Defence and Security http://transparency.number10.gov.uk/who.php Review will have on standing commitments. [52426]

Dr Fox: Armed forces redundancies will have no DEFENCE impact on the services’ ability to meet their standing commitments. Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations Our standing commitments were re-evaluated during the Strategic Defence and Security Review and we Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence determined they fell into two categories: non-discretionary what estimate he has made of the cost per flying hour of and discretionary. We have therefore ensured that as we using (a) Tornado and (b) Harrier aircraft for operations build to our new force structure in 2020 we will retain in Afghanistan. [52545] the capabilities we need to meet fully the non-discretionary elements of our standing commitments over the next 10 Nick Harvey [holding answer 26 April 2011]: I refer years. While we do not currently envisage altering the the hon. Member to the reply given by my noble Friend, tasking of those capabilities that are at present conducting Lord Astor of Hever, to the noble Lord, Lord Moonie, discretionary standing commitments it does mean that, in another place on 11 November 2010, Official Report, should we need to, we have the flexibility in the force column WA106. structure to do so. 417W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 418W

Armed Forces: Young People from the previous Labour Government. We will also need to ensure that for usual budgetary purposes—due Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for to changes such as fuel prices, foreign exchange, inflation, Defence if he will bring forward legislation to prevent changes in valuations in our estate, and armed forces enlistment of recruits into the armed forces until after pay awards—that we match our resources to our highest their 18th birthday. [52875] priorities. This we do on an annual basis utilising the Department’s Planning Round process. I will make a Mr Robathan: No. We take pride in the fact that our statement to the House on the progress of implementing armed forces provide challenging and constructive the SDSR and the Department’s finances shortly. education, training and employment opportunities for young people equipping them with valuable and transferable Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State skills. for Defence what recent progress has been made on Planning Round 11; and if he will make a statement. Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for [52424] Defence what recent assessment he has made of the (a) emotional and (b) physical risks to the wellbeing of Dr Fox: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave those under the age of 18 who are recruited to the on 26 April 2011, Official Report, column 69W. armed forces. [52877] Libya: Armed Conflict Mr Robathan: There are widely promulgated guidelines and procedures specifically covering the care and welfare Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for of under 18s, to ensure that personnel are aware of best Defence what discussions he has had with his counterparts practice and include a mentoring regime for new arrivals. in (a) the US Administration and (b) the governments The chain of command provides a key role in the of other countries forming the coalition for military welfare of all personnel, and there is a comprehensive action in Libya on policy on the use of depleted uranium welfare system which includes chaplains, the soldiers, weapons; and how that policy (A) is applied to and (B) sailors, airmen and families association or service welfare will apply in operations in Libya. [52204] organisations, and unit welfare officers. personnel are also provided with links to single service or civilian Nick Harvey: The UK is not using depleted uranium helplines. weapons in Libya. In accordance with Defence policy, no service personnel No discussions have been had with counterparts in under the age of 18 are deployed on any operation, the US Administration and the Governments of other outside the United Kingdom, which would result in countries forming the coalition supporting United Nations them becoming engaged in, or exposed, to hostilities. Security Council Resolution 1973 (2011) on policy on Similarly, in line with United Nations (UN) policy, the use of depleted uranium weapons. service personnel under 18 are not deployed on UN Nuclear Weapons: International Co-operation peacekeeping operations. Departmental Public Expenditure Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State and (c) officials in his Department have had with their for Defence what recent progress has been made in counterparts in continental European national governments identifying the non-frontline savings set out in the on co-operation in nuclear policy; and if he will make a Strategic Defence and Security Review; and if he will statement. [52007] make a statement. [52422] Nick Harvey: The UK operates an independent nuclear Dr Fox: We have made good progress in identifying deterrent and the policy underpinning this remains how best to deliver the non-frontline savings set out in sovereign to the UK. Engagement with our counterparts the Strategic Defence and Security Review in the course in continental Europe on co-operation on nuclear policy of a recent Planning Round. However, there remains is therefore mainly via discussions within NATO who further work to drive some of the detailed implementation. are currently undertaking a defence and deterrence This will be actively monitored by the Defence Operating posture review tasked by the Lisbon summit in November Board (Transformation) including working with the 2010. It is not the practice of the Government to make relevant senior responsible owners for these measures to public details of all discussions with foreign Governments ensure that they are delivered. and I am therefore withholding further details as this would, or would be likely to, prejudice relations between Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State the UK and other states. for Defence whether further savings in his Department’s budget in addition to those identified in the Strategic Strategic Defence and Security Review Defence and Security Review will need to be identified up to 2015-16. [52423] Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken by his Department Dr Fox: The Ministry of Defence has always been following its report, SDSR: Lessons Identified; and if clear that the Strategic Defence and Security Review he will make a statement. [52425] (SDSR) was the start of a process and that there were still difficult decisions that would need to be taken as it Dr Fox: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave was implemented as a result of the situation inherited on 4 April 2011, Official Report, column 569W. 419W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 420W

Warships I plan shortly to bring forward legislative amendments to the badge design to make it harder to copy and to Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for forge. One of these amendments will require the badge Defence whether he has any plans to review his decision number and the expiry date to be included on both sides to place one landing platform dock in reserve in light of of the badge. This will enable enforcement officers to recent events in North Africa and the Middle East. check the validity of badges no matter which side of the [51122] badge is on display.

Nick Harvey: We have no plans to do so. As set out in the White Paper: “Securing Britain in an Age of Brighton and Hove City Council: Grants Uncertainty: The Strategic Defence and Security Review”, Cm 7948, we plan in future to be able to land and sustain a command group of up to 1,800 personnel Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for from the sea using specialist shipping. To meet this Transport how many ring-fenced grants provided by requirement, we need to maintain at high readiness just his Department were available for Brighton and Hove one of our two landing platforms docks. The second city council to claim in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09, (c) ship will be held at extended readiness. 2009-10 and (d) 2010-11; how much was available in such grants; how many such grants were made; and how much was awarded in such grants. [51846]

TRANSPORT Norman Baker: Between 2007-08 and 2010-11, the Aviation: Stress Department for Transport had a number of grant streams available to local government. Some of these were allocated Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for by formula and were not ring-fenced. Others were granted Transport whether he has made an assessment of levels on the basis of bids from local government. Details of of (a) stress and (b) fatigue experienced by airline the grants which Brighton and Hove city council could pilots on standby duty. [51692] bid for are outlined as follows:

Mrs Villiers: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of Table 1: 2007-08 Local transport bid-based funding (£ million) 7 February 2011, Official Report, column 51W, given to Brighton and Hove Grant allocation Total funding the hon. Member for Coventry South (Mr Cunningham). Bikeability 0.0 1.2 Aviation: Working Hours Bus Challenge and 0.0 12.0 Kickstart Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Cycle Towns 0.6 3.2 Transport whether the issue of flight time limitations Exceptional 0.0 8.0 for pilots was discussed at the Transport Council on Maintenance 31 March. [51706] Major Schemes1 0.0 257.0 Road Safety 0.8 5.6 Mrs Villiers: The issue of flight time limitations was Partnership2 not discussed at the Transport Council of 31 March. Total 1.4 287.0

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Table 2: 2008-09 Local transport bid-based funding (£ million) Transport what recent representations he has received Brighton and Hove on flight time limitations. [51710] Grant allocation Total funding Bikeability 0.1 3.1 Mrs Villiers: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of Bus Challenge and 0.0 5.7 15 February 2011, Official Report, column 673W, given Kickstart to the hon. Member for North Down (Lady Hermon). Cycle Towns 0.4 9.6 Blue Badge Scheme: Logos Exceptional 0.0 13.0 Maintenance Major Schemes1 0.0 409.0 Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Road Safety 0.0 2.2 Transport if he will assess the merits of changing the Partnership2 design of the blue disability badge so that all required TIF Pump Priming 0.0 16.1 information is displayed on one side of the badge. Total 0.5 458.7 [52315] Table 3: 2009-10 Local transport bid-based funding (£ million) Norman Baker: The design of the blue badge follows Brighton and Hove the European parking model which is set out in EC Grant allocation Total funding Council Recommendation (98/376/EC). This details the 3 information that should be placed on the front and the Bikeability 0.1 5.0 back of a badge. The information that is included on Bus Challenge and 0.0 5.9 Kickstart the back is personal and many blue badge users do not want this on display, including overnight in some parking Cycle Towns 0.9 26.8 Exceptional 0.0 5.0 bays, for personal security reasons. The badge clearly Maintenance indicates the side that should be displayed in the vehicle. 421W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 422W

Table 3: 2009-10 Local transport bid-based funding (£ million) Departmental Accountancy Brighton and Hove Grant allocation Total funding Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Green Bus Fund 0.0 5.3 whether any ministerial directions have been issued to Major Schemes1 0.0 601.0 the accounting officer of his Department since his Road Safety 0.0 4.1 appointment. [51990] Partnership2 TIF Pump Priming 0.0 2.7 Norman Baker: There have been no ministerial directions Total 1.0 655.8 issued since the Secretary of State’s appointment.

Table 4: 2010-11 Local transport bid-based funding (£ million) Departmental Public Bodies Brighton and Hove Grant allocation Total funding Tessa Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Bikeability3 0.1 6.1 what estimate his Department has made of the level of Cycle Towns 0.5 19.2 savings which will accrue from the abolition of the Exceptional 0.0 5.0 Railway Heritage Committee. [48685] Maintenance Green Bus Fund 0.0 14.4 Mrs Villiers: On 16 March 2011, Official Report, Major Schemes1 0.0 531.0 columns 9-10W, the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Road Safety 0.0 0.9 Paymaster General, the right hon. Member for Horsham Partnership2 (Mr Maude) issued a written ministerial statement updating Winter Emergency 0.4 200.0 Parliament on progress on public bodies reform. That Repairs statement also announced that Departments estimate Total 1.0 776.6 cumulative administrative savings of at least £2.6 billion 1 In the years in question eligibility to claim major scheme funding will flow from public bodies over the spending review was restricted to schemes that (a) had been prioritised in their period. region’s regional funding allocation and (b) had achieved Full Approval status as defined by the major schemes guidance in I refer the right hon. Member to the answer to my operation at the time. The only scheme in Brighton and Hove that answer of 26 April 2011, Official Report, column 89W. was prioritised in the South East Regional funding allocation was the Brighton Rapid Transit scheme, however this never reached full Driving Offences: Fines approval status and therefore no funds were provided. 2 Many Road Safety Partnership projects lasted for two financial years—the figures are for the first year for which projects were Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for approved. The figures are for the maximum approved QfT funding Transport how much revenue was raised from fines as a contribution. Some actual claims were less. Totals include some consequence of drivers failing to meet the requirement projects led by non-Government Organisations, rather than local authorities. to display blue badges correctly under the Disabled 3 The Bikeabilily funding provided to Brighton and Hove in 2009-10 Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (England) and 2010-11 was for local authority and School Sports Partnership (Amendment) Regulations 2007 in (a) Bolton, (b) delivery. Greater Manchester and (c) England in each of the last three years. [52313]

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Norman Baker: The Department for Transport does Transport how many ring-fenced grants provided by not collect these data and so the information is not his Department are available for Brighton and Hove available. Enforcement of the Blue Badge scheme is the city council to claim in 2011-12; how much is available responsibility of the local authority in cases where they in such grants; how many such grants have been made; have taken civil parking enforcement powers or, in other and how much is to be awarded in such grants in the cases, the Police or traffic wardens. next 12 months. [51849] Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he plans to take to ensure the collection of Norman Baker: To support the localism agenda, the fines for speeding in the UK incurred by citizens of Department for Transport has radically simplified and other EU member states. [52282] reformed local transport funding, moving from 26 grant streams to just four from 2011-12: Mike Penning: Foreign registered vehicles can already capital grants for (i) highways maintenance and (ii) integrated be stopped by police and issued with up to three fixed transport, both of which are allocated by formula to all local penalty points. If the driver cannot demonstrate a highway authorities and are not ring-fenced; satisfactory UK address, police officers will take a additional funding for specific transport projects based on bids summons deposit. Money taken for summons deposits to (iii) Local Sustainable Transport Fund and (iv) local authority is held pending the court hearing and either paid as the Major Schemes programme. Total budgets for 2011-12 for fine or refunded, based on the outcome of the hearing. these two grants are £80 million and £418 million respectively. If the driver does not appear at the court hearing, the Decisions on award amounts, including to Brighton and Hove money is retained and the driver has no further right to city council, are dependent on the on-going bidding processes. appeal. All other specific grants have ended, with the funding Our plans to improve the collection of fines incurred transferred and included in the main Local Government by citizens of other EU member states for speeding in Formula Grant administered by the Department for the UK will be covered in our strategic framework for Communities and Local Government. road safety, which will be published shortly. 423W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 424W

East Coast Railway Line: Timetables No additional connectivity benefits for main line rail services would be gained by the electrification of the South Wales Main Line from Cardiff to Swansea. Mr Tom Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason publication of the May 2011 timetable for East Coast trains was delayed; and if he High Speed 2: Exhibitions will make a statement. [51967] Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Mrs Villiers: Publication of the May 2011 timetable (1) what expenditure his Department is incurring on for East Coast trains has not been delayed. The timetable (a) the High Speed 2 caravan being used for the HS2 was published on East Coast’s website on 14 February Consultation mobile roadshows and (b) the equipment 2011, in accordance with the industry’s normal timescales being used for the HS2 Consultation exhibitions; and for publication of new timetables. whether the (i) caravan and (ii) equipment has been (A) purchased or (B) leased; [51894] Freedom Pass (2) what the cost to his Department is of the (a) computer programs, (b) interaction maps, (c) sound booths, (d) noise simulation recordings and (e) exhibition Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport furniture in use at the HS2 mobile exhibitions and (1) whether he plans to issue revised guidance on the roadshows; and which companies have been awarded Freedom Pass scheme for disabled people in respect of contracts to provide such goods. [51897] eligibility for those who apply who have been refused a driving licence under section 92 of the Road Traffic Act 1988; [52396] Mr Philip Hammond: Some work is still ongoing, but we estimate that the total expenditure on the consultation (2) when he proposes to issue renewed guidance to events and associated equipment to be £1.1 million. local authorities on determining eligibility for the This sum reflects our commitment to provide good Disabled Persons Freedom Pass; [52397] quality advice to the public regarding the proposals. (3) whether he plans to (a) review and (b) alter the The mobile exhibition vehicle is owned by HS2 Ltd. eligibility for the Disabled Persons Freedom Pass; Central office of Information (CoI) were contracted [52398] by HS2 Ltd to award the contracts for companies which (4) if he will issue guidance to local authorities on provided these goods. Noise simulation recordings are eligibility on discretionary grounds for the Disabled being undertaken by ARUP and there are no final costs Persons Freedom Pass. [52399] as yet due to the ongoing nature of the work.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport issued Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport guidance to Travel Concession Authorities in 2008 regarding (1) how many HS2 Consultation feedback forms were the assessment of applicants for a disabled person’s completed at the Euston HS2 mobile exhibition on 24 England-wide travel concession pass. The guidance is March 2011; and whether such statistics will be published due to be reviewed in the future to ensure that it each week during the HS2 consultation period; [51895] continues to be useful to local authorities in assessing (2) what steps he is taking to capture and record oral applicants against the disability eligibility criteria defined feedback provided to his Department and HS2 staff by in legislation. However, there are no plans to revise any visitors to the HS2 mobile exhibitions and roadshows. of the disability eligibility criteria themselves. [51896] Disability eligibility criteria relating to the Discretionary London-only Disabled Persons Pass are a matter for the Mr Philip Hammond: The purpose of the roadshows London boroughs. is to provide people with information about the proposals to inform consultation responses. They are able to Great Western Railway: Electrification submit forms electronically or in writing at the event, or they can submit responses via the consultation website after the event. We do not propose to publish information Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for on the number of forms received at each event weekly; Transport what assessment he has made of the effect however, a summary of responses received will be published on levels of rail service connectivity of not electrifying after the consultation closes. Oral feedback from visitors the Great Western Main Line between Cardiff and is not being recorded. Swansea. [45242] Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Mrs Villiers: Electrification from London to Cardiff who the employers are of each member of staff working and deployment of the new train fleet on the Great on the HS2 mobile exhibitions and roadshows. [52010] Western line will increase connectivity for stations between Cardiff and Swansea because passengers will benefit Mr Philip Hammond: The mobile exhibitions and from more seats and faster journeys. roadshows are being undertaken by HS2 Ltd in support Through trains to London will continue and they will of the current high speed rail consultation exercise, with be 20 minutes quicker from December 2017 with a support from the Department for Transport. As such, journey time from Swansea of two hours and 39 minutes. the majority of staff at the events are directly employed This significant improvement to the area’s transport by these organisations. Further specialist engineering infrastructure should enhance the attractiveness of Swansea support is provided by Temple and Arup, who are and the rest of South Wales for inward investment. engaged as consultants. 425W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 426W

Large Goods Vehicles: Licensing Mike Penning: The information requested is given in the following tables: Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Reported casualties from personal injury road accidents in Transport what consideration he has given to harmonisation (a) St Albans constituency and (b) Hertfordshire: 2007 to 2009 of the requirements for the Driver’s Certificate of (b) Professional Competence with those for a Large Goods (a) St Albans Hertfordshire Vehicle licence; and if he will make a statement. [51695] 2007 512 5,128 2008 499 4,384 Mike Penning: The Driver Certificate of Professional 2009 428 3,956 Competence (DCPC) was introduced in UK in September Note: 2008 for bus and coach drivers and September 2009 for Based on the 2010 parliamentary constituency boundaries. lorry drivers. Following public consultation in 2005, a Reported pedestrian casualties from personal injury road accidents in modular qualification approach enabling new drivers to 1 obtain their driving licence and DCPC as part of the St Albans constituency who were (a) injured (b) killed: 2007 to 2009 same process was adopted to allow maximum flexibility (a) Injured (b) Killed for those caught by the new requirements. This effectively 2007 38 1 harmonised the requirements of licence acquisition driver 2008 44 1 testing with the requirements for DCPC. 2009 36 1 1 Based on the 2010 parliamentary constituency boundaries. Railways: Standards The data for year 2010 will be published at the end of Andrea Leadsom: To ask the Secretary of State for June 2011. Transport what steps he is taking to improve the (a) reliability and (b) capacity of the UK’s existing rail network. [49709] Rolling Stock

Mrs Villiers [holding answer 29 March 2011]: We are Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for continuing to invest across the UK rail network, with Transport what assumptions in respect of (a) specifications around £14 billion planned to be spent within this and (b) costs were made in his Department’s comparison spending review period to 2014-15 to enlarge capacity between the electric multiple unit and locomotive electric and improve performance. trains and bi-mode intercity express programme trains; We will provide 650 additional carriages by 2014 to and what the source of such assumptions was. [51690] meet the rising peak demand in our major cities and on our long distance routes. Platforms are already being Mrs Villiers: The specification, frequency and stopping lengthened and stations enhanced for this. We will patterns of the trains were assumed to be the same for electrify routes in the North West and the Great Western both the coupling and the bi-mode options. Main Line to Cardiff by 2017 and expect to buy new The costs and benefits of the two options differ, and Intercity Express Trains for the latter and for the East it was the differences in costs and benefits that provided Coast Main Line. We are going ahead with the Crossrail the basis for the decision to go ahead with the bi-mode and Thameslink projects which will provide substantial option. I would also refer the hon. Member to my answers extra capacity into London from all four points of the of 21 March 2011, Official Report, columns 786-87W compass by 2019. Only last month the Chancellor of and 5 April 2011, Official Report, column 877W, where the Exchequer announced a further £200 million for I outlined some of the costs and the sources. railway improvements in the regions including the Ordsall Chord in Manchester and the redoubling of the Swindon- Kemble route in the south-west. Thames Gateway Bridge However, the single biggest contributor of additional capacity to the rail network would be the proposed High Speed 2 network which would transform capacity Mr Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for between Britain’s major cities, providing approximately Transport what assessment he has made of the effects 230,000 seats per day on the new line in Phase 1, rising on revenue at the Dartford River Crossing of constructing to more than 500,000 seats per day once the second a lower Thames crossing; and if he will make a statement. phase to Manchester and Leeds is operational, as well [52136] as releasing capacity for regional, commuter and freight services on existing lines. Mike Penning: No specific assessment has been made as yet on the effects on revenue at the existing Dartford- Roads: Hertfordshire Thurrock River Crossing from the construction of a new lower Thames crossing. Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport The Department for Transport made clear in its how many (1) casualties were recorded in road traffic Spending Review announcement that it would embark accidents in (a) St Albans constituency and (b) on a review of the options for future capacity in the Hertfordshire in each of the last three years for which lower Thames. figures are available; [52116] Following that review, which is expected to take (2) pedestrians were (a) injured and (b) killed in St around 12 to 18 months to complete, the Department’s Albans constituency in each of the last three years for intention, as part of the statutory process, would be to which figures are available. [52117] publicly consult on the merits of the potential options. 427W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 428W

Thameslink Railway Line On 28 March the Secretary of State for Education announced a new £180 million 16-19 Bursary Fund Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport that, from September 2011, will enable schools and what recent progress has been made on the Thameslink colleges to target support to those young people facing Programme. [52126] the greatest financial barriers to participation. The new scheme will have the flexibility to allow for transport Mrs Villiers: Good progress has been made on the costs where schools and colleges identify this as a Thameslink Programme including: barrier to individual students’ participation. 1. Installation of 140 metres of pre-fabricated platform extensions I recognise that the rising cost of motor insurance is a at Elstree and Borehamwood station in one weekend in March; problem to young people. We are working with the 2. Commencement of construction of train sidings and platform motor insurance industry to identify ways in which we extensions at Bedford; can develop insurance products which offer incentives 3, Completion of the major track switch from the west side of to those young drivers who may be willing accept restrictions Blackfriars station to the east side at Christmas 2010, and or take additional training. commencement of the reconstruction and widening of the west side; and 4. Erection of 400 tonnes of steelwork for the new ticket hall at Farringdon to be shared with Crossrail. HEALTH Transport: Carbon Emissions Asbestos Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department is taking to mitigate carbon Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for usage in transport. [51758] Health what recent progress has been made in disbursing the funding allocated for research into asbestos-related Norman Baker: The Government are committed to diseases his Department announced in 2010. [51755] ensuring that the transport sector plays a full part in delivering the emissions reductions needed to meet our Mr Simon Burns: No specific funding was allocated 2020 and 2050 climate change targets. On 8 March we for research into asbestos-related diseases. The Department published a draft “Carbon Plan”, which summarises of Health funds research through the National Institute ongoing and planned action to reduce carbon emissions for Health Research (NIHR) and the Department’s from all sectors, including transport. The “Carbon Plan” Policy Research programme. The Department’s funding can be found via the website of the Department for for Research and Development will increase in real Energy and Climate Change at: terms over the next four years, from £1,004 million in http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/lc_uk/ 2011-12 to £1,089 million in 2014-15. The NIHR welcomes carbon_plan/carbon_plan.aspx applications for support into any aspect of human Travel: Concessions health, including mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport made on the basis of the scientific quality of the proposals if he will take steps to provide more affordable access to made. In all disease areas, the amount of NIHR funding public transport for 17 to 25-year-olds affected by rising depends on the volume and quality of scientific activity. motor insurance premiums. [51095] The NIHR is working with the British Lung Foundation Norman Baker: For rail travel, young people are on building capacity for research on asbestos-related already eligible for a 16-25 Railcard if aged between 16 diseases. and 25, or if aged 26 and over and in full-time education. This is a requirement of each operator’s franchise Babies: Bottles agreement. In London, all 16 to 17-year-olds can pay child rate Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for for Travelcards longer than seven days and pay half the Health what his policy is on the proposed EU prohibition adult rate when using ‘pay as you go’ on buses, trams, on the use of bisphenol A in babies’ feeding bottles; and Tube, DLR and London overground services. Students for what reason the UK abstained in the vote in the aged 18 or over receive a 30% discount on Travelcards Council of Ministers on the adoption of Directive longer than seven days and up to an annual Travelcard. 2011/8/EU. [52295] Outside London, the majority of bus fares are set by commercial operators in a deregulated market. Many Anne Milton: Commission directive 2011/8/EU was operators offer reduced fares and discounted tickets to implemented in the United Kingdom by the Plastic encourage young people to use local bus services, often Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (England) in partnership with local councils. Any decision on the (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (SI 2011/231) and separate, provision of local discretionary concessions for young equivalent, Regulations relating to Scotland, Wales and people in a particular area, or for the price of tickets on Northern Ireland. services they financially support, is for an individual The UK abstained in the vote in EU Standing Committee local transport authority. Local transport authorities on 25 November 2010 as the European Commission outside London also have powers to make ticketing circulated its formal proposal to member states late on schemes or set maximum fares through statutory bus 23 November 2010 and there was insufficient time for Quality Partnership Schemes. parliamentary scrutiny of the proposal before the vote. 429W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 430W

Departmental Accountancy The following table provides a breakdown of the total number of UK spontaneous ‘suspected’ ADR Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health reports received by the MHRA during the last four whether any ministerial directions have been issued to years. the accounting officer of his Department since his appointment. [51994] Number of reports 2007 21,716 Mr Simon Burns: No directions have been issued to 2008 25,636 the Department’s accounting officers since the Secretary of State’s appointment. 2009 22,439 2010 23,247 Departmental Rail Travel These data represent all UK spontaneous ‘suspected’ ADR reports received through the Yellow Card Scheme Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for and reports from the pharmaceutical industry. These Health how much his Department has spent on first-class reports do not usually state where the medicine was rail travel for journeys by Ministers and officials in his administered. Department between London and Leeds since his It is important to note that the reporting of a suspected appointment. [52418] adverse reaction does not necessarily mean it is related to the drug. The reports are ‘suspicions’ of adverse drug Mr Simon Burns: During the period May 2010 to reactions and have not been proven. Many factors have March 2011 the Department spent £268,934 on first-class to be taken into account in assessing causal relationships rail travel between London and Leeds, using tickets including temporal association, the possible contribution purchased through the Department’s central travel contract. of concomitant medication and the underlying disease Ministers have not used first-class travel between being treated. London and Leeds during this time. Fertility: Health Services Diabetes Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that (a) NHS Sutton and how many (a) children and (b) adults with type 1 Merton and (b) other primary care trusts do not diabetes were presented as emergency hospital reduce funding for tertiary infertility services where admissions with diabetic ketoacidosis in each of the these are provided at levels at or below guidelines last five years for which figures are available. [51786] issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. [51771] Paul Burstow: The table shows the number of emergency finished admission episodes where the primary diagnosis Anne Milton: Primary care trusts (PCTs) are well was type 1 diabetes with ketoacidosis by selected age aware of their statutory commissioning responsibilities groups in England 2005-06 to 2009-10. Individuals may and the need to base commissioning decisions on clinical have been admitted on more than one occasion each evidence and discussions with local general practitioner year. commissioners, secondary care clinicians and providers. The NHS deputy chief executive, David Flory, wrote 2009-10 2008-09 2007-08 2006-07 2005-06 to PCT commissioners on 11 January 2011 to highlight the importance that those involved in commissioning 17 and 3,174 3,229 3,202 3,167 2,960 under fertility services have regard to the National Institute 18 and 8,092 7,913 7,677 7,023 6,465 for Health and Clinical Excellence fertility guidelines, over including the recommendation that up to three cycles of Unknown 169668in vitro fertilisation are offered to eligible couples where age the woman is aged between 23 and 39. The communication Total 11,282 11,151 10,885 10,196 9,433 has been placed in the Library. The Department also supports Infertility Network Drugs: Side Effects UK, the leading fertility patient organisation, to work in partnership with PCTs to encourage good practice in Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health the provision of fertility services. This work is ongoing. what estimate he has made of the number of adverse reactions from medicines administered in NHS Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which bodies are to be responsible for commissioning facilities in each of the last four years. [51715] fertility treatment under his proposals for NHS reform. Mr Simon Burns: Reports of suspected adverse drug [51830] reactions (ADRs) are collected by the Medicines and Mr Simon Burns: Responsibility for the commissioning Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and of national health service infertility services has not yet Commission for Human Medicines (CHM) through the been agreed. spontaneous reporting scheme; the Yellow Card Scheme. The scheme collects ADR reports from across the whole HIV Infection: Tuberculosis United Kingdom and includes all medicines, including those from prescriptions, over-the-counter or general Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health retail sales. Reports are also received for herbal medicines how many people were diagnosed with HIV-related and other unlicensed medicines. tuberculosis in (a) England, (b) the Brighton and 431W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 432W

Hove primary care trust area and (c) East Sussex Human Papilloma Virus: Vaccination Downs and Weald primary care trust area in the latest period for which figures are available. [51630] Dr Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what basis points were allocated to price in the Anne Milton: The latest information available is shown human papillomavirus vaccine tender criteria; according in the following table: to what criteria the effects of price were calculated; and Three year average number and proportion of tuberculosis patients how price affected the total points score allocated to aged 15 and over co-infected with HIV, 2006 to 2008 each vaccine. [51195] 2006-08 average Proportion Number (percentage) Anne Milton: In order to select which human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to purchase and use, the England 560 7.5 Department follows Europe Union procurement legislation Brighton and Hove City Primary 6 17.6 and uses a rigorous process for the selection based on Care Trust cost-effectiveness analysis. East Sussex Downs and Weald <5 Approx 10 The methodology used was published in the British Primary Care Trust Medical Journal in July 2008: Notes: 1. Matching is carried out retrospectively because of delay in reporting www.bmj.com/content/337/bmj.a769.full of cases and data are, therefore, available up to 2008 at present. A copy of the criteria used in the adjudication has 2. As there are only small numbers of cases in each of the primary care trusts (PCTs), three-year average numbers have been provided. been placed in the Library. 3. This figure does not include cases of co-infection in children The criteria were shared with the manufacturers during because HIV in children is reported separately. the process so that they were fully informed of the 4. Numbers less than five are not shown because of possibility of deductive disclosure. Because of small number of cases by PCT we criteria against which their bids would be evaluated. only provide three-year average numbers. Source: Learning Disability: Social Services Health Protection Agency.

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for (1) what assessment his Department has made of the Health how much of his Department’s Skills for Care contribution of collaborative tuberculosis and HIV services funding allocation for 2011-12 will target adult social to reducing rates of co-infection; [51631] care staff supporting people with profound and multiple (2) if he will take steps to ensure that relevant learning disabilities; and if he will make a statement. commissioning expertise will be available for the [52017] provision of integrated tuberculosis and HIV services by GP consortia under his proposed new structures for Paul Burstow: In 2011-12, the Department is providing the NHS. [51632] approximately £27.5 million funding to Skills for Care for the training and development of the adult social Anne Milton: On 21 December 2010, we published care workforce. This includes £13 million for the Training “Healthy Lives, Healthy People: Consultation on the Strategy Implementation grant, which Skills for Care funding and commissioning routes for public health”, a administer on the Department’s behalf. The grant provides copy of which has already been placed in the Library. funding to employers in the private and voluntary sectors to upskill their existing workforce. This is a generic The aim of this consultation, which closed on 31 grant and will support the improvement of skills across March 2011, was to ensure the Department gets details the sector including those staff who support people of the new public health system right in order to deliver with profound and multiple learning disabilities. significant improvements to the health of the population. The document proposed that the NHS Commissioning Mental Health Services: Complaints Board will commission HIV treatment and that the national health service will continue to fund and commission infectious disease treatment including tuberculosis (TB) Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for treatment. The NHS Commissioning Board will have a Health what requirements there are on mental health leadership role in providing commissioning guidance trusts regarding mechanisms for dealing with complaints for general practitioner consortia based on quality standards raised by members of the public. [51902] and by designing tariffs and model NHS contracts. We need to read and analyse the consultation responses Mr Simon Burns: The Local Authority Social Services carefully, and consider whether changes need to be and National Health Service Complaints (England) made to our proposals. We will work to clarify the detail Regulations 2009 provides the framework within which of how this would be implemented in practice, including all providers and commissioners of NHS services (including how to ensure the relevant expertise informs the mental health trusts) must operate. This framework commissioning of integrated HIV and TB services. It is includes the handling, investigation and the response to important that all concerned work together to ensure the complainant. that tuberculosis and HIV services are commissioned and delivered in a way that meets local need and reduces Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for rates of co-infection. Health what requirements there are on mental health A response to the consultation will be published in trusts in respect of the time taken to respond to complaints the summer. made by members of the public. [51903] 433W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 434W

Mr Simon Burns: The Local Authority Social Services Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for and National Health Service Complaints (England) Health how many complaints each mental health trust Regulations 2009 do not specify time-scales for handling in England received in each of the last five years. [51904] individual complaints. The body receiving the complainant must offer to discuss with the complainant: the period within which the investigation of the complaint is Mr Simon Burns: The following table shows the total likely to be completed; and number of complaints received by mental health trusts the period within which the response is likely to be sent to the complainant. in England in each of the last five years. During the investigation, the organisation receiving the complaint must keep the complainant informed, as far as reasonably practicable, as to the progress of the investigation.

Hospital and community health services: written complaints by mental health organisation; England as at 1 April to 31 March each year 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

England 95,047 90,801 87,080 89,139 101,077 Of which: All mental health organisations 7,913 8,222 7,260 7,226 9,617

2Gether NHS Foundation Trust RTQ 81 71 89 51 n/a 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation RTV 121 138 133 124 140 Trust Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health RVN 217 212 217 204 233 Partnership NHS Trust Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental RRP 230 233 196 184 212 Health NHS Trust Bedfordshire and Luton Mental Health RV7 84 114 98 45 74 And Social Care Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation RWX 121 123 n/a 96 82 Trust Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health RXT 341 333 241 295 257 NHS Foundation Trust Bradford District Care Trust TAD 175 76 52 62 76 Calderstones Partnership NHS RJX68707687136 Foundation Trust

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS RT1 43 49 63 n/a n/a Foundation Trust

Camden and Islington Foundation Trust TAF 190 174 153 n/a n/a Central and North West London NHS RV3 182 228 206 206 194 Foundation Trust Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS RXA 69 62 n/a 58 46 Foundation Trust Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation RJ8 146 195 119 86 173 Trust Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership RYG * 111 86 101 118 NHS Trust Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation RNN 44 46 38 66 61 Trust Derbyshire Mental Health Services NHS RXM 86 110 111 93 373 Trust Devon Partnership NHS Trust RWV 98 107 135 120 391

Dorset Healthcare NHS Foundation RDY 101 55 n/a n/a n/a Trust Dudley and Walsall Mental Health RYK***66139 Partnership NHS Trust East London NHS Foundation Trust RWK 225 152 252 255 230

Greater Manchester West Mental Health RXV 62 78 n/a n/a n/a NHS Foundation Trust Hampshire Partnership NHS Foundation RW1 108 125 142 99 195 Trust 435W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 436W

Hospital and community health services: written complaints by mental health organisation; England as at 1 April to 31 March each year 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Hertfordshire Partnership NHS RWR 93 97 n/a 137 204 Foundation Trust Humber NHS Foundation Trust RV9 34 35 44 87 76 Kent and Medway NHS And Social Care RXY * 260 194 149 194 Partnership Trust Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust RW5 395 399 249 243 174 Leeds Partnership NHS Foundation RGD 114 103 98 92 56 Trust Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust RT5 187 287 229 230 223 Lincolnshire Partnership NHS RP7 97 80 95 79 166 Foundation Trust Manchester Mental Health and Social TAE 159 190 141 140 149 Care Trust Mersey Care NHS Trust RW4 498 408 249 406 342 Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health RMY 18 17 28 18 320 NHS Foundation Trust North East London NHS Foundation RAT 140 118 112 n/a 58 Trust North Essex Partnership NHS RRD 127 122 106 81 400 Foundation Trust North Staffordshire Combined RLY6867546184 Healthcare NHS Trust Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS RP1 109 136 108 148 123 Foundation Trust Northumberland Care Trust TAC 28 50 26 26 41 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS RX4 * 171 135 128 282 Foundation Trust Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust RHA 421 378 447 418 625 Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire RNU 77 150 145 n/a 129 Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust Oxfordshire Learning Disability NHS RHX 21 15 7 7 25 Trust Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust RPG 120 n/a 115 96 85 Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust RT2 163 153 130 128 146 Rotherham Doncaster and South RXE 37 51 46 58 86 Humberside Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust Sandwell Mental Health NHS and Social TAJ4033231751 Care Trust Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS TAH 130 95 117 68 79 Foundation Trust Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation RH5 121 102 92 64 62 Trust South Downs Health NHS Trust RDR 322 102 113 168 89

South Essex Partnership University NHS RWN 147 n/a n/a n/a n/a Foundation Trust South London and Maudsley NHS RV5 520 553 474 518 520 Foundation Trust South Staffordshire and Shropshire RRE 131 105 135 114 178 Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust South West London and St George’s RQY 160 180 220 280 237 Mental Health NHS Trust South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS RXG 52 104 112 104 97 Foundation Trust Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS RT6 103 98 95 116 120 Trust Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS RXX 142 102 98 103 115 Foundation Trust Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation RX2 * 141 261 264 565 Trust

Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation RNK 15 18 n/a n/a n/a Trust Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS RX3 * 101 96 104 111 Foundation Trust West London Mental Health NHS Trust RKL 261 297 240 220 243 437W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 438W

Hospital and community health services: written complaints by mental health organisation; England as at 1 April to 31 March each year 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Worcestershire Mental Health RWQ7142195632 Partnership NHS Trust n/a = Not available. ‘*’ = Not applicable. Notes: 1. Data from foundation trusts are returned on a voluntary basis and therefore data for some trusts are unavailable. 2. Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Tees, Esk And Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, Northumberland, Tyne And Wear NHS Foundation Trust and Kent And Medway NHS And Social Care Partnership Trust were all formed in April 2006. 3. Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust was formed in October 2008. 4. Coventry And Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust was formed in 2006. Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre, Workforce and Community dataset KO41a

Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for NHS: Redundancy and Early Retirement Health how long on average it took each mental health trust in England to respond to a complaint raised by a Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for member of the public in the most recent period for Health what the cost to the Exchequer was of (a) which figures are available. [51905] voluntary redundancies, (b) early voluntary retirements and (c) compulsory redundancies in the NHS in 2010-11. Mr Simon Burns: This information is not collected [51923] centrally. Midwives Mr Simon Burns: There is no extra cost to the Exchequer for members of the NHS Pension scheme taking voluntary early retirement. The cost of voluntary early retirement Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for is borne by the member through reduced benefits. Health how many consultant midwives there were in each region in 2010. [51432] No information is available on the cost of voluntary or compulsory redundancies in 2010-11 as the accounts Anne Milton: It is not possible to identify consultant for this period have not been laid. Information is available midwives from the non-medical workforce census. from the NHS (England) summarised accounts on costs of termination benefits for the 2009-10 year. Termination NHS: Pensions benefits include the costs of severance payments and redundancy payments including employer costs of Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for redundancy retirement. This amounted to £266,000 for Health (1) whether an impact assessment has been strategic health authorities, £6,825,000 for primary care carried out on the proposed changes to the NHS Pension trusts and £15,142,000 for NHS trusts. Date is not scheme; and what estimate he has made of the change available for NHS foundation trusts. in the opt-out rate resulting from implementation of From 2010-11, there is a HM Treasury Financial those changes; [52276] Reporting Manual requirement for the NHS audited (2) what arrangements are in place to ensure that the summarisation schedules to further analyse termination changes to the NHS Pension scheme are sustainable benefits into the number and cost of compulsory and and progressive; [52277] other exit packages by cost banding. (3) what assessment he has made of the effects of the Parkinson’s Disease: Physiotherapy proposed changes to the NHS Pension scheme on part-time members of staff who are members of the scheme. [52278] Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of introducing Mr Simon Burns: At the spending review the Government GP-led commissioning on access to physiotherapy for announced changes to the level of employee contribution people suffering from Parkinson’s disease. [51863] rates which would lead to total savings of £2.8 billion a year by 2014-15, to be phased in from April 2012. Paul Burstow: Subject to the passage of the Health Discussions about how this will be implemented are Bill through Parliament, general practitioners (GPs) on-going with unions in the context of wider ranging will be given real responsibility to ensure that commissioning pension discussions. The Government will put forward decisions are underpinned by clinical insight and knowledge proposals in June, and will then begin formal consultation of local healthcare needs. GPs, in partnership with on the necessary changes to scheme regulations. other local healthcare professionals such as therapists and community nurses, are best placed to understand The Government are committed to protecting low the health needs of local populations and how to work earners and ensuring changes are both sustainable and with their local populations to design services that meet progressive. those needs. The Treasury published an estimate of likely opt-out The GP role is particularly prominent for people with rates at the spending review: long-term conditions, and in helping patients to access http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/sr2010_policycostings.pdf wider or more specialised national health service services This estimate has been scrutinised by the independent through the thousands of referral decisions they make Office for Budget Responsibility, and will be reviewed on a daily basis. The quality and availability of primary when the Government puts forward final designs. care services also has a wider impact on accident and 439W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 440W emergency attendances and emergency admissions. GP Genital warts: first episode Commissioning should also provide consortia with Age group incentives to invest in interventions in community based <25 25+ Total services that keep people healthier for longer and prevent or delay treatment that is more expensive. 2008 19,182 21,906 41,094 2009 19,363 22,701 42,065 Total (2008 38,545 44,607 83,159 Pharmacy and 2009) Notes: Mr Barron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 1. Data on diagnoses where the age of the patient was unknown are (1) what assessment he has made of the effect on included in the ‘Total’ column. The total may therefore include some diagnoses on patients under 25. designation of community pharmacies as qualified providers 2. The data available from the KC60 (2008 and earlier) and GUMCAD of their regulation by the General Pharmaceutical Council; (2009 onwards) returns are for diagnoses made in GUM clinics only. and if he will make a statement; [51041] A recent study (pending publication) of genital warts cases (first and recurrence) seen in GUM clinics and in general practice in 2008 has (2) what assessment he has made of whether regulation found most cases seen in general practice were referred on to GUM of community pharmacies by the General Pharmaceutical clinics and estimated that only around 5% of cases were seen in Council rather than the Care Quality Commission could general practice only, i.e. figures in the table may represent up to 95% prevent community pharmacies being recognised as of cases. meeting the definition of any qualified provider; and if 3. The data available from the KC60 and GUMCAD returns are the number of diagnoses made, not the number of patients diagnosed. [52104] he will make a statement. 4. The information provided is based on reported data from GUM clinics in England that has been adjusted for missing clinic data. Mr Simon Burns: I understand the right hon. Member 5. Data are unavailable for 2010. is referring in these questions to whether the regulation Source: of community pharmacies by the General Pharmaceutical Health Protection Agency, KC60 and Genitourinary Medicine Clinic Council (GPhC) rather than the Care Quality Commission Activity Dataset (GUMCAD) returns. Date of data: 25 August 2010. (CQC) could prevent community pharmacies being recognised as meeting the definition of any qualified Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health provider. (1) if he will estimate the proportion of genital warts This would not be the case; rather the focus would be cases in women aged under 25 which would be prevented on ensuring, through the qualification process, that by using a quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine providers have the appropriate registrations, whether (HPV) in the national HPV immunisation programme this is with the CQC, GPhC or other regulatory bodies. and catch-up programme; [51688] (2) if he will estimate the proportion of genital warts Physiotherapy cases in men aged under 25 which would be prevented by using a quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine in the national HPV immunisation programme and Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for catch-up programme. [51689] Health if he will assess the effects of the introduction of the willing provider model within the NHS on access to physiotherapy services for people recovering from Anne Milton: The Joint Committee on Vaccination fragility fractures. [51090] and Immunisation (JCVI) considered the cost-effectiveness of a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme Owen Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health against cervical cancer, which included assessment of what assessment he has made of the effect of the impact of vaccination on genital warts. A summary introducing the any willing provider model on access to of the evidence considered is set out In the JCVI physiotherapy services for people with Parkinson’s statement on HPV vaccines that is published at: disease. [51864] www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/ @dh/@ab/documents/digitalasset/dh_094739.pdf Mr Simon Burns: The Government’s intention in A copy of the JCVI statement has been placed in the extending Any Qualified Provider (AQP) (previously Library, The cost-effectiveness study produced by the Any Willing Provider) is to improve access by increasing Health Protection Agency (HPA) used by the JCVI was the choice and control patients have over their care and published in the British Medical Journal in July 2008: treatment. The Department is continuing to develop www.bmj.com/content/337/bmj.a769.full AQP policy, and initial implementation guidance, including its application to specific services, will be published This cost-effectiveness paper did not specifically report shortly. what proportion of genital warts cases in women or men aged under 25 would be prevented by using a quadrivalent HPV vaccine in the national HPV Sexually Transmitted Diseases immunisation programme and catch-up programme. The HPA in the modelling paper noted on the Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health epidemiological impact of vaccination-that the how many cases of genital warts have been diagnosed in men aged under 25 since 2008. [51687] ‘model results predict that vaccinating 12 year old girls in a screened population at 80% coverage with a quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine that protects for an average of 20 years Anne Milton: The numbers of genital warts (first reduces the incidence of cervical cancer by 24-93% and anogenital episode) diagnosed in men in genitourinary medicine warts by 22-100% after 100 years of an ongoing vaccination (GUM) clinics in England for 2008 and 2009, are shown programme. Catch-up campaigns reduce incidence in the first in the following table. 30 years of vaccination but have little effect beyond that. Extending 441W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 442W vaccination to boys provides only a small additional reduction in offered loans with a value of over £1.45 billion. Of incidence of cervical cancer and anogenital warts, with the greatest which, almost 12,500 businesses have drawn down loans benefit when the duration of vaccine protection is short.’ totalling over £1.24 billion. In 2010, the Department commissioned an update to Details of the figures on EFG lending by constituency the cost-effectiveness study. This study is taking into shall be deposited in the Libraries of the House. account new data on the potential protection provided by the HPV vaccines against cancer and non-cancer diseases, including genital warts. The study, which has Car Allowances not yet been published by the HPA, will support the next procurement exercise for the HPV immunisation Mr Frank Field: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer programme in 2011. whether he has any plans to revise the rate of tax relief on mileage allowance set by HM Revenue and Customs. [45947]

TREASURY Justine Greening: At Budget 2011 the Chancellor increased the payments scheme rates from 6 April 2011 Bank Services: Children in Care to 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25p per mile thereafter. The rates had been unchanged since Mr Hanson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 2002. (1) what discussions he has had with the (a) Welsh The payments scheme’s existing 5p per mile passenger Assembly Government, (b) Scottish Executive and (c) payment was also extended to volunteer drivers. Northern Ireland Assembly on the proposed junior individual savings account for looked after children; Government: Assets what arrangements he plans to make for the funding of the programme outside England; and whether the Barnett formula is to be applied to any new money Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenue his Department allocated to the programme; [49816] will raise through asset sales in each of the next four (2) whether he has had discussions with (a) the financial years; and how much of such revenue will be Secretary of State for Education and (b) devolved directed to capitalisation of the Green Investment Bank. administrations on the implementation of savings [49299] accounts for looked-after children; [49492] (3) which (a) charities and (b) non-governmental Justine Greening: The Office of Budget Responsibility organisations he has met to discuss the provision of has not included any figures for asset sales proceeds in savings accounts for looked-after children. [49493] their spending review forecasts. This is on the basis that there will always be uncertainty until the late stages of Mr Hoban: Treasury Ministers have met with a number an asset sale and that offering indicative valuations for of organisations and individuals to discuss how to specific assets, since this could weaken our ability to support looked after children through Junior ISAs. secure maximum value from a sale process. This has included Department for Education Ministers, Budget 2011 announced that the Government are and charities including Action for Children, Barnardo’s aiming to raise £2 billion from the sale of assets to and the Share Foundation. allocate to the Green Investment Bank (GIB). This will As the Chancellor announced on 22 March 2011, the include the £775 million net proceeds already received Department for Education will work with others to from the sale of High Speed 1. The spending review make the necessary funding available to support looked allocated £1 billion from departmental budgets for the after children through Junior ISAs. In doing so they are GIB, meaning the total initial capitalisation will be working with all relevant organisations—including the £3 billion. devolved administrations, charities and non-governmental organisations-to develop detailed proposals. Members: Correspondence Junior ISA accounts will be available throughout the UK. It is intended that the scheme to support looked Mr Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer after children through these accounts will also be available when the Economic Secretary to the Treasury plans to across the UK. reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Torbay of 14 December 2010 on measures taken by his Department Business: Loans to reduce printing and postage costs. [49689]

Ed Balls: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Justine Greening: I replied to the hon. Member on how many Enterprise Finance Guarantee loans have 30 March 2011. been (a) offered to and (b) drawn by applicants in each parliamentary constituency; and what the monetary Mr Tom Harris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer value of such loans was in each such category since when the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury plans to November 2009. [52144] reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Glasgow South of 8 December 2010 on behalf of his constituent, Mr Prisk [holding answer 26 April 2011]: I have been Ms Sandie Boyd. [49391] asked to reply. Under the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG), as Justine Greening: Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs of 13 April 2011, over 14,300 businesses have been replied to the hon. Member on 21 March 2011. 443W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 444W

Pensions At the spending review, in response to Lord Hutton’s interim report and to ensure a fairer distribution of cost between taxpayers and scheme members, the Government Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the announced that they would implement progressive changes Exchequer what discussions his Department had with to the level of employee contributions to public service (1) (a) members of the local government pension scheme pensions that lead to an additional saving of £1.8 billion or their representatives and (b) trustees of the scheme a year from 2014-15, to be phased in from 2012-13. This prior to the announcement of the outcome of the is equivalent to three percentage point increase on average. comprehensive spending review to discuss the effects of the proposed increase in the level of employee contributions; Public service pension schemes are not trust based [52356] and so do not have trustees, however the Government are committed to engaging with trade unions and other (2) (a) members of the principal civil service pension groups to discuss implementation of this policy. In scheme or their representatives and (b) trustees of the these discussions the Government have confirmed their scheme prior to the announcement of the outcome of commitment to the changes being progressive, and that the comprehensive spending review to discuss the low earners should be protected. effects of the proposed increase in the level of employee contributions; [52357] Public Expenditure (3) (a) members of the judicial pension scheme or their representatives and (b) trustees of the scheme Mr Bain: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer prior to the announcement of the outcome of the what fiscal measures his Department plans to put in comprehensive spending review to discuss the effects of place to increase levels of private sector research and the proposed increase in the level of employee contributions; development in agricultural industries during the [52358] comprehensive spending review period. [43696] (4) (a) members of the teachers pension scheme or their representatives and (b) trustees of the scheme Justine Greening: The Government support private prior to the announcement of the outcome of the sector investment in research and development (R&D) comprehensive spending review to discuss the effects of through the R&D tax credit schemes which are available the proposed increase in the level of employee to all companies, including in the agricultural sector. Budget 2011 announced a package of reforms to the contributions. [52359] schemes, including increasing the SME scheme rate of (5) (a) members of the NHS pension scheme or relief to 225% by 2012, subject to state aid approval. their representatives and (b) trustees of the scheme prior to the announcement of the outcome of the The Government are also continuing to invest in comprehensive spending review to discuss the effects of science and research, ring-fencing £4.6 billion of resource the proposed increase in the level of employee spending in each year of the spending review. contributions; [52360] The Technology Strategy Board, Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs and the Biotechnology (6) (a) members of the police forces pension scheme and Biological Sciences Research Council are together or their representatives and (b) trustees of the scheme providing £90m of funding for the Sustainable Agriculture prior to the announcement of the outcome of the and Food Innovation Platform over the spending review comprehensive spending review to discuss the effects of period. This five year programme (launched in 2010) the proposed increase in the level of employee will help agricultural and food businesses increase their contributions; [52361] productivity while decreasing environmental impact. It (7) (a) members of the firefighters’ pension scheme includes £50 million of new investment to match fund or their representatives and (b) trustees of the scheme industry R&D priorities in these sectors. prior to the announcement of the outcome of the DEFRA is also working with BIS and other Government comprehensive spending review to discuss the effects of Departments and industry to implement the the proposed increase in the level of employee recommendations of the Taylor review on encouraging contributions. [52362] private sector investment in applied research and knowledge transfer. Danny Alexander: The Government launched the Independent Public Service Pension Commission chaired Public Purse: Savings by Lord Hutton, last June to conduct a fundamental structural review of public service pension provision Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the which produced its final report in March 2011. Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the savings Ahead of the spending review, Lord Hutton produced to the public purse from the implementation of proposed an interim report which found that the value of public increases in employee contributions to the Scottish Teachers’ service pensions has been increasing following dramatic Superannuation Scheme; [52351] increase in life expectancy at retirement. Current pensioners (2) what estimate he has made of the savings to the are expected to spend over 40% of their adult lives in public purse from implementation of proposed increases retirement, compared to 30% for pensioners in the in employee contribution to the NHS Superannuation 1950s. Most of these extra costs have fallen to employers Scheme (Scotland); [52466] and taxpayers. (3) what estimate he has made of the savings to the In this report the Commission concluded that there is public purse from the implementation of proposed increases a clear rationale for public servants to make a greater in employee contributions to the Health and Personal contribution if their pensions are to remain fair to Social Services Northern Ireland superannuation scheme; taxpayers and employees, and affordable for the country. [52349] 445W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 446W

(4) what estimate he has made of the savings to the line with the practice of successive Governments and in public purse from the implementation of proposed order that advice and information is available for policy increases in employee contributions to the Northern development such advice is not generally made public. Ireland Teachers’ Superannuation scheme; [52350] (5) what his estimate is of the savings to the public purse that would arise from implementation of the DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER proposed increases in the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (Northern Ireland). [52507] Departmental Voluntary Work

Danny Alexander: I refer the hon. Member to my Graeme Morrice: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister answer of 1 March 2011, Official Report, column 436W. whether he is taking steps to increase volunteering opportunities in his office. [51044] Public Sector: Pay The Deputy Prime Minister: My office sits within the Mr Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Cabinet Office and staff are encouraged to participate what estimate he has made of the change in the level of in volunteering activities in accordance with the Cabinet the public sector wage bill between 2010-11 and 2014-15. Office’s departmental policy on volunteering, for which [51748] the Minister for the Cabinet Office is responsible. Electoral Register Danny Alexander: The independent Office for Budget Responsibility published, as part of the “Economic and Fiscal Outlook” on 23 March 2011, projections for Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister general Government employment to 2015-16. Underlying what discussions he has had with local authorities on these projections are assumptions about general steps to facilitate the use of online voter registration; Government paybill growth, and growth in paybill per and if he will make a statement. [52596] head. Further details on the methodology behind these projections can be found in Box 3.6 of the March 2011 Mr Harper: As part of looking at the implementation ‘Economic and Fiscal Outlook’, and Box 3.7 of the of individual electoral registration, officials are exploring November 2010 publication: options for improving the electoral registration process; including the practicalities and potential benefits of March 2011: online registration for people seeking to register for the http://budgetresponsibility.independent.gov.uk/wordpress/ first time. docs/economic_and_fiscal_outlook_23032011.pdf The Government expect to publish a draft Bill before November 2010: the summer recess, setting out their proposals for the http://budgetresponsibility.independent.gov.uk/wordpress/ implementation of individual electoral registration in docs/econ_fiscal_outlook_291110.pdf more detail.

Public Sector: Pensions General Election 2010: Costs

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the Mr Spellar: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what Exchequer whether his Department was responsible for estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of formulating the assumption about the opt-out rate the 2010 general election. [52102] from public sector pensions in the Department for Work and Pensions Spending Review 2010 policy Mr Harper: We have estimated that the cost of the costing document; and if he will make a statement. 2010 UK parliamentary election will be £113,255,271. [52253] This figure consists of £28,655,271 for the cost of distributing candidates’ mailings and a further £84.6 Danny Alexander: The Spending Review 2010 Policy million for the conduct of the poll. Our estimated cost costing document was published by HM Treasury. of the conduct of the poll is based on the information The estimate of likely opt-out rates was scrutinised set out in the Parliamentary Elections (Returning Officers’ by the independent Office for Budget Responsibility. Charges) Order 2010. The overall figure will be finalised once all claims from acting returning officers in Great The Government are engaging with trades unions Britain and the chief electoral officer for Northern and other groups to discuss implementation. In these Ireland (who are statutorily responsible for running the discussions the Government have confirmed its commitment poll) have been received and finalised. to the changes being progressive, and that low earners should be protected.

Ms Angela Eagle: To ask the Chancellor of the CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Government Actuary’s Department on the sustainability British Library: Lindisfarne gospels and progressiveness of proposed reforms to public sector pensions. [52355] Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will have Danny Alexander: The Government Actuary’s discussions with the British Library on plans to display Department is a non-ministerial department that provides the Lindisfarne gospels in the North East of England. actuarial advice on policy proposals where relevant. In [51504] 447W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 448W

Mr Vaizey: The British Library operates at arm’s Copies of the replies will be placed in the Libraries of length from Government. It is a matter for the British both Houses. Library Board to take decisions on access to the Lindisfarne Gospels. Museums and Galleries Government have encouraged a constructive dialogue between the North-East and the library on how to best Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for serve their mutual interests while complying with the Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what funding library’s statutory obligations. I welcome the library’s his Department has provided to the Museum at Night agreement to a short-term loan of the Gospels to the scheme in each of the last three years; [52093] North-East region, and to work towards an ongoing (2) what estimate he has made of the number of programme of loans. people who will participate in the 2011 Museum at Night scheme; [52094] Cricket: Lancashire (3) what museums are participating in the 2011 Museum at Night scheme. [52095] Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much Mr Vaizey: The funding for the Museum at Night funding his Department has allocated to promoting scheme in each of the last three years is set out in the participation in cricket among young people in the (a) following table. Pendle borough council and (b) Lancashire council area in each of the last five years. [50970] £ Museums, Libraries and Hugh Robertson: We are unable to provide the Archives Arts Council information in the format requested. Sport England Council England Total record the amount of funding awarded to cricket in the Pendle local authority area and Lancashire, but cannot 2009 15,000 n/a 15,000 separately identify the specific funding allocated for 2010 75,000 n/a 75,000 initiatives to support the participation of young people 2011 75,050 19,500 94,550 in cricket, such as “Chance to Shine”. Funding for cricket initiatives that have benefited young people, It is estimated that the 2010 Museum at Night Scheme though not exclusively, in Lancashire and Pendle is attracted 85,000 people who attended 345 events at 286 shown in the following tables. venues. Similar figures are being aimed for in 2011. To date, 218 venues have registered their events for Lancashire the 2011 Museum at Night Scheme which is on target £ for around 250 to 300 venues participating altogether. A Lottery funding Exchequer funding full list of venues, can be provided by Culture 24. 2006-07 0 0 Ofcom 2007-08 64,000 0 2008-09 0 4,000 2009-10 57,461 82,777 Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010-111 57,936 2,000 Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what timetable has been set for Ofcom’s further analysis of the potential to Pendle allocate spectrum in the 872/917 MHz band. [51264] £ Lottery funding Exchequer funding Mr Vaizey: The matter raised is an operational one for the independent regulator, the Office of Communications 2006-07 0 0 (Ofcom), which is accountable to Parliament rather 2007-08 0 0 than Ministers. Accordingly, my officials spoke to Ofcom, 2008-09 0 0 who advised that it has not yet set a timetable for 2009-10 1,500 0 further analysis of the allocation of spectrum in the 2010-111 00872/917 MHz band. Ofcom will keep the situation 1 For financial year 2010-11 data is currently only available up until 31 under review and update stakeholders when they progress December 2010. this work. Departmental Work Experience Olympic Games 2012

Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what remuneration Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will make it package his Department’s arm’s length bodies offer to his policy to require all cleaning contracts (a) in respect interns; [53281] of the London 2012 Olympics and (b) held with his (2) how many interns his Department’s arm’s length Department to stipulate that the cleaning products used bodies employed on the last date for which information should be EU Ecolabel products accredited by the is available. [53282] Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; and if he will make a statement. [52374] Mr Jeremy Hunt: My Department does not collate this information for its arm’s length bodies. Accordingly, Hugh Robertson: The Olympic Delivery Authority I have asked their chief executives to write to the hon. (ODA) is a non-departmental public body with the Member for Bury South. freedom to set its own policies within the delegated 449W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 450W limits set by the Department. All operational procurement compliance with the Electromagnetic Compatibility decisions are matters for the ODA, and not for departmental Regulations. In common with most electronic products Ministers. The ODA adheres to the Government Buying sold in the UK, PLT equipment is required to comply Standards for Cleaning Products and Services. It promotes with the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Regulations and encourages environmental awareness and requires 2006, which are based on the European Electromagnetic contractors to meet various environmental criteria through Compatibility Directive, 2004/108/EC. its procurement procedures. Enforcement powers are delegated to the Office of The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Communication (Ofcom) where a radio spectrum protection and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) is the private company or management issue occurs. Ofcom has investigated responsible for staging the 2012 Games. It is currently 219 incidents, with one still to resolve, but has not procuring for cleaning and waste contractors for London concluded that PLT products fail to comply with the 2012 venues. Within the tender process, potential contractors essential requirements of the EMC Regulations. The will provide details of which cleaning and consumable essential requirements require that equipment shall be products they propose to use at Games-time. LOCOG designed and manufactured, having regard to the state is not imposing any single mandatory labelling scheme, of the art and good engineering practice, so as to ensure but sustainability of products and services will be a key that the electromagnetic disturbance generated does not component of the assessment. All supplier materials exceed the level above which radio and telecommunications need to adhere to LOCOG’s Sustainable Sourcing Code. equipment or other equipment cannot operate as intended. Within the Department EU Ecolabel products are The technical solution to ensure the essential requirements not currently used, instead our facilities contractor use of the Regulations are met will vary with the state of super concentrated cleaning products which are diluted the art, latest good engineering practice, extent of knowledge on site. This enables less packaging and fewer deliveries, and similar variables and no revision of the technical thus reducing our carbon footprint. All kitchens within requirement is currently foreseen. the Department use ‘Ecover’ washing up liquid. The Power line equipment manufacturers are committed Department will discuss with the facilities management to continuous innovation as technology advances, allowing supplier the possibility of using EU Ecolabel products them to comply with the requirements and spirit of the in the future. regulations while providing products to better meet general consumer expectations and needs. Sports: Clubs

Heather Wheeler: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will take ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE steps to ensure that community sports clubs are not Christmas disadvantaged by high music licence fees ahead of planned changes to the music licensing regime. [51209] Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department Mr Vaizey: Responsibility for the copyright policy spent on (a) Christmas cards, (b) Christmas decorations framework which covers the licensing of public and (c) Christmas receptions for (i) the press and (ii) performances of works protected by copyright rests staff of his Department in December 2010 and January with my colleagues in the Department for Business 2011. [52420] Innovation and Skills, but the Government have no role in setting the licence fees charged by these collecting Gregory Barker: In December 2010 and January 2011, societies which are independent commercial entities. DECC sent e-cards at zero cost and purchased a stand In implementing changes to the arrangements for the for a donated Christmas tree at a cost of £24.50. No licensing of music for charities and not for profit money was spent by DECC on Christmas receptions in organisations, the Government have encouraged the this period for press or other staff. Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) to negotiate with the relevant parties or their representative bodies on the Departmental Art Works level of fees. The Sports and Recreation Alliance is currently in ongoing discussions with PPL. If an agreement Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for cannot be reached then the matter can be referred to an Energy and Climate Change what art works from the independent tribunal, the Copyright Tribunal, who can Government art collection are displayed (a) in ministerial set tariffs. offices and (b) elsewhere in his Department; what estimate he has made of the monetary value of such Telecommunications works; and what the cost to his Department of the (i) storage, (ii) handling, (iii) transport and (iv) hanging of David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for such works has been since his appointment. [52419] Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had on the future regulation of Gregory Barker: The following works of art from the power line telecommunications devices; and if he will Government Art Collection are displayed in ministerial make a statement. [51507] offices in the Department of Energy and Climate Change: A Scottish Landscape 25/75 1973 aquatint by Norman Ackroyd Mr Prisk: I have been asked to reply. Waves II23/75 block print by Tadek Beutlich I have had no such discussions, however my officials The River at Hammersmith after Sunset 1981 painting by Ian have responded to a number of inquiries concerning Caughlin power line telecommunication (PLT) equipment and its After the Tomb 11984 painting by Jennifer Durrant 451W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 452W

Permit yourself to.... 23/50 (from A Billboard for Edinburgh 2008) Name Role Qualification Screenprint by Cerith Wynn Evans Moira Permanent Master Degree in Comparative Spring Song 1951 painting by William Gear Wallace Secretary Literature, Harvard university BA Hons, Modern and Winter Walk, N.2 1948 painting by Ivon Hitchens Medieval Languages, university In the Studio of Jamini Roy 1976-1979 painting by Howard of Cambridge Hodgkin Edmund Director B A Hons, English, university of 20.3.69 1969 painting by John Hoyland Hosker General Cambridge (Acting), Sundial, Queens’ College 53/75 A/P block print by Walter Corporate and Hoyle Professional Collage No.7 1974 collage by Trevor Jones Services Interior with Aluminium Sheet 1970 painting by Peter Jowett Simon Director MA Hons Philosophy, Politics Red and Blue 2/50 1970 screenprint by Barry Martin Virley General, Energy and Economics, university of Markets and Oxford. MSc, Economics, Green and Orange 9/50 1970 screenprint by Barry Martin Infrastructure London School of Economics. La Cathedralc Engloutie 1960 painting by Ceri Richards Phil Wynn Director BA Hons, Modern History, Bring back Edinburgh’s Trams 23/50 (from A Billboard for Owen General, University of Oxford MA, Edinburgh 2008) Screenprint by Bob and Roberta Smith National Modern History, university of Climate Change Oxford MBA, London Business Icebergs, Argentine Islands, Antarctic Peninsula 1979 watercolour and Consumer School Advanced Management by David Smith Support Programme, Harvard Business Double Chevron and Spiral 24/250 1989 screenprint by Kate School Whiteford Vanessa Director, BA, Sociology and Social Untitled 2350 (from A Billboard for Edinburgh 2008) inkjet Howlison Finance Administration, university of print by Rachel Whiteread Warwick Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Landscape with Ruined Mine painting by Bryan Wynter. Accountancy, IPFA The following work of art from the Government Art Ravi Director, BA Hons, Modern History, Collection is displayed elsewhere in the Department of Gurumurthy Strategy university of Oxford Energy and Climate Change: Paddy Director, BD, Theology, university of HM Queen Elizabeth II (b.1926) Queen Regnant 1952 photograph Feeny Communications London by Dorothy Wilding. Alison Director, FCIPD CNAA Post Graduate Rumsey Human Diploma in Personnel Estimated valuations have not been provided in this Resources and Management, Manchester answer. The current monetary value of a work of art Capability metropolitan university HND can be accurately assessed only at the time of purchase Business Studies, Huddersfield or sale or by professional valuation. In the former case, Polytechnic the Collection is not actively traded; in the latter, it Professor Chief Scientific BA, Natural Sciences (Physics would not be justifiable expenditure of public funds to David Adviser and Theoretical Physics), MacKay university of Cambridge PhD, have works valued professionally. Computation and Neural There have been no costs to the Department of Systems, California Institute of Energy and Climate Change for (i) storage, (ii) handling, Technology (iii) transport and (iv) hanging of these works of art Richard Non-Executive MA, Geography, university of since the Secretary of State was appointed. These costs Reed Director Cambridge have been borne by the Government Art Collection (Department for Culture, Media and Sport). Fuel Poverty

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate he has made Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for of the level of fuel poverty in the UK. [53175] Energy and Climate Change if he will publish the expense claims made by his Department’s special advisers Gregory Barker: In 2008, the latest year for which this since May 2010. [52235] information is available, approximately 4.5 million households in the UK were in fuel poverty. This is Gregory Barker: A total of £251.44 has been claimed equivalent to around 18% of all UK households. in expenses by DECC’s special advisers since May 2010. Such expenses are claimed in accordance with the Department’s terms and conditions. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Departmental Qualifications Audit Commission Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what information his Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Department holds on the university qualifications of Communities and Local Government how much each his Department’s (a) directors and (b) Permanent individual (a) board member and (b) director of the Secretary. [52292] Audit Commission received in (i) expenses, (ii) salaries including allowances and bonus payments and (iii) Gregory Barker: The response is shown in the following other benefits in kind in each of the last three years. table. [51976] 453W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 454W

Robert Neill: This is an operational matter for the meetings at the Commission’s Millbank office, or meeting with Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive clients, including other inspectorates, government departments of the Audit Commission to write to my hon. Friend and representative bodies, in the London area. direct. Appendix 1 lists all London hotels booked in the last 24 months, for overnight accommodation only, together with the total cost Letter from Eugene Sullivan, dated 27 April 2011: for each hotel and average room rate paid. Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply. Appendix 2 lists all London hotels booked in the last 24 The information you request appears in the Commission’s months for training or staff meetings, together with the total cost Annual Accounts each year. The accounts for the year ending for each hotel. The costs for training events or staff meetings 31 March 2011 are being finalised and will be published in July. include room hire, food and beverages, equipment hire and delegate The accounts for previous years are available on the Commission’s rates. The Commission’s long-standing policy is that external website: venues should only be booked if meeting rooms on Commission www.audit-commission.gov.uk premises are either unavailable or unsuitable, for example they Hospitality registers and expenses for our Chairman, Chief cannot accommodate the numbers involved. Pressure on Commission Executive, Commissioners and Managing Directors are published rooms has eased since last May with the abolition of Comprehensive quarterly on the website. Area Assessment and the ending of other inspection programmes with a consequent reduction of some 600 staff employed by the Commission. Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what away days A copy of the Appendices will be placed in the House of Commons Library. and in-house conferences have been held outside its own premises by the Audit Commission in the last 36 months; and what the location and cost was in each Audit Commission: Food such case. [51978] Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for Robert Neill: This is an operational matter for the Communities and Local Government if he will place in Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive the Library a copy of each invoice from Leeming of the Audit Commission to write to my hon. Friend Pilkington to the Audit Commission in respect of food direct. and beverage purchases in the last 12 months. [51972] Letter from Eugene Sullivan, dated 27 April 2011: Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply. Robert Neill: This is an operational matter for the The Audit Commission does not hold ‘away days’. None of Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive our events off site are for leisure or recreational purposes. of the Audit Commission to respond to my hon. Friend Prior to the announcement of our proposed abolition in direct. August 2010, the Commission had over 2,000 staff located throughout Letter from Eugene Sullivan dated 27 April 2011: England. Many were professional staff undertaking different functions for the Commission, for example audit, housing inspection Your Parliamentary Question outlined above has been passed and research. It is necessary to bring staff together on occasions to me to reply. to ensure the effectiveness of operational delivery and employee The invoices from Leeming Pilkington to the Audit Commission relations or for staff training. Different professional groups also for food and beverage purchases over the last 12 months. The have different training and development requirements. The invoices cover two accounts. Commission only has staff meetings where there is a specific business purpose. The purpose may be to review strategy, decide The Trading Account—covers the staff cost and consumables, on and disseminate the business plan for the year, improve including sandwiches and beverages for lunches, for training communications, improve organisational cohesion, address a specific events and other meetings held on Commission premises. operational issue, or for training and development, including The Vending Sales Account—mainly covers the cost of sandwiches keeping up-to-date with developments in and government policies and confectionery for vending machines. Items are purchased by for health, housing, local government and police authorities. staff from vending machines and the income is used to defray the Some are a mixture of these. They also had a range of titles. cost of the goods. The Charity Commission also pay a proportion We are unable to extract information for staff meetings and of the cost through a lease service charge. The costs of supplying their precise purpose from external bookings, including those for and servicing the machines are included in the Trading Account client meetings and training events, without incurring disproportionate invoices. costs. One invoice relates to a reception for the departure from the Commission of its then Chief Executive in March 2010. The Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities reception was attended by the Cabinet Secretary, the Comptroller and Local Government which hotels in London have and Auditor General and other senior staff from the Department been booked and paid for by the Audit Commission in of Communities and Local Government and Cabinet Office. the last 24 months; how much such accommodation The current catering agreement comes to an end on 31 May cost in each case; and for what purpose each such 2011 and we will be using a local supplier based offsite from 1 June 2011. booking was made. [51979] A copy of the invoices will be placed in the House of Commons Robert Neill: This is an operational matter for the Library. Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to my hon. Friend Audit Commission: Gifts direct. Letter from Eugene Sullivan, dated 27 April 2011: Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply. Communities and Local Government if he will place in Prior to the announcement of our abolition in August 2010, the Library a copy of the declarations of gifts made to the Commission had over 2,000 staff located throughout England. each individual director and board member of the It is necessary for staff to stay overnight in London while attending Audit Commission in each of the last two years. [52015] 455W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 456W

Robert Neill: This is an operational matter for the These figures have been extracted from the Public Audit Commission and I have asked the chief executive Sector Procurement Expenditure survey for 2009-10. of the Audit Commission to write to my hon. Friend In order to drive down costs, the Department is direct. enforcing all Cabinet Office controls on applicable areas Letter from Eugene Sullivan, dated 27 April 2011: of spend. This includes a pan-Government recruitment Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me to reply. freeze, greater scrutiny of all spend on training and Declarations for Board Members and Managing Directors are stricter controls on spend on consultancy, including a available on the Audit Commission’s website: review of all consultancy contracts every three months http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/legal/ to ensure that they are necessary. freedomofinformation/publicationscheme/ hospitalityandexpenses/pages/default.aspx Enterprise Zones Council Tax: Essex John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he plans to Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities provide local enterprise partnerships with information and Local Government what recent estimate he has on the application process for enterprise zones. [51783] made of the average change to council tax bills for households in (a) Southend and (b) Essex between Robert Neill: Government are already in discussion 2010-11 and 2011-12. [51954] with the first wave of 11 local enterprise partnerships on their proposals for enterprise zones. Robert Neill: The average Band D council tax bill for Following the announcement at Budget, Government both Southend-on-Sea council and Essex county council promised to host two workshops, the first of which was remained unchanged between 2010-11 and 2011-12. held on 6 April for the first tranche of 11 local enterprise Details of the changes in council tax bills for all partnerships. A further workshop will be held in early authorities in England between 2010-11 and 2011-12 May for the remaining interested local enterprise were published on the Department for Communities partnerships. and Local Government website on 23 March 2011. The ‘Enterprise Zone Prospectus’ published at Budget They can be found at: also provides guidance to the remaining interested local http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/ enterprise partnerships on what issues they may want to localregional/localgovernmentfinance/statistics/counciltax/ consider when submitting their expressions of interest for enterprise zones. Departmental Video Recordings The timetable seeks expressions of interest to be submitted by end April. We will publish more detailed Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for criteria once we have received these. Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 9 March 2011, Official Report, column 1122W, John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for on departmental video recordings, which contractors Communities and Local Government what criteria he were hired to film the Hazel Blears video message in proposes to apply to the competition to identify 10 August 2008; and if he will place in the Library a copy further enterprise zones. [51854] of each invoice arising from the production of that video message. [51937] Robert Neill: The criteria to identify a further 10 enterprise zones will be published in due course. Robert Neill: Two Media Trust invoices have now been placed in the Library of the House detailing the Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for costs arising from the Hazel Blears-fronted video launching Communities and Local Government pursuant to the the White Paper: “Communities in Control: Real Power answer to the hon. Member for Blackpool South Real People”, produced in August 2008. One invoice (Mr Marsden) of 1 April 2011, Official Report, columns shows the £11,790 quoted in the 9 March answer for the 529-30W, on enterprise zones, what assessment he has costs of producing the video. made of the case for establishing enterprise zones in the The second invoice, for £1,210, is for running out areas announced on 23 March 2011; and if he will DVDs of a revised version of the video in November publish the evidence on which his decision was made. 2008 for distribution at the ‘Chain Reaction’ conference [51913] attended by more than 50 voluntary-sector organisations. Robert Neill: Seven of the eleven local enterprise Employment Agencies partnerships were selected on the basis that they encompass one or more of England’s largest cities, ranked by Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for population. The remaining four local enterprise partnerships Communities and Local Government how much his were selected on the basis of need, using the published Department spent on (a) recruitment agency fees, (b) location criteria used to assess bids to the Regional outplacement agency fees for displaced or redundant Growth Fund. staff and (c) staff training in the last year for which figures are available. [51402] Enterprise Zones: Non-domestic Rates

Robert Neill: In the financial year 2009-10 the John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Department spent £557,000 on (a) recruitment agency Communities and Local Government what mechanism fees, nothing on (b) outplacement agency fees and he plans to use to implement discounted business rates £5.45 million on (c) (external) staff training. for enterprise zones. [52725] 457W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 458W

Robert Neill: Local authorities will use their powers sector should benefit from the certainty which this to grant local discounts that are contained in the Localism announcement on the future regulatory requirements Bill, subject to parliamentary approval. The costs will for zero carbon homes provides; enabling them to invest be reimbursed by central Government. with confidence in new construction products and methods. The Government expect to publish an impact assessment Housing: Carbon Emissions shortly which will describe the impacts of the policy. Housing: Construction Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what definition of (a) zero-carbon homes and (b) zero-carbon non- Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for domestic buildings his Department uses. [51865] Communities and Local Government which local authorities exceeded the housebuilding projections in Andrew Stunell: The Government have set out in the 2010-11. [51773] growth review, published on 23 March, its policy on the definition of zero carbon homes from 2016. This can be Grant Shapps: The Department for Communities and found under “Action 9, paragraphs 2.297 to 2.300, of Local Government does not hold such data. The Plan for Growth”. http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/2011budget_growth.pdf Housing: Planning Permission On 20 December 2010, Official Report, columns 145- 47WS, the Minister for Housing and Local Government, Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for the right hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Grant Communities and Local Government (1) whom his Shapps), announced that this Government are committed Department consulted on proposals to change requirements to introducing zero carbon new non-domestic buildings for planning permission to convert premises from from 2019, and will maintain consistency between the commercial to residential use; [52675] definitions for domestic and non-domestic buildings as (2) what the timetable is for the consultation on the far as is practical. proposed changes to the planning process in relation to permission for conversions from commercial to Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for residential use; [52676] Communities and Local Government what consultations (3) what representations he has received on the he has had with stakeholders on the proposed reduction proposed changes on the conversion of premises from of the standards promoted through the zero carbon commercial to residential use. [52747] home scheme prior to his announcement of the changes. [52368] Robert Neill: The consultation on the relaxation of the planning rules for change of use from commercial Andrew Stunell: From 2016, all new homes will be to residential was published on the 8 April 2011. The required to be zero carbon and the Government’s approach consultation ends on the 30 June 2011. will minimise costs to housebuilders and so help them It is a public consultation and it is therefore open to to deliver the new homes the country needs. Although it anyone to respond. The consultation document can be would have been inappropriate to pre-empt the Budget found on the Department’s website at: announcement by consulting external partners on the specific terms of the announcement in the Plan for www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/ relaxationchangeconsultation Growth—my Department has had, and continues to have, a continuous dialogue with the full range of A summary of representations received will be published interested parties; for example, through the 2016 Task after the consultation has closed. Force and the independent Zero Carbon Hub, on its zero carbon homes policy. Local Government The Zero Carbon Hub has led a cross-sector research group, with representation from both house builders Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for and environmental groups, which provided expert Communities and Local Government what information recommendations, prior to the recent announcement his Department holds on the number of arrests made at alongside the Budget, on the right minimum levels of council meetings in England in (a) 2008, (b) 2009 and carbon reductions to be required on the site of the (c) 2010. [52300] home itself. Robert Neill: The Department for Communities and Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Local Government does not hold this information. Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the effects on (a) levels of employment Local Government Finance in and (b) the contribution to the economy of the construction products sector from the decision to Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for reduce carbon standards for new homes arising from Communities and Local Government pursuant to the the work of the zero carbon home taskforce. [52369] answer of 4 April 2011, Official Report, column 729, on Government funding (distribution), what the evidential Andrew Stunell: From 2016, all new homes will be basis was for the statement by the Parliamentary required to be zero carbon and the new definition will Under-Secretary of State that no local authority in the minimise costs to house builders and help them to country faces a reduction in its real expenditure of deliver the new homes the country needs. The construction more than 7.7 per cent. [52141] 459W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 460W

Robert Neill [holding answer 26 April 2011]: I refer statistical returns. While these show the amounts of the hon. Member to the answer given on 26 April 2011, business rate hardship relief granted they do not show Official Report, column 2MC. the numbers of businesses affected. Local Government: Bye Laws Private Rented Housing: Smoke Alarms Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for to allow local authorities to create or abolish bylaws Communities and Local Government if he will estimate without requiring his Department’s approval; and if he the (a) number of jobs which would be created and (b) contribution to the economy of implementing proposals will make a statement. [52088] to make hard-wired smoke alarms mandatory in private Grant Shapps: We intend to take forward proposals rented dwellings. [51761] to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy associated with byelaws, and will make a further announcement in due course. Andrew Stunell: The Department has no data on the potential to create jobs and contribution to the economy Local Partnerships on the implementation of this proposal. There are around 3 million properties within the Andrew Bridgen: To ask the Secretary of State for private rented sector. The Fire and Risk Management Communities and Local Government what the Journal suggests that the cost of installing a hard-wired, remuneration, including basic salary, bonus, allowances, battery backup, interlinked system with three detectors expenses and pension contribution was of each individual would be in the region of £180 to £400. This would director and board member of Local Partnerships in mean a cost to the sector of £540 million to £1.2 billion. each of the last five years; and if he will place a copy of The cost of ensuring enforcement would also need to be the most recent annual report and accounts of Local taken into consideration. Partnerships in the Library. [51980] It is education around fire safety that provides the best value for money. The installation of properly Robert Neill: Local Partnerships is a joint venture maintained smoke alarms in every household is at the between central Government (HM Treasury) and local centre of efforts to reduce fire death in the home, as government (Local Government Association). It has its they provide important and vital early warning of fire own board to which it is directly accountable. Questions and can help people to escape. The Fire Kills campaign about its activities should be put directly to Local has for some time conducted high profile campaigns Partnerships. promoting smoke alarms and maintenance messages. A copy of Local Partnerships’ 2009-10 accounts (covering the eight months from its incorporation on 1 July 2009) Renewable Energy: Planning Permission has been placed in the Library of the House. Mobile Homes Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for paragraph 1.34 of The Plan for Growth, whether his Communities and Local Government pursuant to the policy on (a) a presumption in favour of sustainable answer of 9 February 2011, Official Report, column development and (b) processing of planning applications 249W, on Park Homes: ownership, what his policy is on and appeals within 12 months and fast-tracking of introducing a fit and proper person test for park home major infrastructure projects applies to (i) onshore wind and (ii) other renewable energy infrastructure. [52022] site owners; and if he will make a statement. [51862]

Grant Shapps: As I announced in my answer of Robert Neill: The presumption in favour of sustainable 9 February 2011, Official Report, column 294W, on development will be part of the national planning policy Park Homes, I remain concerned that a fit and proper framework, and so apply to development plan policies test for park home site owners could prove bureaucratic. and decisions on planning applications; this includes I do, however, propose to consult shortly on a range of those relating to onshore wind and most other forms of other measures to improve the licensing regime that renewable energy. The proposal to process planning applies to park home sites to enable local authorities to applications and appeals within 12 months will also more effectively ensure the health and safety of residents apply to onshore wind and other renewable energy are better protected. proposals, unless they are of such a scale that requires an application under the major infrastructure planning Non-domestic Rates: Milton Keynes regime, in which case the ‘fast-tracking’ of proposals using the major infrastructure process will apply. Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many businesses Social Rented Housing in Milton Keynes received business rate hardship relief in 2010. [51927] Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many homes Robert Neill: The information requested is not held were available for (a) rent and (b) shared ownership centrally. sale by housing associations and housing trusts in (i) Local authorities in England provide national non- Milton Keynes and (ii) England on the most recent date domestic rates outturn information on their NNDR3 for which figures are available. [51926] 461W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 462W

Andrew Stunell: Figures are collected at local authority Grant Shapps [holding answer 26 April 2011]: An district level for housing associations and housing trusts impact assessment was published by the Department who are Registered Providers. The Regulatory and Statistical for Work and Pensions. The DWP and my Department Return managed by the Tenant Services Authority asks are working with local authorities, social landlords and Registered Providers to report data on their stock. other interested parties on implementation and associated The Returns showed that as at 31 March 2010 registered issues ahead of the introduction of the proposed changes housing associations and housing trusts owned in 2013. approximately 7,215 homes in Milton Keynes for social Tenancy Deposit Schemes rent. Of these, 447 units comprised housing specifically intended for older people, 320 comprised other supported housing and the remaining 6,448 were intended for Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for households with general needs. Of these ‘general needs’ Communities and Local Government (1) what estimate homes, 90 were vacant, of which 53 were available for he has made of the total level of compensation paid to letting. Information on vacancy in the stock of supported tenants by landlords for failure to comply with the housing and housing for older people is not collected by Deposit Protection scheme in each year since its local authority area. inception; [52526] The Returns also showed that as at 31 March 2010 (2) how many tenants have applied for recompense registered housing associations and housing trusts owned from landlords for failure to comply with the requirements approximately 2,242,657 homes in England for social of the Deposit Protection scheme in each year since its rent. Of these, approximately 315,777 units comprised inception; [52527] housing specifically intended for older people, approximately (3) how many landlords have been found to be in 101,617 comprised other supported housing and the breach of the Deposit Protection scheme in each year remaining 1,825,263 were intended for households with since its inception. [52528] general needs. Of these ‘general needs’ homes, 27,946 were vacant, of which 12,101 were available for letting. Grant Shapps: My Department does not hold this During the year to 31 March 2010 there were 356 low information. cost home ownership sales made by Registered Providers of their stock in Milton Keynes, and 13,721 across England. WORK AND PENSIONS Additionally, properties are made available for shared ownership by other providers, including through Section Departmental Public Transport 106 agreements. Additional affordable homes since April 2010 will Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work count towards the Affordable Homes element of the and Pensions on what date (a) he and (b) each other New Homes Bonus, which provides a powerful incentive Minister in his Department last travelled by (i) London for local authorities to increase housing supply. Milton Underground and (ii) public bus services on government Keynes will receive a £350 premium per affordable business; how many times (A) he and (B) each other home for the six years on top of the main part of the Minister in his Department has travelled by each such Bonus, which, in total, is £2,513,998 for year one. form of transport on government business since May 2010; and if he will make a statement. [50079] Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate he Chris Grayling: Section 10 of the Ministerial Code has made of the capacity of the social rented sector to provides guidance on travel for Ministers and makes offer alternative accommodation to tenants who need clear that Ministers must ensure that they always make to move to smaller properties following the restriction efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. of housing benefit to household size (a) nationally and The following information gives details of this (b) in each region. [52435] Department’s Ministers use of public transport:

Date last travelled on a Number of times Dated last travelled on the London Number of times since Minister bus since May 2010 Underground May 2010

Secretary of State for Work and Not used Not applicable Not used Not applicable Pensions (Mr Duncan Smith) Minister for Employment (Chris 1 April 2011 1 3 March 2011 46 Grayling) Minister for Pensions (Steve Not used Not applicable 30 March 2011 11 Webb) Minister for Disabled People Not used Not applicable 17 February 2011 3 (Maria Miller) Minister for Welfare Reform 1 April 2011 1 The Minister has a Freedom Pass which Not applicable (Lord Freud) is not monitored by this Department

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work monthly and (ii) annual travel card valid on London and Pensions how many of his ministerial team have Transport and paid for by his Department for use while been issued with (a) an Oyster card and (b) a (i) travelling on government business. [50176] 463W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 464W

Chris Grayling: Section 10 of the Ministerial Code other Governments Departments and the devolved provides guidance on travel for Ministers and makes Administrations. clear that Ministers must ensure that they always make The review has also established a web presence at: efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements. www.dwp.gov.uk/sickness-absence-review The Minister for Pensions, the hon. Member for and welcomes contributions from all interested individuals Thornbury and Yate (Steve Webb) and I have Oyster or groups who should email: cards paid for by this Department for use on government [email protected] business. with contributions to the review.

Departmental Vacancies Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he expects the review of sickness Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Work absence at work announced by his Department on and Pensions what the staff vacancy rate in his Department 17 February 2011 to report. [50936] was in 2010-11; and what vacancy rate has been assumed in his Department’s budget for 2011-12. [51381] Chris Grayling: The independent review of sickness absence in Great Britain is expected to report in autumn Chris Grayling: The Department has a reducing 2011. headcount profile and a freeze on recruitment has been in place in the Department since May last year. Replacement Harrington Review of leavers is authorised only in exceptional circumstances and is subject to Chief Executive Officer and Permanent Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Secretary approval. All exceptions made to the freeze and Pensions what progress is being made on implementing are reported to Ministers on a monthly basis. the recommendations of the Harrington Review into The Department does not record a staff vacancy rate. workplace capability assessments; and if he will make a Staff turnover rate is used as a key measure in workforce statement. [51532] planning. Chris Grayling: We are committed to taking forward The turnover rate is used to monitor the pace at the Review’s recommendations so that we can make the which staff leave as a proportion of the total number of system fairer and more effective. staff in the Department. Turnover is expressed as an annual percentage rate. Many of these changes are already in place and we will implement the remainder by summer to coincide In February 2011 the annual departmental turnover with the first work capability assessments of incapacity rate for permanent staff was 3.81 %. This rate excludes benefits claimants taking part in the full nationwide all staff on fixed term contracts. Since April last year reassessment. there has been a slight upward trend in the turnover rate and our current planning assumption is that it will rise Housing Benefit from its current rate to 4.00% during 2011-12. Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment: Sickness Absence Work and Pensions what data his Department will need in order to carry out the review of changes to housing Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Work benefit committed to in the Government’s response to and Pensions what the terms of reference are of the the Work and Pensions Select Committee’s Second review of sickness absence at work announced by his Report of 2010-11, on housing benefit; how he will Department on 17 February 2011. [50934] measure the effects of housing benefit changes on overcrowding; and if he will make a statement. [52187] Chris Grayling: The independent review of sickness absence in Great Britain was announced by the Prime Steve Webb: The Department has conducted a Minister on 17 February 2011. Its terms of reference procurement exercise with leading research organisations can be found at: for the independent review of the impact of the housing www.dwp.gov.uk/sickness-absence-review benefit measures. We anticipate that it will consider the effects of housing Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Work benefit changes on overcrowding in the private sector and Pensions who will be consulted as part of the and include fieldwork with different types of households review of sickness absence at work announced by his in a range of areas across Great Britain. Department on 17 February 2011. [50935] Housing: Finance Chris Grayling: The independent review of sickness absence in Great Britain has begun to engage with a Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and wide range of stakeholders including: Pensions what criteria his Department used to trade unions; determine the allocation of discretionary housing payments to local authorities in England for 2011-12; employers and those representing employers groups; and how much has been allocated to each. [49484] health care professionals and health care representative groups; industry professionals including insurers and providers of Steve Webb: The formula that has been used to occupational health and vocational rehabilitation services; allocate the original £20 million of discretionary housing the public sector and public sector employers; and payments (DHP) is the same as that used in previous 465W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 466W years. Each authority’s allocation is based on the mid-point NHS: Swimming Pools between its DHP spend for the latest year for which we have reliable data and its contribution for that year. Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for The remaining £10 million has been allocated based Work and Pensions what the cost to his Department upon the Department’s estimates of the total gross was of maintaining the swimming pool at the NHS reduction in housing benefit entitlement in each local premises at Quarry house, Leeds in the last financial authority.The overall allocation has been adjusted following year for which figures are available. [52347] discussions with the local authority associations to ensure that no local authority is allocated less in 2011-12 Chris Grayling: The Department of Health shares than they were in 2010-11. Quarry house in Leeds with the Department for Work All local authorities were advised of their individual and Pensions, and DWP is responsible for the property. allocation on 2 February 2011: DWP occupies its properties, including Quarry house, http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/s2-2011.pdf under the terms of a 20-year private finance initiative contract entered into in 1998, and pays an all inclusive unitary charge. Maintenance of the swimming pool is Incapacity Benefit: Sunderland included within the contract. The cost is not separately identifiable The pool and associated leisure centre are franchised to a separate service provider which charges Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work for access by DWP and DH staff and a number of and Pensions whether any workplace capability assessments external public groups. have been conducted on existing incapacity benefit claimants in the Sunderland area in place of personal capability Nurses assessments to date. [51626] Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Chris Grayling: Reassessing all those on incapacity and Pensions whether staff in his Department and the benefits is a significant task and we are undertaking it public bodies for which it is responsible have direct in a staged way in order to manage risks and learn from access to nurse-based medical advice as part of his experience. Department’s absence management policy. [51716] The process began on 11 October 2010 with a trial which was restricted to cases in the Aberdeen and Chris Grayling: Managers employed by the Department Burnley areas. for Work and Pensions and public bodies for which it is responsible may, when necessary, refer employees to a The next step, from 28 February 2011, was an nurse-based occupational health service. This service is introductory phase involving small numbers of cases delivered predominantly by telephone and provides advice nationally—the first work capability assessments (WCAs) about reducing the adverse effects of a health condition from this phase are due to commence from 11 April on the employee’s work performance or about helping 2011 and this may include small numbers of cases from the employee quickly to return to work from sick leave. Sunderland. Full roll-out of national reassessment began on 4 April Sick Leave 2011. To date this exercise has not generated any WCAs. Pamela Nash: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what targets he has set for the reduction Independent Living Fund of rates of sickness and unauthorised absence in his Department and the public bodies for which it is responsible. [51717] Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 14 March Chris Grayling: The Department for Work and Pensions 2011, Official Report, column 125W,on the Independent has a target to reduce sickness absence to 7.7 days per Living Fund, when his Department plans to launch its employee per year, or lower, by 31 March 2012. We have consultation on the Independent Living Fund; whom it consistently reduced sickness absence from a level of plans to consult; and what issues it plans to consult on. 11.1 days per employee per year in 2007 to 8.1 days per [51533] employee per year currently, and will strive for further improvement. Maria Miller: Our consultation on how we can best We aim to meet the target through an ongoing support the needs of the 21,000 users of the Independent programme to help employees maintain good health, Living Fund (ILF) beyond the end of this parliament such as providing stress counselling, and by appropriate will take place following the report of the Independent use of occupational health services to rehabilitate staff Commission on the Funding of Care and Support. that do take sick leave. If, following the provision of all We have committed to consulting with disabled people, reasonable help, an employee is unable to maintain a the current users of the ILF, local authorities, the satisfactory attendance record, we will take administrative devolved administrations and other interested parties. action. Where necessary, this will include dismissal or The Government are committed to delivering genuine retirement. choice and control for disabled people through further We have not set a target for other types of unauthorised personalisation and localisation of care and support; leave because the vast majority of unauthorised leave, we will consult how the needs of the 21,000 can be best when it occurs, relates to strike action. The Department’s met in line with those objectives. aspiration is to avoid strikes. 467W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 468W

Winter Fuel Payments Mr Hayes: Information on the number of apprenticeships started by individuals already in the employment of the Mr Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for employer offering the apprenticeship is not available. Work and Pensions if he will assess the potential Table 1 shows the number of apprenticeship starts in savings to the Exchequer of means testing the winter England by age for the second quarter of 2010/11 fuel allowance such that no one with an income of (provisional), the latest quarter for which data is available. more than £35,000 is entitled to claim the benefit. Table 1: Apprenticeship programme starts by age, between November [51506] 2010 and January 2011 (Provisional). Apprenticeship starts (Provisional) Steve Webb: Winter fuel payment eligibility covers Age Count Percentage those who have reached women’s state pension age (including men who have yet to reach the male state 16-18 years 22,500 24.6 pension age of 65) and are ordinarily resident in the old UK. 19-24 years 29,400 32.2 old Information on winter fuel payment eligibility and 25 years and 39,500 43.2 households with higher annual incomes is available older from data collected in the Family Resources Survey. Total 91,500 100 If entitlement to winter fuel payments were restricted Notes: to those in households with annual net before housing 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred. costs income of £35,000 or less, it is estimated that the 2. Age is based on age at the start of the programme. Source: total winter fuel payment bill for Great Britain would Individualised Learner Record reduce by £270 million per year in 2011-12 prices. Information on the number of apprenticeship starts In 2011-12, winter fuel payment expenditure is forecast is published in a quarterly statistical first release (SFR). to be £2.124 billion. As such, the saving represented by The latest SFR was published on 31 March 2011: restricting to those in households with annual net before housing costs income of £35,000 or less represents 13%. http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/ statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current Notes: 1. Information on household income and eligibility for winter fuel payments are available from the Family Resources Survey, for Mr Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, which 2008-09 is the latest year available. Innovation and Skills how many apprenticeship starts 2. Estimates are based on survey data and are therefore subject to there were in each employment sector in each of the last uncertainty. For this reason savings are rounded to the nearest 12 quarters for which figures are available. [51751] £10 million. 3. For the purpose of this question, net household incomes before Mr Hayes: Tables 1 to 4 show apprenticeship starts housing costs have been used. This includes net earnings from by sector subject area for each of the last 12 quarters for employment and self-employment, state support, income from which data are available. occupational and private pensions, investment income and other sources. Incomes are net of income tax, national insurance and Table 1: Apprenticeship programme starts by sector subject area and council tax. In practice, the level of savings may vary due to how quarter, 2007/08 this would be implemented. The costings assume those who 2007/08 would be eligible for winter fuel payments under the current February 2008 to May 2008 to system in a household with net income above £35,000 per annum Sector subject area April 2008 July 2008 in 2011-12 no longer receive winter fuel payments. It assumes that all other households are unaffected. Agriculture, 700 900 4. Savings to winter fuel payment expenditure use the 2011-12 Horticulture and expenditure forecasts that are consistent with the Budget 2011 Animal Care forecasts and are therefore based on a £200 payment to households Arts, Media and —— containing someone aged over female state pension age, with an Publishing additional £100 payment to households containing someone aged Business, 13,600 16,500 80 or over. There are additional rules determining how much Administration and households containing more than one eligible individual and Law individuals in receipt of certain benefits receive. These additional Construction, 2,300 4,700 rules are also included in the calculations. Family Resources Planning and the Survey data have been used to calculate the proportion of expenditure Built Environment which goes to households above the income level as specified. Education and 100 100 Training Engineering and 9,000 6,000 Manufacturing BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS Technologies Health, Public 8,100 8,800 Apprentices Services and Care Information and 1,300 1,500 Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Communication Innovation and Skills what proportion of apprenticeship Technology starts for those aged (a) 16 to 18, (b) 19 to 25 and (c) Languages, —— over 25 years were undertaken by individuals who were Literature and already employees of the employer offering the Culture Leisure, Travel and 1,300 1,900 apprenticeship in the last quarter for which figures are Tourism available. [51719] 469W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 470W

Table 1: Apprenticeship programme starts by sector subject area and Table 1: Apprenticeship programme starts by sector subject area and quarter, 2007/08 quarter, 2007/08 2007/08 2007/08 February 2008 to May 2008 to February 2008 to May 2008 to Sector subject area April 2008 July 2008 Sector subject area April 2008 July 2008

Preparation for Life ——Science and —— and Work Mathematics Retail and 11,100 12,400 Commercial Unknown 700 1,000 Enterprise Total 48,400 53,800

Table 2: Apprenticeship programme starts by sector subject area and quarter, 2008/09 2008/09 August 2008 to November 2008 to February 2009 to May 2009 to Sector subject area October 2008 January 2009 April 2009 July 2009 Total

Agriculture, 2,500 1,100 900 700 5,200 Horticulture and Animal Care Arts, Media and 100 — 100 100 200 Publishing Business, 21,300 15,600 16,200 10.900 64,100 Administration and Law Construction, 19,800 3,900 2,100 3.500 29,200 Planning and the Built Environment Education and 300 200 400 300 1,200 Training Engineering and 19,400 6,500 5,800 5,300 37,000 Manufacturing Technologies Health, Public 11,800 8,100 8,400 6,600 34,900 Services and Care Information and 3,500 2,100 1,900 1.300 8,800 Communication Technology Languages, ————— Literature and Culture Leisure, Travel and 3,800 2,100 2,600 2,800 11,300 Tourism Preparation for Life ————— and Work Retail and 19,900 10,000 10.100 8,100 48,000 Commercial Enterprise Science and ————— Mathematics Unknown ————— Total 102,300 49,800 48,300 39,500 239,900

Table 3: Apprenticeship programme starts by sector subject area and quarter 2009/10 2009/10 August 2009 to November 2009 to February 2010 to May 2010 to Sector subject area October 2010 January 2010 April 2010 July 2010 Total

Agriculture, 2,600 1,000 1,100 1,000 5,700 Horticulture and Animal Care Arts, Media and 200 100 100 100 400 Publishing Business, 21,000 14,600 21,400 19,500 76,600 Administration and Law Construction, 14,900 3,500 3,000 3,800 25,200 Planning and the Built Environment Education and 300 100 300 200 900 Training 471W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 472W

Table 3: Apprenticeship programme starts by sector subject area and quarter 2009/10 2009/10 August 2009 to November 2009 to February 2010 to May 2010 to Sector subject area October 2010 January 2010 April 2010 July 2010 Total

Engineering and 17,800 6,200 6,900 7,000 37,900 Manufacturing Technologies Health, Public 13,900 8,200 11,100 10,900 44,200 Services and Care Information and 4,600 2,000 4,100 1,900 12,600 Communication Technology Languages, ————— Literature and Culture Leisure, Travel and 4,600 2,300 3,400 4,400 14,700 Tourism Preparation for Life ————— and Work Retail and 19,400 13,000 13,500 15,700 61,600 Commercial Enterprise Science and ————— Mathematics Unknown ————— Total 99,300 51,000 64,800 64,500 279,700

Table 4: Apprenticeship programme starts by sector subject area and Notes: quarter, 2010/11 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Provisional 2010/11 (August to January) 2. Provisional estimates for 2010/11 are not directly comparable with figures for earlier years. August 2010 to November 2010 to Source: October 2010 January 2011 Individualised Learner Record Sector subject area (provisional) (provisional) Information on the number of apprenticeship starts Agriculture, 2,700 1,300 is published in a quarterly statistical first release (SFR). Horticulture and The latest SFR was published on 31 March: Animal Care http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/ Arts, Media and 300 200 statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current Publishing Business, 27,700 25,700 Arms Trade: Libya Administration and Law Construction, 16,000 4,100 Sir John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Planning and the Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the oral Built Environment statement by the Prime Minister of 21 March 2011, Education and 700 700 Official Report, column 707, on United Nations Security Training Council Resolution 1973, and the answers from the Engineering and 17,800 8,400 Minister of State for Business and Enterprise of 9 March Manufacturing 2011, Official Report, column 1173W and 31 March Technologies 2011, Official Report, columns 475-6W, on arms trade: Health, Public 17,200 18,100 exports, how many (a) single and (b) open licences for Services and Care Libya remain unrevoked; and what (i) equipment and Information and 5,800 3,000 (ii) services are covered by those licences. [52149] Communication Technology Mr Prisk: There are eight Standard Individual Export Languages, ——Licences (SIELs) that remain unrevoked for Libya. Literature and Culture These licences were for the temporary export of goods Leisure, Travel and 6,100 4,700 for exhibition purposes. It is a condition of the licence Tourism that the goods must be returned to the UK within Preparation for ——12 months of issue. If we were to revoke the licences the Life and Work condition that the goods must be returned to the UK Retail and 27,700 25,300 would no longer hold. Commercial The goods permitted for export by these licences are Enterprise as follows: Science and ——gun mountings, machine guns (one), sniper rifles (one), weapon Mathematics cleaning equipment, weapon sights; Unknown — — components for assault rifles, components for machine guns, Total 122,000 91,500 training small arms ammunition; 473W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 474W

assault rifles (three), assault rifles (four), semi-automatic pistols Mr Davey: Following publication of The Office of (four), sniper rifles (two); Fair Trading’s (OFT) compliance review findings report accessories for military small arms training equipment, components in September 2010 and its warning to 129 debt management for military small arms training equipment, military small firms, 42 debt firms have surrendered their licences, arms training equipment, software for the use of military small action has been taken to revoke licences in 10 cases (two arms training equipment; companies have subsequently surrendered their licences), components for military small arms training equipment, military four are under further investigation and 75 further cases small arms training equipment, software for the use of military are currently in the process of being reviewed. small arms training equipment; all-wheel drive vehicles with ballistic protection, military utility The review process is ongoing and the OFT will be in vehicles; contact with each of the 75 businesses to discuss its components for military improvised explosive device decoying/ analysis. Those who fail to meet compliance standards detection/disposal/jamming equipment, military improvised may also find themselves subject to licensing action, explosive device decoying/detection/disposal/jamming equipment; and where enforcement action is taken, the OFT will software enabling equipment to function as forward observer/target announce this in the usual way. recognition training equipment, software for the simulation of military operation scenarios. Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, There is also one Open Individual Export Licence Innovation and Skills what his policy is on measures to (OIEL) where Libya is a permitted destination. This prevent debt management firms from contravening the licence permits the export of improvised explosive device debt management guidance issued by the Office of Fair disposal equipment. Trading. [52011] Licences for the export of dual use goods to Libya for Mr Davey: All who provide debt management services use by private companies also remain extant. are required to be licensed under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has a duty Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia to ensure that applicants for licences are fit to engage in the activities for which they wish to be licensed, and to Mr MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for monitor the continuing fitness of those to whom licences Business, Innovation and Skills whether the licence have been granted. Where the OFT has evidence of granted to BAE Systems for the export of Tactica unfair practices, action can be taken to refuse or revoke armoured vehicles to Saudi Arabia included conditions or place conditions on the consumer credit licence of that (1) they should be used only for defensive purposes those concerned. inside Saudi Arabia; [51702] The OFT’s Debt Management Guidance sets out (2) machine guns should not be fitted to them. minimum standards for debt management companies in [51703] the marketing of their services, pre-contract contact, the provision of pre-contract information, contract terms, Mr Prisk: There was no such condition attached to advice and the nature of the debt management service the export licence. provided. The OFT take enforcement action where it has evidence that licensees are acting in breach of this Companies: North East guidance. As part of the OFT’s compliance strategy for this sector it will also issue a revised version of the Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for guidance for consultation in the summer, which will Business, Innovation and Skills how many publicly- provide additional clarification on unfair practices. quoted companies with headquarters in the North East there were in each of the last five years. [51966] Departmental Chief Scientific Advisers

Mr Davey: Companies House does not hold any Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, information on companies broken down by regions. Innovation and Skills what plans he has for the future Neither could it identify which public limited companies of the role of Chief Scientific Adviser to his Department. were also quoted companies. Also Companies House [50150] only holds information on companies’ registered offices, which are not necessarily their headquarters. Mr Willetts [holding answer 31 March 2011]: The current Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department for Debts: Advisory Services Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is Professor Brian Collins, whose contract ends in May 2011. Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for The future of the role of the BIS Chief Scientific Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how many of the Adviser is currently being discussed within the Department 129 debt management firms cautioned by the Office of and with the Government Chief Scientific Adviser as Fair Trading (OFT) in September 2010 and which have part of a broader consideration of the Department’s not had their consumer credit licence revoked are still science and engineering capability going forward. The not in compliance with OFT guidance on debt post is expected to be advertised shortly. management; [51924] (2) what steps he is taking to ensure that debt Departmental Conditions of Employment management firms cautioned by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in September 2010 and which still hold Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for a consumer credit licence are not operating within OFT Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has guidance; and if he will make a statement. [51925] made of his Department’s adherence to each of the 475W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 476W principles of good employment practice set out in the Mr Davey: The Government have not set targets for a Cabinet Office publication Principles of Good reduction in the number of posts in the Department for Employment Practice. [42624] Business, Innovation and Skills or its non-departmental public bodies. Mr Davey: No formal assessment has yet been Work force implications of the spending review settlement undertaken of how the Department has adhered to the will depend on internal budget allocations and subsequent Cabinet Office publication “Principles of Good management decisions. Employment Practice” given their relatively recent launch It is anticipated that we will need to reduce staff on 13 December 2010. However, processes and controls numbers across the core Department by around 275 are in place to ensure that the principles are complied people in 2011-12. with on an ongoing basis by the following means: The principles have been disseminated across the Department’s Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, network of agencies and non-departmental public bodies for Innovation and Skills what the job title is of each consideration in procurement activities. member of staff in each division of his Department and Tender documents which are issued by the Department follow paid through his Department’s payroll who (a) is on the Cabinet Office best practice guidance. loan from another Government Department and (b) The Department reviews its procurement procedures and has shared responsibilities with another Government documentation regularly to ensure continuing compliance with Department. [51584] Cabinet Office guidance. The Department uses outcome based specifications wherever Mr Davey: There are 72 people on the Department’s appropriate. Procurement staff seek opportunities where payroll who are on loan from other Government appropriate to promote skills training, qualifications and Departments. Records are not held centrally on job apprenticeships in contracts. titles but the following table shows this broken down by The Department’s standard terms and conditions contain grade. clauses covering discrimination, disability and race equality. Should a breach of these conditions occur, the Department Number of people loan has the ultimate option to terminate the contract. Grade in—payroll

Departmental Contracts AO 1 EO 7 HEO 19 Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, SEO 1 Innovation and Skills what contracts his Department Grade 7 32 and its associated public bodies signed with Lockheed Grade 6 9 Martin in each of the last 10 years; and for what SCS 3 purposes each such contract was let. [50691] In addition to the above UK Trade and Investment Mr Davey: The Department and its predecessors have (UKTI) have 49 military staff on loan from the MOD let no contracts with Lockheed Martin in the last 10 who are on MOD payroll but UKTI refund the costs. years. In terms of shared responsibilities with other Government Details of contracts let by associated public bodies Departments, the current staffing is set out in the following are not held centrally and could be provided only at table. disproportionate cost. Shared responsibilities Current staffing Departmental Correspondence Joint Apprenticeships Unit (with 1 Deputy Director DfE) 3Grade6 John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, 2Grade7 Innovation and Skills when he plans to provide a substantive response to the letter to his Department from the hon. 3 SEO Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross of 5 HEO/Faststream 13 October 2010 on the case of Christopher Shepherd. 1EO [51785] 1EA

Mr Davey: I responded to my hon. Friend for Caithness, Trade Policy Unit (with DfID) 4 Deputy Director Sutherland and Easter Ross’s letter of 13 October 2010 4Grade6 on 6 April 2011. 10 Grade 7 Departmental Manpower 3 Economists 3 SEO 15 HEO Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what public sector job 5 Faststream reduction targets have been set for his Department and 1 Economic Assistants its non-departmental public bodies for each of the next 3EO 24 months; and what steps he plans to take to meet such targets. [51531] 477W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 478W

Shared responsibilities Current staffing Joint unit in place Department which May 2010 Current staffing meets staff costs Private Office to Lord Green (with 1Grade7 FCO) Private Office to 1 Grade 7 All costs met by BIS 0.25 HEO Lord Green(with except FCO FCO) employs 2 EOs 4EO 0.25 HEO 4EO Private Office to John Hayes MP 1 SEO (with DfE) 1FS Private Office to 1 SEO All costs met by BIS John Hayes MP except DfE employs 2EO (with DfE) 1EO 1FS Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, 2EO Innovation and Skills how many staff from his Department are on loan to other Government departments. [51585] Integrating Now disbanded — Employment and Skills (with DWP) Mr Davey: There are currently 186 employees on loan Private Office to Ed Now solely DCMS — out to other Government Departments of which 60 of Vaizey MP these are staff from UK Trade and Investment. In addition BIS and the FCO work jointly in support Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, of UK Trade and Investment, a non-ministerial Innovation and Skills what units of his Department in Government Department. UK Trade and Investment place on the date of his appointment are shared with draws people from both BIS and the FCO to achieve its other Government Departments; how many staff at objectives. each grade from Executive Officer to Grade 3 are assigned to each such unit; and which Departments meet the Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, staff costs of each member of staff in such units. Innovation and Skills what the (a) job title is and (b) [51624] responsibilities are of each member of staff seconded to his Department from the private sector; from which Mr Davey: The information on shared units based in company each is seconded; and who is responsible for BIS is provided in the following table, detailing the meeting the staff costs of each secondee. [51627] shared units in place in May 2010, current staffing and details of which Department meets staff costs. Mr Davey: The information is as follows:

Jointunitinplace Department which Job title/Responsibilities Company May 2010 Current staffing meets staff costs Bank Charges/banking reform RBS Joint 1 Deputy Director All costs met by BIS Global Restructuring RBS Apprenticeships except DfE employs Unit(with DfE) 1Grade7and1 Head of Science and Innovation Imperial College London HEO Analysis 3Grade6 Key Event Management PERA Event Organisation Thales 2Grade7 Procurement RCUK Shared Services Centre 3SEO Ltd 5 HEO/HEOD Procurement RCUK Shared Services Centre 1EO Ltd Government Property Unit Jones Lang LaSalle 1EA Government Property Unit Jones Lang LaSalle

With the exception of Imperial College London all Trade Policy Unit Cost split between salaries are paid for by the parent organisation, and (with DfID) BIS and DfID: re-imbursed by BIS. 4 Deputy Director 3 BIS/1 DfID This data is based on information held on the 4 Grade 6 1 BIS/3 DfID department’s internal IT management systems. 10 Grade 7 6BSI/4 DfID 3 Economists 2 BIS/1 DfID 3SEO 3 BIS Departmental Mobile Phones 15 HEO 10 BIS/5 DfID 5 Faststream 3 BIS/2 DfID Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, 1 Economic 1BIS Innovation and Skills how many officials in his Department Assistants are provided with mobile communication devices; and 3EO 3 BIS how much his Department spent on mobile telephones and related data services in the last year for which figures are available. [51414] 479W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 480W

Mr Davey: There were 741 Blackberrys in use in this Letter from Geoff Russell, dated 3 March 2011: Department in January 2010. The numbers varied during Thank you for your parliamentary question asking the Secretary the year and there were 722 Blackberrys in use at 1 of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the cost to the January 2011. A total of £221,000 was spent on UK public purse was of the (a) procurement and (b) outsourcing and overseas phone charges and data services during function of the Skills Funding Agency (the Agency) in the last 2010. financial year for which figures are available. There are currently 676 mobile phones issued to BIS Please be advised that the latest figures available are for the period 2009-10 which relate to the Learning and Skills Council staff. In 2010 the Department spent £138,000 on mobile (LSC), the Agency’s predecessor. phones. This includes the purchase of new handsets and The cost of the procurement function for the LSC in 2009-10 line rental for existing services. was £511,569 (in accordance with the 10 June benchmarking return).The LSC did not have an ‘outsourcing function’ or any Departmental Procurement functions that have been outsourced. Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 17 March 2011: Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, The Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation Innovation and Skills what the cost to the public purse and Skills has asked me to reply to your question what the cost to was of the (a) procurement and (b) outsourcing the public purse was of the (a) procurement and (b) outsourcing function of (i) his Department and (ii) each (A) agency, function of (i) his Department and (ii) each (A) agency, (B) (B) non-departmental public body and (C) non- non-departmental public body and (C) non-Ministerial Department Ministerial Department for which he is responsible in for which he is responsible in the last financial year for which the last financial year for which figures are available. figures are available. [43963] The Insolvency Service Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills at the current time has: Mr Davey: The cost of the procurement function for (a) The procurement function for the Insolvency Service is the Department in financial year 2010-11 was £531,907. located within its Change and Workplace Services Directorate. There is no function within the Department solely Salary costs for the Procurement Team in financial year 2009-2010 dedicated to outsourcing. totalled £125,374.27, inclusive of National Insurance and superannuation costs. The cost of the procurement functions of BIS Agencies, In the same period, Travel and Subsistence costs for this area NDPBs and non-ministerial Departments for financial of the Service totalled £2192.30. year 2009-10 is detailed in the second Back Office Benchmarking Survey, commissioned by the Cabinet (b) Spend on an external contractor for a defined procurement activity totalled £101,494 in this period. The Insolvency Service Office in April 2010. This can be found at: does not outsource its procurement function routinely. http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/back-office- Letter from John Alty, dated 31 March 2011: benchmark-information-200910 I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office The cost of outsourcing functions was not included to your Parliamentary Question tabled 28th February 2011, to the within the Back Office Benchmarking Survey. This Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and information could be provided only at disproportionate Skills. cost. The Intellectual Property Office spent £288,000 in 2009/10 on I have asked chief executives of the executive agencies procurement. This follows the Operational Efficiency Programme to respond directly to my hon. Friend. definition and represents around 0.5% of the Office expenditure. Further information is not held centrally and could There were no outsourcing function costs in 2009/10. be provided only at disproportionate cost. Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 1 March 2011: Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many procurement I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Question tabled 28 February 2011, UIN 43963 to the Secretary of projects with a monetary value greater than (a) £10 State for Business, Innovation and Skills. million, (b) £50 million and (c) £100 million (i) his Companies House is a Trading Fund and all of its costs, Department and (ii) each non-departmental public body including those of the procurement and outsourcing functions, and agency for which he is responsible was engaged are met through the fees charged for its services. Therefore, there upon in the latest period for which figures are available. is no cost to the public purse. [45545] Letter from Peter Mason, dated 17 March 2011: I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Mr Davey: The Department is engaged in two applicable Office (formerly National Weights and Measures Laboratory) to procurement projects in the current financial year. your Parliamentary Question tabled on 28 February 2011 reference The first is for Business Coaching for Growth. This is 2010/4259 to the Minister of State, Department for Business, a new programme to help up to 10,000 SMEs a year to Innovation and Skills, asking what the cost to the public purse was of the (a) procurement function and (b) outsourcing function overcome the barriers they face in achieving their high of (i) his Department and (ii) each (A) agency, (B) non-departmental growth potential. The estimated value of the contract is public body and (C) non-Ministerial Department for which he is £173 million. responsible in the last financial year for which figures are available. The second is for the Manufacturing Advisory Service The cost of the Agency’s own procurement capability in the (MAS). MAS is designed to help manufacturers, primarily narrow sense in which that is normally understood was £45,271 small and medium enterprises, to increase productivity for 2009/10. In addition, £251,372 was spent in 2009/10 on and competitiveness. The estimated value of the contract supplier and contract management in respect of various long tenure science and facilities management contracts. The costs are is £40 million to £50 million. estimated proportions of staff costs and do not include overhead The Department undertook no procurement projects costs. of (a) £10 million, (b) £50 million or (c)£100 million The Agency does not maintain any outsourcing function. in financial year 2010-11. 481W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 482W

I have asked the chief executives of the Executive non-departmental public body and agency for which he is responsible agencies to respond directly to my hon. Friend. was engaged upon in the latest period for which figures are available. Further information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The National Measurement Office has not engaged in any procurement projects within these monetary limits in 2009/10 or Letter from John Alty, dated 8 March 2011: 2010/11 financial years. I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled 07.03.2011, to the Minister Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Business, Innovation and Skills which procurement projects The Intellectual Property Office has had no procurement projects engaged upon by (a) his Department and (b) each with a monetary value greater that (a) £10 million, (b) £50 million non-departmental public body and agency for which he or (c) £100 million. is responsible had a designated senior responsible owner Letter from Stephen Speed: in the latest period for which figures are available; and The Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation on what date that officer was appointed in each such and Skills has asked me to reply to your question regarding how case. [45546] many procurement projects with a monetary value greater than (a) £10 million, (b) £50 million and (c) £100 million (i) his Mr Davey: The Department’s current procurement Department and (ii) each non-departmental public body and projects involving advertisement in the Official Journal agency for which he is responsible was engaged upon in the latest period for which figures are available. of the European Union (OJEU) and the date of appointment of senior responsible owner for each are; The Insolvency Service is an Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and is able to provide figures for the financial year 2009/10: SRO Appointment Project title date OJEU advert date a) The Insolvency Service advertised a requirement for legal services providers in the third quarter of 2009. This was awarded Business Coaching for January 2011 8 April 2011 in the second quarter of 2010. No volume of work is guaranteed Growth to the successful responders to this tender; however, the potential Manufacturing Advisory October 2010 25 March 2011 value of work under this contract has been estimated at £20 Service million, over the three year life of the contract. Green Investment Bank June 2010 11 December 2010 b) Nil - Economic Advice c) Nil Green Investment Bank June 2010 11 December 2010 Letter from Geoff Russell, dated 9 March 2011: - Business Design Thank you for your question addressed to the Secretary of I have asked chief executives of the executive agencies State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, asking to respond directly to my hon. Friend. Further information how many procurement projects with a monetary value greater than (a) £10 million, (b) £50 million and (c) £100 million was the is not held centrally and could be provided only at Skills Funding Agency (the Agency) engaged upon in the latest disproportionate cost. period for which figures are available. Letter from Geoff Russell, dated 9 March 2011: Please be advised that, for the period 2009/10, the Learning Thank you for your question addressed to the Secretary of and Skills Council (LSC), the predecessor to the Agency, had the State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, asking following number of procurement projects: which procurement projects engaged upon by the Skills Funding Agency (the Agency) had a designated senior responsible owner Number in the latest period for which figures are available and on what date they were appointed in each such case. (a) Above £10 million 2 Please be advised that the Agency has three senior responsible (b) Above £50 million 2 officers for procurement projects in the following areas: Learner (c) Above £100 million 0 Provision, Information Management and Goods and Services. For the period 2010/11, the Agency has the following number They are full-time employees, who carry out this role as part of of procurement projects to date: their wider role and portfolio of responsibilities and were appointed at the start of the Skills Funding Agency on 1 April 2010. Number Letter from Stephen Speed, dated March 2011: (a) Above £10 million 10 The Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has asked me to reply to your question as to which (b) Above £50 million 2 procurement projects engaged upon by (a) his Department and (c) Above £100 million 0 (b) each non-departmental public body and agency for which he is responsible had a designated senior responsible owner in the Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 11 March 2011: latest period for which figures are available; and on what date they I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary were appointed in each such case. Question tabled 7 March 2011, UIN45545 to the Secretary of The Insolvency Service is an executive agency of the Department State for Business, Innovation and Skills. for Business, Innovation and Skills. In the financial year 2009 -10 Companies House is not engaged in any procurement projects The Insolvency Service was engaged upon two procurement within these thresholds projects, with a senior responsible owner (SRO) designated for each. These SROs were appointed on 13 August 2007 and 26 Letter from Peter Mason, dated 9 March 2011: August 2009 respectively. I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Office (formerly National Weights and Measures Laboratory) to Letter from Peter Mason, dated 10 March 2011: your Parliamentary Question tabled on 7 March 2011 reference I am responding in respect of the National Measurement 2010/4400 to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Office (formerly National Weights and Measures Laboratory) to Innovation and Skills, asking how many procurement projects your Parliamentary Question tabled on 7 March 2011 reference with a monetary value greater than (a) £10 million, (b) £50 2010/4402 to the Minister of State, Department for Business, million and (c) £100 million (i) his Department and (ii) each Innovation and Skills, asking which procurement projects engaged 483W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 484W upon by (a) his Department and (b) each non-departmental Arts; the Office for Fair Access; SITPRO Ltd; the Student Loans public body and agency for which he is responsible had a designated Company; the Technology Strategy Board; the UK Atomic Energy senior responsible owner in the latest period for which figures are Authority; the UK Commission for Employment and Skills. available; and on what date they were appointed in each such case. Nine regional development agencies: Advantage West Midlands; NMO has no current projects which have a senior responsible East Midlands Development Agency; East of England Development owner. Agency; London Development Agency; North West Development Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 16 March 2011: Agency; One North East; South East England Development Agency; South West of England Regional Development Agency; I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Yorkshire Forward. Question tabled 7 March 2011, UIN45546 to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. Seven research councils: the Arts and Humanities Research Council; the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research All procurement projects engaged upon by Companies House Council; the Economic and Social Research Council; the Engineering have designated senior responsible owners, and these owners are and Physical Sciences Research Council; the Medical Research appointed on the date the project is initiated. We are currently Council; the Natural Environment Research Council; the Science engaged on two procurement projects: the tendering of our and Technology Facilities Council. external Contact Centre and a Career Development System Project. The senior responsible owners were appointed on 22 June 200 and Advisory NDPBs: 1 November 2010 respectively. The Council for Science and Technology; the Industrial Letter from John Alty, dated 31 March 2011: Development Advisory Board; the Low Pay Commission; the I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property Policy; the to your Parliamentary Question tabled 7th March 2011, to the Union Modernisation Fund Supervisory Board; the Waste Electrical Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and and Electronic Equipment Advisory Board. Skills. Tribunal NDPBs: Procurement projects engaged by the Intellectual Property The Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Arbitration Tribunal; Office which had a designated senior responsible owner in the the Central Arbitration Committee; the Competition Appeal latest period for which figures are available are as follows: Tribunal; the Copyright Tribunal; the Insolvency Practitioners Tribunal; the Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property. Multi-Storey Car Park (closed) June 2006 The following bodies have subsequently been closed: Mainframe Renewal (closed) July 2006 Register Maintenance (closed) April 2008 The Hearing Aid Council; SITPRO Ltd; the Strategic Advisory Modernisation of Trademarks Registry June 2008 Board for Intellectual Property Policy; the Union Modernisation IT Systems and Processes (‘TM10’) Fund Supervisory Board; the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Advisory Body. Peer to Patent January 2009 ISO 27001 (closed) March 2009 In addition the Government have announced proposals, Information Technology Infrastructure February 2010 subject as necessary to further analysis, legislation and Library (ITIL) (closed) consultation, to close: Stakeholder Engagement September 2010 The Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Arbitration Tribunal; Working Beyond Walls September 2010 the Competition Service; Consumer Focus; the regional development agencies. Departmental Redundancy Redundancy costs We are still in the process of considering provision for Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, and treatment of redundancy costs for these bodies in Innovation and Skills for which agencies and non- each of 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13. departmental public bodies his Department was responsible on the date of his appointment; which such bodies have Savings subsequently been (a) closed and (b) identified for The following table sets out our best current estimates closure; what provision for redundancy costs has been of the likely cumulative net administrative savings to made in respect of each such body in (i) 2010-11, (ii) the Exchequer from closures of BIS bodies over the 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and what estimate he has spending review period. The savings are dependent made of the likely savings to the Exchequer from closures upon factors such as the individual timetables for of such bodies over the comprehensive spending review implementation—several of the proposed closures require period. [51618] the Public Bodies Bill and subsequent secondary legislation.

Mr Davey: On the date of his appointment, the Estimated cumulative net Secretary of State was responsible for: administrative savings over Executive agencies: Public body the spending review period Companies House; the Insolvency Service; the Intellectual Closure of the Waste Electrical and £0.04 million Property Office; the National Measurement Office; the Skills Electronic Equipment Advisory Funding Agency. Body Non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) Closure of the Union Modernisation No savings to the Fund Supervisory Board Exchequer Executive NDPBs: Closure of the Strategic Advisory No savings to the The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS); Board for Intellectual Property Exchequer the British Hallmarking Council; Capital for Enterprise; the Policy Competition Commission; the Competition Service; the Construction Closure of SITPRO Ltd £1.9 million Industry Training Board; Consumer Focus; the Design Council; Closure of the regional development £727.7 million the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board; the Film agencies Industry Training Board; the Hearing Aid Council; the Higher Closure of the Competition Service Potential savings not yet Education Funding Council for England; the Local Better Regulation quantified Office; the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the 485W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 486W

Employment Agencies Estimated cumulative net administrative savings over Public body the spending review period Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department spent Closure of the Local Better £0.56 million on (a) recruitment agency fees, (b) outplacement agency Regulation Office fees for displaced or redundant staff and (c) staff Closure of the Hearing Aid Council No savings to the Exchequer training in the last year for which figures are available. Closure of Consumer Focus Potential savings not yet [51403] quantified Closure of the Aircraft and No savings to the Mr Davey: During 2010/11, the Department for Business Shipbuilding Industries Arbitration Exchequer Innovation and Skills spent: (a) £81,842 on recruitment Tribunal agency fees (this figure excludes agency fees for the supply of temporary staff. These are included in the overall fee paid to agencies and therefore not broken Departmental Regulation down); (b) £60,157 on outplacement agency fees for displaced or redundant staff and (c) £1,871,865 on Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, staff training for the period April to December 2010 Innovation and Skills which regulations sponsored by (latest available figures). his Department (1) due to be commenced in the next three years are derived from legislation already enacted; Employment Tribunals Service [51586] (2) implementing EU obligations due to be Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, commenced in the next three years are derived from Innovation and Skills what research his Department EU legislation already enacted. [51611] (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on (i) enforcement of existing rules by tribunals, (ii) the consistency of enforcement of rules between tribunals, (iii) case Mr Prisk: I aim to implement policy using alternatives management training of chairs of tribunals in (A) the to regulation wherever possible. Where regulations are Tribunals Service and (B) other parts of the judiciary, needed, the current domestic plans are published twice (C) costs incurred by (1) applicant and (2) respondent a year in a Statement of New Regulation, most recently parties in employment tribunals, (3) the cause of any on 7 April 2011. It is not practical to project beyond this delays in the employment tribunal system and (4) the with an acceptable level of certainty to be helpful to effects of removing the cap on unfair dismissal claims business, and we have not sought to do so. For example, prior to issuing its public consultation on resolving all future plans are subject to the results of consultations workplace disputes. [52416] and to the outcome of the Red Tape Challenge. Mr Davey: The Government published an impact Departmental Reorganisation assessment alongside the “Resolving Workplace Disputes” consultation on 27 January. This set out the major Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, evidence underpinning the proposals, and is available Innovation and Skills what machinery of government at: changes relating to his Department there have been www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/employment-matters/docs/r/11- since 12 May 2010. [51582] 512-resolving-workplace-disputes-impact-assessment.pdf On the specific areas, application of the Employment Mr Davey: I refer the right hon. Member to the two Tribunal (ET) Rules of Procedure is a matter of judicial written ministerial statements given by my right hon. discretion, and will vary depending on the particulars Friend the Prime Minister on 15 June 2010, Official of each case. In 2009 the Department for Ministry of Reports, column 48WS and 18 January 2011, Official Justice (MoJ) jointly invited the former Employment Reports, column 36WS. Tribunal System Steering Board to consider whether there were issues of inconsistent application of practice and procedure across the system; we have published Departmental Vacancies their report alongside the “Resolving Workplace Disputes” consultation, and have included some of the Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, recommendations made within the package of proposals Innovation and Skills what the staff vacancy rate in his we are consulting on. We have received comments from Department was in 2010-11; and what vacancy rate has various stakeholders related to consistency, considered been assumed in his Department’s budget for 2011-12. them in the context of developing our consultation [51379] proposals and will be evaluating those further as part of the continuing process. Mr Davey: During 2010-11 the staff vacancy rate in This Department has not commissioned any research the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has in relation to case management training of ET Chairs. been negligible. Frictional vacancies have been running My officials hold regular discussions with the judiciary, at the rate of around 0.75%. facilitated through HM Court Service and the Tribunal For 2011-12 the Department is going through an Service /MoJ, as well as speaking to stakeholders more organisational change process and will lose a number of widely, on issues such as this. posts. Therefore although there will be a small number As part of the impact assessment supporting the of frictional vacancies we do not anticipate structural “Resolving Workplace Disputes”consultation we estimated vacancies. the average (median) unit costs to employers and claimants 487W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 488W of employment tribunal hearings at £3,800 and £1,500 The number of learners participating on ESOL courses in Ealing respectively. The estimates were based on information Southall constituency by age and gender, 2005/06 to 2009/10 from the Survey of Employment Tribunal Applicants Total commissioned by this Department in 2008: ESOL Age Female Male participation http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/employment-matters/ docs/10-756-findings-from-seta-2008 2005/06 Under 26 280 190 470 and include time spent by employees on the case and 26+ 710 310 1,020 costs of legal representation. Total 980 500 1,490 We have not proposed removing the cap on unfair dismissal claims in the consultation. 2006/07 Under 26 270 230 490 26+ 920 420 1,340 English Language: Education Total 1,190 640 1,830

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for 2007/08 Under 26 280 210 490 Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer 26+ 950 390 1,340 to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood of Total 1,240 590 1,830 24 March 2011, Official Report, columns 1299-300W, on education: English language, on what date he plans to publish the assessment of the effects of changes on 2008/09 Under 26 230 140 370 English for Speakers of Other Languages learners. 26+ 1,060 360 1,410 [51694] Total 1,280 500 1,780

Mr Hayes: The equality impact assessment published 2009/10 Under 26 190 140 320 alongside ‘Skills for Sustainable Growth’ (November 26+ 1,030 370 1,400 2010) found that, at the aggregate level, there are unlikely Total 1,220 510 1,730 to be disproportionate impacts on protected groups. A Notes: separate assessment of how the changes may affect 1. These data cover participation in Learner Responsive, Apprenticeships, English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) learners Train to Gain, Adult Safeguarded Learning and University for Industry is currently being carried out by this Department. There provision. Further Education/Learner Responsive provision includes is no specific date currently planned for publication of General Further Education Colleges including Tertiary, Sixth Form the assessment. I expect to be able to publish the assessment Colleges - Agricultural and Horticultural Colleges and Art and Design Colleges, Specialist Colleges and External Institutions. in due course. 2. Volumes are rounded to the nearest 10. 3. Figures for 2008/09 onwards are not directly comparable to earlier Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State years as the introduction of demand-led funding has changed how for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how much data are collected and how funded learners are defined. More information on demand-led funding is available at: funding his Department has provided for English for http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/datadictionary/businessdefinitions/ Speakers of Other Languages courses in Ealing, Demand+Led+Funding.htm Southall constituency in each of the last five years; 4. Age is based on age at the start of the academic year. [51872] 5. Geography is based on learners’ home postcode. Source: (2) how many individuals living in Ealing, Southall Individualised Learner Record constituency have received financial support from Information on participation on ESOL courses is Government to complete an English for Speakers of published in a quarterly statistical first release (SFR). Other Languages course in each of the last five years; The latest SFR was published on 31 March: [51873] http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/ (3) how many individuals under the age of 26 years statisticalfirstrelease/sfr_current living in Ealing, Southall constituency enrolled on an Information on historical ESOL funding at the local English for Speakers of Other Languages course in geography level is not available. However, the Skills each of the last five years; [51874] Funding Agency publish information on adult (19 years+) (4) how many women living in Ealing, Southall allocations made to individual colleges, providers and constituency enrolled on an English for Speakers of employers for each academic year available at the following Other Languages course in each of the last five years link: [51875] http://skillsfundingagency.bis.gov.uk/providers/programmes/ (5) how many individuals living in Ealing, Southall constituency were enrolled on an English for Speakers Export Credits Guarantee Department of Other Languages course in each of the last five years. [51876] Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what consideration he Mr Hayes: The following table shows the number gave to seeking the inclusion of measures to reform the of Government-funded learners in Ealing Southall Export Credits Guarantee Department in the Government’s constituency participating on an English for Speakers Carbon Plan. [47145] of Other Languages (ESOL) course by age and gender from 2005/06, the earliest year for which we have comparable Mr Prisk: This Department’s contribution to the data, to 2009/10, the latest year for which full-year data Government Carbon Plan mainly focused on the creation are available. of the Green Investment Bank and the importance of 489W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 490W innovation in developing a low carbon economy and Higher Education: Finance did not include ECGD reforms. Stephen Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Further Education: Finance Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has to review the provision of non-prescribed higher education Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, funded via the Skills Funding Agency; and if he will Innovation and Skills from which sources he expects make a statement. [51880] further education colleges to obtain funding following the reduction in entitlement funding. [52530] Mr Hayes: As part of the forthcoming Higher Education White Paper and subsequent consultation, we will consider Mr Hayes: We are rebalancing investment from public the distinctions between ‘prescribed’ and ‘non- prescribed’ spending towards greater contributions from individuals higher education in order to ensure that the student and employers who benefit most and can afford to pay. funding scheme offers a clear path for students to Further education colleges and training organisations progress from further to higher education. will seek income from these sources. Grant funding for advanced and higher level qualifications for new learners Horticulture aged 24 and over will be removed and from 2013/14 academic year, fee loans, repayable on an income contingent Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, basis will provide upfront support to enable people to Innovation and Skills whether he plans to offer support continue to undertake training at these levels. to small and medium-sized enterprise to promote skills While the overall budget available for skills will reduce in the horticultural sector. [51763] to £3.3 billion over this spending review period, the settlement protected investment in teaching and learning Mr Hayes: Lantra is the Sector Skills Council for the by focusing the reductions on areas which do not directly land-based and environmental industries. They are support participation. committed to helping the sector to access the training, In the 2011-12 year we plan to invest £3.7 billion qualifications, skills and knowledge they need. Lantra through the Skills Funding Agency in FE and Skills for actively promotes the sector as a positive career choice post-19 learners. This supports the capacity for over 3 to young people and adults, making sure that they are million adult training places in the 2011/12 academic equipped with the right skills for careers in the sector year. while encouraging people to value and take up skills Over the spending review period we will: and development opportunities. Increase investment in Adult (19+) Apprenticeships; Intellectual Property and Growth Review Protect the £210 million per year investment in adult and community learning; Fully fund basic literacy and numeracy provision and first full Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, level 2 and first full level 3 qualifications for young adults; and Innovation and Skills to which Minister in his Department the Hargreaves Review on Intellectual Property and As part of the wider Government agenda to support people into employment, we will also fully fund accredited training for Copyright will report. [52392] unemployed people in receipt of active benefits helping them to obtain sustainable work in which they can progress. Mr Davey: The Hargreaves’ Independent Review of Intellectual Property and Growth will report to my Further Education: Learning Disability right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, and my right hon. Friend the Mr Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Chancellor of the Exchequer. Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to ensure that further education institutions provide Post Offices places for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities; and if he will make a statement. [51276] Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 15 Mr Hayes: Skills training for people with learning February 2011, Official Report, column 742W, on the disabilities is a priority for the Government. The Young Post Office: modernisation, when he anticipates Post People’s Learning Agency is responsible for funding all Office Ltd’s implementation plans for modernisation of learners aged 19-24 who are in receipt of high level and the network will be complete. [51109] exceptional level Additional Learning Support (ALS) amounts over £5,500 either with or without a Section Mr Davey: The Post Office Ltd. will be developing 140 or 139a Learning Difficulty Assessment. The Skills implementation plans throughout this financial year, Funding Agency is responsible for funding all learners informed by the piloting of new network models, to aged 19+ who are in receipt of low level ALS amounts allow 4,000 Main Post Offices and 2,000 Post Office up to and including £5,500 either with or without a Locals to be introduced by the end of March 2015. Section 140 or 139a Learning Difficulty Assessment. We expect further education colleges and other training Research: Finance providers to recognise the needs of this group of learners within their local communities when planning delivery Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for and to develop innovative ways of responding to their Business, Innovation and Skills what funding his needs, working with a wide range of partners in order Department has provided for translational research to meet them. partnerships since their inception. [52481] 491W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 492W

Mr Willetts: This Department allocated £595,000 of Mr Willetts: The target of 3% of EU GDP to be the Strategic Investment Fund, for distribution by the spent on Research and Development (R&D) in the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), to establish the Lisbon Strategy, which ran from 2000 to 2010, is also a co-ordination function for the Therapeutic Capability target under the Europe 2020 Strategy published in Clusters (TCC’s) programme. The budget ran from July March 2010. At the European Council meeting in June 2010 - March 2011 over which period a total of £225,000 2010 the UK and other EU member states confirmed was provided (subject to a final financial audit). the five Europe 2020 Strategy targets, which included The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) the 3% R&D target. It was also agreed that member Office for Clinical Research Infrastructure (NOCRI) states would implement the policy priorities at national will co-ordinate the establishment of translational research level according to national decision making procedures. partnerships, building on the existing TCC’s. The NIHR Consistent with our Public Sector Transparency Biomedical Research Centres and Units, to be designated Framework, the Government does not intend to adopt in summer 2011 and in which the NIHR will invest £775 national targets for the proportion of GDP spent on million, will form the basis of these partnerships. R&D nor for any of the other Europe 2020 targets. However, the Government acknowledges that R&D Research: Trade Competitiveness and innovation are key drivers of economic growth, as demonstrated in the “Plan for Growth”, which we published Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for alongside the 2011 Budget. Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment his Department has made of the competitiveness of the Service Agreements UK as a destination for international private sector research and development investment. [52491] Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Mr Willetts: This Department does not collect data Innovation and Skills what shared service agreements on the competitiveness of the UK as a destination for his Department has with other Government Departments. private sector research and development investment. [51581] A proxy for this is provided by the Organization for Mr Davey: The Department for Business, Innovation Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in and Skills (BIS) currently has shared service agreements their Main Science and Technology Indicators Database for several corporate services with the Department of which shows that in 2008 23.5% of Business Expenditure Energy and Climate Change. Some research and analysis, on Research and Development (BERD) was financed estates and ICT services are shared with the Department from abroad, the highest percentage amongst OECD for Education. BIS shares a number of specific ICT countries who provide comparable data. Whilst this is a systems and applications with other Government useful indicator as to the success of the UK’s business Departments and shares a building with the Department sector in attracting overseas financing, this data is limited for Work and Pensions. as it does not capture inflows of foreign private sector research and development funds which go to non business Stem Cells: Research institutions such as universities. Retirement: Age Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what funding his Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Department has provided to the cell therapy industry in Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has each of the last five years. [52482] made of the effect on the number of age discrimination cases dealt with by employment tribunals of the Mr Willetts: The Department for Business, Innovation abolition of the default retirement age. [52319] and Skills indirectly funds the development of cell therapies by industry through its sponsorship of the Mr Davey: The Government’s central estimate is that Technology Strategy Board. This is a wide-ranging there will be an increase of around 260 employment cross disciplinary field spanning areas such as stem tribunal (ET) cases due to the abolition of the default cells, tissue engineering, biomaterials, cell-based gene retirement age. This is a net change based on an estimated therapy, immunomodulation cell therapies, cell cancer saving of 340 ET cases that can no longer be brought vaccines and other related fields. against employers on procedural grounds and an estimated While some of the research under each of these extra 600 age discrimination claims as a direct result of themes can be classified as support for the cell therapy the abolition of the default retirement age. industry, it would not be accurate to, for example, Further information can be found in the final impact apportion all stem cell research as falling under this assessment at: heading. As information on “cell therapy” support is http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/employment-matters/ not held centrally it could be provided only at docs/p/11-634-phasing-out-default-retirement-age-impact- disproportionate cost. assessment.pdf Data on Technology Strategy Board support for the Science: Finance specific area of stem cells are as follows: 2005-06: £893,000 Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for 2006-07: £2.5 million Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on 2007-08: £2.9 million the Lisbon goal of achieving science funding of 3% of 2008-09: £1.5 million gross domestic product. [52490] 2009-10: £2.2 million. 493W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 494W

The Technology Strategy Board also coordinates public access to higher education. This Department is working sector funding for the Public Private Partnership, Stem with the Central Office of Information to develop an Cells for Safer Medicine. effective and proportionate information campaign. The Technology Strategy Board recently announced We have appointed an advertising agency to support that a Technology and Innovation Centre will be established this campaign and expect their costs to be in the region in the area of cell therapy. This will build on over £200 of £150,000, including their charges for production of million in public investment in basic and translational press and online advertisements. The budget for chosen stem cell science since 2003, and the launch of the media is yet to be determined. Technology Strategy Board/Research Council £21.5 million Regenerative Medicine programme in 2009, to support Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, the development and commercialisation of relevant Innovation and Skills how many unique visits the technologies. www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance website received between 18 February 2010 and 16 March 2010. [51739] Students: Finance Mr Willetts: There were 952,555 visits to the student finance home page http://www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, between 18 February 2010 and 16 March 2010. Innovation and Skills how many key facts leaflets for full-time students communicating the changes to student Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, finance in 2012-13 will be produced; if he will estimate Innovation and Skills how many unique visits the the cost to the public purse of producing such leaflets; www.bis.gov.uk/studentfinance website received between and what plans he has for their distribution. [51734] 1 February 2011 and 17 March 2011. [51740] Mr Willetts: The key facts leaflet for full-time students Mr Willetts: Between 1 February 2011 and 17 March has been produced as an e-flyer, intended to be downloaded 2011, the http://bis.gov.uk/studentfinance pages received from suitable websites. It has been distributed at no 53,558 visits. cost, via email, to a range of organisations and websites. A total of 245 copies have been printed internally for Third Sector use in correspondence, including mailing to vice chancellors and the parliamentary Library. The cost of this printing Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, cannot be separately identified as it is part of the total Innovation and Skills how much his Department provided departmental printing budget. to each charity it funds in each of the last five years; The cost to the public purse for typesetting the document and how much he has allocated for funding to each such was £1,236.00 (excluding VAT of £247.20). charity in each of the next five years. [48286]

Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Mr Davey: Officials are currently looking at the best Innovation and Skills what progress he has made on way for departments to regularly report publicly on producing a key facts flyer for part-time students spending, both in terms of baseline levels and how these communicating the changes to student finance. [51735] levels change through the spending period. It is therefore not currently possible to provide this Mr Willetts: We expect to make available an e-flyer information without the Department incurring on key facts for part-time students soon after the May disproportionate costs. elections, when there is greater clarity about the legislative changes needed to limit the fees which can be charged Details of all new central Government contracts are for part-time courses. now available online at: http://www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what radio stations his Department plans to use to communicate changes to student finance arrangements to prospective students. [51736] EDUCATION

Mr Willetts: Radio advertising will be part of our Children: Poverty student finance communications campaign. The selection of radio stations across England, which is yet to be Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education finalised, will be made using expert advice and industry pursuant to the answer of 23 March 2011, Official radio listening research from the Central Office of Report, columns 1175-7W,on children: well-being, what Information (COI) and its relevant agencies to ensure recent progress has been made on the production of a the best reach for our target audiences. child poverty strategy; and what steps he plans to take to eradicate child poverty by 2020. [52019] Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what budget he has allocated to Tim Loughton: The Government published their child communicating changes to student finance arrangements poverty strategy, “A New Approach to Child Poverty: for 2012-13. [51738] Tackling the Causes of Disadvantage and Transforming Families’ Lives” on April 5.1 The strategy provides a Mr Willetts: The Department considers it essential to framework for ending child poverty by 2020, and delivers ensure that prospective students and their families know a comprehensive three year plan to lay the foundations about the full package of support available, to support for a new and more effective approach. 495W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 496W

The strategy contains detailed timelines showing when Mr Gibb: Information about the number of school the measures included in the strategy will take effect. pupils resident in each ward in Gateshead who are 1 http://www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload eligible for free school meals is provided in the following /CM-8061.pdf table. Curriculum: Humanities Number and percentage of resident pupils1, 2 eligible for free school meals3 in each ward4 in Gateshead in January 2010 Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Percentage of Number of resident resident pupils1, 2 Education what definition his Department uses of a pupils1, 2 eligible for eligible for free humanities subject. [51650] free school meals3 school meals3 Mr Gibb [holding answer 26 April 2011]: Section 85 Gateshead 5,180 21.7 of Education Act 2002 (amended by SI 2003 (No2946)) Bede 310 39.6 establishes humanities as one of the four National Bensham 220 38.0 Curriculum entitlement areas for 14 to 16 year olds (key Birtley 180 17.2 stage 4). It defines humanities as comprising history Blaydon 310 26.2 and geography. Chopwell and 250 20.9 Rowlands Gill Departmental Accounting Chowdene 150 13.1 Crawcrook and 120 10.4 Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Greenside whether any Ministerial directions have been issued to Deckham 390 36.6 the accounting officer of his Department since his Dunston 230 18.6 appointment. [51999] Felling 390 40.0 Tim Loughton: No ministerial directions have been High Fell 380 31.8 issued to the Department’s accounting officer since the Lamesley 270 24.9 Secretary of State’s appointment in May 2010. Leam 460 31.5 Low Fell 50 5.0 Education: Assessments Pelaw and Heworth 230 22.6 Ryton 130 11.8 Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Saltwell 250 32.2 Education what the average number of (a) A, (b) AS Teams 280 23.7 and (c) A2 level subject entries per student was in (i) Whickham North 170 13.4 year 12 and (ii) year 13 in maintained schools and sixth form colleges in academic year (A) 1996-97 and (B) Whickham South 70 5.7 Winlaton 120 13.4 2009-10. [27596] Wrekendyke 250 17.6 Mr Gibb: In 1997, the average number of A Levels sat 1 Includes full-time and part-time pupils, including boarders, who per pupil aged 17 at the start of the academic year in are sole or dual registrations, attending maintained nursery, primary, middle deemed primary, secondary and middle deemed secondary maintained schools and sixth form colleges was 3.32. In schools, City Technology Colleges, Academies and all Special 2010, the average number of A Levels sat per pupil at Schools. the end of key stage 5 in maintained schools and sixth 2 Figures rounded to the nearest 10, totals may not sum due to form colleges was 1.95. rounding. 3 Pupils eligible for free school meals who have full-time attendance The cohort of pupils at the end of key stage 5 is and are aged 15 or under, or pupils who have part-time attendance composed of 16 to 18 year olds who were entered for and are aged between five and 15. level 3 qualifications at least equivalent in size to one 4 Census Area Statistic (CAS) Wards. GCE/Applied GCE A Level and this includes both Source: early and late takers. School Census (Final) AS results are not collected in year 12 and only the Free Schools results that have been reported to the exam board (or “cashed in”) are cumulatively counted in year 13. Advanced Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Education subsidiary (AS) courses were introduced as part of the what estimate his Department has made of the average 2000 Curriculum. Prior to that, pupils could take an amount of funding his Department will contribute to advanced supplementary (AS). The difference in AS the establishment of a free school in 2010-11; and qualification types prevents comparison between 1997 whether he has made provision for additional funding and 2010 results. to be allocated to free schools in the event that his Data for A2 level subject entries are not readily available Department’s annual budget for contributing to establishing and can be provided only at disproportionate cost. such schools is exhausted before the end of a year. Source: [51712] The School Performance Tables. Mr Gibb: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given Free School Meals on 30 March 2011, Official Report, column 419W.

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Grammar Schools: Human Rights Education how many children received free school meals in each ward in the Gateshead borough council Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education area in the last year for which figures are available. what information his Department has made available to [51603] selective grammar schools on their obligations under 497W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 498W the Human Rights Act 1998 and the UN Convention Grants scheme to support couple relationships in 2011-12. on the Rights of the Child. [52173] The following organisations have been awarded funding (subject to grant negotiations): Tim Loughton: The Department has not sent any Asian Family Counselling Service information about the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) Care for the Family or the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Centre for Separated Families (UNCRC) specifically to selective grammar schools. Contact a Family Marriage Guidance Families Need Fathers Gingerbread Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Marriage Care Education pursuant to the House of Lords debate of 10 National Association of Child Contact Centres February 2011, Official Report, House of Lords, column One Plus One 390, on marriage, what steps he is taking to reduce the PACE (Project for Advocacy, Counselling and Education) stigma against seeking relationship advice; when he intends to review relationships education in schools; Relate and what plans he has for training Sure Start health Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships visitors in (a) relationship support and (b) pointing The majority of the organisations deliver a mix of couples to relationship support. [52014] preventative couple relationship support, relationship counselling for couples in difficulty and work with Tim Loughton: The Department for Education is families which have already experienced break-up. grant funding 12 Voluntary and Community Sector The Department invited proposals from the voluntary (VCS) organisations to deliver relationship support services. sector to encourage couples to take up preventative Some of these services will include measures to reduce support to develop and sustain their relationship and, the stigma against seeking relationship advice, for example where relationship breakdown does occur, to put in Relate plan to carry out a national awareness raising place effective parenting arrangements so that any negative campaign on the benefits of relationship support, using impacts for children are minimised. The areas of work agony aunts and social media. for which proposals were invited included: cultural change The Schools White Paper, The Importance of Teaching, to encourage families to seek help earlier; training of announced our intention to conduct an internal review key practitioners, particularly in Sure Start Children’s of personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education. Centres, to recognise and respond appropriately to This includes Sex and Relationships Education (SRE). relationship distress in order to minimise any negative We will announce details of the review shortly. impacts for children; evaluation of effective practice to Five of the organisations funded by the VCS Grant build the evidence-base of effective interventions; and scheme are planning to deliver training to staff in Sure innovative approaches to relationship support—including Start Children’s Centres on relationship support and provision of relationship support which meets the needs pointing couples to relationship support. This could of those lower-income families who might struggle to include Sure Start health visitors. pay and who are at most risk from breakdown. Service delivery will be monitored through key Marriage Guidance: Grants performance indicators. In addition the Department plans to commission evaluation which will consider the Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for effectiveness of relationship support interventions. Education (1) which voluntary and community sector All of the services funded by the relationships support awards have been provided under the fund for relationships grant are expected to make their provision accessible to support; [51675] black and minority ethnic couples. In addition the (2) which awards and how much of the funding Asian Family Counselling Service (AFCS) has been under the voluntary and community sector grants funded to provide counselling and support to members scheme will be provided for (a) preventative couple of the Asian community whose relationships are under relationships support, (b) relationship counselling for stress and who find it hard to access mainstream services. couples in difficulty and (c) work with families which have already experienced break-up; [51677] Schools: Nurses (3) whether he plans to monitor the amount of couple relationship support funding provided by his Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Department which is spent on supporting (a) married what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State couples, (b) cohabiting couples, (c) civil partners and for Health on increasing (a) investment in and (b) (d) parents; [51744] empowerment of school nurses. [51670] (4) what provision for black and minority ethnic couples he plans to make from the relationships Tim Loughton [holding answer 26 April 2011]: The support grant; [51674] Secretary of State for Education and his ministerial (5) what mechanism he plans to put in place to assess team have ongoing discussions with colleagues at the the effectiveness of couple relationship support funded Department of Health about areas of common interest by grants from his Department. [51743] school nurses are employed by the national health service and currently provide a number of services. These include Tim Loughton [holding answer 26 April 2011]: £7.5 carrying out developmental screening, undertaking health million has been made available from the Department interviews, administering immunisation programmes, for Education’s Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) and providing health and sex education within schools. 499W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 500W

Schools have long valued the contribution school in the areas with the highest rates. This information nurses make to the health, well being, and achievement enables local areas to plan their approaches to reducing of the children and young people in their care. The teenage pregnancies which they are best placed to determine. school nursing service can have a pivotal role in both The list names all those wards in England where in providing and arranging specific training for schools in 2006-08: the management of long-term conditions, for example the ward was one of the 20% of wards with the highest rates (a asthma and diabetes. rate of at least 53.1 conceptions per 1,000 women aged 15-17); It is currently for primary care trusts (PCTs) and and in addition their partners to determine, on the basis of a local the rate was statistically significantly higher than the England health needs assessment, how many school nurses there average (41.0 conceptions per 1,000 women aged 15-17). This is to should be and how they should be deployed. The exclude wards where the rate is based on a very small number of Government wants to increase local flexibility, and conceptions where the rate may change considerably from year to therefore has no plans to change these-arrangements. year. Sure Start Programme: Closures Wards defined as being “high rate” are found in nearly all top-tier local authorities (138 out of 152). John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Education I will place a copy in the House Libraries. what estimate he has made of the number of Sure Start As some wards have very small populations of women children’s centres at risk of closure in 2011. [51828] in the 15-17 age group, their under 18 conception rates can fluctuate by chance from year to year and may not Tim Loughton: Sure Start children’s centres are at the indicate a consistently high incidence of teenage pregnancy. heart of the Government’s vision for supporting families For this reason, ward rates are aggregated over three with young children and intervening early to prevent years. Ward population estimates, which are used in the problems from becoming crises. The Government have calculation of ward-level conception statistics, are also ensured there is enough money in the system to maintain experimental statistics and as such have not yet been a network of Sure Start children’s centres. assessed against the rigorous quality standards normally The Department for Education collects data on the applying to National Statistics. The estimates are made number of Sure Start children’s centres in each local available to users as the best population estimates for authority area in England, but does not collect data on these small geographical areas and to allow user feedback local authority plans for changes to children’s centres. on the quality of the statistics. It is for local authorities, in consultation with local Further information about conception statistics produced communities, to determine the most effective way of by ONS can be found on their website at: delivering future services to meet local need. Local http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/product.asp?vlnk=15055 authorities continue to have duties under the Childcare Act 2006 to ensure sufficient provision of children’s Voluntary Organisations: Grants centres, so far as is reasonably practicable, and to consult before opening, closing or significantly changing children’s centres. Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which organisations received funding though Teenage Pregnancy the voluntary and community sector grants scheme; how much funding each organisation requested in its Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education expression of interest; how much funding each organisation pursuant to the answer of 17 March 2011, Official requested in its bid document; and how much funding Report, columns 614-5W,on teenage pregnancy: personal each organisation was awarded. [51678] income, which wards his Department has classified as teenage pregnancy hotspots. [52501] Tim Loughton [holding answer 26 April 2011]: The voluntary and community sector plays, and will continue Tim Loughton: In her response to the hon. Member’s to play, a significant role in delivering and improving previous question, the Minister for Children and Families services for children, young people and families. Through said that wards with high rates of teenage pregnancies the grants programme announced on 25 February DFE were found in virtually every local authority in England. will invest around £120 million over the next two years We do not classify wards by their rate, but would regard to help support the delivery of key national priorities a high rate ward as being one of the 20% of wards with for children, young people and families. This grant is the highest rates. In 2006-08 this means wards with a just one of a range of funding streams from DFE to the rate of at least 53.1 conceptions per 1,000 women aged voluntary sector and represents a significant investment 15-17. in a tough financial climate. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) produces Following an open competition, 118 bidders were statistics on conceptions, which are estimates based on successful with their applications and grants have been the number of live births, stillbirths and legal abortions, awarded from 1 April 2011. but not including miscarriages and illegal abortions. As expected, the bidding process was highly competitive Ward under-18 conceptions data are not publicly available, and the total amounts of funding bid for by organisations to protect the privacy of individuals. However, under a significantly exceeded the level of funding available. We Service Level Agreement (SLA) between ONS and my therefore had to make tough decisions in order to live Department, local authorities in England can request within the available funding and this inevitably led to a ward level under-18 conception figures, aggregated over need to scale back some of the successful bids to ensure three years, from ONS to enable them to target their the best use of public funding. In a very small number early intervention services to prevent teenage pregnancies of cases, we awarded more funding to organisations 501W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 502W than they requested in their bid document in order to Information on how much funding was bid for by secure additional high quality provision to meet national these organisations at each stage of competition and priorities. We also undertook an equality impact assessment the amount of indicative awards is provided in the to ensure that our funding decisions did not impact following table. Please note that final negotiations are disproportionately on children, young people and families still taking place and indicative amounts may vary in respect of gender, ethnicity and special educational slightly from the final amount awarded. needs and disabilities.

VCS grant awards 2011-12 and 2012-13 £ Funding requested via EOI Funding requested via bid Amount awarded (stage 1) (stage 2) Organisation name/consortium lead 2011-12 2012-13 2011-12 2012-13 2011-12 2012-13

4Children 390,000 350,000 390,000 350,000 350,000 350,000 4Children 390,000 300,000 390,000 300,000 390,000 300,000 4Children (Foundations for the Future) 850,000 800,000 500,000 500,000 500,000 500,000 A National Voice 257,500 265,225 100,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 ACE Centre North 129,500 129,000 135,251 115,133 135,251 115,133 Action for Advocacy 147,747 149,918 73,900 71,315 50,000 50,000 Action for Children 960,000 1,115,000 735,000 670,000 735,000 670,000 Action for Prisoners’ Families (APF) 185,200 £165,800 178,937 197,645 100,000 100,000 Addaction 274,846 258,500 274,000 214,852 274,000 214,000 Addaction 428,424 431,963 413,264 282,592 409,573 281,674 Adfam 52,145 52,145 92,500 92,500 92,500 92,500 Alcohol Concern 217,000 217,000 117,000 264,000 206,000 191,000 Anna Freud Centre 236,269 242,062 381,417 434,410 381,417 434,410 Asian Family Counselling Service 125,000 120,000 150,000 149,800 150,000 149,800 Autism Education Trust (AET) 719,000 587,000 652,469 565,019 652,469 555,441 Barnardo’s 550,000 500,000 1,119,663 1,142,221 1,119,663 1,142,221 Barnardo’s 740,000 360,000 291,995 291,995 290,000 290,000 Barnardo’s 531,880 774,760 518,316 879,360 518,316 879,360 Bolton Lads and Girls Club 219,120 225,418 355,041 294,278 355,041 294,278 British Association for Adoption and 295,000 295,000 299,804 299,804 299,000 299,000 Fostering Brook 130,488 80,852 139,631 100,181 139,631 100,181 Capital SHS (School-Home Support) 1,000,000 1,000,000 739,729 745,721 500,000 500,000 Care for the Family (CFF) 2,000,000 1,500,000 1,000,000 600,000 300,000 200,000 Careers South West Ltd (Positive 13,500,000 10,800,000 3,572,769 2,851,804 1,170,283 1,229,717 Transitions) Catch22 2,500,000 1,750,000 1,794,626 1,454,121 1,604,972 1,569,121 Catch22 550,000 425,000 355,672 335,730 350,000 330,000 Centre for Separated Families 240,000 180,000 240,000 180,000 240,000 180,000 Challenging Behaviour Foundation 130,300 148,500 192,655 222,136 192,655 222,136 (CBF) Child & Family Training Limited 148,523 49,760 145,483 153,437 145,483 153,437 (C&FT) Children and Families Across Borders 113,000 116,320 113,000 116,320 113,000 116,320 (CFAB) Children England (Kindle Plus 985,000 886,500 1,250,964 1,209,075 1,250,964 1,209,075 Consortium) Children Our Ultimate Investment 244,000 244,000 254,000 234,000 254,000 234,001 Children’s Legal Centre 175,265 154,291 176,265 154,291 176,265 154,291 Children’s Society 200,000 300,000 212,808 232,839 243,726 267,535 Clubs for Young People 625,000 450,000 1,000,000 750,000 650,000 480,000 Communication Trust (I CAN) 1,070,000 800,000 1,249,609 852,865 1,000,000 750,000 Contact a Family 310,000 285,000 216,525 203,298 216,525 203,298 Contact a Family 429,160 446,539 438,649 419,780 438,649 419,780 ContinYou 450,000 340,000 478,000 386,000 400,000 386,000 Council for Disabled Children (CDC) 400,000 325,000 749,642 695,650 749,642 695,650 CSV 98,179 98,869 158,672 132,507 158,672 132,507 CSV 287,000 296,000 402,423 385,423 402,423 375,423 Daycare Trust 389,076 278,863 477,566 341,197 300,000 300,000 Diana Award 198,922 132,614 198,922 132,614 198,922 132,614 Dyslexia Action 750,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 750,000 750,000 600,000 503W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 504W

VCS grant awards 2011-12 and 2012-13 £ Funding requested via EOI Funding requested via bid Amount awarded (stage 1) (stage 2) Organisation name/consortium lead 2011-12 2012-13 2011-12 2012-13 2011-12 2012-13

Dyslexia-SpLD Trust 750,000 740,000 693,456 630,579 693,456 630,579 Early Education (The British Assc. for 130,000 102,000 131,374 108,040 131,374 108,040 Early Childhood Education) Endeavour 230,000 230,000 312,868 230,691 312,868 310,679 Families Need Fathers 200,000 206,000 303,875 307,541 261,415 263,807 Family and Parenting Institute 233,160 134,588 329,088 181,616 329,088 181,616 Family Delivery Team (Interface Assc. 1,200,000 800,000 403,218 324,114 960,097 933,375 UK) Family Rights Group 97,920 95,430 97,400 99,200 93,000 93,000 Fatherhood Institute 230,000 82,800 302,310 164,665 302,310 164,665 Fatherhood Institute 277,600 144,200 310,890 166,476 310,890 166,476 Fostering Network 175,000 175,000 78,988 79,988 78,000 79,000 Foyer Federation 450,000 250,000 544,362 353,519 500,000 353,519 Gingerbread 95,000 50,000 282,638 263,016 193,102 174,081 Groundwork UK 1,900,000 1,000,000 1,715,500 1,215,600 1,500,000 1,215,600 Home-Start UK (HSUK) 2,900,000 2,682,500 1,520,754 1,372,938 1,230,000 1,200,000 Home-Start UK (HSUK) 95,335 72,335 792,020 717,663 792,020 717,663 Independent Parental Special Education 55,000 50,000 70,800 70,800 70,800 70,800 Advice (IPSEA) Institute of Wellbeing 450,000 400,000 450,000 400,000 450,000 400,000 KIDS 437,800 307,100 437,800 307,100 385,800 270,100 Kids Company 3,000,000 3,000,000 4,485,000 4,485,000 4,485,000 4,485,000 Kidscape 127,500 125,000 133,456 127,966 131,232 137,309 Lucy Faithfull Foundation 198,000 207,000 210,519 222,911 210,519 222,911 MacIntyre 290,000 £290,000 399,168 326,004 399,168 326,004 Marriage Care 650,000 580,000 690,269 616,475 690,269 616,475 Media Trust 500,000 375,000 500,000 375,000 399,989 375,000 Missing People 150,000 130,000 215,828 222,303 215,828 222,303 Movement for non-mobile children 181,103 186,536 257,437 199,340 257,437 199,340 (Whizz Kidz) National Association for Special 500,000 400,000 700,000 620,000 600,000 520,000 Education Needs (The)—Nasen National Assc. of Child Contact Centres 150,000 135,000 317,475 306,325 160,000 160,000 (NACCC) National Autistic Society 45,773 48,774 107,681 74,941 107,681 74,941 National Childminding Association 700,000 900,000 641,115 645,092 500,000 600,000 National Children’s Bureau (NCB) 148,000 116,000 99,413 79,358 99,000 79,000 National Children’s Bureau (NCB) 647,000 575,000 601,949 577,723 540,000 510,000 National Children’s University 525,000 350,000 525,000 350,000 350,000 350,000 National Council for Voluntary Youth 1,411,000 911,000 1,490,300 1,089,000 1,490,300 1,089,000 Services (NCVYS) (known as Catalyst) National Day Nurseries Association 880,000 908,160 743,806 745,691 500,000 500,000 (NDNA) National Deaf Children’s Society 209,340 209,340 196,292 155,496 196,292 155,496 National Education Trust 90,000 80,000 137,300 119,800 137,300 119,800 National Portage Association (NPA) 175,000 175,000 175,000 175,000 175,000 175,000 National Sensory Impaired Partnership 200,000 150,000 200,000 150,000 200,000 150,000 (NatSIP) NSPCC (Safe Network) 700,000 650,000 630,000 650,000 630,000 650,000 One Plus One (OPO) 950,000 750,000 950,000 750,000 921,250 724,500 Parenting UK 112,500 101,250 120,550 108,050 120,550 108,050 Parentline Plus (Family Lives) 536,000 354,000 698,688 603,392 698,688 603,392 Partners of Prisoners and Families 400,000 400,000 383,106 383,106 150,000 150,000 Support Group (POPS) Pen Green Children and Families and 160,000 140,000 200,397 168,752 200,397 168,752 Research Centre Place2Be 121,172 127,230 317,353 347,932 221,815 240,939 Place2Be 98,728 103,665 160,338 162,031 160,338 162,031 505W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 506W

VCS grant awards 2011-12 and 2012-13 £ Funding requested via EOI Funding requested via bid Amount awarded (stage 1) (stage 2) Organisation name/consortium lead 2011-12 2012-13 2011-12 2012-13 2011-12 2012-13

Pre-school Learning Alliance 1,500,000 1,300,000 1,211,615 986,070 865,000 930,000 Prince’s Trust (and Fairbridge) 433,054 668,895 971,787 858,891 898,289 858,891 Princess Royal Trust for Carers 710,965 690,720 796,878 600,498 500,000 500,000 Prison Advice and Care Trust (PACT) 182, 983 181,083 314,525 343,546 314,525 343,546 Project for Advocacy Counselling and 49,850 37,000 153,853 157,206 153,853 157,206 Education (PACE) QED UK 106,296 111,242 113,521 106,767 113,521 106,767 Relate 2,150,000 1,950,000 2,146,403 1,947,630 1,850,403 1,711,630 Roma Support Group 71,600 61,948 86,387 65,431 86,387 65,431 Safe Ground 240,000 240,000 240,979 235,380 240,979 235,380 School Food Trust 2,255,000 2,255,000 536,708 620,881 160,000 200,000 SCOPE 121,000 135,000 121,693 135.256 121,693 135,256 Shared Care Network 99,000 75,000 118,072 91,324 112,000 81,000 Social Care Institute for Excellence 450,000 212,400 575,770 424,208 518,193 424,208 (SCIE) Spurgeons 429,125 421,050 473,999 465,266 350,000 350,000 Tavistock Centre for Couple 728,000 700,000 750,000 730,000 699,000 657,000 Relationships Terrence Higgins Trust 250,000 250,000 207,664 214,603 203,528 218,739 Time for Families 470,000 720,000 470,000 720,000 150,000 150,000 Tomorrow’s People 1,200,000 343,000 1,116,028 557,262 750,000 750,000 UK Youth 429,125 421,050 1,308,043 781,082 454,490 512,510 V, National Young Volunteers Service 728,000 700,000 1,208,704 769,904 800,000 769,904 Victoria Climbié Foundation UK 250,000 250,000 168,880 167,280 168,880 167,280 Voice (Voice for the Child in Care) 470,000 720,000 98,000 98,000 75,000 75,000 Who Cares? Trust 1,200,000 343,000 74,517 72,411 74,000 72,000 WomenCentre Ltd 429,125 421,050 155,400 160,800 155,400 160,800 YMCA Derbyshire 1,807,024 1,499,888 847,024 851,331 600,000 599,809 YoungMinds 194,000 130,000 213,792 142,900 213,792 142,900 Note: Disclaimer: The funding amounts are indicative. Year 1 funding is dependent on successful negotiations on detail of the grants and securing exemption for activity which is subject to the marketing and advertising efficiency controls. Year 2 amounts are dependent on successful delivery of agreed outcomes.

HOME DEPARTMENT Damian Green: Information on how much the Home Department spent on (a) recruitment agency fees could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. On (b) the Departmental Procurement Department does not hold contracts with outplacement agencies for services for displaced or redundant staff. Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the On (c) the cash based expenditure by the Department Home Department from which companies her Department inclusive of its executive agencies on staff training to has purchased goods and services of a total value above the end of February of the financial year 2010-11 was £1 million in each of the last three years; and how much £8 million. was spent in respect of each such company. [52310] Homicide

Damian Green: The companies from which the Home Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Department, inclusive of its executive agencies, purchased Home Department how many homicides there were in goods and services of a total value greater than £1 (a) England, (b) Wales, (c) Scotland, (d) Northern million and the value of spend with each company in Ireland and (e) Brighton and Hove in each of the last each of the last three years are detailed in the table five years; how many of those killed were (i) female and which will be placed in the House Libraries. (ii) male; what the gender of the perpetrator was in respect of victims of each gender; and whether there was evidence of (A) sexual assault and (B) rape in Employment Agencies respect of victims of each gender. [52225]

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for the James Brokenshire: Available data are collected by Home Department how much her Department spent on the Home Office from police forces in England and (a) recruitment agency fees, (b) outplacement agency Wales, including British Transport Police (BTP) where fees for displaced or redundant staff and (c) staff the offence was committed within England or Wales, training in the last year for which figures are available. and have been extracted from the Homicide Index. [51404] These are shown in the following tables: 507W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 508W

Offences1 currently recorded by the police as homicide by victim and principal suspect gender, and with ‘sexual’ main circumstances of offence: England and Wales, 2005-06 to 2009-102 Number Male victim Male suspect Female Corporate No current suspect suspect suspect Total Total male Year 2 Country recorded victims Total Sexual4 Total Total Total victims

2005-06 England 645 366 3 19 — 50 435 Wales 22 9 — 2 — 2 13 BTP3 42 19 — 1 — — 20

2006-07 England 683 384 3 44 1 67 496 Wales 29 18 — 1 — — 19 BTP3 3 3—— —— 3

2007-08 England 702 409 2 42 — 64 515 Wales 39 22 — 2 — — 24 BTP3 3 2—— —— 2

2008-09 England 608 347 4 45 — 35 427 Wales 33 20 — — — 3 23 BTP3 3 1—— —— 1

2009-10 England 574 315 2 25 — 59 399 Wales 43 11 — 4 — 6 21 BTP3 2 1—— —— 1

Number Female victim Male suspect Female suspect Corporate No current suspect suspect Total Country female Year 2 recorded Total Sexual4 Total Sexual4 Total Total Sexual4 victims

2005-06 England 180 6 11 — — 19 — 210 Wales 7 — 1 — — 1 — 9 BTP3 21 — 1 — — — — 22

2006-07 England 153 14 14 1 — 20 — 187 Wales 8 — 1 — — 1 — 10 BTP3 ———— ————

2007-08 England 148 7 22 — — 17 1 187 Wales 11 1 2 — — 2 — 15 BTP3 ———— —1— 1

2008-09 England 147 1 17 — — 17 — 181 Wales 10 — — — — — — 10 BTP3 2——— ——— 2

2009-10 England 146 4 11 — — 18 1 175 Wales 12 — 2 — — 8 — 22 BTP3 ———— —1— 1 1 As at 28 September 2010; figures are subject to revision as cases are dealt with by the police and by the courts, or as further information becomes available. 2 Offences are shown according to the year In which they were Initially recorded as homicide. This is not necessarily the year in which the incident took place or the year in which any court decision was made. 3 Offences recorded by British Transport Police. It Is not possible to show where in England or Wales these offences were committed. 4 Offences where It has been judged that a sexual assault or sexual gratification of some sort was considered to be the primary motivation of the homicide. 509W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 510W

Save in respect of the 7 July 2005 bombings, it is not UK saw the largest proportional increase in numbers of possible to show where in England and Wales offences applicants of all the member states, through a rise from recorded by the BTP were committed, and homicide 1.5% in 2010 to 2.4%. In the last week of the registration data relating to Brighton and Hove could be provided period the EU Careers Month’s webpages were the only at disproportionate cost. Additionally, it is not third largest external referrers to the European Personnel possible to identify homicides that involved sexual assault Selection Office’s landing pages—behind only Google or rape. Available data from the Homicide Index relate and Facebook. The next measure of success is whether to the ‘sexual’ category—where it is judged that either a we have succeeded in attracting the right applicants. sexual assault or sexual gratification of some sort was Evidence for this will come later in the year when we considered to be the primary motivation. hear how many have been successful in the first assessment Data are as at 28 September 2010 and subject to phase. On that basis we will re-assess the campaign. revision as cases are dealt with by the police and by the courts, or as further information becomes available. Libya: Politics and Government The collection of homicide data for Scotland and Northern Ireland is a matter for the devolved Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Administrations. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what non-lethal equipment his Department has provided to Libyan rebel forces. [52230]

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE Alistair Burt: On 8 April 2011 a Departmental Minute Council of Europe: Finance was laid before the House that provided full details of a gift of 120 pieces of communications equipment to the Libyan Interim National Council. On 15 April 2011 a Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Departmental Minute was laid before the House that and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government provided full details of a gift of 1,000 pieces of body has received any request from any Council of Europe armour, also to the Libyan Interim National Council. institution for funding additional to its subscription for (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; and whether the Government plans to make any additional contribution to any additional institution of the Council of Europe in 2011-12. [51907] CABINET OFFICE Mr Lidington: The Government have not been approached by the Council of Europe for funding outside Transition Fund our usual subscription. The UK has not paid any extra-budgetary contributions 12. Gavin Barwell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet in 2011 and currently has no plans to do so in 2012. Office what payments have been made from the transition fund since its creation. [52594] Departmental Accountancy Mr Letwin: Transition Fund payments totalling just Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign under £16 million have been paid to 202 organisations and Commonwealth Affairs whether any Ministerial to date. A further £89 million will be paid out this directions have been issued to the accounting officer of financial year, including £5 million being paid out today. his Department since his appointment. [51995] Efficiency Reform Group Mr Lidington: There have been no ministerial directions issued since the appointment of the Secretary of State 13. Simon Hart: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. Office what estimate he has made of the savings to the public purse achieved through the work of the EU Institutions efficiency and reform group in 2010-11. [52595]

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Maude: The Efficiency and Reform Group has Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment worked with Departments to drive much greater efficiency he has made of the outcome of (a) EU Careers Month into Government operations, by renegotiating contracts, and his (b) Department’s initiative to communicate the central control over advertising and consultancy spend, benefits of a career in the EU to young UK getting out of properties, controlling recruitment and professionals, graduates and undergraduates. [51822] ICT spend. We are currently checking our figures carefully, however Mr Lidington: The objective of EU Careers month I expect to announce shortly total savings for the year was to increase awareness of opportunities in the EU of over £3 billion. Civil Service and increase the number of applications from key target groups of UK nationals to the EU’s recruitment competitions. It was the start of what must Public Bodies Reform: Savings be a multiannual campaign if we are to stand any chance of redressing the declining number of UK nationals 14. Gavin Shuker: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet entering the EU Institutions. The campaign achieved Office what recent estimate he has made of the savings some measure of success. In this year’s main graduate which will accrue from the reform of public bodies in selection procedure, which closed on 14 April 2011, the the comprehensive spending review period. [52597] 511W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 512W

Mr Hurd: Departments are estimating cumulative constitute general principles of EU law (as confirmed administrative savings of at least £2.6 billion will flow by Article 6 (3) TEU). The Charter and the Lisbon from public bodies over the spending review period. treaty do not give the European Court of Justice or When reductions in programme and capital spend national courts any new powers to strike down national are taken into account, then total spending being channelled laws and practices for breaching fundamental rights. through public bodies will be reduced by at least £11 Furthermore, the UK is required to comply with the billion per year by 2014-15, a cumulative £30 billion fundamental rights restated in the Charter only when it over the spending review period. is giving effect to EU law, reflecting the long-standing case law of the European Court of Justice. These limits Census: Voluntary Work on the effects of the Charter are confirmed by both Protocol No 30 to the treaties and the terms of the Charter and the treaties themselves. Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether the Office for National Statistics Civil Servants: Pensions considered the merits of including voluntary work in the section of the 2011 Census on work and employment. Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet [52981] Office how many people have had their early payment pension under the Civil Service Pension Scheme back-dated Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the to the date of (a) ceasing work through ill health and responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have (b) claiming the payment in the period 1 April 1987 to asked the Authority to reply. 1 October 2002. [52188] Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated April 2011: As Director General for the Office for National Statistics Mr Maude: The information requested can be provided (ONS) I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question only at disproportionate cost. to the Minister for the Cabinet Office asking whether he considered the merits of including voluntary work in the section of the 2011 Departmental Early Retirement Census on work and employment ( 52981). The questions for the 2011 Census were developed during a Mr Crausby: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet four year programme of consultation, research and testing with central and local government, public and private bodies, charities, Office how many of his Department’s staff have taken the academic sector and the public sector. early retirement in each of the last five years; and what A question on voluntary work was one of many considered for the cost to his Department was in each such year. inclusion, but during the consultation less demand was expressed [50840] for such information than for many of the other questions also under consideration. The demand for questions in the census is Mr Maude: The following table details the cost to the always greater than can be accommodated on a self-completion Cabinet Office in each of the last five years for which questionnaire and due to these space constraints, only those the information is available of staff who have taken questions that have been shown to be most needed by the major early retirement. users of census statistics, were included. The questions for the 2011 Census were approved by Parliament Financial year Cost to Cabinet Office (£) in 2009. 2009-10 647,000 Charter of Fundamental Rights: EU 2008-09 77,000 2007-08 667,000 Priti Patel: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 2006-07 45,000 with reference to the European Ombudsman’s survey 2005-06 1,081,000 finding that 72% of Europeans do not feel well- The information is taken from the Cabinet Office informed about the EU Charter of Fundamental Resource Accounts which does not include the number Rights; what his assessment is of the proportion of UK of staff who have taken early retirement in each year. residents who do not feel well-informed about the EU This information is not held and providing it would Charter of Fundamental Rights; and if he will take exceed the disproportionate cost threshold. steps to ensure the UK is not affected by the Charter. [52473] Identity and Passport Service: Liverpool Mr Lidington: I have been asked to reply. Mrs Ellman: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet As the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU Office when the Civil Service Commission was first does not create any new justiciable rights or change the informed of a problem concerning the awarding of current status of EU fundamental rights as they already permanent employment status to employees of Liverpool apply in EU law, the Government do not believe it Passport Office. [52140] would be a cost effective use of resources to assess the proportion of UK residents that do not feel well informed Mr Maude: On 27 April 2010 the Identity and Passport about the Charter. Office told the Commission’s external auditors that the The Charter and the Lisbon treaty have not changed Liverpool regional office had made permanent the content or effect of EU fundamental rights as they appointments for candidates who were not recruited apply in EU law. It has long been recognised that through fair and open competition. The IPS told the fundamental rights, as guaranteed by the European Commission’s auditors that these permanent contracts Court of Human Rights and as they result from the were being withdrawn and replaced with fixed term constitutional traditions common to the member states, appointments under two years in duration. 513W Written Answers27 APRIL 2011 Written Answers 514W

The Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles considered for any performance related pay award this allow Departments to make short-term appointments year. Under the delegated arrangements for staff outside up to maximum of two years, as an exception to the Senior Civil Service (SCS), eligibility criteria for appointment on merit on the basis of fair and open such payments are determined by individual Departments competition. Any proposal to extend an appointment and agencies. made under this exception beyond two years requires The Cabinet Office does not have responsibility for the approval of the Civil Service Commission. reward arrangements in public authorities and local Older Workers: Average Earnings government. Third Sector: Finance Rachel Reeves: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what estimate he has made of the average lifetime earnings of (a) a woman and (b) a man who retired in Stella Creasy: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet 2010. [40178] Office (1) whether he has plans to use funding provided to the Office for Civil Society which has not yet been Steve Webb: I have been asked to reply. allocated to other purposes to fund strategic partners in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14; [51647] The information to answer this question is not available. (2) how much of the funding allocation proposed by Public Sector: Pay the Office for Civil Society for strategic partners has now been allocated for (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Minister for the (c) 2013-14; and what proportion remains unallocated Cabinet Office what his policy is on the making of in each such year. [51648] bonus payments to officials with responsibility for advising on or initiating the borrowing of funds by public authorities Mr Hurd: £9 million was made available for the proportionate to the funds borrowed; and what guidance Office for Civil Society’s Strategic Partners Transition he has issued to (a) public authorities, (b) Government programme (£4 million in 2011-12; £3 million in 2012-13; departments, (c) local authorities and (d) other agencies and £2 million in 2013-14). After an intensive selection on this matter. [51033] process, a very small proportion of the total £9 million available remains unallocated—around 8%. The unallocated Mr Maude: There is no specific policy for the civil amounts are: £324,161 in 2011-12; £243,121 in 2012-13; service on the making of bonus payments to officials and £162,080 in 2013-14. with responsibility for advising on or initiating the I do not intend to use these amounts to fund borrowing of funds by public authorities. organisations selected to be strategic partners as part of The Government support the principle of performance the programme running until 2015. I am currently related pay and ensuring that those who are the most considering the best use of this unallocated funding and effective receive the highest rewards, but this must be there are a number of pressing priorities. I am keen to balanced against the need to ensure that such payments work with some unsuccessful interviewees on what big are moderate and appropriate. For the Senior Civil society policies and programmes mean for some of the Service (SCS), which is managed centrally by the Cabinet groups they represent. Any commissions to these groups Office, only the top 25% of performers will be able to be would be carried out this year. ORAL ANSWERS

Wednesday 27 April 2011

Col. No. Col. No. CABINET OFFICE...... 155 CABINET OFFICE—continued Big Society ...... 158 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises ...... 155 Big Society Bank...... 157 Topical Questions ...... 162 Big Society Bank...... 160 Public Expenditure Reductions...... 159 PRIME MINISTER ...... 164 Public Sector Mutuals...... 161 Engagements...... 164 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Wednesday 27 April 2011

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 7WS HOME DEPARTMENT...... 11WS United Kingdom Space Agency...... 7WS Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2011 ...... 11WS COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 8WS TRANSPORT ...... 11WS Departmental Work (Easter Recess 2011) ...... 8WS Department for Transport (Decision Making) ...... 11WS

HEALTH...... 10WS TREASURY ...... 7WS Parliamentary Written Answer (Correction) ...... 10WS Costing Parliamentary Questions...... 7WS PETITIONS

Wednesday 27 April 2011

Col. No. Col. No. TRANSPORT ...... 9P TRANSPORT—continued Bus Service (Croyland, Wellingborough) ...... 9P Isham Bypass (Wellingborough) ...... 10P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Tuesday 26 April 2011—[Continued.]

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 253W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS—continued Advantage West Midlands ...... 253W Regional Development Agencies: Assets...... 264W Animal Experiments: Cosmetics ...... 254W Regional Development Agencies: Finance ...... 265W Apprentices: Chester ...... 254W Renewable Energy: Finance ...... 265W Apprentices: Pendle...... 255W Research: Finance...... 265W Arts: Research...... 255W Science ...... 266W Business: Regulation ...... 255W Science: Finance...... 266W Departmental Accountancy ...... 256W Students: Finance ...... 267W Departmental Early Retirement ...... 256W Supermarkets ...... 267W Departmental Meetings ...... 256W Technology ...... 268W Enterprise Zones...... 257W Technology Strategy Board: Finance ...... 268W EU External Trade: India...... 258W Vocational Guidance...... 269W Executives: Females ...... 258W Further Education: Higher Education ...... 259W EDUCATION...... 269W Graduates: Manufacturing Industries ...... 259W Academies: Admissions ...... 269W Health: Higher Education...... 259W Better Communication Action Plan ...... 269W Higher Education: Access ...... 260W Boarding Schools: Disabled ...... 270W Higher Education: Business ...... 260W Brighton...... 270W Higher Education: Finance ...... 261W Building Schools for the Future Programme: Investing in Skills for Sustainable Growth Leicester...... 274W Strategy...... 261W Children: Death ...... 276W Neurology ...... 262W Children in Care...... 275W One NorthEast...... 262W Children in Care: Applications...... 275W Post Offices ...... 263W Children’s Services: Nottingham...... 276W Post Offices: Bank Services ...... 263W Colchester Academy: Finance...... 277W Postal Services...... 263W Departmental Manpower...... 277W Postgraduate Education ...... 264W Departmental Mobile Phones ...... 278W Col. No. Col. No. EDUCATION—continued FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE— Departmental Vacancies ...... 278W continued Early Intervention Grant: Newham ...... 279W European External Action Service ...... 389W Education: Finance...... 280W Gibraltar...... 390W Education Maintenance Allowance...... 279W Human Rights ...... 391W Education Maintenance Allowance: West India: Foreign Relations...... 391W Midlands...... 280W Indian Ocean: Piracy...... 392W English Baccalaureate ...... 283W Iran: Baha’i Faith...... 393W Family Courts ...... 284W Iran: Human Rights...... 394W Free School Meals...... 284W Iraq: Politics and Government ...... 394W Further Education: Catering...... 285W Libya: British Nationals Abroad...... 395W Further Education: Domestic Visits...... 285W Middle East: Anti-semitism ...... 395W Further Education: Education Maintenance Middle East: Armed Conflict...... 396W Allowance ...... 285W Nightingale Island: MS Olivia ...... 397W Further Education: Finance...... 286W North Africa: Refugees ...... 398W Further Education: Manpower ...... 286W Palestinians ...... 399W Further Education: Monitoring ...... 287W Piracy...... 399W GCE A-level...... 288W President of the European Council: Operating GCSE ...... 288W Costs...... 399W Grammar Schools: Disadvantaged...... 289W Somaliland...... 400W Greater Manchester Challenge...... 290W Somaliland: British Nationals Abroad ...... 400W Literacy: Teaching Methods...... 290W Sudan: Referendums ...... 401W Music: Finance ...... 291W Supermarkets ...... 401W Music Pilots ...... 291W Tax Avoidance ...... 401W National Curriculum Tests...... 291W Tristan da Cunha: Oil ...... 402W Outward Grange Consultancy ...... 292W Turks and Caicos Islands: Corruption ...... 402W Pupil Exclusions: Hertfordshire ...... 292W Turks and Caicos Islands: Dominican Republic..... 403W Schools ...... 293W Turks and Caicos Islands: Haiti ...... 403W Schools: Admissions ...... 294W Turks and Caicos Islands: Prisoners...... 403W Schools: Asbestos...... 294W Turks and Caicos Islands: Radar ...... 403W Schools: Contracts ...... 295W Turks and Caicos Islands: Redundancy ...... 403W Schools: Finance...... 295W Turks and Caicos Islands: Young Offenders...... 404W Schools: Milton Kenyes ...... 296W Turks and Caicos Islands: Youth Custody ...... 404W Schools: Transport ...... 297W UN Convention on Special Missions ...... 404W Social Services: Children...... 297W USA: Visits ...... 404W Special Educational Needs...... 297W Yemen: Entry Clearances ...... 405W Special Educational Needs: Free School Meals...... 298W Zimbabwe: British Nationals Abroad...... 406W Students: Transport...... 299W Teachers: Merseyside ...... 299W Vocational Guidance...... 300W HOME DEPARTMENT ...... 336W Voluntary Organisations: Grants ...... 300W Alcoholic Drinks: Death ...... 337W Young People’s Learning Agency...... 304W Alcoholic Drinks: Prices ...... 337W Young People’s Learning Agency: Manpower...... 305W Animal Experiments ...... 338W Antisocial Behaviour: Prosecutions...... 338W Asylum ...... 345W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE .... 378W Burglary...... 345W Anguilla ...... 378W Children: Employment...... 346W Anguilla: Tax Havens...... 378W COE Commissioner for Human Rights ...... 347W Arms Trade...... 378W Crime: Prevention ...... 347W Balkans: EU Accession ...... 378W Criminal Records ...... 348W British Nationals Abroad: Homicide ...... 379W Departmental Accountancy ...... 349W British Overseas Territories: Overseas Aid ...... 379W Departmental Contracts ...... 349W British Overseas Territories: Visits ...... 380W Departmental Official Cars...... 349W Burma: Politics and Government ...... 381W Departmental Redundancy ...... 350W Burma: Sanctions...... 382W DNA: Databases...... 350W Children’s Rights ...... 382W Domestic Violence ...... 350W China: Human Rights...... 383W Elections: Finance...... 352W China: Trade Unions...... 383W Entry Clearances: Pakistan ...... 353W Colombia ...... 383W Fixed Penalties...... 353W Democratic Republic of Congo: Elections ...... 384W Forensic Science Service...... 353W Departmental Early Retirement ...... 384W Forensic Science Service: Contracts ...... 336W Departmental Manpower...... 385W Forensic Science Service: Research...... 336W Departmental Mobile Phones ...... 385W Homicide ...... 354W Departmental Public Bodies ...... 385W Human Trafficking ...... 355W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 386W Human Trafficking: Convictions...... 356W Departmental Responsibilities ...... 386W Identity and Passport Service: Liverpool...... 356W Diplomatic Service: Human Rights...... 386W Illegal Immigrants...... 356W East Africa: Mining ...... 387W Immigrants: Detainees ...... 356W Egypt: Politics and Government ...... 388W Immigrants: Married People ...... 357W EU Charter of Fundamental Rights ...... 388W Immigration: EU Action...... 357W EU Fundamental Rights Agency ...... 389W Knives: Crime ...... 358W European Court of Human Rights ...... 389W Licensing Laws...... 358W Col. No. Col. No. HOME DEPARTMENT—continued TREASURY—continued Members: Correspondence ...... 359W Gift Aid ...... 321W Police ...... 377W Government: Assets ...... 321W Police: Graduates ...... 359W Green Investment Bank ...... 321W Police: Manpower ...... 359W High-Risk Corporate Programme...... 322W Police: Overtime...... 361W Import Duties and VAT ...... 322W Police: Pay...... 362W Income Tax ...... 322W Police: Recruitment...... 362W Income Tax: Tax Rates and Bands ...... 322W Police: Redundancy...... 362W Income Tax: Tax Yields...... 323W Police: Southwark ...... 363W Individual Savings Accounts: Children ...... 323W Reoffenders...... 363W Land Registry ...... 324W Repatriation...... 364W Loans: Foreign Nationals...... 324W Repatriation: Zimbabwe...... 364W Members: Correspondence ...... 324W Sexual Offences: Advisory Services ...... 365W National Insurance: Income Tax...... 325W Sexual Offences: Victim Support Schemes ...... 365W National Savings ...... 325W UK Border Agency: Complaints...... 366W Offshore Industry...... 326W UK Border Agency: Pay ...... 367W PAYE...... 326W Violence ...... 367W PAYE: Social Enterprises ...... 327W Young Offenders ...... 377W Pensions: Uprating...... 327W Public Expenditure...... 327W Public Finance ...... 328W TREASURY ...... 305W Public Sector: Pensions ...... 328W Air Passenger Duty ...... 305W Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs...... 329W Bank Levy...... 305W Stamp Duty Land Tax: Tax Avoidance ...... 330W Bank Services: Children in Care...... 305W Sterling: Valuation ...... 330W Banks: Iceland ...... 306W Tax Allowances...... 330W Banks: Loans ...... 306W Tax Avoidance ...... 330W Budget March 2011...... 307W Tax Credits...... 331W Business ...... 307W Tax Credits: Business ...... 331W Capital Gains Tax ...... 307W Taxation...... 331W Child Benefit...... 308W Taxation: Domicile ...... 332W Child Care Tax Credit...... 309W Taxation: Environment Protection ...... 332W Companies...... 310W Taxation: Fuels ...... 332W Corporation Tax ...... 310W Taxation: Pensions ...... 333W Corporation Tax: Scotland ...... 312W Unemployment ...... 333W Debts ...... 313W Unpaid Taxes...... 333W Departmental Accountancy ...... 313W VAT ...... 333W Departmental Manpower...... 314W VAT: Clubs...... 334W Departmental Retirement ...... 314W VAT: Construction...... 334W Departmental Vacancies ...... 314W Water Charges...... 334W Diesel Vehicles: Snow and Ice ...... 314W Winter Fuel Allowance ...... 335W Energy: Subsidies ...... 315W Winter Fuel Payments...... 335W Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme...... 315W Enterprise Zones...... 315W WOMEN AND EQUALITIES ...... 249W Enterprise Zones...... 316W Departmental Official Cars ...... 249W Entrepreneurs: Scotland...... 316W Departmental Public Bodies ...... 249W EU Budget ...... 316W Disability ...... 250W Excise Duties: Fuels ...... 316W Equality ...... 250W Exports: Forecasts...... 317W Equality and Human Rights Commission...... 251W Faster Payments System...... 317W Equality and Human Rights Commission: Visits Financial Services ...... 317W Abroad ...... 251W Food: Prices ...... 318W Equality Duty: Public Sector ...... 252W Foreign Companies...... 318W Equality: Public Bodies...... 252W Foreign Currency Reserves...... 318W Equality: Public Sector...... 253W Fuels: Prices...... 320W European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. 253W WRITTEN ANSWERS

Wednesday 27 April 2011

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 467W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS—continued Apprentices...... 467W Departmental Correspondence ...... 475W Arms Trade: Libya...... 472W Departmental Manpower...... 475W Arms Trade: Saudi Arabia ...... 473W Departmental Mobile Phones ...... 478W Companies: North East ...... 473W Departmental Procurement...... 479W Debts: Advisory Services...... 473W Departmental Redundancy ...... 483W Departmental Chief Scientific Advisers ...... 474W Departmental Regulation...... 485W Departmental Conditions of Employment...... 474W Departmental Reorganisation...... 485W Departmental Contracts ...... 475W Departmental Vacancies ...... 485W Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS—continued DEFENCE—continued Employment Agencies...... 486W Armed Forces: Redundancy...... 416W Employment Tribunals Service...... 486W Armed Forces: Young People...... 417W English Language: Education ...... 487W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 417W Export Credits Guarantee Department...... 488W Libya: Armed Conflict...... 418W Further Education: Finance...... 489W Nuclear Weapons: International Co-operation ...... 418W Further Education: Learning Disability...... 489W Strategic Defence and Security Review ...... 418W Higher Education: Finance ...... 490W Warships ...... 419W Horticulture ...... 490W Intellectual Property and Growth Review ...... 490W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 446W Post Offices ...... 490W Departmental Voluntary Work ...... 446W Research: Finance...... 490W Electoral Register...... 446W Research: Trade Competitiveness...... 491W General Election 2010: Costs ...... 446W Retirement: Age ...... 491W Science: Finance...... 491W EDUCATION...... 494W Service Agreements...... 492W Children: Poverty ...... 494W Stem Cells: Research ...... 492W Curriculum: Humanities ...... 495W Students: Finance ...... 493W Departmental Accounting ...... 495W Third Sector...... 494W Education: Assessments ...... 495W Free School Meals...... 495W CABINET OFFICE...... 510W Free Schools...... 496W Census: Voluntary Work ...... 511W Grammar Schools: Human Rights...... 496W Charter of Fundamental Rights: EU ...... 511W Marriage Guidance...... 497W Civil Servants: Pensions ...... 512W Marriage Guidance: Grants ...... 497W Departmental Early Retirement ...... 512W Schools: Nurses...... 498W Efficiency Reform Group...... 510W Sure Start Programme: Closures ...... 499W Identity and Passport Service: Liverpool...... 512W Teenage Pregnancy...... 499W Older Workers: Average Earnings ...... 513W Voluntary Organisations: Grants ...... 500W Public Bodies Reform: Savings...... 510W Public Sector: Pay ...... 513W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE...... 450W Third Sector: Finance ...... 514W Christmas...... 450W Transition Fund ...... 510W Departmental Art Works ...... 450W Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers...... 451W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 452W Departmental Qualifications...... 451W Audit Commission ...... 452W Fuel Poverty...... 452W Audit Commission: Food...... 454W Audit Commission: Gifts ...... 454W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Council Tax: Essex...... 455W AFFAIRS...... 407W Departmental Video Recordings ...... 455W Anaerobic Digestion ...... 407W Employment Agencies...... 455W Departmental Cleaning Services ...... 407W Enterprise Zones...... 456W Departmental Mobile Phones ...... 407W Enterprise Zones: Non-domestic Rates ...... 456W Employment Agencies...... 408W Housing: Carbon Emissions...... 457W Government Departments: Business Plans...... 409W Housing: Construction...... 458W Livestock: Animal Welfare...... 409W Housing: Planning Permission ...... 458W Meat: Ritual Slaughter...... 412W Local Government ...... 458W Pesticides...... 413W Local Government: Bye Laws ...... 459W Recycling ...... 415W Local Government Finance ...... 458W Local Partnerships ...... 459W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 509W Mobile Homes ...... 459W Council of Europe: Finance...... 509W Non-domestic Rates: Milton Keynes ...... 459W Departmental Accountancy ...... 509W Private Rented Housing: Smoke Alarms ...... 460W EU Institutions ...... 509W Renewable Energy: Planning Permission...... 460W Libya: Politics and Government...... 510W Social Rented Housing...... 460W Tenancy Deposit Schemes...... 462W HEALTH...... 428W Asbestos...... 428W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 446W Babies: Bottles...... 428W British Library: Lindisfarne gospels...... 446W Departmental Accountancy ...... 429W Cricket: Lancashire ...... 447W Departmental Rail Travel...... 429W Departmental Work Experience...... 447W Diabetes ...... 429W Museums and Galleries...... 448W Drugs: Side Effects...... 429W Ofcom...... 448W Fertility: Health Services...... 430W Olympic Games 2012 ...... 448W HIV Infection: Tuberculosis...... 430W Sports: Clubs ...... 449W Human Papilloma Virus: Vaccination ...... 432W Telecommunications ...... 449W Learning Disability: Social Services ...... 432W Mental Health Services: Complaints...... 432W DEFENCE...... 415W Midwives...... 437W Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations ...... 415W NHS: Pensions...... 437W Armed Forces: Allowances...... 416W NHS: Redundancy and Early Retirement ...... 438W Armed Forces: Germany...... 416W Parkinson’s Disease: Physiotherapy ...... 438W Armed Forces: Private Education ...... 416W Pharmacy...... 439W Col. No. Col. No. HEALTH—continued TRANSPORT—continued Physiotherapy ...... 439W Thameslink Railway Line...... 427W Sexually Transmitted Diseases ...... 439W Transport: Carbon Emissions ...... 427W Travel: Concessions...... 427W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 505W Departmental Procurement...... 505W TREASURY ...... 441W Employment Agencies...... 505W Bank Services: Children in Care...... 441W Homicide ...... 506W Business: Loans...... 441W Car Allowances...... 442W PRIME MINISTER ...... 415W Government: Assets ...... 442W 10 Downing Street: Gardens ...... 415W Members: Correspondence ...... 442W Supermarkets ...... 415W Pensions...... 443W Public Expenditure...... 444W TRANSPORT ...... 419W Public Purse: Savings ...... 444W Aviation: Stress ...... 419W Public Sector: Pay ...... 445W Aviation: Working Hours...... 419W Public Sector: Pensions ...... 445W Blue Badge Scheme: Logos ...... 419W Brighton and Hove City Council: Grants...... 420W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 462W Departmental Accountancy ...... 422W Departmental Public Transport ...... 462W Departmental Public Bodies ...... 422W Departmental Vacancies ...... 463W Driving Offences: Fines...... 422W Employment: Sickness Absence ...... 463W East Coast Railway Line: Timetables ...... 423W Harrington Review...... 464W Freedom Pass...... 423W Housing Benefit ...... 464W Great Western Railway: Electrification ...... 423W Housing: Finance...... 464W High Speed 2: Exhibitions...... 424W Incapacity Benefit: Sunderland ...... 465W Large Goods Vehicles: Licensing...... 425W Independent Living Fund ...... 465W Railways: Standards...... 425W NHS: Swimming Pools ...... 466W Roads: Hertfordshire...... 425W Nurses...... 466W Rolling Stock ...... 426W Sick Leave ...... 466W Thames Gateway Bridge ...... 426W Winter Fuel Payments...... 467W Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. 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CONTENTS

Wednesday 27 April 2011

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 155] [see index inside back page] Minister for the Cabinet Office Prime Minister

Export Credits Guarantee Department (Regulation and Reporting) [Col. 177] Motion for leave to bring in Bill—(Lisa Nandy)—agreed to Bill presented, and read the First time

Opposition Day [15th allotted day] Sure Start Children’s Centres [Col. 182] Motion—(Andy Burnham)—on a Division, negatived Higher Education Policy [Col. 238] Motion—(Mr Denham)—on a Division, negatived

Section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 [Col. 288] Motion—(Mr Hoban)—Division deferred until Wednesday 4 May

Petition [Col. 313]

Press Self-regulation [Col. 314] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Short Selling and Certain Aspects of Credit Default Swaps [Col. 323] Motion, on a deferred Division, agreed to

Westminster Hall Zimbabwe [Col. 71WH] Irish Communities in Britain [Col. 95WH] Railway Expansion [Col. 103WH] Brown Signs [Col. 126WH] Coroners (Recording of Suicides) [Col. 134WH] Debates on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 7WS]

Petitions [Col. 9P] Observations

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 249W] [see index inside back page]