Monday Volume 528 23 May 2011 No. 162

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Monday 23 May 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] 611 23 MAY 2011 612

absolutely need a zero-tolerance policy on illiteracy and House of Commons innumeracy. That is why we will be ensuring that all students pursue a course in English and maths to the Monday 23 May 2011 age of 18.

The House met at half-past Two o’clock Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): The Secretary of State will know that one of the best ways PRAYERS of improving standards in schools is having a highly qualified and motivated teaching staff. I understand [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] that there has still been no response to the inquiry into the quality of teacher training that the Select Committee on Children, Schools and Families conducted when I BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS was its Chair. ROSEMARY NELSON INQUIRY Resolved, Michael Gove: We gave an answer to that excellent That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, That report with the publication of our White Paper, “The she will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be laid Importance of Teaching”. From that title, I am sure before this House a Return of the Report, dated 23 May 2011, of that the hon. Gentleman will draw the appropriate the Rosemary Nelson Inquiry.—(James Duddridge.) inference that there is nothing more important than teaching.

Oral Answers to Questions Mr Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) (Con): The James review found that school buildings that are beyond being merely fit for purpose make no real EDUCATION contribution to educational standards and that teaching and leadership are what make the difference to The Secretary of State was asked— outcomes for children, not least in our weakest schools. Will the Secretary of State explain the difference in Underperforming Schools spending patterns that will be implemented by this Government as compared with those of the previous 1. Mary Macleod (Brentford and Isleworth) (Con): Government? What steps he is taking to improve standards in underperforming schools. [56573] Michael Gove: That is a typically good question from the Education Committee Chairman. Unlike the previous The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove): Government, we will not be wasting money on a capital I want our education system to be the best in the world, programme that is out of control and bureaucratic. which is why we have invested more than £100 million in Instead, we will be investing money in making sure that an endowment fund for the poorest students. We have more of the very best graduates go into teaching and we invested £2.5 billion in the pupil premium, we have will be expanding opportunities for inspirational figures expanded the academy programme and we have invested such as Peter Hyman to open new free schools and more in expanding elite routes into teaching such as target the disadvantaged, who need them most. Teach First. We have also raised the floor standards by which we judge schools’ performance. Some 216 secondary schools are below the floor standards with fewer than Meg Munn (Sheffield, Heeley) (Lab/Co-op): Last week, 35% of their students achieving five good GCSEs, I visited a school in my constituency that struggles to including English and maths, and 1,394 primary schools meet the floor targets but which has the most dedicated are below the floor standards with fewer than 60% of and outstanding teachers and head teacher anyone could pupils at the end of key stage 2 achieving level 4 or wish for. How will the Government support those above in English and maths. I wrote to local authorities outstanding teachers and make them feel that the job on 1 March asking them to set out their plans for they are doing is valued even though, because of all the improving their weaker schools. I received those plans other circumstances that those children experience in back on 15 April and I am reviewing them. their lives, the school will struggle to meet the floor targets? Mr Speaker: The answer, I am afraid, was simply too long. I hope that answers from now on will be shorter. Michael Gove: We have made our floor standards not Mary Macleod: In my constituency I want the best only tougher, by raising them, but fairer so that we take possible education for all pupils, no matter who they are account of progression. Those schools in which there or where they come from, but organisations such as the are children from challenging backgrounds with low CBI are saying that they are concerned by the numeracy levels of prior attainment will be judged in the round. and literacy levels of school leavers. Does my right hon. We are going to have a new measure in our performance Friend agree that we should have a zero-tolerance approach tables that focuses attention on the performance of the to underperforming schools and that we should prioritise 20% of students who come from the toughest backgrounds. literacy and numeracy levels? It is also the case that our pupil premium will ensure that schools such as the one the hon. Lady mentions, Michael Gove: I am sorry, Mr Speaker, that the with a high proportion of children from disadvantaged Government are doing so much that I could not pack it backgrounds, will simply get more money so that teachers all into one answer. I agree with my hon. Friend that we can do an even better job. 613 Oral Answers23 MAY 2011 Oral Answers 614

School Administration English Baccalaureate

2. Paul Uppal (Wolverhampton South West) (Con): 4. Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle upon Tyne North) What steps he is taking to reduce the burden of (Lab): What estimate he has made of the number of administration on schools; and if he will make a young people who will opt to study English statement. [56574] baccalaureate subjects in the 2011-12 academic year. [56576] The Minister of State, Department for Education (Mr Nick Gibb): The Government are committed to The Minister of State, Department for Education reducing the administrative burden on schools. We have (Mr Nick Gibb): We do not currently collect systematic already announced that the lengthy self-evaluation form data on pupil choices, but anecdotal evidence suggests will be removed, FMSiS—the financial management that the English baccalaureate measure is having a standard in schools—will be scrapped, and the inspection positive effect, with more schools making this combination framework will be streamlined. All data collections are of subjects open to more pupils. Our concern is that last being reviewed and we have included measures in the year just 15.6% of pupils achievedaCgradeorbetter in Education Bill to remove unnecessary regulations. In the English baccalaureate combination of subjects. addition, we are taking action to reduce dramatically the volume of guidance and advice issued to schools. Catherine McKinnell: I thank the Minister for that reply, but what would he say to a governor at Walbottle Paul Uppal: Free schools and academies reduce Campus in my constituency who raised with me the fact bureaucracy so that more time can be spent on education. that that school and others like it have seen an impressive Does the Minister agree that all those schools should be performance in GCSE results in the past few years, but encouraged in all areas so that children from any saw only about 5% of its pupils achieving the E-bac? background can have access to an environment that Does the Minister recognise the concern that E-bac by encourages aspiration and ambition? diktat will put at risk the hard work and commitment of staff, governors and pupils in creating a broad curriculum Mr Gibb: My hon. Friend is right. The recent Public that enables all pupils to thrive? Accounts Committee report on academies found that they have achieved rapid academic improvements and Mr Gibb: The English baccalaureate is not prescriptive. raised aspirations in some of the most challenging It is just a measure—one of many measures—that this schools in some of the most deprived parts of the Government are putting forward as part of the transparency country. That is why we are expanding the academies agenda. It is the next stage in that school’s improved programme and encouraging more providers to enter performance. It is a concern to the Government that the free schools movement. children, particularly in deprived areas, are not being Mr Gerry Sutcliffe (Bradford South) (Lab): Although offered that combination of choices. Only 8% of children it is important to reduce the burden of administration, who qualify for free school meals were even entered for how will the Government make sure that free schools the English baccalaureate subjects, and only 4% achieved have the right management skills to deal with the issues them. they face? In Bradford, a number of free schools have Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD): been approved where the management have no proven Does the Minister have any hard evidence that there has skills in management techniques. been a significant switch towards subjects in the English Mr Gibb: There is a rigorous approval procedure baccalaureate this year for this year’s results? Is he before any free school proposal is approved by the concerned that as a consequence cramming might have Secretary of State. The hon. Gentleman should be taken place in the switched-to subject? assured that we are accepting to business case only Mr Gibb: It is always a concern if schools are not those proposals that can demonstrate to the Secretary entering students for qualifications that best meet their of State that they have a rigorous approach to leadership interests. That is what is behind the introduction of the and management and will provide high-quality education. English baccalaureate measure. We want to undo some Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (Con): Too much of the perverse incentives that already exist in the league administration, the overbearing nature of Ofsted table situation. We would not want to see pupils being inspections, and an almost evangelical approach to transferred mid-course to English baccalaureate subjects safeguarding make it almost impossible for many schools simply for the league table position. to take their kids out on school trips. Instead, our young people are penned up in fortress-like schools. Mr Speaker: Order. May I gently appeal to the Minister May we have an assurance that the Department will do of State to face the House when giving his replies so everything it can to ensure that children get out of the that we can all hear them? classroom and go to museums and other facilities where Kevin Brennan (Cardiff West) (Lab): I am sure the they learn better? Minister has read the bishops’ e-alert which arrived Mr Gibb: My hon. Friend is right. That is why Ofsted from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and inspections are being focused on teaching, leadership, Wales at 2.18 pm this afternoon, in which the bishops attainment, behaviour and safety. We have taken into say that they account the work of Lord Young in making sure that “have serious reservations over the omission of Religious Education we do not over-regulate school trips, and that we make from the English Baccalaureate” it much easier and safer for teachers to take children on and school trips without the fear of prosecution. “urge the government to reconsider its decision”. 615 Oral Answers23 MAY 2011 Oral Answers 616

Given the state of rebellion on the Government Benches Mr Raab: I wholeheartedly welcome that progress. about this and the uncertainty across the country, will Research by the Adam Smith Institute has found that the Minister take this opportunity to confirm that he is 42% of profit-making independent schools operate on not planning another U-turn, this time about RE and fees equal to or less than the average pupil funding in the E-bac? state schools. If entrepreneurs can drive up teaching standards and keep costs down, should we not look Mr Gibb: Unlike the Pope, the bishops are not infallible. critically at some of the more dogmatic objections to We believe that there is plenty of room in the English their potential role in developing free schools? baccalaureate curriculum to continue to study subjects such as RE, economics, music, art and vocational Michael Gove: I welcome my hon. Friend’s radicalism subjects, and we have deliberately kept the English and idealism. I want to see how the first free schools do baccalaureate small to enable that to happen. In when they open in September. Given some of the addition, RE is a compulsory subject, and we have seen inspirational figures who plan to lead them, I am convinced a very large rise in the proportion of the cohort taking that we will see standards rise and that, as we see them religious studies to GCSE, whereas we have seen a fall rise, the innovations that those figures bring to the state in the numbers and the proportion taking geography sector will be spread more widely. and history to GCSE. Chris Leslie (Nottingham East) (Lab/Co-op): Is it School Staff Redundancies true that there are 100 civil servants in the Department 6. Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab): working on the free schools programme? If it is not 100, What recent estimate he has made of the likely number how many is it? What is the cost of that number of civil servants, and what on earth are they doing? of redundancies of school staff in 2011-12. [56579] The Minister of State, Department for Education Nick Boles (Grantham and Stamford) (Con): More (Mr Nick Gibb): No such assessment has been made than they were under you! centrally. The funding settlement for 2011-12 protects Michael Gove: Yes—a very good prompt from behind school funding in the system at flat cash per pupil and me. There are just around 100 civil servants working on provides funding for the pupil premium on top of that. the programme and I am delighted that they are, because Andrew Gwynne: Is the Minister aware of the report I am convinced that helping idealistic figures, such as in The Times Educational Supplement showing that Peter Hyman and Sajid Hussain, a state school teacher almost four in 10 schools in England plan to reduce who is setting up a school for disadvantaged students in staff numbers in the next year, meaning a possible drop Bradford, is a good thing. We are bringing schools to of almost 17,000 staff across England? With a reduction the areas of deprivation let down by the hon. Gentleman of that order, is it not the case that many schools will and his party. Instead of civil servants having their time struggle, particularly when it is linked to reductions in diverted to the sort of politically correct projects that school budgets, which will fall in real terms over the preoccupied the Labour party, at last they are concentrating next three years, meaning that those pupils most in need on driving up standards for the poorest, and I am proud will be disadvantaged the most? that it is the coalition Government who are doing it. Mr Gibb: It is very difficult to take Labour Members Simon Kirby (Brighton, Kemptown) (Con): Will the seriously on the issue of funding, because we inherited a Secretary of State join me in welcoming a number of record Budget deficit that had to be tackled, and despite potential free schools in my constituency, which he tackling a £156 billion Budget deficit, we have managed knows well, including one that plans to offer a bilingual to maintain funding for schools at flat cash per pupil education and one that plans to help very deprived over the spending review period. In addition, we have young people in different areas? introduced the pupil premium, which will rise to £2.5 billion Michael Gove: I am delighted not only that there are by 2014-15. Having said that, and although this is a free school applications from Brighton, Kemptown, but good settlement in the context of what we inherited, that Brighton college is playing a part in helping to schools will have to find efficiencies in procurement and establish a new free school in the east end of London other areas; we absolutely recognise that. Coming from which is setting out specifically to target talented children the hon. Gentleman, the question is rich, given what we from poorer backgrounds. When that is combined with inherited from his Government. the innovation being shown by the Durand school in Free Schools Brixton, for example, which plans to establish a state boarding school for disadvantaged children from that 7. Mr Dominic Raab (Esher and Walton) (Con): area, I have to say that the coalition Government are What recent progress he has made in establishing free unleashing a wave of radicalism the like of which will schools. [56580] not have been seen since 1944. The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove): Andy Burnham (Leigh) (Lab): That confidence is The first free schools are due to open in September, less clearly not shared in No. 10 Downing street, because than 15 months since we first invited applications from last week it gave a distinctly lukewarm end-of-term groups interested in setting up new schools. That in report on the free schools policy. Let me quote a No. 10 itself is testament to the incredible energy and commitment source from The Independent: of the first pioneering projects. Four groups have now “I guess you’d give Michael a six out of 10. The problem with entered into a funding agreement, a further 22 have had Free Schools is that the scheme was designed to fill gaps in areas their business cases approved and six more are under where there are poorly performing schools. But that’s not where consideration. the applications have come from.” 617 Oral Answers23 MAY 2011 Oral Answers 618

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how many Government and answers, suitably succinct, should be of the 26 approved free schools in England come from about the policy of the Government. That is how we the 10 most deprived local authority districts? will proceed from now on. Michael Gove: May I say, in terms of statements Special Educational Needs emanating from the centre, how delighted we were on this side of the House to read just last week that the 8. Nicky Morgan (Loughborough) (Con): What Labour leadership has full confidence in the right hon. progress he has made on the reform of provision for Gentleman? We are absolutely delighted that he is where children with special educational needs in (a) he is, and we hope to see him there for many months to Loughborough constituency and (b) England. [56581] come. All the free school applications that we have received The Minister of State, Department for Education are either in areas of deprivation and educational (Sarah Teather): We published a Green Paper, “Support underachievement or in areas where pupil numbers are and Aspiration: A New Approach to Special Educational rising fast and there is a desperate need to see new Needs and Disability”, on 9 March, and it is out to school places. Whether it is Bradford or the east end, consultation until 30 June. We will consider responses Slough or Tower Hamlets, in every single one of those carefully before taking forward our reforms, and we will areas poorer children are benefiting as a result of our shortly invite tenders for pathfinders to test proposals radicalism. in the Green Paper. Within the general framework for special needs provision, it is for local authorities to Andy Burnham: My son has been doing standard determine the particular arrangements in their areas. assessment tests—SATs—recently, and I have been saying to him, “Read the question and answer the question.” I Nicky Morgan: I thank the Minister for her reply and am tempted to say the same to the Secretary of State. congratulate her on the excellent Green Paper. I have The answer—the answer he would not give—is two, so been contacted by a number of constituents from the it is clear that his policy is based on ideology, not on Every Disabled Child Matters campaign, however. Can need. she explain how the Department for Communities and I am more pragmatic than the Secretary of State. I Local Government’s review of statutory duties on local have always said that each local proposal should be authorities fits in with the strategic role envisaged for judged on its merit, and there is nothing to stop a free local authorities in her Green Paper? school being truly comprehensive if it is set up in the right way. What I object to is the unfair way in which he Sarah Teather: I thank the hon. Lady for that question. is siphoning off resources from other schools to pay for DCLG is undertaking a comprehensive review of all the his free schools. Will he confirm today that the average statutory duties, but it is intended to remove unnecessary maintained school is this year going to get an 80% cut duties, not necessary duties, and there is absolutely no in its maintenance budget to pay for free schools? If intention to downgrade those duties relating to special that is true, how on earth does he justify it? educational needs. Michael Gove: I hope the advice that the right hon. Gentleman has given to his son on how he sits his SATs Rachel Reeves (Leeds West) (Lab): The Minister told includes doing his revision and his homework, because the Education Committee last week that she thinks I sat open-mouthed as the right hon. Gentleman unveiled there will be resources for special educational needs. his latest position on free schools. It is very different Children and parents deserve more than guesswork. from the answer he gave on “The Andrew Marr Show” Can she guarantee now that the Government will make on 10 October when he was asked: sure that all children with additional learning needs have the support that they need to succeed at school? “So you are against free schools?” and he said, “Yes I am”; very different from the answer Sarah Teather: That is exactly what the Green Paper he gave in The Guardian on 9 November when he said is about, and I hope that the hon. Lady, if she has that under Labour constituents who are particularly affected by our proposals, “there would be no more free schools”; will ensure that they respond. The proposals are absolutely and very different from the answer he gave on 31 January about making sure that children get the help that they when he said: deserve, but that is sadly not happening at the moment, “Free schools mean a free-for–all”. partly because a lot of resources are wasted. Over the past year, he has been consistently opposed to free schools, and now he says he is in favour— Adoption Rates

Mr Speaker: Order. 9. Mark Pawsey (Rugby) (Con): What steps he is taking to increase the rate at which children are Michael Gove: Not so much a U-turn— adopted. [56582] Mr Speaker: Order. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove: More an inglorious retreat— (Tim Loughton): The Government and I are very concerned that adoption has lost momentum in recent years, and Mr Speaker: Order. I ask the Secretary of State to that is why we have launched a programme of reform. resume his seat, and let me make it clear beyond This has included setting up a ministerial advisory peradventure, to the Secretary of State and to the group, writing to directors of children’s services and House, that questions are about the policy of the lead members, publishing revised guidance, and launching 619 Oral Answers23 MAY 2011 Oral Answers 620 an adoption data pack to support and challenge local the Select Committee on Home Affairs, both of which authorities. We are also funding two voluntary sector have highlighted the importance of education in schools projects to improve adoption practices and helping to in preventing violence against women and girls. What promote adoption through National Adoption Week. steps is he taking to make sure that that plan is delivered in our schools? Mark Pawsey: I thank the Minister for his answer and his support for the great work done by adoptive Mr Gibb: This is one issue that will be addressed in parents, and I welcome the Government’s work to increase the national curriculum review. The issues that the hon. adoption. He will be aware, however, of concerns about Lady raises are very important and have been given a the security of the personal information of adoptive very high priority by this Government. We share her parents. Does he accept that without appropriate safeguards, concerns and we agree with the importance of raising parents may be discouraged from adopting? Will he these issues at school level. That is precisely what the take this opportunity to assure me and others that he is national curriculum review will examine. taking all possible steps to ensure that adopters’ personal information is properly protected? Dan Rogerson (North Cornwall) (LD): The schools White Paper introduced an internal review of PSHE— Tim Loughton: I echo my hon. Friend’s support for personal, social and health education—teaching. Will the fantastic dedication of prospective adopters and the Minister update the House on the progress of that people who take on that great responsibility. I know of review? his great interest in this area. He is absolutely right. I do not want to see anything that stands in the way of Mr Gibb: My hon. Friend will be pleased to know people coming forward and offering themselves to give that we will shortly make an announcement on the safe adoptive placements to vulnerable children. He has details of the internal review. raised this issue with me before in an Adjournment debate. I give him an undertaking that we will see if Discretionary Learner Support Fund there are any problems in this area that are undermining the system. 11. Lisa Nandy (Wigan) (Lab): Whether the Citizenship Teaching guidelines he plans to produce for the discretionary learner support fund will have a statutory basis. [56584]

10. Caroline Dinenage (Gosport) (Con): What plans The Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong he has for the future of citizenship teaching in schools. Learning (Mr John Hayes): As with the education [56583] maintenance allowance, guidance on the 16-to-19 bursary fund, whose establishment is provided by the Secretary The Minister of State, Department for Education of State pursuant to section 14 of the Education Act 2002, (Mr Nick Gibb): We are currently reviewing the national will be issued by the Young People’s Learning Agency curriculum with a view to slimming it down and focusing pursuant to its statutory powers under section 72 of the it on the essential knowledge that all children should Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009. acquire. Beyond that, it should be for individual schools to design a curriculum that best meets the needs of their Lisa Nandy: Surely the Minister accepts that there is pupils. The review is considering which subjects, beyond an urgent need for young people to have certainty as English, maths, science and physical education, should they make decisions about whether to go to college this be part of the national curriculum in future, and we will year. Given that his own Department’s equality impact announce our proposals early next year. assessment said that the shift to a discretionary system could leave the door open to unintended discrimination, Caroline Dinenage: Fareport Training Organisation how will he ensure that decisions about allocation of in Gosport has been nominated as a community champion funds are fair to students and do not leave colleges to for its amazing work in using citizenship education to prosecution under the equalities law? help to engage post-16 students who have been disengaged with the traditional school system. Given what these Mr Hayes: By her own description, the hon. Lady is a classes have taught these students about their role in champion of fairness, and she has been consistent in society and the value of democracy, does the Minister her critique of these matters. We expect schools and think that they would have enormous value in delivering colleges to have regard to the guidance. They will also the big society? have to comply with equalities legislation, which means that they must not discriminate against their students Mr Gibb: My hon. Friend is right. Citizenship is an on the basis of their protected characteristics, and they important subject, and schools have an important role are subject to the public sector equality duty in section 149 to play in encouraging young people to become responsible of the Equalities Act 2010. citizens and active members of society. I welcome what she says about her school. The Government are fully committed to empowering young people to become Academies active citizens. That is the intention behind the launch of the national citizenship service programme last year. 12. Eric Ollerenshaw (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Con): How many schools had converted, or applied to Fiona Mactaggart (Slough) (Lab): The Minister will convert, to academy status in (a) Lancaster and be aware of his own Government’s violence against Fleetwood constituency and (b) England on the most women and girls strategy and the excellent report from recent date for which figures are available. [56585] 621 Oral Answers23 MAY 2011 Oral Answers 622

The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove): Tony Lloyd: I think the House will recognise that that Three schools have applied and have opened as academies answer is only marginally helpful. Under the last Labour in Lancaster and Fleetwood. Those schools are Lancaster Government, a lot of secondary and primary schools in royal grammar school, Lancaster girls grammar school inner-city areas such as mine were rebuilt. At the moment, and Ripley St Thomas Church of England high school. it is very unlikely that any primary schools, even those The total number of open academies stands at 658, and in great need, will see rebuilding or major refurbishment more than 1,000 schools in England have applied to programmes. When will the money be available to those convert to academy status since June 2010. schools to ensure that children in inner cities get the education they deserve. Eric Ollerenshaw: I congratulate my right hon. Friend Michael Gove: I will say two things. First, I recognise on that success, and I thank him and his officials for that many schools are in a desperately poor condition their help with regard to Lancaster. Will he ensure that and need investment. Secondly, any question about every assistance is given to schools that specialise in investment can only elicit the reply that the Minister of teaching children with special educational needs so that State, Department for Education, my hon. Friend the they can enjoy the benefits of academy status? Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (Mr Gibb) gave earlier, which is that when Opposition Members Michael Gove: I absolutely share my hon. Friend’s ask for more investment, they should ask themselves commitment to ensuring that all children, particularly one question: who is responsible for the desperate state those who have special educational needs, can benefit of the economy that we inherited after 13 years of from these additional freedoms. I am working with the comprehensive mismanagement? Minister of State, Department for Education, the hon. Member for Brent Central (Sarah Teather) to bring Sir Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (LD): My right forward proposals to allow special schools to become hon. Friend made his own personal assessment of the academies. state of the buildings at the Duchess’s community high school in Alnwick, and he pronounced them to be Kate Hoey (Vauxhall) (Lab): The academy programme pretty dreadful. When will there be a capital programme shows that the one-size-fits-all school is not what we to which we can bid for those schools that are most need. May I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on urgently in need of rebuilding? his support for the groundbreaking boarding school Michael Gove: My right hon. Friend has made his element of Durand academy in my constituency? It will case consistently and well. I hope to make an announcement be the first free state boarding school for people from about our response to the James review before Parliament the most deprived areas, and the people of that school rises for the summer recess. That will give explicit details and the people of my community will welcome it. about how we can make available resources for schools whose condition and fabric deserve urgent attention. Michael Gove: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for the points that she makes. She is a consistent champion of Stephen Twigg (Liverpool, West Derby) (Lab/Co-op): helping people from poorer backgrounds to do better in In March this year, the Minister of State, Department state education. I place on the record my thanks to her for Education, the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and for the support that she has given the outstanding team Littlehampton (Mr Gibb) kindly visited St John Bosco of teachers at Durand academy. I hope that this new arts college in my constituency. In the Government’s initiative ensures that the children at that school continue announcement before the summer on their response to to have an education of the highest quality. I am sure the James review, will they state that schools in areas of that we can make common cause of our shared high social and economic deprivation will still benefit commitment to ensuring that children from poorer from higher capital support from Government? backgrounds enjoy the sort of education previously restricted to those from richer backgrounds. Michael Gove: I know that the Minister of State was impressed by the commitment shown by the teachers and parents at the school he visited. The hon. Gentleman Maintained School Buildings has put his case throughout fairly and well. We will do everything that we can to ensure that the schools in the 13. Tony Lloyd (Manchester Central) (Lab): What greatest need receive money. We have to prioritise schools recent assessment he has made of the condition of where the fabric is most in need of support. As ever maintained school buildings. [56586] when thinking about revenue and capital allocations, deprivation is one of the central factors that we will consider. The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove): The Department for Education and Skills took the Careers Guidance decision to no longer collect information on the condition of maintained school buildings in 2005 under the previous 14. Alok Sharma (Reading West) (Con): What steps Government. The review of education capital undertaken he is taking to improve the standard of careers by Sebastian James recommends the implementation of guidance available in schools. [56587] a rolling programme of condition data collection to provide a picture of investment needs. To help us consider The Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong our response to that recommendation, we have recently Learning (Mr John Hayes): Subject to the passage of asked some local authorities to provide details of the the Education Bill, schools will be under a new duty to condition information that they currently hold on their secure access to independent and impartial careers estates. guidance for their pupils from September 2012. Also, 623 Oral Answers23 MAY 2011 Oral Answers 624 an unprecedented degree of co-operation with the careers Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): How will the Minister industry means that we will have new professional standards, consult young people about the changes to the careers training and accreditation. and Connexions service, as he has a statutory duty to do? Alok Sharma: I thank the Minister for his work in this area. Does he agree that more businesses also need Mr Hayes: The hon. Lady will know that I have to work in partnership with schools to provide careers agreed to, and indeed already conducted, a meeting advice? Will he join me in applauding the companies with young people to consider exactly what they want that are backing the futures fair that I and others in my out of the system. I intend to spread those summits to constituency are putting together for secondary schools other locations across the country so that we can shape in Reading? the service to meet young people’s needs, for as John Ruskin said: Mr Hayes: I am well aware, as you, Mr Speaker, and “The highest reward for a man’s toil is not what he gets for it, the whole House will be, of my hon. Friend’s commitment but what he becomes by it.” in that regard. Indeed, on 29 September, under his leadership, Reading West schools and others will be Mr Speaker: We look forward to the Minister’s summit- holding a futures fair. It is critical that that becomes the spreading. norm, not the exception, with businesses, schools, careers Directors of Children’s Services guidance bodies and Government working together to turn people’s ambitions into reality. 16. David Wright (Telford) (Lab): What recent assessment he has made of the merits of local Mr Iain Wright (Hartlepool) (Lab): Why did the authorities having a director of children’s services; and Minister not have a transition plan in place for his if he will make a statement. [56589] changes to careers guidance, and what estimates has he made of the number of young people who will be The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education affected this year by the absence of such a plan? (Tim Loughton): A working group of representatives from the Department for Education and key stakeholders Mr Hayes: The hon. Gentleman knows that the from the local government sector was set up earlier this Education Bill is going through the House—I have a year to consider the role of directors of children’s copy for him here, just in case he has forgotten its services. The group is developing a range of options. Of contents. He also knows that on the subject of transition course, Professor Munro also considered the matter in I have written to every local authority in the country—again, conducting her review of child protection, published I have a copy of the details here—and to schools, letting last week, and I plan to consider her recommendation them know what provision they need to put in place in alongside the options appraisal that is being drawn up anticipation of their new duty this September. by the working group.

Connexions David Wright: Is it not of crucial importance that every top-tier local authority has a director of children’s services? Children’s safety has to be a priority right 15. Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East) (Lab): across the House and the country. Why are Telford How many people he expects to be made redundant as Conservatives opposing the appointment of a director a result of the closure of Connexions services; and if he of children’s services in Telford and Wrekin council, of will make a statement. [56588] which we have just taken control with a whopping majority? The Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning (Mr John Hayes): The move from Connexions Tim Loughton: I am sure my hon. Friend the Minister to more effective arrangements for careers guidance will for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning present challenges as new opportunities emerge. Those will be delighted to meet the new leader of the hon. challenges will, of course, be resolved at local level. It is Gentleman’s council, as well, at some stage in the future. for local authorities themselves to decide what provision I remind the hon. Gentleman that the recommendations they should make for young people, taking into account of the Munro report will be considered with the working their statutory duties and the advice that they have group that we have already established, as we decide on receivedfromme. the best way forward in delivering children’s services in local authorities. We will ensure that children are given Karl Turner: The good people of Hull have just the very best protection, which we know we need to kicked out the Liberal Democrat council, and with it improve. the Tory-led policy of pulling funding for Connexions. Will the Minister congratulate the new council leader, Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): If there are Steve Brady, on overturning that vicious Tory policy to be directors of children’s services, should not one of and looking after young people in the city? their roles be to identify and protect children who have been victims of human trafficking, which is not done at Mr Hayes: Not only will I congratulate him, but I present? would be pleased to meet him with the hon. Gentleman to discuss these issues, such is the ecumenical way in Tim Loughton: I want to raise the profile of the whole which the Government treat important matters involving issue of the trafficking of children and the sexual young people’s hopes and futures. exploitation of children—another important issue, on 625 Oral Answers23 MAY 2011 Oral Answers 626 which we are working closely with Barnardo’s Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): and stakeholders—and to ensure that we have much We have heard that under the new arrangements, schools better inter-agency working. In Professor Munro’s and colleges will have flexibility on who qualifies for recommendations, local safeguarding children boards support, but will my hon. Friend confirm that disadvantaged have a key role to play. That might be considered students in my constituency will get the help that they alongside what the director of children’s services does in need to enter further education? any case. Mr Hayes: My ambition—I do not say “targets”, Toby Perkins (Chesterfield) (Lab): The Opposition because “targets” is not a word that this Government welcome Professor Eileen Munro’s report, and specifically use—is to ensure that no one is prohibited from achieving her recommendation that the role of director of children’s their potential because they do not have adequate means services is protected. We recently surveyed every director to do so. That spirit underpins all we do. of children’s services in England, more than 80% of whom said that the ability to safeguard children in their area would be reduced by cuts to police, mental health Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab): services or primary care. Does the Minister acknowledge Barnsley college is an outstanding college, as judged by the worries of those directors of children’s services that Ofsted, and it would like to support young people from cuts to those services will impact on the ability of low-income families by giving them free school meals, councils to safeguard their children, and what is he free transport and help with books and equipment. Will doing to represent those views to his ministerial colleagues? the Government guarantee that they will give Barnsley the funding to deliver that to its young people, to enable Tim Loughton: If the hon. Gentleman has read the them to fulfil their potential? Munro report, he will know that she identifies as the biggest enemy to protecting children better the bureaucracy Mr Hayes: I will tell the hon. Lady what I will that has gone into the system, whereby social workers at guarantee. I will guarantee that colleges can make those the sharp end with other key agencies and professionals kind of discretionary decisions. She is right: different spend up to 80% of their time in front of computer colleges in different areas, serving different cohorts, screens, complying with processes rather than getting need funds to support different kinds of activities to out into the field and dealing with the vulnerable families deal with different challenges. That is exactly the kind and children whom they went into the profession to of flexibility that we intend to help her college and her protect. That is what we want to happen in future, and I learners. hope it will happen as we take forward the Munro review, in the best interests of protecting the vulnerable Arts and Culture children who are not nearly safe enough now.

Bursary Fund 18. Mr Don Foster (Bath) (LD): What steps he is taking to improve the standard of arts and culture 17. Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab): How much education in schools. [56591] funding will be available through the 16-to-19 bursary fund in the 2011-12 academic year for students starting their courses in September 2011 after allocation of the The Minister of State, Department for Education amount guaranteed for vulnerable groups. [56590] (Mr Nick Gibb): We want all children and young people to be able to experience a strong cultural education. The Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Following the review of music education, the Government Learning (Mr John Hayes): We expect the cost of providing have asked Darren Henley to carry out a review of a £1,200 bursary to the most vulnerable young people cultural education, both in and out of school. to be just under £15 million in 2011-12. In addition, just over £101 million in 2011-12 will be allocated to schools, Mr Foster: The Minister will recognise, however, that colleges and training providers for them to make the creative industries are crucial to the country’s economic discretionary awards to students. As the hon. Gentleman recovery. Is he aware that many of the leaders of those knows, we are also putting in place transitional funding. industries remain to be convinced that sufficient is being done to include within the national curriculum Nic Dakin: In evidence to the Select Committee on the subjects that really matter to them—art, design, Education last week, the chief executive of the Association technology and so on? May we have a categorical of Colleges made it clear that to support young people assurance that guidance has been given to the national properly, schools and colleges ought to have known six curriculum review to ensure that those subjects are months ago how much money they would get. They still included properly? do not know how much money they will get. When will they know? Mr Gibb: The national curriculum review is considering Mr Hayes: What colleges do know is that the which subjects should be compulsory at which stages of Government are providing just over £194 million in a pupil’s education, and it will make its recommendations 2011-12 in the transitional support that I have described. in due course. However, just because a subject is not in Of course, the change that we are describing is a change the national curriculum does not mean that it is not an towards greater discretion. I was with the gentleman to important subject. It can be important but outside the whom the hon. Gentleman refers, and I know how national curriculum. We have to distinguish between much he welcomes that additional discretion, so that the national curriculum and a school curriculum. We the system can become more responsive, dynamic and want to give schools more discretion in drawing up suited to need. school curricula. 627 Oral Answers23 MAY 2011 Oral Answers 628

Tristram Hunt (Stoke-on-Trent Central) (Lab): Given Mrs Sharon Hodgson (Washington and Sunderland that academy schools have been among the worst offenders West) (Lab): Will the Secretary of State join me in in putting pupils from poorer income families on to condemning the mean-spirited actions of Tory-controlled grade-inflating, semi-vocational courses, how will the Wandsworth council, which plans to introduce a charge expansion of academies further the take-up of English of £2.50 for children to play in a publicly funded baccalaureate subjects? playground? Children there play together regardless of income or background, and for many local children the Mr Gibb: The hon. Gentleman has raised this issue playground is their back garden, because they live in on several occasions, and we share his concerns. In most high-rise flats. Is this localism in action, or will the instances, academies have taken over schools in deprived Secretary of State assure the House that the Government areas and in challenging circumstances, and mostly will press councils to ensure that this is not a slippery those schools have been badly underperforming. Academies slope towards a price tag on playtime? [Interruption.] are transforming the quality of education in those areas at twice the pace of mainstream schools across the Michael Gove: As my hon. Friends point out, a system. We share his concerns, however, and the slippery slope is often something we would want in a introduction of the English baccalaureate measure will playground. In fairness, however, as the hon. Lady go a long way to ensuring that schools in the most pointed out, we want to ensure that children have the challenging parts of the country start to deliver academic opportunity to play and enjoy play without fees or education for children who have been denied those bureaucracy getting in the way. It is one of the opportunities to date. responsibilities of local authorities to ensure that children have an opportunity to play freely, but it is also the Topical Questions responsibility of central Government to sweep away some of the ridiculous health and safety regulations T1. [56598] Tony Lloyd (Manchester Central) (Lab): If that the previous Government put in place to prevent he will make a statement on his departmental our young children from enjoying themselves properly. responsibilities. T6. [56603] Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove): Within just a few weeks of beginning their initial One of my Department’s aims is to ensure that the recruit training courses for the Army, Royal Navy or most talented people possible are teaching our children. Royal Air Force, individuals joining the forces who Teachers from the European economic area can already have been let down in the areas from which they come teach in our schools. Today I want to extend that have had their educational attainment transformed. freedom to teachers from Commonwealth countries What lessons can mainstream schools learn from Her such as Canada, New Zealand and Australia, and I Majesty’s armed forces? hope that other Commonwealth countries such as South Africa, Jamaica and Singapore can join in due course. Michael Gove: That is a brilliant point from my hon. Friend, who, as some may know, is a Territorial who Tony Lloyd: Would the Secretary of State like to served in the Parachute regiment. Our proposal to compare the answer of the Minister for Further Education, allow people who have been in the armed forces to enter Skills and Lifelong Learning, when he talked about the the classroom—our Troops to Teachers programme—will ecumenical nature of the Government in wanting to ensure that precisely the sorts of virtues that he talks meet the needs and hopes of young people in education, about become more widespread and are targeted at the to his own horribly brazen party political response, most disadvantaged children. when I asked him about school building for children in inner-city areas? Will he come to Manchester and see some of these schools so that we can discuss how to T2. [56599] Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab): improve the situation? Bristol is facing a crisis in primary school provision, with an estimated shortfall of at least 3,000 places by Michael Gove: My hon. Friend the Minister for Further 2015. Instead of supporting gimmicky measures such Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning is blessedly as the 150 places at the new secondary free school in ecumenical, but I am afraid I am sometimes more Bristol, will the Minister concentrate on the real needs narrowly Presbyterian in my approach. However, it of parents and pupils in Bristol, and help us get would be a pleasure to visit Manchester again. I have primary school provision in place? enjoyed it in the past, and I know that when it comes to speaking up for his constituents, the hon. Gentleman Michael Gove: I note that the hon. Lady is opposed to does a great job. I would be happy to work with him. new secondary school provision in Westbury on Trym. I am sure that her constituents will want to know that she T4. [56601] Stephen Barclay (North East Cambridgeshire) is against an excellent new secondary school—that is (Con): Does my right hon. Friend accept that there is very instructive to know—and that she is diverging unfairness in the level of per pupil funding for from the view of her Front-Bench colleagues, who I Cambridgeshire schools when set against the national think are in favour of free schools. There is an urgent average? Will he join me in urging schools across need for more primary school places. The last Government Cambridgeshire to respond to the Department’s were warned by the Office of Government Commerce consultation on school funding reform, which finishes that they needed to act, but they failed to do so. That is on Wednesday? why all local authorities are receiving more money from us to provide more school places for primary school Michael Gove: Yes and yes. children. 629 Oral Answers23 MAY 2011 Oral Answers 630

T7. [56604] Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con): In common-sense and proportionate approach which does Tamworth and around the country, A-level students not drive out adults who willingly want to give up their are now preparing for their examinations, and many time to work with young people and make them into will have offers of university places based on their better members of our community, and not wrap them predicted results. Is it not time that we ended this in cotton wool. unsatisfactory arrangement and timetabled university applications to come after A-level examinations and T9. [56606] MrDominicRaab(EsherandWalton)(Con): results, thereby ending the bureaucracy of clearing? A survey for the Prince’s Trust shows that one in five children from deprived homes believes that they will Michael Gove: It is an intriguing idea. It is not quite end up in “dead-end jobs”. Does the Minister agree as simple as it seems, but we and colleagues at the that this highlights the importance of implementing the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills are Wolf review, and in particular recommendation 7, looking into it. which says that the lowest-attaining learners should focus on English and maths, backed up by practical T3. [56600] Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab): Following the work experience? abolition of education maintenance allowance, further education colleges are finding it difficult to plan ahead Mr Hayes: I am familiar with the Prince’s Trust for pupils on low incomes, those who may have been on report to which my hon. Friend refers. It does indeed free schools and those from low-income households. describe the under-achievement that he highlights, but How on earth will colleges be able to plan ahead if they it also says that often people do not get adequate advice are not receiving information about the people trying and guidance—the wherewithal that they need—to achieve to enrol? Can the Minister say what he is going to do their ambitions. That is precisely why we are so committed about that? to filling that gap. The Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning (Mr John Hayes): That is a perfectly fair T10. [56607] Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab): question. It is important that colleges have information Head teachers of eight secondary schools serving as soon as possible to make the kind of provision that children in my constituency have taken what they the hon. Gentleman suggests. I will ensure that further describe as the unprecedented step of writing to the discussions take place between my officials and colleges parents and carers of years 11 and 12 students about to guarantee that they have that information. the impact of Government cuts on sixth-form funding. They are considering cutting the range of courses, T8. [56605] Andrew Stephenson (Pendle) (Con): Does increasing class sizes, ending the teaching of some the Secretary of State agree with Ofqual that the subjects, and reducing guidance and enrichment OCR—Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations— sessions. They say in their letter: GCSE history pilot should end? Shaun Connelly, the “we have never been subject to cuts of this magnitude,” head of humanities at Colne Primet high school in my which— constituency, has contacted me, as he believes that the course has allowed students of all abilities to achieve Mr Speaker: Order. I think that we have got the drift their potential in history. of the question.

Michael Gove: A judgment about which qualifications Paul Blomfield rose— should or should not count is properly a matter for Ofqual, the independent regulator. One of the points Mr Speaker: Order. Enough. that it makes is that although that particular qualification may have some teaching attractions, only 25% of the content is assessed by an external exam at the end; Michael Gove: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman 75% of it is teacher-assessed. Many of us would argue for drawing my attention to that letter; I hope that he that the balance between teacher assessment and external will send me a copy. I know that he is a new Member, assessment should be got right, and that we should have and that he is passionate about raising standards in his more external assessment. constituency, but the reductions in public spending are a direct consequence of the mistakes that were made by T5. [56602] Diana Johnson (Kingston upon Hull North) the Government who preceded us. I am afraid that the (Lab): Under the Protection of Freedoms Bill, an reply that he should give to that letter should graciously individual who is barred from working with children acknowledge that fact. can volunteer in the classroom. The school will not be notified that that person has been barred by the Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) (Con): Too independent safeguarding authority. Many parents are many special needs children are being denied education worried about this development. Is the Minister? because a school place travel grant or a statement has either not been granted or not been honoured. Is it not The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education time, when there is clear evidence of special educational (Tim Loughton): I am grateful to the hon. Lady for that need, that we allow a child’s educational funding to point. We are working on a number of scenarios to follow them to their school of choice, whether or not ensure that people who are not entitled to work should they have a statement? not be there. However, it is up to everybody to be vigilant—not least the head of a school—and to take The Minister of State, Department for Education appropriate references on the background of the person (Sarah Teather): The proposals in the Green Paper that concerned. I would much rather have a system with a we are consulting on aim to make it clearer when a child 631 Oral Answers23 MAY 2011 Oral Answers 632 should have a statement. Schools should therefore be an all-age database to give people the advice they need much clearer about what is normally available, and I in order to fulfil their potential. hope that that will make it easier for parents and schools to understand whether there should be a statement. Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): We all agree with The new proposals for an education, health and care education for life, but will the Secretary of State find plan ought to join up funding to make things much time to provide education for saving life as part of the simpler for families. school curriculum?

John Cryer (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab): Further to Michael Gove: My hon. Friend has lent his considerable Question 13, we have been told for nearly a year that an weight to that campaign and it is important, whether we announcement on the replacement for Building Schools are thinking about swimming and physical education or for the Future is imminent, yet we are still waiting. We more broadly, that we do everything we can to ensure are now being told that there might be one before the that life-saving and first aid skills are part of what summer recess. The fabric of some schools continues to happens in our schools. crumble, and a few are now in a dangerous state. Will Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab): Twelve months we hear an announcement in the next couple of weeks ago, the Secretary of State said that there was a compelling telling us exactly where we are going to be? case to rebuild Tibshelf school. Meanwhile, the teachers are travelling 6 miles every day, tramping between two Michael Gove: No, I am afraid. I would make two schools—Tibshelf and Deincourt in North Wingfield—yet points. Over the comprehensive spending review period we have heard nothing more from the Secretary of we will be spending more every year on school capital State. It sounds to me as though, like many of us, he is than the previous Government spent in every year of very good at talking the talk, but in government, you their first eight years. It is therefore simply wrong to say are supposed to walk the walk. When is this going to that there is no investment in school buildings, because happen? it will be greater than it was in the first eight years under the previous Government. Also, more than 700 schools Michael Gove: It is good to see the hon. Gentleman in the BSF programme are still having their renovation walking the walk without any mechanical or medical work carried out. Of course we would like to do more, aid of any kind whatever; we are all reassured to see him but our capacity to do so is impeded by the bureaucratic in fine form. I have to say that the hon. Gentleman, as a mess that we were left by the last Government and by former grammar school boy himself, should accept one the fact that there simply was not any money left after thing: the difficult economic situation that we inherited their comprehensive mismanagement of the economy. and the difficult position that Derbyshire county council put us into after years of Labour rule mean that it is Amber Rudd (Hastings and Rye) (Con): Schools in very difficult for us to do the work necessary to repair Hastings have been bitterly disappointed by the recent the school which needs our support so desperately. decision of the local authority, guided by the schools forum, to devolve £1.4 million of excellence cluster Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) (Con): What happens funding that had been intended for the most deprived to children under seven when they are the only ones sent schools. It is now to be shared throughout East Sussex. to another village because there is no place for them in The rationale appears to be that the pupil premium will the local school? make up the additional costs. Can the Secretary of State please clarify whether additional funds from the Michael Gove: We are doing everything possible with pupil premium are considered as part of the overall our reform of the school admissions code, which will be funding when the assessment is made of the minimum published shortly, to ensure that all children have a funding guarantee? high-quality school place. I know that my hon. Friend has argued vigorously to ensure that every child on the Michael Gove: I have to say that I am very worried Isle of Wight has a school of high quality close at hand. about that. I know that it is a Tory authority, but it I look forward to working with him and the council. sounds to me as though it is doing the wrong thing. Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): Parents, staff and students across Sefton have raised concerns Alison McGovern (Wirral South) (Lab): Good careers about the plans to create academies. Does the Secretary advice is absolutely vital to those at risk of falling into of State understand the need to gain support from neither earning nor learning. Following the demise of parents, staff and students—and, indeed, the wider Connexions, will the Secretary of State say who will community—before converting schools to academies? own the administrative data, counting in real time the Will he ensure that such major and irrevocable changes numbers of young people who are not in education, cannot be carried out by governing bodies without full employment or training? consultation?

Mr Hayes: The hon. Lady is right about good careers Michael Gove: The popularity of academies is attested guidance, but she will know that a survey conducted by by the increasing number of parents who want their Edge found that 51% of young people regarded the children to go to those schools. I am sure that every advice from Connexions as inadequate. In moving to governing body contemplating this step will take the the new service, we will of course take on board those appropriate procedures and will ensure that this data, but we are also putting into place for the first time transformative change benefits all the students. 633 23 MAY 2011 Injunctions 634

Injunctions arrangements are working and to consider whether we might make any changes that would make things work better. 3.31 pm In the meantime, it is right to emphasise that just as Mr John Whittingdale (Maldon) (Con) (Urgent any change in the law is a matter for Parliament, the Question): To ask the Attorney-General if he will make interpretation of the law is a responsibility placed on a statement on the granting and enforcement of privacy the judiciary. Legal mechanisms exist to review individual injunctions, particularly in light of the recent report decisions that may be mistaken. If we believe in the rule chaired by the Master of the Rolls. of law, it is our duty as parliamentarians to uphold those principles. The Attorney-General (Mr Dominic Grieve): Iam grateful for the opportunity to respond to my hon. Mr Whittingdale: I welcome the report from the Friend on an issue that I know is of considerable committee of the Master of the Rolls, which contains a concern in this House as well as to the public and the number of sensible recommendations, and also the media. The Government believe that freedom of speech Prime Minister’s decision to establish a Committee to is a cornerstone of our democracy, and that it is of the examine all the issues surrounding the granting of greatest importance that people should be able to discuss injunctions and super-injunctions. Does my right hon. and debate issues as freely and openly as possible. This and learned Friend accept, however, that matters are includes those occasions when freedom of speech is developing very rapidly? Does he accept that the revelation exercised provocatively, as it is supposed to be in a free on Friday of some of the details of the injunction country. granted to Sir Fred Goodwin raised important issues of Plainly, however, there are also occasions when an public interest, and that that raises the question of why individual is entitled to have their privacy protected. the injunction was granted in the first place? Does he There is a balance to be struck and this is reflected in agree that he would virtually have to live in an igloo not our existing legal framework. The Government recognise to know the identity of at least one premier league the importance of finding the correct balance between footballer who has obtained an injunction, and that the individual rights to privacy on the one hand and rights actions by thousands of people who posted details of it to freedom of expression and transparency of official on Twitter are in danger of making the law look an ass? information on the other. We also recognise that there In the report by the Master of the Rolls, doubt is cast are widely differing views on what that balance should once again on the right of the press to report the be. It is in no one’s interest to rush to judgment on this. proceedings of Parliament. Does that not have worrying The complexity of the issue and the lack of consensus implications for the rights of Members of the House of are some of the reasons why the report of the Master of Commons, and for parliamentary privilege? the Rolls’ committee on the procedural aspects of super- More than a year ago, the Select Committee on injunctions and anonymity injunctions published last Culture, Media and Sport called for the Parliamentary Friday is to be welcomed, and why we will want to take Papers Act 1840 to be replaced by a clear and on board its carefully thought through recommendations. comprehensive statute upholding the fundamental rights It reaffirms that open justice is a fundamental constitutional of the press to report what is said in this place. Will he principle, and that exceptions are permissible only to ensure that that, too, is considered by the Prime Minister’s the extent that they are strictly necessary in the interests Committee as a matter of urgency? of justice. While such decisions will necessarily be made in each particular case, dependent on the facts of that The Attorney-General: Let me respond to my hon. case, it does offer a likelihood of some greater clarity. Friend’s reference to individual cases by saying that he The report indicates that when some degree of secrecy will not be surprised if I am not drawn into commenting is necessary, the facts of the case and the reason for on the matter. What I can say is that widespread public secrecy should be explained, as far as possible, in an interest and, indeed, disquiet have been expressed about openly available judgment. It also emphasises that super- the events of the past few weeks and days, and that—as injunctions—where the fact that there is an injunction, the report by the Master of the Rolls clearly showed—they as well as the substantive issues, has to be kept secret—are raise the question of how a person’s privacy can be now only being granted for very short periods where balanced against the requirement for the public to be secrecy is necessary to ensure that the whole point of properly informed, and also the question of how injunctions the order is not destroyed. We hope that its analysis and may be enforced. I would add, however, that the courts recommendations should help to allay concerns that have power to punish those who breach injunctions, super-injunctions were being granted far too readily and those who decide flagrantly to do so should bear and about their potential open-endedness. that in mind when they embark on such a course. Of course, a range of wider issues has been raised by The question of parliamentary privilege it is not a the events of the past few months and especially the new issue. While it is fully recognised that we have past weekend. We take seriously the need ensure that we complete privilege in this Chamber to say what we have the correct balance between privacy and freedom like—and the Lord Chief Justice reiterated that in the of expression. Today, the Prime Minister will write to clearest and most unequivocal terms in this comments my hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr Whittingdale) last Friday—it is also the case that the question of the recommending that a Joint Committee be established to extent to which communication between a constituent consider how current arrangements can be improved. and a Member of Parliament is covered by parliamentary Such a Committee will be able to use representation of privilege remains uncertain. What is entirely clear is both Houses and the considerable expertise that Select that—from the judiciary’s point of view as much as Committees have to examine whether the current those of the Government and Parliament—that is an 635 Injunctions23 MAY 2011 Injunctions 636 undesirable state of affairs, which is undoubtedly susceptible wished. However, I have to say to the right hon. Gentleman to both clarification and rectification if the will is there that he misquoted my right hon. Friend the Culture for that to be done. Secretary, as what he actually said was: “We’re not minded to have a new privacy law but we’re not Sadiq Khan (Tooting) (Lab): I thank the Attorney- ruling out the need for legislative changes.” General for his answer to the urgent question. I also If I may say so, it is possible to have legislative change thank the committee chaired by the Master of the Rolls without necessarily having a full-blown privacy law, and for its report. this seems to me to be precisely the sort of issue that the Will the Committee that the Prime Minister is to Committee will need to consider, and in a measured and establish be a Joint Committee consisting of the Culture, sensible fashion. Media and Sport and Justice Committees, and how The right hon. Gentleman rightly raised the question soon will it report? as to whether a privacy law would make any difference Until now, the Government’s position on this issue to the existing arrangements. That, too, is an interesting has been a muddle. The Attorney-General may be subject to both legal and political debate, and it is aware that I raised the issue last week during Justice precisely because that needs to take place that the questions, when I reminded the Lord Chancellor about suggestion has come forward that this is the best way in the importance of balancing freedom of expression which to proceed. with an individual’s right to privacy. I also asked the Finally, the right hon. Gentleman asked a number of Government to give clarity and guidance on an issue questions about enforceability. It has been clear for that has become increasingly confusing and where some time in a number of different spheres that the Parliament has been slow to act. In response, the Lord enforceability of court orders and injunctions presents Chancellor said that a challenge now that information can rapidly be posted “it is probably right that Parliament passing a privacy Act might on the internet, but that does not necessarily mean that well be the best way of resolving the issue”.—[Official Report, the right course of action is to abandon any attempt at 17 May 2011; Vol. 528, c. 137.] preventing people from putting out information that However, on the following day the Culture Secretary may, in some circumstances, be enormously damaging said: to vulnerable people or, indeed, be the peddling of lies. “I don’t believe a privacy law is the way forward.” The Government appear to be at sixes and sevens on Mr David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden) (Con): their policy on privacy injunctions and freedom of the May I press my right hon. and learned Friend further press. Will the Attorney-General clarify their position? on the second issue raised by my hon. Friend the Does the Attorney-General believe that a new privacy Member for Maldon (Mr Whittingdale): the protection law is needed? If so, how will it differ from article 8 of of parliamentary privilege? Last week in the report and the Human Rights Act 1998? He will be aware that the subsequent press conference, the Master of the super-injunctions and anonymised orders should apply Rolls and the Lord Chief Justice intimated that they only in exceptional cases. There is a concern that they wanted the House of Commons to extend the sub are being applied for, and granted, too readily. Does the judice rules in order to restrict the use of freedom of Attorney-General believe that this report will address speech under parliamentary privilege in this House those concerns, and how soon will the Committee report? and/or the reporting of it. Had that applied in 2009, the Does the Attorney-General believe that the sanctions public would not be aware today of the Trafigura for those who break injunctions are sufficient? What are super-injunction and this whole issue would not have the Government’s views on how the right to privacy can come to light. Can my right hon. and learned Friend be balanced with the growing usage of internet-based please ensure that these proposals by the Master of the communications such as Twitter? Rolls and the Lord Chief Justice do not in any way restrict either our rights or the rights of the press to Finally, being able to speak freely in the House of report? Commons and House of Lords is an essential part of parliamentary scrutiny.Can the Attorney-General confirm that the Government will not allow this principle to be The Attorney-General: I have to say to my right hon. undermined in any way? Friend that my reading of what was said is rather different. In the clearest and most unequivocal terms, both the Lord Chief Justice and the Master of the Rolls The Attorney-General: I shall deal, so far as I can, spelled out what is the existing fact, which is that the with each point in turn. First, the Government have privilege we have under article 9 of the Bill of Rights is made it clear that it will be a Joint Committee, and have unimpeachable in any court in respect of what is said in asked this Chamber. The control mechanism that is put in “Business Managers to establish a Joint Committee of both place is, in fact, entirely dependent on yourself, Mr Speaker. Houses to consider these issues. The remit will be to advise the That then raises the question of the extent to which Government on how current arrangements can be improved and there is a necessity, by convention, to be comity, whereby put on a more sustainable footing, aiming to report in the autumn.” this House, through Mr Speaker’s authority, respects the rulings of other courts, being a court itself. As I The Government have also understand it, there has never been any suggestion that “asked the Justice Secretary and Culture Secretary to liaise…on any of the proposals being put forward call into question the Terms of Reference.” those basic principles. Indeed, as I pointed out in an The right hon. Gentleman’s second question was earlier answer, the evidence is pretty overwhelming that about privacy law. It is undoubtedly the case that it where there is a lack of clarity in this area in terms of would be open to this House to enact a privacy law, if it communication between constituent and Member of 637 Injunctions23 MAY 2011 Injunctions 638

[The Attorney-General] The Attorney-General: My hon. Friend raises a perfectly legitimate issue, which may doubtless be the subject of Parliament, there seems to be a universal view that it debate in this Chamber. Like me, he will recall that would be well if we could clarify things, and the Government when we enacted the Human Rights Act the issue of the recognise that. balance between privacy and freedom of expression was extensively debated. Indeed, not only was it extensively Sir Stuart Bell (Middlesbrough) (Lab): We welcome debated, but its detail was looked at, as were its possible the Attorney-General’s clarification, but is it not a fact implications in respect of introducing a privacy law into that if we continue to use parliamentary privilege to our national legal framework. Therefore, it cannot be usurp court orders, we are not only bringing Parliament said that the consequences that flow from it can be and the courts into conflict, but we are interfering with unexpected; I strongly suspect that he predicted them at the separation of powers. Is that desirable or is it not? the time, and I believe I did too.

The Attorney-General: I would assume that across Dr Eilidh Whiteford (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): I the House it would be considered that the abuse of hope that the Attorney-General will acknowledge the parliamentary privilege to subvert court orders made independence of the Scottish courts. Will he confirm with the express intention of implementing Parliament’s that no application was made for an interdict at the legislation through the courts is improper. Ultimately, Court of Session on the news reported in the Sunday however, that is a matter for this House and Mr Speaker Herald yesterday and will he assure the House that no to regulate, and it is through our own mechanisms that legal action will be taken against the newspaper or its we do so; that is the right and privilege we have. I staff? certainly agree with the hon. Gentleman that it is a privilege that must not be abused. The Attorney-General: Scotland enjoys and has always enjoyed a separate legal system. It follows that orders Sir Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (LD): We would made by the courts of England and Wales, generally expect a Joint Committee to uphold the necessary rights speaking, do not have application there, although there of Parliament and defend them, but would any Committee are at times some exceptions. not also have to look at the separate question of whether it can be right for someone to use Twitter or electronic John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley) (LD): With media of other kinds to place something in the public about 75,000 people having named Ryan Giggs on domain with the express intention of allowing it then to Twitter, it is obviously impracticable to imprison them be reported? all, and with reports that Giles Coren also faces imprisonment— The Attorney-General: The right hon. Gentleman raises an important point, but it ties in with the earlier Mr Speaker: Order. Let me just say to the hon. point about how all this can be enforced. As I said Gentleman—although I know that he has already done earlier, however, those who take an idea that modern it—that occasions such as this are for raising the methods of communication mean that they can act issues of principle involved, not for seeking to flout with impunity may well find themselves in for a rude orders for whatever purpose. If the hon. Gentleman shock. wants to finish his question in an orderly way, he may do so. Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): I, too, welcome the establishment of this Joint Committee, which is sensible John Hemming: The question is, what is the Government’s in view of the difficulties in interpreting the law. There view on the enforceability of a law that clearly does not are reports that the Attorney-General is considering have public consent? prosecuting an individual for a breach of one of these injunctions. Is that the case? Is he considering such a prosecution? The Attorney-General: It is our duty as parliamentarians to uphold the rule of law. The Attorney-General: I would not normally comment on the role I have to carry out as Attorney-General in Mr Chuka Umunna (Streatham) (Lab): I should like the public interest and not as a Minister of the Crown, to return to the response to the question asked by my but there is no secret in the fact that, as matters stand, I hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough (Sir Stuart have received no referral whatsoever in relation to any Bell). Although it is right that we do not have a strict civil contempt of court. separation of powers in this country, we adhere to the principle to some degree as it is accepted that we write Mr William Cash (Stone) (Con): Does the Attorney- the laws and the courts interpret and apply them. In General accept that the fault in this case lies with that context, does the Attorney-General agree that Members Parliament itself in not repealing the Human Rights of this House should exercise extreme caution when, as Act 1998? As the then shadow Attorney-General, I we have in some senses just witnessed, they take it on advocated doing that and it remained Conservative themselves to breach court orders using parliamentary policy until the general election. Does he accept that it privilege when they are not fully apprised of all the is about time that we legislated on our own terms in evidence in the way that the judges who hear the cases Westminster to deal with these matters, and in terms of are? We have the power, after all, to change the law if we parliamentary privilege, to ensure that the British voter see fit. actually sees legislation that is what he wants and that we have British law for British judges? The Attorney-General: Yes. 639 Injunctions23 MAY 2011 Injunctions 640

Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): May I take a Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): Surely, we cannot have contrary view? Members of this House have absolute a situation in which celebrities court positive publicity privilege that they use responsibly and for judges to to gain sponsorship and other endorsements and then criticise Members of this House seems to me to be an rush to take out super-injunctions when negative publicity abuse of their power. Will the Attorney-General spell comes their way. There are not many cases of people out quite clearly that judges should butt out? taking out injunctions regarding positive publicity. Does the Attorney-General therefore agree that what we do The Attorney-General: I have to say to my hon. not need are more privacy laws, of which we seem to Friend that I am not quite sure what they are supposed have plenty at the moment, and that we need freedom- to butt out from. If he is suggesting that they should of-speech and freedom-of-the-press laws? butt out from doing their duty and following the judicial oath that they take, I am afraid I disagree with him. The Attorney-General: May I say to my hon. Friend that our laws already provide very substantial protection Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab): for the freedom of the press? The question arises as to Could the Attorney-General reaffirm for the benefit of how a balance should be struck. Even before the operation all Members that if this House does not like the way of the Human Rights Act, the power of the courts to the judiciary interprets law, it is up to this House to protect the vulnerable and children, for example, was change it? well established in our law. In that sense it is not a novelty. That balance is always going to be a subject of legitimate debate and I hope that, as a result of the steps The Attorney-General: The hon. Lady is absolutely that the Government are taking, that debate will take right and it is therefore open to this House and the place. Government to consider those issues. To return to where I started in my answer to the urgent question, a mechanism Eric Joyce (Falkirk) (Lab): The Attorney-General has been put in train that will, I hope, allow, on the basis has rightly concentrated on matters of law but does he of some cross-party consensus, a sensible view to be agree that equally important, arguably, are matters of taken of how the law can be improved in this area. technology? If it is not technologically possible to enforce a particular law, there is hardly any point in having that Sir Menzies Campbell (North East Fife) (LD): Does law in the first place. my right hon. and learned Friend agree that some important issues of principle and of the constitutional The Attorney-General: I am not sure that I entirely rights of Members of Parliament are under discussion, agree with the hon. Gentleman. Ultimately, the as some of the exchanges have already demonstrated? Is enforceability of any order made by a court depends it not now time for either the Joint Committee that he first on people obeying the law and, secondly, if people mentioned or a special Select Committee of the House do not obey the law, on the capacity to bring them to of Commons to determine the boundaries of privilege justice and to make the court’s order felt on them. That in the modern day and age, some of which were touched is a slightly different issue but, as I acknowledged on by the special Select Committee that examined the earlier and as was acknowledged by the Lord Chief case of Mr Damian Green in the last Parliament? Justice when he gave his press statement last Friday, the multiplicity of available communication media certainly The Attorney-General: May I reassure the right hon. do pose a particular challenge for the courts. and learned Gentleman that that matter is in the Government’s programme? Indeed, there should be a Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con): I wonder draft Bill on that very subject before the end of the whether my right hon. and learned Friend could assist Session. me with a point raised by the Neuberger report—the change allowing members of the media to be present Mr Tom Watson (West Bromwich East) (Lab): The when applications are made. Am I right in presuming internet heralded the age of information abundance, that the press will be able to report unsuccessful applications whereas once newspapers could enforce information with full details? If so, will that perhaps serve as a scarcity. Our dilemma is caused by our failure to respond further check on the makers of these applications in to that challenge as a Parliament, so I welcome the future? review. Given that at least one person who took out a super-injunction is also talking to solicitors about the The Attorney-General: I think that will be very much illegal hacking of their phones, does the Attorney-General a matter for the discretion of the judge hearing the case. not think that to balance this up we must consider the I do not think that one could make some kind of massive covert and illegal invasion of individuals’ privacy blanket pronouncement as to how it would operate in so that we can have a framework of laws that protects practice, but clearly the merit of the course of action people from technological invasion of their privacy being proposed is that it would remove the element of while also allowing freedom of the press? total secrecy, which—I can well see this argument—fuels speculation and in some cases, I have little doubt, a lack The Attorney-General: As the hon. Gentleman will be of understanding as to why the application was made in aware, the question about phone hacking is currently the first place, whether it was successful or not. the subject of criminal investigation. For that reason, I am sure he will appreciate why it is not a subject on Mr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con): I think that we which I wish to comment further in any detail, but I will all agree in the House that the law should be used to say that the Government are perfectly aware of the protect the vulnerable and not to hide the misdemeanours issue. of those with large cheque books, but does my right 641 Injunctions23 MAY 2011 Injunctions 642

[Mr Matthew Offord] revealed the names of those two individuals? Does he agree that what is happening in relation to injunctive hon. and learned Friend agree that we have found law is bringing the law into wide public disrepute? ourselves in this situation because of the behaviour of Although I welcome the setting up of the committee, some of the newspaper press? Super-injunctions have does he agree that ultimately there will be a need for a emerged because of the ineffectual and impotent way in change in the law to clarify the matter? which the Press Complaints Commission works, but we can regulate that and give ourselves greater protection The Attorney-General: As I indicated at the outset, it from abuse. is possible for Parliament to enact changes to the law. The fact that the courts may not be able to and may not The Attorney-General: Looking at the matters that seek to control everything that might be said in breach have been complained of recently, it seems to me fairly of an injunction does not necessarily mean that that noteworthy that the press appear generally to observe injunction does not have a valid purpose. It can at least the terms of injunctions against them. Indeed, from limit the circulation of the damage, even if it cannot that point of view the injunction system appears to be stop it. So for those reasons—we do not live in a perfect quite effective; it is in other respects, such as the blogosphere world—I do not think that the fact that an injunction and Twitter, that the difficulty emerges. What is absolutely can be breached and may be breached by some individuals clear is that breaches of court orders should not take invalidates it, although a point can sometimes be reached place. where a matter becomes so public and the currency so total that the existence of the injunction becomes pointless. Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab): Following on from that question, does the Attorney-General agree that Mr Dominic Raab (Esher and Walton) (Con): I welcome members of the Press Complaints Commission are the the review. Twittergate is just the latest example of last people who should be policing this area—an idea judicial legislation distorting the balance of human that has apparently been floated by the Prime Minister— rights under article 8 of the European convention. given their feeble record and complete failure over the There have been other examples recently, including the phone-hacking scandal? defeating of deportation orders under article 8 in relation to convicted criminals. The Attorney-General rightly The Attorney-General: The question of what role the points out that there is a big difference between judges Press Complaints Commission may play is clearly another interpreting the law and judges making new law, which subject that the House may wish to consider. I am not is for elected representatives. Does he agree that the sure that I entirely subscribe to the right hon. Gentleman’s Human Rights Act has at least contributed to undermining very pessimistic view of the Press Complaints Commission. that separation of powers? I have seen examples where, it seems to me, it has operated quite effectively. That is a further reason why The Attorney-General: In constructing the Human that may be a sensible area for debate. Rights Act, I do not think Parliament can be described as anything other than open-eyed as to what it intended Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough) (Con): I welcome to do about privacy law. It debated the issue extensively, the review, but does the Attorney-General share with there was a great deal of polemic on the Floor of the me the concern at the deeply sinister and Kafkaesque House, and it put in section 12 to try to emphasise that prospect, under the present super-injunction regime, the balance should be in favour of freedom of expression. that an unnamed journalist could be imprisoned in a I am well aware of the fact that the way that interpretation secret court for having revealed the name of a hitherto has taken place has come in for criticism. It is also true, anonymous personality who had a lot of money to and the point was made by the Lord Chief Justice on bring that legal action? That is more like the actions of Friday, that a remarkable feature of many of these a state such as North Korea or Zimbabwe than the orders is that they have never been appealed or taken United Kingdom. further once they have been granted, so the development of case law in this area has as a result, on some of the The Attorney-General: I am not going to comment on matters complained of, not necessarily taken place. We individual cases. clearly set out a framework and asked the judiciary to interpret it. Whether we were right or wrong to do that Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD): Does is a matter of legitimate public debate. the Attorney-General agree that in seeking a solution, we need to balance sensitively the right to respect for Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD): I agree with private and family life with freedom of expression and the Attorney-General that there is a balance to be fair and public hearing, but we must avoid rushed struck between privacy and freedom of expression, but legislation and we must as far as possible future-proof does he share my grave concern that how that balance is the legislation against any technological changes? struck seems to depend more on the wealth of the individual concerned than on the facts of the case? Will The Attorney-General: Yes, and that is why I hope the he make sure that in any legislation or any other changes route proposed by my right hon. Friend the Prime that happen, all people have access to the law, regardless Minister today commends itself to the House. of their wealth, whether in this area, libel reform or any other aspect? Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (The Cotswolds) (Con): Does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that although The Attorney-General: As my hon. Friend will appreciate, we must use the naming of individuals in the House that is ultimately a matter for my colleagues in the with great caution, a quick trip into the blogosphere Ministry of Justice, with regard to the legal aid framework, and the Twittersphere, to use his words, would have but it is right to say that the vulnerable in our society do 643 Injunctions 23 MAY 2011 644 enjoy legal aid in order to bring cases before the courts Rosemary Nelson Inquiry Report and, indeed, to get the help necessary to do so. It is perhaps also worth pointing out, as the Lord Chief 4.5 pm Justice said on Friday, that a slightly odd feature of these cases, although an understandable one, is that The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr Owen those people in whom the media have an interest appear Paterson): With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to be those who are very wealthy. to make a statement on the report into the death of Rosemary Nelson, which is being published this afternoon. Mrs Nelson, a solicitor, was murdered close to her home in Lurgan, County Armagh, on 15 March 1999 when a bomb attached to her car exploded. Responsibility for the murder was claimed by the so-called “loyalist” paramilitary group, the Red Hand Defenders. I will first set out the report’s main conclusions before moving on to outline its findings on the Royal Ulster Constabulary, the Northern Ireland Office and the murder investigation. I will also set out the context in which this tragic event happened. The inquiry was established by the previous Government and was asked to determine “whether any wrongful act or omission by or within the Royal Ulster Constabulary, Northern Ireland Office, Army or other state agency facilitated her death or obstructed the investigation of it, or whether attempts were made to do so; whether any such act or omission was intentional or negligent; whether the investigation of her death was carried out with due diligence; and to make recommendations.” I would like to put on the record my thanks to Sir Michael Morland and his fellow panel members Dame Valerie Strachan and Sir Anthony Burden for their work. They have produced a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding this despicable and cowardly murder. This is a lengthy report that has cost £46.5 million and taken six years to complete. I am sure that the whole House will want to join me in hoping that it brings a measure of resolution to Rosemary Nelson’s family. The report finds that “There is no evidence of any act by or within any of the state agencies we have examined (the Royal Ulster Constabulary, the Northern Ireland Office, the Army or the Security Service) which directly facilitated Rosemary Nelson’s murder”. The report goes on to say that “we cannot exclude the possibility of a rogue member or members of the RUC or the Army in some way assisting the murderers to target Rosemary Nelson”, although the panel does not provide specific evidence on this. Those who are looking for evidence that the state conspired in or planned the death of Rosemary Nelson will not find it in this report. It does say that “there were omissions by state agencies, which rendered Rosemary Nelson more at risk and more vulnerable; the combined effect of these omissions by the RUC and the NIO was that the state failed to take reasonable and proportionate steps to safeguard the life of Rosemary Nelson. If Rosemary Nelson had been given advice about her safety and offered security measures, then assuming that she had accepted such advice and security measures, the risk to her life and her vulnerability would have been reduced”. The report does however recognise that “There is nothing that any organisation can do that will infallibly prevent a murder. What can be reasonably looked for is a reduction in the risk”. I am profoundly sorry that omissions by the state rendered Rosemary Nelson more at risk and more vulnerable. It is also deeply regrettable that, despite a very thorough police investigation, no one has been charged for this terrible crime. 645 Rosemary Nelson Inquiry Report23 MAY 2011 Rosemary Nelson Inquiry Report 646

[Mr Owen Paterson] In particular, the panel notes: “The Royal Ulster Constabulary has now been replaced by the On the investigation into the murder, which was led PSNI, on the lines envisaged by the Patten Commission. Many of by a senior police officer from outside Northern Ireland, the reforms were first proposed, and subsequently implemented, the report describes it as “exhaustive, energetic and by Sir Ronnie Flanagan…Complaints against the police are now enterprising”, concluding that investigated by the independent Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, so the PSNI is not in the position of having to investigate “there is no evidence of any deliberate attempt by any of the complaints about its own officers…After the murder of Rosemary organs of the state corporately to obstruct the investigation”. Nelson, the Key Persons Protection Scheme was amended: defence On the Royal Ulster Constabulary, the panel finds solicitors were included among those who could qualify for the that scheme”. “some members of the RUC publicly abused and assaulted Rosemary The report concludes that Nelson on the Garvaghy Road in Portadown in 1997, having the “we consider that these changes effectively deal with the systemic effect of legitimising her as a target.” problems that we saw in the way that the organisations operated”. The report states that The three panel members say in their foreword: “we believe that there was some leakage of intelligence which we “We recognise that the context in which these events happened believe found its way outside the RUC”; was extraordinarily difficult. We do not underestimate the problems that and personal danger faced by the agencies and individuals whose work we have been examining. For example, during the Troubles, “the leakage increased the danger to Rosemary Nelson’s life”; over 300 RUC officers lost their lives and over 7000 were injured; and that over 700 British military personnel were killed and over 6000 were “some members of the RUC made abusive and/or threatening injured”. remarks about Rosemary Nelson to her clients.” At times, such personnel stood quite literally between In addition, the report states that the rule of law and the descent into anarchy. All of us “in assessing whether or not Rosemary Nelson’s life was at risk, owe them an immense debt of gratitude, and that is RUC Special Branch failed to take into account all the intelligence something that this Government will never forget. and the open information available to them…RUC management The report does make criticisms of the RUC, and we negligently failed to intervene to prevent their officers from should not seek to gloss over them. But it would be uttering abuse and threats to defence solicitors, including Rosemary wrong for the criticisms in the report to be used in any Nelson…Local RUC management failed to follow through promised action to pay special attention to Rosemary Nelson’s office and way to denigrate the overall record, courage and sacrifice home addresses…there was no analysis or evaluation of intelligence of the RUC. Despite the enormous progress heralded relevant to Rosemary Nelson…there was a corporate failure by by the agreement, Northern Ireland was still emerging the RUC to warn Rosemary Nelson of her vulnerability and offer from 30 years of terrorist violence in 1999. With both her security advice”. loyalist and republican dissidents continuing to carry In relation to the Northern Ireland Office, the report out attacks, the security situation remained dangerous. concludes that As the report says, “the NIO did not press the RUC hard enough for full replies to “there were violent groups who were implacably opposed to the their questions concerning Rosemary Nelson’s personal security…the Peace Process who were prepared to commit sectarian murder”. NIO should have proactively questioned the RUC as to what In conclusion, it is clear that just as Lord Saville factors were considered in producing a threat assessment…the found no evidence of a conspiracy by the British state, NIO dealt in a mechanistic way with correspondence from Non- Governmental Organisations raising concerns about Rosemary and just as Lord MacLean found no evidence of state Nelson’s safety.” collusion in the murder of Billy Wright, so this panel finds no evidence of any act by the state which directly The panel, in its findings relating to the accusations facilitated Rosemary Nelson’s murder. of obstruction by the state in the murder investigation, identifies: This report is a detailed and authoritative account of “Special Branch gave levels of information unprecedented in the circumstances surrounding Rosemary Nelson’s horrific the history of the RUC to the Murder Investigation Team”. death. Politically motivated violence can never be justified. The whole House will wish to join me in condemning The panel also finds that the investigation team had her vile murder and also extending our deepest sympathies wide-ranging terms of reference and was generously to her family. I commend this statement to the House. resourced, but that special branch co-operation was incomplete. Special branch was, it states, Mr Shaun Woodward (St Helens South and Whiston) “over-possessive about their intelligence…unjustifiably resentful and defensive about any enquiry which they interpreted as treating (Lab): Rosemary Nelson was a prominent and diligent them as potential suspects…omitted to disclose all items of human rights lawyer who worked hard to protect the relevant intelligence”. rights of her clients. Rosemary Nelson was also a mother, The panel concludes, however, that a wife, a daughter, a sister and a friend to many. She was killed by a loyalist paramilitary group shortly after “in the main, the investigation was carried out to a high standard, midday on 15 March 1999. I join others in this House in in very difficult conditions”, offering my deepest sympathy to her family and her and says: friends. “Overall, the investigation of the murder was carried out with Today we have the final determinations of the inquiry. due diligence”. I thank the Secretary of State for a copy of his statement The panel has chosen not to make any recommendations, on those determinations and an advance opportunity to pointing to read the inquiry report. I also pay tribute to the inquiry “fundamental changes to the organisations that we have been chairman, Sir Michael Morland, to his panel members, examining and to the context within which they worked”. and to the supporting Law Officers and officials. 647 Rosemary Nelson Inquiry Report23 MAY 2011 Rosemary Nelson Inquiry Report 648

The Secretary of State and I have both read the Of the NIO, the inquiry found that there were omissions conclusion of the inquiry report, but I am afraid that I rather than commission. The NIO did not press the am unable to draw the same comfort about the findings RUC hard enough for full replies on Mrs Nelson’s and implications as he has done in his statement. The security, it did not press the police on disparities between inquiry raises very serious issues about the police and what the NIO was being told about the threat and what about the Northern Ireland Office. In recognising this the RUC had concluded in its threat assessments, and it inquiry’s criticisms about policing, the inquiry does not was too mechanistic. Crucially, the inquiry says of the take away our profound admiration for the outstanding NIO that courage and bravery of the men and women of the “there is no evidence of any internal policy discussion about the police family—and that of course includes the RUC—and treatment of defence lawyers in general or Rosemary Nelson in of the Northern Ireland Office, at which I have had the particular.” privilege to be Secretary of State. I record again my All this taken together is damning. As the inquiry thanks for the outstanding professionalism and fairness concludes: with which it was my experience to work at first hand. “The combined effect of these omissions by the RUC and the However, this inquiry makes uncomfortable reading NIO was that the state failed to take reasonable and proportionate for both agencies. These agencies have undoubtedly, by steps to safeguard the life of Rosemary Nelson.” what they have done, ensured that many lives have been It continues: protected from terrorist target. Indeed, we will never “If Rosemary Nelson had been given advice about her safety know just how many people might have been killed or and offered security measures, then assuming she accepted such how many people alive today were targets. However, we advice and security measures, the risk to her life and her vulnerability can be grateful to these agencies and at the same time would have been reduced.” set apart wrongdoing and failings. What is clear is that A worrying feature of the report is the incompleteness, in the case of Rosemary Nelson, her death was not or what some might see as evasiveness, in giving proper inevitable. The Secretary of State quoted from the answers to reasonable questions from the inquiry. The report: inquiry states that it was not told that special branch “There is nothing that any organisation can do that will “did not maintain a paper file on Rosemary Nelson”. infallibly prevent a murder. What can be reasonably looked for is Indeed, when Colin Port, who led the investigation into a reduction in the risk”. the murder asked about that, Well, that reduction was not reasonable. The risk could “he was given an incomplete answer, and as regards whether have been reduced, and it was not reduced. There were Rosemary Nelson had an SB number, an incorrect one.” failings. In fact, the inquiry found that Mrs Nelson had not one It is important to separate out the investigation into number, but two. It was told that if she had had a Mrs Nelson’s murder, which the inquiry described as special branch number, a special branch file would most “exhaustive, energetic and enterprising”, although likely have been created. The inquiry generously says: “not perfect in every respect”, “We cannot exclude the possibility that a paper file on Rosemary and, equally importantly, the fact that the inquiry found Nelson did at one time exist, but was lost or destroyed.” “no evidence of any”organisations of the state attempting It beggars belief, given that no one has yet been convicted “to obstruct the investigation of the murder”. of Mrs Nelson’s murder, that files of the state could have been allowed to be destroyed or lost during an We can distinguish this from the failure of measures to ongoing murder investigation. That matters, because it protect her life which brought about her murder. Here is clear that specific views were formed by police officers we have very uncomfortable reading—more uncomfortable that would undoubtedly have added to the risks to than I think the Secretary of State recognises. It is Mrs Nelson had they reached wider circulation. uncomfortable for the RUC and the NIO of that time. Having reached that view, questions should also be The report needs to be read carefully. The inquiry asked about the process of threat assessments even found—you will be worried by this, Mr Speaker—that today. special branch in the south region, in the preparation for an application for a warrant to be signed by the The report disturbs me. Given what was known, why Secretary of State, but which was not ultimately authorised, was Rosemary Nelson not protected? That is our question. said of Mrs Nelson and the Provisional IRA that The report states: “she openly supports their cause and intelligence states she has “She was a very public figure and thence an obvious trophy flouted the law”, target.” and that The inquiry concluded: “Nelson uses her legal training to assist PIRA in every way she “Any reasonable, thorough and objective assessment could can and it is clear Nelson is a dedicated Republican”. only have reached the conclusion that general intelligence, That is why the conclusions of the report are so disturbing. circumstances and recent events indicated that Rosemary Nelson was at significant risk.” We may never be sure of the specific consequences of these failings. However, the inquiry states that there was On the RUC, the inquiry found that “management an incident of abuse and assault on Mrs Nelson by negligently failed”, that “local RUC management failed”, members of the RUC, that there was a that there was “leakage of intelligence which we believe found its way outside “no analysis or evaluation of intelligence in relation to Rosemary the RUC.” Nelson”, It states that the leakage and threatening remarks and that there was “would have had the subsequent effect of legitimising her as a “corporate failure to warn Rosemary Nelson of her vulnerability.” target in the eyes of Loyalist terrorists.” 649 Rosemary Nelson Inquiry Report23 MAY 2011 Rosemary Nelson Inquiry Report 650

Mr Speaker: Order. I am loth on a matter of enormous inquiry. The Secretary of State and my right hon. importance and sensitivity to interrupt the right hon. Friend the Member for St Helens South and Whiston Gentleman, but he has substantially exceeded his allotted (Mr Woodward) were right to praise the police service time already. I know that he will bring his remarks to a in Northern Ireland for all the great work that it does, speedy close. but the report is a sorry and tragic one. Does the Secretary of State not agree that ultimately, the state Mr Woodward: I will, Mr Speaker. simply did not protect Mrs Nelson enough, and that The question that the Secretary of State must address we must learn lessons from that? The acts of omission is whether those acts of omission, negligence, failure that occurred were tragic, and they should never, ever and prejudice and a mechanistic Northern Ireland Office occur again. mean that we are in a very different position from the conclusion of the Wright inquiry, contrary to his statement Mr Paterson: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman today. I urge him to examine Justice Cory’s original for his question, and I pay tribute to him for his service proposals for the inquiries. Collusion is not just a as Secretary of State. He is absolutely right that the matter of commission; it may also be an issue of omission. report makes it quite clear that there were omissions, This does not prove collusion, but today the Secretary and that if the Northern Ireland Office or the RUC had of State has been too hasty in his dismissal. done certain things, the risk would have been reduced. However, it was also incumbent on Mrs Nelson to Mr Paterson: I have to say that I regret the shadow accept security advice at the time and ask for security Secretary of State’s tone. I made it quite clear in my help. I made it clear in my statement that I regret that statement that there were criticisms of state agencies, those omissions meant that the risk was not reduced, and on his basic question—if there was a question—of but we have to face the fact that under the circumstances, why Mrs Nelson was not protected, I made it quite clear it was impossible to eliminate the risk. that there were analyses of her security status by the Patrick Mercer (Newark) (Con): May I associate RUC and she was twice deemed not to be at risk. myself with both the tone and the content of the However, the key point is that she did not ask for Secretary of State’s comments, and with the congratulations protection. that both he and the shadow Secretary of State have It is not for me, who read the report overnight, or the given to the Royal Ulster Constabulary? right hon. Gentleman, who has had a shorter time than To follow on from the last question, can the Secretary I had to read it, to second-guess this enormous work. of State assure us that the current scheme for protecting What comes out quite clearly from this very lengthy those who are vulnerable in a similar way to Rosemary report is that there were omissions, and that if they had Nelson extends both north and south of the border? not happened, the risk to Mrs Nelson would have been reduced. However, the report is quite clear that, sadly: Mr Paterson: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for the “There is nothing that any organisation can do that will question, but we have jurisdiction in Northern Ireland infallibly prevent a murder. What can be reasonably looked for is and not in southern Ireland. a reduction in the risk.” It is the fact that we did not reduce the risk—his Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down) (SDLP): I thank Government was in charge at the time—for which I the Secretary of State for an advance copy of his report. have apologised on behalf of the British state. Having known Rosemary Nelson when we were both students at Queen’s university, Belfast in the mid-1970s, Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con): May I I find this report very disturbing indeed. In particular, it thank the Secretary of State for advance sight of the states that report and his statement? Does he agree that anybody “we cannot exclude the possibility of a rogue member or members who has had the privilege of meeting the excellent of the RUC or the Army in some way assisting the murderers to police officers who protect people in Northern Ireland target Rosemary Nelson”. against vicious terrorist attacks will know that they are Does the Secretary of State not agree that that is the most professional and dedicated people anybody tantamount to collusion between loyalist paramilitaries could ever wish to see? and members of the then security services? Will he With regard to the criticisms of the RUC, is the provide an assurance to Members of this House and to Secretary of State now satisfied as far as he can be that Rosemary’s family that all efforts will be made to pursue measures are in place for anybody who might be perceived those who were responsible for this terrible murder, and to be in danger in Northern Ireland, given the worrying that they will be held accountable in the due process of terrorist threat that still exists? the law as quickly and expeditiously as possible?

Mr Paterson: I am very grateful to the Chairman of Mr Paterson: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee for the tone of question, but I must repeat what the report said. This his question. As the report makes quite clear, all the 500-page report took six years and cost £46.5 million, main agencies have now been changed. We are confident and was conducted by three eminent panellists. They that the home protection scheme offers a completely conclude: different type of protection from that described in the “There is no evidence of any act by or within any of the state report. agencies we have examined (the Royal Ulster Constabulary, the Northern Ireland Office, the Army or the Security Service) which Paul Murphy (Torfaen) (Lab): I vividly recall the directly facilitated Rosemary Nelson’s murder”. tragic death of Mrs Nelson, and indeed attending her The report makes no recommendations such as the hon. funeral. It fell upon me, some years later, to set up this Lady suggests. 651 Rosemary Nelson Inquiry Report23 MAY 2011 Rosemary Nelson Inquiry Report 652

Kris Hopkins (Keighley) (Con): I agree with the content Mr Paterson: The KPPS has been replaced by the of the Secretary of State’s statement, and I support his home protection scheme, which is now administered by tone—it was extremely appropriate that he spoke in my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Northern such a way. I do not excuse in any way anybody who did Ireland Office, who works diligently on this and assesses a wrong thing, but I served with members of the RUC— each case with great care. I am surprised that my hon. they were extremely brave individuals in their commitment Friend used the word “cuts”, because this time last year to the service, both on and off duty. Does he agree that we negotiated with the Treasury an extra £50 million, the PSNI is a very different creature to the policing and since then we have negotiated a further £200 million. arrangements of 1999, and that we, and people on both The Government have promised to stand by Northern sides of the community, should take comfort in that? Ireland and do what is necessary to bear down on the current security threat. Mr Paterson: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I paid full tribute to the RUC in my statement, but we do Naomi Long (Belfast East) (Alliance): I thank the the RUC no favours by glossing over any failings. The Secretary of State for advance sight of the report, and report makes trenchant criticisms of those failings, but for his measured and balanced statement. Rosemary my hon. Friend is right that policing is quite different Nelson’s murder was a brutal and callous act, and our today. It has a much broader base of support, and is thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and responsible to a locally elected Minister and Policing colleagues on the release of this sobering report. My Board. That is why the report makes no specific thoughts are also with the many other victims and recommendations. survivors of the troubles in Northern Ireland who fear they will never have justice or even the truth about the David Simpson (Upper Bann) (DUP): This murder circumstances surrounding their own situations. Does took place in my constituency. Today we have the he agree that we need an inclusive and comprehensive report, which shows no evidence of collusion in relation mechanism to deal with the past and its legacy so that to that murder. However, in the same area, 18 RUC we can build a more stable future for Northern Ireland? officers were butchered by the Provisional IRA. We have had Teebane, La Mon and numerous other atrocities Mr Paterson: I am grateful for the tone of the hon. in Northern Ireland. We hear on the rumour mill that Lady’s question, which I entirely endorse. One of the another inquiry—into Pat Finucane—could be announced. other major changes, which is not mentioned in the If so, will the Secretary of State also ensure an inquiry report, is the establishment of the Historical Enquiries into the 18 deaths of RUC officers that occurred at La Team, which is looking methodically at the 3,268 cases Mon and into other atrocities, in the interests of equality? in which people tragically lost their lives leading up to the agreement. That forms a good basis for working on the terrible losses of the past. She knows that I am Mr Paterson: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for considering a range of options and talking to a wide his question. I am fully conscious of the tragedies in his number of people. We will bring forward proposals constituency and the area where he lives. In June 1997, when we think we can achieve some sort of consensus, very shortly before the events dealt with in the report, but she knows more than anyone how difficult that Constables Johnston and Graham were murdered in will be. Lurgan. On the Finucane inquiry, I made a written statement to the House in November, and there was an Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab): extended period of reflection while we took in The Secretary of State’s statement identified failures by representations. I shall make an announcement soon. individuals in the RUC who intimidated and harassed Mrs Nelson or leaked information, and obviously there Stephen Lloyd (Eastbourne) (LD): I respect the Secretary were failures by some civil servants in not pressing the of State’s apology. Clearly the Government, to some RUC. Will he ask his permanent secretary to take degree, failed to protect one of our citizens, so it is only disciplinary action against any of those civil servants right that they apologise. It was the right decision, and I still working in the Northern Ireland Office, and will he respect the tenor of his apology. It was a desperate time, confirm whether all the individuals in the RUC whom and Rosemary Nelson’s murder was a desperate act. the panel identified as having committed this harassment However, will he give an assurance that the economic or leaked this information have now left the PSNI? cuts faced by Northern Ireland will have no negative impact on the key persons protection scheme? It has Mr Paterson: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his been amended and improved since Rosemary Nelson’s question and suggest that he read the report, which desperate murder, but it is vital that it is maintained. does not make such recommendations. 653 23 MAY 2011 Points of Order 654

Points of Order important matter, I am pleased to reassure the hon. Lady and the House that there will be opportunities in the ordinary course of events for Members to express 4.38 pm their views on these matters, both in relation to the Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): On a point of order, terms of reference and more widely.There are opportunities Mr Speaker. I wrote to you over the weekend about a to debate matters in Government time, Opposition time number of security breaches in the House, particularly and Backbench Business Committee time, and through the theft of laptops from right hon. and hon. Members. the mechanism of Adjournment debates. I say to the I had my laptop and iPad, which I had only just worked hon. Lady and the House that there is no injunction, out how to use, stolen last Thursday. Since inquiring in super or otherwise, preventing any right hon. or hon. Norman Shaw North and with other of its residents, I Member from pursuing those avenues. It is important, have been told that a number of laptops have been however, that we recognise the need to temper our taken from there. Indeed, just this moment my hon. privilege with responsibility. Friend the Member for Darlington (Mrs Chapman) told me that her laptop and that of my hon. Friend the Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): On Member for Lewisham East (Heidi Alexander) were a point of order, Mr Speaker. I am sorry to delay the stolen recently from the courtyard next to your House with this point of order, but it arises from the accommodation in Speaker’s House. I have discussed answer to Question 1 in Education questions today the matter with colleagues, and they have suggested a which was given to me by the Secretary of State for number of measures. Either we should set up our own Education. We have been waiting for some time for a neighbourhood watch in Norman Shaw North, or perhaps response to the inquiry report of the previous Select when you meet President Obama on Wednesday you Committee—the Select Committee on Children, Schools could ask him to leave some of the 200 security officers and Families—on the training of teachers. There has he is bringing with him. On a serious note, in our view it never been a response, even though other inquiry reports is bad practice that in a building such as this, which has that took place under the previous Government have protection from the outside, these thefts are ongoing been responded to since the general election. We are and getting worse. I seek your advice on what we can do used to a system in this House whereby the Department about this serious matter, Mr Speaker. concerned responds line by line to the Select Committee’s recommendations. The Secretary of State told me that Mr Speaker: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman this document—“The Importance of Teaching”, the for his point of order, and for his unsolicited advice, White Paper that came out in November—was an answer, of which, as always, I am appreciative. I commiserate but there is no reference to that fact in this document, with him on his personal loss, and I extend those and it is not— commiserations to the hon. Members for Darlington (Mrs Chapman) and for Lewisham East (Heidi Alexander), Mr Speaker: Order. I am most grateful to the hon. and other right hon. and hon. Members similarly Gentleman for what he has said. I think he has said deprived. It is an extremely serious matter. The right enough to make it clear to me that this is not a matter hon. Gentleman will know that we do not discuss on which I can rule; rather, it is—however disagreeable security on the Floor of the House. However, it is as far as he is concerned—a matter for the Select incumbent on me, which is why I welcome this opportunity, Committee on Education, should it wish to address the to make it clear that the matter is being investigated—I matter further. I think we shall have to leave it there for hope comprehensively—and certainly I can testify to today. him that it is being investigated as a matter of urgency. When those investigations have been completed, I hope Helen Jones (Warrington North) (Lab): On a point of they will prove profitable. order, Mr Speaker. Is there any way in which you can discuss with Ministers the quality of replies being sent Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab): to Members? I recently wrote to the Department for On a point of order, Mr Speaker. This House makes the Culture, Media and Sport on an important matter law and this House should comply with it. Given some affecting my constituency, and received a reply from the of the remarks that were made during the urgent public engagement and recognition unit, rather than question—remarks that, on reflection, will probably be from the Minister. It was signed “The correspondence seen as incautious—may I have your reassurance that, team”— irrespective of the setting up of the Committee, this House will have sufficient time to discuss the problems Fiona Mactaggart (Slough) (Lab): Not even Mrs Adams? associated with injunctions before the summer recess? Helen Jones: Not even Mrs Adams, no. Another Mr Speaker: This is of course a matter for the House reply, from the Department for Business, Innovation itself. I welcome the hon. Lady’s point of order. As she and Skills, began: “Dear Mr Marsden”. I am very fond will know—because she was present for the statement—the of my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool South Attorney-General has announced that a Joint Committee (Mr Marsden), but I do not usually take on his of both Houses is to be set up. There will naturally be a correspondence. Is there anything that you can do to chance to debate the terms of reference of that Joint ensure that Members get proper replies from Ministers? Committee in due course. I think I made it clear that I strongly deprecate the abuse of parliamentary privilege Mr Speaker: I am responsible, at least in part, for the to flout an order or score a particular point. On the timeliness of replies—I do my best to assist Members in substance of the right and opportunity of Members of that regard—and also for their courtesy. However, so Parliament to express their views on this extremely far as their quality is concerned, I feel that I must tell 655 Points of Order23 MAY 2011 Points of Order 656 the hon. Lady that she holds out for me a set of powers opportunities for her and others to discuss the matter. I that I do not possess and a range of abilities to which would say to her today that this is not a procedural someone of my modest capacities cannot reasonably matter on which I can rule, but what she has very aspire. explicitly said will have been heard by those on the Treasury Bench and, very likely, in the relevant departmental Mary Creagh (Wakefield) (Lab): On a point of order, office as well. Mr Speaker. Last Thursday, you generously granted an urgent question on the Government’s decision not to Thomas Docherty (Dunfermline and West Fife) (Lab) ban wild animals from circuses. During that discussion, rose— the House was entertained—I think that is the right word—by the Minister of State, Department for Mr Speaker: I imagine that the hon. Member for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs telling us that Dunfermline and West Fife (Thomas Docherty) thinks such a ban could involve a breach of the Human Rights that our proceedings would be incomplete without a Act 1998 and of the European Union services directive. point of order from him. At the time, I asked the Minister to place that legal advice in the House of Commons Library, but, sadly, it Thomas Docherty: I am most grateful to you, Mr Speaker. has not yet received it. I have, however, been to the Further to the point of order raised by my hon. Friend Library myself and looked at the Department’s impact the Member for Birmingham, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart), assessment of the regulation of wild animals in travelling will you clarify whether members of the Press Gallery circuses. Point No. 81, on page 15, states: who were following the proceedings this afternoon are “There are no human rights issues raised by these proposals.” covered by the same privilege that we are, when they are reporting the exchanges between hon. Members? Following on from that, I found on a comment on a blog entitled “What a circus” which states that Mr Speaker: The answer to that is yes. “there are of course valid reasons for exceptions to the rules and restrictions allowed” BILL PRESENTED under the EU services directive, and that EU TERRORISM PREVENTION AND INVESTIGATION “Commission officials are standing ready to discuss the matter”. MEASURES BILL May we have further clarification from Ministers on Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) this matter? Secretary Theresa May, supported by the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Chancellor of the Mr Speaker: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her Exchequer, Secretary Kenneth Clarke, Danny Alexander point of order. Some people might think that she is and James Brokenshire, presented a Bill to abolish trying to continue the debate that took place on Thursday, control orders and make provision for the imposition of although I am not making any such suggestion myself. terrorism prevention and investigation measures. She did have that urgent question on the subject last Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time week, and, as the House will know, that urgent question tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 193) with explanatory was granted by me. I feel sure that there will be other notes (Bill 193-EN). 657 23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 658

the end-of-custody licence, on four occasions between Opposition Day 1979 and 1997, the previous Conservative Government released prisoners early—without the checks and balances [16TH ALLOTTED DAY] that we had, whereby no serious or violent offenders were let out on our watch. Sentencing How to balance these different purposes of sentencing is in the judges’ discretion, and plea bargaining is also a key part of our sentencing system. Part of plea bargaining Mr Speaker: I inform the House that I have selected is when an offender’s sentence is reduced on submission the amendment tabled in the name of the Prime Minister. of a guilty plea. This is an aspect of our sentencing Just before I call the shadow Secretary of State to move system that has evolved over many decades, becoming the motion, may I gently point out to him and the more formalised in recent years. Secretary of State that there is a premium on time and that Back Benchers will be heavily restricted? There is Ben Gummer (Ipswich) (Con): The right hon. Gentleman no time limit on Front-Bench speeches, but I am sure brings up the matter of credits for those who plead that both right hon. Gentlemen will wish to apply a guilty and he is right to say that it used to be in the certain self-denying ordinance. judges’ discretion—until it was made mandatory by the previous Government. The discount of a third, which is 4.49 pm given now, is one created by his Government, not by judicial discretion. Sadiq Khan (Tooting) (Lab): I beg to move, That this House opposes changing the maximum discount for Sadiq Khan: I will come on to deal with that point in custodial sentences to up to 50% for those who plead guilty. a moment, but the first part of what the hon. Gentleman Should an offender who commits any offence—grievous said is factually wrong. bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, Successive Governments have sought to codify the attempted murder, burglary, mugging, downloading child amount of discount one gets off a sentence for pleading porn, rape—be given a discount in his or her sentence guilty, and the first real attempt at codification came of up to 50% if they plead guilty at the earliest opportunity? with section 48 of the Criminal Justice and Public I will deal with the issue in three parts: first, the background Order Act 1994. This introduced a requirement for the to the policy; then I shall move on to its real motivation; court to take account of a guilty plea. The hon. Member thirdly, and finally, I will put my case for why the House for Ipswich (Ben Gummer) may have been alluding to should reject that policy. section 144 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, which included statutory provision on reductions in sentences Sentencing represents the climax of the court process for guilty pleas; the Sentencing Council sought to provide at the point when a defendant is found guilty or pleads structure and judicial direction in this matter. guilty. Judges or magistrates decide within set guidelines on the most appropriate sentence to hand down, basing Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con): Is it their decision on a range of factors, including the acceptable for a defendant pleading guilty at a timely severity of the offence. Punishment is a key purpose of opportunity—let us say, for an offence of rape—who sentencing—punishing offenders for the crime they have should have been liable to a tariff of five years, to get a committed—but it is also about deterrence both for third off, meaning a sentence of 40 months, which society as a whole and to the individual in question, would have led, in turn, to the individual being released aiming to prevent the offender from committing another after 20 months? That would have happened under offence. legislation passed on the right hon. Gentleman’s watch. A key factor not to be underestimated is the protection Indeed, it could have led to an even earlier release if of the public and the respite provided to communities, further credit had been given for remorse or co-operation but we must also emphasise the importance of rehabilitating with the police at an interview. Is that acceptable? offenders. Sentencing provides the opportunity to work with offenders to reduce the chances of their reoffending Sadiq Khan: I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s comments, in the future. It is about focusing on what works to but he will be aware that the maximum discount that ensure that there is no drift back into a life of crime, but can be given on a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity it also provides the opportunity to work with those who goes up to one third, but if there is overwhelming have debilitating mental health issues and dependencies evidence against the individual, the maximum discount on drugs and alcohol. is only 20%. The hon. Gentleman is well aware of that, because I know he still practises in the criminal courts. Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough) (Con): I wonder Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con): The motion expresses whether the right hon. Gentleman is suffering from the shadow Minister’s disapproval of the 50% discount, political amnesia, given that his Government presided but the Green Paper that was published in December over the debacle of failing to deport a huge number of 2010 canvassed the possibility in paragraph 216 on foreign prisoners and were also responsible for the page 63. Here we are at the end of May, and only now deeply unpopular and failed policy of the early release are the Opposition raising the matter. Is it possible that scheme. this is just opportunism? Sadiq Khan: I will deal with both those points. Last Sadiq Khan: The consultation ended on 4 March this week, the Justice Front-Bench team were asked how year, and we made our concerns clear back in December. many of these foreign prisoners they had deported I shall deal with the timeline in a moment, because it is during the 12 months that they had been in power, and relevant to the spinning that has taken place over the the answer was—quote of quotes—“about 60”. As to past seven days. 659 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 660

Under our current system, if a guilty plea is entered available discount to 50%. I accept that that equates to at the first reasonable opportunity, there is discretion £130 million a year, but it demonstrates that the Government for a sentence to be reduced by up to one third. The know the price of everything and the value of nothing. later in the process the guilty plea is entered, the smaller the reduction becomes. There is a discount of a quarter Mark Lancaster (Milton Keynes North) (Con): If the if the plea is entered once the trial date is set, and a right hon. Gentleman expects the House to take his discount of a tenth when it is entered at the door of the arguments seriously, perhaps he will explain why he and court at the time of the trial. As I said earlier, there is a his party failed to make any submission to that Green discount of 20% if the plea is entered at the first Paper. opportunity but there is overwhelming evidence against the defendant. Sadiq Khan: Of all the points that have been made, I accept that a sentence discount represents a tension that is the silliest. The hon. Gentleman has been in the between the delivery of justice and the improving of House long enough to know that it is silly to expect a efficiency in the legal system, but that tension can Member to respond to every consultation document potentially bring benefits to victims who are spared the when he has other opportunities to make his views trauma of a long period in court. Up until now, the known, such as asking questions of the Justice Secretary system has always sought certainty that the right balance on the Floor of the House, speaking to the Justice is being struck. If the sentence reduction is too great, it Secretary, and speaking to the Opposition. threatens to undermine the principles of sentencing and public confidence in the system. Worse still, it may Richard Graham: On a point of order, Mr Deputy mean that justice is not being served. Speaker. May I ask whether I correctly heard what the The Government’s Green Paper “Breaking the Cycle” right hon. Gentleman said? Did he accuse me of misleading proposed a maximum discount of 50% for those who the House in the figures I mentioned in my question to plead guilty at the earliest opportunity. No. 10 and the him? Lord Chancellor would like us to believe that they are in full consultation mode and are simply “flying a kite” Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): As I recall, the about changing the current practice. I accept that there right hon. Gentleman said quite the reverse: he said you has been consultation on the proposal, but the Lord were not misleading the House intentionally. Chancellor’s decision to accept a 23% cut in his budget has led to a fixation with reducing the prison population. Richard Graham: Further to that point of order, That fixation has overridden all other objectives, and Mr Deputy Speaker. Did the right hon. Gentleman shows just how out of touch the Government have therefore accept that what I said was factually accurate? become. They want to reduce prison numbers not because crime is being reduced or because fewer people need to Mr Deputy Speaker: To save a bit of time, let me say be in jail, but quite simply because of money. that it might be more appropriate for that question to be asked in an intervention on the shadow Secretary of State. Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con): In the light of his accusation that the only motivation for the Government’s Sadiq Khan: I am afraid I have no idea what that offer of consultation with options is reducing the prison point of order was about, Mr Deputy Speaker. population, does the right hon. Gentleman accept that between 2007 and 2010, his party’s Government released Richard Graham rose— early the equivalent of the entire current prison population of 80,000? Sadiq Khan: The hon. Gentleman will have a fourth chance to intervene in a while. Sadiq Khan: I know that the hon. Gentleman is not misleading the House intentionally or recklessly, but, as Ben Gummer rose— he knows, the maximum time off on end-of-custody licences was 18 days. We are not talking about an Sadiq Khan: I shall give way to the hon. Gentleman. additional 17%. Ben Gummer: May I help the right hon. Gentleman? I Anna Soubry (Broxtowe) (Con): Is the right hon. do not like to disagree with my colleagues, but he did Gentleman honestly telling the House that under the make a submission on the Government’s proposals. At tenure of the last Government there was not a serious the end of last year he was asked by The Guardian and profound problem of overcrowding in our prisons? whether he agreed with anything the Justice Secretary had said on criminal justice, and his answer was no. Sadiq Khan: I remember that the manifesto on which the hon. Lady stood for election and won her seat stated Sadiq Khan: I am happy to set out a timeline of when that the Conservatives would provide the same number I have and when I have not agreed with the Lord of prison places we would. Chancellor. He and I often comment on the fact that we The Department’s impact assessment gives the game agree on many issues, but I have said all along that I away. The sentence discount plan provides the Lord disagree with this particular proposal. I will discuss the Chancellor with the lion’s share of his reduction in timelines shortly, however. prison places. The impact assessment shows that £3,400 of the overall savings from the 6,000 fewer prison places Margot James (Stourbridge) (Con): Is not another that will be needed as a result of the sentencing package reason for the dramatic overcrowding of our prisons will come from the planned increase in the maximum that the current Government inherited the fact that 661 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 662

[Margot James] opposition have been ignored. Last Tuesday morning, the Cabinet Sub-Committee signed off the policy, and more than 50% of the prisoners given indeterminate last Tuesday afternoon my right hon. Friend the Member sentences—6,000 in total—served longer than the sentence for Blackburn (Mr Straw) asked in Justice questions they were given? Is this not another example, at the how giving half off a sentence would help to protect the other end of the sentencing spectrum from the early-release public. The Under-Secretary of State for Justice, the scheme, of the chaos we inherited with regard to sentencing hon. Member for Reigate (Mr Blunt) replied. He did policy? not say the proposal was still under consultation, or that it was being considered only for non-violent, non- Sadiq Khan: On the one hand we are criticised for serious or non-sexual offences. He said: prisoners who have been properly checked being released “I would have thought that a moment’s reflection would make on licence 18 days before their sentence is completed, that clear. Let us suppose that someone who is accused of rape but on the other it is suggested that people who have co-operates with the authorities…That is one example where been proved to be a danger to the public and are serving there is a definitive benefit”.—[Official Report, 17 May 2011; indeterminate sentences should be released prematurely Vol. 528, c. 140.] to save money, rather than there being proper checks By the by, when the Lord Chancellor seeks to blame and balances. At present, IPPs—imprisonment for public others for trying to introduce “sexual excitement” into protection sentences—are imposed on all prisoners the debate, he should look not at journalists or Labour convicted of rape offences and all sentences of four Members, but at his Front-Bench team. years and more. Under the new proposals, the Government If there was any doubt that this Government had are considering changing the regime so that only those already made up their mind about this policy, the Lord sentenced to 10 years or more will receive an IPP Chancellor’s answer to my question in last Tuesday’s sentence. That will be a genuine source of concern to Justice questions made the position clear. When I pleaded the public throughout the country. with him to reconsider this proposal, praying in aid not just the Labour party, but judges, victims’ groups and Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab) rose— the Government’s own victims commissioner, he said that it would “survive” the consultation. Sajid Javid (Bromsgrove) (Con) rose—

Sadiq Khan: If the hon. Gentleman does not mind, I Sajid Javid rose— shall give way to a Member on the Opposition Benches. Sadiq Khan: I will give way to the hon. Gentleman, Steve McCabe: Why do we not arrange for all the who has not spoken yet. interventions planted by the Government Whips to be read out at once, so that my right hon. Friend can get on Sajid Javid: The right hon. Gentleman is sharing with with his speech and we can get on with the debate? us his concerns for victims of crime, but his party introduced the Human Rights Act 1998. Just last year Sadiq Khan: When I was a Whip, the quality of alone, more than 200 foreign criminals, including many interventions was a lot better than it is today. convicted killers, could not be deported as a direct result of that Act, so would he like to take this opportunity Mr Burrowes: I want to help the shadow Justice to apologise to the House for putting the rights of Secretary, so I should not be accused of pure opportunism. criminals before those of victims? Does he think it is acceptable that a convicted rapist with a third off their sentence for plea could be released after 20 months: yes or no? Sadiq Khan: I am delivering a speech in two weeks on the human rights law and I will send the hon. Gentleman Sadiq Khan: I take it from the hon. Gentleman’s a copy of it, detailing all the victims who have benefited question that he will support our motion when it is put from the Human Rights Act over the past few years. to the vote at 7.15 pm. Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con): The Mr Burrowes rose— right hon. Gentleman mentioned the answer given to the right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) in last Sadiq Khan: I have been generous in giving way. The week’s questions. What would be the Opposition’s attitude hon. Gentleman can have a third bite at the cherry after had the example of fraud been given? Would we have I have made some progress. had all this “bandwaggoning” then?

Charlie Elphicke rose— Sadiq Khan: The hon. Gentleman, who knows this area very well, will know that the proposals, which we Sadiq Khan: Let me make some progress. know have been approved, are for all crimes. If they had been for classes of crime, we could have had a debate Richard Graham rose— about whether or not crime A was in the right category, but this discount of a maximum of 50% is to apply in Sadiq Khan: I promise to give way to the hon. Gentleman respect of all crimes. He is right to raise the issue of a after I have made some progress. broad-brush approach being taken to save money. The consultation period ended on 4 March, so there is no more time for the public to have their say, and it Richard Graham: Will the right hon. Gentleman give appears that experts and stakeholders who voiced their way? 663 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 664

Sadiq Khan: I will, because the hon. Gentleman has Government Members—the 80,000 prisoners and the been trying to get in. 16,000 prisoners who committed violent crimes who were released early under the Labour Government over Richard Graham: The shadow Justice Secretary said 13 years—181 of those released early committed violent earlier that he had not quite followed my point, so I will offences including three murders and six sexual offences? give him a second chance to answer it. The proposal I Will he accept those figures? put to him was that between 2007 and 2010 his party released more than 80,000 prisoners early, 16,000 of Sadiq Khan: My hon. Friend the Member for whom had committed violent crimes—that figure of Birmingham, Selly Oak (Steve McCabe) commented on more than 80,000 is equivalent to the entire current the efficiency of the Conservative Whips and I can see prison population. So before he and his party get too that the Lord Chancellor’s Parliamentary Private Secretary pious about their track record, will he confirm whether is also very effective. I have not seen the note that the these facts are true or not? hon. Member for Northampton North (Michael Ellis) has been passed by the Lord Chancellor’s PPS, but if he Sadiq Khan: It is a fact that the previous Government will discuss it with me afterwards I can check whether it released prisoners 18 days early once they had been is accurate. through the hoops. However, violent criminals, people It is not just us who think this policy is wrong. The on the sexual offenders list and people accused of Sentencing Council, the body charged with offering terrorist offences were not released early, and these expert advice on such issues, states that people were released a maximum of 18 days early and “in other common law jurisdictions the largest discount on offer on licence. The hon. Gentleman will also know that on is around a third, with some offering up to 35%. To date no four occasions during the previous Conservative jurisdictions have been identified where the discount is significantly Government prisoners were released early without the higher than this”. checks and balances that we conducted. It goes on to point out: “The Council has not identified any research to date that Richard Graham rose— indicates that an increase in the level of the discount would be likely to increase the volume of early guilty pleas.” Sadiq Khan: I think that I have dealt with the hon. The only evidence we have seen shows how much money Gentleman’s point on more than one occasion and I will be saved, and cost is once again being put above want to make some progress. good justice. We also know that the Government had originally scheduled tomorrow—the last day before recess—to be Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con): the day on which they published their response to the May I ask the shadow Secretary of State to clarify? Green Paper. So when the Prime Minister says at Prime Does he agree with the leader of his party, who said: Minister’s questions that this is only a consultation, “Tougher prison sentences aren’t always the answer”? when No. 10 says that the Ministry of Justice is merely When are they appropriate and when are they not? “flying a kite” and when we are told that this is not an What does the leader of his party mean? across the board reduction in sentence, we know that that is not the case. Sadiq Khan: I can tell the hon. Gentleman exactly I wish to spend some time talking about why Labour what the leader of my party believes. He thinks that it is Members believe that the whole House should support inappropriate and offensive both to victims and our our motion and reject this policy. The Green Paper, the criminal justice system if all offenders are given a Under-Secretary of State for Justice, the hon. Member discount of up to 50% for pleading guilty at the earliest for Reigate, in last week’s Justice questions, and the opportunity. Lord Chancellor, on BBC’s “Question Time”, have all said that the maximum 50% discount would apply to all Further evidence that the Government are out of crimes. So it will apply to grievous bodily harm, attempted touch is provided by their Commissioner for Victims murder, rape, burglary, muggings, death by dangerous and Witnesses, Louise Casey, who has argued: driving and all the other crimes that we can all think of “A discount of 50% offends many victims, underplays the that have such a miserable impact on communities up harm that may have been caused…and can seem to be placing and down the country. Let us consider the impact of the administrative efficiency over justice.” proposals on some sentences. A convicted rape offender Campaign groups such as Justice and the Criminal could be back on the streets after only 15 months. Justice Alliance also oppose the policy. The judiciary Someone convicted of causing actual bodily harm where have also been critical. Lord Justice Thomas, vice-president the assault is premeditated and it results in relatively of the Queen’s bench division, and Lord Justice Goldring, serious injury could end up serving three months in senior presiding judge for England and Wales, have said prison. Criminals convicted of burglary when the occupier that halving sentences because of guilty pleas will fail to is at home could serve as little as 10 weeks in prison. In reflect the seriousness of offences. the case of very serious crimes, where sentences are The Government’s policy on law and order is a mess. longer, the additional 17% rise in the discount might They just do not get it. Before the election, the Prime have the greatest impact. In such circumstances, an Minister made promise after promise to get elected. He additional 17% translates into reductions of years. promised to protect front-line services and he is now cutting 14,000 prison and probation staff. His Government Michael Ellis (Northampton North) (Con): The right are also cutting front-line police, which we will debate hon. Gentleman is talking about figures, but does he later this evening, and 23 specialist domestic violence accept, as regards the figures already mentioned by courts are being closed. They promised a prison sentence 665 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 666

[Sadiq Khan] 5.16 pm for anyone caught in possession of a knife—that promise The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice was broken. They promised honesty in sentencing and (Mr Kenneth Clarke): I beg to move an amendment, to that they would introduce minimum and maximum leave out from “House” to the end of the Question and sentences—those promises were broken. add: “deplores the previous Government’s failure to tackle the national scandal of reoffending and its mismanagement of the justice Sir Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (LD): What system; notes that discounts for guilty pleas have been an established did the right hon. Gentleman’s party leader mean when principle of common law for decades, and that they can speed up he said: justice and spare victims and witnesses the ordeal of waiting and “When Ken Clarke says we need to look at short sentences preparing to give evidence at trial; and welcomes the Government’s because of high re-offending rates, I’m not going to say he’s soft intention to overhaul sentencing to deliver more effective punishment on crime”? for offenders and increased reparation for victims and to reform offenders to cut crime.” Has that gone by the board? I welcome the shadow Secretary of State’s coming to the Dispatch Box and moving the motion, which took Sadiq Khan: If only the Justice Secretary was investing me rather by surprise when it was tabled at the last in alternatives to short sentences and in some of the minute last week. At one point, he gave a clear exposition important, aggressive and intensive work that is required of the opinions of the Leader of the Opposition on the instead of cutting some of those services around the encouragement that is given for an early guilty plea. No country. I hasten to add that the right hon. Member for doubt we will discover at some stage how many days Berwick-upon-Tweed (Sir Alan Beith) has voted for ago the Leader of the Opposition came to that conclusion, some of those cuts. When the Justice Secretary talks but I think it is rather more the right hon. Gentleman’s about rehabilitation and community sentences—real than his leader’s. alternatives—he should invest in them, too. The shadow Secretary of State also, quite fairly sometimes when giving way to interventions, said that Charlie Elphicke: The shadow Secretary of State is there were substantial parts of the proposed reforms talking tough on sentencing, but playing tough in order with which he was in broad agreement with the not to look soft makes it harder to focus on what is Government, and he offered to work with my colleagues effective. Surely rehabilitation and education are the and me in that regard. However, he tried to get away things that this House should be debating, not plea from that by saying that he would support me if it were bargaining, as they will make the difference. not for the reductions in public expenditure in my Department to which I am submitting. I regard it as Sadiq Khan: The hon. Gentleman is right to talk being in the national interest to make reductions in about the importance of dealing with some of the real public expenditure in most Departments. If the right problems of those who commit offences and are found hon. Gentleman believes that my Department should guilty, and I am all in favour of aggressive intervention be totally exempt from any reductions in public expenditure within prison—and outside it for non-violent offenders. at all, perhaps he would indicate in which other part of The problem is that the Justice Secretary, by accepting the public service he would volunteer reductions. With the 20% cut to his budget, is taking away some of the respect—I do not normally tender such advice—the resources and skills that are required, especially with weakness of the Labour party is that it does not have possibly 14,000 probation and prison staff losing their the first idea when it is going to stop denying the need jobs. That expertise, skill and experience is being lost, for any reductions in public expenditure. There are arguably, when it is most required. some perfectly reasonable reductions to be made in the criminal justice system, but that is not the principle I have said on many occasions—this has been prayed motive for reform. The principle motive is to make the against me this afternoon—at the Dispatch Box, to the criminal justice system better and to tackle some of the Justice Secretary directly and in the media that I am problems we have inherited, as my right hon. and hon. happy to work with the Government and the Lord Friends have touched on. Chancellor to make changes in our criminal justice system to help reduce reoffending, cut crime and make our communities safer, based on what works where Fiona Mactaggart (Slough) (Lab): Will the Secretary evidence shows its effectiveness, but nothing in the of State give way? plans will reduce reoffending or do justice. They are a recipe for disaster and they confirm how out of touch Mr Clarke: The right hon. Member for Tooting (Sadiq the Government are with the real world. Khan) was very generous in giving way and we all I do not want this debate to descend into one about appreciated that but there will be no Back-Bench speeches whether people are tough on crime or soft on crime. It is if I give way too frequently. I will give way in a second. about what works and what is the right thing to do. It is Let me get one thing out of the way first. I have about understanding how our criminal justice system always believed, along with every sensible person, that has the full confidence of victims, the families of victims, Britain needs a criminal justice system that is effective the judiciary and the general public, all of whom are in properly punishing offenders for their wrongdoing integral to its effectiveness. It is about understanding and in protecting the public from further crime. When I the value of justice and about willingness to pay the took office as Justice Secretary it seemed to me perfectly right price for it. I ask colleagues on both sides of the obvious that that had to be the first priority for all my Chamber to think very carefully about this when voting policies. That is self-obvious; it is a platitude. The on the motion. Government’s policy, and my first duty, is to punish 667 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 668 crime and have an effective system for protecting the key part of the penal system that is not working. I offer public from further crime. The problem that I face, this analysis because it throws into sharp relief the which causes the reforms, is the fact that I inherited a record of the Labour politicians who are now criticising system that was not effective in protecting against offenders’ bits of our proposed reforms. What I have just described committing further crime or even in punishing offenders. is part of the legacy of the previous Government. So that is at the forefront of where we are going. Without going over all the exchanges that we have Dr Lewis: Will my right hon. and learned Friend give just had, let me explain briefly what we have taken over, way? which causes the need for the proposed reform. Our prisons are pretty nasty, unpleasant places, far from the Mr Clarke: Let me finish describing the legacy of the holiday camps they are sometimes made out to be. The previous Government, then we will move to the more people in most of them pass their days in a state of constructive matter of my reforms and I will give way to enforced idleness, quite a few of them making some my hon. Friend. tougher friends than they have had in the past, and not I have not forgotten, and I am sure the public have facing up to what they have done. That is not what I not forgotten either, what 13 years of Labour government think of as a satisfactory and effective punishment. But was like in this field, despite the attempts of the right a bigger scandal still is our system’s failure to protect hon. Member for Tooting to skate over some of it. We the public from future crime committed by offenders had 13 years of eye-catching initiatives, schemes, meddling after completion of their time inside. Reoffending rates and prescription that made a complete Horlicks of the in this country, as we have taken over the system now, criminal justice system. We had more than 20 Criminal are straightforwardly dreadful. Justice Acts. Thousands of new criminal offences were created. Senior judges complained that Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): The Secretary of State “Hell is a fair description of the problem of statutory interpretation” has made much of the fact that short-term prison sentences lead to higher rates of reoffending than longer- when talking of this stream of legislation. We had a term prison sentences. Given that his proposals now are 39% increase in the number of prisoners in our jails—it to give people a 50% discount on their original sentence, was not planned and it was not policy—with the cost to plus they will be let out 50% of the way through their taxpayers rising by two thirds in real terms. time in prison, and given that short sentences do not And what for? That was meant to be the embodiment work, as he says, why is he so determined to make long of the policy of being tough on crime and tough on the prison sentences into short prison sentences? causes of crime—an attempt to give reality to an admittedly rather catchy slogan. What we got was a sentencing Mr Clarke: The point that I make is not the one that policy so chaotic and badly managed that, as my hon. hair-splits the variations between different forms of Friends quite rightly keep emphasising, the previous sentence. All our reoffending rates are very bad. I have Government had to let out early 80,000 criminals, who no intention of addressing the sentencing tariffs for any promptly went on to commit more than 1,000 crimes, offence in this country. I have no proposals for reducing including alleged murders and one rape. We had a the overall powers of the courts to deal with any crime. system under which more than 1,000 foreign national What we are talking about is the difference between offenders were released without being considered for someone who pleads guilty, particularly at an early deportation—the total number of foreign prisoners in stage, and someone who makes the witnesses and the our jails doubled during Labour’s period in office. We victims go through the crime. That is what I will address. had a system under which offenders serving community Ever since I published the proposals five months ago, sentences in practice usually completed only one or two although we have not faced any clear alternatives or days of unpaid work each week. Above all, as I keep views from the Opposition, I faced a debate about my emphasising, there was the national scandal throughout apparent desire to let prisoners out and reduce the Labour’s period in office—not a new problem—that the sentences. I have no such desire, nor do I use statistics to exorbitantly high reoffending rates went completely illustrate the need for that. What I am talking about— ignored. Why was that? A recent quote from the right hon. Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): Will my Member for Tooting is worth repeating, as he gave an right hon. and learned Friend give way? extremely good description of what went wrong and what was driving Labour’s policy. Speaking to the Fabian Mr Clarke: Let me continue briefly. I want to get on Society about New Labour’s record on this subject just to the quite small proposal in our overall reforms that two months ago, he said that this debate and the publicity of the past few days have “playing tough in order not to look soft made it harder to focus focused on. Let me explain what the reoffending problem on what is effective”. is, because that is at the core of the Government’s policy He gets a murmur of approval from the Conservative and my proposals. Back Benches, and certainly from those of us who had Within a year of leaving jail, half of Her Majesty’s to witness the effect of that policy. guests will have been reconvicted of further offences. Let me move on to our proposed reforms, including For adults released from short-term sentences the figure the one to which the Opposition’s motion refers. What is 60%. For young offenders leaving custody it rises to are the problems that we are now tackling and that our three-quarters. The same people cycle around the system large package of reforms seeks to address? First, criminal endlessly, costing endless suffering to victims and, for trials are needlessly long, drawn out and expensive. The those released from short sentences alone, costing between court experience is often deeply unpleasant and almost £7 billion and £10 billion a year to society. That is the always uncomfortable for victims, witnesses, jurors and 669 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 670

[Mr Kenneth Clarke] Mr Clarke: An advantage the hon. Gentleman will have one day. most people who have anything to do with it. As I have From the proposals of the right hon. Member for said, at least half of all crimes are committed by people Tooting, I cannot quite see any difference in principle who have already been through the criminal justice between the two sides of the debate. It is, and always system. More than one in 10 adults in prison have never has been, a well recognised and fundamental practice in been in paid employment, almost a fifth of prisoners this country that those who lie their way through a trial who have used heroin did so for the first time while in and are ultimately found guilty should face a greater prison, and one in five appear to have mental health punishment than those who own up early, take responsibility problems. If we wish to take this subject seriously and for their crime and commit to making amends. That has really want to protect society and the victims of crime, taken place for at least the past 40 years. I suspect that we must recognise that that is the context of today’s anybody here who does enough research will find that, debate. for the past century, people who fought it out and braved it out got a longer sentence than those who put Fiona Mactaggart: I thank the right hon. Gentleman their hands up early and pleaded guilty. for giving way at last. He is talking about practical What is the purpose of that practice? The public are studies on how to deal with prisoners with mental sometimes startled when they hear that that is the health problems, such as the work done by the Bradley practice, though it always—always—has been in the review. I will go along with him on those issues, but I do courts of this country. The purpose is, as we have not understand what studies he has done on the precise already stressed, because of the situation of victims and issue that we are debating today and on the effectiveness witnesses, above all. No one should underestimate the of early guilty pleas. It is clear that already two thirds of relief that is felt by anybody who is a victim of crime Crown court cases that result in a conviction involve and has complained to the police about it when they are people who have pleaded guilty. More than 10,000 of told that the offender is going to admit to it, and that those cases in 2008-09 were at the door of the court but they, the victim, are not going to be put through an could easily have been dealt with in a magistrates court. ordeal in court. The witnesses feel equally relieved. It is Why is he not acting to ensure that those guilty pleas far, far worse when someone fights on, because often happen in a magistrates court, rather than having this the victim finds that on public evidence and in a court widespread policy that will lead to violent criminals of law they are being accused of lying, of bad behaviour, being let off? of promiscuity or of whatever it is that the defendant is trying to run. That is why the justice system of this Mr Clarke: On Lord Bradley’s report and the problem country has always included the practice. It also saves of mentally ill people in prison, it seems plain from the an awful lot of police time, an awful lot of Crown hon. Lady’s intervention that she agrees with me. My Prosecution Service costs and everything else. right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and I are working on ways to divert people from prisons, in Dr Lewis: On that point, will my right hon. and proper cases and with proper protection of the public, learned Friend allow me? to places where they can be more sensibly and suitably treated. In that respect the hon. Lady and I are in total Mr Clarke: I will give way on that point, but I just say rapport. finally that it is a pity practising lawyers have always What I am suggesting about the system of guilty referred to the practice as the guilty plea “discount”, pleas, and the reason I have described the unpleasantness because that is not actually the best way of explaining it of going to court for most people who unwillingly go to a sensible member of the public. I give way to my there as victims and witnesses, is that although most hon. Friend at last. cases wind up with guilty pleas, more should do so and far too many such pleas are made ages after the event Dr Lewis: I am grateful to my right hon. and learned and at the last possible moment. I shall explain in a Friend for his generosity in giving way. He talks about moment how we are addressing that problem, because what victims feel, and I always thought that victims felt the long-standing system we have at the moment is not very unhappy with the previous Government’s policy of working well enough. letting many criminals out automatically halfway through their sentences. When in opposition we always used to Dr Julian Lewis: Will my right hon. and learned talk about honesty in sentencing, so are we going to Friend allow me? change that policy, or are people going to be let out automatically halfway through a sentence which has already been reduced by half as a result of the new Mr Kenneth Clarke: Let me just take our proposal on measure under discussion? early guilty pleas. Let me get into that. I am sorry to be unkind to my hon. Friend, but I have to bear in mind Mr Clarke: Halfway through the sentence, people are the people trying to be called, otherwise there will be no released on licence, therefore they are liable to recall. If Back-Benchers’ debate, and as someone who was until they reoffend, they are brought back; they are not free recently a Back Bencher for many years, I always used of their conviction for some time. We are going to to find it irritating when we had a short Opposition day address not just release on licence or supervision on debate. licence, but what more can be done once people are out of immediate custody in order to increase the chances Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): You always got called of them not reoffending. That is where we get into early. payment-by-results schemes, and that is why I already 671 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 672 have contracts at Peterborough prison, one I inherited, involved in these cases to plead guilty earlier, an awful and at Doncaster prison, a new one, whereby we will lot of victims would feel that they have been better pay more to providers who stop such people coming treated by the system. back when they leave prison. That is not for today, but it is a key part of our reforms, and I do not think that any Sadiq Khan: The right hon. and learned Gentleman Member opposes it. has enthusiastically set out the case for why he believes Let me move on to what we are debating. We have the an increase in the discount of up to 50% should be decades-long principle of offering for an early plea a carried through. Does the Prime Minister agree with him? reduction of up to one third on the sentence that a judge hands down. The previous Government made Mr Clarke: This was an entirely collectively agreed that clearer, because they calmly allowed the Sentencing policy on which we went out and consulted, so the Guidelines Council to spell out the one third, and it was answer is yes, of course. The Prime Minister runs a actually made more binding on the courts in 2009. If scrupulously collective Government, and I am an extremely anybody in the Opposition is against in principle the loyal Minister much used to collective Government. I idea of what I say is unfortunately called a “discount” do not think the right hon. Gentleman has much experience for a plea, why have they not mentioned it for the past of collective Government, but I commend the system to 13 years? Why was the previous Government’s policy him—and to the right hon. Member for Normanton, based on that principle and on the arguments that I Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper), who was of have just raised? Why are we readdressing this? course fiercely embattled on one side in the previous Government. Emma Reynolds (Wolverhampton North East) (Lab) We agreed that this was a reasonable proposition on rose— which to consult because, as I said, the system that we inherited is not achieving the benefits that the previous Mr Clarke: Ah, here we are—somebody who supports Government presumably thought it might achieve when the idea. The trouble is that if a discount is not given they set it up. and the man gets to the court door and finds that there is not much coming off his sentence any more, he might Sadiq Khan: I thank the right hon. and learned as well instruct his lawyer to have a go and see whether Gentleman for generously allowing me a second bite of the defence can shake the story. That is why no lawyer the cherry. He has correctly said that the Prime Minister has ever objected to the discount for a guilty plea. signed up to the consultation, which ended on 4 March this year. He talked about collective responsibility. Can he confirm that last Tuesday morning the Cabinet Emma Reynolds: The right hon. and learned Gentleman Committee signed off on this proposal? knows full well that there is a big difference between a 30% discount and a 50% discount. Will he turn his mind Mr Clarke: Even in a collective Government, one to the evidence that has been suggested by the Sentencing does not analyse what happens in Cabinet Committees Guidelines Council, which says that the 50% plea discount before coming to one’s final conclusions. I am not going will not bring forward any more criminals to plead to disclose the contents of the Cabinet Committee’s guilty? What does he say to that? proceedings for at least 20 years. The right hon. Gentleman will not be surprised to know that we do go to Cabinet Mr Clarke: I do not agree with that. It is not evidence; Committees, but we have not yet finished our consultation there are a variety of opinions. However, it is a perfectly process. [Interruption.] He is persisting, so let me repeat good question. We have got down to the fact—I can be what I asked earlier: how many days ago did he and the precise—that the difference appears to be 17%. That is Leader of the Opposition decide that they were going to what we are arguing about. I do not think that anybody run with this? Was it by any chance connected with the in this House has any principled difference whatever on slight flurry of excitement in the media at the end of the policy. last week? He and his party, and his Front-Bench team, The present system is not working effectively, so we have not had a policy on this or any other subject to do have gone out to consultation on proposals that might with criminal justice for the past nine months. Let him improve the encouragement offered to people to plead study the processes that this Government follow, and no guilty earlier. In over 10,000 cases listed, the trial stops doubt they will guide him if ever he is lucky enough to right at the courtroom door; judge, jury, victims, police get into great office. officers, probation officers are all amassed for a full The current system does not get enough early pleas trial, and then at the last minute the person pleads and is a complete waste of resources. The police, the guilty. Those long delays are wrong, not only because of Crown Prosecution Service and others in the legal system the cost to the police and the waste of time of everybody use up millions of hours preparing cases that never attending for any purpose connected with the trial, but make it beyond the door of the courtroom. That has to because victims and serious witnesses have to endure be changed. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir the uncertainty of it all as they prepare for the ordeal of Starmer, has called for reliving the trauma of what are sometimes very harrowing “a reorientation of our approach so that guilty plea cases can be experiences. dealt with as swiftly as possible, leaving us to devote our valuable I hope that the right hon. Member for Tooting will time and resources to cases that really require them. That way we forgive me for saying that saving a bit of cost to the may just begin to tackle the delays that still bedevil criminal police, the Crown Prosecution Service, Her Majesty’s justice.” Courts and Tribunals Service and the public purse We are still considering the responses to our Green might be advantageous, although I know that it was not Paper proposals to increase the maximum discount for new Labour’s approach. If we could get more of those the very earliest pleas to one half, and to then have a 673 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 674

[Mr Kenneth Clarke] I pay tribute to him for being so helpful and constructive in response to our proposals. It is a pity that he has been taper, to encourage the earliest plea and disincentivise bullied into picking out bits and distorting them in this the late plea. We received many calm and reasoned debate. The principle of a more efficient system of responses over many months. There was no loud opposition justice is not wrong, and the principle of the early guilty at all to the principle of the proposal until last week. plea is not wrong—I am afraid that it is the state of the The rush for this debate is slightly pathetic and slightly Opposition that is really wrong. That is what has brought comic. I do not know where it came from. I have a the debate to the House. feeling that the Leader of the Opposition, not yet The former Prime Minister’s old speechwriter, Phil having decided what he was for, was wandering the Collins, apparently said last Friday: streets looking for a passing bandwagon and prodded “Labour don’t have a particularly strong position on crime of the right hon. Member for Tooting into putting down a any kind”. motion. Well, we will help them. We have a policy, and it is very Some people are claiming that the proposal is simply clear. We will reform the criminal justice system to focus to reduce the sentences available for criminals, and that it on punishing offenders, protecting the public and is worrying some of my colleagues. As I began by tackling the scourge of reoffending. We intend to make emphasising, it is no part of our reforms to reduce prisons places of hard work, not enforced idleness. We sentences, the protection of the public or the punishment will get prisoners off drugs, and drugs out of prisons. for serious crime. That is not what the Government or I We will toughen up the current weak and failed system are about. In response, I say very clearly that judges will of community sentences, and we will introduce a radical continue to have discretion in setting the appropriate payment-by-results approach that will introduce innovative sentence in individual cases. I will not shorten the public and private sector solutions focused on what length of sentences available to them in any kind of really matters, which is breaking the devastating cycle criminal case. I do not think that the Opposition contest of crime. the principle, as has been emphasised. I do not understand the argument that they would be in favour of my Several hon. Members rose— reforms if they were not combined with saving public expenditure. That is not a compelling point. Reforms to Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. There is the efficiency and effectiveness of the system are required. a six-minute limit on Back-Bench contributions, but if Members can get their points across in less than six Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East) (Lab) rose— minutes, they will be helping their colleagues. Mr Clarke: I apologise to the hon. Gentleman, but I really should sit down soon. 5.45 pm Let me deal with what we are trying to reform and Mr George Howarth (Knowsley) (Lab): It is a pleasure why. The former Home Secretary, the right hon. Member to follow the Secretary of State, who presented a familiar for Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough (Mr Blunkett), face. There was a mixture of pragmatism, an element of said in the Daily Mail on Friday that I should bluster and just the occasional shaft of precision in his “order a wholesale review of how the court system works”. argument. He went on: I begin by making an obvious point, and I do so at “my own jury experience left me staggered by the sheer waste of the risk of sounding like Michael Howard, now Lord time and public money resulting from the chaos in our courts.” Howard. We often lose sight of part of the meaning of what he said on the subject. Prison does work, at least Chris Bryant: It is the judges. to a limited extent. It seems to me an incontestable fact that while somebody is locked up in prison, they cannot Mr Clarke: After 13 years, they say it is the judges. It commit offences out in the community. There have been is actually that the system does not facilitate the disposal many cases in my constituency over the years in which of cases in the best possible way in the interests of people have been given a custodial sentence and been victims, the police, the taxpayer and, above all, justice taken out of the community, even if only for three or six itself. months, and there has been an appreciable difference in the crime rate. Local police inspectors and senior officers I have found quotations from the former Lord in my area, and I am sure in other areas, will attest to Chancellor, the right hon. Member for Blackburn the fact that prison works in those circumstances. (Mr Straw), who unfortunately is not in his place. He is the one who placed a more onerous obligation on In my remaining time, I wish to cover two issues, the judges to follow the early guilty plea guideline. Perhaps first of which is sentencing in general, which is the main he is not here because, like me, he cannot understand subject of the debate. I approach it from the vantage what on earth got into the head of the right hon. point—or it might be a disadvantage point—of having Member for Doncaster North (Edward Miliband) in sat on the Gage working group, which reported in July thinking that this was a suitable subject for debate. 2008. I will refer briefly to that report, then I want to I remember the right hon. Member for Tooting declaring say a word about community sentences. in this House that he welcomed plans for a clear sentencing The Gage working group examined, among many framework. In December he thought that they were other things, the causes of the increased prison population “a perfectly sensible vision for a sentencing policy, entirely in to which the Secretary of State referred. We highlighted keeping with the emphasis on punishment and reform that Labour nine points. I will not go through all of them—time followed in government”.—[Official Report, 7 December 2010; forbids, and in any event the Secretary of State has Vol. 520, c. 171.] already referred to them, and my right hon. Friend the 675 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 676

Member for Tooting (Sadiq Khan) has covered the cases in which a guilty verdict is almost inevitable, and same points. However, I wish to pick out one of the those in which a guilty plea avoids lengthy proceedings nine, because the Secretary of State made a great point with an uncertain outcome. of talking about reoffending. Point (5) in paragraph 2.2, The aim of getting guilty pleas earlier is sensible, but on page 5 of the report, states that many court-door pleas are based on the lack of early “re-offending including breaches of supervision, licence recall, knowledge of the prosecution case, or a belief that suspended sentences and community orders” witnesses will be intimidated into not turning up. Greater is one of the drivers that increase the prison population. discounts will not of themselves change that. If the I shall come back to that point later, but it is important policy succeeds, it will enable other cases to be brought to recognise that the prison population increased for to trial more quickly, which would be a very welcome reasons relating to the alternatives to prison sentences. development, even if it might not assist in making This month, the new Sentencing Guidelines Council, financial savings because it could lead to more custodial which was established from the Gage commission and sentences. subsequent legislation, produced a survey, “Attitudes to The public continue to see length of sentence as the guilty plea sentence reductions”, which is germane to only way of asserting society’s abhorrence of serious this point—it is included in the note produced by the crimes, regardless of whether the long sentence has any House of Commons Library. I shall focus on three of deterrent effect, which it clearly does not in some cases, the survey’s findings that have some force, the first of and regardless of whether the offender considers the which is a point that the Secretary of State used to sentence to be particularly punitive. Some offenders criticised my right hon. Friend the Member for Tooting. regard community punishments as more exacting than First, the survey states: prison, which means bed and breakfast, and three meals “The public assume that the key motivation for the guilty plea a day. For many offenders, life outside is disorganised, sentence reduction is to reduce resources (time and money)…There dysfunctional and not particularly comfortable. is a strong sense that the drive for cost savings should not impact We must ask, as my right hon. and learned Friend the on a system effectively delivering justice.” Justice Secretary is asking, whether we are spending the Secondly, it states: vast resources that we commit to the criminal justice “For the general public, there was weak support for higher system in a way that is effective in reducing the crime levels of reductions beyond the current guideline range of up and victimisation that result from reoffending. Resources to 33%”. are not unlimited, and it is our responsibility to use Thirdly, it states: them to protect our constituents from becoming victims of crime. That requires a transfer of some resources “The public (and some victims and witnesses) do not like the from custody to community punishment, and from idea of a universal approach to reductions”. custody to preventing people, particularly young people, There is therefore a strong disconnect between the from getting involved in crime in the first place. Secretary of State’s proposals and how the public feel If we had only ever treated the symptoms of illness things need to be handled, which is a real problem. I and devoted minimal effort to prevention and public accept that he is making a genuine attempt to address health, we would have made very little progress in the issue—he is not one for eye-catching initiatives. eradicating diseases and increasing life expectancy. We However, he has not won over the public, and he must apply some of that philosophy to preventing crime certainly has not won over large numbers of his own and reoffending. Every crime and instance of reoffending Back Benchers, and for that— that is not prevented makes victims of our constituents. We need a rational debate on how we organise policy so Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans): Order. that we prevent people from becoming involved in crime and from returning to it. 5.52 pm Michael Ellis: Further to the right hon. Gentleman’s Sir Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (LD): I begin medical analogy, does he agree that it is highly likely by saying that the Lord Chancellor should not have that people would stop prescribing a medicine if it did used words that led people to believe that he did not not work 70% or 80% of the time? treat all rapes as serious crimes. However, when I set that against his attempt to create a rational debate on Sir Alan Beith: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely criminal justice policy, I know on whose side my right. What is more, we would be better to prevent sympathies, in general, lie. In addition, it was a tactical people from getting the condition in the first place than mistake of the Opposition to turn that into a resignation to give them medicine late in the day. issue, and a further demonstration that we need such a Successive reports of the Select Committee on Justice rational debate. have tried to launch, support and encourage a rational Furthermore, the debate on extending the discount debate on our criminal justice policy. That, I believe, is for early guilty pleas should not have become focused what the Lord Chancellor has been trying to do, and I on rape, because it might be more appropriate for other encourage him to continue in that endeavour. crimes. I remain to be convinced that the enhanced discount will produce the full intended savings in the 5.56 pm prison population. It is worth pursuing for some crimes and would be inappropriate for others. The current one Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): Although third discount needs the careful exercise of the judge’s I do not agree with a blanket 50% discount, I accept the discretion, which is in some ways circumscribed too sincerity of Government Ministers in trying to reform much, because distinctions must be drawn between sentencing. Despite the Lord Chancellor’s denials, the 677 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 678

[Steve McCabe] he has spoken about today will be activated, he needs to tell us what he is going to do, and to do more than problem is that the Treasury has set those Ministers a simply repeat the concerns in the Chamber. slightly unreasonable cost-cutting agenda, which will We need to clarify the purpose of custody. The priorities inevitably undermine some of their ambitions. Cost for long-term prisoners are straightforward. They should cutting simply will not give us better sentencing outcomes, be about security and then a long path to rehabilitation. and as I am sure the Lord Chancellor knows, effective However, for the short term and the frequent offenders community alternatives to custody are not a cheap option. that he mentioned, surely we need to have more credible Any review of sentencing needs to take account of forms of punishment and restitution, and more imaginative the public and demonstrate that both the politicians sentencing. That might mean ending the divide between and the experts charged with the reforms genuinely prison and the community. Why not have prison sentences listen to and take on board the public’s concerns. In that for evenings or weekends? Why not curb leisure time? respect, we need to start with victims and ensure that Surely what matters is that the time is used constructively, their needs are at the centre. We need to ensure that they and that any activity is not confused with leisure time or are not forgotten or tacked on as an afterthought as voluntary activity; it has to be about punishment, control courts focus too much attention on the offence and the and making amends. offence tariff rather than on the impact of the crime. The public want to see and hear punishment as well The public need to know that the money being spent as rehabilitation. There have to be fewer opportunities makes a difference and that the justice system belongs for people to avoid responsibility for their actions, and to them and not to the professionals or the experts, or courts need to entertain fewer excuses. I agree with the even worse, to the offenders, as it sometimes seems. If Lord Chancellor, but where in his policy are there clear the Lord Chancellor really wants to protect victims and directions and obligations in sentencing? I want to witnesses in the judicial process, we perhaps need to know that there will be rigorous testing, directive counselling prise some elements of the justice system from those and control for offences relating to substance abuse. If that currently hog the scene. This is not about blaming the Government were to take us along that path, rather judges, but I am not convinced that the current structure than spending so much time repeating an analysis we all of our courts and the selection of judges and—in some broadly share, and if they were to make clear their cases—magistrates, are the best that they could be. intentions, we might be able to have a much more Their sentences frequently do not make sense to most constructive debate, instead of one in the terms being normal people, and at times, they seem to be totally out debated today. of touch with the communities that experience most of Nevertheless, we are having this debate because the the crime. Government have set out to cut prison numbers, largely on a cost-cutting basis. The Lord Chancellor has refused Karl Turner: My hon. Friend mentions victims. I have to give details of exactly how he is going to provide just been doing the maths on this. Someone who is credible— convicted of the offence of causing death by careless driving while over the proscribed limit will end up with Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. I something like nine months. How is that fair to the call Philip Davies. victim? 6.4 pm Steve McCabe: That is my point about focusing more Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): Although I am speaking on the impact of the crime. in favour of this Opposition day motion, I think it is the height of hypocrisy for the Labour party to lead the We need to return to the experiment with community charge on crime, given that it presided over the automatic courts for lower-level crimes. That kind of approach has release of people halfway through their sentences, which public support, even if the legal establishment, which is created many unnecessary victims of crime. As we have well represented in the House, is sceptical, and many of heard from my hon. Friends today, the Labour party my constituents would welcome attention being paid to released 18 days early almost 80,000 prisoners who these matters. Thinking about what the Lord Chancellor between them went on to carry out an additional 1,512 said, it seems to me that we need a rethink. This is not offences, including three murders, rapes and assaults, about who runs the prisons, but about how they are while they should have still been in prison. One convict, run. We need to establish the value of short custodial originally jailed for battering a woman to death, was sentences. What does a 10-week sentence set out to released, only to lure a 10-year-old boy back to a flat, achieve? More importantly, we need to know, as he where he threatened to slash his throat with a craft knife acknowledged, why it is easier to get drugs and other before raping him. That is not what I call being tough contraband in prison than outside. [Interruption.] Members on crime, despite what the right hon. Member for can say, “It’s your legacy”, but it is a legacy that has Tooting (Sadiq Khan) would like us to believe. been developing for years, and if we reduce the debate I would like to clarify that, no doubt contrary to to that sort of silly, cheap remark, any benefits we might popular opinion, as a Government Member I do not derive from the time available for debate will be lost. particularly enjoy voting in favour of Opposition day That is why they are wasting their time with that kind of motions. However, the Justice Secretary’s recent proposals muttering. are simply unacceptable to the majority of my constituents I want to know why this continues to happen. Why and the British public as a whole. do we keep reading about prisoners taking us to court? Why can anyone in prison for more than a few months Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (Con): I can assure leave still unable to read and write? If the Lord Chancellor my hon. Friend that they are also unacceptable to the really wants to help and to demonstrate that the things people of Brigg and Goole. Is not the record of the 679 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 680 previous Government which he described exactly why Philip Davies: The Secretary of State and I differ. He we entered the election promising tougher sentences, to seems to think it perfectly reasonable for somebody to end the early release scheme and to be more honest with get eight years in prison and only serve two, but I think the public about our plans? that it is unacceptable. [HON.MEMBERS: “He didn’t say that.”] I am disappointed he thinks that somebody who Philip Davies: My hon. Friend is right. It is astonishing is given an eight-year sentence should be given a that some of our hon. Friends, who were happy to enter 50% discount for an early plea, reducing the sentence to the election promising to send more criminals to prison, four years, and so be released after two. [HON.MEMBERS: and to put in place longer sentences and honesty in “No, he didn’t say that.”] That means two years for an sentences, are now advocating sending fewer people to eight-year sentence, which to me and most people is prison for a shorter time. I did not tell that to my totally unacceptable. constituents when I stood in the election. Anna Soubry: Will my hon. Friend give way? Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): Forgive me, I am not learned or a lawyer, but we have not suggested that Philip Davies: No, there is not time. fewer people would go to prison, have we? We have But that is what the Secretary of State is proposing. suggested that prison sentences could be cut by up to That is what happened to Gabrielle Browne, who sparked 50%, but that it would be for the judges to decide. It the debate when she questioned the Secretary of State— would not necessarily be 50%. [Interruption.]

Philip Davies: My hon. Friend is clutching at straws. Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. The Secretary of State made it clear that as a result of The hon. Gentleman will be heard. Members will have the proposal fewer people would be in prison. That is an opportunity to contribute to the debate in due the whole purpose of the measure. My hon. Friend course. This is quite unacceptable when he is speaking. ought to reflect on the fact that this is an arbitrary proposal, because there is absolutely no evidence suggesting that more people will plead guilty as a result. If that Philip Davies: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. does not happen, will the Secretary of State return to Gabrielle Browne was attacked by an African immigrant, the House in a few months suggesting a three-quarters Mohammed Kendeh, who had just been let out of discount for pleading guilty in order to get a few more prison four months into a one-year sentence. He had convictions? Where will it end? Why not scrap prison sexually assaulted five other women in the same park a sentences altogether? This is a slippery slope. It is year before, but was spared jail for those offences. ludicrous and not based in evidence. Non-custodial sentences do not appear to work in such Most people think that punishment is not heavy cases. Similarly, in a recent case in west Yorkshire a enough. It has been estimated that between 2007 and serial rapist was freed from jail early only to commit 2009, criminals on probation have been responsible for another sickening attack. He had subjected a string of 121 murders and 44 cases of manslaughter, along with women to terrifying rapes and sexual assaults as far 103 rapes and 80 kidnappings. In total, they were responsible back as 1984, but served only eight years of a 14-year for more than 1,000 serious violent or sexual offences in sentence for raping an 18-year-old woman. Upon his the two years from April 2006, while almost 400 more release, he carried out a further rape on a 24-year-old as suspects are awaiting trial. Most people looking at these she left a nightclub. figures would conclude that too few, not too many, We will get more and more such cases, with people people were being sent to prison, and most would serving more and more derisory prison sentences, then conclude that people are not being sent to prison for let out to create more and more unnecessary victims of long enough, not that they should be let out even crime. When people with no offending history are caught earlier. for crimes and have to wait to be convicted, it is As we have heard, a senior judge, Lord Justice Thomas, understandable that it should take time to bring them to warned that as a result of these proposals, a rapist justice. However, it is unforgivable for people in government facing five years in prison could get off with a sentence to preside over a system that lets people out of prison halved to just 30 months by pleading guilty earlier. earlier than necessary, in order for them to go on and However, because of what the previous Government commit more crimes and create more victims of crime. did, which the Secretary of State appears to support, We need to review the current situation, in which people that offender would then be released after only 15 months are released from prison early. behind bars. Fifteen months for a five-year sentence! People keep telling me that Scandinavian countries That is what is happening under a Conservative-led are marvellous when it comes to these things, so I went Government. to Denmark to see at first hand what they did. One thing that never seems to come out is that in Denmark, Mr Kenneth Clarke: The example given by my hon. people are not automatically released halfway through Friend is fanciful, because the average sentence for rape their sentences. They are released only if they behave is eight years. Sentences will vary but in the end the well; and in fact, 30% of prisoners in Danish prisons judge will decide what justice and the seriousness of the serve their full sentences because they are not deemed offence justify. Needless public alarm is caused because safe to release from prison early. Those are the things the public find it difficult to know what the sentences that the Secretary of State should be looking at, not are. If it reassures my hon. Friend, however, I can say trying to have people serve lower sentences in the first that I would regard someone being released from the place. Indeed, it is his proposals that are causing the prison part of their sentence after 15 months as quite British public to lose confidence in the British criminal inadequate in a case of rape. justice system and in this place. 681 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 682

[Philip Davies] for Camberwell and Peckham (Ms Harman) and Baroness Scotland, who worked together to start taking unduly Last week I asked the Secretary of State to read some lenient sentences back to court and ensure that dangerous research commissioned by Lord Ashcroft into the opinion rapists were not released early. We then realised that we of the public, victims of crime and police officers. Some were not doing enough, so we commissioned Baroness 80% of those polled thought that sentences were too Stern to look at how rape was treated in the criminal lenient. Similarly, when asked whether they expected justice system. She was impressed by a number of the the new coalition Government to be tougher on crime changes that we had made, including introducing than the last Labour Government, 50% of those polled specialist police units, which are now due to be cut by said that they expected them to be tougher, while 9% said the Home Office, increasing by 15% the number of less tough. When asked their views now that they had rapists convicted, improving the way cases were dealt seen the Secretary of State in action for a year, only with in court, and introducing specialist prosecutors in 13% thought that the Government were tougher, while all 42 Crown Prosecution Service areas. Of course, the 23% thought that they were less tough. number of CPS areas has now been cut, so although These proposals have to go. I very much fear that if every area might claim to have specialist prosecutors, I the Secretary of State does not listen to the widespread doubt whether there will be as many as there were. opposition to these plans, then for us to restore our The difference between that and what we see now is reputation as a party of law and order, he will have to carefully thinking through what will make a difference. go as well. I am genuinely shocked by the Minister, who I do not think is a bad man. I share his desire to reduce reoffending, and I recognise his point that short sentences—those 6.12 pm under four years—are ineffectual. That is one of the Fiona Mactaggart (Slough) (Lab): I want to talk reasons why I want to ensure that no rapist is in jail for about this Government’s record on crime where women less than four years. He said that there was no loud are victims or offenders, and to show that the latest opposition to the proposal. What that means is that he attempt to propose a 50% discount for early guilty has not bothered to read the representations that women’s pleas—which was offered up by the Under-Secretary of organisations made in response to his Green Paper. I State, the hon. Member for Reigate (Mr Blunt), as am afraid that we are seeing a cloth-eared, don’t-get-the- doing women rape victims a favour—is a desperate ploy women approach from this Department. I want Ministers that could only be the product of a men-only Department to think again. We were told that victims’ organisations that, to be frank, just does not get it when it comes to would really welcome the proposal because victims women and crime. would not have to go through the horror of a trial. Yes, It is not just Ministers’ fault, however: when I was a rape trials are horrible—they are very degrading for the Home Office Minister working with the National Offender victim—but if the trial does not go ahead, then although Management Service, I discovered that officials believed the judge hears the plea in mitigation, he never hears that women offenders in prisons were basically exactly how the victim’s life has been destroyed. the same as men and were to be treated the same. The consequence was an appalling deluge of women self- Stephen Phillips (Sleaford and North Hykeham) (Con): harming and killing themselves in jail. I realised that we I wonder whether the hon. Lady has actually read the needed a comprehensive rethink of the issue, and helped Green Paper. One of the things that it addresses is the to commission Baroness Corston to look at it. She came right of victims—a right that they never really had up with an excellent report that showed many of the under the Government whom she supported—to give a ways that prisons dealt ineffectually and unfairly with proper impact statement on how the crime has affected women, who are more likely to be jailed for non-violent them. If she cares to read the Green Paper, we will not offences than men, more likely to be remanded when have these silly points made. they are later found innocent, and very likely to have been victims of violence themselves before committing Fiona Mactaggart: I was one of those Home Office any offence. Ministers who introduced the concept of victim impact It seems that we are getting the same kind of cloth-eared statements, so I am well aware of that, but the problem view on how women as victims are treated. We need to is that with early guilty pleas, that has not usually been approach them in the same way that Baroness Corston the case in practice. From my reading of the Green approached women offenders: by really looking at how Paper it is not clear to me what will happen: will to reduce future crime, by ensuring that the children of Ministers automatically ensure that the victim impact offending women are less likely to become offenders statement can fully outline what has happened to the themselves, by listening to victims and those in the victim? system, and by doing a careful study rather than what I I do not believe therefore that what is proposed is believe we are facing, which is a back-of-the-envelope being done to make the victim’s experience better. There calculation—“This’ll get me off the hook with the is no evidence of that, because there is no evidence of Treasury.” careful listening to victims’ organisations, which is what Let us look briefly at Labour’s record, which Government I would have expected had that been the case. I would Members have mentioned extensively. The most striking have expected real engagement with women’s organisations thing in relation to rape is the increase of sentences that deal regularly with the victims of rape and other served between 2005 and 2009, the period for which we sexual violence. According to the British crime survey, have the most recent figures. Sentences served increased one in 250 women were victims of sexual assault in the by 14 months over that period because of determined last year. This is a widespread offence, and we are not work by my right hon. and learned Friend the Member taking it sufficiently seriously when the Secretary of 683 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 684

State for Justice can say, “Well, there’s rape and then have been funded by the Ministry of Justice, and I hope there’s rape.” We need to change the way we deal with that such funding will be continued, notwithstanding this issue. We need to be really serious about these the difficult financial climate. issues. Although there is a case for discounts for early guilty pleas, they should not be universally applied to Philip Davies: The answer to a parliamentary question people who have been responsible for some of the most that I asked revealed that, for every age group and for violent and degrading crimes, and his Green Paper does every offence, women are already far less likely than not stop that— men to be given to a custodial sentence. Does my hon. Friend agree that the best way to stop women going to Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. prison is for them not to commit those crimes in the first place? 6.20 pm Mrs Helen Grant (Maidstone and The Weald) (Con): Mrs Grant: My hon. Friend makes an interesting We have about 4,000 women in British prisons. A small point, but this is why we are looking at robust community fraction of them need to be locked up; the vast majority alternatives to prison. do not. Most of these women are serving very short-term It would be a missed opportunity if these projects sentences, with 64% serving less than six months. Those were not expanded, and an absolutely travesty if they serving short sentences are not subject to any supervision were cut. We need a strong message from the Government on release, and their prison sentences are too short to that prison is not the right place for women who pose provide proper rehabilitation. The result is a vicious no threat to the public. I accept that the public and the circle of family breakdown, chaos, reoffending and judges need to feel more confident about community huge cost to the taxpayer. sentences, and their scepticism must certainly be dealt Women in prison are a highly vulnerable group, and with. Community sentences are not fluffy options. They are they commit crime because of this vulnerability and intensive interventions that absolutely challenge a woman because of earlier failures to protect and support. More to change her life. They will also enable her to see that than half have suffered domestic violence, and a third her future could look very different from her past. have suffered sexual assault. Up to 80% have mental health problems. Many of them self-harm, and many 6.24 pm have attempted suicide. More than half have alcohol Mrs Jenny Chapman (Darlington) (Lab): I congratulate problems, and 27% have drug problems. When a woman the hon. Member for Maidstone and The Weald goes to prison, her children suffer too, with homes (Mrs Grant) on her wonderful, thought-provoking speech. being repossessed and children ending up in care. Some I have not heard the case for women prisoners articulated women are pregnant when they go to prison, and the so well since I came to the House. sight of babies and toddlers spending their earliest There is a gaping hole at the heart of the Government’s moments in a situation that is the complete opposite of Green Paper on sentencing: it is the voice of the victim. a family home is an affront to my senses as a mother, a Rehabilitation is important to victims. They want to family lawyer and a politician. When a man goes to know that their experience has not been in vain. They prison, a woman is usually there for him when he gets are anxious to prevent other people from becoming out. When a woman goes to prison, the man is often victims, and they want to know that their ordeal—traumatic, nowhere to be seen. distressing and damaging though it was—can produce a The Government’s plans to reform the criminal justice change that will help others. For that reason, victims system set out in the Green Paper helpfully recognise want certainty in sentencing. Rehabilitation is often that women offenders have a different profile of risk valued by victims, but punishment and reparation must and need. I was encouraged recently by the response of come first. the Under-Secretary of State for Justice, my hon. Friend Why should victims believe that rehabilitation will the Member for Reigate (Mr Blunt), to my parliamentary work when their own experience of the criminal justice question on the effectiveness of short-term prison sentences system is so lacking? The Government assure us, sometimes for women. He said: with the best of intentions, that rehabilitation will succeed, “Short-term sentences for men have proven pretty ineffective, at the same time as proposing that sentences should be and I think that short-term sentences for women are even more cut and fewer people should be incarcerated. Our criminal ineffective…We support the conclusions of the Corston report…we are committed to reducing the number of women in prison, and a justice system involves a deal between the citizen and network of women-only community provision is being developed the state. We do not personally catch and punish others to support robust community sentences.”—[Official Report,20July who have wronged us; we stand back and trust professionals 2010; Vol. 514, c. 163.] to take care of justice on our behalf. We are entitled, Those community offender projects for women, to which however, to expect transparency in return. That is the the Minister referred, provide a genuine alternative to deal. custody. They are run by charities that work in partnership Rehabilitation acts both ways. We can all understand with the police, the prisons, the probation service and why the rehabilitation of offenders is important, but health and social services, and they provide wrap-around what about the rehabilitation of victims? Victims often support for the woman. They help her to stabilise her feel that they serve a longer sentence than the perpetrator, life. They find her somewhere to live and ensure that she yet they are entitled to less. There is not enough trauma is safe. They start to deal with mental health and care for those who are suddenly bereaved. There is addiction problems, and they allow magistrates to sentence inadequate counselling on offer for children, and counselling a woman to community penalties with confidence. Early is sometimes delayed until after a trial, for fear that it evaluations of the projects look very good, in terms of might contaminate the evidence. That irresponsible and reducing costs and the rate of reoffending. Those projects unnecessary practice must stop. 685 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 686

Bob Stewart: I gave evidence for the prosecution in a based on the likely outcome and the strength of evidence, murder trial in 1986. In the middle of my evidence, the not on the discount offered. All the current proposal plea was changed. The people sitting behind me were does is alienate victims; it is wrong. seriously grateful that they no longer had to go into the The Government need to make the light by which the witness box. Sometimes, victims such as those are grateful needs of victims can be seen. So far, this is missing from for any method that allows them to avoid having to go their proposal. Reoffending rates improved in the last through their experience again in court. I make that decade, but it will be a long time before rehabilitation point only because I think that it is valid. will be good enough for it to be seen as more important in sentencing than reparation or punishment. The Mrs Chapman: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman; Government will be judged on who they prioritise in I accept that what he says is true. My point is that criminal justice—and this must be the victim. increasing the discount to 50% will not in any way improve the experience of victims. 6.31 pm It is true that victims benefit from efficiency in the Ben Gummer (Ipswich) (Con): I think that the Opposition criminal justice system. Unnecessary and costly Front-Bench team do their Back Benchers a great disservice; administration helps no one, but the attempt to make we have heard some interesting and thoughtful savings by cutting sentences by up to 50% in return for a contributions, especially from the right hon. Member guilty plea is not a fair way of going about this. Justice for Knowsley (Mr Howarth). Once again, however, we is at the heart of the system, and it must not become its have seen the Opposition Front-Bench team jumping casualty. on the bandwagon of the week. Three weeks ago it was I welcome the Secretary of State’s ideas in the Green Sure Start and the Opposition showed their commitment Paper on work in prisons. It is important and beneficial to that in the Opposition day debate with only four or to victims that the system should turn out people who five Members present, yet there were dozens on the are able to lead law-abiding lives, and I am pleased that Government Benches. Last week, we had the Opposition he has suggested that wages earned by prisoners should day debate on the health service, at which the car crash be used to compensate victims. He needs to ensure that unfolded because Labour Members were unable to attack that happens. A fund needs to be established in which the proposals effectively. Now, today, we see an attack the money can be collected centrally for redistribution on Government proposals that were published in the to victims, because they generally do not want the autumn of last year, which had been supported in large ongoing regular direct relationship with an offender part by the Leader of the Opposition and his Front-Bench that a monthly direct debit can entail. A centrally team. Yet they have just discovered now that they find co-ordinated victims fund to assist with reparation would some truck with some elements of it. This shameless help in that regard. and shameful opportunism would be extraordinary in No one seems to believe that community sentences any other group of people, were it not for the fact that are real punishment. They are seen as second best, the this Opposition have shown themselves to be experts in soft option or the cheapest option. Sadly, that is all too turning opportunism into a low art. often true. Community sentences should be highly visible, At the end of last year, the Opposition spokesman and that includes making the offenders themselves highly said: visible. The public must be responsible for nominating “I am not going to say Ken Clarke is being soft on crime… work schemes, and the probation service needs to see because he is asking the right questions about rehabilitation tough punishment as part of its brief. Community rates”. sentences should be tough, physical, intensive and of What of the speech of the Leader of the Opposition to direct benefit to the community that has suffered. Breaches the Labour party conference just minutes after he had should be rigorously enforced. been made the new leader? He said that Of greatest concern, however, are the Government’s “when Ken Clarke says we need to look at short sentences in proposals to alter indeterminate sentences for public prison because of high re-offending rates, I’m not going to say protection. No offender convicted of rape, sexual assault he’s soft on crime… This new generation must find a new way of or child abuse should be released without an assessment conducting politics.” of their risk to the public. The Green Paper assumes What a new way of conducting politics—to agree to that non-dangerous IPP inmates are serving longer radical and brave proposals by my right hon. and than they need to. I know that inmates and their families learned Friend the Justice Secretary and come here and are arguing for this. Where, however, is the voice of the attack them the minute the bandwagon is passing. The victim? Could it be that parole boards are making the Opposition are so misguided because for the first time right call in keeping us safe from some of the most in a generation a Government have been brave enough predatory offenders in the system? We should let them to make difficult proposals that will help victims in the continue to do so. long run. Reduced sentences for guilty pleas have been thoroughly Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham) (Lab): I am interested debated in recent days, but the Government need to find to hear the hon. Gentleman’s forthright views on other ways to ease the experience of the criminal justice opportunism. He was not a Member before the last system for victims. An offender who pleads guilty late in election, but his party, including his leader, were very the process should be penalised, not rewarded, for an good at opportunism at that time. Has he tested any of early plea. How an offender pleads has nothing to do these ideas on the electorate of Ipswich? with the seriousness of the crime—crime should be punished, rather than the ability to play the system be Ben Gummer: I thank the hon. Gentleman. Although rewarded. The Government’s proposals will not encourage there are many things on which I agree with my hon. more people to plead guilty early. Such decisions are Friend the Member for Shipley (Philip Davies), who 687 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 688 spoke previously, I differ on this issue. At the last We have heard from Members representing constituencies election, I was very plain with people when they spoke in the north-east and the north-west, where more than about prison reform. The hon. Gentleman might know two thirds of court cases crack before their end either that I have had a long-running interest in the subject. I through the incompetence of the Crown Prosecution told people in Ipswich what I am about to explain to Service or because of the guilty plea being made either him now—that our current penal system does victims a mid way through or at the end of the trial. None of that disservice. does anything to help victims, which is important, and It is not a difficult equation to understand, although on top of that it commits millions of pounds that could I know the Opposition do not understand problems in be spent on picking up criminals, putting them in court, this way. It was the same with the hospital debate. convicting them and keeping them in prison if they are Instead of looking at how to improve cancer survival danger to the public. rates, they look at the structures of GP fundholding. In Let me finish with another point about criminals. this instance, they look not at how to improve the The victims commissioner, Louise Casey, said of these experience of victims or how to bring down crime, but cracked trials that they increase “anxiety among victims” at how many people we are sentencing and for how and caused great fear among witnesses at the “prospect long. They are looking at processes and inputs rather of giving evidence”. Why cannot Opposition Members than results. If we turn that on its head and look at the congratulate the Justice Secretary on bringing proposals victim rather than the criminal, as we have been asked to the House that will reduce anxiety among victims to do, we might find a different way out. and help to improve the prospects of bringing people to We want to do something for victims, of whom there justice rather than just jump once again on to a passing are too many. We wish to cut crime. We know that the media bandwagon? I am afraid that they also show once majority of crime is committed by people who have again that in the absence of their own policy, the already offended once or many times previously. What Opposition have nothing to offer this country—not do we do about it? Do we try to increase reoffending even an apology for their grievous mistakes over the rates or do we try to reduce them? It is the experience of past 13 years. Members of all parties that the prison, probation and the community service system are failing on every single 6.39 pm account to encourage rehabilitation and to cut the Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): We would all like to see number of victims. prison population decline, but for the right reasons. We would like to see a continuation of the reduction in Andrew Percy: I thank my hon. Friend for his brave crime that took place when we were in government. I speech. No victim of crime in Brigg and Goole has ever will not dwell on the devastating effects that the drastic written to me to say that they wished the people who cuts in the police budgets are likely to have on crime had committed crimes against them had served shorter detection rates, as my hon. Friends will raise that issue sentences. On this issue, he seems to be separating out in this evening’s second debate. the idea of prison from rehabilitation, but is it not We all want to see a reduction in crime and Labour possible to have both prison and rehabilitation by Members believe that crucial factors in reducing crime conducting rehabilitation in prison? include ensuring good education opportunities for all our young people; ensuring job opportunities for all; Ben Gummer: I completely agree with my hon. Friend, ensuring that everyone, including those on the lowest as he will find out if he listens a little further. I am great wages, have enough to live on; providing proper mental proponent of tougher prison sentences, of making them health services in a fully funded public national health longer for certain crimes and of taking away the televisions service; and tackling issues such as drug and alcohol and the PlayStations in favour of making prisoners do addiction. hard work during the day, learn a skill and work towards As was pointed out by members of the audience being creative members of society on coming out of during last week’s “Question Time”—prison officers prison. and prisoners alike—when people do end up in jail, it is The problem with the case of Labour Members, important that proper help and support is provided to some of whom have made an alliance with some of the rehabilitate prisoners so that they can be reintegrated in more extreme Conservative Members [HON.MEMBERS: society. However, that requires funding and space, which “Name them.”] No, they know who they are! It is an was one of the reasons for our plan to provide more interesting alliance. [Interruption.] Just wait and they prison places. Many electors thought that that was also will be proposing flogging next. What Labour the policy of the Conservative party, and they must feel Members do not understand is that for short custodial badly let down, because they now understand that the sentences, we are seeing increasing rates of reoffending, Conservatives’ policy is simply to reduce sentences for which means only more victims. That is not to say violent crime. Some new prisons, such as the prison that that we should be putting people on pansy community we planned to build in north Wales, would also have sentencing; we should not, because many of those enabled prisoners to remain closer to their communities, sentences do not work. Why can we not follow the with important consequences in terms of family contact example of the Germans, who have a prison population and increased chances of successful release. of 72,000 people in an overall population of 80 million; Constituents of mine are horrified by the Government’s or of France, whose prison population is 60,000 in an proposals. They are horrified by the idea that sentences overall population equivalent to our own? In both could be reduced by 50% in the case of all offences in jurisdictions, crime is lower because their community the event of early guilty pleas. They are horrified by the rehabilitation systems are stronger, especially for short-term fact that those offences would include violent crimes custodial sentences. such as rape, and by the fact that a convicted rapist 689 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 690

[Nia Griffith] As Members may recall, Labour claimed to be tough on crime. They used to say that they were turning the could serve only 15 months in jail. As the Secretary of key on the prison gates and bars in order to secure State will know, in 2003 Labour introduced the Sentencing someone, but at the same time they could not push Guidelines Council, the forerunner of the Sentencing people out too quickly. That is why we saw the release Council, which came into being in 2010 and is charged schemes enjoyed by so many people during their time in with promoting a clear, fair and consistent approach to office, and why I asked the shadow Secretary of State sentencing. It opposes the 50% reduction, believing that about overcrowding. That is the last Government’s legacy, an offender’s decision to plead guilty should not be and that is the reality of Britain’s prisons today. allowed to reduce a sentence by more than 35%. It has What has the policy of the last Government meant in also said—this is for the information of the hon. Member the real world in which some of us worked before we for Ipswich (Ben Gummer)—that the reduction will not came to this place? I had clients aged 18 and 19 who increase the tendency of defendants to plead guilty. were on remand, which meant that they were innocent, I am particularly concerned by the Government’s in adult prisons because there were no places for them attitude to rapists and their victims. Last year they in young offenders’ institutions. I had clients who, when proposed anonymity for rape defendants, sending the I asked them whether they been to see their drug message that such defendants needed more protection worker, said that they had been unable to arrange an than others because their accuser was more likely to be appointment because of the overcrowding. I had clients—as lying. That was a disgraceful suggestion and proposal. I now have constituents—who were willing to go on It is hard enough for a woman to report a rape and courses in order to be rehabilitated and educated, and undergo the dreadful ordeal of having to relive the who could not obtain places on those courses. That is experience in order to see justice done, without her the legacy of the Labour party. It is an absolute disgrace, being made to feel even more undermined because the and it is even more disgraceful that they are in denial defendant’s right to anonymity implies that she is lying. about it. I am glad to report that following fierce opposition from Labour Members—led by my right hon. Friend Karl Turner: Does the hon. Lady agree with the the Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint)—the proposal policy of reducing sentences by 50%? If so, given all her was dropped. professional experience during her 16 years of practice as a barrister, how does she think it can be justified, and It was even more depressing to hear the Secretary of does she think it will work? State’s rather flippant comments about rape last week. Particularly depressing was his comment about date Anna Soubry: I am happy to answer the hon. Gentleman’s rape. Date rape can involve deception, betrayal of trust, questions. The reply to the first is yes. Being a lawyer and drugging someone with no regard for the harmful himself, he will know two things. First, there is a good effects that that can have: acts undertaken deliberately argument that in lengthy, tedious, multi-handed fraud to violate the victim’s body. There is nothing glamorous cases, allowing a judge to give a 50% discount will do about that. A rape in those circumstances is still a rape, what everyone wants and crack heads together, and that a disgusting, despicable act. The rapist deliberately places it will work. Secondly, it is dishonest of Labour Members his victim in circumstances that could be life-endangering, to criticise this Government for proposing a 50% increase not only carrying out the rape but possibly even thinking, when the present law allows it¸ as the hon. Gentleman at the back of his mind, that the effects—or perceived well knows—or, at least, should know, as he is meant to effects—of memory loss may make the victim less likely be a lawyer. At present a judge has discretion, if he or to seek help very shortly after the crime, and that the she so chooses, to allow a discount of more than 50%, victim may have considerable difficulty in describing depending on the circumstances of the case. events or being believed. It certainly does not help for My complaint, which I have expressed in public before, the Secretary of State to imply that that is somehow a is about those who are excessively prescriptive and tie less serious kind of rape. our judges’ hands. One of the big failings of the Labour All rapes, and all violent crimes, must be taken very party was that in all aspects of policy, it consistently seriously, and their perpetrators must be punished properly. failed to trust professionals: our teachers, our nurses My constituents and I certainly do not want to see a and our doctors. It also failed to trust our judges. If we 50% reduction in sentences in exchange for early guilty freed their hands and enabled them to decide the appropriate pleas by those who have committed violent crimes, and sentence given all the circumstances of a case, there I sincerely hope that the Government will drop their would be greater honesty in our sentencing policy, and plans as soon as possible. there would undoubtedly be better sentencing. There are many issues that I would have liked to 6.44 pm discuss, but I shall mention only two more. The first relates to events that took place last week. I say this as a Anna Soubry (Broxtowe) (Con): I have been a Member woman: I find it offensive when the issue of rape is of Parliament for a year, but I do not think that I have turned into a women’s issue, taken up by people and ever smelt such rank political hypocrisy as that which is used as a political football. As I have said in this place emanating from the Opposition Benches. I practised as before, some victims of rape are male, and a considerable a criminal barrister for 16 years, just a little longer than number of victims of rape are children. It is not a the tenure of the last Government. During those 16 years, women’s issue, and some of the hysteria that we heard and particularly during my 13 years at the criminal Bar, last week did no one any favours. I saw almost daily the harsh reality of their sentencing policy, a policy which led to the present chaotic state of Fiona Mactaggart: I suspect that the hon. Lady may our prisons and which neither added up nor delivered be partly referring to me. Yes, there are male victims of all that they claimed it would do. rape—although there are fewer than one in 10—and of 691 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 692 course there are child victims of rape. However, the 6.53 pm issue affects women much more than men. That is the Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East) (Lab): It is a point I was making. pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Broxtowe (Anna Soubry). I have not got as much professional experience Anna Soubry: I was not referring to the hon. Lady, as her; she practised as a criminal barrister for 16 years, whom I congratulate on the work that she did in enabling whereas before the general election I was a pupil barrister not just women but children to come forward and give in my local chambers in Hull. I practised as a criminal evidence, and indeed improving sentencing. On the solicitor for some time prior to that, however, and I issue of men, she gave the statistic of 1%. I am always a have not met or spoken to anyone from the profession bit cynical about statistics. [HON.MEMBERS: “It was in recent days who has said the policy in question is a 10%.”] Forgive me: it was 10%. I strongly suspect that, good one. Indeed, I have spoken to Members who sit on because of the stigma attached to rape, many more men the hon. Lady’s side of the House, including practising are raped than come forward, but let us hope we can barristers, who have said that this policy is simply debate that on another occasion. wrong. My next point highlights why many Members, certainly I have a great deal of respect for the Lord Chancellor; on the Government Benches, feel somewhat cynical I think he is a very honourable man, and I am sure that when the issue of rape is raised. Can the shadow Justice the explanation for his remarks last week is that he did Secretary explain why in this place last week the Leader not choose his words very well. Indeed, to be honest, of the Opposition was for the first time flanked by two when I heard, and listened back to, his comments, I women—the deputy leader of the Labour party and the understood the point he was trying to make. The reality, shadow Home Secretary, but not the shadow Justice however, is that some sentences that are currently on the Secretary—when he questioned the Prime Minister about statute book are too low. In an earlier intervention, I the various comments made by the Lord Chancellor? made a point about convictions and sentences for the Was that a deliberate ploy? Did the Leader of the offence of causing death by careless driving while over Opposition surround himself with women to make some the limit—[Interruption.] I have done the maths; the point? I ask that question because rape is not a women’s hon. Member for Broxtowe might be able to correct me issue; it concerns everybody, and many of us are particularly if she thinks she is more experienced than me. The concerned about the effect it has on children. figure for that offence is nine months. How can that I am greatly in favour of the Government’s sentencing possibly be fair to victims? Also, the maximum sentence proposals. Their document on the matter is radical and for the offence of dangerous driving per se is two years brave, and I agree with the many comments made by imprisonment, but that offence often causes paralysis; it Government Members about short sentencing. leaves people in wheelchairs, their lives ruined, yet the starting point is 12 months. Richard Drax (South Dorset) (Con): Does my hon. There is no evidence that the proposed policy will Friend think that the victims she has met during her encourage people to plead guilty even earlier. career will be reassured to hear that we are proposing to cut sentences by, perhaps, a half? How will that go Anna Soubry: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? down with the victims my hon. Friend has met? Karl Turner: No, I am sorry, but there is not sufficient Anna Soubry: I hope my hon. Friend will forgive me time. for saying that one of the difficulties that arise in our There is no evidence to support this proposal. I discussions on sentencing is when we speak about issues suspect that the Prime Minister will kick this bonkers with a lack of information and understanding. First, let idea into the long grass pretty soon. Drop it now. me say that victims are not all the same. They come in different shapes and sizes, and with different experiences. 6.55 pm Sometimes—although very rarely—victims want to give evidence in order to exorcise what has happened to Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): Last week, them. I am not for one moment talking here about rape the Justice Secretary showed us how out of touch he is victims, but this point applies to certain other categories with the women of this country, and this afternoon we of victim, such as some victims of burglary. Other have had a demonstration of how out of touch he is victims, however, are terrified about giving evidence and with communities on the issue of crime. In recent days, would do anything rather than go into the witness box. the Justice Secretary has said that he does not want to We must therefore stop taking a broad-brush approach change sentences for serious crime, and he said that to sentencing, victims and criminals. That is one reason again this afternoon. He is playing word games with the why I so strongly support our proposals: they recognise public, however, because he knows perfectly well that that defendants and criminals must not be treated in under his proposals people could spend just one quarter this broad-brush way. of the sentence given to them by the judge in prison. I especially commend community sentences for people The safety of our communities is too serious for us to who have not committed the most serious offences. play these word games. Tough community sentences can and do work. When No wonder the public lose trust in the system. faced with the prospect of another six months in custody “many people feel that sentencing in Britain is dishonest and or a tough two-year community sentence, many of my misleading.” clients wanted the community sentence— The Tories said that in their manifesto, and they promised to improve transparency; another broken promise. As Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. my hon. Friend the Member for Llanelli (Nia Griffith) Time is up. I call Karl Turner. said, they promised to redevelop the prison estate and 693 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 694

[Helen Goodman] that is finally served. Many criminals who would have pleaded guilty early anyway will benefit. Can the Minister increase capacity. Instead, they are cutting the prison tell us how many thousands of prisoners fall into building programme. The one manifesto promise the that category? The Ministry of Justice estimates in its Justice Secretary has fulfilled is to impact assessment that the average discount will rise “stop talking tough and meting out ever longer prison sentences” from 25% to 34%, and that is totally unjustified. That promise was in the Liberal Democrats’ manifesto, As was pointed out by the right hon. Member for of course. Berwick-upon-Tweed (Sir Alan Beith), the Chairman of My hon. Friends the Members for Llanelli and for the Select Committee on Justice, Ministers have produced Slough (Fiona Mactaggart)—who was an excellent Home no evidence to suggest that the proposal will affect the Office Minister in the previous Government—have spoken number of people pleading guilty early. Indeed, the of their concerns about the way the issue of rape was Sentencing Guidelines Council will say that the strength treated last week. That revealed that the ministerial of prosecuting evidence is the crucial factor, and the team does not know the facts and does not know the Council of Her Majesty’s Circuit Judges feels that many law. offenders are “irrational or dysfunctional and will not face up to the realities Unfortunately, most of the 1,000 rapes that are until the last possible moment.” committed every week in this country are committed by partners and ex-partners. Also, the law has changed As the hon. Member for Shipley (Philip Davies) since the Secretary of State was practising at the bar in pointed out, short sentences are known to be ineffective— the last century, and he should know what it now is. that is obviously why the Ministry of Justice wants to Consensual sex between an 18-year-old and a 15-year-old increase the number of people on them. Another problem is unlawful, but it is not rape. with the proposal is that the reduction is formulaic, so those who have committed the worst offences get the The Labour Government ended cross-examination biggest cuts in prison terms—that is simply not fair. by assailants, and they ended questioning on people’s This proposal will apply to terrorists and last week sexual pasts. The way to win the confidence of women Lord Carlile said: in this country is not to cut the sentence for people convicted of rape; rather, it is to keep the specialist “The release of every prisoner convicted of a terrorist offence has a national security implication and the sooner they are police, maintain local authority support for sexual assault released the greater the national security implication.” referral centres, and listen to the groups and lawyers working with victims. The Ministry of Justice needs a The overwhelming problem is that the punishment woman in the team, and the Prime Minister should find will not fit the crime. My hon. Friends the Members for one PDQ. Birmingham, Selly Oak (Steve McCabe) and for Darlington (Mrs Chapman) pointed out that victims will feel let Many Members have spoken about the legacy that down and the public’s confidence will be shattered. was left for the current Government. Government Members should remember that Labour cut crime by 43%, and cut reoffending by 15%. As my right hon. Friend the Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con): The hon. Lady speaks Member for Knowsley (Mr Howarth) pointed out, the with her usual passion on this subject, but did she speak Labour Government understood the role that prison with this passion when the previous Government introduced plays, which is why we increased the number of places a 33% discount for an early guilty plea? by 26,000. Everyone wants to cut reoffending and tackle the Helen Goodman: The hon. Lady should have listened underlying problems, and the hon. Member for Maidstone to the debate; we have gone through that argument and The Weald (Mrs Grant) made an excellent speech already. on the issues faced by women offenders. The points she I want to move on to the important issue of the made highlight why we followed the recommendations Secretary of State’s “rehabilitation revolution”. That is in the Corston report and the Bradley report on prisoners what he has promised, but the cuts programme he has with mental health problems, and why we invested agreed—23% over four years, with a loss of 10,000 prison £170 million in literacy and numeracy skills, and set up and probation staff—will make it impossible. He says new workshops in prison. that he wants to increase the number of hours that Early guilty pleas can speed up trials and reduce the prisoners work from 22 to 40, but his own impact pressure on victims, but the real reason why the Government assessment says that that will need more up-front capital are going ahead is to save money, as the Secretary of and ongoing staff costs to supervise prisoners for longer. State made clear. The Government’s own estimate is He has already cut £170 million from prisons, which that a discount of up to 50% would reduce the number means that prisoners will be locked up in their cells for of prison places by 3,500 and save £130 million. The longer. We are already seeing cuts to education and proposal in the Green Paper appears not in the section restorative justice work with offenders. on victims, but under the heading He says that he wants more community sentences, “Efficient, effective use of the courts.” but effective community supervision is impossible with the huge cuts to the probation trusts. As the Chairman That is the real motivation. Of course cutting the deficit of the Select Committee pointed out, we need to reinvest matters, but it is not the only thing that matters, and it is in community supervision, but this year Nottingham’s not possible to put a price on justice. probation trust faces a cut of 7%, and the trusts of What is so radically wrong with the Government’s Norfolk and Suffolk, Devon and Cornwall, and West proposal to introduce a 50% discount for early guilty Yorkshire face cuts of 7.2%, 7.8% and a staggering pleas is that it undermines the justice of the sentence 9.8% respectively. 695 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 696

The strategy is just not credible, nor are the Ministers. a more effective criminal justice policy of some durability The year began with the prisons Minister standing in but bottled it. Happily, a number of speakers did actually front of a burning prison as the third riot of his tenure make a constructive contribution this evening. took place. Last week, he said that “a moment’s reflection” would make it clear that giving half off a sentence Karl Turner rose— would help to protect the public. He has now had a week’s reflection and we see from the Order Paper that Mr Blunt: As I have explained, if the hon. Gentleman the Government are stubbornly sticking to their policy. wants me to reply to his remarks, I am not going to be So I urge all hon. Members to reject the amendment able to give way. and vote for the Opposition motion. The hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Helen Goodman) said that we did not know the facts, but I 7.4 pm wish to use this occasion to correct one or two mistakes The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice of the shadow Justice Secretary. First, sentences of (Mr Crispin Blunt): I am grateful for the chance to have imprisonment for public protection—IPPs—are not a few minutes to reply to the debate and to present a set automatic for rape sentences. He was also not wholly of arguments to explain why the Opposition motion is a accurate on the release conditions for all those good example of how not to debate or approach public 80,000 people released 18 days early; the process was policy in this area. It was my answer to a question here automatic to a set of criteria and no individual risk last Tuesday from the right hon. Member for Blackburn assessment was carried out. The hon. Lady also referred (Mr Straw) that led to the debate last week and, as that to the cuts to the probation trusts, but they are Labour has developed and as we have heard this afternoon, cuts; they are the plans that the probation trusts were there is a growing appreciation and understanding that putting in place and they were in place under the the simplicity of the Opposition motion cannot do previous Administration with the establishment of the justice to the complexity of the issues and factors we probation trusts in the first place. must reconcile. The motion is outside of any proper The right hon. Member for Knowsley (Mr Howarth) context and is premature, prejudging proper consideration complimented the style of the Secretary of State and I of our policies as a whole. It is also rather instructive am grateful for that. He also drew attention to public that it has come forward after a prompt from media attitudes in this area. My right hon. Friend the coverage and the right hon. Gentleman. I would have Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Sir Alan Beith), who thought that our policy inheritance from the previous chairs the Justice Committee, made it clear that the Government would have given today’s Opposition Front- aims of our policy were sensible, and I am grateful for Bench team pause for thought before they tabled the that support. He raised perfectly proper questions about motion. the detail of our proposals, and they will have to be A real reason for regret is that the Opposition motion properly addressed when our proposals are brought indicates that a window might be closing on a unique forward. opportunity for Parliament to show collective leadership The hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Steve in a difficult, complex area that is wide open to McCabe) made a good contribution, accepting our misrepresentation. We might be missing an opportunity sincerity, and I wish to compliment him on his. He to engage in a responsible debate and support a process agreed with the Lord Chancellor on wanting to see how in which policy is agreed on the basis of the evidence for this policy will be deployed in detail, but his contribution its enduring benefit, not designed to deliver maximum would have been more credible if he had been waiting short-term appeal, with evidence arranged to suit. Such for the policy to be considered in detail and not just support requires an exercise of principle and restraint supported the motion. from all of us. My hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Philip Mr George Howarth rose— Davies) is, of course, wholly consistent in his position and I compliment him on that. I continue to be grateful Mr Blunt: I must apologise to the right hon. Gentleman to him for his attention to detail in this area and for but in order to reply to those who have contributed to putting us to a proper test of the evidence. He very this debate, himself included, I will not be able to take properly raised issues about the effects of incarceration interventions if I am to do justice to the speeches that that must be addressed and we must consider the evidence have been made. from around the world. I have engaged with him on this Last year, when the right hon. Member for Doncaster issue and will continue to do so. North (Edward Miliband) distinguished his leadership The hon. Member for Slough (Fiona Mactaggart) campaign, so successfully managed by the shadow Justice was just a little ungracious about our women offender Secretary, by taking a sensible position on criminal policy. She was at the debate the other week, which was justice, moving away from the populist approach of answered for me by the Under-Secretary of State for the previous 13 years, it was greeted with enormous Justice, my hon. Friend the Member for Huntingdon relief by many Labour supporters with a deep and (Mr Djanogly) while I was visiting Wakefield prison, continuing interest in criminal justice. As my hon. Friend and she was at the reception for the Corston independent the Member for Ipswich (Ben Gummer) reminded us, funders’ coalition at which I made it clear that we were the right hon. Gentleman reiterated the position at his continuing the policy that she and other Ministers had party conference speech immediately after his election begun. Indeed, we have been complimented and as leader. So I hope sincerely that we can sustain a level congratulated by lobby groups in that area and I am of examination of these issues in this House that we can grateful for the support of my hon. Friend the Member be proud of in the years to come and not just regret a for Maidstone and The Weald (Mrs Grant) in that unique period when we had a great chance of delivering regard, too. 697 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 698

[Mr Blunt] policy in this area. The motion does not do that and if the Opposition insist on pressing it to a Division, I must I am afraid that the hon. Member for Llanelli (Nia ask the House to resist it. Griffith) totally misrepresented the views of my right Question put (Standing Order No. 31(2)), That the hon. and learned Friend the Justice Secretary. My hon. original words stand part of the Question. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Anna Soubry) made a powerful contribution with strong words about the The House divided: Ayes 221, Noes 303. consequences of the sentencing policy we inherited. I Division No. 284] [7.14 pm appreciate her authoritative and strong support for the Green Paper proposals. AYES When we return after the Whitsun recess, the Government Abbott, Ms Diane De Piero, Gloria will present our response to the consultation on our Abrahams, Debbie Denham, rh Mr John proposals in “Breaking the Cycle” and at the same time Alexander, Heidi Dobbin, Jim we will publish our proposed legislation on legal aid Allen, Mr Graham Docherty, Thomas and sentencing. We need to remember what we are Anderson, Mr David Donohoe, Mr Brian H. Austin, Ian Dowd, Jim trying to achieve by reinforcing our proposals for effective Bailey, Mr Adrian Doyle, Gemma punishment and rehabilitation through our proposed Bain, Mr William Dromey, Jack legislative changes. The comprehensive package delivers Balls, rh Ed Dugher, Michael appropriate punishment, which can carry confidence, of Banks, Gordon Durkan, Mark offenders in prison and the community. It sits with the Barron, rh Mr Kevin Eagle, Ms Angela delivery of public protection today through imprisonment Bayley, Hugh Eagle, Maria and in the community through curfews, tagging, oversight Beckett, rh Margaret Efford, Clive and reporting requirements and with the delivery of Begg, Dame Anne Elliott, Julie public protection tomorrow through breaking the cycle Bell, Sir Stuart Ellman, Mrs Louise of crime for today’s offenders with effective rehabilitation Benn, rh Hilary Engel, Natascha and early intervention to help prevent people from Benton, Mr Joe Esterson, Bill becoming offenders in the first place, getting proper Berger, Luciana Evans, Chris restoration for victims from offenders and supporting Betts, Mr Clive Farrelly, Paul Blackman-Woods, Roberta Fitzpatrick, Jim victims and witnesses through the justice process. An Blenkinsop, Tom Flello, Robert important element of that involves obtaining more and Blomfield, Paul Flynn, Paul earlier guilty pleas. Blunkett, rh Mr David Francis, Dr Hywel The merits of an early guilty plea are substantial and Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben Gapes, Mike bring a number of discrete benefits. The first is early Brennan, Kevin Gardiner, Barry relief for the victim as the ordeal of the crime and of Brown, rh Mr Gordon Gilmore, Sheila Brown, Lyn Glindon, Mrs Mary reporting it will not be compounded by months of Brown, rh Mr Nicholas Godsiff, Mr Roger waiting to give evidence with all the attendant anxiety. Brown, Mr Russell Goggins, rh Paul Secondly, taking some of the pressure off victims and Bryant, Chris Goodman, Helen witnesses will enable us to bring more offenders to Buck, Ms Karen Greatrex, Tom justice. Thirdly, the police can make savings in investigatory Burnham, rh Andy Green, Kate time and effort and the Crown Prosecution Service can Campbell, Mr Alan Greenwood, Lilian save considerable process time. Fourthly, the offender Campbell, Mr Gregory Griffith, Nia will possibly make considered reparation to the victim, Campbell, Mr Ronnie Gwynne, Andrew perhaps through a restorative justice process that can Caton, Martin Hain, rh Mr Peter deliver a measure of real accountability to the victim as Chapman, Mrs Jenny Hamilton, Fabian well as to society. Fifthly, there will be earlier identification Clark, Katy Hanson, rh Mr David and engagement with appropriate rehabilitation to address Clarke, rh Mr Tom Harris, Mr Tom the underlying causes of offending behaviour. Sixthly, Clwyd, rh Ann Healey, rh John of course, the administration of justice is an expensive Coaker, Vernon Hepburn, Mr Stephen Coffey, Ann Heyes, David obligation for the taxpayer and the state and if offenders Connarty, Michael Hillier, Meg co-operate with that process from the earliest opportunity, Cooper, Rosie Hilling, Julie the taxpayer is saved expense, which must be welcome in Cooper, rh Yvette Hodge, rh Margaret this financial climate. Corbyn, Jeremy Hodgson, Mrs Sharon What we do here is for the future, and I have not seen Crausby, Mr David Hoey, Kate it better expressed than it was last week by a student, Creagh, Mary Hollobone, Mr Philip Creasy, Stella Hood, Mr Jim Felix Danczak, writing in Cambridge university’s Varsity Cruddas, Jon Hopkins, Kelvin newspaper: Cryer, John Howarth, rh Mr George “Debate drives society—it is only through engaging with issues Cunningham, Alex Hunt, Tristram that we progress, gain new understanding and recognise nuance. Cunningham, Mr Jim Irranca-Davies, Huw Vilifying Mr Clarke, without a prior critical engagement with the Cunningham, Tony Jackson, Glenda issues at stake, is to leave us at the mercy of a polity driven only by Curran, Margaret James, Mrs Siân C. the fear of scandal, unwilling to make substantive changes lest Dakin, Nic Jamieson, Cathy their rolling heads be paraded above the fold. If we want change, Darling, rh Mr Alistair Jarvis, Dan if we want positive development in society, we too need to David, Mr Wayne Johnson, rh Alan recognise the importance of complexity.” Davidson, Mr Ian Johnson, Diana We have a duty to that generation that we will abrogate Davies, Geraint Jones, Graham if we do not rise to the challenge of the complexity of Davies, Philip Jones, Helen 699 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 700

Jones, Mr Kevan Qureshi, Yasmin Brokenshire, James Gyimah, Mr Sam Jones, Susan Elan Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Brooke, Annette Halfon, Robert Jowell, rh Tessa Reed, Mr Jamie Browne, Mr Jeremy Hammond, rh Mr Philip Joyce, Eric Reeves, Rachel Bruce, Fiona Hammond, Stephen Khan, rh Sadiq Reynolds, Emma Bruce, rh Malcolm Hancock, Matthew Lammy, rh Mr David Reynolds, Jonathan Buckland, Mr Robert Harper, Mr Mark Lavery, Ian Robertson, John Burley, Mr Aidan Harrington, Richard Lazarowicz, Mark Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Burrowes, Mr David Harris, Rebecca Leslie, Chris Rotheram, Steve Burstow, Paul Hart, Simon Lewis, Dr Julian Roy, Mr Frank Burt, Alistair Harvey, Nick Lloyd, Tony Roy, Lindsay Burt, Lorely Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Lucas, Ian Ruddock, rh Joan Byles, Dan Hayes, Mr John Mactaggart, Fiona Sarwar, Anas Cairns, Alun Heald, Oliver Mahmood, Mr Khalid Seabeck, Alison Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Heath, Mr David Mahmood, Shabana Sharma, Mr Virendra Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Heaton-Harris, Chris Main, Mrs Anne Sheerman, Mr Barry Carmichael, Neil Hemming, John Marsden, Mr Gordon Sheridan, Jim Chishti, Rehman Henderson, Gordon McCabe, Steve Shuker, Gavin Clappison, Mr James Hendry, Charles McCann, Mr Michael Simpson, David Clark, rh Greg Herbert, rh Nick McCarthy, Kerry Skinner, Mr Dennis Clarke, rh Mr Kenneth Hinds, Damian McClymont, Gregg Slaughter, Mr Andy Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Hollingbery, George McDonagh, Siobhain Smith, rh Mr Andrew Coffey, Dr Thérèse Holloway, Mr Adam McGovern, Alison Smith, Angela Collins, Damian Hopkins, Kris McGuire, rh Mrs Anne Smith, Nick Colvile, Oliver Horwood, Martin McKechin, Ann Spellar, rh Mr John Cox, Mr Geoffrey Howell, John McKinnell, Catherine Stringer, Graham Crabb, Stephen Hughes, rh Simon Meacher, rh Mr Michael Stuart, Ms Gisela Crockart, Mike Huhne, rh Chris Meale, Mr Alan Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Crouch, Tracey Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy Mearns, Ian Tami, Mark Davies, Glyn Huppert, Dr Julian Michael, rh Alun Thornberry, Emily de Bois, Nick Hurd, Mr Nick Miliband, rh Edward Timms, rh Stephen Dinenage, Caroline Jackson, Mr Stewart Miller, Andrew Trickett, Jon Djanogly, Mr Jonathan James, Margot Mitchell, Austin Turner, Karl Dorries, Nadine Javid, Sajid Morden, Jessica Twigg, Derek Doyle-Price, Jackie Jenkin, Mr Bernard Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) Twigg, Stephen Duddridge, James Johnson, Gareth Morris, Grahame M. Umunna, Mr Chuka Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Johnson, Joseph (Easington) Vaz, Valerie Ellis, Michael Jones, Andrew Mudie, Mr George Walley, Joan Ellison, Jane Jones, Mr David Munn, Meg Watson, Mr Tom Ellwood, Mr Tobias Jones, Mr Marcus Murphy, rh Mr Jim Watts, Mr Dave Elphicke, Charlie Kawczynski, Daniel Murphy, rh Paul Whitehead, Dr Alan Eustice, George Kelly, Chris Murray, Ian Williamson, Chris Evans, Jonathan Kirby, Simon Nandy, Lisa Winnick, Mr David Evennett, Mr David Kwarteng, Kwasi Nash, Pamela Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Fabricant, Michael Laing, Mrs Eleanor Nuttall, Mr David Woodcock, John Fallon, Michael Lancaster, Mark Farron, Tim Latham, Pauline O’Donnell, Fiona Woodward, rh Mr Shaun Onwurah, Chi Featherstone, Lynne Leadsom, Andrea Wright, David Pearce, Teresa Field, Mr Mark Lee, Jessica Wright, Mr Iain Percy, Andrew Francois, rh Mr Mark Lee, Dr Phillip Perkins, Toby Tellers for the Ayes: Freeman, George Leech, Mr John Phillipson, Bridget Mark Hendrick and Freer, Mike Lefroy, Jeremy Pound, Stephen Phil Wilson Fuller, Richard Leigh, Mr Edward Gale, Mr Roger Letwin, rh Mr Oliver NOES Garnier, Mr Edward Lewis, Brandon Garnier, Mark Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Adams, Nigel Benyon, Richard George, Andrew Lilley, rh Mr Peter Afriyie, Adam Beresford, Sir Paul Gibb, Mr Nick Lloyd, Stephen Aldous, Peter Bingham, Andrew Gilbert, Stephen Lopresti, Jack Amess, Mr David Binley, Mr Brian Gillan, rh Mrs Cheryl Lord, Jonathan Andrew, Stuart Birtwistle, Gordon Glen, John Loughton, Tim Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Blackman, Bob Goldsmith, Zac Lucas, Caroline Bacon, Mr Richard Blackwood, Nicola Goodwill, Mr Robert Luff, Peter Baker, Norman Blunt, Mr Crispin Gove, rh Michael Macleod, Mary Baker, Steve Boles, Nick Graham, Richard Maude, rh Mr Francis Baldry, Tony Bottomley, Sir Peter Grant, Mrs Helen May, rh Mrs Theresa Baldwin, Harriett Bradley, Karen Gray, Mr James Maynard, Paul Barclay, Stephen Brady, Mr Graham Grayling, rh Chris McCartney, Jason Barker, Gregory Brake, Tom Green, Damian McCartney, Karl Baron, Mr John Bray, Angie Greening, Justine McIntosh, Miss Anne Barwell, Gavin Brazier, Mr Julian Grieve, rh Mr Dominic McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Bebb, Guto Bridgen, Andrew Griffiths, Andrew McPartland, Stephen Beith, rh Sir Alan Brine, Mr Steve Gummer, Ben McVey, Esther 701 Sentencing23 MAY 2011 Sentencing 702

Menzies, Mark Robertson, Mr Laurence Truss, Elizabeth Whittingdale, Mr John Mercer, Patrick Rogerson, Dan Turner, Mr Andrew Wiggin, Bill Metcalfe, Stephen Rudd, Amber Tyrie, Mr Andrew Willetts, rh Mr David Miller, Maria Ruffley, Mr David Uppal, Paul Williams, Hywel Milton, Anne Russell, Bob Vaizey, Mr Edward Williams, Mr Mark Mordaunt, Penny Rutley, David Vara, Mr Shailesh Williams, Roger Morgan, Nicky Sanders, Mr Adrian Vickers, Martin Williams, Stephen Morris, David Sandys, Laura Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa Williamson, Gavin Mowat, David Scott, Mr Lee Walker, Mr Charles Willott, Jenny Mulholland, Greg Selous, Andrew Walker, Mr Robin Wilson, Mr Rob Mundell, rh David Shapps, rh Grant Wallace, Mr Ben Wollaston, Dr Sarah Munt, Tessa Sharma, Alok Walter, Mr Robert Wright, Jeremy Murray, Sheryll Shelbrooke, Alec Ward, Mr David Wright, Simon Murrison, Dr Andrew Shepherd, Mr Richard Watkinson, Angela Yeo, Mr Tim Neill, Robert Simmonds, Mark Webb, Steve Young, rh Sir George Newmark, Mr Brooks Simpson, Mr Keith Wharton, James Zahawi, Nadhim Newton, Sarah Skidmore, Chris Wheeler, Heather Tellers for the Noes: Nokes, Caroline Smith, Miss Chloe White, Chris Mr Philip Dunne and Norman, Jesse Smith, Henry Whittaker, Craig Norman Lamb O’Brien, Mr Stephen Smith, Julian Offord, Mr Matthew Smith, Sir Robert Ollerenshaw, Eric Soames, Nicholas Question accordingly negatived. Ottaway, Richard Soubry, Anna Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 31(2)), Paice, rh Mr James Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline That the proposed words be there added. Parish, Neil Spencer, Mr Mark Paterson, rh Mr Owen Stanley, rh Sir John Question agreed to. Pawsey, Mark Stephenson, Andrew The Deputy Speaker declared the main Question, as Penning, Mike Stevenson, John amended, to be agreed to (Standing Order No. 31(2)). Penrose, John Stewart, Bob Resolved, Perry, Claire Stewart, Iain Phillips, Stephen Stewart, Rory That this House deplores the previous Government’s failure to tackle the national scandal of reoffending and its mismanagement Pickles, rh Mr Eric Streeter, Mr Gary of the justice system; notes that discounts for guilty pleas have Pincher, Christopher Stride, Mel been an established principle of common law for decades, and Poulter, Dr Daniel Stuart, Mr Graham that they can speed up justice and spare victims and witnesses the Prisk, Mr Mark Stunell, Andrew ordeal of waiting and preparing to give evidence at trial; and Pritchard, Mark Sturdy, Julian welcomes the Government’s intention to overhaul sentencing to Pugh, John Swales, Ian deliver more effective punishment for offenders and increased Raab, Mr Dominic Swayne, Mr Desmond reparation for victims and to reform offenders to cut crime. Randall, rh Mr John Swinson, Jo Reckless, Mark Syms, Mr Robert Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. Redwood, rh Mr John Teather, Sarah Rees-Mogg, Jacob Thurso, John Would Members leaving the Chamber do so quickly Reid, Mr Alan Timpson, Mr Edward and quietly, please, so that we can start the next debate? Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Tomlinson, Justin [Interruption.] Private conversations are good, but Robertson, Hugh Tredinnick, David preferably outside the Chamber. 703 23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 704

Policing and Crime Paul Maynard (Blackpool North and Cleveleys) (Con): When the shadow Home Secretary was in Blackpool, did she join in welcoming the decision by the Lancashire 7.31 pm constabulary to increase community policing in Blackpool, as it recently announced? Yvette Cooper (Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford) (Lab): I beg to move, Yvette Cooper: The hon. Gentleman knows that while every chief constable across the country is trying to do That this House opposes the Government’s cuts leading to over 12,000 fewer police officers across England and Wales; everything they can to get as many police as possible believes that the 20 per cent. cut to central Government funding out into neighbourhoods, the Lancashire constabulary to the police goes far beyond the assessment of HM Inspectorate is already being hit by cuts to front-line policing. The of Constabulary of efficiency savings that are possible without chief constable has raised his concerns about the cuts to affecting frontline services; calls on the Government to withdraw front-line policing, including hundreds of officers and plans for American-style police and crime commissioners for staff in his area. which there will be no checks or balances; and believes that the Government is making it harder for the police to cut crime by Paul Maynard rose— weakening the National DNA Database, leading to the loss of 1,000 criminal matches per year; ending anti-social behaviour Mr Stewart Jackson (Peterborough) (Con) rose— orders, increasing bureaucracy on CCTV,creating serious loopholes in child protection and failing to develop any cross-Governmental Yvette Cooper: I am delighted to give way to another strategy to cut crime. hon. Member on the Government Benches, but their This is our fourth debate on policing and crime on points would be more credible if they would tell us that the Floor of the House in the past four months. Time they would put the cuts to police officers in their and again we have warned the Home Secretary that she constituencies on their leaflets at the next election. is stirring up a perfect storm on crime. Time and again we have warned the Prime Minister that he is making Mr Jackson: I am grateful for the campaigning advice the wrong decisions on law and order, and they are still from the right hon. Lady. Does she think one would not listening. The Home Secretary is not listening to the have to be cynical to be perplexed by the fact that before warning words from chief constables across the country. the general election, her right hon. Friend the Member She is not listening to the cries from communities such for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle (Alan Johnson) as All Saints in Wolverhampton, where hundreds of was not prepared under any circumstances to name the people have signed a petition to keep their local bobby percentage decrease in the budget for the police, but on the beat. She is not listening to the public telling since the general election he just happens to agree with pollsters and researchers that they do not trust her Her Majesty’s inspector of constabulary on a 12% figure? party on crime. As she showed at the police conference Is that cynical, or does it reflect the fact that the Labour last week, she also is not listening to the silence. party has no policy on cuts in the police service? The storm we warned of is building. Cuts to police Yvette Cooper: I am afraid the hon. Gentleman’s facts officer numbers are being felt. Front-line services that are wrong. In fact, the former Home Secretary set out in the Home Secretary promised to protect are being hit. November, before the election, areas where he believed There are cuts to youth services and family intervention reductions in the budget for the police could be made, projects that were helping to bring crime down. There is which would come from efficiency savings. That is why higher youth unemployment and poverty is rising. There he backed a 12% reduction, which was supported by are cuts to the powers that the police and courts need, HMIC, not a 20% reduction, which is hitting thousands and chaos in her policing reforms. American-style police and thousands of police officers across the country and and crime commissioners were rejected by the House of putting front-line services at risk right across the country. Lords for putting centuries of impartial British policing Senior police chiefs are deeply troubled by chaotic at risk. changes to national policing, and police morale is at rock bottom. Members on the Government Benches are Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East) (Con): The deeply out of touch if they think their constituents right hon. Lady speaks of the Government not listening. want to see 12,000 police officers across the country go. Will she now listen to the Justice Department, whose statistics show that antisocial behaviour orders do not Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con): The right hon. Lady work? They are seen as a badge of honour, and three references the former Home Secretary’s comments about quarters of ASBOs are breached. Were Labour to come policing. He also said that officer numbers would fall back into power, would she retract Labour’s claims? under the spending programme proposed by Labour. The shadow Chancellor said that there would be reductions in non-uniformed police staff. What cuts and what staff Yvette Cooper: The hon. Gentleman’s concern about numbers would she envisage under Labour’s deficit antisocial behaviour would be rather more convincing if reduction plans? he were criticising the cut of 250 officers and staff in his area. Antisocial behaviour orders are not right in every Yvette Cooper: We have been here before. We have situation, but he obviously has not talked to police had this debate before. There is a clear difference between officers such as those I have spoken to in Wakefield or our plans and the Government’s. We said yes, there the community residents I have spoken to in Blackpool, would be reductions—[Interruption.]—and that that who would tell him of case after case where antisocial would mean being able to maintain the number of behaviour orders have worked, have made a difference police officers and police community support officers and are fighting antisocial behaviour in their communities. across the country and being able to maintain, as HMIC They are appalled at the Government’s decision. said, front-line services across the country. [Interruption.] 705 23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 706

Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. It through judicious management of his finances, is on is one thing to make an intervention; it is quite another course to increase the number of police officers by for Members to carry on shouting once an hon. Member 1,000 by next year? has resumed her seat. There will be plenty of opportunity for Members to take part in the debate if we can make Yvette Cooper: Judicious only until the mayoral election, progress. after which the number will be cut. The Mayor has realised, as Government Members everywhere else in Yvette Cooper: The noise on the Government Benches the country seem not to have done, that the public do conveys Members’ desperation about the cuts being not like police cuts, so of course he is pretending to put made to police officer numbers in their constituencies the numbers up, having seen them fall already since the right across the country. The difference is that we said election. yes, cuts of about £1 billion would need to be made over Government Members tell us that all these problems the course of the Parliament; their Front-Bench team is will be solved by cutting bureaucracy, but even the making cuts of £2 billion, with the steepest cuts in the Home Secretary’s most optimistic claims are to save first few years. That is why we are seeing 12,000 officers the equivalent of 1,200 police officers in several years’ go and front-line services being hit. time. Unfortunately, she is cutting 12,000 officers now. The storm will not go away. It will keep building. The As for the A19s, you couldn’t make it up, with up to Prime Minister may think he can make it go away by 2,000 experienced officers being forced to take early finally making a speech on crime in the next few weeks—his retirement. Chief constables are being put in an impossible first since the Government began—just to show that he position, forced to use A19s to make the savings that is taking the grip that he clearly thinks the Home their forces need. However, now we see, with the calculations Secretary and the Justice Secretary lack. But it is too from the House of Commons Library, that when we late for tough rhetoric because communities across the take into account the lost tax and pension contributions country are already facing a tough reality—12,000 police that those police officers and police authorities were officers to go. making, forcing those officers to retire early will actually How can the Government have got so out of touch cost the taxpayer more. Tens of millions of pounds on law on order? Many people have claimed that the spent and thousands fewer experienced officers on the Prime Minister just doesn’t get it—that he is out of beat—how on earth does that fight crime? touch and does not understand the fear of crime in communities across the country. It is true that crime is Michael Ellis (Northampton North) (Con): Will the lower in Witney than in Wakefield, but one would have right hon. Lady give way? thought that the Prime Minister had plenty of experience of antisocial behaviour in his street. Surely the Defence Yvette Cooper: I will give way to the hon. Gentleman Secretary must be the first candidate for an ASBO after if he can answer that question. throwing brickbats at the International Development Secretary and the Chancellor. The Business Secretary Michael Ellis: I am extremely grateful to the right may need an injunction for throwing brickbats at himself. hon. Lady, who is being generous in giving way. Will she The Justice Secretary has clearly been causing carnage accept that Labour would be cutting £7 for every £8 cut wandering unmonitored through the TV studios. The under the Government’s proposals, that it is completely Prime Minister should tag him at least, although Downing unacceptable for the police, as Her Majesty’s inspectorate street probably thinks he is rather better locked up. The of constabulary has reported, to have only 11% of Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural police officers on duty and available to the public at any Affairs should serve a community sentence, replanting one time, and that by cutting bureaucracy more police trees, and the Deputy Prime Minister is clearly regarded can be put on the streets, rather than filling in forms in now as a nuisance neighbour. The Secretary of State for the police stations? Energy and Climate Change is the only one the Government can count on to be supportive—he is only person rather Yvette Cooper: It is right to keep working hard to cut pleased to see the cuts to the traffic cops. The entire bureaucracy, but the hon. Gentleman is out of touch Cabinet is in desperate need of a family intervention with the reality of what is happening across the country. project. What a shame the Government have cut those! In west Yorkshire, for example, the police are now Time and again we have warned in the House of the having to go back to their offices between incidents to serious consequences of cutting 12,000 officers. Let us deal with the bureaucracy themselves because of the look at the evidence: domestic violence units have been scale of the cuts, whereas previously they could ring in cut in Hampshire, officers in sexual offences teams with the details of an offence or incident that they had forced out in London, traffic cops cut in Manchester, attended. In the west midlands and Warwickshire, time fire arms officers cut in Nottingham, CCTV officers cut and again police officers are having to do more paperwork in Merseyside, neighbourhood police cut in Birmingham and bureaucracy because of the scale of the Government’s and—get this—in Kent the police have told us that cuts. surveillance officers have been called off their targets It is not just the cuts that are causing the problems: after six-hour shifts because of overtime cuts. I presume the Government are also making it harder for the that as part of the big society the Home Secretary has police and communities to fight crime. As a result of the kindly asked criminals to keep their misdemeanours to DNA restrictions, the police estimate that there are office hours. 1,000 fewer criminal matches every year, including for serious offenders. It means not holding DNA at all in Angie Bray (Ealing Central and Acton) (Con): Will up to three quarters of rape cases, where charges are the right hon. Lady at least turn her attention to ultimately not brought, and we know the difficulties in London, where the Conservative Mayor, Boris Johnson, rape cases. 707 Policing and Crime23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 708

On CCTV, the new code of practice means a bubble to get urgent action when serious cases arise. No matter wrap of bureaucracy, with more checks and balances on how many times an offender breaches the new crime a single camera than the Government are introducing prevention injunctions or ignores the warnings of the for police and crime commissioners, yet the Home police, they will still not get a criminal penalty. They are Secretary knows the benefits that CCTV can bring. not so much a badge of honour as a novelty wrist band. They have just installed CCTV at Twyford train station How does that help communities that want to see in her constituency. Did she complain then that they antisocial behaviour brought down? had not done an impact assessment on the environment, The area that I worry about most is child protection. privacy or disproportionality or introduce safeguards, The Home Secretary has now been advised that there as her code of practice required? No. She congratulated are serious loopholes in her plans by the Children’s the station manager, saying that people needed the Commissioner, the National Society for the Prevention “added reassurance that they can travel in safety”. of Cruelty to Children, the Children’s Society, Action Too right they do, and they do not want too much for Children, the Scout Association, the Football bureaucracy to prevent them getting the reassurance Association, the Lawn Tennis Association and countless they need. other national sporting bodies. Her plans still mean that someone could be barred from working with children Mark Tami (Alyn and Deeside) (Lab): Before my and yet still get part-time or voluntary work in a school right hon. Friend moves on from CCTV, I wonder how or children’s sports club and the organisation would not many Members of this House have had constituents even be told that they had been barred. She really must come to them demanding that CCTV be removed? I am stop and think again on this or she will be putting sure that every Member has had large numbers of children at risk. people come to them asking for more CCTV, rather Time and again the Home Secretary is undermining than less. the powers of the police and the authorities to fight crime. Time and again she is telling them to fight with Yvette Cooper: My hon. Friend is right. CCTV can one hand behind their backs. Worrying signs are already make a difference for communities that are struggling, emerging. In Yorkshire, the police are saying that their such as the community in Blackpool that I talked with a figures show that crime has gone up this year. In the few weeks ago, who told me about the difference that west midlands it is the same. Over the 13 years of the having CCTV installed has made on their estate, where Labour Government, crime fell by 40%. The risk of they had had persistent problems, but CCTV was helping being a victim of crime is now at its lowest since the them to turn it around. British crime survey began and there is rising confidence in the police, but people want crime to keep falling. She Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): The right hon. Lady is putting that at risk. may have heard the Justice Secretary say in the previous debate how important it was from the Government’s Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): perspective to prevent people having to be witnesses The right hon. Lady has confirmed that she agrees with and give evidence in court and how distressing that was. the independent inspectorate of constabulary that Does she therefore agree with me, and I presume with £1 billion-worth of savings can be made to the police the Justice Secretary, and recognise the role that DNA without affecting front-line services. Could she share and CCTV play in preventing witnesses and victims with the House what challenges she made to the Home having to go through the trauma of giving evidence? Office budget when she was Chief Secretary to the Treasury in 2008-09 to remove this inefficiency? Yvette Cooper: The hon. Gentleman is right, and I know that he has spent considerable time looking at the Yvette Cooper: The hon. Gentleman will find that the issue of DNA. When the police analysed the offences in Home Office made efficiency savings every year, and we 2008-09—just one year’s worth of offences—they found can always rely on Chief Secretaries continually to press that there were 79 matches for very serious crimes, for them. Before the election, the then Home Secretary including murder, manslaughter and rape, that they set out in the 2009 pre-Budget report, the 2010 Budget would not have got had it not been for the DNA and in the policing White Paper a series of areas where, database being in place. The concern is about not yes, savings could be made. It is right to make savings, holding DNA for people who are not charged, even but it is also right to ensure that we give the police though they might have been suspected of a very serious enough resources to fight crime and to protect the offence and where the reason for not charging may not public in their areas. be that they are now thought to be innocent, but simply The Government tell us that they have no choice. that there are difficulties, as, perhaps in a rape case—we That is rubbish. They have made a choice to put the know it is sometimes difficult to take such a case Tory party’s political timetable for deficit reduction through the criminal justice system. ahead of keeping the public safe. They have made a The Government are out of touch, with their plans to choice to roll back police officers, because they do not end antisocial behaviour orders. The Home Secretary believe in public sector action. They are hitting jobs in has said that she wants to end ASBOs because she is the economy, but they are hitting law and order, too. worried that they are being breached, but what is her This policy is driven by ideology, not by necessity. answer? Her answer is to replace them with a much The Government are fighting the police rather than weaker injunction, with greater delays, that offenders fighting crime, and they are making life easier for can breach as many times as they like. She is removing offenders and harder for victims of crime. They have the criminal enforcement for serious breaches of ASBOs turned their backs on communities, they are out of and removing interim ASBOs altogether, making it touch on crime and justice, and communities throughout much harder for communities, police and local authorities the country will pay the price. 709 Policing and Crime23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 710

7.50 pm In London, alongside the new recruitment of police officers in the Metropolitan police area, the Met is also The Secretary of State for the Home Department getting more officers to patrol alone, rather than in (Mrs Theresa May): The Opposition’s motion is wrong pairs, and better matching resources to demand, thereby in every point of fact and wrong on every point of increasing officer availability to the public by 25%. policy. Given that they seem to have so little knowledge or understanding of policing and crime, let me deal Given that the Opposition are getting their facts with each of their points in turn. wrong, let us look at the real facts. First, the motion says that the Government are cutting Geraint Davies (Swansea West) (Lab/Co-op): Does 12,000 police officers throughout England and Wales. the right hon. Lady agree that, on reflection, increasing Of course, that is not Government policy. Decisions on the cuts from Labour’s proposed 12% to 20% is a false the size and make-up of the police work force are a economy? It will critically impact on the number of matter entirely for chief constables to take locally in front-line officers, and the cost of increased crime will conjunction with their police authority and, from May be much greater than the savings to police forces, so 2012, with their police and crime commissioner. should not she go back to the drawing board?

Mr David Anderson (Blaydon) (Lab): Can the right Mrs May: No. I do not accept the hon. Gentleman’s hon. Lady say exactly how much money is being cut argument at all, and in a few minutes I will address from budgets that are going to police authorities? exactly that point about funding. Let us look at the facts. Our police forces understood Mrs May: I think the hon. Gentleman asks me how perfectly well that they would have had to make reductions much money is being cut from budgets to police authorities. in staff numbers no matter which party was in power. The average cut this year in real terms from central The Home Affairs Committee, chaired by the right hon. Government funding for police is 5.5%, but each police Member for Leicester East (Keith Vaz), found that force area raises funds through the precept. almost all police forces were predicting future staff I heard the right hon. Member for Normanton, losses by January 2010—months before the election. In Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper), the shadow fact, 21 police forces—almost half of all police forces—saw Home Secretary, complain when I made the point that falling officer numbers in the five years up to March decisions on police numbers are a matter for chief 2010, when we had a Labour Government. constables, yet in an interview with the New Statesman Indeed, as my hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough on 11 January she said that (Mr Jackson) said, when Labour’s last Home Secretary “decisions will be taken and that is always going to be a matter for was asked during the election campaign whether he chief constables.” could guarantee that police numbers would not fall So, she agrees that such decisions are taken by the under Labour, he answered no. The right hon. Member police authority and the chief constable together. for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle (Alan Johnson) understood that he could not guarantee police numbers, Her Majesty’s inspectorate of constabulary says in its so why is the right hon. Lady not so straight with the most recent report that the size of the work force gives public? no indication whatever of the quality of service a force provides to its community, and that is because of all Mark Tami: If, as the right hon. Lady says, every those officers who are sat behind desks, filling in forms party knew about the issue before the previous election, and giving no benefit to the public. What matters is the why did the Liberal Democrats promise 3,000 extra visibility and availability of officers and the effective use police? of resources, and many forces are increasing availability. My hon. Friend the Member for Ealing Central and Mrs May: I suggest that, instead of trying to look Acton (Angie Bray) made the point about the increased across to Government Members, the hon. Gentleman number of police officers under the Mayor of London, asks his Front Benchers why they got this country into an elected individual responsible for policing in London. such a financial mess that we have had to be elected as a In Gloucestershire, the police force has put 15% more coalition Government to clear it up: two parties, working sergeants and constables into visible policing roles while together to clear up the mess left by one. reducing overall numbers, and by doing that in The Opposition’s mistake on the first point in their Gloucestershire it is increasing the number of police motion is linked to their mistake on the second point. officers on the beat from 563 to 651. They are simply wrong to suggest that the cuts that the Government are having to make—cuts, let me remind Mark Tami: What does the right hon. Lady think she them again, as I just have, that we are having to make is doing to the morale of those people who work in the because of the disastrous economic position that they back office when she constantly decries the work that left us in, go further— they do? Geraint Davies: Will the right hon. Lady give way? Mrs May: There are a number of roles in policing, Mrs May: If the hon. Gentleman waits, he will find and we have been absolutely clear about that, but we are that I am about to come on to the point that he made in absolutely clear also that some of those people working his first intervention. in police force back offices have to spend significant amounts of time filling in paperwork—imposed by the Andrew Bridgen: There is a police station earmarked previous Labour Government—which is taking up valuable for closure in my constituency that is completely inefficient time and effort. I shall deal with that issue further in a and unsuitable for modern policing. Local alternatives few minutes. are cheaper and provide more community access, but is 711 Policing and Crime23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 712 it not a sad indictment that such inefficient buildings as a Government. I set up the independent review into are still being used, and is it not better to cut inefficient police pay, terms and conditions under Tom Winsor, buildings rather than front-line policing? who has produced his first report. The proposals from that report are now going through the Police Negotiating Mrs May: My hon. Friend makes a very important Board, and decisions will be taken by the Government point, and the sadness of the Opposition’s position is once those proper processes have been gone through. At that they would not be making such very important the beginning of next year, he will report on the second decisions that can lead to a better and improved service part of his review. I felt that it was important for the to the public. I commend my hon. Friend’s local force police that we ensured that an independent reviewer for being willing to make such decisions. looked at these issues who could fully to take into I said that I would respond to the hon. Member for account the impact of all the changes. Swansea West (Geraint Davies) on the difference between I remind any hon. Members who are considering the the 12% cuts, which HMIC suggested could be made, royal commission proposal that in its report last summer and the Government’s cuts. He and other Opposition HMIC said, in very stark terms, that there is no time for Members who have raised the point in the past, including a royal commission because of the nature of the decisions the right hon. Member for Normanton, Pontefract and that have to be taken and the speed at which they have Castleford, have obviously neither read nor understood to be taken. the HMIC report, so let me tell them what it said. Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab): HMIC found that more than £1.15 billion per year—12% The police represent the best of public services. They of national police funding—could be saved if only the work tirelessly, they sign up to no-strike agreements, least efficient police forces brought themselves up to the and they cancel leave at a moment’s notice to deal with average level of efficiency. Well, the state of the public murder or any violent crime. Do they not deserve, finances that Labour left us is such that all forces must therefore, to be given a royal commission on pay and raise themselves up to the level not of the average but of conditions and not to be treated as another victim of the most efficient forces. That could add another Government cuts? £350 million of savings to those calculated in HMIC’s report. But HMIC did not consider all areas of police Mrs May: The hon. Lady is right. We have the best spending. It did not consider IT or procurement, for police force in the world and the best model of policing example, and it makes absolutely no sense for the police in the world. I believe that the British model of policing to procure things in 43 different ways, and it makes is one that we should welcome, support and applaud. absolutely no sense to have 2,000 different IT systems However, if she thinks that there is time for a royal throughout the 43 forces, as they currently do. commission, she should consider why, as a member of the Labour party, she allowed it, when in government, With a national joined-up approach, better contracts, to get the finances of this country into such a state that more joint purchasing, a smaller number of different IT we need to take the action that we do. [Interruption.] It systems and greater private sector involvement, we can is all very well for Opposition Members to say, “Oh no, save hundreds of millions of pounds—over and above we don’t want to hear it again”, but if the hon. Lady’s the savings identified by HMIC. party were in government today, it would be cutting Likewise, HMIC did not consider pay, because that £7 for every £8 we are cutting this year. was outside its remit, but in an organisation such as the police, where £11 billion—80% of total revenue spending— Gavin Barwell (Croydon Central) (Con): Last Thursday, goes on pay, there is no question but that pay restraint PC Nigel Albuery was stabbed on duty on the streets of and pay reform must form part of the package. That is Croydon. My right hon. Friend is absolutely right that why we believe, subject to any recommendations from we have to look at the issue of police terms and conditions, the Police Negotiating Board, that there should be a but does she agree that we should consider the results of two-year pay freeze in policing, just as there has been the Winsor review in the light of the dangers that police across the public sector. That would save at least officers such as PC Albuery face day to day and the debt £350 million—again, on top of HMIC’s savings. of gratitude we owe to them? Mrs May: My hon. Friend is absolutely right; we will Mr Charles Walker (Broxbourne) (Con): I know that indeed do that. I take this opportunity to commend PC being in opposition is difficult, but I really hope we were Albuery, who suffered terrible injuries, as result of which not as bad as that lot over there during our time in he is in a serious condition. He was doing the job that opposition. he signed up to do, which is protecting the public and Would it not be possible to have a royal commission dealing with criminals. I pay tribute to him and to all on police terms and conditions? The police do a wonderful the other officers who, day in and day out, go out to job, and we need to maintain high morale and ensure deal with instances and incidents that take place not that they do not bear a disproportionate burden of the knowing whether they will be subject to the sort of cuts that we have to make as a result of the financial attack to which PC Albuery was subject. mismanagement of the Labour Government. Mr Anderson: Raoul Moat began his killing spree in my constituency, a mile from my house. Twenty-four Mrs May: My hon. Friend makes an important point hours later, he damaged PC David Rathband to the about the behaviour of the Opposition today. extent that that man will never see again. Last week, at On the proposal about the royal commission, the cuts the Police Federation, he asked the Home Secretary, we have to make and the timetable within which we have “Do you think I’m paid too much?”, to which she to make them means that we have to make decisions replied, “I’m not saying to any individual officer that your now. However, we are not just making those decisions pay is wrong.”Just what is she saying to all police officers? 713 Policing and Crime23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 714

Mrs May: I am saying to all police officers that we to the chief constable of Kent, who said that 20% is value the work that they are doing, though it is important “a significant drawback into police numbers, both civilian staff that we look at their pay terms and conditions, which and police numbers, and clearly there’s a potential impact that have not been changed significantly for some time. We crime will rise”, need to ensure that we have a modern, flexible work and to the chief constable of Norfolk, who says that force in the police who can take us forward in the given the scale of the cuts, policing that we need today in the 21st century. That is “Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary…report confirms why I thought it important to set up an independent what we have always maintained, that…the constabulary will review. We will look at the results of the proper processes have to reduce its front line over the next four years”? that that independent review report is going through Her policing Minister has said that he likes chief constables with the Police Negotiating Board. who stay quiet. Does she want to gag the chief constables I have set out a number of areas in which it is possible of Lancashire, South Yorkshire, Kent and Norfolk, or to make savings over and above those identified in the does she think they are doing a bad job? HMIC report in areas, such as increasing efficiency, IT, procurement, and a pay freeze. Together, these savings Mrs May: A number of those chief constables, including amount to £2.2 billion a year—more than the £2.1 billion the chief constable of Kent, have made it absolutely real-terms reduction in central Government funding to clear that they are going to protect neighbourhood the police. Even that ignores the local precept contribution policing. Perhaps the right hon. Lady should reflect on from council tax payers, which independent forecasts the evidence given by the chief constable of Greater suggest will rise by £382 million, or 12%, over the Manchester to the Home Affairs Committee, when he comprehensive spending review period. said that an artificial numbers game had been necessary under the last Labour Government, with the result that Yvette Cooper: If the Home Secretary is so confident some officers were being put into back-office roles that in her savings figures, why does she think that chief need not be undertaken by officers. constables from across the country, including in Lancashire, Crucially, all the savings that I have set out can be South Yorkshire, Kent and Norfolk, are all saying that made while protecting the quality of front-line services. front-line services will be hit as a result of her cuts, and At the same time, as I have made clear in response to why are 12,000 officers going? several interventions, we are reviewing police pay, terms and conditions to make them fair to police officers and Mrs May: Chief constables up and down the country to the taxpayer. If implemented, Tom Winsor’s proposals are giving a commitment to maintaining the quality of to reform police pay and conditions will help the service their front-line services. The chief constables of to manage its budgets, maximise officer and staff Gloucestershire, Kent and Thames Valley, and the deployment to front-line roles, and enable front-line Metropolitan Police Commissioner, are all saying that services to be maintained and improved. they have a commitment to ensuring front-line services. Mr Charles Walker: Will my right hon. Friend give Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con): Is my right way? hon. Friend aware that the chief constable of Staffordshire has reorganised the back office of his operation and Mrs May: I am going to make a little progress. organised his local policing units to ensure that no front-line services are cut in Staffordshire? In fact, in Mr Walker: It is a microscopic intervention. Tamworth we have an extra bobby on the beat. That is no thanks to the Opposition, who are forcing us to Mrs May: I will complete this point and then I might make these cuts. be generous to my hon. Friend. Winsor proposes rewarding those with specialist skills, Mrs May: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for making those who work unsocial hours, and those who are on that point. The chief constable of Staffordshire is another the front line. His proposals are comprehensive, wide- chief constable who is committed to protecting front-line ranging and far-reaching. They are things that the and neighbourhood policing and ensuring that he does Labour party never had the guts to do. Given that the so in a way that makes sense and introduces greater Labour party would be cutting £7 in every £8 that we efficiency in several areas. The problem with the position are cutting this year, the shadow Home Secretary needs taken by the Opposition is that they do not want to see to tell the House where her cuts would fall. any change of any sort in policing, and yet there are chief constables out there who know that a transformation Mr Walker: My right hon. Friend is as wise, charming of policing is what is needed in the circumstances that and insightful as ever. However, I think that the Winsor we find ourselves in. In many cases, as has been evidenced review is a trifle too aggressive on police terms and by my hon. Friends, we may see an improvement in the conditions, and I hope that she will bear those concerns service that is given to people. in mind when independently reviewing Winsor’s recommendations. Yvette Cooper: Then what does the right hon. Lady say to the chief constable of Lancashire, who says, Mrs May: There is indeed a process that is taking “we cannot leave the frontline untouched and that is because of place in relation to the proposals of the Winsor review. the scale of the cuts”, The proposals are before the Police Negotiating Board to the chief constable of South Yorkshire, who has said, at the moment, and there will be a proper process to “we will be unable to continue to provide the level of service that consider its decisions. My hon. Friend will have noticed we do today in such areas as neighbourhood policing”, that the Winsor review identified significant savings 715 Policing and Crime23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 716 that could be made by changing the terms and conditions, will seek to overturn the recent Lords amendment when and then proposed to plough half that sum back into the Bill returns to this House. Unlike the existing invisible improved pay and terms and conditions for the police. and ineffective police authorities, the commissioner will We want not only to manage the cuts that we are be somebody people have heard of, somebody they have having to make, but to make the police service better. voted for, somebody they can hold to account, and The Labour Government spent a lot of money on somebody they can vote out if they do not help the policing in the boom years, but they spent it all on police to cut crime. making simple things very complicated. They made an We now come to the Opposition’s fourth error. It is industry out of performance management and league complete and utter nonsense to suggest there will be no tables; created a forest of guidance, manuals and pointless checks and balances on the powers of police and crime paperwork; and hugely increased the number of bureaucrats, commissioners. We have specifically legislated for strong auditors and checkers. At the same time, they did checks and balances. A police and crime panel will nothing to increase police visibility, nothing to increase scrutinise the police and crime commissioner. The panel public accountability and nothing to reform and modernise will have several key powers, including the power of the service. We are putting that right. We are slashing veto over the police and crime commissioner’s proposed the bureaucracy that Labour allowed to build up. local precept and over the candidate they propose for Earlier this month, I announced measures that would chief constable. The panel will also make recommendations save up to 2.5 million man hours of police time each on local police and crime plans, and will scrutinise the year. That is on top of the measures that we have commissioner’s annual report. It will have the power to already taken to scrap all Labour’s targets and restore ask the commissioner to provide information and to sit discretion to the police. We have got rid of the policing before it to answer questions. It will also be able to call pledge, the confidence target, the public service agreement on Her Majesty’s inspectorate of constabulary for targets, the key performance indicators and the local professional judgment over the police and crime area agreements. We have replaced them with a single commissioner’s proposed decision to dismiss a chief objective: to cut crime. I want police officers chasing constable. criminals, not chasing targets. The Government do not We have published a draft protocol setting out the put their trust in performance indicators, targets or relationship between police and crime commissioners regulations. We put our trust in the professionals and in and chief constables. The protocol was agreed with the the public. Association of Chief Police Officers, the Association of Let me address the third fallacy in the Opposition Police Authorities, the Association of Police Authority motion. Police and crime commissioners are not an Chief Executives, the Met and the Metropolitan Police American-style reform; they are a very British and very Authority. A copy has been placed in both House democratic reform. The Labour party certainly did not Libraries and copies are available on the Home Office consider democratic accountability to be an alien concept website. The protocol makes it clear that commissioners when the hon. Member for Gedling (Vernon Coaker) will not manage police forces, and that they will not be said in 2008, when he was the Minister for Policing, permitted to interfere in the day-to-day work of police Crime and Security, that officers. The duty and responsibility of managing a “only direct election, based on geographic constituencies, will police force will fall squarely on the shoulders of the deliver the strong connection to the public which is critical”. chief constable, as it always has. I could not agree more. We will publish a strategic policing requirement to ensure that commissioners deliver their national policing Vernon Coaker (Gedling) (Lab): What did we do? responsibilities, as well as their local responsibilities. A strengthened HMIC will monitor forces and escalate Mrs May: The hon. Gentleman asks what the previous serious concerns about force performance to Ministers. Government did. Well, they did nothing. They said they Finally, the Home Secretary will retain powers to direct wanted democratic accountability and then did absolutely police and crime commissioners and chief constables to nothing about it. I say to him that if democracy is good take action in extreme circumstances, if they are failing enough for this House, it is good enough for police to carry out their functions. accountability. The Opposition are simply wrong to say that there will be no checks and balances on police and crime Andrew Bridgen: My right hon. Friend might remember commissioners. There will be extensive checks and that the last Labour Government did have plans for balances—the Opposition just choose to ignore them. policing reform. Indeed, they proposed that police forces Of course, unlike the current invisible and unaccountable should merge and spent some £12 million of taxpayers’ police authorities, police and crime commissioners will money, only to ultimately abort the plans. Does that not face the strongest and most powerful check and balance show scant regard for the spending of taxpayers’ money? there is: the ballot box. This should be a concept with which the Labour party is familiar: if they fail, they get Mrs May: My hon. Friend makes a valid and important booted out of office. point about the attitude of the previous Government. I will turn to police powers. The police national DNA Our reforms are based on the simple premise that the database, which was established in 1995, has clearly led police must be accountable not to civil servants in to a great many criminals being convicted who otherwise Whitehall, but to the communities that they serve. That would not have been caught. However, in a democracy, is exactly what directly elected police and crime there must be limits to any such form of police power. commissioners will achieve. The legislation for police Storing the DNA and fingerprints of more than a and crime commissioners has passed through this House million innocent people indefinitely only undermines and has entered Committee stage in the other place. We public trust in policing. We will take innocent people off 717 Policing and Crime23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 718

[Mrs May] Mrs May: I thank my hon. Friend for that point, and I will come on to vetting and barring once I have the DNA database and put guilty people on. While the covered the issue of antisocial behaviour, because every previous Government were busy stockpiling the DNA aspect of the Opposition’s motion is wrong. of the innocent, they did not bother to take the DNA of the guilty. In March, we gave the police new powers to Mr Khalid Mahmood (Birmingham, Perry Barr) (Lab): take DNA from convicted criminals who are now in the What effect does the right hon. Lady think her cuts will community. have on counter-terrorism, given that, as my right hon. Rather than engaging in political posturing, we are Friend the shadow Secretary of State said, chief constables making the right reforms for the right reasons. Our will not be able to provide 24-hour policing for such proposals will ensure that there is fairness for innocent matters? people by removing the majority of them from the database. By increasing the number of convicted individuals Mrs May: I remind the hon. Gentleman that we have on the database, we will ensure that those who have protected the counter-terrorism policing budget, because broken the law can be traced if they reoffend. In all we recognised the importance of that. cases, the DNA profile and fingerprints of any person The next mistake in Labour’s motion is on antisocial arrested for a recordable offence will be subjected to a behaviour. We are giving the police and local practitioners speculative search against the national databases. That a simpler and much more effective set of tools. The means that those who have committed crimes in the current alphabet soup of powers is confusing, bureaucratic past and have left their DNA or fingerprints at the scene and, far too often, simply not effective. The number of will not escape justice. The rules will give the police the antisocial behaviour orders issued has fallen by more tools that they need, without putting the DNA of than half, and more than half of them are now breached millions of innocent people on the database. at least once. More than 40% are breached more than Like DNA, it is clear that CCTV can act as a deterrent once, and in fact those that are breached are now to criminals, can help to convict the guilty, and is breached an average of more than four times. warmly welcomed by many communities. The Government We are introducing a smaller number of faster, more wholeheartedly support the use of CCTV and DNA to flexible and more effective tools that will allow practitioners fight crime. However, it is clearly not right that surveillance to protect victims and communities. Far from making it cameras are being used without proper safeguards. When harder for communities to get action on antisocial or where to use CCTV are properly decisions for local behaviour, we will introduce the community trigger, areas. It is essential that such measures command public which will give communities the right to force agencies support and confidence. Our proposals for a code of to take action to deal with persistent antisocial behaviour practice will help to achieve just that. If the Opposition if they have failed to do so. The last shadow Home disagree, as was clear from the speech by the right hon. Secretary said: Member for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford, “I want to live in the kind of society that puts ASBOs behind perhaps they should cast their minds back to the controversy us.” over the use of CCTV cameras in Birmingham in the I find it rather concerning that the current shadow last year. British policing relies on consent. If that is Home Secretary does not want to live in the same kind lost, we all suffer. Sadly, the Opposition do not seem to of society as the shadow Chancellor. understand that. The Opposition’s final mistake in the motion is on child protection, and it brings me to the point that my Philip Davies: I hope I am right in sensing that my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East right hon. Friend is moving back from the left-wing, (Mr Ellwood) raised. There are no loopholes in the liberty agenda on DNA and CCTV.The police installed programme that we have proposed. If by “loopholes” 14 cameras in what used to be a no-go area of east the Opposition mean that our scheme will no longer Leeds. Within 18 months, that led to crime falling by require 9 million people to register and be monitored by 48% and burglaries falling by 65%. Will she confirm the state, they are right. We will not put nearly one in six that that did not restrict anybody’s freedoms, but enhanced of the entire population on to some enormous, intrusive them by allowing people to go out at night, which is a Government database. We will not stop famous authors freedom that they had been deprived of for many years? from reading poetry to schoolchildren. We will provide an appropriate and proportionate scheme that will give Mrs May: I thank my hon. Friend. As I said earlier, vulnerable people and children the protection that they the Government wholeheartedly support the use of need, while allowing those who want to volunteer to do CCTV and DNA in the fight against crime. We are so without fear or suspicion. That will make children’s introducing not unnecessary bureaucracy but a sensible lives better, by encouraging, not discouraging, people to and measured approach, which will help to ensure that work with them. I am sure that many Members, like my CCTV is used for the purpose for which it was designed— hon. Friend, can give examples of people who have tackling crime. found the whole process difficult and, sadly, been put off volunteering. Mr Ellwood: Will my right hon. Friend say a word or two about Criminal Records Bureau checks? We had a Yvette Cooper: Will the Home Secretary respond case in Bournemouth in which a teacher from one specifically to the NSPCC’s concern? It has raised the school was not allowed to drive a minibus for another issue of a loophole whereby someone who has been school, to which her children went, because of CRB barred from working with children can apply for a checks. That seems a mad situation, and I hope it can be voluntary or part-time supervised job with a sports rectified. organisation or school, and that organisation will not 719 Policing and Crime23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 720 even be told that they have been barred. Her junior 8.27 pm Minister confirmed in the Protection of Freedoms Bill Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham and Morden) (Lab): I Committee that that was the case, and children’s thank my right hon. Friend the Member for Normanton, organisations, the Children’s Commissioner and Labour Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper) for choosing Members are deeply concerned about that loophole. this topic for today’s debate. Rather than consider national Can she confirm that it does indeed exist? matters or the headlines, I wish to discuss what is happening to the safer neighbourhood police teams in Mrs May: I am grateful to the right hon. Lady for my constituency. They were introduced on the basis mentioning the NSPCC, because it enables me to put that there would be a team in each ward with six the record right and quote its chief executive, Andrew officers—a sergeant, two constables and three police Flanagan, who has said: community support officers, known as the 1-2-3 formation. “The Government’s amendment is absolutely right. We welcome They were the best innovation in my constituency in the this wholeheartedly as it will make a huge difference to the safety past 20 years. They tackle not only crime levels but the of young people. We look forward to working with the Government fear of crime, a focus that would otherwise be missing. as the new scheme is implemented.” The lives of people in my constituency are often blighted not by actual crime but by the fear of being a victim of crime. Yvette Cooper: The right hon. Lady will know that the matter was discussed in detail in Committee, and One of the fundamental points about safer my hon. Friends who served on the Committee were neighbourhood teams is that they make people feel clear that that NSPCC comment referred to the changes safer in their neighbourhood. People know their police for 16 and 17-year-olds. She rightly listened and made officers and can just walk up to them. They are less the changes in question. Will she also make a change in alienated from the police and build up a level of trust in the case of someone who has been barred? It might be them, which makes them more likely to pass on information known that there is a problem with someone working that they would not give to the anonymous police with children, yet they will be allowed to do so again. officer racing around in their Panda car. That change in The organisation that is supposed to be supervising policing was brought about not by the police or Whitehall them will not even be told that they have been barred mandarins, but by politicians—MPs who understood from working with children. Will she look again at that their constituents’ needs and how best to address them. matter? It is very serious. Safer neighbourhood teams are not perfect, and it was necessary to look at their hours of work and shift patterns. However, they provide increased support and Mrs May: The issue was discussed in Committee, and confidence in the communities that I represent, and yet the points that were made were very clear. As she said, they are under threat, and nobody but nobody is prepared she is talking about a situation in which an individual to stand up and be counted on what is actually happening. will be supervised. In the past she has talked about people with part-time jobs in schools, whose I should therefore like the House to give me a few activity will be regulated. The potential for barring will minutes to explain what is happening to my safer therefore apply. In situations in which people’s activity neighbourhood police teams. Fact No. 1: my local police is supervised, information will be available from the are very clear that the current system of ward-based Mitcham enhanced CRB check. safer neighbourhood teams cannot continue. The and Morden Guardian reported it thus: Merton police I accept that throughout, there has been a difference have of opinion between Government Members and the “submitted a plan detailing three possible options…All three Opposition. Labour wanted to put millions of people present a move away from the ‘one-two-three’ model used by safer on to the database, which prevented people from neighbourhood teams in all 20 wards”. volunteering to work with children and prevented authors That is not just tinkering. The report continues: from going into schools to read to children. Frankly, the scheme needed to be revised, and the Government are “Chief Inspector Lawrence said Option 2, which proposes nine SNTs, was the preferred option.” doing so. Indeed, every report I have seen has made it clear that We have a clear and comprehensive plan to cut crime. Merton police want to move away from the 20 safer We are empowering the public, cutting bureaucracy, neighbourhood teams—one in each ward—to having strengthening the fight against organised crime, providing just nine of the current bases. They even told me that in more effective and appropriate powers and getting better a face-to-face meeting. value for money for the taxpayer. Those are the right reforms at the right time. In contrast, the Opposition Fact No. 2: reducing the number of teams from 20 to are wrong on police numbers, the HMIC report, front-line nine is supported by Conservatives. For instance, Richard availability, police and crime commissioners, DNA, CCTV, Tracey, our local London assembly member, is reported antisocial behaviour and child protection. They are to have “welcomed these proposals”, and to have said wrong on each and every point, and that is why their that he had for years advocated adding flexibility to motion deserves to fail. community policing. Moreover, David Simpson, a senior Merton councillor, is reported to be “relaxed” about the SNT shake-up. He added: Several hon. Members rose— “We’re supportive of the nine SNT bases.” Fact No. 3: in the meeting at which Chief Superintendent Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. I am Dick Wolfenden, of Merton police, went public with going to lift the time limit to seven minutes, but if plans to cut safer neighbourhood teams, he cited Members start to intervene I will have to drop it again. Government cuts, saying: 721 Policing and Crime23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 722

[Siobhain McDonagh] Policing is fundamental to my constituents and those of other hon. Members. We must tell the truth about “The future doesn’t look great. By 2014 I’ll be operating with what is happening to police on the ground. 25 to 30 per cent less than I had eight months ago. My life, right now, is all about spinning plates and trying to keep the shop 8.35 pm open…I’m fighting battles on all sorts of different fronts.” David T. C. Davies (Monmouth) (Con): May I begin, Fact No. 4: earlier this year, Merton police told the as I often do, by declaring an interest as a special leader of Merton council that although they are officially constable with the British Transport police? A few “at full strength for constables and sergeants” people might wonder why I do that. When I was on the they have a smaller number who are Home Affairs Committee, I justified it by saying that I have always felt deeply about policing—that is the reality. “currently unable to perform operational” That is one of things that brought me into politics. I felt duties. even more deeply about the matter when I became the In other words, full strength does not mean having victim of a burglary myself. I can tell the Home Secretary every post filled. The police also admitted to eight the effect it can have on a family, particularly when one PCSO vacancies and a recruitment freeze. Therefore, of the partners is often away from home and young although there is no official policy of police cuts, the children are involved, to know that someone has been reality is that we do not have the officers that we should walking around their house with a knife in their hand have. In many ways, I am sorry to have to make this The Met’s website states: speech—it is not even a very well-prepared one—but I have to tell the Home Secretary that I am deeply concerned “Safer Neighbourhoods teams usually consist of one sergeant, two constables and three police community support officers.” about some of the directions we are taking. I have a view that might be unfashionable, Home Secretary, However, according to Merton police’s website, which is that burglars, rapists, murderers, people who currently—as of today—fewer than half their safer commit acts of violence of any sought and people who neighbourhood teams have a full complement of officers. sell drugs—there is a family in Monmouthshire selling Therefore, the police’s claim that the 1-2-3 system is ketamine to young children in school—need to be taken “usual” seems at least a little exaggerated. off the streets and sent to prison. They should not be Officers have spoken of being moved to other teams released early from their prison sentences, and they do or being given other responsibilities. Individual police not deserve 50% off their sentences, which is why for the officers have written e-mails about “permanent reductions” first time ever, I think, I was unable to follow the Home rather than vacancies “for the foreseeable future”. They Secretary into the Lobby earlier tonight. I regret that have said that as far as they are concerned, each ward very much. But, Home Secretary, I will not be part of will have just one PC, which brings me to my next fact. any Government who want to let people out of prison. I Fact No. 5: according to the minutes of my safer do not think the Labour party did a good job on law neighbourhoods panels, which are produced by the and order, but when I hear colleagues say that it banged police, there has already been a safer neighbourhoods up more people than we will, I start to question what I “team merger” between Pollards Hill and Longthornton. am doing here. They have even held joint panel meetings, and for Home Secretary, I will find it much easier to follow several months, only one sergeant covered both wards, you into the Lobby tonight, because the Opposition which is exactly what one would expect if we were to go have tabled a motion based on money, and we all know from having 20 to nine teams. It is almost as if the that, frankly, you are in a no-win situation. Labour police were trialling their new system even before they Members did what they always do—they taxed and had been allowed to replace the old one. spent, they borrowed and they spent, they printed money and left us all with a £1 trillion debt. As a result, there has been local furore and a lot of media interest. Assistant Commissioner Ian McPherson Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. Will even had to appear on BBC London’s TV news to deny the hon. Gentleman address the House through the everything. I wrote to him the next day to reiterate that Chair, rather than the Home Secretary? the merger had taken place and to invite him to come to Mitcham to see for himself that residents really were David T. C. Davies: I apologise, Mr Deputy Speaker. telling the truth. Unfortunately, he did not reply for I was saying that I have no problem in following the nearly eight weeks, and when he did he could not bring Government into the Lobby on this motion, because it himself even to refer to the merger, let alone to deny it. is about money. I understand full well that cuts have to It therefore must be a coincidence that the police announced be made, because we do not have the money and because earlier this month that Longthornton would have its basic economics means that we cannot live off other own sergeant after all—a small victory, and perhaps people’s money for ever. one for the big society, because it shows what communities There is much we could be doing to support the can do when they try to overturn bad decisions. police. Morale in the police is very low. We could be Hon. Members might think that getting a post filled doing a lot about bureaucracy. That has been said for is a victory, but my next fact is even more disturbing. years—of course it has—but I can give specific examples. Fact No. 6: the police have always said that SNTs are Officers spend 10 or 15 minutes filling out a stop-and-search based only in their wards, but a huge number of measures form for each person they stop and search. They cannot have meant that the teams have been reduced and taken stop and search the right people because code A relating away from their wards. I cannot go into those details to section 2 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 because of time, although I would dearly love to—I will prevents them from searching somebody who has write to the Home Secretary. committed an offence that is probably non-arrestable 723 Policing and Crime23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 724 when the police do not have direct evidence or anything breaking the law—not all of them are, of course, but on them at that moment. For example, at Liverpool some of them do. [Interruption.] Yes, I appreciate that I Street station, I once stopped a beggar who had a long quite often put my arguments across in a clumsy fashion— criminal record for carrying knives and drugs. I wanted although from what I have seen, that is no barrier to to give him a quick frisk—not an invasive strip search, high office in this place—but I have one priority in but a frisk—but I could not because although he had mind: the safety of our people. 20 or so convictions, I had no evidence that he had The other day I was talking to somebody who drugs on him at that particular moment. Give the police was brought up in a mining village—I can tell the the tools to do the job, and they will do it well. Home Secretary who it was afterwards. That person Public order police officers have one of the hardest was a Conservative party agent—a true working-class jobs going. One minute they are told that they should Conservative of the sort who put in people such as not kettle people because it is against their human Margaret Thatcher and John Major. She was not just a rights, but the next they are told, “There’s been a riot, member of the Conservative party, but someone who the Conservative party’s offices have been invaded. We went out and campaigned, and had been an area chairman. want robust policing next time.” The next time there is However, she has now left the Conservative party because robust policing, but then there are more complaints she feels that we have abandoned people such as her on about it from Members on both sides of the House who issues such as crime and immigration. I have the utmost have never had to stand, outnumbered 10:1, in front of respect for the Home Secretary—far more, in fact, than a load of rioting people and had to try to work out for many other members of the Cabinet—and I will which rioters are passing the iron bars, which are throwing happily follow her through the Lobby this evening. them and so on. There is no way that the police can turn However, I very much hope that working-class Tory round and run because they are in uniform. It is a very voters—and perhaps even working-class Labour voters— difficult and dangerous job, and if they do not always will be voting Conservative at the next election, and will get it right, it is not altogether surprising. not feel let down and betrayed. I have canvassed many houses in my lifetime and met many people who said There are things we could be doing to support the that they would vote Conservative. Not one of them has special constabulary to make much better use of it, such ever said to me, “I’m voting Conservative because I as employer-supported policing, which I have spoken to want you to let more people out of prison.” Let this not the Home Secretary about before. Quite frankly, however, be the message from the Conservative party if we ever if it comes down to money, there is a difference between want to win an election again. me and Opposition Members. I would like more money put into the police force and the Prison Service so that 8.41 pm we can look after our people properly. The first priority of any Government should be the defence of the realm Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth) and the rule of law. Where I differ from Opposition (Lab): Let me start by saying how offensive I found Members, however, is that I would say to the Home some of the remarks that the hon. Member for Monmouth Secretary—even though it is not her decision—that I (David T. C. Davies) made. [Interruption.] I will leave it cannot understand why we are pouring into the third at that. world money that is being spent on Mercedes Benz by Let me say how important policing, and crime reduction dodgy dictators in Africa, while having to cut funding and prevention are in my constituency, as they are in to the police and prison services here, resulting in our many others, as we have heard. As we have also heard, people being not as safe as they ought to be. the British crime survey showed that during Labour’s Administration, helped by record numbers of police, Let us be honest about this. If we are going to reduce crime fell by 43% to a 30-year low. Violent crime fell by funding to the police force, there will be a cut in service. 42% and burglary by 59%. The risk of being a victim of There is no point trying to pretend otherwise, no matter crime was the lowest since 1981, when the BCS began. what reforms we make. I offer the Home Secretary a Under Labour, there were record numbers of police—nearly serious suggestion. I have noticed that on many occasions 17,000—and more than 16,000 police community support the police have to waste a lot of money providing officers. translation facilities for people who claim not to speak English. I have actually arrested people who were able This Government’s public spending cuts have meant to tell me in perfect English that they were not responsible that every police force in England and Wales faces a for whatever they were doing—usually bag thefts and 7.5% real-terms cut this year and an 8.7% cut in 2012-13. such things. They have an amazing level of English, but That means that in the run-up to the Olympics, when take them back to the police station and suddenly it has there will be pressures on all forces, and when the Home all gone and a translator has to be found at £50 an Secretary says that there is an ongoing terror threat, hour—and no doubt the translator follows them all the forces will face a 15% cut in the next two years. By 2014, way through the court process as well. On rare and that figure will have risen to 20%. Contrary to what she happy occasions, these people actually go to prison. said earlier about Chief Constable Fahy’s comments to When that happens, though, we have to spend money the Select Committee on Home Affairs, let me point out housing in our prisons people who are often illegal that he said that £76.6 million would be cut in total over immigrants—that involves a certain expense, although the next two years, and that because 86% of the budget not as much as the figures often quoted suggest—and is spent on the work force, that equates to—these are afterwards we have to spend money trying to deport the figures that he quoted—nearly 1,400 police officers them if their countries will take them. and 1,600 civilian staff posts being lost. The Home Secretary should take some of the money Claire Perry: I am enjoying the hon. Lady’s use of that is meant for the third world in the third world, and statistics, but I implore Members on both sides of the use it on people from the third world who are over here House—and we have a lot of intelligent people here this 725 Policing and Crime23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 726

[Claire Perry] I have been contacted by nearly 50 local police officers living in my constituency. Not only are they fearful for evening—to get away from this fetish about the numbers their jobs but the recent Winsor review and Hutton of police, and instead talk about the results. We all report will have significant implications for their terms knew that we would have to make cuts; let us talk about and conditions and for their pensions. Sergeant David where those cuts should fall and what the rights numbers Donlan asked me: are to guarantee safety. “How many people have to go to work in body armour, routinely putting their lives at risk to protect our communities, Debbie Abrahams: I am happy to come to that, but it and yet have imposed on them where they can live, who they can is important to set out the statistics that I have just associate with or even marry? We can’t join a union, let alone strike.” given, which show that there has been a cut from a level I am committed to working closely with the police on that enabled the police force to work effectively. reform, but I think that the Government have mishandled We have also heard about the recruitment freezes, this review process and treated police officers poorly. and about some police forces using the legal loophole in The Home Secretary pre-empted the final report and the police pensions regulations forcibly to retire police has attempted to paint the police as inefficient and not officers with over 30 years’ experience; they are some of interested in reform. I urge her to reconsider the question our most experienced officers. Another issue is the of the royal commission. The discussions that I have Government’s fixation with what they call front-line or had with local police officers make it clear that they visible policing. We must not forget the important role want to see modernisation, but it must be fair. I know that specialist units play in domestic violence and child that we will be debating pensions soon, but the point for protection cases. They are important areas that also this debate is that, in addition to major changes in need to be valued. terms and conditions and cuts to the work force, the What most people cannot understand, however, is changes to their pensions are yet another hit for the why, at the same time as putting communities at risk police. with cuts to the police force, the Government are proposing My final point concerns the long-term consequences to spend more than £100 million on 42 elected police of the Government’s cuts. In addition to the short and commissioners. That is the equivalent of 600 full-time medium-term impacts on crime, I am worried about the posts. It just does not make sense. long-term effects that these ideologically driven cuts In last year’s manifesto, Labour made a commitment will have on the social fabric of our society. Last week, to maintaining the then police staffing levels, with a we heard how pay disparities between the UK’s highest three-year assured programme of investment. We were and lowest paid workers were taking us back to Victorian going to make tough choices elsewhere, in procurement, times. There is strong evidence that the increase in IT and overtime. socio-economic inequalities will not only result in widening differences in life expectancy between the rich and poor Richard Fuller (Bedford) (Con): I am terribly sorry to but also be associated with higher levels of crime and interrupt the hon. Lady, because we are about to hear disaffection. The trust that underpins community cohesion where exactly she would make cuts. We all look forward and positive relationships in a multicultural society is to that. She speaks assuredly about the number of once again being eroded by a Tory Government who are police officers under the last Labour Government, but determined to drive their disastrous cuts through. many of my constituents tell me that they never saw a police officer on their streets during that time. How 8.49 pm many more police officers would she offer, in order to give assurance to my constituents? Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD): I have been a Member of the House since 1997, and I still Debbie Abrahams: I am talking about the situation naively expect this Chamber to be a place of rational that we have now, with the hon. Gentleman’s Government debate. However, there has certainly been no evidence in power. I had thousands of petitions presented to me of that from the Labour Front-Bench contributions during the by-election specifically on the subject of cuts today, either during the previous debate on sentencing in police numbers. I must also remind him that the or during this one on policing. There is no recognition Deputy Prime Minister promised to increase police of their share of the responsibility for the significant numbers. cuts that the coalition is having to make. They are tougher than we had expected because the finances we The effects of the cuts have already been noted by the inherited were deteriorating faster and the international Conservative chair of the Association of Police Authorities, climate was tougher for countries that were not tackling who said that they would ultimately put at risk progress their deficits. in reducing crime. In my constituency, the Oldham division of the Greater Manchester police has expressed There is no willingness from Labour to demonstrate concern not only about the direct effects of the cuts on how the £7 of savings it was going to make, as opposed police spending but about the cuts to the local authority to the £8 that the coalition is having to make, would budget and the abolition of area-based grants, all of safeguard police numbers. Indeed, Labour Members which will have significant effects. The partnership working are not even listening to their own party leader, who between the police, the local authority and the voluntary said in his speech to the Progress conference on 21 May: sector has had immense benefits for crime prevention “There will be those who say it is enough for Labour to hunker and community safety—for example, in target-hardening down… I hear it quite a lot: let’s be a louder… Opposition”, measures such as alley-gating. There is strong evidence but he then went on to say: that such measures have a significant benefit for vulnerable “But to think that it is enough is to fail to understand the properties. Other measures that have brought benefits depth of the loss of trust in us and the scale of change required to include youth programmes and offender management. win it back. We must recognise where we didn’t get things right”. 727 Policing and Crime23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 728

So their leader is asking Labour Members to adopt a sentence scheme. In its view, those sentences are more more honest and considered approach, but they do not effective than prison sentences because the rehabilitation listen to their leader, as we found out during the AV component is there. I hope that that will remain part of campaign when he said, “I’m right behind it” and half the community sentences that are going to be issued. of them walked off in the opposite direction. Work in prison is also important. It is effective in It was the Opposition’s choice not to have a debate tackling reoffending because it gives prisoners skills about what is achievable from an efficiency savings that they can use, as well as providing—according to point of view and what is achievable in terms of police the Howard League, which published a report today— numbers. We heard in an intervention that police numbers something like £17 million that can go into the victims fund. in Staffordshire had been maintained. I am sure that everyone would welcome that as well. Volunteering in prison is potentially just as effective Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD): I met the chief in reducing reoffending as work in prison. Last week constable of Cambridgeshire constabulary this morning the Prison Reform Trust launched a very successful and he told me that the budget can be managed so that scheme at High Down prison drawing on the skills of there will be no reduction in police constables at all, and listeners, and I am certain that the reoffending rate perhaps even a small increase. It is being done by among former prisoners who have participated in it will greater efficiency and by greater collaboration with be less than that among those who have not. other forces. Will my hon. Friend suggest that other The Opposition did not, of course, choose to call a police authorities follow that excellent lead? debate about the most cost-effective ways of solving crimes. Today I was fortunate enough to visit Crimestoppers, Tom Brake: Indeed, and I thank my hon. Friend for which happens to be based in my constituency. What it his intervention. Clearly, a number of forces around the is achieving at a cost of £4.5 million has been valued at country are adopting approaches or policies to ensure £120 million. Last year it helped to solve 50 murders. It that police numbers are maintained. Another good favours payment by results, because it believes that it example is Cleveland, where by working with Steria the has a very successful model. By using the public as a force has been successful in achieving savings of £50 million resource, it is able to bring cases to court much more over a 10-year period; it has been able to achieve quickly than it could have done had it followed the 20% reductions in the areas on which they are working normal court and police processes. by focusing on cutting bureaucracy, increasing mobile access to make the police more effective when they are The Government have set out in a concrete and out in the field, and improving case file preparation, substantive way what we believe will be effective in which no doubt leads to more successful prosecutions. tackling crime and what we believe is necessary to deal When the will is there, much is achievable in making with inefficiencies in, for example, the back office. I feel greater efficiency savings and focusing on police numbers. that it was incumbent on the Labour Members who The Government are right to tackle the issue of police tabled a debate on this subject to set out what their terms and conditions. It has been on the agenda for alternative would have been, but I am afraid that that many years, but has never been tackled. It was time for has been totally lacking this evening. the Government to grasp that particular nettle and Several hon. Members rose— progress is now being made. It was also the Opposition’s choice not to debate one Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. If I of the most effective ways of tackling crime, which is by am to be able to call all the Members who wish to cutting reoffending. Community sentences were mentioned speak, I shall have to reduce the speaking times to seven in the earlier debate. With community sentences, 51% of minutes. people reoffend as opposed to the 59% who reoffend after being given a prison sentence. These are comparable 8.57 pm groups of offenders: in one case, with a community Alun Michael (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/Co-op): sentence properly enforced, there is only a 51% reoffending Let me begin by declaring, as I do at meetings of the rate; when a similar group of prisoners are sent to Home Affairs Committee, that my son is the chief prison for one year or less, 59% reoffend. executive of North Wales police authority. David T. C. Davies: Is the hon. Member aware that The debate raises some really big issues: how we can that report also showed that anyone sentenced to more make policing effective, how we can increase than 12 months in prison had the lowest reoffending professionalism, and how we can tackle new challenges rate of all? Is not the lesson we should draw that long such as internet-related crime, which continues to grow. prison sentences are more effective than anything else? Mr Ellwood: On a point of order, Mr Deputy Speaker. Tom Brake: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his I wonder whether the clock could be adjusted. intervention. I am drawing on one part of the report; he Mr Deputy Speaker: I thank the hon. Gentleman for is drawing on another. It is very clear that community his point of order. The debate is now under way again. sentences, for people who would otherwise have been given a short prison sentence, actually reduce reoffending. Alun Michael: Further issues arise from cuts which That means fewer victims. Surely, if we are having a are too deep and too sudden, and, in the case of the rational debate, that must be a matter of interest to all police, made even more painful by being front-ended. Members. We also face an upheaval as the Government press on For community sentences to be effective, I underline with their plan to establish police and crime commissioners the importance, as stressed to me by User Voice, of for each force in England and Wales—apart from that ensuring that rehabilitation is retained within the community in London, which strikes me as an odd omission. 729 Policing and Crime23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 730

[Alun Michael] My final example is to do with internet-related crime. This is a growth area, but the police will never have the If the Government are truly confident that theirs is resources to keep on chasing around the whole of the the right approach, they would have been well advised internet. The work of the Internet Watch Foundation to pilot the idea, because the devil will be in the detail of and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection relationships. The wholesale implementation of the Centre show what can be done. They have succeeded in Government’s proposals in 41 forces at a time of massive tackling child abuse over the last few years. It is important cuts, wholesale retirements and the serious demoralisation that business too is linked in and works in partnership that arises from pension changes can only be described on internet-related crime. I commend to Ministers the as truly courageous. example of e-Crime Wales, driven by a partnership I do not want to become bogged down in numbers, between the Welsh Assembly Government and the police but newer Government Members may be unaware of in Wales. the disastrous record of the last Conservative Government We need the police to do all the heavy lifting of and the way in which the ground was recovered during detective work, making arrests, being visible, engaging the subsequent years of Labour administration. It is the public and policing our town and city centres. The vital that the Government and the commissioners—if Minister is well aware of the challenges that our the other place allows their introduction—fully understand success in building up Cardiff as a real capital has the importance of a partnership approach to cutting presented to the police in terms of policing successive crime. When Robert Peel set up the first police force, he activities, but as the Justice Committee report on justice stated clearly that cutting crime and preventing offending reinvestment showed, most of the services and resources was the key role of the police. I am pleased to acknowledge that make a difference in cutting crime, and therefore in that both the Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice protecting victims, are outside the criminal justice system. and the Home Secretary underlined those words when Partnership is therefore not just an extra; it is not an they appeared before the Home Affairs Committee. option that can be dropped if time is short and the That belief, however, needs to be supported in practice pressure is on. It is crucial and central to enabling the and in substance, through partnerships linked to a clear police to be successful in their work, and I hope Ministers and objective analysis of why, when and where crime will encourage the continuation and growth of partnership happens. working. I am also pleased that the crime reduction partnerships which I introduced in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 9.3 pm are to continue, with some new titles and rebranding. Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): I want to talk That is fine: refreshing the model is an entirely appropriate predominantly about closed circuit television and DNA, move by Ministers in a new Government. However, this because I still feel that, despite the Home Secretary’s Government need to make sure that they build on the best efforts, the Government are going in the wrong cuts in crime achieved under the last Labour Government direction on these issues. I want to make it clear that I and squeeze out the further gains in crime reduction am not talking about what I believe to be the misuse of that are there to be made. That requires a clinical CCTV, such as for local authorities to snoop on what approach and an engineering approach to crime. My people put in their bins; I am talking about the use of favourite example in that regard is the violence reduction CCTV for the detection of crime. strategy in Cardiff, led, as it happens, by a medic—Professor Jonathan Shepherd—which has resulted in a cut of now A Scotland Yard study of the effectiveness of surveillance well over 40% in the number of victims, as measured cameras revealed that almost every Scotland Yard not by arrests or reports to the police but by the murder inquiry uses their footage as evidence. In 90 murder reduction in the number of people needing treatment at cases over a one-year period, CCTV was used in an accident and emergency unit following a violent 86 investigations. Officers said it helped to solve 65 cases incident. Such results do not happen by accident. Intelligent by capturing the murder itself on film, or tracking the analysis, partnership and ambition are what drove that movements of the suspects before or after an attack. improvement, and we need that approach everywhere. The recent case in my constituency of the “crossbow The result is savings to courts, to prisons and to the cannibal”, who was convicted of murdering three prostitutes NHS. There are therefore benefits for all those who are and dumping their bodies in the river, provides a good part of a partnership approach. example, as he was caught only because there was CCTV in the block of flats where he was committing his My second example relates to youth crime. The numbers crimes. in residential detention have come down as the youth CCTV evidence is not only a valuable tool for the offending teams have focused on the challenge of cutting police. It is invaluable in courts on two levels: to convict youth crime. Police are involved in what is an inter-agency the perpetrators of crimes, and to acquit those who approach. Again, I have no objection to that approach have not committed a crime. CCTV footage provides being renewed and refreshed, but I urge Ministers not conclusive and unbiased evidence, devoid of anyone’s to abandon a strategy that is working. We need police spin or recollection bias, which not only saves courts engagement in the work of reducing youth crime, rather time and money, but prevents witnesses from having to than having them always chasing after the offenders. go through the often stressful and unpleasant ordeal of My third example is about police community support giving evidence in court. Equally, CCTV can prove that officers. I commend the Welsh Assembly Government someone is being wrongly accused of committing a who have just come to office for putting in place additional crime, as was the case with Edmond Taylor. His conviction PCSOs to support the work of the police in Wales. That for dangerous driving was quashed on appeal when is essential for truly effective policing because we must CCTV footage showed that a white man had actually connect with local communities if we are to be successful. committed the offence—Mr Taylor is black. 731 Policing and Crime23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 732

Another useful tool that we should be promoting is The DNA database can also be used to acquit the automatic number plate recognition. It was through the innocent. The very first murder conviction using DNA use of ANPR, and that alone, that PC Sharon Beshenivsky’s evidence, in 1988, proved the innocence of a suspect. killers were caught. On 18 November 2005, Sharon Richard Buckland was suspected of separately assaulting Beshenivsky was shot and killed during a robbery in and murdering two schoolgirls in 1983 and 1986, but Bradford. The CCTV network was linked into an ANPR when his DNA sample was compared with DNA found system and was able to identify the getaway car and on the bodies of the two victims it proved that he was track its movements, leading to the arrest of six suspects. not the killer. Colin Pitchfork was later arrested, having The chief superintendant of West Yorkshire police called been one of the villagers who had their DNA taken and the ANPR system a a match was found. “revolutionary tool in detecting crime.” Unless the Government change their stance on DNA When a 2005 Home Office report on public attitudes and CCTV, they will be doing a huge disservice to towards CCTV asked what people thought of the statement people in this country. Their approach will lead to more “Overall the advantages of CCTV outweigh the unnecessary victims of crime and will further tarnish disadvantages”, 82% of those surveyed either agreed or our reputation in the field of law and order. strongly agreed. People use “civil liberties” as an argument to support 9.9 pm the case for reducing such technology. What I fail to Yasmin Qureshi (Bolton South East) (Lab): The debate understand is how footage of someone taken by CCTV is on policing, but I shall touch on the economics of the cameras on a public street in the public domain invades situation, which are raised so often by Government their privacy or civil liberties. If someone has chosen to Members. The Opposition are not in denial about the walk down the street, people can see them doing it deficit, but we do not accept that we caused whether they are recording it on a phone, observing it—[Interruption.] Members on the Government Benches what they are doing or watching it through a CCTV can snigger and laugh, but they could say that we camera. Those actions are clearly not private. caused the deficit only if no other country with a These civil liberties arguments seem to be used against similar economy had had the same problems. All those the DNA database too. I believe in real freedoms, and countries had the same problem with their economic the fact that someone’s DNA is on a database does not and banking systems because of the recklessness of the prevent that person from going about their daily lawful bankers, the sub-prime mortgages and the fact that business and it does not impinge on their freedoms in some banks had balances that were bigger than the any way whatsoever. During the application for judicial GDPs of many countries. They were reckless. We saved review of the retention of DNA in the divisional court, our system and as a result we managed to save half a the now Lord Justice Leveson stated that million people becoming unemployed. “the material stored says nothing about the physical makeup, characteristics or life of the person to whom they belong.” Tom Brake: Will the hon. Lady give way? These civil liberties arguments about DNA and CCTV are bogus. Yasmin Qureshi: I will give away on another point, As a result of the Government’s proposals, murderers not on this one. such as Ronald Castree would be free to roam the We recognise that there are financial difficulties, but streets and potentially kill again. Castree stabbed 11-year-old we must ask what we will achieve when we save money. Lesley Molseed in 1975 when she was on the way to the We must ask whether if we save £10 in one area, we will shop to buy bread for her mother. Stefan Kiszko was end up paying £20. That will happen with the police wrongly convicted and was jailed for 16 years for the cuts and the changes to the police more than with the murder until 2005 when Castree’s DNA was taken after changes to any other service. Staff numbers might be he was arrested but not charged over another sexual cut in the Department for Work and Pensions without attack. repercussions elsewhere, but when front-line police officer It is a fact that many violent criminals have been numbers are cut that is a false economy. jailed only because their DNA was taken when they There has been discussion in the House about committed a minor offence. These criminals include imprisonment and long-term sentences and, in some Dennis Fitzgerald, who was sentenced to eight years’ cases, long sentences deter people from committing imprisonment for the rape of a woman in November offences. What really stops people committing offences, 1987, and Nasser Mohammed who was jailed in 2008 however, is the fear of being caught, being prosecuted, for raping a woman in 2002 after his DNA was taken being convicted, going to prison and having their liberties when he was picked up for a minor offence. Often, a taken away. When somebody sees a police officer on the DNA match is the only thing that finally brings people street, they will not commit a crime. When they know to justice. that there are a number of police officers in a particular Figures from the National Policing Improvement Agency area, they will not commit a crime. We will save the state that in 2008-09, 32,209 crimes were detected in money that is spent when someone is arrested on which a DNA match was available or played a part, and prosecuting them, on lawyers’ fees, on our prison services, the latest annual report on the national DNA database on prison officers, on probation officers and on all the concluded that six in 10 crime scene profiles loaded up different agencies that work in the criminal justice system. to the database were matched to a subject profile. In Of course, let us not forget the poor victim who suffers addition, 147,852 crime scene sample profiles could be as a result of the criminal offence. If we put together the solved if we had a national DNA database—these are cost of all that, we must ask whether it is worth making instances where a sample has been taken at the crime that £10 saving when we will end up spending £30 to scene but there is, as yet, no match. deal with the problem that the saving causes. 733 Policing and Crime23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 734

[Yasmin Qureshi] I have had another spiriting encounter recently—at one of my street surgeries on the day before that service. I urge the Government seriously to consider how cuts As I stood on the street corner under my Conservative should be made in a Department such as the Home umbrella in the pouring rain on the Fylde coast, a local Office, given that we will have more problems in the resident and I discussed long-term antisocial behaviour. long term. I know that the hon. Member for Devizes I tried to persuade that house owner, who was an elderly (Claire Perry) said that we must not blind the House gentleman, that it was worth reporting a crime to the with statistics, but everybody always bandies statistics police, that he should not just assume that he would be about and it is right to emphasise what my hon. Friend ignored and that he needed to have a bit more confidence the Member for Oldham East and Saddleworth (Debbie in the police. That encounter brought home to me once Abrahams) said about the fact that crime, including again the fact that there is a fundamental disconnect. violent crime and crimes against properties, fell considerably We can have as many PACT—police and community during the 13 years of Labour government. That did together—meetings as we like, but they do not achieve not happen miraculously—the Labour Government much if they are not attended. We can have as many invested in the police, spent money on community well-paid members of police authorities as we like— support officers and gave more money for fingerprint promoting themselves all of a sudden to make sure they analysis, DNA evidence and technical support. The have a future—but if people do not know who they are combination of those things caused the crime rate to and do not see the role they play, as people have not fall. Government Members can tell us not to quote recently, then they are not the ones to reconnect with statistics, but that is the truth: crime fell under Labour ordinary people. That is why I strongly support the and it fell for the reasons I have given. decision to introduce police commissioners. It is not just me who says that crime will rise. The I speak as a Member of Parliament who is fortunate, chief constables of South Yorkshire and Lancashire as I mentioned to the shadow Home Secretary earlier. I have said that that will happen if the numbers of front-line know that the chief constable of Lancashire has an police officers are cut. It is inevitable—it is common awful lot to say for himself but he has some excellent sense—that more crimes will occur if police numbers divisional commanders who have been working on trying are cut, so I urge the Government to reconsider this to accommodate the budgetary changes in Lancashire. false economic measure. In Blackpool, the police have been able to increase the number of neighbourhood policemen on the beat or, to 9.14 pm use that wonderful phrase that the Opposition love so much, on the front line. My constituents will benefit Paul Maynard (Blackpool North and Cleveleys) (Con): from that and I welcome it. More importantly, I welcome One of my regular Sunday penances, more fool me, is to the shadow Home Secretary’s pledge, if I heard her read The Observer. I do that neither for the quality of its correctly, to maintain police numbers as they are. I am journalism nor for the need to read Will Hutton’s so grateful to her for writing all of my election leaflets economic “wisdom”, but because I am keen to get my between now and the general election. When I get my head around what the Opposition are thinking so that I Hansard tomorrow I will be able to say quite confidently can better understand why they say the crazy things that Labour would cut policing in Blackpool because they say.This weekend’s edition was particularly interesting: they would take it back to where it was before we had it printed a column in which it bemoaned the death of the improvements in neighbourhood policing. political discourse because of the quality of the Opposition’s My main concern, which I would like to raise in the response to what happened last week over the Justice final minute, is that last year Lancashire police’s total Secretary’s comments. Nothing that I have heard today external income was £310 million, less than for 2010-11, in the two debates I have sat through has given me any but still £2 million more than for 2009-10. However, cause to decide that the quality of political discourse in more than 30% of the increase in the police authority’s the Chamber is improving. With a few honourable council tax precept has gone not on front-line policing, exceptions on both sides of the House it has been but rather on plugging the growing gap in police pensions. profoundly dispiriting. I know that there is much concern in all parts of the Far more spiriting was my experience of attending House about changes to police terms and conditions, the civic Sunday service yesterday in Poulton-le-Fylde but it is important to look at the matter, as the Home for the new mayor of Wyre. Next to me on the pew sat Secretary has said, from the point of view of fairness to the divisional commander of the northern section of taxpayers as well. Lancashire constabulary, whom I see occasionally at By 2011 the subsidy from the taxpayer to plug the the odd event and who has also been a senior policeman gap in Lancashire police authority’s pension scheme in the adjacent Blackpool area. We had a fascinating had risen to £23 million, up from £13 million just three discussion about some of the policing challenges he years ago. I firmly believe that the police should get a faces such as the role of domestic violence, with some fair pension and a fair deal, but taxpayers also deserve a 36% of violent crime within the northern division occurring degree of fairness. The systemic underperformance of within a family dwelling. We had a good-natured debate police pension funds must be resolved because the about the need for, or his arguments in favour of, burden falls, in the end, on all of us. minimum pricing for alcohol. Our discussion brought home to me a point that the right hon. Member for 9.20 pm Cardiff South and Penarth (Alun Michael) was trying to make earlier—that partnership working is a good Jack Dromey (Birmingham, Erdington) (Lab): The thing. We have very senior policemen who have a very Home Secretary was good enough to meet six police good understanding of the social problems in the officers from the west midlands—six outstanding officers communities they seek to serve. whom I know well. They included Tim Kennedy, described 735 Policing and Crime23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 736 by one of his colleagues as one of the most brilliant painful lessons from the mistakes of history, and on the forensic detectives anywhere in Britain, with an outstanding other hand massive investment by a Labour Government, track record of detection; Sergeant Dave Hewitt, an leading to 17,000 more police officers, 16,000 police outstanding community police sergeant, with a team of community support officers, a 43% fall in crime and a police officers with a first-class track record of keeping model of community policing that is held in high regard their community safe; and Detective Constable Tony worldwide and valued by our communities. Now in the Fisher, a man who specialises in the detection of serious west midlands we are seeing crime rising: 2,200 more crime, ranging from detecting the individual who was vehicle crimes, 2,500 more burglaries and robbery up robbing pensioners at knifepoint at cash points and by 25%. putting him away for 13 years, to the action that he took In conclusion, the Home Secretary spoke earlier about to track down somebody who was responsible for leading policing by consent, and I agree with her, but there is no a gang carrying out robberies with a machete, putting consent in my constituency for what she is doing. There him away for 17 years. is dismay because no politician now on the Government There was also Martin Heard, a police constable Benches went to the people last May and said, “Vote for and an outstanding community police officer in me and I will cut the police.” There is dismay because Wolverhampton. As his community said on ITV only 2,400 will go from the West Midlands police service, last week, “He was always there for us when we needed and because those brave men and women with 30 years’ him. Now there’s no one there in his place.” He was service, some of them 48 or 49 years old, are being forced out as one of the A19 officers. To add insult to forced out just when the community needs them most. injury, he then received a letter asking, “Do you want to The Home Secretary must realise that the Government come back as an unpaid special constable?” have got it wrong and that they have to think again. Even in some of the most sensitive areas of policing, we are seeing cuts. In the west midlands 16 counter-terrorism 9.27 pm officers are being forced out under regulation A19—nine constables, three sergeants, two inspectors and a Mr Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East) (Con): This superintendent. This is madness. It is the abrogation by has been an illuminating and important debate for Government of their first duty, which is to ensure the understanding the policy differences between the coalition safety and security of our communities, and it is utterly Government and the Labour party. I would like to indefensible, yet the Government seek to mount two make a few observations, but first I will do as other defences. Members have done and pay tribute to the work of the police, both nationally and in my constituency. They The first defence is the “Not me, guv” defence that serve our communities well and occasionally put themselves blames the police. The Home Secretary cuts the police, in harm’s way, and we must never forget the demanding then blames the police for the cuts, in circumstances environment in which they work. That said, reform is where, by the scale and speed of the cuts that she has long overdue. offered up to the Chancellor, she leaves chief constables in an impossible position. The second defence is the I am pleased that the coalition Government are finally assertion that there are only 11% of police on the front grasping the nettle and looking at restructuring, saving line at any one time. That simplistic nonsense fails to police officers’ time, simplifying how crime is recorded understand the nature of modern policing. and freeing officers to focus on cutting crime. That is in Inspector Mark Stokes, one of the police officers contrast to Labour’s approach, which can be summarised whom the Home Secretary met, is an expert in designing as shifting power away from communities and back to out crime. At the 4 Towers estate, crime fell by 98% as a Whitehall, introducing too many target-based systems consequence of his work on the front line, but also in and taking officers away from the front line. I listened the middle office. Typically, the great bulk of the work carefully to the speech made by the shadow Home to detect individuals guilty of domestic violence is done Secretary, for whom I have a lot of respect, and read the by way of a multi-agency approach, the multi-agency speech she gave to the Police Federation, but I still see risk assessment conference, not on the front line, and it no evidence—perhaps it is too early at this time—of is devastatingly effective in protecting women against any concrete ideas for reform. assault. On the subject of the Police Federation, I would like Offender managers work through the multi-agency to digress briefly and mention the reception given to the public protection arrangements, managing offenders on Home Secretary last week, which I thought—I choose the basis of risk—sex offenders, for example, such as my words carefully—was unedifying, unfortunate and the case in the west midlands of an individual who had unnecessary. We are in difficult times and whichever served 28 months in prison because he had assaulted party was in power would have to make some tough young children. He came out, applied to become a decisions. Communication is very important, and we referee, became a referee, but was detected as a consequence must respect the appointment. There are consequence of detailed work not on the front line, but intelligence of showing disrespect when a Secretary of State comes work that discovered what was happening, moved against to speak to a federation, whether it relates to education, him and raised the matter with the Football Association, health or the police. I think that it is important that that leading to a sex offender order and that individual no relationship is kept strong and that we do not get to the longer having any access to young children. I could go situation, as we see with the Health Secretary, where on. So much of the work of intelligence and surveillance they decide no longer to speak to the full federation, but officers, for example, is not done on the front line, but it to smaller groups instead. I just want to put those is absolutely key to successful policing. points on the record. What we are seeing is a devastating reversal of the I have a couple of observations to make on the progress made over the past 13 years. What we saw over speech itself. I have made the point about Criminal those years was on the one hand our police learning the Records Bureau checks. I am fortunate to come from a 737 Policing and Crime23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 738

[Mr Tobias Ellwood] Friend the Member for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown) had not intervened, we would have been on family that is full of teachers, who feed me information our knees, and that investment in the banks will be paid about their problems and frustrations when trying to back many times over, because the share prices will go organise school events, take trips and provide the up. Admittedly, one third of the deficit was excess children with a bit of exposure beyond the school itself. investment over income to grow our economy, but there Their frustration is the result of the red tape that they are no apologies for that. have to go through and the amount of paperwork Given that there is a deficit that the international required when organising those trips. I gave the example financial community created, what should be done about of one teacher in one school requiring a separate set of it? Should we go down the Home Secretary’s path and checks simply because her child went to another school clear the deficit in just four years, or should we halve it where she wanted to drive a minibus. I am glad to hear in four years? The other question is, should we get rid of that the coalition Government are going to address that the deficit in four years just through cuts to public issue. services and benefits, or should we use three mechanisms: Another aspect is antisocial behaviour, and I intervened first, economic growth, such as notably the Germans on that point, but the Opposition did not make it clear and the Americans are using; secondly, make the bankers whether they will move away from ASBOs or are still pay their fair share; and thirdly, yes, make manageable proud of what is considered a badge of honour. It is savings over time? clear that among certain age groups three quarters of In the case under discussion, that would mean 12% cuts ASBOs are broken. They are breached, they do not instead of 20%, the difference between front-line cuts work and we need a different form of reform which and no front-line cuts. As I said in an intervention, the looks into the deep-rooted reasons why such ASBOs are Government’s policy is a false economy, because the broken. extra 8 percentage points, which will go purely on man There is also the aspect of late-night drinking. It is and womanpower, will increase crime and the public fair to say that Bournemouth has a vibrant nightlife, as will bear the cost in property or in damage to people. do most towns nowadays, but one issue that the Home There is a clear choice, and the Government’s policy is Secretary raised was the importance of the visibility of the wrong choice. policing. The visibility of policing in Bournemouth has We have seen it all before. Under the Tories last time, been tested, because of late-night drinking—the 24-hour crime doubled; under Labour, crime went down 40%. drinking culture that the previous Government introduced. Not only are we seeing the means of tackling crime It has placed huge pressure on the police. They are no reduced by cuts in police, DNA services, CCTV and longer overstretched from 10 o’clock at night until 1 or ASBOs, by making sentences easier and by giving the 2 in the morning; they have to go until 3, 4, 5 o’clock in wrong signals to rapists; we are increasing demand by the morning in order to police the streets, because that cutting education, cutting jobs and increasing drug-taking is when the antisocial behaviour really kicks in. essentially—[Interruption.] The Home Secretary seems Then, there is the amount of red tape affecting our bemused, but in reality if there is less education and police officers. In 2009-10, more than 52 guidance fewer police, more children will go on to take drugs. documents came from the Home Office, each one averaging That is certainly the testimony that I have heard from 100 pages—far too much interference from Whitehall. the police. The basic economics of the situation are That needs to change. That is why only 15% of any completely absurd. police officer’s time seems to be spent on the front line. On top of that, we have this structural change costing Instead, they are pulled away to do the paperwork that £200 million—the introduction of elected commissioners, the previous Government promised to tackle. whose incentive will be to go for votes in middle-class, This has been a helpful debate. I am pleased to see low-crime, high-voting areas. They will go along and that after 13 years we are starting to tackle some of the say, “Yes, we’ll have some more community policing difficult decisions that face our police forces and our down here in this middle-class area”, but they will not country. We need to reform the police, to reduce the red do that where there are no votes and higher crime. tape that exists among our forces and finally to grasp There will therefore be a direct contradiction between the difficult nettle of pay and conditions. I congratulate the motivation of the elected commissioner and the my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on taking on operational chief constable who is supposed to be those issues—issues that were sadly ducked during 13 years independent. The whole thing is absolutely farcical. of Labour. What we need, clearly, is a pause. We have seen a number of pauses from this Government, including on 9.32 pm the NHS and the woodland fiasco, and it is time to push the pause button again and do a complete reversal. In a Geraint Davies (Swansea West) (Lab/Co-op): The nutshell, these changes are unnecessary, unfair and thin blue line on the Government Benches is pretty thin counterproductive. for fairly obvious reasons: they do not have a decent Finally, I want to put in a good word for the Swansea alibi for making these savage and unnecessary cuts. The police, particularly Chief Superintendent Mark Mathias. alibi that the Home Secretary feebly provides is that it is They are doing an absolutely fantastic job. For example, all the deficit and all Labour’s fault, but we all know they are meeting up with retail traders to talk about the that at least two thirds of that deficit was created by the relationship between antisocial behaviour and economic bankers. growth and linking up with communities. However, The British taxpayer has been robbed by the bankers, they are not helped by the fact that one hand is being and in reality the deficit was the price paid to avoid a tied behind their backs and they are not given the depression. If the Labour party and my right hon. support that they require. 739 Policing and Crime23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 740

The view of the police, which is reflected among the The Home Secretary tells the House that there is public, was shown by the complete silence that met the no choice but to slash the budget by 20% and to lose Home Secretary when she spoke to them. If she does 12,000 police officers and 16,000 staff. I say to her that not have the confidence of the police, how can she hope that is a choice the Government have made. There is an to succeed? These polices do not make sense economically, alternative, but the Government do not want to pursue socially or in terms of crime, and I urge her to think it. I will not use the example of aid that was given by the again. hon. Member for Monmouth, because we support that money. The Government have protected certain budgets. 9.36 pm The schools budget is protected. The health budget is quite rightly protected. The Defence Secretary fought Vernon Coaker (Gedling) (Lab): This has been an for the defence budget and secured changes to it. Where interesting debate with many contributions. I am particularly was the Home Secretary when it came to the police pleased that my hon. Friends, to a man and woman, budget? Where was she when she should have gone to have put forward the message that what we are seeing is the Prime Minister and demanded that he give the very damaging to each and every one of our communities. police the budget they deserve? She was nowhere. Why My right hon. Friend the Member for Cardiff South was that not a priority? The police suffered a and Penarth (Alun Michael) and my hon. Friends the disproportionate cut to their budget, which is forcing Members for Bolton South East (Yasmin Qureshi), for chief constables up and down the country to make cuts. Oldham East and Saddleworth (Debbie Abrahams), for I do not blame the chief constables, as the Home Birmingham, Erdington (Jack Dromey), for Mitcham Secretary has done, for cutting police numbers. The and Morden (Siobhain McDonagh) and for Swansea blame for that lies fairly and squarely on the shoulders West (Geraint Davies) pointed to the real damage that of this Government, who have made the decisions about the budget cuts are doing to policing in their areas, the budgets. It is not the chief constables who should be highlighting the impact of the fight against crime on blamed, but the Home Secretary and her Ministers. other important community services. As well as police numbers being cut—some of the Interestingly, the unity among Labour Members was most experienced officers have already gone—the front not matched by Government Members, many of whose line will be affected. I guarantee to all Government interventions and speeches pointed to the fact that the Members that if they speak to police officers in their Government are in some difficulty on this whole agenda. constituencies, they will say that it is impossible for The hon. Member for Monmouth (David T. C. Davies), what is happening in their area not to impact on the who also spoke about himself, eloquently explained at front line. [Interruption.] The hon. Member for Ealing some length the damage being done to the Government’s Central and Acton (Angie Bray) says that she does not law and order credentials on sentencing and issues think that that is right. I tell her to put that on her relating to policing. The hon. Member for Broxbourne website. I will check it in the next couple of days to see (Mr Walker), who is not in his place, asked his own whether it is on there. Home Secretary to look at the disproportionate impact of the cuts on policing. The hon. Member for Shipley Dr Huppert: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? (Philip Davies) pointed to the potential harm done by the bureaucracy surrounding CCTV, ANPR and DNA. Vernon Coaker: I will give way in a moment, because However much the Home Secretary tries to pretend that I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will put out a press all is well and everything is going just swimmingly, it is release on what he says. It will come out how the loss of clear that there are tensions and problems. officers and staff in Cambridgeshire is impacting on the With regard to all this, it sometimes seems to me that front line there. I was in Cambridgeshire yesterday, and I live in a parallel universe. I am struck by what the I spoke to front-line officers who told me that that was Home Secretary said at the Police Federation conference the case. and by what she has said to the House. There was not a sliver of doubt in what she said—not one jot or iota of Dr Huppert: I thank the hon. Gentleman for giving movement to suggest that maybe, just maybe, there way. It is a shame he did not have the courtesy to say might be other people who have a point, or that if she is that he was visiting Cambridgeshire. I spoke to the chief not totally wrong, perhaps she needs to trim a little bit. constable this morning—the hon. Gentleman would Everybody who has opposed the Home Secretary, and know this if he had been here earlier—and there will be indeed the Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice, is no loss of police constables in Cambridgeshire. The regarded as wrong, and their views are rejected. The hon. Gentleman is simply wrong. view from Government Front Benchers is this: “We will plough on. It doesn’t matter what anybody else says—we Vernon Coaker: Before the hon. Gentleman gets on are going to carry on.” his high horse, I should say that I have not heard of the I say to the Home Secretary that the Government are new rule that one has to let an MP know every time one out of touch on crime. They are taking big risks with visits friends. I went to see friends of mine in Cambridgeshire the cuts to police numbers. The Prime Minister, who who happen to be police officers, and they told me what prides himself on being in touch, has not made one the impact on front-line officers will be. If I had to major crime speech since becoming Prime Minister. choose between the hon. Member for Cambridge There is no cross-Government strategy to cut crime. (Dr Huppert) and front-line police officers in Crime went up under the Tories before. If the Home Cambridgeshire to tell me about the impact on the front Secretary, the Policing Minister and other Ministers line, I know who I would trust. carry on like this, they are at risk of that happening The hon. Member for Shipley spoke about the impact again, and it is communities across the country that will of DNA and CCTV. People and communities up and pay the price. down this country are not saying to me as shadow 741 Policing and Crime23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 742

[Vernon Coaker] hon. Friend the Member for Croydon Central (Gavin Barwell) paid to PC Nigel Albuery, who was stabbed on Policing Minister, to my hon. Friends or to Government duty last week serving the Metropolitan police. His Members, “We’ve got far too many CCTV cameras in service, and what he went through, reminds us of the our area.” I do not have people queuing up in my importance of the job that the police do, which we must constituency to tell me that. They are not saying, “Actually, recognise is frequently difficult and dangerous. Police our civil liberties are being undermined tremendously”. officers, of course, cannot strike. It is therefore important—I They say that they want more CCTV, because they say this in response to hon. Members on both sides of understand that it supports the police and helps them the House—that we treat police officers properly and fight crime. It reassures people and enables crime to be value their service. However, none of that means that tackled effectively. the Government do not have to take the difficult decisions that it is necessary to confront at the moment. Tom Brake rose— I agreed strongly with my hon. Friend the Member Vernon Coaker: I will not give way, because I have for Monmouth (David T. C. Davies) on criticism of the only a couple of minutes. I normally would, as the hon. police, which was levelled, for instance, in relation to the Gentleman knows. disorder in London in past weeks. He made the point that the police are so often damned if they do and A point that has not yet hit home is that supported damned if they do not. This Government have sought housing, domestic and sexual violence services and not to join in with that criticism, but instead, we have youth services—the community services that people offered support for both the leadership of the police depend upon—are all being cut. When specialist housing and the officers who did their job on the ground in support, sexual violence officers and the specialist domestic difficult and trying circumstances. Many of those officers violence services provided by local authorities or voluntary were injured, and we believe that criticism should be organisations are no longer in place, people will instead levelled at, and reserved for, the people who perpetrated dial 999 and ask for a police officer, who by their nature that violence. It is simply wrong-headed to criticise the will try to attend. That will be a real problem for the police for the action that they took. police, because demands on them will go up as there is contraction in other services. I am afraid that Opposition Members continue not The Home Secretary spoke in absolute terms about to accept the fact that we must deal with the deficit, what police and crime commissioners would do, but which means that we must take tough decisions. It is said not a word about the defeat in the House of Lords. quite clear that Opposition would be simply unwilling She spoke as though the vote there had never taken to take those decisions—meaning decisions on the public place. There was no reference to it at all, no slight heed sector. Do the shadow Home Secretary and the shadow paid to the fact that the Government’s plans might need Policing and Criminal Justice Minister really think that to change. it helps to criticise chief constables as they seek to take the inevitable and difficult decisions to protect front-line Mrs May: May I suggest that in future the hon. services and restructure their forces? That does not help Gentleman listens to my speeches? I made specific those chief constables at all. reference to the defeat in the House of Lords and what The Opposition pretend, both to the police and to the would happen in the House of Commons. public, that their policy would be completely different from ours, but as my right hon. Friend the Home Vernon Coaker: I will have a look at what the Home Secretary pointed out, their policy is to cut, this year, Secretary said, but I think all of us know that she is just £7 of every £8 that we would cut. As the shadow Home going to plough on regardless of what the House of Secretary has been forced to admit, the Opposition Lords has done. would cut £1 billion a year from police budgets. She We have a Government who are playing fast and must be the only person in this country who thinks it loose on crime, and who say that they know best but are possible to cut £1 billion from police budgets without out of touch on law and order. It is about time that they any reduction in the work force. How on earth does she got a grip and made the right choices for the country, think such savings can be realised? the police and communities. If they can U-turn on Of course, there will be savings from reducing the forests and the NHS, we need a U-turn on the police. It work force. Her Majesty’s inspectorate of constabulary will be interesting to see whether the Home Secretary was quite clear that cuts would be made across legal and and the Government do that. investigation services, and in estates, criminal justice, custody, training, intelligence, business support and 9.48 pm community policing. That is where HMIC said savings The Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice (Nick must be realised. Why do the Opposition believe it Herbert): We have had a typical debate on policing this possible to reduce spending on the police by £1 billion a evening, in which Government Members have spoken year—their policy—and yet pretend to police officers with knowledge about policing in their local areas and and staff that not a single job would be lost? Frankly, in offered constructive suggestions on how policing could taking that position, they are not being straight to be improved and, as usual, Labour Members have police officers and their staff about what would happen. simply sought to play politics, as they have in every That is very different to the position taken by the debate that they have called. former shadow Chancellor, the right hon. Member for I begin by mentioning what I believe all of us should Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle (Alan Johnson). agree about—the value of the police in our country, the When he was Home Secretary, he at least had the contribution that they make and the need for us to honesty to admit that Labour could not maintain numbers. support them. I note in particular the tribute that my He admitted that, but the current shadow Home Secretary 743 Policing and Crime23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 744 will not admit it. The truth is that she has absolutely no she opposing the two-year pay freeze and then arguing idea how that £1 billion of savings would be achieved. that we have not identified how to make the savings? Of Let me give her an example from the HMIC report. The course we have. inspector talks about the importance of making savings from collaboration. He says: Yvette Cooper: On a point of order, Mr Speaker. In “Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire forces anticipate savings of” your experience, is it parliamentary procedure and £1.5 million parliamentary protocol for a Member to make so many “from joint work on scientific support, major crime, firearms, a comments about the shadow Home Secretary and not single dog unit and a single professional standards department.” allow them to intervene to respond?

Yvette Cooper rose— Mr Speaker: It is the responsibility of the Member on his or her feet to decide whether, and if so when, to Nick Herbert: I am not going to give way. [HON. allow an intervention. MEMBERS: “Give way!”] No. I gave way to the right hon. Lady last time, and she abused that privilege. I am not Nick Herbert: That time-wasting intervention has going to give way to her again. How does the right hon. just shown exactly why it is not necessary or proper to Lady think that Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire could give way to the right hon. Lady. make these savings other than by reducing the number The Labour party, particularly the shadow Home of people? Secretary, have absolutely no credibility on policing policy, because it has nothing to say about it. What is Yvette Cooper rose— her position on the Winsor reform proposal that police Nick Herbert: Those forces talk about a single dog officers should be paid more for working antisocial unit. Does the right hon. Lady think they are just hours? Is she in favour of or against that? She will not cutting the number—[Interruption.] say. What is her policy on the Winsor proposal that police officers should be rewarded for the skills they Mr Speaker: Order. Members must not try to drown show? She does not know, she has not said, and she will out the Minister of State. He must be heard. If he wants not say, because the Opposition have no credible policy to give way, he will, but if not, he must continue. on policing issues. What has she said about bureaucracy? Absolutely nothing at all. We know that Labour created Nick Herbert: With only a few minutes to go, I will it, and we are determined to sweep it away. not give way. The Government are determined to fight crime, and The Labour party does not wish to admit to police we are determined to support the police. We are determined officers and the public that it, too, would be cutting to give the police and others new powers to fight budgets, staff and police pay. In her speech, the right antisocial behaviour. We will create a new national hon. Lady criticised a police force that was having to cut crime agency to strengthen the fight against serious its overtime bill. What does she think a cut in overtime crime. We will cut targets and trust professionals by is if not a cut in police pay? Frankly, the Opposition’s giving them the freedom to do their job. We will sweep position is one of nothing more than shameless away the bureaucracy that Labour imposed. opportunism. Government Members know exactly what we have to do. Mr Alan Campbell (Tynemouth) (Lab) claimed to Incredibly, in answer to my hon. Friend the Member move the closure (Standing Order No. 36). for Devizes (Claire Perry), the right hon. Lady said, Question put forthwith, That the Question be now “We have had this debate before”. Yes we have, and she put. has called it before, and several times she has come to Question agreed to. the Dispatch Box and repeated her constant claim Main Question accordingly put. about police cuts, but in all her speeches what has she actually said about policing policy? What has she said The House divided: Ayes 206, Noes 304. on any of these issues? Division No. 285] [9.59 pm

Yvette Cooper rose— AYES Nick Herbert: The right hon. Lady has had her Abbott, Ms Diane Blackman-Woods, Roberta opportunity already because she has called three debates, Abrahams, Debbie Blenkinsop, Tom but what has she said about policing policy? She has Alexander, Heidi Blomfield, Paul Allen, Mr Graham Blunkett, rh Mr David said nothing about serious organised crime. She has Austin, Ian Bradshaw, rh Mr Ben said nothing about procurement and IT, on which we Bailey, Mr Adrian Brown, Lyn argue that savings can be found. We say that nearly Bain, Mr William Brown, rh Mr Nicholas £400 million of savings can be made through better Balls, rh Ed Brown, Mr Russell procurement and IT. What is the Opposition’s policy on Banks, Gordon Bryant, Chris that? They are silent. They have nothing to say on that. Barron, rh Mr Kevin Buck, Ms Karen Bayley, Hugh Campbell, Mr Alan Yvette Cooper rose— Beckett, rh Margaret Campbell, Mr Gregory Begg, Dame Anne Campbell, Mr Ronnie Nick Herbert: The right hon. Lady has never mentioned Benn, rh Hilary Caton, Martin it in her speeches. She opposes the two-year pay freeze Benton, Mr Joe Chapman, Mrs Jenny that we are asking the whole public sector to apply, and Berger, Luciana Clark, Katy which will save a considerable sum in policing. Why is Betts, Mr Clive Clarke, rh Mr Tom 745 Policing and Crime23 MAY 2011 Policing and Crime 746

Clwyd, rh Ann Jarvis, Dan Slaughter, Mr Andy Walley, Joan Coaker, Vernon Johnson, rh Alan Smith, rh Mr Andrew Watson, Mr Tom Connarty, Michael Johnson, Diana Smith, Angela Watts, Mr Dave Cooper, Rosie Jones, Helen Smith, Nick Whitehead, Dr Alan Cooper, rh Yvette Jones, Mr Kevan Spellar, rh Mr John Williams, Hywel Corbyn, Jeremy Jones, Susan Elan Stuart, Ms Gisela Williamson, Chris Crausby, Mr David Jowell, rh Tessa Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Wilson, Phil Creasy, Stella Joyce, Eric Tami, Mark Winnick, Mr David Cruddas, Jon Khan, rh Sadiq Thornberry, Emily Winterton, rh Ms Rosie Cryer, John Lavery, Ian Timms, rh Stephen Woodcock, John Cunningham, Alex Lazarowicz, Mark Trickett, Jon Woodward, rh Mr Shaun Cunningham, Mr Jim Leslie, Chris Turner, Karl Wright, David Cunningham, Tony Lloyd, Tony Twigg, Derek Wright, Mr Iain Curran, Margaret Lucas, Caroline Twigg, Stephen Tellers for the Ayes: Dakin, Nic Lucas, Ian Umunna, Mr Chuka Mr David Anderson and David, Mr Wayne Mactaggart, Fiona Vaz, Valerie Graham Jones Davidson, Mr Ian Mahmood, Mr Khalid Davies, Geraint Mahmood, Shabana Davies, Philip Marsden, Mr Gordon NOES De Piero, Gloria McCabe, Steve Adams, Nigel Cash, Mr William Denham, rh Mr John McCann, Mr Michael Afriyie, Adam Chishti, Rehman Dobbin, Jim McCarthy, Kerry Aldous, Peter Clappison, Mr James Docherty, Thomas McClymont, Gregg Amess, Mr David Clark, rh Greg Donohoe, Mr Brian H. McDonagh, Siobhain Andrew, Stuart Clarke, rh Mr Kenneth Dowd, Jim McGovern, Alison Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Doyle, Gemma McGuire, rh Mrs Anne Bacon, Mr Richard Collins, Damian Dromey, Jack McKechin, Ann Baker, Norman Colvile, Oliver Dugher, Michael McKinnell, Catherine Baker, Steve Cox, Mr Geoffrey Durkan, Mark Meacher, rh Mr Michael Baldry, Tony Crabb, Stephen Eagle, Maria Meale, Mr Alan Baldwin, Harriett Crockart, Mike Edwards, Jonathan Mearns, Ian Barclay, Stephen Crouch, Tracey Elliott, Julie Michael, rh Alun Barker, Gregory Davies, David T. C. Ellman, Mrs Louise Miliband, rh David Baron, Mr John (Monmouth) Esterson, Bill Miliband, rh Edward Barwell, Gavin Davies, Glyn Evans, Chris Miller, Andrew Bebb, Guto de Bois, Nick Farrelly, Paul Mitchell, Austin Beith, rh Sir Alan Dinenage, Caroline Fitzpatrick, Jim Morden, Jessica Benyon, Richard Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Flello, Robert Morrice, Graeme (Livingston) Beresford, Sir Paul Dorries, Nadine Flint, rh Caroline Morris, Grahame M. Bingham, Andrew Doyle-Price, Jackie Flynn, Paul (Easington) Binley, Mr Brian Drax, Richard Francis, Dr Hywel Munn, Meg Birtwistle, Gordon Duddridge, James Gapes, Mike Murphy, rh Mr Jim Blackman, Bob Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Gardiner, Barry Murphy, rh Paul Blackwood, Nicola Dunne, Mr Philip Gilmore, Sheila Murray, Ian Blunt, Mr Crispin Ellis, Michael Glindon, Mrs Mary Nandy, Lisa Boles, Nick Ellison, Jane Godsiff, Mr Roger Nash, Pamela Bone, Mr Peter Ellwood, Mr Tobias Goggins, rh Paul O’Donnell, Fiona Bradley, Karen Elphicke, Charlie Goodman, Helen Onwurah, Chi Brady, Mr Graham Eustice, George Greatrex, Tom Pearce, Teresa Brake, Tom Evans, Graham Green, Kate Perkins, Toby Bray, Angie Evans, Jonathan Greenwood, Lilian Phillipson, Bridget Brazier, Mr Julian Evennett, Mr David Griffith, Nia Pound, Stephen Bridgen, Andrew Fabricant, Michael Gwynne, Andrew Qureshi, Yasmin Brine, Mr Steve Fallon, Michael Hain, rh Mr Peter Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Brokenshire, James Farron, Tim Hamilton, Fabian Reed, Mr Jamie Brooke, Annette Featherstone, Lynne Hanson, rh Mr David Reeves, Rachel Browne, Mr Jeremy Field, Mr Mark Harris, Mr Tom Reynolds, Emma Bruce, Fiona Francois, rh Mr Mark Healey, rh John Reynolds, Jonathan Bruce, rh Malcolm Freeman, George Hendrick, Mark Robertson, John Buckland, Mr Robert Freer, Mike Hepburn, Mr Stephen Robinson, Mr Geoffrey Burley, Mr Aidan Fuller, Richard Heyes, David Rotheram, Steve Burns, rh Mr Simon Gale, Mr Roger Hillier, Meg Roy, Mr Frank Burrowes, Mr David Garnier, Mr Edward Hilling, Julie Roy, Lindsay Burstow, Paul Garnier, Mark Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Ruddock, rh Joan Burt, Alistair Gauke, Mr David Hoey, Kate Sarwar, Anas Burt, Lorely George, Andrew Hood, Mr Jim Seabeck, Alison Byles, Dan Gibb, Mr Nick Hopkins, Kelvin Sharma, Mr Virendra Cable, rh Vince Gilbert, Stephen Howarth, rh Mr George Sheerman, Mr Barry Cairns, Alun Gillan, rh Mrs Cheryl Hunt, Tristram Sheridan, Jim Campbell, rh Sir Menzies Glen, John Irranca-Davies, Huw Shuker, Gavin Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Goldsmith, Zac James, Mrs Siân C. Simpson, David Carmichael, Neil Goodwill, Mr Robert Jamieson, Cathy Skinner, Mr Dennis Carswell, Mr Douglas Graham, Richard 747 Policing and Crime 23 MAY 2011 748

Grant, Mrs Helen Macleod, Mary Simmonds, Mark Tyrie, Mr Andrew Gray, Mr James May, rh Mrs Theresa Simpson, Mr Keith Uppal, Paul Grayling, rh Chris Maynard, Paul Skidmore, Chris Vaizey, Mr Edward Green, Damian McCartney, Jason Smith, Miss Chloe Vara, Mr Shailesh Greening, Justine McCartney, Karl Smith, Henry Vickers, Martin Grieve, rh Mr Dominic McIntosh, Miss Anne Smith, Julian Walker, Mr Charles Griffiths, Andrew McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Smith, Sir Robert Walker, Mr Robin Gummer, Ben McPartland, Stephen Soubry, Anna Wallace, Mr Ben Gyimah, Mr Sam McVey, Esther Spelman, rh Mrs Caroline Walter, Mr Robert Halfon, Robert Menzies, Mark Spencer, Mr Mark Ward, Mr David Hammond, Stephen Metcalfe, Stephen Stanley, rh Sir John Watkinson, Angela Hancock, Matthew Miller, Maria Stephenson, Andrew Webb, Steve Hands, Greg Mills, Nigel Stevenson, John Wharton, James Harper, Mr Mark Milton, Anne Stewart, Bob Wheeler, Heather Harrington, Richard Moore, rh Michael Stewart, Iain White, Chris Harris, Rebecca Mordaunt, Penny Stewart, Rory Whittaker, Craig Hart, Simon Morgan, Nicky Streeter, Mr Gary Whittingdale, Mr John Harvey, Nick Morris, David Stride, Mel Willetts, rh Mr David Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan Mowat, David Stuart, Mr Graham Williams, Mr Mark Hayes, Mr John Mulholland, Greg Stunell, Andrew Williams, Roger Heald, Oliver Mundell, rh David Sturdy, Julian Williams, Stephen Heath, Mr David Munt, Tessa Swales, Ian Williamson, Gavin Heaton-Harris, Chris Murray, Sheryll Swayne, Mr Desmond Willott, Jenny Hemming, John Murrison, Dr Andrew Swinson, Jo Wilson, Mr Rob Henderson, Gordon Neill, Robert Syms, Mr Robert Wollaston, Dr Sarah Hendry, Charles Newton, Sarah Teather, Sarah Wright, Jeremy Herbert, rh Nick Nokes, Caroline Thurso, John Wright, Simon Hinds, Damian Norman, Jesse Timpson, Mr Edward Yeo, Mr Tim Hoban, Mr Mark Nuttall, Mr David Tomlinson, Justin Zahawi, Nadhim Hollingbery, George O’Brien, Mr Stephen Tredinnick, David Tellers for the Noes: Hollobone, Mr Philip Offord, Mr Matthew Truss, Elizabeth Norman Lamb and Holloway, Mr Adam Ollerenshaw, Eric Turner, Mr Andrew Bill Wiggin Hopkins, Kris Ottaway, Richard Horwood, Martin Parish, Neil Howell, John Patel, Priti Question accordingly negatived. Hughes, rh Simon Paterson, rh Mr Owen Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy Pawsey, Mark Business without Debate Huppert, Dr Julian Penning, Mike Jackson, Mr Stewart Penrose, John James, Margot Percy, Andrew DELEGATED LEGISLATION Javid, Sajid Perry, Claire Jenkin, Mr Bernard Phillips, Stephen Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Johnson, Gareth Pickles, rh Mr Eric Order No. 118(6)), Johnson, Joseph Pincher, Christopher Jones, Andrew Poulter, Dr Daniel ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS Jones, Mr David Prisk, Mr Mark Jones, Mr Marcus Pritchard, Mark That the draft Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Monetary Kawczynski, Daniel Pugh, John Penalty Notices and Consents for Interception) Regulations 2011, Kelly, Chris Raab, Mr Dominic which were laid before this House on 4 April, be approved.— Kirby, Simon Randall, rh Mr John (Mr Goodwill.) Knight, rh Mr Greg Reckless, Mark Question agreed to. Kwarteng, Kwasi Redwood, rh Mr John Laing, Mrs Eleanor Rees-Mogg, Jacob Lancaster, Mark Reevell, Simon COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Latham, Pauline Reid, Mr Alan Leadsom, Andrea Robertson, Mr Laurence Ordered, Lee, Jessica Rogerson, Dan That Mike Freer be discharged from the Communities and Lee, Dr Phillip Rudd, Amber Local Government Committee and Heather Wheeler be added to Leech, Mr John Ruffley, Mr David the Committee.—(Mr Clifton-Brown, on behalf of the Committee Lefroy, Jeremy Russell, Bob of Selection.) Leigh, Mr Edward Rutley, David Lewis, Brandon Sanders, Mr Adrian Liddell-Grainger, Mr Ian Sandys, Laura HUMAN RIGHTS (JOINT COMMITTEE) Lilley, rh Mr Peter Scott, Mr Lee Lloyd, Stephen Selous, Andrew Ordered, Lopresti, Jack Shapps, rh Grant That Dr Julian Huppert be discharged from the Joint Committee Lord, Jonathan Sharma, Alok on Human Rights and Mike Crockart be added to the Committee.— Loughton, Tim Shelbrooke, Alec (Mr Clifton-Brown, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) Luff, Peter Shepherd, Mr Richard 749 23 MAY 2011 FTSE 100 Companies (Governance) 750

FTSE 100 Companies (Governance) The ENRC was listed in London in 2007 and, given the importance of the mining sector in terms of general Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House values on the exchange, it is a key member of the FTSE do now adjourn.—(Mr Goodwill.) 100. It has extensive operations in Kazakhstan, of course, and its regional neighbours Russia and China. Significantly, 10.16 pm it has now extended its operations into Brazil, Mali Eric Joyce (Falkirk) (Lab): I want to speak about and, last year, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. corporate governance in the City of London’s largest Before the ENRC’s entry into the DRC, the company companies, the FTSE 100 companies. We all have an had been the subject of as much speculation as any interest in them, because all our pensions are invested in other FTSE 100 company—many companies are the them. In particular, I want to speak about what I subject of speculation, which is up to them and their consider to be a serious failure of corporate governance public affairs people to deal with, and most of them do on the part of one company and the non-executive that perfectly professionally.The ENRC had not generated directors who sit on its board. When preparing my much general public interest, but that changed when it speech, I spoke to a number of FTSE 100 executives procured a number of assets in the DRC which had and non-executives who were both professional and been expropriated by the Government from what I frank, except those at the single entity which I fear may think the markets agree is a perfectly reputable company. be the bad apple that infects the rest of the barrel. That company operated in the DRC and was the The City of London is a world leader. Billions of largest taxpayer in that country. It had invested about pounds pass through it every week and every month. £700 million in a couple of mines, but one in particular. An average of 600,000 transactions a day have taken I have mentioned this topic before in this place, so I do place over the last five days, with a turnover ranging not need to keep repeating the details. What assets it from £4.5 billion to £7.4 billion. The United Kingdom invested in is well known. It invested £700 million and Exchequer derives an enormous revenue from the City. employed many thousands of people, and it was a huge It is a huge source of employment and prestige for the taxpayer in the DRC, but, for no good reason, the DRC UK, and it affects all our constituents in the most expropriated its assets. A close friend of the President profound ways. of the DRC bought the assets at a knock-down price— The City of London is successful because it attracts about $20 million, which is a bit of a joke. The markets many of the world’s best at all levels, be they traders, were very sceptical about the legitimacy of bidding for managers or back-room staff. I think it best, on the them. The key assets were the licences to operate a whole, to let the wheels of commerce turn and, as a couple of mines, but one in particular at a place called nation, to extract the benefits through corporate taxation, Kolwezi. The only company that was really interested in wherever it is levelled and whatever the levy. However, procuring that was the ENRC, and that was its entrée as we have seen recently with the banking crisis, things into the DRC. can go awry. For that reason, the system requires integrity Many people had concerns, but not, it seems, the so that people can trust it. Of course no system is executives at the ENRC. I do not think that it is necessarily perfect and flaws will always exist, but most agree that for the executives to answer every question that people that essential integrity is best assured by, on one hand, and politicians might have, but I do think that non-executive regulatory bodies alongside the professional bodies that directors should have sensible oversight and give people regulate the various professions involved in the City, confidence that the operations of their company are and on the other hand the governance and structures of legitimate. Many questions were raised about where an the individual companies themselves. overnight profit of £160 million went. There were patterns; My aim this evening is not to raise the technicalities other deals had been operated in the same way by the and structures of City regulation, but to ask the Minister same guy, Dan Gertler. He is an Israeli, and apparently more broadly whether he is concerned about the governance a legitimate businessman, who flies across to the Congo oversight of firms that are controlled by specific individuals to do his business. Many people asked where that from abroad and have no operations in the UK. I do £160 million of profit on that one deal had gone. We not suggest that it is impossible for such companies to can be as transparent as we want in respect of international operate with complete dignity, and many do, but I do aid, but our Government give £140 million or £150 million suggest that when there is good cause to suspect that the to the Congo in a single deal, and that can be wiped standards of governance of a listed company are below out—it can go anywhere, and we simply do not know. those that the public have a right to expect, that should That does rather throw into question the effectiveness become a matter of deep public concern which should of development aid, and scepticism has recently been be reflected in the Government’s stance on such failure. expressed in certain quarters about such money simply I have a bad apple in mind. At the core of my being displaced by “dodgy deals” so it does not go concern—because it illustrates perfectly the case that I where it is intended to go. There are certainly concerns am making—is the Eurasian Natural Resources about this particular deal; I and many others who are Corporation. I have raised the subject of the company interested in the region—and in the City—were deeply and what I consider to be its ill-advised dealings in the concerned. House before, but things have moved on and I think It is a testament to the integrity of the governance of that it is worth raising it again. The commercial entity other FTSE 100 companies that many showed deep that is now the ENRC arose from the denationalisation concern. Several withdrew their investments, and several of a Kazakhstan Government asset, or series of assets. reputable investment funds took out their money. One It is now dominated by three Kazakhstani billionaires. major merchant bank made a public statement that it The Kazakhstan Government retain a substantial share, was very concerned and reluctant to deal with this as does Kazakhmys, another Kazak mining company FTSE 100 company again. The non-executive directors, which is also a member of the FTSE 100. who I would have expected to be keen to make sure 751 FTSE 100 Companies (Governance)23 MAY 2011 FTSE 100 Companies (Governance) 752 everything was entirely legitimate, were completely London and the whole corporate governance structures unconcerned. Their public statements were completely of the UK to ensure that people are confident that if blasé; they had no concerns whatever. That was remarkable our pensions are being invested in FTSE 100 companies, because most people who knew about the market, the as they are, the non-executives are doing the job that company and the deal were very concerned about they are supposed to be doing. That job is to have in the circumstances, which was why they had not touched mind not only the profitability of the company, but the the asset and the ENRC got it at a knock-down price. reputation of the company and the brand, and to keep a I am reluctant to bang on about personalities, and I good eye on what hard-pressed executives are doing to am especially cautious about that given what is happening maximise their profits. Those guys are being pushed in other current news stories. However, I shall mention very hard and are being handsomely rewarded but if, one person who is publicly known to be the senior from time to time, someone chooses to cut a corner, it is independent non-executive director of the ENRC: Sir the job of the corporate governance of the non-executive Richard Sykes. I will mention a couple of technicalities directors to pick it up. about the purpose of governors and non-executive directors As far as I can see, we trust non-executive directors to in a few moments, but I think it is pertinent to mention a large degree, despite the fact that many people fire lots him now because he is a good example of a very of, perhaps unfair, criticism at them, saying that they successful chief executive officer. He was CEO of are placemen and so on. Broadly speaking, there is a GlaxoSmithKline for many years, and he was enormously quite a lot of confidence in corporate governance, as is successful and highly regarded. Subsequently he had a seen in the case of Glencore, which had an initial public bit of a hiccup as principal of Imperial college, London, offer—partial floatation—last week. There has been concerning what some considered to be a slightly ropey enormous discussion about the make-up of its board, back-door deal to try to acquire the land of Wye and whether or not the board can do its job properly agricultural college in Kent, which eventually fell through. because many of the non-execs are so powerful and That may have tainted him a little and perhaps that is wealthy. That is for time to tell, as was said in an why he has taken up this particular non-executive position. excellent column by Miss Sunderland in the Daily Mail It was widely reported in the financial press that he was a few weeks ago. I have no great concerns about any being paid about three times the normal rate—about other immediate companies at the moment, because I £250,000—to be a non-executive director at the ENRC. do not really know enough about them, but I do know He expressed little concern, as he thought that the deal enough about the ENRC to see that non-executive was entirely legitimate. Indeed, he thought that if the directors do not appear to have done their job. Other case went to international arbitration and some fault significant figures in the City of London have been very was found, the Government of the DRC would have to clear and open about that. pay the money. The case is in international arbitration; the company that previously owned the asset that I am It is also worth mentioning that when politicians referring to at Kolwezi has taken the case up. To that approach these companies, whether or not they like degree, it is difficult for us to comment on what might it—they are pretty neutral—they usually have a pretty happen in future, but what is clear is that the senior professional operation. I found the ENRC to be completely independent non-executive director of the ENRC thinks invisible and unapproachable. It has one public relations it is perfectly legitimate and fair that the DRC, which is guy and a spaniel sitting in an office somewhere in one of the poorest countries in the world, should pick London. Its ownership is abroad, as are its operations. up a bill of £700 million, £800 million or perhaps As I say, it is owned by people who are largely more—the case is being spoken about in terms of billions. unaccountable. That is not to say that there has to be This seems to be something of a failure of corporate wide public ownership of a company for the board to governance. have accountability from the chief executive officers, because there are many cases where families control That made me reflect on the purpose of corporate public companies but the governance is still fine. governance. I am not an expert in this area—many hon. Members have much more expertise on what the defined In this case, it looks as though there is about to be a legal roles of directors, executive directors and non-executive fight between the Kazakhstani Government and a few directors are—but I have done a little reading and I billionaires who were beneficiaries when the Kazakhstani thought that I would just reflect on what corporate Government largely privatised the company, or took it governance is supposed to achieve. It is commonly out of nationalisation, who want to take control. The defined—this is a little dry, but it is perfectly right to non-executive directors, who I believe have been completely mention it—as the system by which companies are ineffectual, have found lately that their reputation has directed and controlled. The board of directors is entrusted been badly affected, so they are now trying to argue that with that function, and each member is appointed to there should be greater corporate oversight at the ENRC. uphold all appropriate governance standards. The response from the billionaires who sit behind the The role of non-executive directors—this is my primary ENRC has been to try to get enough shares to take concern—within a company’s governance structure is overall control, to sack all the non-exec directors in less clearly defined and, apparently, varies among about two weeks’ time at the annual general meeting companies. Non-executive directors are often seen as and effectively to leave the company without any meaningful the guardians of the corporate good and act as buffers corporate governance. The company has also been unable between the executive director and the company’s outside to recruit a new CEO after the former CEO left at very shareholders. They act as chairman, monitoring executive short notice a couple of months ago in opaque actions and questioning executive decisions. It seems to circumstances. me that they have a dual role. They clearly have a In conclusion, do the Government have a plan for primary responsibility to the shareholder, but more what happens when a corporate entity, which affects broadly they have a responsibility to the broad City of everyone’s pensions, is sitting in the City of London, 753 FTSE 100 Companies (Governance)23 MAY 2011 FTSE 100 Companies (Governance) 754

[Eric Joyce] Our action to support and encourage responsible business focuses on helping businesses to understand potentially infecting the barrel? I am not saying all how they can deliver on corporate social responsibility, the other companies are naive fools, but we have a including by facilitating the exchange of good practice corporate entity in London that has foreign ownership, and supporting a range of international frameworks no effective meaningful shareholder control, operations such as the OECD guidelines for multinationals and the that are entirely abroad and billionaires who are bragging UN global compact, which might be relevant to the about how they will take over the company and sack all case that the hon. Gentleman has raised. The Government the non-execs. How will the Government ensure some are pressing for the EU to adopt rules providing for degree of confidence in the markets that a company like greater transparency in the information provided by the ENRC will not do the same thing it did with multinational companies in extractive industries about, Kolwezi and damage the good reputation of the City of for example, their tax payments in host countries, based London? on the United States’ Dodd-Frank principles. This will allow citizens to have the information to hold their 10.31 pm Governments to account for the revenues they receive from resource wealth, including some of the tax payments The Minister for Universities and Science (Mr David the hon. Gentleman mentioned. However, I am not able Willetts): I congratulate the hon. Member for Falkirk to make any comment on or judgment about that (Eric Joyce) on securing this debate. The title on the specific account. Order Paper is “Standards of governance amongst FTSE 100 companies”, which is a very important subject, and The US Dodd-Frank Act also requires companies it is clear from his remarks that he has a particular reporting to the Securities and Exchange Commission company and set of circumstances in mind. It will be to report their use of conflict minerals originating in the hard for me to comment on that, but I realise that he is Democratic Republic of the Congo or neighbouring using the case to make some wider points about the countries. We are interested to see how the US Government City of London. He also rightly referred to the role of will implement their new legislation and we will closely professional bodies before turning to the specific case of monitor its implementation. In the meantime, we have the ENRC. been supporting the work of the OECD and the UN group of experts to develop due-diligence guidelines for The coalition Government believe that the UK’s the minerals supply chain in eastern DRC and to encourage corporate governance framework plays an important adherence by companies looking to trade in cassiterite, role in enabling investors to hold the boards of companies wolframite, coltan and gold originating from the DRC. to account for their performance, facilitating efficient We are strong supporters, including financially through allocation of resources in the economy and creating the PROMINES, of DRC efforts fully to implement the accountability and transparency that encourage responsible extractive industry transparency initiative. business behaviour in line with internationally agreed standards. As such, it is vital to achieving our goal of As we are talking about that country and businesses sustainable economic growth. located in it, let me touch briefly on the hon. Gentleman’s comments, but I hope he will understand that it is very There are various ways in which we deliver the strong difficult for me to comment on an individual case and corporate governance framework we have in the UK. that it would not be right for me to do so from the One is our listing rules, which might help the hon. Dispatch Box. He asked about non-executive directors: Gentleman and me to confront the question he asked let me make it clear that under UK law all directors towards the end of his speech. The listing rules that need to comply with the same general duties, including must be fulfilled before a company can be quoted on the the duty to promote the success of the company both in London stock exchange are a matter for the Financial the long term and the short term and the duty to Services Authority as the UK listing authority. The UK exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence. regime is one of the strongest in the world and UK listed companies are expected to comply with high I did not know that the hon. Gentleman had intended standards of corporate governance through compliance to refer to the company he mentioned or to Sir Richard with the Financial Reporting Council’s corporate Sykes, and I am not able to comment on those specific governance code. The short answer to the hon. Gentleman’s points. What I can say is that I have had dealings with question is that the listing rules are crucial. Sir Richard Sykes over the years in relation to his We are not complacent. We recognise that we need to position with the NHS and Imperial college, and we all ensure that our overall corporate governance regime is know his record as the chief executive at GlaxoSmithKline. fit for the future and we need to make sure that the He is a well-respected business man who has also made governance of our top companies continues to a considerable contribution to the NHS and our higher improve. The governance landscape is constantly education system. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman changing, both domestically and internationally. We will recognise the seriousness of some of the things he need to adapt to that to stay in line with our competitors said about the company. I am not able to comment on and we are trying to do that with corporate governance that case but I think we should all, on both sides of the reform, the stewardship code, narrative reporting and House, recognise the significant contribution that guidance on directors’ remuneration and bankers’ pay. Sir Richard Sykes has made to the commercial life of That is all part of the Government’s commitment to a our country and to public service, in which I am sure he wider corporate social responsibility agenda, encouraging has always behaved with great integrity. businesses to minimise the negative social and environmental Outside the specific case that the hon. Gentleman has impact of their activity and maximise the positive impact raised, there are wider issues. We have launched a new they can make while benefiting commercially in the agenda called “Every Business Commits”, in partnership process. with business in the community, to help all UK businesses 755 FTSE 100 Companies (Governance)23 MAY 2011 FTSE 100 Companies (Governance) 756 understand how they can act responsibly. It gives them structure of corporate governance in the UK, our clear examples of how they can make a difference in conclusions will be based on the principles that motivate priority areas such as supporting communities, improving our desire to have a world-class corporate governance quality of life, improving skills and creating jobs, protecting framework. However, we are not in the business of the environment and supporting small and medium-sized weighing companies and investors down with more enterprises. “Every Business Commits” aims to shape regulation and higher costs. We believe in improving business’s contribution to the Government’s broader agenda accountability and transparency. Those are important to empower communities and encourage social action. principles which we expect all companies, large or small, We believe it will provide the platform for business to multinational or solely domestic, to live up to. We play an important role alongside Government in helping believe that following those principles is essential for to resolve some of society’s most important challenges. securing long-term, sustainable economic growth for So my response to the hon. Gentleman is that the Britain. Government believe that the UK already has a robust I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising these corporate governance framework. We are not complacent important issues. Although it is not possible for me to and recognise that it always needs to be reviewed and comment in any detail on the specific case, I hope he updated, and we realise that there will always be individual will accept that the coalition Government take very cases that test those guidelines and that framework. I seriously indeed the overall framework of corporate hope the hon. Gentleman will understand that it is hard governance, the powers that Governments and other for me to go further into the specific case that he raised. regulatory bodies have, and our commitment specifically Nevertheless, our principles on which we will approach to tackling the problems with regard to the DRC and this and all cases are clear—that it is in the long-term making sure that we have the highest standards of interests of British companies to support the work we compliance when it comes to some of the extractive are doing to bolster corporate governance, and we industries there. encourage every company to meet the standards of Question put and agreed to. the best. We have specific powers, including the powers relating to the listing rules, which are for the Financial Services 10.42 pm Authority. As we work through the issues of the correct House adjourned.

41WS Written Ministerial Statements23 MAY 2011 Written Ministerial Statements 42WS Written Ministerial ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Statements Pitt Review Monday 23 May 2011 The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mrs Caroline Spelman): I am today laying CABINET OFFICE before Parliament a first “National Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy for England” and “Giving” White Paper statutory guidance on “Co-operation and requesting information in flood and coastal erosion risk management”. The Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster Both documents are being presented in accordance with General (Mr Francis Maude): Today I have laid before section 7 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 Parliament the “Giving” White Paper (Cm 8084). This and stem from Sir Michael Pitt’s review of the widespread follows from the “Giving” Green Paper which was flooding in 2007, and will be issued on 18 July unless published on 29 December 2010 and the consultation either House resolves that they should not be issued. which this launched. The national strategy will provide a legally binding We believe that everyone can make a difference. So framework in setting out how communities, the public we want to empower and encourage more people to get sector and other organisations will work together to involved; support each other and create the change they manage flood and coastal erosion risk. The national want to see. strategy describes: In the “Giving” Green Paper we set out our ambition The Environment Agency’s strategic overview role for all to work with partners to inspire a step change in giving— sources of flood risk and coastal erosion, and the approach both of time and money. We believe that giving is good. they will take to managing the risk of flooding from main rivers and the sea; It offers benefits for everyone—those giving as well as those receiving. It does not matter how you give, or The framework within which lead local flood authorities can work with other risk management authorities to manage what you give, mutual support is at the core of a happy, local flood risk in their areas; healthy society. The work by coastal erosion risk management authorities to We understand that stimulating social action is not manage our changing coastlines, and; easy or straightforward. Governments have tried in the How national funding and resources will be targeted towards past but have not succeeded in generating significant flood and coastal erosion risk management activity in the increases in giving. We are also conscious that the coming years. economic difficulties of the past few years mean we Copies of the national strategy and guidance on must tread carefully. Many people may be unable or co-operation and requesting information are available unwilling to give more of their time or money if they to Members of the House from the Official Documents feel stretched financially or have little time to spare. website and the Vote Office. Stimulating giving is a long-term project and we want to take a new approach that uses lessons from previous This Government are committed to making sure that attempts. In part this is about acknowledging the limits as many communities as possible have the opportunity of Government—recognising that social action is not of benefiting from flood and coastal defences. I am something people can or should be compelled to do. therefore pleased to inform the House that following Instead it has to be built from the bottom up through full public consultation earlier this year, my Department grass-roots organisations and with opportunities to give is today setting out a new partnership approach to that appeal to people’s motivations and interests. As we funding flood and coastal resilience. The new approach heard repeatedly in responses to our consultation, the aims to be both fairer and more transparent than the autonomy of charities and community groups, and the system it replaces, and offers the potential for much voluntary nature of giving are vitally important and we more to be achieved. are determined not just to respect but encourage this Instead of meeting the full costs of just a limited independence. number of projects, the new approach could make We believe that there are a range of ways Government Government money available towards any worthwhile can help to make giving easier and more compelling scheme. Funding levels for each scheme will relate directly without “interfering” or getting in the way. We want to to the number of households protected, the value of use a mix of approaches to achieve this: from more damages being prevented, plus the other benefits a “traditional” policy levers such as tax incentives, funding, scheme would deliver. For the first time grants for policy programmes and removing regulatory barriers; surface water management and property-level protection to “softer” approaches, such as setting a good example will be available alongside funding for other risks and and bringing people and organisations together to share approaches. The reforms will not affect the amount of ideas and celebrate success. money that the Government themselves will invest in In the White Paper we set out three core strands of the coming years. activity where we want to work with partners to: The new approach encourages better value for taxpayers’ 1. Make giving as easy as possible; money and greater local and private contributions to 2. Make giving as compelling as possible; come forward, in recognition of the benefits being 3. Give better support to those that provide and manage delivered. Choices can be taken locally on whether, and opportunities to give—be they charities, community groups how, contributions might be found. All funds invested or others. in this way will supplement national budgets and mean 43WS Written Ministerial Statements23 MAY 2011 Written Ministerial Statements 44WS more communities can be protected. By encouraging We are maintaining our intention to cease the processing greater local choice, and more local investment, we will of postal and online applications at Newport. This ensure that local ambitions for protection are not dictated remains the most effective approach to achieve the by what Government alone can afford. The new approach necessary reductions in excess staffing levels and capacity reflects suggestions made by Sir Michael Pitt, who in the application processing network. recommended Government introduce a scheme that However, as a result of the consolidation work allows and encourages greater local investment. undertaken by IPS, a further 100 FTE posts will be I have today written to the chair of the Environment located in Newport. The Newport office will maintain Agency to ask this approach be adopted for all future the IPS central customer complaints and correspondence funding approvals. The coming months will be treated function and share telephone customer enquiry handling as a transitional period allowing lessons to be learned with the Durham office. The handling of lost and stolen and the approach to be refined before final arrangements passports will be located at Durham and Peterborough are confirmed in time to apply from April 2013. and a specialist counter-fraud team will be based at Finally, I would like to inform the House that summaries Newport. The processing of overseas passport applications of responses to the following consultations and other will be carried out in Liverpool, Durham and Belfast supporting documents are also being published today: after repatriation in 2013. “Consultation on a National Flood and Coastal Erosion The current premises in Newport will be retained Risk Management Strategy for England”. until the lease break in 2013. After that date, the size of “Consultation on Statutory Guidance on Co-operation and the premises used for Newport will be reduced by 50%. Requesting Information in Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk IPS will give up excess space at their offices in Glasgow Management”. and Durham by the end of the current financial year. “Future funding for flood and coastal erosion risk management: The Durham estate will be reduced further by March Consultation on the future Capital Grant-In-Aid Allocation 2014 to achieve an overall reduction of one third of Process in England”. current capacity. A strategic review of the north-west “Consultation on Guidance to Lead Local Flood Authorities estate will be carried out and the options for Peterborough on their Contribution to Sustainable Development”. estate assessed after the main lease break in July 2013. The first two are available from the Environment The programme of work combined with the voluntary Agency’s website, and the latter two can be found on exit schemes will reduce capacity by 300 posts. The DEFRA’s website. proposed consolidation of specialist work across the regional offices will lead to a surplus of around 120 FTE posts in Newport compared to the original proposal to make 300 posts surplus. IPS will continue to work with HOME DEPARTMENT those staff, with trade unions and others to find suitable alternative employment within IPS and elsewhere. IPS commenced the consultation with the aim of a Identity and Passport Service: Restructuring reduction in estate of around 19% and delivering savings of approximately £24 million over the comprehensive spending review period. The planned programme of work will deliver anticipated savings of £22.6 million The Minister for Immigration (Damian Green): Iam over the CSR period, subject to carrying out a further today placing in the Library of the House the Government’s voluntary exit scheme later this year and rationalisation response to the collective consultation exercise carried of the estate will reduce the overall IPS estate capacity out with staff and trade unions on ceasing the passport by 15%. application processing capacity at Newport passport office. I had announced shortly after commencement of the consultation period in Autumn 2010 that the Identity Management of Police Pursuits: Code of Practice and Passport Service would retain a customer service centre at Newport. I can confirm that will remain the position and will provide 50 FTE posts at Newport to The Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice (Nick deal with the 47,000 customers from south Wales and Herbert): My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is the south-west who make use of the Newport office. today presenting to Parliament a statutory code of The consultation period was extended by two months practice on the management of police pursuits. Copies at the request of key stakeholders. We have taken that of the code will be available from the Vote Office. opportunity to listen and to evaluate the responses The code is being laid under the provisions of sections received from staff, trade unions, Members of this 39 and 39A of the Police Act 1996. Section 39 permits House and the Wales Select Committee, Members of the Secretary of State to issue codes of practice relating the National Assembly for Wales and local leaders in to the discharge by police authorities of any of their Newport. functions; section 39A permits her to issue codes of We have also taken into account other organisational practice relating to the discharge of functions by chief changes impacting on IPS, particularly the effect of officers where that is necessary for the purpose of voluntary exit schemes. Some 170 operational have left promoting the efficiency and effectiveness of police IPS since autumn 2010 on a voluntary basis. That has forces in England and Wales. Under section 39A(7) provided IPS with the opportunity to consolidate some of the Act, chief officers have a duty to have regard to a of its operational functions throughout their regional code of practice when discharging a function to which network. the code relates. The code must be followed unless there 45WS Written Ministerial Statements23 MAY 2011 Written Ministerial Statements 46WS are good reasons not to do so, in which case the We concluded that the routes linking Edinburgh, decision not to follow the code should be recorded in Cardiff and Belfast to the nearest urban strategic destination writing. should be recognised for the strategic connectivity that Over the last six years there have been on average they provide, and consulted accordingly. After taking 22 deaths a year arising immediately or subsequently account of the consultation responses I can now confirm from police pursuits. Following a recommendation from that we are going ahead with this change. the Independent Police Complaints Commission, the Specifically, we identified two routes as having national Association of Chief Police Officers revised their existing significance: namely the Al between its junction with operational guidance on the management of pursuits the A19 north of Newcastle and the Scottish border, and asked for this to be issued as a statutory code under providing a defined link to Edinburgh; and a route the Police Act. They indicated it was their clear professional between Bootle and the Twelve Quays ferry terminal in judgment that a code would ensure appropriate chief Birkenhead, providing connectivity with Belfast. Again, officer attention to this issue and make a significant after taking account of the consultation responses, I difference on the ground, with a reduced risk of deaths can confirm that these routes will henceforth become and serious injuries. I agree with their advice. roads of national significance. The Government are committed to the operational A number of other suggestions were made for changes independence of the police and will respect their professional to the SNCs, including specific proposals for increases judgment. The code I am now presenting is therefore a in coverage. My Department will reconsider the scope high-level strategic document, setting national standards and role of the SNCs once the LEPs are well established and requiring chief officers to have regard to the guidance and their role in transport decision making is clear. prepared by the police themselves. It is the guidance, The consultation documents, including the consultation not the code, that sets out best practice and operational response, can be found on my Department’s website. An detail. The guidance will be periodically amended and electronic copy has been lodged with the House Library. updated by ACPO as necessary.

TRANSPORT WORK AND PENSIONS

Strategic National Transport Corridors Universal Credit (Review of Passported Benefits)

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport The Minister of State, Department for Work and (Norman Baker): I am today publishing our response to Pensions (Chris Grayling): My hon. Friend the Under- the comments received in the consultation on proposals Secretary of State responsible for welfare reform, Lord to amend the criteria defining strategic national corridors Freud of Eastry, has made the following statement: (SNCs) and confirming the action we will take. We have commissioned the Social Security Advisory Committee The strategic national corridors were established in to undertake an independent review of passported benefits and how they link with universal credit. Passported benefits include, 2009 to define the network over which the largest proportion for example, free school meals, free milk and vitamins, free of strategic traffic—that is traffic travelling between the prescriptions, optical and dental care. 10 largest urban areas, 10 busiest ports and seven busiest The Committee has been asked to produce an advisory report, airports in England—moves around the country. The taking account of the UK Government’s view that changes original definition also provided for connectivity between should not involve a net increase in public expenditure and the the four nations of the United Kingdom, but there was benefit system should be as simple as possible. I have placed a no specific provision for connecting capital cities. copy of the terms of reference in the Library.

345W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 346W Written Answers to Bingo Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Questions Olympics, Media and Sport (1) when he plans to announce changes to regulations on the use of B3 machines in bingo clubs; [55979] Monday 23 May 2011 (2) what his policy is on measures to support the bingo industry; and if he will make a statement. [55981] HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION Internet John Penrose: The Government are looking to support all sectors of the gambling industry, including bingo, Mr Amess: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, through identifying and reducing unnecessary regulatory Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of burdens. That is why I have been reviewing the maximum Commons Commission, what historical material the House stake limit and premises entitlements for category B3 of Commons Commission is planning to make available gaming machines and I hope to make an announcement on the parliamentary (a) intranet and (b) website in soon on the outcome of that review. the next two years; and if he will make a statement. [56609] Bingo: Taxation

John Thurso: There is currently a project under way Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, to digitise House of Commons Journals between the Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions he years 1836 and 1997. Scanning is in progress. Publishing has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on bingo to the website is yet to be scheduled and resourced. taxation. [55980] There are plans to put up new content on the Living Heritage section of the parliamentary website on the John Penrose: The Department for Culture, Media themes of Parliament and Belief, Parliament and Empire, and Sport Ministers and officials have regular discussions and Parliament and Ireland in the financial year 2011-12. with their counterparts at Her Majesty’s Treasury on a Portcullis House: Clocks range of issues which affect our sectors. Treasury colleagues are well aware of the concerns that have been raised Mr Ellwood: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, with them by the bingo industry. Sutherland and Easter Ross, representing the House of Commons Commission, if the House of Commons Bowling Commission will arrange to place a large clock in the Atrium of Portcullis House. [57179] John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will have John Thurso: Clocks are already provided on the TV discussions with the Secretary of State for Communities screens around the perimeter of the Atrium of Portcullis and Local Government on the adequacy of planning House but the Department of Facilities has been asked regulations in protecting crown green and lawn bowling to consider what an additional clock would cost and facilities. [56624] whether such expenditure could be justified. Hugh Robertson: I have regular discussions with colleagues. The Department for Communities and Local CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Government expects to consult on a new National Arts Planning Policy Framework in July. Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps his Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will assess Department plans to take to assess the contribution to the adequacy of the provision of crown green and lawn the economy of arts and culture. [56344] bowling facilities in relation to levels of demand in England. [56625] Mr Jeremy Hunt [holding answer 19 May 2011]: The Department, alongside Arts Council England, is currently Hugh Robertson: It is for local councils to assess the undertaking a project aimed at providing a framework need for such facilities in their areas. for quantifying the economic contribution of the Department’s sectors, including the arts and cultural Broadband sector. The project is expected to include an analysis of our sectors and guidance on conducting and commissioning Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for analysis in this area. The Department also publishes Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what objectives economic estimates of the creative industries for turnover, have been set which define his aim to ensure that the employment, number of businesses and exports, which UK has the best superfast broadband in Europe by the includes estimates for the music, visual and performing end of the present Parliament. [56358] arts, arts and antiques and architecture sectors. The latest release can be found at the following link: Mr Jeremy Hunt [holding answer 19 May 2011]: To http://www.culture.gov.uk/publications/7634.aspx determine whether the UK has the best superfast broadband The estimates are updated annually and the next release network in Europe, we will be publishing a balanced is scheduled for autumn of this year. scorecard which will include speed, price, choice and 347W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 348W coverage, as well as take up. In addition, on 12 May, I Mr Vaizey: The Department has not made any announced the ambition that 90% of the UK population assessment of the restrictions in regard to any of the should have access to a superfast broadband connection points raised. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) by 2015, with the rest having access to a service of at are responsible for this aspect of the project; however least 2 Mbps. we are keen to learn from their experiences in due course. Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what estimate he has BSkyB: News Corporation made of the proportion of households in each parliamentary constituency which have access to broadband Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for services and do not subscribe to them; [56826] Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what the reasons are for the time taken to announce his decision on the (2) what estimate he has made of the proportion of proposed News Corporation acquisition of BSkyB. households in each parliamentary constituency which [57206] do not have access to broadband services; [56827] (3) what estimate he has made of the proportion of Mr Jeremy Hunt: I am currently considering all the households in each parliamentary constituency with responses to the consultation and will make my decision, access to broadband services of (a) 2 mbps or fewer followed by a statement to this House, as soon as I am and (b) more than 2 mbps. [56828] able.

Mr Vaizey: The Department for Culture, Media and Departmental Travel Sport have not made an estimate of the number of households that do not subscribe to broadband, but use Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for independent analysis for reference purposes. Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport on what date Broadband Delivery UK has estimated that the total special advisers in his Department last used the number of premises with a sub 2 mbps connection in all Government car pool to travel in an official capacity; UK constituencies is 1.58 million and the total number and on how many occasions a special adviser in his of premises with above 2 mbps is 25.8 million. Department has travelled to their home address using the Government car pool since May 2010. [56084] The Ofcom Communications Market Report 2010 (August) contains further data on broadband accessibility John Penrose: The Department does not offer the use in the UK. It can be found using the link: of Government pool cars to special advisers. http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/market-data-research/ market-data/communications-market-reports/ Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, In addition, the Office for National Statistics published Olympics, Media and Sport how much his Department their ‘Internet Access Quarterly Update’ on 18 May spent on special advisers’ travel by (a) Government car, 2011 which provides data on the number of people who (b) private hire car, (c) train, (d) bus, (e) commercial have “never used”the internet, broken down by geographical aircraft and (f) private aircraft since May 2010. [56100] region. The report can be found using the link: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/articles/nojournal/internet-access- John Penrose: The following amount have been spent q1-2011.pdf by the Department on current special advisers’ travel from 1 May 2010 to 31 March 2011: Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will request that Form of transport Cost (£) Ofcom investigate BT’s pricing of ducts and poles in Private hire car (including taxi) 436.65 deployment of superfast broadband to third party Train 426.60 providers. [56954] Commercial flights 817.05 Total 1,680.30 Mr Vaizey: Industry consultation on the draft reference offers for access to BT’s ducts and poles, which were The Department does not offer the use of Government published in January 2011, is ongoing. If commercial pool cars or private aircraft to special advisers. No cost terms cannot be agreed by the end of the consultation has been incurred from travel on buses. period, it will be for Ofcom, who have the powers to investigate, to determine whether to intervene to set Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for prices. Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how much has been spent on travel in respect of (a) each of his Department’s Executive agencies and (b) the chief Broadband: Scotland executive of each such agency since May 2010. [56187]

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for John Penrose: The Department for Culture, Olympics, Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the Media and Sport has only one Executive agency—the answer of 4 March 2011, Official Report, column 611W, Royal Parks (TRP). The agency’s accounting system on broadband: public expenditure, what assessment he does not separate travel and subsistence. The figure for has made of the effect on the pilot project in Scotland spend since May 2010 is as follows: of restrictions on the use of ducts and poles for (a) (a) TRP has spent £14,133.27 on travel and subsistence since fixed wireless access broadband, (b) mobile broadband, May 2010; (c) satellite, (d) leased lines and (e) single or one-off (b) There have been no travel and subsistence claims from the connections. [56514] chief executive of TRP during this period. 349W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 350W

Film on projects that will, over time, help target regulatory controls, education and treatment based on a robust Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for evidence base. We need to know much more about Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the problem gambling if we are to target future regulation, answer of 3 May 2011, Official Report, column 635W, enforcement and prevention effectively.Continued industry on UK Film Council, when he plans to launch a review funding for research, education and treatment is of film policy; and who he expects to lead that review. fundamental to this. [56343] Horserace Totalisator Board: North West Mr Jeremy Hunt [holding answer 19 May 2011]: Details of the film policy review and those undertaking Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, it will be announced shortly. Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Gambling Skills on the effects of any decision on the future of the Tote on levels of employment in the North West. [56048] Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, John Penrose: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 7 Olympics, Media and Sport, the right hon. Member for March 2011, Official Report, column 741W,on gambling, South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), meets regularly with the what representations he has received from external interest Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, groups on the outcomes of the 2010 Gambling Prevalence the right hon. Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable) Survey since 1 March 2011. [56368] and they discuss a variety of issues. John Penrose: According to our records, since 1 March Horserace Totalisator Board: Wigan 2011, the Department has received a written representation from one external interest group, the Association of Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, British Bookmakers, about the 2010 Gambling Prevalence Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has Survey. In addition, the results of the Prevalence Survey made of the application of the Transfer of Undertakings have been discussed as part of my officials’ regular (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 to (a) meetings with trade bodies and with faith and community all staff and (b) staff based in Wigan employed by the groups. Tote following its sale. [56639]

Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, John Penrose: The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 7 Olympics, Media and Sport, the right hon. Member for March 2011, Official Report, column 741W,on gambling, South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), has considered the whether he has made an assessment of the outcomes of application of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection the Gambling Prevalence Survey 2010 including (a) of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) to Tote recent trends in the number of problem gamblers and staff. Whether TUPE. applies depends on the legal (b) the use of B2 terminals in betting shops. [56369] employer of the employee in question. For these purposes, Tote Group employees fall into two groups: (i) employees John Penrose: There has been a slight increase in the of the Horserace Totalisator Board; and (ii) employees absolute levels of problem gambling to 0.9% of the of the Horserace Totalisator Board’s subsidiaries. population—and while it is not possible to say whether this represents an upward trend or a temporary fluctuation, For employees employed by the Horserace Totalisator we cannot be complacent. But we must use caution Board, TUPE will apply, together with the Horserace when looking at problem gambling rates for individual Betting and Olympic Lottery Act 2004, to transfer them activities; problem gamblers tend to gamble using many to the successor company. activities and the Prevalence Survey does not provide For employees employed by subsidiaries of the Horserace evidence or proof about which activities cause or exacerbate Totalisator Board, such as Tote Credit Ltd and Tote problem gambling. We will be watching closely the Bookmakers Ltd, TUPE will not be needed. The reason outcome of the current machines research which will for this is that their legal employer won’t change at address these questions, among other things. all—it will move from the Horserace Totalisator Board to the successor company along with the staff—so their Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for existing employment contracts will be unaffected. Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport pursuant to the Intellectual Property answer of 9 March 2011, Official Report, column 1086W, on gambling, what progress has been made on the (a) form, (b) funding and (c) timing of the next Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Gambling Prevalence Survey. [56370] Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport when he plans to respond to the Hargreaves review of intellectual John Penrose: We continue to work closely with the property. [57205] Gambling Commission on the future funding of prevalence surveys of this kind and the best ways in which to Mr Davey: I have been asked to reply. gather prevalence data. The Gambling Commission will My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announce the future arrangements in due course. The and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Prevalence Study is not the only research that examines Business, Innovation and Skills published ‘Digital this area and I am pleased that the Responsible Gambling Opportunity: A Review of Intellectual Property and Strategy Board’s research programme continues to focus Growth’, an independent report by Professor Ian 351W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 352W

Hargreaves, on 18 May 2011. The Government will Sports: Reading publish their substantive response before the summer parliamentary recess. Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Members: Correspondence Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what financial assistance (a) his Department and (b) the National Lottery has given to (i) amateur and (ii) professional Mr Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, sports clubs in Reading West constituency since 2010. Olympics, Media and Sport when he plans to respond to the letters from the hon. Member for Basildon and [57024] Billericay of 22 March and 26 April 2011 regarding a Hugh Robertson: The information requested is not constituent, Mr Lanasis. [56645] held by this Department and relates to matters that are John Penrose: The letter from the hon. Member for the responsibility of Sport England. Basildon and Billericay dated 22 March 2011 was Accordingly, I have asked the chief executive of Sport transferred to the Ministry of Justice for a reply as the England to write direct to the hon. Member. subject raised by the constituent falls under their areas Copies of the reply will be placed in the Libraries of of responsibility. both Houses. The Department has conducted a thorough check and has no record of receiving a letter from the hon. Video Games Member dated 26 April 2011. If the hon. Member could submit a copy of his letter I will ensure a timely Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for response is sent. However, if this letter was related to Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what his policy is the same issues raised in the letter of 22 March I on implementation of the recommendations of the recommend the hon. Member write directly to the Livingstone-Hope skills review of video games and Ministry of Justice. visual effects. [56345] Ofcom: Wi-Fi Mr Jeremy Hunt [holding answer 19 May 2011]: The Government are currently considering the report and, John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, as the Plan for Growth confirms, we will issue a formal Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what ongoing assessment response in the summer. We welcome the industry’s his Department is making of the propriety of the creation of a steering committee which will meet regularly consultation by Ofcom on implementing geolocation in to drive forward their response to the report’s light of the recent move to a commercial mobile wireless recommendations. In addition we expect a ministerial data service provider of Ofcom’s former Director of engagement group to progress Technology Resources; and if he will make a statement; [56823] (2) if he will review the future programme of Ofcom’s consultation on implementing geolocation in light of TREASURY the recent move of Ofcom’s Director of Technology Resources to Neul Limited; and if he will make a statement. [56824] Bank Cards: Young People

Mr Vaizey: The matter raised is the responsibility of Claire Perry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer the independent regulator, the Office of Communications what recent representations he has received on the use (Ofcom), which is directly accountable to Parliament. I of stored value cards by persons under the age of 18 am not aware of any reason why it would be appropriate years. [57310] to review the future programme, or make an ongoing assessment of propriety of Ofcom’s consultation on Mr Hoban: Treasury Ministers and officials have implementing geolocation. discussions with a wide variety of organisations in the Radio Frequencies public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many white practice to provide details of all such discussions. space devices he expects to be in operation in 2020; and Bank Services if he will make a statement. [56822]

Mr Vaizey: Given that we are in the very early stages David Morris: To ask the Chancellor of the in the development of the white space technology market Exchequer what steps the Financial Service Authority I am not able to provide an accurate estimate of how has taken to regulate (a) the speed of and (b) charges many devices we expect to be used in the white spaces. A for interbank transfers by electronic means. [56656] lot will depend on how the market develops and whether innovative or attractive services are developed for the Mr Hoban: The Payment Services Regulations 2009 technology. However experience of other technologies (which implemented the Payment Services Directive) used for similar applications within unlicensed spectrum require the execution time for credit transfers to be may provide an example. The nearest analogy to unlicensed reduced to no later than the next business day. Firms white space devices would be Wi-Fi where there are over have until 1 January 2012 to meet this requirement. 4 million hot spots in the UK and many more customer Interbank transfers are often free for consumers and devices that connect to them. they are not subject to price controls. 353W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 354W

Bank Services: Interest Rates likely to benefit from his decision to discontinue proposals for specific regulations which would have cost business Damian Hinds: To ask the Chancellor of the over £350 million a year. [55708] Exchequer (1) what representations he has received on the practices of banks in displaying the interest rates Mr Prisk: I have been asked to reply. paid on savings accounts; [56382] The regulations that contribute to the £350 million (2) what representations he has received on the level cost reduction for business include: extension of the of clarity in saving account interest rate offers; and Right to Request Time to Train to small and medium what assessment he has made of the effects of the level sized enterprises (SMEs), extension of Right to Request of clarity in such offers on the (a) transparency and Flexible Working to parents of 17-year-olds, Dual Discrimination and Third Party harassment. (b) competitiveness of the market. [56383] Right to request time to train Mr Hoban: The Government receive representations All SMEs in Great Britain (approximately 1.1 million) from stakeholders on a wide range of banking issues. will avoid the potential cost of administering requests Banks’ conduct including the information they provide from employees arising from the right to request time to on interest rates they may offer, is regulated by the train regulations which were due to commence on 1 April. Financial Services Authority (FSA). Extension of right to request flexible working to parents As part of the FSA’s Banking Code of Conduct of 17 years olds Sourcebook (BCOBS), banks are obliged to provide We also announced that we would no longer extend notice to customers, where appropriate, of the expiry of the right to request flexible working to parents of 17 years an introductory, promotional or preferential rate of olds to any business regardless of size. This means that interest. Banks should also provide reasonable notice all businesses will potentially benefit from our decision when they wish to make a material change to a rate of not to make this interim extension to the right to interest that will disadvantage the customer. request flexible working. Following a recent consultation, the FSA amended Dual Discrimination BCOBS so that by the end of the year firms should We have assumed all employers would familiarise provide interest rates on savings account statements. themselves with the legislation and therefore all employers would benefit economically from the decision not to Banks: Pay bring forward the dual discrimination provisions. Third party harassment Mr Hollobone: To ask the Chancellor of the The Impact Assessment estimated between 15 and 60 Exchequer if he will estimate the proportion of bank additional cases might be brought each year; this is an bonuses paid by UK-based banks that was subject to appropriate proxy for the number of employers which income tax in the UK in the latest year for which could potentially benefit. However, it is not possible to information is available. [57178] determine whether or not they are SMEs as we cannot predict which employers would have been most liable to Justine Greening: The information is not available. claims. Neither can we break this down further by region, local authority or parliamentary constituency. Business: Finance Carbon Emissions Chris Ruane: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many letters of complaint he has received from the Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the business community on the (a) removal of overdraft Exchequer if he will assess the adequacy of the facilities and (b) removal of loan facilities to longstanding treatment of combined heat and power in the impact customers of (i) the Royal Bank of Scotland, (ii) Northern assessment his Department undertook in respect of a Rock and (iii) other financial institutions in which UK proposed carbon floor price mechanism. [57207] Financial Investments Ltd has a stake in each year since July 2007. [55905] Justine Greening: An assessment of the impacts of the carbon price floor is given in HMRC’s Tax Information Mr Hoban [holding answer 16 May 2011]: HM Treasury and Impact Note published alongside the Budget. This has received approximately 1,718 letters concerning Royal is available online at Bank of Scotland, 2,559 concerning Northern Rock, http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2011/tiin6111.pdf 2,028 concerning Bradford and Bingley and 1,186 The Government continue to work with the Combined concerning Lloyds Banking Group since July 2007. Heat and Power Association and its members, including These figures indicate the total volume of correspondence representatives from the oil refining industry, in order received in respect of each bank across any subject area. to develop a simpler, direct and more effective means of support for combined heat and power stations. Business: Regulation Departmental CCTV Matthew Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the 2011 Budget, HC 836, Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer page 3, what estimate he has made of the likely number how many CCTV cameras are installed in and around of (a) businesses and (b) small and medium-sized his Department’s premises; and how much such cameras enterprises (i) nationally, (ii) in each region, (iii) in each cost to (a) install and (b) operate in the latest period local authority and (iv) in each parliamentary constituency for which figures are available. [56842] 355W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 356W

Justine Greening: There are 48 CCTV cameras in the All of the information contained in the Convergence Treasury building. Programme has already been published and made available The costs of the camera installation were included in to Members. the refurbishment of the building by a PFI provider in The UK’s Convergence Programme itself does not 2002. The current operating cost is £3,500 per annum. require Parliament’s approval. Due to the provisions of section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Departmental Drinks Act 1993 it must be based upon an assessment of the economic and budgetary position which has been reported to Parliament by the Government for its approval. This Luciana Berger: To ask the Chancellor of the year that assessment comprised the 2011 Budget report Exchequer how much his Department has spent on the and the OBR’s ‘Economic and fiscal outlook’—as set contents of ministerial drinks cabinets since 12 May out in the 2011 Budget report itself. These documents 2010. [48402] were deposited in the Libraries of both Houses on 23 March for subsequent approval. The Budget report and Justine Greening: The Treasury does not have ministerial associated documents are routinely debated and approved drinks cabinets. by the House of Commons. All expenditure on official hospitality including alcohol The Government take Parliament’s involvement in is made in accordance with published departmental this process very seriously. That is why, during negotiations guidance on. Financial procedures and propriety, based on the new European Semester, the Government secured on principles set out in Managing Public Money and an exemption from the requirement to send draft budgetary the Treasury handbook on “Regularity & Propriety”. plans to the Commission. The UK will continue to send our Budget—in the form of the Convergence Devolution Programme—only once it has been presented to Parliament by the Chancellor. Mr Burley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received on the Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation composition of the committee established to consider the future of the Barnett Formula and the West Lothian Fiona Bruce: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer question. [56618] by what date he expects Equitable Life’s with-profit annuitants to start to receive compensation from the Danny Alexander: No committee has been established scheme established for this purpose. [56351] to consider the future of the Barnett formula. The Government recognise the concerns on the system devolved funding. However, at this time, the priority must be to Mr Hoban [holding answer 19 May 2011]: As I reduce the deficit and therefore any change to the announced on 16 May, the Equitable Life Payment system must await the stabilisation of the public finances Scheme will make its first payments by the end of June. It will aim to make first payments to all with profits The arrangement whereby MPs from Scotland, Wales annuitants eligible for a payment by June 2012, subject and Northern Ireland can vote on Westminster Bills is to the policyholder being successfully identified and commonly known as the West Lothian question. As traced. part of it’s programme of political reform, the Government have announced that they will establish a Commission to consider the West Lothian question. This commitment European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism is included within the Government’s priorities for 2011. Mr Carswell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Economic Policy if he will publish the advice given by his Department’s legal advisers in response to the opinion of the Council of Ministers on the legality of the European Stabilisation Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Chancellor of the Mechanism established under article 122 of the Treaty Exchequer for what reasons he deposited the UK’s on the Functioning of the European Union. [55756] Convergence Programme with the EU on 28 April 2011 prior to its approval by the House on a deferred division Mr Hoban: Treasury Ministers received advice on on 4 May 2011; and if he will make a statement. [55729] this issue, including legal advice, as part of the normal process of policy development. Mr Hoban [holding answer 16 May 2011]: The Convergence Programme was sent to the European Policy development and information relating to recent Commission on 28 April in order to meet an agreed policy announcements need a degree of freedom to deadline of 30 April for submission of both Convergence enable the process to work effectively. The release of Programmes and National Reform Programmes. This information so soon after discussions took place would was agreed as part of the new European Semester. result in less full and frank discussions in the future, However, the Commission was advised that the document harming the policy formulation and development process. must be regarded as a draft until parliamentary scrutiny procedures are completed. This has been established Mr Cash: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) practice in recent years where parliamentary debates on for what reasons he did not challenge the legal basis of the Government’s economic and budgetary assessment the European Financial Stability Mechanism; [56640] have not taken place at the time of submitting the (2) whether he received legal advice on the legality of Convergence Programme to the EU (a debate did not the European Financial Stability Mechanism in (a) take place in the other place/House until 12 May). May and (b) June 2010. [56641] 357W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 358W

Mr Hoban: The European Financial Stability Mechanism Justine Greening: As well as introducing the Patent (EFSM) was created following agreement by a qualified Box, which will encourage investment in all patented majority of member states at the ECOFIN meeting on technologies, Budget 2011 announced an increase in the 9 May 2010. The meeting took place before the formation SME rate of R and D tax credit to 200% from April of the coalition Government and was attended by the 2011, and 225% from April 2012, subject to state aid then Chancellor of the Exchequer, the right hon. Member approval; simplification of the R and D tax credit for Edinburgh South West (Mr Darling), who consulted schemes; and an additional £100 million in 2011-12 in opposition parties. The Chancellor of the Exchequer science capital development to provide facilities for the cautioned against committing the UK to proposals that commercialisation of research, accommodation for have a lasting effect on the UK’s public finances. However, innovative SMEs and new research capabilities. he made it clear that given the right hon. Member for During this spending period several Departments Edinburgh South West (Mr Darling) was still Chancellor will invest in low-carbon innovation, for example DECC of the Exchequer at that point, it was for him to reach will provide £200 million supporting technologies such decisions. All contact between the Treasury and the as offshore wind. Opposition parties followed the agreed Cabinet Office guidelines for the 2010 general election. Food: Prices The terms of the EFSM are set out in EU Council Regulation No. 407/2010. It is compatible with the Laura Sandys: To ask the Chancellor of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union ¦ Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the (TFEU), Article 122(2) of which states: Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural “Where a Member State is in difficulties or is seriously threatened Affairs on steps to address global food price inflation. with severe difficulties caused by natural disasters or exceptional [56868] occurrences beyond its control, the Council, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission, may grant, under certain conditions, Community financial assistance to the Member Justine Greening: The Treasury and other Departments, State concerned.” including the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, discuss developments in global commodity The Council decided that, in these circumstances, markets on a regular basis. those criteria applied, as the regulation itself makes clear. Laura Sandys: To ask the Chancellor of the The Government have secured agreement at the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with December European Council that the EFSM will cease large food producers on the effects of global food price to exist in 2013 at the latest, that Article 122(2) TFEU inflation. [56869] will not be used for the purpose of ensuring the financial stability of the euro area as a whole, and that only euro Justine Greening: Treasury Ministers and officials area member states will be required to contribute to the regularly meet with representatives from a wide range permanent European Stability Mechanism. of public and private sector organisations, including food producers. Such engagement occurs throughout policy development and implementation. As was the Financial Services: Taxation case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s practice to provide details of all such meetings and discussions. Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with his G20 counterparts Laura Sandys: To ask the Chancellor of the on the introduction of a multilateral financial transaction Exchequer what his Department’s forecast is for food tax; and if he will make a statement. [56857] price inflation for each year to 2014-15. [56879]

Mr Hoban: The Government of France have announced Justine Greening: The Office for Budget Responsibility that discussion of financial transactions taxes will be (OBR) is responsible for producing independent economic one of their priorities for their presidency of the G20 and fiscal forecasts. The OBR published a full analysis this year. In addition, as requested by ECOFIN, the on the prospects for overall inflation in their forecast at European Commission is currently preparing an impact Budget, which can be found online at: assessment on financial sector taxation, including financial http://budgetresponsibility.independent.gov.uk transactions taxes. The OBR’s forecast for commodity prices is The UK Government believe a financial transactions “broadly flat as the supply response to higher prices to be tax would need to be applied globally to prevent the offset by a continued rise in global demand, leaving prices broadly relocation of financial services and are willing to engage stable at their current levels over the forecast period.” in further international discussions of such taxes. Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs Fiscal Policy: Environment Protection Dan Rogerson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the announcement in the 2011 Budget to exclude Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer feed-in tariff-based trades from the Enterprise Investment what fiscal measures his Department plans to put in Scheme and Venture Capital Trusts applies to (a) place to increase levels of private sector research and community interest companies and industrial provident development in low-carbon technologies during the society structures and (b) other similar social enterprises. comprehensive spending review period. [56288] [56817] 359W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 360W

Justine Greening: Legislation will be introduced in As set out at Budget 2011, the Government will not Finance Bill 2012 providing that companies whose trade introduce a per-plane duty at the present time, given consists wholly or substantially in the receipt of feed-in concerns over the legality and feasibility of this approach. tariffs will only be eligible for the Enterprise Investment The Government will continue working with our Scheme or Venture Capital Trusts where commercial international partners to build consensus for a per-plane electricity generation commences before 6 April 2012. duty in the future. The change will not apply to any shares issued before 23 March 2011. Taxation: Combined Heat and Power This change is designed to improve the focus of the schemes on smaller, higher risk companies. Draft legislation Michael Connarty: To ask the Chancellor of the will be published for consultation before it is implemented. Exchequer what assessment he has made of the likely effects on oil refining costs of the removal of tax Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation exemption for combined heat and power. [54002]

Mr Spencer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Justine Greening: Following the Chancellor’s Budget what representations he has received from the sustainable announcement, the Government continue to work with biodiesel industry on the adequacy of the Renewable the Combined Heat and Power Association and its Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO) mechanism to replace members, including representatives from the oil refining the support provided by the 20 pence duty differential industry, in order to develop a simpler, direct and more for biodiesel made from used cooking oil; and if he will effective means of support for combined heat and power assess the merits of extending the differential until the stations. From 2013, the new relief from the carbon RTFO has been proven an adequate support mechanism price floor will supersede the existing relief provided for the industry. [56415] through levy exemption certificates, with the intention that CHP plants will continue to receive an appropriate Justine Greening: As part of the Budget process, the level of support. Treasury routinely receives representations from Taxation: Offshore Industry stakeholders on a range of issues. The duty differential will end as intended on 31 March 2012. An open Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the consultation is currently under way at: Exchequer whether the energy company obligation is http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/ deemed to be levy-funded spending. [56797] and the industry is invited to respond. Justine Greening: As with similar obligations the Revenue and Customs: Debt Collection Energy Company Obligation will be considered levy-funded spending if it is classified by the Office for National John McDonnell: To ask the Chancellor of the Statistics as tax and spending for National Accounts Exchequer what the average cost to HM Revenue and purposes. Customs (HMRC) of an employee working in its Debt Management and Banking (DMB) unit is; and what his Terrorism: Finance most recent estimate is for the average amount of debt collected annually by an HMRC employee working in Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer the DMB unit. [56244] pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 4 May 2011, Official Report, columns 19-22WS, on the Mr Gauke [holding answer 19 May 2011]: In 2010-11, terrorist asset-freezing regime (17 December 2010 to 31 the average salary of an employee working in HMRC’s March 2011), with which banks were accounts frozen Debt Management and Banking directorate (DMB) under the al-Qaeda and Taliban asset-freezing regime. was £27,051.15. [56299] The most recent published accounts and the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General showed that DMB Mr Hoban: It would not be in the interest of the collected £67.9 billion in 2009-10. effective operation of the asset freezing regime to disclose the names of the banks which hold accounts for persons As at 31 March 2010 DMB had 7,101 full-time subject to the al-Qaeda and Taliban asset freezing regime. equivalent staff. This information is provided by the banks to the Treasury Taxation: Aviation in confidence for the purposes of monitoring compliance and enforcement with sanctions. Henry Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the legal advice he has received on the compatibility of a per plane tax with international law; SCOTLAND what steps he plans to take to seek support for such a tax among his international counterparts; what timetable Charitable Donations he has set for such action; and what his policy is on the eventual introduction of such a tax. [56131] Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to encourage charitable giving Justine Greening: The Government do not routinely by Ministers in his Department. [57131] publish legal advice in order to safeguard openness in communications between Ministers and officials, and David Mundell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer ensure access to full and frank advice. I gave on 4 March 2011, Official Report, column 611W. 361W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 362W

Conditions of Employment Ministers

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the Scotland when he next plans to meet the First Minister Scottish Trades Union Congress to discuss the of Scotland. [56509] Government’s review of employment rights. [57072] Michael Moore: I met the First Minister recently and Michael Moore: I held a meeting with representatives plan to meet him again in the near future. of the Scottish Trades Union Congress’s General Council on 21 March 2011, at which we discussed Government Rescue Services proposals related to the workplace. Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has had discussions with the Secretary Scotland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of State for Transport on Coastguard Agency staff of the Exchequer on his proposals to (a) extend his located in Scotland appearing before the Transport review of employment law and (b) assess the merits of Select Committee. [57073] (i) uncapped compensation awards in discrimination tribunal case, (ii) the 90-day consultation period rule for Michael Moore: I can confirm that Coastguard Agency collective redundancies and (iii) staff transfer rules in staff are able to attend the series of meetings being held respect of salaries and benefits of employees moved across the United Kingdom by the Transport Select from the public to the private sector. [57080] Committee, the most recent of which was in Stornoway on 19 May 2011. Ministers have encouraged Coastguard Michael Moore: I am in regular contact with the Agency staff across the UK to share their views on Chancellor of the Exchequer on a range of matters. proposals for modernising Her Majesty’s Coastguard with the Transport Select Committee. The Committee Departmental Research has received written views and a number of submissions setting out alternative proposals from serving staff. The Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Maritime and Coastguard Agency has facilitated Scotland what (a) longitudinal and (b) other (i) opportunities for the Committee to meet operational research and (ii) collection of data his Department has coastguards at the Coastguard Centres at Falmouth, (A) initiated, (B) terminated and (C) amended in the Clyde and Stornoway, and coastguards from other centres last 12 months; and what such research and data were encouraged to attend those sessions. Ministers collection exercises undertaken by the Department have also proposed that members of the PCS Union can have not been amended in that period. [56767] give formal evidence to the Committee in their capacity as union representatives. The Scotland Office has offered David Mundell: The Scotland Office has not initiated, assistance to the Committee with arranging visits in terminated or amended in the last 12 months any Scotland, should this be required. longitudinal or other research or collection of data. There have been no such research or data collection Scotland Bill exercises susceptible to amendment in that period. Members Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the Prime Minister on the Scotland Bill; and if he will Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for make a statement. [56510] Scotland pursuant to the answer of 28 April 2011, Official Report, column 551W, on Members, what the Michael Moore: I have regular discussions with the name is of each hon. and right hon. Member whom his Prime Minister on a range of matters including the Department has identified as having an interest in Scottish Scotland Bill. affairs. [57011] Scottish Parliament David Mundell: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 28 March 2011, Official Report, column 31W, on Members, and on 1 April 2011, Official Report, Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for column 515W. Scotland when he next plans to visit the Scottish Parliament. [56511] In addition to MPs with a Scottish constituency, and past and present Members of the Scottish Affairs Michael Moore: I have made a number of visits to the Committee with constituencies outwith Scotland, generic Scottish Parliament and I look forward to visiting it correspondence has been copied to the following hon. again in the near future. Members who have intimated a specific interest in Scottish affairs: Taxation: Aviation The hon. Member for Brentford and Isleworth (Mary Macleod) The hon. Member for Epping Forest (Mrs Laing) Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for The hon. Member for Milton Keynes South (Iain Stewart). Scotland what recent assessment his Department has I am delighted that these hon. Members have expressed made of the economic effects on Scotland of a reduction an interest in Scottish affairs and I encourage all hon. in the levels of aviation taxation; and if he will make a Members to take such an interest. statement. [56513] 363W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 364W

David Mundell: Taxation is a matter for the Chancellor The most significant examples of changes to programmes of the Exchequer. The Government are currently consulting are stated in the Transport Spending Review Press on reform of air passenger duty with the aim of having Notice, dated 20 October 2010. The link to the Central a simple and fairer tax system for air transport services Office of Information’s News Distribution Service is: in the UK which does not hamper economic growth. http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.aspx?NewsAreaId =2&ReleaseID=416118& SubjectId=16&AdvancedSearch=true

Driving Offences: Speed Limits TRANSPORT Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Crossrail Line: Consultants Transport what plans his Department has for future levels of penalties for motorists convicted of speeding Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for offences. [56684] Transport how much his Department has spent on consultation services for the Crossrail project in the last Mike Penning: The Government recently published 12 months. [55332] their Strategic Framework for Road Safety which sets out how they intend to reduce deaths and serious injuries Mrs Villiers: The Department for Transport has not on Britain’s roads. This can be found at: spent any money on consultation services for the Crossrail http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/strategicframework/ project in the last 12 months. Among the measures included, we propose to increase the level of fixed penalty notices for traffic offences to Departmental Pensions £80-£100 from the current level of £60.

Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Employment Agencies Transport what proportion of his Department’s budget he expects to be spent on staff pensions in each of the Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for next five years. [54570] Transport how much his Department spent on (a) recruitment agency fees, (b) outplacement agency fees Norman Baker: The Department estimates that it will for displaced or redundant staff and (c) staff training spend less than 1% of its overall budget on pensions in in the last year for which figures are available. [51408] each of the next four years. No estimate has been made for 2015-16 as this is outside the current spending Norman Baker: The Department for Transport was review period. formed in 2002 and is made up of a central Department DfT(C) and seven executive agencies as follows: Departmental Responsibilities Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) Highways Agency (HA) Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) Transport whether his Department plans to cease to fund any of its functions over the period of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) comprehensive spending review. [55182] Driving Standards Agency (DSA) Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) Norman Baker: The Department for Transport achieved Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA). the majority of the savings required in the spending This response includes both the central Department review by reducing budgets for lower priority/lower and the executive agencies. value for money programmes, by targeting or descoping (a) The last financial year for which the DfT has programmes and through improved procurement processes. data is 2009-10. The recorded spend on recruitment Funding for some minor programme functions has agencies fees in terms of search and selection for this ceased, totalling £0.8 million in each year of the spending period was £6,128,339 (the following table shows the review. In addition funding for some minor administration breakdown across the Department). functions has ended as part of the Department’s overall administration budget reduction of 33% but these functions Department/agency Amount spent (£) are not separately identifiable. DfT(C) 4,110,802 As part of the spending review, decisions were taken DVLA 33,545 not to fund some lower priority road schemes. Total estimated costs are £1 billion of which £250 million HA 618,279 would be required within the spending review period. VCA 13,645 MCA 323,270 In addition, the current A14 Ellington to Fen Ditton DSA 218,481 scheme, with a total estimated cost of £1.2 billion of VOSA 264,114 which £600 million would be within the spending review period, was stopped in its current form and the corridor GCDA 546,203 is being re-examined to identify a viable way forward. Total 6,128,339 Furthermore, the third round of the Private Finance (b) The Department spent £10,950 (excl. VAT) in the Initiative (PFI) Street Lighting programme was cancelled. last financial year on outplacement fees. This was to Seven local authorities were seeking some £700 million provide outplacement support for staff at the Redeployment in PFI credits. and Career Advice Centre at DfT(C). 365W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 366W

(c) The last financial year for which the DfT has data The Green Bus Fund is helping bus operators and local authorities is 2009-10. The recorded spend on staff training for purchase low carbon buses. The fund has delivered over £46 DfT during this period was £12,558,897 (the following million to support purchase of 526 hybrid and all-electric buses, table shows the breakdown across the Department). all of which are expected to be in service by 2012. The Government are also supporting the installation of recharging Department/agency Amount spent (£) infrastructure needed to support use of electric vehicles. £30 million has been provided through the Government’s ‘Plugged-In DfT(C) 938,300 Places’ programme, which is helping to provide electric vehicle DVLA 1,389,555 recharging infrastructure in key locations across the UK. HA 7,531,648 Public Transport: Carbon Emissions VCA 405,982 MCA 1,209,537 Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for DSA 426,992 Transport what steps his Department is taking to VOSA 566,663 reduce the volume of greenhouse gas emissions arising GCDA 90,220 from public transport; and what expenditure it has Total 12,558,897 incurred on such steps in the latest period for which figures are available. [55323] High Speed 2 Railway Line: North West Norman Baker: As outlined in the Carbon Plan, Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for published in March 2011, the Government are committed Transport what assessment he has made of the to reducing emissions from all sectors, including transport. potential economic benefit to the North West of High As part of the overall strategy, the Department for Speed 2. [55650] Transport is supporting a number of measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from public transport, Mr Philip Hammond: HS2 Ltd estimate that, based including: on trip origin data, the North West could experience providing £46.8 million to help support the purchase of over around 23% of the £22 billion benefits of the initial 500 new low carbon buses, all of which will be in operation in London-West Midlands phase of a new high speed England by March 2012; network. The full “Y” shaped high speed rail network, providing an incentive through the Bus Service Operators proposed by Government, which would include a direct Grant (BSOG) scheme to encourage the use of low carbon buses, high speed link to Manchester, has the potential to on which a total of £92,000 was spent in 2009-10. generate even more significant overall benefits worth Rail electrification is also an important part of the £44 billion over the appraisal period, but no assessment Department’s carbon reduction strategy, and we have has currently been made of the proportions accruing to announced schemes to electrify the routes between specific regions. Liverpool, Manchester, Preston and Blackpool and the In addition to these monetised benefits, a national Great Western Main Line. high speed rail network would have the potential to Public Transport: Vandalism bring significant strategic economic benefits to the North West through supporting regeneration, job creation, and long-term economic growth. Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to reduce vandalism Level Crossings: Accidents on public transport services. [55317]

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Mrs Villiers: We are committed to reducing crime, Transport how many injuries on level crossings there antisocial behaviour and the fear of crime wherever it have been in the last five years. [55322] occurs in the transport system. Crime on public transport can best be tackled by industry working together with Mrs Villiers: I can confirm that there have been 332 the police and local authorities to reduce the incidence injuries to passengers, members of the public and workforce of vandalism. in the last five years. 43 of these were considered major Railways: Overcrowding injuries. Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with train Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for operating companies on the deregulation of first class Transport what steps he is taking to encourage travel on overcrowded commuter services. [54234] procurement of low-carbon commercial vehicles by (a) Mrs Villiers: Ministers meet with train operating the public and (b) the private sector. [53329] companies on a frequent basis, and a wide variety of Norman Baker: The Government are committed to topics are discussed. However, there have been no reducing emissions arising from road transport. To this discussions with train operators specifically to discuss end, we are supporting a number of measures designed the declassification of first class accommodation. to promote take-up of low carbon commercial vehicles: It is an operational matter for train operators to The Low Carbon Vehicle Public Procurement Programme is decide whether to allow holders of standard class tickets delivering funding of £9 million to support the introduction of to use first class accommodation (where available), as over 200 electric and low carbon vans into a range of different permitted under Condition 39 of the National Rail fleets. Conditions of Carriage. 367W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 368W

Railways: Tickets Mr Paice: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave her on 3 February 2011, Official Report, column 1026. Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for The latest forecasts of farm incomes, published in January, Transport if he will discuss with Transport for London can be found on the DEFRA website at: an extension of the Oyster card fare payment system to http://www.defra.gov.uk/statistics/files/defra-stats-fbs-farm- include Slough station. [55450] business-income-1101.pdf Actual farm incomes from the Farm Business Survey Mrs Villiers [holding answer 13 May 2011]: Officials for 2010-11 will be published at the end of October. have discussed the issue with Transport for London and First Group. There are a number of technical, policy Air Pollution and financial considerations which need to be addressed before any decision can be made on whether to extend Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Oyster out to Slough station. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent Roads: Snow and Ice discussions she has had with the European Commission on UK compliance with EU air quality limits. [56204] Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has established a Richard Benyon: The Secretary of State for Environment, monitoring and forecasting process for salt stocks and Food and Rural Affairs met with Commissioner Potocnik supplies as recommended in the Winter Resilience on 27 January to discuss a range of issues of interest to Review interim report. [56039] DEFRA including progress being made towards compliance with EU air quality limits. Norman Baker [holding answer 17 May 2011]: In taking action on the recommendations from the Winter Animal Welfare: Circuses Resilience Review report which were assigned to the Department for Transport, we developed a salt stock Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for monitoring portal system. In co-operation with local Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consideration highway authorities, Transport for London, the devolved she has given to proposals to require circuses to adopt Administrations and the Highways Agency, we undertook the minimum standards for keeping animals required of regular audits of both local authority and highways zoos. [56125] agency salt stock levels throughout the winter. These audits commenced weekly in early December Mr Paice: We have been working with representatives 2010 and, following an improved weather situation, a of animal welfare organisations and the circus industry decision was taken to suspend them in February 2011. to consider this and many other proposals on the use of In order to inform preparations for next winter, we wild animals in circuses to establish our policy on this are currently undertaking a survey of highway authorities issue. to assess their latest salt stock holdings and plans for On 13 May 2011, Official Report, column 48WS, the restocking. Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural The Department also worked closely with the domestic Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden salt producers throughout the winter. (Mrs Spelman), announced plans to consult on a new licensing system for the use of wild animals in circuses. Vehicle Number Plates The Government will consult on the welfare standards, which will be drawn up following discussion with welfare Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for experts and other interested parties. Transport if he will take steps to strengthen the integrity of the number plate regime. [56470] Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans Mike Penning [holding answer 19 May 2011]: The to announce the outcome of her Department’s consultation Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has a register of on the use of wild animals in circuses. [55628] authorised suppliers as a means of controlling the availability of number plates. Mr Paice: On 13 May 2011, Official Report, column There is evidence that despite this control, number 48WS, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food plates are obtained illegally and used for criminal activities. and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), announced plans to consult Officials will continue to review the system to see on a new licensing system for the use of wild animals in what improvements could be made to strengthen the circuses. The Government will consult on the welfare regime and tackle crime. standards, which will be drawn up following discussion with welfare experts and other interested parties.

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS Animal Welfare: Seized Articles Agriculture Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent her Department issues to police forces on the animal assessment she has made of the level of farming incomes; welfare considerations to be taken into account when and if she will make a statement. [55343] seizing animals as part of a police action. [56342] 369W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 370W

Mr Paice: No specific guidance is issued to police on Total new herd incidents the welfare considerations of seized animals. However, at the time the Animal Welfare Act 2006 was introduced, 2009 2 police forces were provided with explanatory notes. 2010 7 These notes set out the responsibilities of owners and Source: keepers of animals, whether on a permanent or temporary DEFRA’s Animal Health Database (Vetnet) basis. When animals are seized we would expect police Departmental Responsibilities forces to work closely with organisations such as the RSPCA to ensure that welfare needs are met. Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Bees Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the cost of her Department’s Rural and Farming Network in each of the next four years. Harriett Baldwin: To ask the Secretary of State for [55497] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what discussions she has had with professional beekeeper Mr Paice [holding answer 13 May 2011]: After years representative organisations on establishing the UK of estrangement between the rural communities and the Apiculture Programme; [55083] previous Government, we are now establishing strong (2) how much of the funding from the EU under the relationships with people living and working in rural UK Apiculture Programme was spent on professional areas. The Rural and Farming Network is an important beekeepers in the latest period for which figures are part of this work. available; [55084] DEFRA’s Farming and Food Chain Programme and (3) what funding the Government receive from the Rural Communities Policy Unit will provide a joint EU for the purposes of improving production and secretariat to support the development and operation of marketing of honey and other bee products under the the Rural and Farming Network. We have not identified UK Apiculture Programme. [55085] a separate cost as this will be part of business as usual and we do not yet know the size of the network. The Mr Paice: The UK Apiculture Programme for the individual groups which make up the network will be period 2010-13 was submitted to the European Commission self-supporting and not reliant on central Government for approval in April 2010. This programme provides funding. partial reimbursement of up to 50% of member states’ own expenditure. Beekeeping stakeholders, including the Bee Farmers’ Association which represents commercial Energy: National Policy Statements beekeepers, were consulted on the 2010-13 programme before submission to the Commission. Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for In England, the Apiculture Programme focuses on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment helping beekeepers through the provision of technical she has made of the likely effects of the national policy advice via inspection visits and a comprehensive training statement framework on the expansion of renewable and education programme for all beekeepers, both technologies. [56305] professional and amateur. The programme in England is implemented by the National Bee Unit, part of the Charles Hendry: I have been asked to reply, as I have Food and Environment Research Agency, where the responsibility for the national policy statements (NPS) expenditure on this was £252,000 in 2008, £254,000 in that apply to renewable energy technologies. 2009 and £268,000 in 2010 from the UK allocations. The devolved Administrations have their own programmes. The revised draft Overarching NPS (EN-1) sets out Government’s policy and targets for renewable electricity The European Commission has increased its funding generation, with around 33 GW of new renewable to the programme for 2010-13, and as a result member capacity needed by 2025. The NPSs will facilitate this states’ allocations have increased. England’s allocation investment by providing a planning framework that is around £465,000 for each year of the programme. gives more certainty and clarity to developers about how their proposals will be assessed within the Planning Bovine Tuberculosis: Berkshire Act regime.

Alok Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many Farmers: Subsidies instances of bovine TB were reported in Berkshire in each of the last five years. [55720] Mr Timpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many eligible Mr Paice: The following table shows the number of claims for the Single Payment Scheme are outstanding new Bovine TB instances in Berkshire in each of the last to farmers in Crewe and Nantwich constituency; and five years. what the combined value of such claims is. [55508] Total new herd incidents Mr Paice: The Rural Payments Agency does not 2006 1 record information on payments to farmers on a 2007 4 constituency basis. The information requested could be 2008 3 obtained only at disproportionate cost. 371W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 372W

Farming Richard Benyon: The UK was allocated a quota of 2,500 tonnes of pelagic species under category 6 of the Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for EU-Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she plans to take in response to the Foresight report on Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for global food and farming futures; and if she will make a Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many licences statement. [55526] (a) were allocated to the UK under the EU-Moroccan Fisheries Partnership Agreement when the agreement Mr Paice: In response to the Foresight report the came into force in February 2007 and (b) the UK held Government plan to take the following actions: when the Agreement expired in February 2011. [56815] Champion a more integrated approach by governments and international institutions to global food security that makes links Richard Benyon: The UK was allocated two licences with climate change, poverty, biodiversity, energy and other policies. under the EU-Moroccan Fisheries Partnership Agreement Explore further with Foresight, the United Nations (UN) when the agreement came into force in February 2007. High-Level Task Force on the Food Security Crisis and UN Food When the agreement expired in February 2011, the and Agriculture Organization (FAO) the concept of a ’food UK still held two licences. system dashboard’ to support this integrated approach, monitoring progress and key areas of uncertainty across the whole food Food: Commodity Markets system. Continue to press for full integration of agricultural greenhouse Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for gases (GHGs) into the UN Framework Convention on Climate Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent Change process; take forward Nagoya work on international biodiversity; and promote the importance of sustainable intensification estimate her Department has made of the effect of of agriculture more broadly. commodity speculation on food prices. [55826] Continue to press for reform of the common agricultural policy and common fisheries policy so they are better focused on Mr Paice: We have seen no conclusive evidence that long-term environmental sustainability and avoid harmful subsidies; speculation is leading to increased food price volatility, support the EU as it seeks to negotiate a genuinely pro-poor which is why we do not support calls for further controls conclusion to the Doha Development Round which includes a on speculation. Furthermore, farmers need liquid markets significant opening of agricultural markets; and plan an active so they can hedge their price risk. We prefer to tackle role in talks in the G20, FAO and elsewhere aimed at finding ways food price volatility at its roots through measures to of managing volatility. improve the flow of information to the markets, restrict Showcase what can be achieved on food waste reduction export bans and invest in productivity. within the UK, working with other countries and multinational companies to share and disseminate good practice. Heathrow Airport: Air Pollution Work in partnership with our whole food chain, including consumers, to ensure the UK leads the way on sustainable intensification of agriculture, increasing the productivity and Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for competitiveness of UK farming and the UK food chain while Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what recent reducing GHG emissions, protecting and enhancing the natural assessment she has made of the levels of particulate environment and using resources more sustainably, so that agriculture matter 10 in the air at Heathrow airport and in the and the food sector can contribute fully to the green economy. surrounding area; [56201] (2) what recent assessment she has made of levels of Farms: Inspections nitrogen dioxide in the air at Heathrow airport and in the surrounding area. [56203] Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what steps Richard Benyon: DEFRA undertakes air quality she has taken to (a) harmonise and (b) reduce the monitoring of various pollutants at two sites in the area number of inspections of farms; [55418] surrounding Heathrow. The sites are known as London (2) what steps she has taken to reduce paperwork for Hillingdon: farmers; and if she will make a statement. [55472] http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/networks/aurn-site- info?site_id=HIL Mr Paice: In July last year I set up a Task Force on and London Harlington: Farming Regulation to identify ways to reduce regulatory http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/networks/aurn-site- burdens on farmers and to advise on how best to info?site_id=HRL achieve a risk-based system of regulation. The task Further information on these two stations and real time force has consulted widely and met with farming and historic data from the stations are available online organisations and others to obtain their views. The at: recommendations of the task force were published on http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/ 17 May and we are considering them carefully. Ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10) concentrations across the whole of the UK have Fishery Agreements: Morocco been recently modelled in order to assess compliance with the EU ambient air quality directive. Annual mean Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for concentrations have been calculated for urban background Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what categories locations on a 1km x 1km grid and values for roadside of fishing were allocated to UK vessels under the terms concentrations have been calculated for over 9,000 individual of the EU-Moroccan Fisheries Partnership Agreement urban roads. The most recent assessment for which 2007. [56814] results are available covers 2009. 373W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 374W

The highest modelled background PM10 concentration The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in the Heathrow area is in the north-east of the airport Regulations 2006 (as amended) also place an obligation (grid reference for the centre of the 1 kmx1kmsquare on distributors of household EEE to provide their of 508500, 176500) with an annual mean concentration customers with information on the arrangements through of 22.0 ugm-3. The highest modelled roadside PM10 which they can dispose of WEEE, including low energy concentration in the Heathrow area is along the A4 light bulbs, free of charge. The Department for Business, north of the airport (censusid 16112) with an annual Innovation and Skills, which is the lead Department for mean concentration of 25.4 ugm-3. the WEEE regulations, does not have plans to review or amend these obligations. However, negotiations regarding The highest modelled background NO2 concentration in the Heathrow area is in the centre of the airport (grid proposals for a recast of the EU WEEE directive, the reference for the centre of the 1km x 1km square of basis of the UK regulations, are ongoing in Europe. 507500, 175500) with an annual mean concentration of The relevant advice to consumers on precautions to 49.7 ugm-3. The highest modelled roadside NO2 be taken in the event of a breakage is issued by the concentration in the Heathrow area is along the A4 Health Protection Agency. There are no plans to update north of the airport (censusid 16112) with an annual this advice. mean concentration of 66.5 ugm-3. Advice on the disposal of low energy light bulbs More information on the 2009 assessment is available under the WEEE regulations is provided through a at: number of channels. There are no plans to review or http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/library/annualreport/ update the advice to consumers on disposal of low viewonline?year=2009b&jump=3 energy light bulbs.

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent Livestock discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the merits of meeting EU air quality limits for nitrogen dioxide at Heathrow airport and the Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for surrounding area through the development of a sustainable Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she framework for UK aviation. [56202] has taken to ensure that consumers are able to identify whether meat produce has come from a high-intensity Richard Benyon: The consultation document ‘Developing industrial farm. [55703] a sustainable framework for UK aviation: scoping document’ published by the Department for Transport Mr Paice: The Government are committed to honesty in March, recognises that aviation contributes to nitrogen in food labelling and we have facilitated the development dioxide pollution near airports through aircraft engine of industry owned principles1 which provide consumers emissions, airport operations and road transport to and with clearer information on the origin of their food. We from airports. In addition, it recognises that Government, want clarity and transparency for those consumers who as well as airport operators and local authorities, have a choose to buy produce based on its origin, particularly role to play in working towards compliance as quickly if they believe they are buying British. as possible. The Secretary of State for Environment, The EU does not require member states to label meat Food and Rural Affairs, the right hon. Member for with the type of farm from which it has been reared. It Meriden (Mrs Spelman), has had no recent discussions is incorrect to assume that animal welfare is directly with the Secretary of State for Transport on the specific linked to farm size, or system of production. The most issue of air quality around Heathrow airport. However, important influence on the welfare of farm animals is she meets regularly with the Secretary of State for the knowledge, skills and experience of the farmers who Transport to discuss a range of environmental matters, care for them. However, where there are no legal and officials are working together constructively on the requirements, businesses are able to provide information development of the sustainable framework for UK aviation. on production systems on a voluntary basis if they choose. Lighting: Carbon Emissions UK farms operate to some of the highest welfare standards in the world. Iain Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for 1 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) whether she http://www.brc.org.uk/downloads/principles_on_country_of _origin_information_241110.doc plans to review statutory requirements for advice to be printed on the packaging of low energy light bulbs on action to be taken in the event of breakage; [55175] Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for (2) whether she plans to review and update her Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent Department’s advice to consumers on (a) the disposal assessment she has made of the effect on smaller farms of low energy light bulbs and (b) the precautions to be of the introduction of factory-style farms and high- [55704] taken in the event of breakage. [55176] intensity industrial farming.

Mr Paice: EU regulation 244/2009 requires the provision Mr Paice: No such assessment has been made. However, of free access websites containing information on what the Government believe that there is a place in UK to do in the event of a low energy light bulb breaking, agriculture for all sustainable production systems that and for the website links to be provided on packaging. meet welfare and environmental standards, so that the This is not expected to be reviewed until 2014 when the industry can meet varied consumer demands and be Commission will review the regulation. competitive on UK, EU and global markets. 375W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 376W

Pigs Mr Paice: The budgets of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), the Veterinary Laboratories Agency Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for (VLA) and Animal Health (AH), all of which provide Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent and support veterinary services, for each of the last five assessment she has made of the effect on the welfare of years are set out in the following table. pigs of high-intensity industrial farming. [55705] £ million Mr Paice: No such assessment has been made. However, VMD VLA AH all farm animals, in whatever system they are kept, are 2006-07 3.3 100.3 112.1 protected by comprehensive animal welfare legislation 2007-08 3.3 101.0 118.6 which requires some of the highest standards of animal 2008-09 3.5 96.2 116.5 welfare in the world. In England, the Animal Welfare 2009-10 3.7 95.7 134.0 Act 2006 makes it an offence to cause unnecessary 2010-111 3.4 74.5 126.4 suffering to any animal. The Act also contains a duty of 1 Forecast out-turn. care to animals; this means that anyone responsible for an animal must take reasonable steps to make sure the Water animal’s needs are met. These general requirements are supplemented by more detailed ones for pigs in the Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans which lay down requirements in respect of general to publish her proposed White Paper on water industry welfare, inspection, housing and feeding for all farmed reform. [56951] animals. There is also a Code of Recommendations for Livestock: Richard Benyon: Following the launch of DEFRA’s Pigs, published on the DEFRA website, which farmers Business Plan, we anticipate publishing the Water White are required by law to have access to, and be familiar Paper by December 2011. with, which encourages high standards of husbandry. Written Questions: Government Responses It is also important to recognise that poor welfare may occur in both intensive and extensive systems. The Mr Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for most significant influence on the welfare of livestock is Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans the stock-keeper, not the system in which is it reared. to respond to Question 51051, on neonicotinoid pesticides tabled on 31 March 2011 for answer on Sustainable Development 4 April 2011. [55970]

Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Paice: I answered question 51051 on 26 April Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what definition 2011, Official Report, columns 21-22W. of sustainable development her Department uses. [56949]

Richard Benyon: On 28 February, the Government set ATTORNEY-GENERAL out their vision of sustainable development as an approach Trade Unions which allows us to realise our vision of stimulating economic growth, tackling the deficit, maximising well-being and protecting our environment. This should be achieved Mr Raab: To ask the Attorney-General how many without negatively impacting on the ability of future staff of (a) the Law Officers’ Departments, (b) the generations to do the same. National Fraud Authority and (c) the Treasury Solicitor’s Department are entitled to work (i) full-time as trade union representatives and (ii) part-time on Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for trade union activities; how many such staff are paid Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent meetings more than £25,900 annually; and what the cost to the she has had with ministerial colleagues to discuss the public purse of employing such staff on such duties Government’s Plan for Growth. [56948] was in the latest period for which figures are available. [56434] Richard Benyon: The Government’s Plan for Growth was published alongside the Budget. It builds on action The Solicitor-General: There are no full-time trade taken at the spending review to restore economic stability union representatives in the Treasury Solicitor’s Department and is the result of 12 growth reviews set up to look at or the Attorney-General’s Office. Six members of staff barriers to growth and what Government can do to work part-time on trade union activities. Of these six address them. Ministerial discussions were had in the members of staff, four are paid more than £25,900 usual course of business in the lead up to the Budget. annually. The total cost of employing these staff on trade union duties in 2010-11 was £65,092. Veterinary Services During 2009-10, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had 10 full-time trade union representatives and 213 Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for staff undertaking union activities on a part-time basis. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what 138 staff were paid more than £25,900 during the expenditure her Department has incurred on veterinary period 2009-10. The cost of employing these staff on services in each of the last five years. [55242] trade union duties in 2009-10 was approximately £750,000. 377W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 378W

Seven members of staff in the Serious Fraud Office Gender Recognition (SFO) work part-time on trade union activities. A new consultation framework and facilities agreement was Meg Hillier: To ask the Minister for Women and signed by the SFO and the three recognised trade Equalities what meetings the Minister for Equalities unions (FDA, Prospect and PCS) in January 2011. In held with transgender groups to discuss the policy of accordance with the ACAS Code of Practice “Time off the Government Equalities Office on equality between for Trades Union Duties and Activities” this agreement her appointment and 28 June 2010. [11632] granted each trade union a total of 50 days per year for all trade union activity undertaken by their representatives. Lynne Featherstone: The Government have published The estimated total annual cost of facility time is £21,000. “Working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender The SFO does not hold any historical information on (LGB and T) Equality”. This ambitious work plan the cost to the public purse of trade union representatives. outlines actions Government will take to advance LGB All current trade union representatives are paid more and T equality. In particular, it commits Government to than £25,900 per year. work with transgender groups to develop a programme HMCPSI has a Whitley Council which meets quarterly of specific action for transgender equality and to publish and is attended by FDA and PCS representatives—currently this action plan in 2011. there are (a) two representatives from the FDA and one Between my appointment and the 28 June 2010, I had from PCS. a telephone conversation with the Gender Identity Research HMCPSI follow the ACAS Code of Practice “Time and Education Society covering various issues affecting off for Trades Union Duties and Activities” and where the transgender community. it is necessary for union representatives to devote time I will be meeting with transgender groups as part of to specific activities on personal cases, this is done by the development of the Transgender Action Plan. agreement with their line manager. No formal record is maintained. Two of the representatives have an annual Trade Unions salary of more than £25,900 and it is estimated that representatives spend, five days or less on union related Priti Patel: To ask the Minister for Women and actives each year. It is not possible to give a more Equalities how many civil servants in the Government accurate cost as no formal records are kept. Equalities Office spent the equivalent of (a) five days The National Fraud Authority (NFA) now falls under or fewer, (b) five to 10 days, (c) 10 to 15 days, (d) 15 the responsibilities of the Home Office and any requests to 20 days, (e) 20 to 25 days and (f) 25 days or more for information relating to NFA should be addressed to on trade union-related activities or duties while being the Secretary of State for the Home Department. paid salaries from the public purse in each year since 2007. [11666]

Lynne Featherstone: The Government Equalities Office WOMEN AND EQUALITIES (GEO) has had one elected trade union official in post since 2009, who is allocated a facility time allowance of Departmental Temporary Employment up to 26 days a year. The GEO representative has used the full allowance John McDonnell: To ask the Minister for Women and permitted since 2009. Equalities how many non-permanent staff of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission are paid a Mr Raab: To ask the Minister for Women and daily sum of (a) £1,000 or more, (b) between £750 and Equalities how many staff of the Government £1,000, (c) between £500 and £750 and (d) between Equalities Office are entitled to work (a) full-time as £250 and £500 inclusive of VAT for their work with the trade union representatives and (b) part-time on trade Commission. [55582] union activities; how many such staff are paid more than £25,900 annually; and what the cost to the public Lynne Featherstone [holding answer 13 May 2011]: purse of employing such staff on such duties was in the The Equality and Human Rights Commission (the latest period for which figures are available. [56451] Commission) is an arm’s length body; the following is based on information it has provided. Lynne Featherstone: The Government Equalities Office The Commission’s daily rates of pay are set excluding has one member of staff who works part-time on trade VAT. The Commission does not separately hold details union activities. Their annual salary is in excess of of VAT payments to non-permanent staff. £25,900. The annual cost of employing them on trade The daily sums for non-permanent staff, exclusive of union activities was £2,784 for the 2010-11 financial VAT, are set out in the following table. year.

Number of non-permanent staff Daily sum of £1,000 or more 0 PRIME MINISTER Daily sum between £750 and 4 £1,000 Scottish Grand Committee Daily sum between £500 and 12 £750 Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Prime Minister if he will Daily sum between £250 and 11 £500 instruct the Secretary of State for Scotland to table a motion for the Scottish Grand Committee to sit. [56521] 379W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 380W

The Prime Minister: The Secretary of State for Scotland, Members: Conduct my right hon. Friend the Member for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk (Michael Moore), will continue Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister to debate and discuss issues relating to Scotland with whether his forthcoming legislative proposals for the Members of Parliament and other colleagues. recall of hon. Members from their constituencies will Special Advisers: Disciplinary Proceedings apply to instances of misconduct committed before the entry into force of the proposed legislation. [57017]

Caroline Flint: To ask the Prime Minister on how Mr Harper: The Government are committed to bringing many occasions disciplinary action has been taken forward legislation to introduce a power to recall Members against special advisers since May 2010. [56229] of Parliament. We are currently considering what would be the fairest, most appropriate and robust procedure The Prime Minister: I refer the right hon. Member to and we will announce the details of our proposals the answer I gave to the hon. Member for West Bromwich before the summer recess. East (Mr Watson) on 15 November 2010, Official Report, column 565W. Voting Rights: Prisoners

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what WALES estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of compensation payments for prisoners not enfranchised Trade Unions if proposed changes to the law on prisoner voting are not implemented. [41336] Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff of her Department are entitled to work Mr Harper: As the Attorney-General made clear (a) full-time as trade union representatives and (b) during the Commons debate on this issue on 10 February part-time on trade union activities; how many such 2011, Official Report, column 526, it is very difficult to staff are paid more than £25,900 annually; and what make an accurate estimate of the cost to the public the cost to the public purse of employing such staff on purse, since we cannot know the number of prisoners such duties was in the latest period for which figures that may bring a claim, nor can we be certain exactly are available. [56450] how much compensation each prisoner might be awarded. However, if the entire UK sentenced population in Mr David Jones: We are too small a Department to the prison system (over 70,000 prisoners) were to bring warrant a full-time trade union representative and currently claims, and on the basis that about £1,000 to £1,500 of have no one undertaking part-time activities. Trade compensation and costs might have to be paid in each union support to staff is currently provided through the case, clearly the matter has the potential to be very Ministry of Justice. The last time anyone undertook costly. such activities was 2009-10 when one member of staff at Band C spent the equivalent of 1.5 days in total on trade union-related activities or duties facility time. Priti Patel: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will notify the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe of (a) the decision of the House on and (b) the results of the division on the motion on DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Voting by Prisoners of 10 February 2011, Votes and Proceedings, No. 115; and if he will register with (i) the House of Lords: Reform Secretary General of the Council of Europe, (ii) the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister (iii) the Human Rights Commissioner of the Council what plans he has to engage the public in his proposals of Europe on objection to the contents of press release on House of Lords reform. [56170] 283(2011) issued by the Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg. [51571] Mr Harper: The Government published a White Paper and draft Bill on 17 May, which will be subject to Mr Harper: No. It is the Council of Europe’s Committee pre-legislative scrutiny by a Joint Committee of both of Ministers that is responsible for supervising the Houses. We expect this Committee will call for evidence implementation of European Court of Human Rights’ and receive representations. The Government also welcome judgments. The Government notified the Committee of all contributions. Ministers of the outcome of the recent backbench debate on prisoner voting rights in an Information Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister Note provided ahead of the 1,108th meeting. The whether he has assessed the merits of holding a Information Note is available on the Committee of referendum on options for House of Lords reform. Ministers’ website: [56172] https://wcd.coe.int/wcd/ViewDoc.jsp?id=1753877&Site=CM &BackColorInternet=C3C3C3&BackColorIntranet=EDB021 Mr Harper: At the last election, all three main political &BackColorLogged=F5D383 parties were committed to reform of the House of I understand that the Commissioner for Human Rights, Lords. The Government consider they should move Mr Hammarberg, requested a bilateral meeting with forward on this issue and published a White Paper and the Secretary of State for Justice at the “High level draft Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny on 17 May. Conference on the Future of the European Court of 381W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 382W

Human Rights” which took place in Izmir, Turkey on Mortality Rates 26 and 27 April 2011. At that meeting, the Secretary of State for Justice was clear that the Court must focus on Chris Ruane: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet truly important cases and have proper regard to the Office (1) what the mortality rates of (a) (i) widows judgment of national Parliaments and courts. and (ii) widowers under the age of 35 and (b) the general population were in each of the last five years; Mr Hollobone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister [56729] when he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to enfranchise convicted prisoners in line with the ruling (2) what the five most frequent causes of death in from the European Court of Human Rights. [57016] (a) widows and (b) widowers under the age of 35 were in the latest period for which figures are available; Mr Harper: The Government asked the European [56730] Court of Human Rights to reconsider its recent judgment (3) what the age-standardised death rate per 100,000 on prisoner voting rights (known as “Greens and MT”)— men between age 40 and 69 who (a) smoke and (b) do and was disappointed that the request was refused. The not smoke and who were (i) married, (ii) single, (iii) UK has six months from the date of the judgment divorced, (iv) widowed and (v) cohabiting was in the becoming final to bring forward legislative proposals to latest period for which figures are available; [56846] amend the law on prisoner voting. The Government are (4) which 100 wards had the highest mortality rate in considering the next steps. the latest period for which figures are available. [56848]

Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have CABINET OFFICE asked the authority to reply. Letter from Stephen Penneck: Departmental Travel As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions asking: Maria Eagle: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet 1. What the mortality rates of (a) (i) widows and (ii) widowers Office how much each executive agency of his under the age of 35 and (b) the general population were in each of Department has spent on travel by (a) private hire the last five years. (56729) vehicles, (b) trains, (c) buses, (d) commercial aircraft 2. What the five most frequent causes of death in (a) widows and (e) private aircraft since May 2010. [56079] and (b) widowers under the age of 35 were in the latest period for which figures are available. (56730) Mr Maude: Between May 2010 and March 2011 the 3. What the age-standardised death rate per 100,000 men Cabinet Office’s Executive agency, Buying Solutions, between age 40 and 69 who (a) smoke and (b) do not smoke and reduced expenditure on travel by 26% (compared with who were (i) married, (ii) single, (iii) divorced, (iv) widowed and the same period in 2009-10) to £870,066. During that (v) cohabiting was in the latest period for which figures are period the agency spent £13,043 on private hire vehicles, available. (56846) £522,827 on trains, £541 on buses, and £115,688 on 4. Which 100 wards had the highest mortality rate in the latest commercial air travel. The agency did not spend anything period for which figures are available. (56848) on private aircrafts. Table 1(a) attached provides the number of deaths, mid-year population estimates and age-specific mortality rates for widowed Maria Eagle: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet men and women aged under 35, in England and Wales, for 2005 Office how much has been spent on travel in respect of to 2009 (the latest year available). (a) each of his Department’s Executive agencies and Table 1(b) attached provides the age-standardised mortality (b) the chief executive of each such agency since May rates for males and females of all ages, in England and Wales, for 2010. [56185] 2005 to 2009 (the latest year available). Age-standardised rates are standardised to the European Standard Mr Maude: Between May 2010 and March 2011 the Population and they are used to allow comparison between Cabinet Office’s Executive agency, Buying Solutions, populations which may contain different proportions of people reduced expenditure on travel by 26% (compared with of different ages. It is ONS policy not to calculate age-standardised rates where there are less than 10 deaths in a group, as standardised the same period in 2009-10) to £870,066. Of that total, rates based on small numbers of events are susceptible to inaccurate £15,987 was incurred by the previous chief executive of interpretation. Therefore age-specific rates have been provided in the agency. Table 1(a). Information on the marital status of the deceased is supplied at Government Departments: Correspondence death registration in confidence, under the Population (Statistics) Acts. Due to the small numbers of deaths of widowed men and women aged under 35, information on frequently recorded causes Alison McGovern: To ask the Minister for the of death have not be provided, in line with the ONS policy on Cabinet Office what the standard response time is for protecting confidentiality within birth and death statistics. Government Departments to reply to letters from hon. Table 2 attached provides the age-standardised mortality rate Members on constituents’ concerns or requests for per 100,000 population, for men aged between 40 and 69 who information. [57048] were (i) married (ii) single, (iii) divorced and (iv) widowed, in England and Wales, for the year 2009 (the latest year available). Mr Maude: The standard response target for responding It is not possible to provide mortality rates for people who to correspondence from hon. Members is 20 working smoke (3a) and do not smoke (3b) or people who are cohabiting days though a number of Departments have set themselves (3v), as information on the deceased’s smoking status and living more demanding targets of 15 working days or less. arrangements is not collected at death registration. 383W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 384W

Table 3 provides the 100 wards which had the highest mortality www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=15096 rates, in England and Wales, for 2009 (the latest year available). A copy has been placed in the House of Commons Library. The number of deaths registered in England and Wales each year by sex, age, cause, marital status, and place of death are published annually on the National Statistics website at:

Table 1a: Number of deaths, mid-year population estimates and age-specific mortality rates for widowed men and women aged under 35, England and Wales, 2005- 091,2,3,4 Rate per 100,000 population Male Female Deaths Population Rate Deaths Population Rate

2005 3 3,700 81 6 8,700 69 2006 5 3,500 143 8 8,200 98 2007 4 3,300 121 11 7,600 145 2008 4 3,200 125 14 7,300 192 2009 3 3,100 97 7 7,000 100 1 Population estimates and deaths for widowed men and women exclude men and women who were surviving civil partners. 2 Populations estimates for widowed men and women are rounded to the nearest 100 and include figures for those who have married abroad. 3 Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. 4 Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. Table 1b: Age-standardised mortality rates for males and females, in England and Wales, 2005-091,2,3,4 Rate per 100,000 population Male Female 95% confidence intervals 95% confidence intervals Rate Lower limit Upper limit Rate Lower limit Upper limit

2005 738 735 741 519 517 521 2006 713 710 715 499 497 501 2007 695 692 698 492 490 494 2008 685 683 688 490 488 492 2009 657 655 660 463 461 465 1 Age-standardised mortality rates per 100,000 population, standardised to the European Standard Population. Age-standardised rates are used to allow comparison between populations which may contain different proportions of people of different ages. 2 Confidence intervals are a measure of the statistical precision of an estimate and show the range of uncertainty around the estimated figure. Calculations based on small numbers of events are often subject to random fluctuations. As a general rule, if the confidence interval around one figure overlaps with the interval around another, we cannot say with certainty that there is more than a chance difference between the two figures. 3 Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. 4 Figures are for deaths registered in 2009. Table 2: Age-standardised mortality rates for men aged 40 to 69 by marital status, England and Wales, 20091,2,3,4,5 Rate per 100,000 population 95% confidence intervals Marital status Rate Lower limit Upper limit

Single 1,029 1,011 1,047 Married 443 438 448 Divorced 881 865 897 Widowed 916 882 950 1 Age-standardised mortality rates per 100,000 population, standardised to the European Standard Population. Age-standardised rates are used to allow comparison between populations which may contain different proportions of people of different ages. 2 Confidence intervals are a measure of the statistical precision of an estimate and show the range of uncertainty around the estimated figure. Calculations based on small numbers of events are often subject to random fluctuations. As a general rule, if the confidence interval around one figure overlaps with the interval around another, we cannot say with certainty that there is more than a chance difference between the two figures. 3 Mortality rates for men in current or dissolved civil partnerships or who are surviving civil partners are not given as population estimates are not available. 4 Figures for England and Wales include deaths of non-residents. 5 Figures are for deaths registered in 2009.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE out our approach to evidence collection and research, and this document will provide information on science Departmental Research research projects. DECC conducts a number of statistical surveys and Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy an annual report that list these is published by the and Climate Change what (a) longitudinal and (b) Government Statistical Service at: other (i) research and (ii) collection of data his Department http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=12732 has (A) initiated, (B) terminated and (C) amended in Since the last publication of this report, DECC has the last 12 months; and what such research and data been reviewing the data collection for local authorities collection exercises undertaken by the Department have carbon emissions and has also stopped the data collection not been amended in that period. [56758] for the local authority fuel poverty indicator (which has been replaced by central modelling for all LAs by Gregory Barker: DECC Commissions significant volumes DECC). DECC statistics are available on the DECC of research and data collection. DECC will be publishing website at: a Science and Innovation Strategy in July that will set http://decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/statistics.aspx 385W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 386W

Energy: Housing Fuels: Prices

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State Energy and Climate Change what steps he plans to for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he take to ensure that vulnerable elderly people are able to has made of the potential long-term effect on global participate in the Green Deal scheme. [57061] fuel prices of trends in the economies of (a) Brazil, (b) the Russian Federation, (c) India and (d) China. Gregory Barker: In recognition that some households [56403] may need additional support to benefit from energy efficiency improvements available through the Green Deal, we are developing an energy company obligation Charles Hendry: The Department of Energy and that will focus on the needs of the poor and vulnerable, Climate Change publishes a range of scenarios for oil, including the elderly in those groups. gas and coal price assumptions for the period up to 2030, which are used in the Department’s analytical work. The analysis to produce these scenarios has Energy: Prices considered the impact of global economic growth. The range of fuel prices produced illustrates the high level of uncertainty around future price drivers such as global Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for economic growth rates. The higher fuel price scenarios Energy and Climate Change with reference to page 82 capture the impact of strong growth in emerging economies. of the Plan for Growth, what timetable his Department These assumptions can be found on the Department’s has set for the publication of a framework to cap the website at: effects of levy-funded support on energy bills. [57201] http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/statistics/projections/ file51365.pdf Gregory Barker: The Control Framework for DECC levy-funded spending referred to on page 82 of the Plan for Growth has already been published and is available Oil: Prices on HM Treasury’s website: http://hm-treasury.gov.uk/psr_controlframework_decc.htm Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 17 March 2011, Official Report, column 582W, on fuel: Energy: Sales prices, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effects of speculation on oil prices following recent movements in the price of oil. [56870] Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his Department’s Charles Hendry: The Government have not made any policy is on implementing Ofgem’s recent recommendation further assessment on the potential effects of speculation in its retail market review that all telesale approaches on oil prices following the recent oil price movements, made to micro-businesses should be recorded. [56642] beyond the assessment in the answer I gave on 17 March 2011, Official Report, column 582W. Charles Hendry: We support the proposals set out by Ofgem in its recent report on the retail market review. It Radioactive Waste is open to Ofgem to consider and implement any changes in the regulation of the market to ensure it works in the interests of consumers. This includes the introduction Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for of new rules governing telephone sales activities in the Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of micro-business sector. 3 May 2011, Official Report, columns 693-94W, on radioactive waste, what proportion of the high level waste (HLW) inventory is (a) high activity liquor and Energy: Telecommunications (b) vitrified HLW; what quantities of HLW and other radioactive waste streams he estimates will be created from the spent fuel from a possible future new build Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for programme; and if he will provide the radiological Energy and Climate Change if he will bring forward value for each of the waste volume totals listed in his proposals to ban the use of roll-over energy contracts reply. [56134] in the telecommunications market. [56643] Charles Hendry: High Level Waste is a by-product Charles Hendry: As the independent regulator, it is from the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel and arises in for Ofgem to consider the need for additional regulatory the UK initially as a radioactive liquid. Sellafield Ltd protection in the retail supply market. In its recent continues to use vitrification technology to condition Retail Market Review, Ofgem proposed to prevent suppliers liquid HLW into a form that can be passively stored for automatically rolling customers on to a new fixed term many decades until transported to a Geological Disposal product without their express consent and asked for Facility. The total radioactive content for all HLW in consultation responses by 1 June 2011. Details of the stock is about 80,000,000 TBq which is about 95% of proposal are available at: the total radioactive content of all wastes in the UK http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Markets/RetMkts/Compet/ Radioactive Waste Inventory. Approximately 50% of Documents1/Decision_letter_FINAL.pdf the total HLW inventory in stock has been conditioned. 387W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 388W

Government are not currently expecting any proposals waste that have been created at Sellafield and Dounreay to reprocess spent fuel from new nuclear power stations reprocessing and waste treatment plants. [57100] and has stated that new nuclear power stations should proceed on the basis that spent fuel will not be reprocessed. Charles Hendry: The 2010 UK Radioactive Waste Spent fuel is expected to be stored until it can be Inventory (UKRWI) is available online at: disposed of. Should proposals for new build reprocessing www.nda.gov.uk/ukinventory/ come forward in the future, they would need to be and describes stocks of radioactive waste and radioactive considered on their merits at the time and the Government materials held in the UK at 1 April 2010 as well as the would expect to consult on them. predicted arisings from the operation and decommissioning Small amounts of Intermediate Level Waste (ILW)/Low of existing nuclear installations. Level Waste (LLW) will be created from handling new It is not possible to specifically identify wastes that build spent fuel but these are expected to be minimal have arisen solely from reprocessing activities from the and have not been calculated separately from overall process to compile the 2010 UKRWI. To identify this ILW and LLW estimates. subset of wastes would require the site operators to perform a further detailed analysis which would have a considerable financial cost. However the latest information, Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for as reported in the 2010 UKRWI, shows the total volume Energy and Climate Change what information his of radioactive waste in stock on 1 April 2010 at Sellafield Department holds on the quantities of reprocessing and Dounreay was:

Location Waste type Waste volume at 1 April 2010 (cubic metres)

Dounreay ILW 4,090 LLW 9,360

Sellafield (Sellafield Ltd) HLW 1,620 ILW 66,500 LLW 6,310

These figures represent stored waste that has arisen introduction of new safety measures for helicopters from all activities on the sites, including arisings from operating in Afghanistan; [56189] nuclear power station operations and decommissioning, reprocessing, defence and R&D activities. The figures (2) what recent reviews his Department has do not include waste that has already been disposed of undertaken of the adequacy of safety measures for or any waste that has been repatriated to overseas helicopters operating in Afghanistan. [56190] customers. Wind Power: Seas and Oceans Peter Luff: The safety of our helicopters is continuously Ian Swales: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy reviewed. Threats to safety are identified through regular and Climate Change what guidance his Department safety inspections, a joint air safety assurance audit was and its predecessors issued on planning consents for carried out on the task force joint aviation group in February, and discussions between the front-line helicopter offshore wind farms from 2003 to 2007. [57086] users, the Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff for Capability’s Charles Hendry: In 2004 the then Department of Staff, and Defence Equipment and Support. These threats Trade and Industry (DTI) issued general guidance on are assessed and where possible mitigation is then put in the offshore wind farm consents process. A copy of the place through new equipment, training, tactics or procedures guidance can be found at: to ensure that the risk to life cannot practically be reduced further. The Department’s aviation safety https://www.og.decc.gov.uk/EIP/pages/files/file22990.pdf management systems are subject to formal audit by the In 2005, the DTI issued two sets of guidance connected Military Aviation Authority. to the environmental impact assessment of offshore wind farms dealing with seascape and visual impact As a result of this process, our helicopter fleets have (URN 05/1583) and a methodology for the assessing been significantly enhanced to meet the demands of the marine navigation safety risks (URN 05/1948). Both operations in Afghanistan. Investment continues to improve publications can be obtained from DECC publications our helicopters’ protection against attack, to make landings at: in Afghanistan’s dusty conditions safer, to improve the http://www.decc.gov.uk/publications/ safety of helicopter fuel systems and to provide better situational awareness for aircrew.

DEFENCE Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations for Defence how many UK military personnel served at least one tour in Afghanistan between 2001 and the Mr Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for most recent date for which figures are available. [56336] Defence (1) what consideration he has given to the 389W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 390W

Nick Harvey: As at 31 March 2011, 103,260 past and Investigations into the aircraft launch and recovery present members of the UK armed forces have been systems—and a wide range of other factors—are under identified as having deployed to Afghanistan since 2001. way. At this stage, the US Electro-Magnetic Aircraft This figure does not include personnel who deployed to Launch System (EMALS) catapult and the US Advanced Afghanistan between the periods 1 January 2003 and Arrestor Gear (AAG) recovery system appears to be the 14 October 2005 for which data is not available. most promising solution, though we have not ruled out steam catapults or MK7 arrestor gear. Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence We currently expect to take firm decisions on the what specialist training UK armed forces receive on the overall conversion strategy in late 2012. UK’s commitment to implement UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security prior to Armed Forces Day deployment to Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [56389] David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will discuss with the Secretary of State Nick Harvey: Though UK armed forces personnel do for Communities and Local Government the waiving not receive specific training on the implementation of of fees by local authorities for the closure of roads for UN Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1325 prior events to mark Armed Forces Day. [56799] to the deployment in Afghanistan, all personnel deployed to any operational theatre will undertake, as part of Peter Luff: The closure of roads and the fees involved their pre-deployment preparation, law of armed conflict are a matter for local authorities. Applications for roads training. This covers issues relevant to UNSCR 1325, to be closed or for the fees for doing so to be waived such as the status of protected persons including women should be made directly to the local authority concerned. and children, and the humane treatment of captured However, we strongly urge that the public, both as persons. Pre-deployment training will also highlight the individuals and groups, as well as local authorities, take cultural sensitivities for that country. the opportunity on 25 June 2011 to show their support In November 2010, the UK published a revised action for the men and women of the armed forces, both plan on UNSCR 1325 following a review by the Ministry current and former, who rise to the very difficult challenge of Defence, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and of maintaining the defence of the realm. Department for International Development. The plan includes a commitment to the development and delivery Armed Forces: Conditions of Employment of pre-deployment training on cultural (including gender) awareness for the UK armed forces. The Ministry of Defence is currently developing such training. Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the statement of 16 May 2011, Official Report, columns 25-42, on armed forces Air Force: Redundancy covenant, how increased council tax relief for military personnel serving on operations overseas will be funded. [56651] Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the written ministerial statement Peter Luff: The detailed arrangements for funding of 1 March 2011, Official Report, columns 21-22WS, the increase in council tax relief have yet to be finalised. on the armed forces redundancy process, how many service personnel he expects to be made redundant EU Law from the Royal Air Force (a) in each region, (b) on each base and (c) at each rank. [44439] Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the likely Mr Robathan [holding answer 23 May 2011]: I refer effect of the provisions of Directive 2009/81/EC on the the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 4 March 2011, UK defence industry; and if he will make a statement; Official Report, column 639W. [55486] (2) when he plans to transpose Directive 2009/81/EC into UK law; [55487] Aircraft Carriers (3) from which provisions of Directive 2009/81/EC the UK is exempt. [55520] Graham Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is on the inclusion of (a) Peter Luff: An assessment of the impacts of the steam catapults and arrestor hooks and (b) electro- provisions of directive 2009/81/EC was published during magnetic propulsion units in the design specification of both public consultations on implementing the directive, a new aircraft carrier. [56500] and the Ministry of Defence (MOD) sought specific advice on its impacts, including the effects on industry. Peter Luff: As announced in the strategic defence and A copy has been placed in the Library of the House. A security review on 19 October 2010, we will fit one of final assessment is being prepared as a result of comments the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers with catapults received. and arrestor gear to operate the more capable carrier The MOD plans to transpose directive 2009/81/EC variant joint strike fighter. into UK law on 21 August 2011, as required. 391W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 392W

The UK is not exempt from any of the provisions of Peter Luff: To meet the joint combat aircraft requirement, directive 2009/81/EC. However, the directive does include we are collaboratively developing a joint strike fighter a number of exemptions for specific procurements which air system with the US and other international partners, will be considered on a case-by-case basis. These include having contributed £1.555 billion to the systems article 346—known as the “warlike store exemption”—that development and demonstration (SDD) phase of the we can use when we need to put measures in place to programme, so far. SDD not only develops the aircraft, protect our essential security interests as well as a but also the training system, maintenance and overhaul number of other exclusions at articles 12 and 13. requirements and associated logistic and information systems. Falkland Islands: Military Aircraft

Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many quick reaction alert activations Defence if he will estimate the number of jobs the joint have taken place in the Falkland Islands in the last 12 combat aircraft programme will provide over its lifetime months; and how many aircraft (a) took part and (b) in (a) the UK and (b) each partner nation. [56565] were airborne within the alert time in each such case. [56819] Peter Luff: The Department has not made an estimate Nick Harvey: In the last 12 months there have been of the number of jobs that the joint strike fighter (JSF) six quick reaction alert activations in the Falkland programme will provide throughout its life. We do not Islands. These have involved between one and two aircraft have any information as to the number of jobs which and on each occasion the aircraft were airborne within may be created in other participant nations. However, in the prescribed alert time. the production phase, British companies secured some 15% of the JSF industrial programme estimated at Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for around £35 billion. Defence how many aircraft for which his Department is responsible are permanently based in the Falkland Islands. [56821] Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Nick Harvey: The following table sets out the aircraft Defence (1) how much has been spent in the (a) system which British Forces South Atlantic Islands has in its design and development phase and (b) production, permanent establishment: sustainment and follow-on development phase of the Joint Strike Fighter programme in each year to date; Aircraft type Number [56864]

Hercules C-130J 1 (2) what the budget allocation is for the system Typhoon FGR4 4 design and development phase of the Joint Strike VC-10K 1 Fighter programme; [56865] Sea King HAR3 2 Sikorsky S61N 2 (3) whether any financial liabilities remain for the system design and development phase of the Joint The Sikorsky aircraft are operated by Brintel. In Strike Fighter programme; [56866] addition, British forces in the South Atlantic have command of the helicopter operating from the frigate or destroyer (4) how much funding his Department expects to assigned to the Atlantic Patrol Task (South). allocate to the production, sustainment and follow-on development phase of the Joint Strike Fighter Improvised Explosive Devices programme in each of the next four years. [56867]

Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the £67 million of additional Peter Luff: To meet the Joint Combat Aircraft funding for countering improvised explosive devices requirement we are collaboratively developing a Joint announced by the Prime Minister on 10 June 2010, Strike Fighter (JSF) air system with the US and other what new capabilities (a) have been and (b) aretobe international partners through the JSF Systems delivered as a result of that funding. [56829] Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase.

Peter Luff: I refer the right hon. Member to the The total UK expenditure to date on the SDD phase answer given on 15 March 2011, Official Report, column of JSF is £1,555 million with a final forecasted outturn 207W, by the Secretary of State for Defence, my right of the SSD phase of £1,827 million, which is within our hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox). formal approval of £2,034 million. Similarly, the total UK spend to date on the Production, Sustainment and Follow-on Development (PSFD) phase is £270 million. Joint Strike Fighter Programme The total cost of the production, sustainment and Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for follow-on development will be determined when the Defence where joint combat aircraft (a) training, (b) main investment decision point is made. The Ministry maintenance, (c) overhauls and (d) logistic systems of Defence does not publish estimates of the costs of are being developed; and at what cost to the public programmes before this point as to do so would undermine purse in each such case. [56564] our commercial position. 393W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 394W

Libya: Armed Conflict Nick Harvey: I will oversee the study and it will report jointly to the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister. Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the air strike during which it was reported that Saif al-Arab al-Gaddafi was killed was Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for carried out by British forces. [56499] Defence how much of the cost of the review of alternatives to the nuclear deterrent will be met by (a) the Cabinet Office and (b) his Department. [57092] Nick Harvey: It is NATO policy not to release details of which nations have carried out specific air strikes against Gaddafi’s forces. Nick Harvey: Costs will be met from within existing departmental budgets. It is too early to predict how much will fall to the Cabinet Office and how much to Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Defence. Defence how many Sentinel R1 surveillance aircraft have transferred from Afghanistan to Libya in the last 12 months; and for what length of time in each such Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of staff he plans to case. [56820] allocate to his review of alternatives to the nuclear deterrent; and what budget he plans to allocate to the Nick Harvey: No Sentinel R1 aircraft have transferred review. [57093] from Afghanistan to support operations in Libya. Nick Harvey: The study will be led by a senior civil servant and a dedicated project manager in the Cabinet Nuclear Weapons Office. They will draw together inputs from a range of experts in the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Defence Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for and other Departments. Costs will be met from within Defence what his policy is on (a) nuclear proliferation existing departmental budgets. and (b) the militarisation of space. [56678] Special Air Service Nick Harvey: The UK is committed to non-proliferation under the terms of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for (NPT), the cornerstone of the international security Defence (1) what his Department’s policy is on architecture. We continue to call on all states that have commenting on matters relating to the Special Air not yet done so to accede to the NPT as non-nuclear- Service; [56696] weapon states. (2) what his Department’s policy is on recruitment to The UK supports the principle of free access to and the Special Air Service. [56777] use of outer space in accordance with the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. Nick Harvey: It is the longstanding policy of this and previous Administrations not ordinarily to comment on Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for matters concerning UK special forces. Defence when he expects the review of alternatives to the nuclear deterrent to be completed. [57089] Trident Submarines: Safety

Nick Harvey: The review is expected to take around 18 months to complete. Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the safety performance in relation to accidents Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for involving a loss of coolant of the proposed reactors for Defence whether the National Security Council will future Trident submariners. [55422] have a formal role in the review of alternatives to the nuclear deterrent. [57090] Nick Harvey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 May 2011, Official Report, columns 1090-91W. Nick Harvey: As set out in the Strategic Defence and Security Review (Cm7948), the National Security Council approved the Trident value for money study and decided to proceed with the renewal of Trident and the submarine replacement programme. The aim of the review is to COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT fulfil the coalition programme for Government by assisting the Liberal Democrats to make the case for alternatives: Affordable Housing the National Security Council will not have a formal role in the review. Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what criteria will Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for be used when making allocations from the New Homes Defence to whom the review of alternatives to the Bonus to (a) eco-towns and (b) other forms of nuclear deterrent will report. [57091] development. [56380] 395W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 396W

Grant Shapps: The New Homes Bonus is designed to Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for incentivise all increases in housing supply, including Communities and Local Government what steps he is new homes, conversions and empty properties brought taking to ensure that people on low incomes are not back into use. It is for local authorities and their excluded from renting allotments from their local communities to decide the type of homes they want and authorities due to the level of charges; and if he will the shape of future development, including proposals make a statement. [56240] for eco-towns. For all developments, the New Homes Bonus is based Robert Neill: Local authorities are expected to abide on the council tax from the net increase in effective by the relevant legislation, namely section 10 of the housing stock with a further enhancement of £350 for 1950 Allotments Act, which states that an allotment affordable homes and will be paid for the following six must be let at a rent that a tenant may reasonably be years. Further details of the calculation are published in expected to pay. the New Homes Bonus—Final Scheme Design on the Advice on the considerations relevant to the setting Department’s website at: of rents is set out in section 4 of “Allotments: A http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingsupply/ plotholders Guide”, available from the Federation of newhomesbonus City Farms and Community Gardens’ website using the following link: Allotments www.farmgarden.org.uk/ari Guidance is also available for local authorities on Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for managing allotment costs in ″A Place to Grow″; Communities and Local Government what assessment downloadable from the LGA website at he has made of the implications of the provisions of www.lga.gov.uk the Localism Bill for the future provision of allotments by local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [56239] Common Land Greg Clark: The Localism Bill provides important new opportunities for communities to expand provision George Freeman: To ask the Secretary of State for of allotments; the number of which have fallen by 17% Communities and Local Government (1) what assessment since 1996 against a rise in waiting list numbers from he has made of the effects of town or village green four people waiting for every 100 plots in 1996 to 57 per applications on rates of construction of new affordable 100 plots last year. housing; and if he will make a statement; [56635] There are a number of measures in the Localism Bill (2) what recent representations he has received on that will enable local people who are interested in food town or village green applications; and if he will make growing and cultivation to play a bigger role in planning, a statement. [56636] designing, managing and maintaining community green spaces for this purpose. Richard Benyon: I have been asked to reply. New “Neighbourhood Planning” provisions in the I am aware of the difficulties which some applications Bill will provide communities with a means to boost the to register new town or village greens can cause, particularly amount of space for food growing with powers to where an application is made in response to advanced protect existing allotments and identify new plots. A plans for development of a site, but DEFRA has made referendum at the end of the process ensures communities no specific assessment of the effects of registration have the final say on whether a neighbourhood development applications on the provision of affordable housing. I plan or development order comes into force in their also appreciate the importance local communities can area. 17 communities are currently trialling Neighbourhood place on both open space and new development, and Planning, including in Bermondsey where the community that there has to be confidence that the relevant decision- is looking at open spaces around council estates being making processes are working coherently in the interests used to provide allotments as part of their neighbourhood of the community as a whole. plan. I have received representations about the registration The “Community Right to Challenge”will give voluntary system from a number of Members and from others, and community groups the right to express an interest including in relation to affordable housing, and am in taking over the running of a local authority service. considering whether changes to the greens registration This will make it easier for local groups with good ideas system are required. I hope to make an announcement to put them forward and drive improvement in local about our plans in the near future. services, which will include the management of allotments. Through the “Community Right to Buy” provisions George Freeman: To ask the Secretary of State for in the Bill, the Department is seeking to require local Communities and Local Government how many town authorities, to maintain a list of land and buildings and village green applications were made in each of the identified by local people as assets that are of value to last five years; what proportion of applications were them and to give community groups a fair chance to successful in each such year; what the average length of prepare a bid and secure the funding to buy them if they time taken was to process an application in each such come up for sale on the open market. These facilities year; and if he will make a statement. [56711] could include green spaces from community gardens and parks, to orchards and allotments, and are not restricted to publicly owned land. Richard Benyon: I have been asked to reply. 397W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 398W

Registers of town or village greens are held by local Homelessness authorities, and data on registration activity are not reported to Government. Surveys of registration activity Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for were carried out in late 2007 and late 2009, and the Communities and Local Government what estimate he following data are estimated by scaling up for non- has made of the number of households likely to make responding authorities. Values relate to the number of homelessness applications as a consequence of the applications received or determined (as the case may be) overall benefit cap in the 12 months following its in the specified year, and do not indicate the outcome introduction. [57076] relating to applications received in a particular year. Data collected in 2007 on the time taken to process Grant Shapps: The Government estimate of the number similar applications under the Commons Registration of homelessness applications as a consequence of the Act 1965 showed an average period of 16 months overall benefit cap is as contained in the DWP Impact among those authorities providing an answer. Assessment. The link to the DWP Impact Assessment Estimated number of greens applications in England, 2005 to can be found at: September 2009 http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/household-benefit-cap-wr2011- Number of green applications ia.pdf In year Determined1 Granted Rejected Housing: Environment Protection 2009 (to end 139 77 17 79 September) 2008 196 73 26 52 Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for 20072 143 44 18 35 Communities and Local Government whether strategic 2006 103 24 8 16 environmental assessments will apply to neighbourhood 2005 69 48 30 22 plans; and if he will make a statement. [52762] 1 Values in this column should equal the sum of the following two columns. However, there are various discrepancies, probably owing to Greg Clark: A neighbourhood development plan once applications considered over several years being assigned to the adopted by the local planning authority will form part wrong year. of the statutory development plan. If it contains policies 2 The criteria for application were amended with effect from April that are likely to have significant environmental effects 2007, by the implementation of section 15 of the 2006 Act. These data include applications under both the 1965 and 2006 Acts. it could trigger the strategic environmental assessment directive.

Energy Performance Certificates Local Government: Pensions

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Jim McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the Communities and Local Government what estimate his answer of 17 May 2011, Official Report, column 147W, Department has made of the likely change in the on energy performance certificates, what his policy is number of members opting out of the Local on requiring all domestic properties in England to have Government Pension Scheme as a result of the increase an energy performance certificate. [57018] in employee contributions. [56802]

Andrew Stunell: All domestic properties in England Robert Neill: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I and Wales are required to have an energy performance gave the hon. Member for Wallasey (Ms Eagle) on 14 certificate on the sale, rent or construction of a building. February 2011, Official Report, columns 539-40W. Since 2007 over 6.2 million energy performance certificates have been produced for dwellings. Mayors

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Fire Services: Manpower Communities and Local Government (1) what powers local authorities in areas where a mayor is to be directly Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for elected will have to replace serving shadow mayors Communities and Local Government how many appointed before the first direct election for mayor; firemen there are per head of population. [56485] [56668] (2) on what date he expects to appoint shadow Robert Neill: The latest numbers of firefighters per mayors in each city in England where directly-elected head of population in England are shown in the table: mayors are to be introduced. [56687] Number of firefighters at 31 March 2010, England Headcount per 1,000 Robert Neill: The Under-Secretary of State for Headcount heads of population1 Communities and Local Government, my hon. Friend the Member for Hazel Grove (Andrew Stunell), indicated Whole-time 29,880 0.58 to the House at Report stage of the Localism Bill that Retained duty system 14,425 0.28 we would listen carefully to the points made on the Total firefighters 44,305 0.86 mayoral provisions in the Bill, particularly on such 1 Calculation based on population for England of 51.8 million issues as shadow mayors. We are now reflecting on the Source: “Fire and Rescue Service Operational Statistics”, Department for comments we have heard and intend to come back to Communities and Local Government, and Office for National Statistics these matters when the Bill is considered in the other Mid-year Population Estimates place. 399W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 400W

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Sky Lanterns: Safety Communities and Local Government (1) when he expects cities which vote in favour of introducing Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for directly-elected mayors in May 2012 will hold the first Communities and Local Government what assessment such elections; [56670] his Department has made of the potential fire risk (2) what his policy is on provisions to allow local arising from the use of Chinese lanterns. [57140] authorities with a shadow mayor to hold direct elections for an elected mayor before May 2013. [56719] Robert Neill: Fire and rescue incident records show these products resulted in 125 incidents attended in 2010-11, none of which caused substantial damage. Robert Neill: Our expectation is that where there is a This compares to over 100,000 outdoor fire incidents vote in favour of introducing a directly-elected mayor at attended by fire and rescue services each year. a referendum, the first mayoral election will be held shortly thereafter.

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for JUSTICE Communities and Local Government what guidance he Aarhus Convention plans to make available to local authorities with directly- elected mayors on working relationships with directly-elected police and justice commissioners. [56671] Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what resources his Department has allocated to implementation of the provisions of the Aarhus Robert Neill: It will be for the directly-elected mayor Convention. [56425] and directly-elected police and crime commissioner for an area to develop and maintain an effective working Mr Djanogly: The Department for Environment, Food relationship on which they will be accountable to their and Rural Affairs is the lead Government Department local electorates. It is already the case that local authorities on the implementation of the Aarhus convention. As and police authorities work together on issues like local with similar initiatives, no dedicated resources have policing, CCTV and licensing. been allocated by the Ministry of Justice to this area. Instead actions arising out of the implementation of the convention affecting this Department are handled Planning by relevant officials as part of their normal business.

Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Dr Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for what assessment he has made of the likely effects of Communities and Local Government what steps he is Lord Justice Jackson’s proposals on civil litigation taking to increase involvement in the planning process costs on the UK’s compliance with the terms of the (a) of communities which live in close proximity to Aarhus Convention and (b) Ruggie Mandate. [56426] proposed developments but which are in the development envelope of another local authority. Mr Djanogly: ’Reforming Civil Litigation Funding [56709] and Costs in England and Wales—Implementation of Lord Justice Jackson’s Recommendations: The Government Robert Neill: Local authorities are already required Response’ was published on 29 March 2011, setting out to publicise planning applications to local communities the way forward on the proposals following full consultation. in a range of ways. Details of these requirements are set An updated impact assessment was published alongside out in article 13 of the Town and Country Planning this response. (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order Corruption 2010. Clause 102 of the Localism Bill introduces a new Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State requirement for applicants for certain types of development for Justice pursuant to the answer of 16 March 2011, to consult the local community in advance of submitting Official Report, column 453W, on corruption, what a planning application, and to have regard to any views tasks he plans to complete in his role as the UK’s raised. international anti-corruption champion during the Both statutory provisions apply where a development remainder of 2011. [56413] is close to the boundary of another local authority. Mr Kenneth Clarke: My first priority as Champion, and focus this year, has been to ensure the effective Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for implementation of the Bribery Act, which I have announced Communities and Local Government what discussions will be commenced on 1 July this year. In the short he has had with ministerial colleagues on the presumption term, raising awareness of the Act overseas to ensure in favour of development proposed in the Plan for that the trading reputation of UK businesses is enhanced Growth. [56950] is a clear priority. I am now also considering other areas of international Robert Neill: Ministers are in discussion about the anti-corruption and with Ministers and officials I have presumption in favour of sustainable development, with been exploring the focus of UK anti-corruption activity a view to publishing a draft shortly. and, in particular, the focus of my efforts as Champion. 401W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 402W

I am undertaking bilateral meetings with foreign around his Department’s premises; and how much such Government Ministers and judges to encourage and cameras (a) cost to install and (b) cost to operate in offer support to them to raise anti-corruption standards the latest period for which figures are available. [56839] in their own countries. I have already discussed this with a number of Ministers and justice office holders in Mr Blunt: In 2010-11, the latest period for which Romania, Slovenia and Turkey and will continue to figures are available, there were 192 CCTV cameras have these discussions with counterparts in the European installed in the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) central London Union, candidate and neighbourhood countries. I visited administrative estate and the United Kingdom Supreme Croatia in April to discuss progress towards accession Court. It is not possible to provide information on their to the European Union, of which implementation of installation costs as CCTV systems are usually installed anti-corruption measures is key. My Department will as part of a wider refurbishment, and in most cases continue to monitor and encourage improvements in many years ago. The average annual cost of maintaining anti-corruption standards in EU candidate and these cameras is £112 each. It is not possible to disaggregate neighbourhood countries. As part of the Memorandum other costs related to their operation. of Understanding I have signed between the UK and the Russian Federation, we will work together to tackle Additionally, in public sector prisons in England and corruption, with the aim of strengthening stable trade Wales the number of systems rather than individual between our two countries. cameras is recorded. The number of cameras in each system will vary depending on the category of prison. I will have strategic oversight of the peer evaluations There are 1,300 CCTV systems. It is not possible to which the UK will undergo in June and July by the disaggregate their installation and operating costs. OECD Anti-Bribery Convention and UN Convention Against Corruption to assess compliance with these Obtaining information from other MOJ agencies, international standards. arm’s length bodies and contracted prisons would incur disproportionate cost. County Courts: Judgments

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many county court judgements have been awarded to individuals against financial institutions in Departmental Research each of the last three years; and how many remain to be enforced after judgment. [56654] Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Mr Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice does not hold what (a) longitudinal and (b) other (i) research and figures centrally on the number of county court judgments (ii) collection of data his Department has (A) initiated, awarded to individuals against financial institutions. (B) terminated and (C) amended in the last 12 months; and what such research and data collection exercises The administrative computer systems in the county undertaken by the Department have not been amended courts contain the records of all county court judgments in that period. [56753] made and the names of judgment creditors and judgment debtors involved in these. However the judgment creditor names have not been classified according to whether Mr Kenneth Clarke: We regularly review our research they are individuals or otherwise and the judgment and collection of data. Therefore the content of the debtor names have not been classified according to work changes in consultation with stakeholders and whether they are financial institutions or otherwise. with regards to costs, quality, need and burden. We do These classifications could be obtained through the very few longitudinal projects in the sense of the project manual examination of the electronic records only at tracking the same respondents over a period of time. disproportionate cost. Details of external social research projects commissioned, terminated or amended by the Department since May Departmental CCTV 2010 are set out in Table 1. It also shows details of data collections. A number of these data collections are a Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for by-product of existing management information systems Justice how many CCTV cameras are installed in and and therefore require minimal resource to collect.

Table 1: Longitudinal, research and data collections initiated, terminated and amended in last 12 months A. Longitudinal B(i). other (A) initiated (B) research B(ii) other collection terminated (C) Project of data amended

The Social Impact Bond at Peterborough(qualitative evaluation) B(i) A The Social Impact Bond at Peterborough(Independent Assessor) B(i) A Evaluation of Mandatory Polygraph Pilots B(i) C Decision process for indeterminate sentence, IPP and life sentences at parole reviews: IPP and Lifers B(i) A casefile database Evaluation of Sex Offender Treatment Programme B(i) A SPCR Missing Data Project B(i) A Police and CPS Casefile Analysis B(i) A Parole Board case file analysis B(i) A HM Courts Service Court User Survey B(i) B Witness and Victim Experience Survey B(i) B 403W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 404W

Table 1: Longitudinal, research and data collections initiated, terminated and amended in last 12 months A. Longitudinal B(i). other (A) initiated (B) research B(ii) other collection terminated (C) Project of data amended

Police cautions (including reprimands and final warnings) B(ii) B Notes: 1. Terminated means a contract or data collection that was ended early with original planned milestones not completed. 2. Amended means an change to the contract (excluding those associated only with timing of milestones).

Table 2 shows research and data collections that are on-going and have not been amended in the last 12 months.

Table 2: On-going research and data collections not amended in last 12 months A longitudinal B(i) other Research B(ii) Project other data collection

Offender Management Community Cohort Study. A Implementation Evaluation of Victim Support’s Homicide Service B(i) Strengths and Skills of the Judiciary in the Magistrates’ Courts of England and Wales B(i) Understanding MOJ customers B(i) Integrated Alternatives to Custody: A process evaluation and outcome evaluation feasibility study in IAC pilot areas B(i) Together Woman outcome evaluation B(i) CREST—Crown Court data B(ii) LIBRA—Magistrates court data B(ii) Time Intervals Survey of Criminal Proceedings in Magistrates’ Courts B(ii) Manual returns to HMCS Reporting Database B(ii) CaseMan—Civil courts B(ii) PCOL—Possession Claims Online B(ii) FamilyMan—Family courts B(ii) Tribunals service activity statistics B(ii) High Court, Appellate Courts and other judicial data for official statistics B(ii) Police National Computer data B(ii) Penalty Notices for Disorder (PNDs) B(ii) Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) B(ii) Failure to Appear warrants (FTAs) B(ii) Coroners Statistics B(ii) Freedom of Information Statistics B(ii)

Offenders 22% had drunk alcohol every day in the four weeks prior to custody. Prisoners were not asked whether they had run away Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice from home as a child. how many offenders in the prison estate (a) ran away from home as a child, (b) were taken into care as a child, (c) were excluded from school as a child, (d) were unemployed before prison, (e) suffer from two or Offenders: Bank Services more mental disorders, (f) had a drug abuse problem prior to their imprisonment and (e) had an alcohol Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice problem prior to their imprisonment. [56459] what information his Department holds on the number of offenders leaving prison who have a bank Mr Blunt: A representative sample of 1,435 reception account. [56460] prisoners from Surveying Prisoner Crime Reduction (SPCR), a study of adult prisoners sentenced to between Mr Blunt: Information on the number of offenders one month and four years in prison in 2005 and 2006, leaving prison who have a bank account is not routinely self-reported the following: collected. A survey by the Legal Service Research Centre 24% were taken into care as a child; in 2007 reported that 40% of people in prison surveyed 42% were expelled or permanently excluded from school (63% had no current account or other financial products. An were temporarily excluded); evaluation by Liverpool John Moores University in 68% were not in paid employment (excluding casual or cash-in-hand 2008 found that 69% of prisoners at one prison had no work) in the four weeks before custody; bank account. 17% received treatment/counselling for a mental health or We recognise that access to bank accounts and other emotional problem in the 12 months before custody and 20% basic financial services can positively contribute to the reported they needed help for a mental health or emotional rehabilitation of prisoners and their resettlement into problem at the time of the interview; society, and we are working closely across Departments 81% had used drugs at some point prior to custody; and with banks to increase provision. 405W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 406W

Prisoners on Remand Prisons: Repairs and Maintenance

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Justice how many prisoners were held on remand for which prisons will be put out to maintenance and (a) 12 to 24 months, (b) 24 to 60 months and (c) over operation tender in (i) 2012, (ii) 2013, (iii) 2014 and (iv) 60 months in each year since 2007 for which figures are 2015. [56461] available. [56791]

Mr Blunt: The Ministry of Justice is currently developing Mr Blunt: Data are not held centrally on the length of the Offender Services Competition Strategy in line with time each individual prisoner spends on remand. However, commitments in the Breaking the Cycle Green Paper using the data held, it is possible to estimate the average and the Ministry of Justice Business Plan. The strategy time on remand which is between eight and nine weeks. will set out how competition will be used within Offender Services and outline a timetable for competition in this period. Prisons: Crimes of Violence

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Prisons: Sexuality Justice how many (a) National Offender Management Service and (b) Prison Service staff in each prison establishment were treated for injuries sustained as a Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice result of assaults by offenders in each year since 2007 how many prison diversity officers trained in the for which figures are available. [56789] handling of issues on sexual orientation there were in the latest period for which figures are available. [56428] Mr Blunt: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) do not record data in the requested form. Mr Blunt: Information about specific training attended However, NOMS do record and publish statistics on by prison officers is not available centrally and could be assaults on staff which include assaults on prison officers. obtained only at a disproportionate cost by contacting The statistics show the number of incidents in which each establishment. Every prison has a manager with staff have been involved, but do not include the number lead responsibility for equalities issues, and the publication of individual injuries received by staff or the treatment “A guide to working with lesbian, gay and bisexual they received. They do include figures for assaults by offenders in custody”, produced by NACRO, has been type of injury received. Figures for staff and prisoner distributed to all prison establishments. injuries have been collated in the published statistics. Figures for assaults on staff broken down by establishment can be found in the published Ministry of Prisons: Training Justice Safety in Custody statistics at the following link. http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/statistics-and-data/ Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if prisons-and-probation/safety-in-custody.htm he will assess the merits of setting minimum training Statistics for 2010 are not yet available. The Safety in standards for prisons working jointly with prisoners, Custody statistics for 2010 are due to be published on their children and families; and if he will make a the Ministry of Justice website at the end of July. statement. [56374]

Mr Blunt: NOMS already has training standards in Prisons: Manpower place for all its central training provision through the use of National Occupational Standards in Custodial Care. The importance of prison officers working with Karl Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice prisoners, their children and families is reflected in their how many full-time diversity officers were employed at initial training and other training they receive throughout each prison establishment in the latest period for which their career as part of their continuing professional figures are available. [56427] development.

Mr Blunt: Prison establishments employ staff with specialist responsibilities around equality and diversity Mrs Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice issues with a variety of job titles, such as race equality how many hours of prison officers’ initial training officer and disability liaison officer, as well as diversity consists of training on working jointly with prisoners, officer. In the period 1 January 2011 to 31 March 2011 their children and families; and if he will make a such staff spent an average of 77 hours each week per statement. [56375] establishment working on equality and diversity issues. 124 prisons reported that an average of 35 or more Mr Blunt: Initial training for newly recruited prison hours per week was spent on these issues. Information officers provides officers with an understanding of the on the number of staff that work full-time on these importance of working effectively with prisoners and issues is not collected centrally and could be obtained their families. There are two sessions, totalling three only at a disproportionate cost by contacting each hours, which focus specifically on working jointly with establishment. prisoners, their children and families. 407W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 408W

Rape: Research Facilities agreements between the Ministry of Justice and the trade union sides follow the provisions of the Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Justice when he expects to publish the research report Act 1992 and the ACAS Code of Practice ‘Time off for on the frequency of false allegations of rape in Trade Union Duties and Activities’, available at: response to the recommendations of the Stern Review; http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2391 and who is undertaking the research for the report. [56901] The number of trade union representatives working full and part time in the individual business units of the Mr Blunt: An analysis of police and CPS casefiles, Department and the number of those with a salary of relating to cases proceeded against for serious sexual more than £25,900 could not be provided without incurring and violent offences, is being undertaken by TNS-BMRB disproportionate cost. following a competitive tender through the MOJ Research Framework. The project—which will explore further the evidence for false allegations of rape—is under way, and a report of the findings will be published in accordance Tribunals: Special Educational Needs with the Government Social Research Publication Guidelines when it is ready. http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/Assets/ Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for GSR%20Publication%20Guidance%20- Justice what proportion of tribunal cases on provision %2029%20Jan%202010_tcm6-35775.pdf of special educational needs support found in favour of a family bringing a case against a local authority (a) in Risley Prison: Suicide total and (b) in each local authority area in each of the last five years. [56384] Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps he is taking to reduce the number of suicides Mr Djanogly: The following table shows the proportion at HMP Risley; and if he will make a statement. of judgments made by the first-tier tribunal—special [56679] educational needs and disability (formerly special educational needs and disability tribunal) that were at Mr Blunt: Each death in custody is a tragedy. The least partially found in favour and fully found in favour National Offender Management Service is committed of the appellant when compared to the overall number to reducing the number of self-inflicted deaths in prison of special educational needs (SEN) decisions made by custody. the tribunal: Regrettably, there have been three self-inflicted deaths Special educational needs appeal findings at HMP Risley in the last 12 months. Percentage There do not appear to be any immediate common Proportion of SEN Proportion of SEN factors between the three deaths. Unfortunately, clusters appeals found appeals found in of deaths can occur randomly due to the relatively small partially in favour of favour of the numbers involved. Academic year the appellant appellant Each death is subject to an investigation and, since 2009-10 10.2 77.4 2004, these have been undertaken by the prisons and 2008-09 10.7 69.7 probation ombudsman. Strenuous efforts are made to 2007-08 9.5 66.3 learn from each death and improve our understanding 2006-07 12.2 67.8 and procedures for caring for prisoners at risk of suicide 2005-06 12.2 65.1 or self-harm. It should be noted that any amendment to the statement Trade Unions in the appellant’s favour is counted as a partial success whereas only a full dismissal of an appeal is counted a Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice success for the local authority. how many staff of (a) his Department, (b) HM Courts and Tribunals Service, (c) HM Land Registry, The tribunal is engaged in a number of measures (d) the National Offender Management Service, (e) which aim to ensure that only those cases that really the National Archives and (f) the Office of the Public need to come before it do so. For example, it is encouraging Guardian are entitled to work (i) full-time as trade local authorities to review their files earlier and to settle union representatives and (ii) part-time on trade union cases earlier where it is appropriate to do so. activities; how many such staff are paid more than The information on judgments broken down by local £25,900 annually; and what the cost to the public purse authority is not routinely collected and would require of employing such staff on such duties was in the latest running reports for each academic year for each of the period for which figures are available. [56446] 150 local authorities. This could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, information is available Mr Djanogly: 189 full-time equivalent staff were engaged on the overall number of appeals registered against in trade union activity representing the 78,000 staff in each local authority and can be found in the first-tier the Ministry of Justice within the 2008-09 financial tribunal—special educational needs and disability annual year. The estimated total salary cost of such activity reports at: was £6.3 million. This work includes national work in http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/corporate-reports/ MOJ and national and some local work in NOMS. tribunals/send.htm 409W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 410W

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Likewise, certificates for burial or cremation are not Justice what (a) time series, (b) comparative geographical all issued at the same point in the process. The majority and (c) other data his Department holds on the number are issued at the time of the registration of the death of cases relating to provision of special educational needs but some are issued prior to registration. No central support in which the local authority decision was contested record is kept of the dates of issue of certificates for by the family and the case (i) did and (ii) did not go to a burial or cremation. tribunal in each of the last three years. [56385] Departmental Travel Mr Djanogly: Information on the number of appeals made to the first-tier tribunal special educational needs Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for the and disability are published in its annual reports and Home Department how much her Department has are available at: spent on ministerial travel by (a) ministerial car, (b) http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/corporate-reports/ train, (c) bus, (d) commercial aircraft and (e) private tribunals/send.htm aircraft since May 2010. [50205] The statistics are recorded on an academic year basis (September to August). They include a breakdown of Damian Green: Since May 2010, for greater transparency, registered appeals by local authority and the number of all information relating to ministerial overseas travel, registered appeals that are decided at a hearing and the including cost is published on the Home Office website numbers of appeals that do not reach a hearing through on a quarterly basis at: judicial strike out, withdrawal by parent or concession http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/non-personal-data/ by local authority. hospitality-business-expenses/ The number of first-tier tribunal—special educational Expenditure relating to ministerial car, train and bus needs and disability appeal receipts and disposals by travel can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. calendar year have previously been published annually All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance by the Tribunals Service (now Her Majesty’s Courts with Cabinet Office Ministerial Code, specifically section and Tribunals Service) in its annual report available at: 10 which stipulates that all travel arrangements should http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/corporate-reports/ be efficient and cost-effective. tribunals/index.htm Neither the tribunal nor the Department for Education Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for the hold information on the number of contested cases that Home Department how much each Executive agency do not result in a tribunal application. of her Department has spent on travel by (a) private hire vehicles, (b) trains, (c) buses, (d) commercial aircraft and (e) private aircraft since May 2010. HOME DEPARTMENT [56072] Crown Relocations Damian Green: Expenditure for the three Home Office Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home agencies, since May 2010 is as follows: Department how many contracts her Department holds with Crown Relocations; and what the (a) purpose and Criminal Records Bureau £000 (b) monetary value of each contract is. [56233] (a) Vehicle hire expenditure since May 2010 19 Damian Green: The Home Department, inclusive of (b) Rail travel expenditure since May 2010 138 its executive agencies, holds one contract with Crown (c) Bus travel expenditure since May 2010 0 Relocations to (a) provide relocation and tenancy management services to the UK Border Agency officers (d) Commercial air travel expenditure since May 2010 0 posted to Juxtaposed immigration controls at Brussels (e) Private aircraft travel since May 2010 0 and Paris. The (b) monetary value of the two-year Note: Expenditure rounded to the nearest £000. contract is £230,000. Identity and Passport Service Death Certificates £000

Paul Goggins: To ask the Secretary of State for the (a) Vehicle hire expenditure May 2010 to March 2011 39 Home Department what the (a) average, (b) shortest (b) Rail travel expenditure May 2010 to March 2011 923 and (c) longest time taken between the issuing of a (c) Bus travel expenditure May 2010 to March 2011 5 medical certificate of cause of death and the issuing of (d) Commercial air travel expenditure May 2010 to March 348 the certificate for burial or cremation was in the latest 2011 year for which figures are available. [56638] (e) Private aircraft travel May 2010 to March 2011 0 Note: Damian Green: No analyses are made of the length of Expenditure rounded to the nearest £000. time between the issuing of a medical certificate of UK Border Agency cause of death and the issuing of the certificate for £000 burial or cremation. There is no precise point at which a death is certified and so the medical certificate may be (a) Vehicle hire expenditure May 1,057 issued on the same day as the death, or on the following 2010 to April 2011 (b) Rail travel expenditure May 1,927 day or occasionally even a few days later. No central 2010 to April 2011 record is kept of the dates of issue of medical certificates (c) Bus travel expenditure May 2010 1— of cause of death. to April 2011 411W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 412W

UK Border Agency Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for £000 the Home Department how many family groups of (d) Commercial air travel 1,198 failed asylum seekers which include children have been expenditure May 2010 to April 2011 removed from the UK in the last 12 months for which (e) Private aircraft travel May 2010 0 figures are available. [56357] to April 2011 1 This information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Note: Expenditure rounded to the nearest £000. Damian Green [holding answer 19 May 2011]: There were 230 family groups of failed asylum seekers which The Department expects all official travel within include children removed from the UK between 1 May Executive agencies to be carried out by the most efficient 2010 and 30 April 2011. and economic means available, taking into account the cost of travel and subsistence, savings in official time, All figures quoted are internal management information management benefit and the needs of staff with disabilities. only and are subject to change. This information has This is in accordance with the Civil Service Management not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols. Code and the Ministerial Code. The Government have developed a fresh approach to managing the return of families with children who do Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for the not have a legal right to be in the UK. The aim is to Home Department how much has been spent on travel maximise the opportunity for families to take responsibility in respect of (a) each of her Department’s executive for how they leave the country and to avoid the need for agencies and (b) the chief executive of each such their departure to be enforced by the UK Border Agency. agency since May 2010. [56180] Most elements of this new process were rolled out nationally on 1 March 2011. All families with children Damian Green: The Home Office had three executive that remain unlawfully in the UK could potentially go agencies over the period in question (1 May 2010 to 31 through this new returns process. The number of families March 2011)—Identity and Passport Service, UK Border who go through the different stages of the new process Agency and Criminal Records Bureau. Travel expenditure will depend on the decisions they take about their of the agency and of the chief executive for each agency departure so is difficult to predict accurately, but we is shown in the following table: hope that most will take the chance to leave at the earlier assisted or required return stages. This new approach (a) Total will not apply to children who are unaccompanied. expenditure on travel (b) Travel expenses (rounded to the of chief executive Agency nearest £000) (£)

UK Border Agency 14,670,000 7,187 Domestic Violence Identity and 1,800,000 3,828 Passport Service Criminal Records 185,000 4,148 Bureau Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what domestic violence refuges her Further detail on Home Office Board members Department funded in each region in 2010-11; and expenditure is available on the Home Office website what the (a) level and (b) source of funding was in using the following link: each case. [51286] http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/non-personal-data/ hospitality-business-expenses/ The Department expects all official travel within Lynne Featherstone: The Home Office funded Sojourner executive agencies to be carried out by the most efficient Project provides accommodation and support via refuges and economic means available, taking into account the to victims of domestic violence who entered the UK on cost of travel and subsistence, savings in official time, a spouse or partner visa and subsequently have no management benefit, and the needs of staff with disabilities. recourse to public funds after being forced to flee their This is in accordance with the Civil Service Management home. The Home Office provided almost £2 million of Code and the Ministerial Code. funding to support the Sojourner Project during 2010-11. £2.4 million has been allocated to enhance and continue this project in 2011-12. Deportation: Children Supporting People, funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG), provides housing related support services for vulnerable people, Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for including women fleeing domestic violence. DCLG secured the Home Department how many children of failed investment of £6.5 billion for Supporting People during asylum seekers have been removed from the UK in the the spending review; this equates to an average annual last 12 months for which figures are available. [56356] reduction of less than 1% in cash terms. Funding for Supporting People services forms part of local authorities’ Damian Green [holding answer 19 May 2011]: There overall formula grant, and it is for local authorities to were 316 children of failed asylum seekers removed make decisions regarding funding for Supporting People from the UK between the 1 May 2010 and 30 April services based on their local needs and priorities, which 2011. may include the funding of refuges. 413W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 414W

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Police area Population Registered electors Home Department what research her Department has undertaken on the incidence of offences of domestic Metropolitan 7,512,400 5,597,455 violence in police authority areas where domestic Greater Manchester 2,553,837 1,967,582 violence units (a) are and (b) are not in place. [56277] West Midlands 2,600,064 1,954,664 Thames Valley 2,160,014 1,661,435 Lynne Featherstone: Research of this nature has not West Yorkshire 2,161,241 1,584,084 been undertaken centrally by the Home Office. The Hampshire 1,829,461 1,434,125 British Crime Survey (BCS) contains a self-completion Devon and Cornwall 1,648,492 1,296,665 module which is used to measure the prevalence of Essex 1,669,945 1,295,170 domestic abuse victimisation in the last year and since Kent 1,634,596 1,249,042 the age of 16. However, information on the location of Avon and Somerset 1,560,551 1,219,258 domestic violence units is not centrally available and Sussex 1,528,435 1,209,906 therefore it is not possible to compare prevalence rates Lancashire 1,449,686 1,114,800 in those police forces that do have domestic violence Northumbria 1,397,447 1,075,612 units with those that do not. Merseyside 1,353,596 1,022,048 South Yorkshire 1,292,869 973,165 Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for South Wales 1,226,979 948,716 the Home Department whether any independent West Mercia 1,181,937 937,033 domestic violence adviser posts funded by her Staffordshire 1,062,461 845,802 Department are based in police forces. [56907] Surrey 1,085,249 842,840 Hertfordshire 1,058,586 826,009 Lynne Featherstone: According to the information Nottinghamshire 1,055,465 792,308 available, 32 out of the 144 independent domestic violence Cheshire 999,884 789,903 advisers (IDVAs) funded by the Home Office in 2011-12 Derbyshire 990,385 777,680 are either based in police stations or spend a significant Leicestershire 963,067 763,957 part of their time in police stations. In some cases Humberside 904,947 694,363 applicants were still to decide on the location of the Norfolk 832,443 656,497 IDVA. North Yorkshire 783,337 613,730 Dorset 701,084 582,668 Cambridgeshire 752,870 581,283 Drugs: Crime Prevention Suffolk 702,037 548,054 Lincolnshire 686,195 544,210 Stephen Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for the North Wales 675,563 519,609 Home Department what her policy is on the assignment Northamptonshire 669,102 516,210 of police officers to duties outside European countries Wiltshire 635,326 503,244 as part of international efforts to counter drug smuggling. Durham 600,055 473,589 [56851] Gloucestershire 578,631 466,357 Bedfordshire 590,689 443,005 Nick Herbert: The fight against organised crime and Gwent 559,719 424,856 drugs is one of the UK’s top priorities and given the Cleveland 558,206 418,378 international nature of organised crime, work with Warwickshire 522,232 414,030 international partners is becoming increasingly important Cumbria 496,151 393,404 in reducing harm to the UK. Assistance is delivered Dyfed-Powys 503,624 387,059 through police forces and a number of other policing Total 53,728,858 41,359,805 and Government agencies. The assignment of police officers is a matter for chief Firearms: Young Offenders constables or heads of policing agencies. Serving officers from forces in England and Wales who travel overseas Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for the to provide assistance to international organisations or Home Department how many people under the age of other bodies engaged in policing activities must be 18 years were investigated by the police for illegal use of authorised to do so by their police authority and the airguns in each of the last five years in each police Secretary of State for the Home Department (under the authority area in England and Wales. [56512] provisions of Section 26 of the 1996 Police Act). Nick Herbert: The information requested is not collected centrally. The age of persons investigated for committing Electoral Register offences involving the use of firearms, including air weapons, cannot be identified from the police recorded Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for crime statistics collected by the Home Office. the Home Department how many registered electors are resident in each police authority area. [55837] Fraud

Nick Herbert [holding answer 16 May 2011]: The Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for the information requested is shown in the following table: Home Department what responsibilities police and 415W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 416W crime commissioners will have in respect of economic work conducted by the National Public Order Intelligence crime. [55828] Unit and how intelligence activity is authorised in law. [55493] Nick Herbert: The Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) will be required to hold chief constables to Nick Herbert: Her Majesty’s inspectorate of constabulary account for the full range of their responsibilities, which (HMIC) is specifically considering the rote of authorising will include economic crime. officers in relation to intelligence activity as part of its inquiry, supported by advice from senior Queen’s counsel Independent Police Complaints Commission: Finance as to the applicable law. The concept of proportionality applicable to the activities of the National Public Order Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Intelligence Unit is being assessed against requirements Home Department pursuant to the answer of 28 April of the European convention on human rights and the 2011, Official Report, column 586W,on the Independent Human Rights Act 1998. Police Complaints Commission, what the (a) resource The Government have given a commitment to ensure and (b) capital grants to the Independent Police Complaints that the findings of the review will be published by Commission were in inflation-adjusted terms from 2005-06 HMIC and will await the outcome of the review before to 2011-12. [56371] taking a decision on whether a statement to the House is appropriate. Nick Herbert: Further to the information provided on 28 April 2011, Official Report, column 586W, the Northumbria Police resource and capital grants paid to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, adjusted in line with Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for the inflation, can be calculated by reference to the gross Home Department (1) what the rate of employee attrition domestic product deflators. These may be found on Her for (a) civilian staff and (b) warranted officers in Majesty’s Treasury website at the following link: Northumbria police force was in each of the last five http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/data_gdp_fig.htm years for which figures are available; [55711] National Public Order Intelligence Unit (2) how many (a) civilian staff and (b) warranted officers Northumbria police employed in each year from 2002-03. [55713] Mr Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether she has any plans to Nick Herbert: The available figures for Northumbria make a statement to the House following the publication police force show the rate of employee attrition for of the report of the review by Her Majesty’s inspectorate civilian staff and warranted officers from 2005-06 to of constabulary into the operational accountability of 2009-10. For the purposes of this answer, we have taken undercover work conducted by the National Public employee attrition to mean the total number of leavers Order Intelligence Unit and how intelligence activity is during the financial year as a percentage of the total authorised in law; [55492] number of staff in post at the end of the financial year. (2) by what means Her Majesty’s inspectorate of The second table shows the number of civilian and constabulary will assess proportionality as part of its warranted officers employed in Northumbria police review of the operational accountability of undercover force from 2002-03 to 2009-10.

Rate of employee attrition (FTE)1 for civilian staff and warranted officers in Northumbria police force from 2005-06 to 2009-10 Leavers4 Strength5 Employee attrition6 Civilian staff2 Warranted officers3 Civilian staff2 Warranted officers3 Civilian staff2 Warranted officers3 (percentage) (percentage)

2005-06 90 200 1,665 4,066 5 5 2006-07 120 196 1,711 3,981 7 5 2007-08 157 214 1,863 3,983 8 5 2008-09 132 196 2,068 4,111 6 5 2009-10 122 156 2,010 4,187 6 4 1 This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. 2 Civilian staff are police staff. 3 Warranted officers are police officers. 4 Leavers during the financial year. 5 Strength at the end of financial year. 6 Employee attrition—leavers during the financial year as a percentage of staff in post at the end of the financial year.

Number of civilian staff and warranted officers employed (FTE)1 in Number of civilian staff and warranted officers employed (FTE)1 in Northumbria police force from 2002-03 to 2009-104 Northumbria police force from 2002-03 to 2009-104 Civilian staff2 Warranted officers3 Civilian staff2 Warranted officers3 2002-03 1,457 4,018 2003-04 1,495 4,061 2009-10 2,010 4,187 2004-05 1,491 4,088 2005-06 1,665 4,066 1 This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been 2006-07 1,711 3,981 rounded to the nearest whole number. 2 Civilian staff are police staff. 2007-08 1,863 3,983 3 Warranted officers are police officers. 2008-09 2,068 4,111 4 Strength at the end of the reporting period, as at 31 March. 417W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 418W

Nottinghamshire Police performed better than the current standard 9mm round. That review was passed on to the Association of Chief Police Officers. Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will estimate the proportion of time spent on frontline policing duties by officers in the Nottinghamshire police force in the latest period Police: Complaints for which figures are available. [49144] Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Nick Herbert: Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Home Department pursuant to the answer of 28 April Constabulary’s (HMIC) report, “Demanding Times”, 2011, Official Report, column 586W,on the Independent published on 30 March, provides the definition of frontline, Police Complaints Commission, how many complaints middle office and back office police functions. A copy the Independent Police Complaints Commission has of the report is available at: investigated in each financial year since 2005-06. [56372] http://www.hmic.gov.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Thematics/ THM_20110330.pdf Nick Herbert: The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigates only the most serious Full details of policing roles, their categorisation by matters and complaints relating to the conduct of an frontline, middle office and back office, and an estimate officer or member of police staff. The majority of of the percentage of resource allocated to the front line complaints are dealt with at the local level by the under this definition across England and Wales in 2010 relevant police force. The following table shows the appear on pages 19-21 of the report. Because the proportion number of independent and managed investigations of time spent on the front line by officers in different conducted by the IPCC in each year since 2005-06. roles will have varied in earlier years and across forces, Figures for 2010-11 are yet to be published. we are not able to give estimates at force level or for earlier years. 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Independent 52 64 100 106 106 Police investigations commenced Managed 188 176 152 117 151 Mr Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the investigations Home Department what percentage of time police commenced officers in each force spent on frontline policing duties in each year since 2007. [53364] Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many working hours were spent Nick Herbert: Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of on the Independent Police Complaints Commission Constabulary’s (HMIC) report ‘Demanding Times’, report into allegations against the Chief Constable and published on 30 March 2011, provides the definition of Deputy Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police frontline, middle office and back office police functions. following a recruitment campaign for police constables; A copy of the report is available at: and what the cost of the investigation was. [56646] http://www.hmic.gov.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Thematics/ THM_20110330.pdf Nick Herbert: The Home Office does not hold this Full details of policing roles, their categorisation by information. frontline, middle office and back office, and an estimate These are matters for the Independent Police Complaints of the percentage of resource allocated to the front line Commission (IPCC), which will respond to you direct. under this definition across England and Wales in 2010 appear on pages 19-21 of the report. Because the proportion of time spent on the front line by officers in different Police: Jamaica roles will have varied in earlier years and across forces, we are not able to give estimates at force level or for earlier years. Stephen Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers are assigned to duties in Jamaica; and how many were so Police: Ammunition assigned in (a) 2009 and (b) 2010. [56849]

Steve Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Nick Herbert: Since 2009 the Metropolitan Police Home Department what assessment she has made of Service has seconded an officer to the Serious Organised the use of hollow-point ammunition by police forces; Crime Agency (SOCA) in Jamaica, in order to assist the and if she will make a statement. [55808] Jamaicans in relation to capacity building projects and training; and to undertake police inquiries that emanate Nick Herbert: It is for chief officers to decide what from UK based operations. These involve investigation ammunition and weapons are appropriate to use in into serious crimes: murder, firearms, drug trafficking order to meet operational requirements, subject to the and money laundering. general law that the use of force by the police must be Since August 2010, there has been one Metropolitan reasonable in the circumstances. A review of 9mm Police Service officer conducting financial inquiries in ammunition by the Home Office Scientific Development tandem with SOCA officers and assisting Jamaica’s Branch (now the Centre for Applied Science and capacity capabilities. No other forces have officers assigned Technology) found that hollow point ammunition to Jamaica. 419W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 420W

Police: Manpower entitled to work (a) full-time as trade union representatives and (b) part-time on trade union activities; how many Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home such staff are paid more than £25,900 per annum; and Department how many police officers per head of what the cost to the public purse of employing such population there are in (a) England and (b) Wales. staff was in the latest period for which figures are [56484] available. [56454]

Nick Herbert: The available figures show the number Nick Herbert: It is for individual chief officers to of police officers per 100,000 population in England determine local policy for police staff trade union activities. and in Wales as at 31 March 2010. The Home Office does not collect information on police staff trade union activity or costs. Police officer strength in England and Wales as at 31 March 2010 by police force area and officers per 100,000 population—Full-time equivalents1 Security Services: Data Protection Total officers per Police force All police officers 100,000 population2 Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the England 136,365 265 Home Department whether data losses have been Wales 7,369 246 reported to her Department by the security services as Total of all 43 forces 143,734 264 a result of computer hacking by media organisations in 1 This and other tables contain full-time equivalent figures that have the last five years. [56417] been rounded to the nearest whole number. 2 Officers per 100,000 population for City of London and Metropolitan police are combined. James Brokenshire: There have been no data losses Police: Mass Media reported to the Home Office by the security services as a result of computer hacking by media organisations in the last five years. Mr Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 7 March 2011, Official Report, column 877W, on police: mass Serious Organised Crime Agency media, if she will discuss with the Metropolitan police service the use of private investigators by media Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for organisations to follow serving police officers in the the Home Department when she expects to receive the course of their duties; and if she will make a statement. Serious Organised Crime Agency’s annual report for [56365] 2009-10. [56850]

Nick Herbert [holding answer 19 May 2011]: We Nick Herbert: The Serious Organised Crime Agency’s have no plans to do so. (SOCA) Annual Report and Accounts for 2009-10 was laid before Parliament in July 2010. A copy of the Police: Termination of Employment report is also available on the SOCA website at: www.soca.gov.uk Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what mechanism exists for a police officer leaving a police force to ensure that their HEALTH employer completes the leaving date on their leaving certificate. [56801] Ambulance Services: Expenditure Nick Herbert: Regulation 17 of the Police Regulations Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 2003 requires police forces to issue leavers with a certificate how much per capita his Department spent on ambulance showing final rank and setting out the period of service services in each of the last five years. [56482] in that force and in any other force. Police: Trade Unions Mr Simon Burns: The information is not held centrally in the format requested. The information shown in the Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home following tables is the total spend on ambulance services, Department how many staff of each police force are per trust, in each of the last five years.

2005-06 NHS ambulance trusts total expenditure Trust Total expenditure (£000)

Avon Ambulance Service NHS Trust 26,289 Essex Ambulance Service NHS Trust 59,632 Gloucestershire Ambulance Services NHS Trust 18,786 Mersey Regional Ambulance Service NHS Trust 55,567 Staffordshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 28,878 South Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 34,508 Lincolnshire Ambulance NHS Trust 36,305 421W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 422W

2005-06 NHS ambulance trusts total expenditure Trust Total expenditure (£000)

Cumbria Ambulance Service NHS Trust 17,773 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Ambulance and Paramedic NHS Trust 41,386 West Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 66,692 Royal Berkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 24,504 Dorset Ambulance NHS Trust 27,764 Wiltshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 15,528 Two Shires Ambulance NHS Trust 29,684 Westcountry Ambulance Services NHS Trust 69,862 West Midlands Ambulance NHS Trust 67,666 Hampshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 35,134 Hereford and Worcester Ambulance NHS Trust 18,429 Coventry and Warwickshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 26,100 Greater Manchester Ambulance NHS Trust 64,277 Lancashire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 41,195 East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust 76,881 Oxfordshire Ambulance NHS Trust 16,587 Kent Ambulance NHS Trust 37,390 Surrey Ambulance Service NHS Trust 34,414 Sussex Ambulance Service NHS Trust 52,765 London Ambulance Service NHS Trust 210,472 Tees East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 55,458 East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust 69,563 North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust 54,782 Source: 2005-06 NHS Trusts Financial Returns 2006-10 NHS ambulance trusts total expenditure Total expenditure (£000) Trust 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

Staffordshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 28,090 232,451 143,999 161,532 London Ambulance Service NHS Trust 211,491 66,193 211,297 244,665 Great Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust 61,611 78,542 79,246 82,755 North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust 69,419 208,305 256,236 275,473 North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust 184,240 152,688 86,145 99,370 Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 147,360 132,242 228,167 265,847 East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust 123,199 145,886 121,244 136,223 West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust 116,970 191,112 145,410 150,991 East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust 186,001 132,772 122,317 117,741 South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS 123,333 105,714 160,340 187,094 Trust South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust 101,185 110,868 184,312 201,197 South West Ambulance Service NHS Trust 102,705 232,451 143,999 161,532 Note: The figures provided show the total expenditure, before finance costs, of each ambulance trust between 2005-06 and 2009-10. A separate table is provided for 2006-10 owing to changes in organisations over the time period. Source: NHS Trusts Financial Returns

Bladder Cancer The focus of future campaign work will be determined by evaluation of current cancer awareness activity, including Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health £9 million to support 59 local projects focusing on whether his Department has any plans for an awareness breast, bowel and lung cancer and £1.75 million to trial campaign about the causes and symptoms of bladder a national bowel cancer campaign in two regions. However, cancer. [56673] we know that all the 5,000 lives cannot be saved by tackling these common cancers alone, and we are Paul Burstow: “Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for considering how we might extend the previous campaigns Cancer”, published on 12 January 2011, sets out an to cover other cancers, including bladder cancer. ambition to save an additional 5,000 lives every year by 2014-15 through earlier diagnosis of cancer and improved access to screening and radiotherapy. A copy has already Bladder Cancer: Research been placed in the Library. To support earlier diagnosis of cancer the Government have committed over £450 Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health million over the next four years, which includes provision what plans his Department has for extended research for the funding of awareness activity. trials for bladder cancer. [56825] 423W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 424W

Paul Burstow: The Department’s National Institute Breast Cancer: Screening for Health Research Clinical Research Network (CRN) is currently hosting 14 trials and other well-designed studies in bladder cancer that are in set-up or recruiting Mr Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) patients. Details can be found on the UK CRN portfolio what recent assessment his Department has made of the database at: effectiveness and accuracy of mammogram screening [56221] http://public.ukcrn.org.uk/search for the detection of invasive lobular carcinoma; (2) what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effectiveness of ultrasound breast screening in addition to mammography screening for women with dense breasts; [56222] Blood: CJD (3) what estimate he has made of the cost of introducing supplemental ultrasound breast screening as part of the Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State NHS breast screening programme. [56223] for Health what recent representations he has received on prion filtration. [56533] Paul Burstow: Mammography screening is regarded as the gold standard for breast screening. This has been Anne Milton: The Department has received determined through rigorous clinical trials and is supported representations in the form of parliamentary questions and promoted by the World Health Organization’s and correspondence from industry about the use of International Agency for Research on Cancer. prion filtration. However, like other screening tests, it is not perfect, and we know that some cancers, such as invasive lobular Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State carcinoma, may be more difficult to detect with a for Health (1) what estimate his Department has made mammogram than other types of breast cancer. This is of the total cost of leuco-depletion in its first year of why we encourage all women to be breast aware, check implementation; [56534] for any changes and report any changes to their general practitioner as quickly as possible. (2) what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the NHS of leuco-depletion in each of the last The Department has commissioned no research into five years. [56535] the effectiveness of ultrasound breast screening in addition to mammography screening for women with dense breasts. Mammography is the only screening modality that has Anne Milton: The total cost of leuco-depletion in the proven to reduce the mortality from breast cancer. first year of implementation 1998-99 was £35 million. Digital mammography has been shown to be more Information on the cost of leuco-depletion in the last effective for younger women and women with dense five years is shown in the following table: breasts, and we are in the process of digitising the national health service breast screening programme (NHS Cost of leuco-depletion by year BSP) in England. By the end of May 2011, 83% of local £ million programmes will have at least one digital machine and 2006-07 9 35% will be fully digital. 2007-08 9 Ultrasound screening may be used within the NHS 2008-09 9 BSP as part of the triple assessment process. 2009-10 8 2010-11 8 Total 43 Note: Costs are estimates based on approximate costs of filter in an integral Cancer: Drugs pack format for the last five years. Source: NHS Blood and Transplant Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State the capacity of the National Institute for Health and for Health what estimate his Department has made of Clinical Excellence to carry out appraisals for the cost of implementing prion filtration for all innovative inhibitor therapies for rare cancers where transfusion blood using the P-Capt filter. [56536] the target population is very small. [56467]

Anne Milton: Initial assessments of the estimated Paul Burstow: The National Institute for Health and costs, which remain commercial in confidence, were Clinical Excellence (NICE) has appraised, or is appraising, made in October 2009. The recommendations of the a number of inhibitor therapies for less common cancers. Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues Full information on NICE’s appraisal methodology is and Organs are dependant upon the outcome of the available in its “Guide to the Methods of Technology prion filtered red blood cells in surgery patients (PRISM) Appraisal”, available at: study, the assessment of the results of which is not www.nice.org.uk/aboutnice/howwework/devnicetech/ expected until 2012. No final estimates, based on the technologyappraisalprocessguides/ costs applicable at that time, can be made until then. guidetothemethodsoftechnologyappraisal.jsp 425W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 426W

Cancer: Medical Treatments The NCRI published an analysis of the national cancer research portfolio that includes details of expenditure by its partner organisations on research into individual Mr Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for tumour sites. The analysis is available online at: Health what assessment he has made of the capacity of www.ncri.org.uk/includes/Publications/reports/ the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence analysisReport08.pdf to carry out appraisals for innovative inhibitor therapies A more detailed account of annual aggregated portfolio for rare cancers; what recent assessment he has made of expenditure is given in an associated data package the availability of such therapies; and if he will make a available at: statement. [57177] www.ncri.org.uk/includes/Publications/reports/ Data_package.xls Paul Burstow: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has appraised, or is appraising, a number of inhibitor therapies for less common cancers. Full information on NICE’S appraisal methodology is Drugs: Hospitals available in its “Guide to the Methods of Technology Appraisal”, available at: www.nice.org.uk/aboutnice/howwework/devnicetech/ Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for technologyappraisalprocessguides/ Health (1) how many people were (a) admitted to and guidetothemethodsoftechnologyappraisal.jsp (b) treated in hospital as a result of taking natural remedies in the last five years; [56210] Primary care trusts are legally obliged to fund drugs and treatments recommended in NICE technology appraisal (2) how many people were (a) admitted to and (b) guidance, within three months of guidance being published, treated in hospital as a result of taking licensed drugs unless the requirement is waived in a specific case. in the last five years. [56211] We also launched the Cancer Drugs Fund in April 2011, which makes £200 million available in each of the Paul Burstow: The NHS Information Centre for health next three years to help thousands more cancer patients and social care does not hold the information in the access the drugs their clinicians believe will help them. form requested. However, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Yellow Card Scheme provides for voluntary reporting of suspected Cancer: Research adverse drug reactions (ADRs) by healthcare professionals and members of the public. The scheme is run by the MHRA and Commission for Human Medicines and Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health collects ADR reports from across the whole United how much funding his Department allocated to research Kingdom for all medicines, including herbal products. into (a) breast, (b) prostate, (c) ovarian, (d) pancreatic There is also a legal obligation for pharmaceutical and (e) bladder cancer in each of the last 10 years. companies to report all serious ADRs for their products [56682] that they are aware of. As the scheme is voluntary, it is recognised that not all ADRs are reported. Data collected through the Paul Burstow: Information on expenditure by the Yellow Card Scheme does not represent all patients who Department’s National Institute for Health Research have suffered an adverse reaction to a medicine. Therefore (NIHR) on research into individual tumour sites is not it is not possible to provide the number of people who held centrally. The number of NIHR Clinical Research were admitted and treated in hospital as a result of a Network studies in breast, prostate, ovarian, pancreatic, taking a natural remedy or licensed drug. and bladder cancer that are currently in set-up or recruiting patients are shown in the following table: The following table provides a breakdown of the total number of UK spontaneous suspected ADR reports Number received by the MHRA during the last five years where the reporter has stated that the ADR resulted in or Breast 82 prolonged hospitalisation. Prostate 27 Ovary 15 Number of reports Pancreas 10 2006 4,635 Bladder 14 2007 4,485 2008 4,620 Details can be found on the UK Clinical Research 2009 4,475 Network portfolio database at: 2010 4,541 http://public.ukcrn.org.uk/search The National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI), a This dataset includes all UK spontaneous ‘suspected’ United Kingdom wide partnership between Government, ADR reports for all medicines including herbal medicines. charities and industry, makes cancer research information Natural remedies can include homeopathic remedies, available online via the International Cancer Research flower remedies, vitamins, food substances and a number Portfolio database at: of other unlicensed medicines. Suspected ADRs are www.cancerportfolio.org recorded according to the active drug substance and 427W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 428W reports for natural remedies are not specifically identified retention of data and records and commissioners of as such. Without knowing the exact name of the natural patient care services are expected to hold providers to remedy, the data can not be extracted. account against published information governance It is important to note that the reporting of a suspected standards. adverse reaction does not necessarily mean it is related to the drug. The MHRA ask reporters to send them Health and Social Care Bill ‘suspicions’ of ADRs: however, these are not proven. Many factors have to be taken into account in assessing Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State causal relationships including temporal association, the for Health whether he plans to propose that the Health possible contribution of concomitant medication and and Social Care Bill be recommitted to a Public Bill the underlying disease being treated. Committee. [57085]

Paul Burstow: The Government will make decisions Food Poisoning on what changes to propose to the Health and Social Care Bill once the current listening exercise has concluded Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and the report of the NHS Future Forum has been how many incidents of food-borne illness were received. reported in (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007, (d) 2008, (e) 2009 and (f) 2010. [56304] Health Professions: Patients

Anne Milton: The number of laboratory-confirmed Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health cases of Salmonella, Campylobacter, E. coli O157, Listeria (1) what measures are in place to monitor the conduct monocytogenes and norovirus infection in the United of professional interpersonal relationships between Kingdom each year between 2005 and 2010 are shown staff and patients in NHS hospitals; [56732] in the following table. The data for 2010 are provisional. (2) what measures are in place to monitor the (a) The Food Standards Agency has monitored changes nursing and (b) medical care experienced by patients in in the number of cases of these key foodborne pathogens NHS hospitals. [56796] since 2000 (norovirus since 2005). Mr Simon Burns: The National Patient Survey UK 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Programme, co-ordinated by the Care Quality Commission, is used to measure different aspects of patients’ experiences Salmonella 12,939 13,781 13,347 11,609 10,091 9,750 of care. Surveys contain a variety of experience-based Campylobacter 52,518 52,571 58,051 55,732 65,114 70,325 questions, which include questions on the relationships E. coli O157 1,171 1,292 1,125 1,250 1,319 1,081 between doctors, nurses and patients, and care and Listeria 220 210 255 206 234 174 monocytogenes treatment. Norovirus 4,653 7,320 8,495 9,438 10,378 15,528 National health service organisations may also measure Total 71,501 75,174 81,273 78,235 87,136 96,858 patient experience according to local requirements. Source: Health Protection Agency, Health Protection Scotland, Public Health Health Services: Merseyside Agency Northern Ireland. Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health General Practitioners what discussions he has had with (a) St. Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust and (b) others about a possible merger between that Trust and North Cheshire Nicky Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Hospitals NHS Trust; and if he will make a statement. Health what information his Department holds on the [56681] loss of patient records from GP surgeries; and whether his Department has commissioned any research into data storage methods in (a) GP surgeries and (b) Mr Simon Burns: No formal discussions have taken place with Ministers on a potential merger of the NHS hospitals. [56213] Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (previously North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust) Mr Simon Burns: The Department receives reports with another NHS trust. on the most serious incidents involving loss of patient At a Westminster Hall debate on 4 May 2011 on data but it does not routinely collect information about ‘Private Finance Initiative Hospitals’, the potential for less significant incidents or about the loss of individual the St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS patient records. Details of reported incidents are published Trust to merge with another NHS trust as an option for on strategic health authority websites. Fifteen incidents achieving foundation trust status was discussed. The involving loss of patient data were reported in 2008, Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation four in 2009 and five in 2010. Trust was identified as a possible merger partner, given Responsibility for data storage rests with each national its geographical proximity to the St Helens and Knowsley health service organisation, whether general practitioner Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. However, the St Helens practice or NHS trust and the Department has not and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is still commissioned any research into the data storage methods considering all options that are available to achieve used. Comprehensive guidance is available on the secure foundation trust status. 429W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 430W

On 16 May 2011, I briefly discussed this issue in a (2) what plans his Department has to commission telephone conversation with my hon. Friend the Member research on clinical attitudes to the treatment of older for Warrington South (David Mowat). people; and if he will make a statement. [56543] Work is continuing on the development of a Tripartite Formal Agreement between St Helens and Knowsley Paul Burstow: Clinicians are responsible, within their Hospitals NHS Trust, North West Strategic Health area of competence, for treating patients based on the Authority and the Department to set out the agreed assessment they and the patient make of the patient’s options that will enable the trust to obtain foundation needs and priorities, and on clinical judgments about trust status. the likely effectiveness of the treatment options; and in accordance with guidance from their respective professional Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health bodies and regulators. For example, the curriculum for what steps he plans to take to ensure that (a) staff at general medical practitioners (GPs) set out by the Royal Warrington hospital and (b) the public in Warrington College of General Practitioners and endorsed by the are consulted on any possible merger between North General Medical Council requires a GP to develop the Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust and St. Helens and skills needed to assess the particular needs of older people and the suitability of treatment options. Knowsley NHS Trust. [57180] The Pharmaceutical Oncology Initiative, in partnership with the Department, is commissioning research to Paul Burstow: Any proposed mergers involving national explore the extent to which age is a factor in treatment health service trusts or NHS foundation trusts will be decisions for a range of cancers, as well as the extent to required to include the appropriate consultations in line which clinical attitudes vary across different cancer with the legislative requirements for any such changes. types and in different countries. The results will be Under the current legislation, for a merger to occur available in the second half of 2011. between an NHS trust and an NHS foundation trust, the applicants must consult about the application in accordance with regulations. This includes a requirement Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for to consult with the staff employed by the applicants and Health whether he expects the same commencement individuals who live in any area specified in the proposed date for the ban on age discrimination to be applied in constitution as the area for a public constituency, among the health and social care sectors as in other sectors. other parties. [56549] In relation to a possible merger between Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (formerly Paul Burstow: Subject to ongoing public consultation, North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust) and St. Helens the ban on age discrimination in services, public functions and Knowsley NHS Trust, if this was the decision taken and associations in health and social care is expected to to support the achievement of foundation trust status come into effect in April 2012 as in other sectors. and sustain the provision of high quality healthcare services, then these consultation requirements would Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for need to be undertaken. Health (1) what mechanisms have been put in place to minimise (a) indirect and (b) direct age discrimination in the health service; [56551] Health Services: Older People (2) what assessment he has made of the (a) nature, (b) extent and (c) variability of age discrimination in Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for the health and social care system; [56552] Health what assessment he has made of the merits of (3) what assessment he has made of the levels of (a) developing a tool to assess the biological rather than indirect and (b) direct age discrimination in the health chronological age of a patient when determining the and social care system; [56553] suitability of older patients for different forms of treatment; and if he will make a statement. [56541] (4) what assessment he has made of the recommendations outlined in Achieving Age Equality in Health and Social Care; and if he will make a Paul Burstow: No assessment of the merits of developing statement; [56555] a tool to assess the biological rather than chronological age of patients has been made by the Department. The (5) what steps his Department is taking to promote Department’s work on achieving age equality in health age equality in the health and social care sector; and if and social care services is based on the legal framework he will make a statement; [56556] and definitions set out in the Equality Act 2010. Treatment (6) what recent assessment he has made of the extent and care in the national health service is provided on of age discrimination in the health and social care the basis of clinical need. We intend to ban from 2012, sector; and if he will make a statement. [56557] where it is not clinically justified, all forms of age discrimination in the treatment of patients by the NHS. Paul Burstow: The Department commissioned a detailed review in 2009 to identify where age discrimination was Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for most likely to occur within health and social care services. Health (1) what steps are being taken by his Department The review report, ‘Achieving Age Equality in Health to support clinicians in fully assessing the suitability of and Social Care’, made recommendations on how the older patients for different forms of treatment; [56542] health and social care sector could end age discrimination 431W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 432W and promote age equality in the light of the provisions Hospitals: Admissions in the Equality Act 2010. These have formed the basis of the Governments plans to implement the ban on age Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for discrimination in health and social care from April 2012 Health how many infants were admitted to hospital as set out in ‘Equality Act 2010: banning age discrimination with a respiratory episode attributable to passive smoke in services, public functions and associations, a consultation in each primary care trust area in the latest period for on proposed exceptions to the ban’ which was published which figures are available. [56697] by the Government Equalities Office on 3 March 2011. This consultation, which reflects the Government’s intention of introducing no exceptions to the ban in health and Anne Milton: Data are not available in the format social care services, ends on 25 May 2011. Having no requested. exceptions to the ban means that from April 2012 any However, the Royal College of Physicians’ report: use of age in decision-making in health and social care ‘Passive smoking and children. A report by the Tobacco services will need to be objectively justified. Advisory Group’ London: RCP; 2010, states that: “lower respiratory infections are common in infants, resulting, for example, in over 33,000 hospital admissions in infants aged under two years in England alone, where about 10 per cent are estimated to be due to passive smoke exposure”. Heart Diseases: Children Hospitals: Repairs and Maintenance

Mr Sutcliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) on what dates the foreign language translations of how much per capita his Department spent on maintaining the consultation documents for the review of and improving hospital premises in each of the last five Children’s Congenital Cardiac Services will be made years. [56481] available to the public; [56944] Mr Simon Burns: The information is not available in (2) what proportion of patients being treated at the the format requested. Such information as is available is children’s congenital cardiac service at Leeds General in the table. Infirmary are from black and minority ethnic backgrounds; [56945] National health service organisations are locally responsible for deciding the amount of expenditure (3) into which languages the consultation documents they make with regard to maintaining and improving for the review of Children’s Congenital Cardiac their hospital premises. Such decisions will be based on Services will be translated; [56946] the state of their premises, their strategy for using their premises to support clinical services and their available (4) on what date the consultation documents for the resources. review of Children’s Congenital Cardiac Services were Revenue expenditure spent on facility management costs by the NHS made available in (a) English and (b) Welsh. [56947] per capita; (some maintenance and improvement of facilities will be funded through capital expenditure not included in these figures) Facility Cost of occupancy management Population per capita Paul Burstow: The ‘Safe and Sustainable’ review of costs (£) number (£/number) children’s heart services in England is being conducted by the NHS Specialised Commissioning Team. We have, 2005-06 4,582,555,345 50,466,162 91 however, been following its progress. 2006-07 4,858,285,598 50,763,893 96 2007-08 5,327,189,237 51,106,181 104 Translations of the consultation documents have been 2008-09 6,190,045,759 51,464,646 120 available on request. Acting on requests received, the 2009-10 6,642,961,687 51,809,741 128 NHS is translating the consultation document and response Source: forms into 10 different languages. They are available in The facility management cost is the revenue expenditure costs including Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Farsi, Gujarati, Polish, Hindi, labour, materials, equipment, consumables, management and contracting Punjabi, Somali and Urdu. that are incurred to deliver the maintenance and improvement of premises. These data are as provided by the NHS through the Estates The English consultation documents for the review of Return Information Collection system and have not been amended children’s congenital cardiac services were available on centrally. the National Specialised Service’s website from 1 March The population numbers are the final mid-year 2011. The Welsh version was made available on 25 March population estimates (2001 census based) published by 2011. They can be found at: the Office for National Statistics. The 2005-08 figures were adjusted in May 2010 to reflect revisions to migration www.specialisedservices.nhs.uk/document/safe-sustainable-a- methodology. new-vision-children-s-congenital-heart-services-in-england- consultation-document Influenza: Vaccination Information on the proportion of patients being treated at the children’s congenital cardiac service at Leeds Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health General Infirmary who are from black and minority what steps he is taking to ensure that adequate ethnic backgrounds is not held centrally. influenza vaccinations are available in the winter of 2011. [56458] 433W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 434W

Anne Milton: The chief medical officer (CMO) wrote In selecting outcomes and determining how they to the national health service on 14 March asking should be measured, active consideration has been given strategic health authorities (SHAs) to assure themselves to how the indicators can be analysed by equality and that robust local plans were in place for the seasonal flu inequalities dimensions to support NHS action on reducing immunisation programme for this winter. The Department health inequalities and promoting equality. In addition will maintain an ongoing dialogue with SHAs on this to the legally protected characteristics (age, race, religion subject until the start of the flu season and beyond. or belief, sex, disability and sexual orientation only), A copy of the CMO letter of 14 March has been particular consideration has been given to socio-economic placed in the Library. and area deprivation as these are drivers of poor health outcomes. Macular Degeneration: Drugs Furthermore, the set of principles that the Secretary of State for Health, the right hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley) and the proposed NHS Mr Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Commissioning Board will use when negotiating levels when he expects avastin to be available through the of ambition against the indicators in the NHS Outcomes NHS to patients suffering from wet age-related Framework includes consideration of inequalities in macular degeneration. [56952] health outcomes taking into account equalities characteristics, disadvantage and area deprivation, where Paul Burstow: Avastin is not licensed for use in the it is possible to do so. treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. The framework will help the proposed NHS Clinicians can prescribe medicines off-licence, subject Commissioning Board to play its full part in promoting to primary care trusts agreeing funding, if they feel it is equality in line with the Equality Act 2010 and tackling right for an individual patient after discussing the potential inequalities. risks and taking into account the patient’s medical history. In those circumstances, the clinician would have to retain clinical responsibility for the patient while Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for prescribing the drug. Health what assessment he has made of the merits of developing additional equality metrics to measure progress on reducing inequality in the NHS; and if he NHS Blood and Transplant will make a statement. [56545]

Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Paul Burstow: Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 Health what plans he has to privatise the NHS Blood places a general Equality Duty on listed public authorities, and Transplant service. [56818] including NHS organisations and the Department of Health to eliminate discrimination, harassment and Anne Milton: I refer the right hon. Member to the victimisation, advance equality and promote good relations. written answer I gave the hon. Member for Easington Information is key to providing transparency to evidence (Grahame M. Morris) on 8 March 2011, Official Report, progress made in reducing inequality in line with the column 991W. There are no plans to privatise the blood three aims of the Equality Duty. service. On 17 March 2011 a ‘policy review’ was launched by the Minister for Women and Equalities. This review NHS: Equality proposed a less process orientated approach to equality. Any proposals around the development of additional Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for policy metrics by the Department would need to be Health what assessment he has made of the effects of within the context of the of the results of that policy the roll-out of information prescriptions and targeted review. information on levels of inequality in the national The “NHS Outcomes Framework”, published in health service. [56539] December 2010, contains an initial assessment at Annex A of the indicators that can be analysed by equalities Paul Burstow: Information prescriptions are intended dimensions to support of NHS action on reducing to support everyone to access the information they need inequality in the NHS. In addition to the legally protected to take control of their health and manage their condition. characteristics (age, race, religion or belief, sex, disability The Department has not specifically assessed the effect and sexual orientation only), consideration has also of information prescriptions on inequality in the national been given to socio-economic and area deprivation as health service. these are drivers of poor health outcomes. A copy is available in the Library. Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for We are assessing the availability of indicators that Health what progress has been made in developing key can be disaggregated by equality characteristics, as well performance indicators to measure levels of inequality as other breakdowns with suppliers. in the national health service; and if he will make a statement. [56540] Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the adequacy Paul Burstow: One of the key principles of the “NHS of coordination at (a) regional and (b) local level in Outcomes Framework 2011/12” is the need to promote implementing the provisions of the Equality Act 2010 equality and reduce inequalities in health outcomes. in the NHS. [56547] 435W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 436W

Paul Burstow: Each national health service organisation NHS: Manpower is responsible for ensuring that it understands and complies with the requirements of the Equality Act Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) 2010. The Act requires all public bodies, including NHS how many nurses there are per head of population; organisations, to assess and consider equality issues [56475] when developing and delivering services. (2) how many GPs there are per head of population. At the regional level, all strategic health authorities, [56476] often supported by the Department, have run events and programmes about the Equality Act 2010 to ensure Mr Simon Burns: The following table gives the numbers that organisations in their regions understand what of nurses and general practitioners (GPs) per head of they need to do and work towards a common approach. population as at 30 September 2010, the date of the last NHS Workforce Census. Number of nurses and GPs per head of population in England as at 30 Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for September 2010 Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness Headcount of his Department’s support to local health organisations population per in monitoring and analysing patterns of health service Headcount 100,000 provision by age; and if he will make a statement. All Qualified Nursing 410,615 792.5 [56548] Staff1 All GPs (excluding 35,120 67.8 retainers and registrars) Paul Burstow: The Department and its arm’s length 1 All Qualified Nursing Staff includes all qualified nursing, bodies offer a range of commissioning guidance and midwifery and health visiting staff as well as GP practice nurses. other support. It is a matter for local national health Notes: service bodies to identify the needs of their local population 1. The new headcount methodology for 2010 data is not fully and commission the appropriate services. comparable with previous years data due to improvements that make it a more stringent count of absolute staff numbers. Further information on the headcount methodology is available in the Census publication. Headcount totals are unlikely to equal the sum Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for of components. Health what steps he is taking to ensure that the 2. Data as at 30 September 2010. organisations and individuals responsible for the distribution Data Quality: The NHS Information Centre for health and social care seeks to of resources within the health and social care system minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but are aware of the legislative requirements arising from responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the Equality Act 2010. [56550] the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality where changes impact on figures already published. This is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant Paul Burstow: Guidance is available from a number analyses. of sources including the Equality and Human Rights Sources: Commission, the Government Equalities Office and 1. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care General NHS Employers with whom the Department is working and Personal Medical Services Statistics 2. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care Non- to support the national health service to implement the medical Workforce Census Equality Act 2010. 3. Office for National Statistics, 2009 Final Mid-Year Population The ‘NHS Operating Framework 2011-12’ reminds Estimates (2001 census based), Adjusted May 2010 to reflect NHS organisations to ensure that all decisions are taken revisions to migration methodology with due regard to the public sector Equality Duty to NHS: Reorganisation ensure that decisions are fair, transparent, accountable, evidence-based and consider the needs and rights of Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State staff and patients across all the equality characteristics. for Health (1) whether KPMG has provided advice to his Department on its proposals for NHS reforms; and Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for if he will make a statement; [57087] Health what steps have been taken by his Department (2) whether (a) he, (b) Ministers, (c) senior officials to work with the National Institute for Health and and (d) special advisers in his Department have (i) Clinical Excellence to (a) review its guidance to ensure contacted and (ii) met Mark Britnell since May 2010. it is compliant with the Equality Act 2010, and (b) [57088] promote further research on ageing; and if he will make a statement. [56554] Paul Burstow: No advice has been provided to the Department on the national health service reforms by Mr Simon Burns: As a public authority, the National KPMG. Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is No Ministers or special advisers have made contact required to fulfil its duties under the Equality Act 2010. or met Mark Britnell since May 2010. No senior officials It is for NICE as an independent body to ensure that its of the Department at permanent secretary or director- guidance is compliant with the Act. general level have contacted or met Mark Britnell in an Where it considers the evidence base is lacking, NICE official capacity since May 2010. Ministers and senior can make research recommendations as part of its officials may from time to time, attend external events guidance. at which delegates from KPMG may be in attendance. 437W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 438W

NHS: Standards Education and training of the health care workforce includes central funding through the multi professional education and training (MPET) budget and funding by Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for local national health service organisations. The Department Health what progress is being made on the does not analyse MPET expenditure between health disaggregation of outcome indicators within the NHS care professions and does not hold data on the amount Outcomes Frameworks Framework 2011-12 by (a) of spend on education and training by local NHS age, (b) ethnicity, (c) religion or belief, (d) gender, (e) organisations. disability and (f) sexual orientation. [56544] Occupational Therapy: Manpower Paul Burstow: Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 places a general Equality Duty on listed public authorities, including national health service organisations and the Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Department, to eliminate discrimination, harassment Health how many NHS occupational therapists there and victimisation, advance equality and promote good are per 100,000 population in each NHS region. relations. Information is key to providing transparency [56507] to evidence progress made in reducing inequality in line with the three aims of the Equality Duty. Mr Simon Burns: The following table gives the number of occupational therapists per 100,000 population in On 17 March 2011, a ‘policy review’ was launched by each national health service region as at the 30 September the Minister for Women and Equalities. This review 2010, the date of the last NHS workforce census. proposed a less process orientated approach to equality. Any proposals around the development of additional NHS hospital and community health services: qualified occupational therapy staff in England per 100,000 population by strategic health authority area as at policy metrics by the Department would need to be 30 September 2010 within the context of the results of that policy review. Number In Annex A of “The NHS Outcomes Framework England 34.3 2011-12”, published in December 2010, we set out an initial assessment of the data availability of indicators that can be disaggregated by equality and health inequalities North East Strategic Health Authority area 39.1 characteristics. We are currently assessing these breakdowns, North West Strategic Health Authority area 35,0 Yorkshire and the Humber Strategic Health Authority 34.6 as well as others, with data suppliers. area A copy of “The NHS Outcomes Framework 2011-12” East Midlands Strategic Health Authority area 38.0 has already been placed in the Library. West Midlands Strategic Health Authority area 33.3 East of England Strategic Health Authority area 29.4 London Strategic Health Authority area 32.8 South East Coast Strategic Health Authority area 32.5 South Central Strategic Health Authority area 29.5 NHS: Trade Unions South West Strategic Health Authority area 41.8 Notes: 1. Figures are calculated using headcount staff in post figures. Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 2. Figures are rounded to one decimal place. how many staff of each NHS trust are entitled to work 3. Staff in post figures are as at 30 September 2010. Population figures are (a) full-time as trade union representatives and (b) ONS estimates for 2009. 4. 2009 is the latest available population data. part-time on trade union activities; how many such Sources: staff are paid more than £25,900 per annum; and what The NHS Information Centre for health and social care non-medical the cost to the public purse of employing such staff was workforce census. Office for National Statistics 2009 final mid-year population estimates (2001 in the latest period for which figures are available. census-based). [56456] Prion Working Group Mr Simon Burns: This information is not held centrally. It is for employers and representatives of locally recognised Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State trade unions to agree in partnership local agreements for Health if he will place in the Library the terms of and procedures that are appropriate to local circumstances. reference of the Prion Working Group. [56502]

Anne Milton: The remit of the United Kingdom (UK) Blood Services’ Prion Working Group (PWG) is: NHS: Training “The working group will advise the UK Blood Services on the most appropriate ways to ensure the safety of blood, cells, tissues and organs for transfusion/transplantation in relation to risk Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) associated with prion proteins. Its remit includes: how much per capita his Department spent on training 1. acting as a single source of blood, tissue and organ related nurses in each of the last five years; [56477] scientific advice on prion transmission related issues; (2) how much per capita his Department spent on 2. being the single point of contact between UK Blood Services and manufacturers of prion filters and prion assays, and any training doctors in each of the last five years. [56480] other technology to reduce prion risk; 3. providing advice on the requirements for evaluation of prion Anne Milton: The Department does not hold data in filters, prion assays and any other new technology to reduce prion the requested format. risk; 439W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 440W

4. acting as the primary point of contact between UK Blood and whether any such applications have been received Services and collaborating institutions including the Health Protection by his Department; [57188] Agency (Efficacy and endogenous hamster infectivity studies), Roslin Institute (Sheep endogenous infectivity studies), Creutzfeldt- (2) whether the allocation of funding to primary care Jakob disease Oversight Committee of the National Institute of trust baselines for the period 2011-12 to 2014-15 will be Biological Standards and Control (Prion assay sensitivity) and adjusted to take account of (a) planned expenditure non-UK Blood Services; and (b) assessed need; [57189] 5. overseeing both .current and future evaluation projects on behalf of the UK Blood Services; (3) to which primary care trusts additional funding 6. taking ownership and reviewing the UK Blood Services for 2011-12 will be allocated. [57190] position statement on vCJD and risk assessments on behalf of Standing Advisory Committee on Transfusion Transmitted Infection (SACTT1) on an annual basis, or more frequently if required; Paul Burstow: ‘Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for 7. providing advice on non-negative samples identified in any Cancer’ sets out our commitment to expand radiotherapy prevalence study conducted by the UK Blood services.” capacity by investing over £150 million in additional The PWG terms of reference are: funding over the next four years. National health service “In formulating its advice, the working group will: trusts cannot apply directly to the Department for this take full account of the scientific evidence available, including funding, as this money is allocated to all primary care the nature of uncertainties and assumptions used to reach conclusions; trusts (PCTs) through their recurrent revenue allocations identify specific areas of research where further work is required for 2011-12 and 2012-13. From 2013-14, it is intended to reduce uncertainty; that the NHS Commissioning Board will take over the consider the impact of its advice on all stakeholders in the allocation of resources from the Department. blood, tissue and organ supply chains, including but not exclusively donors, patients, the UK blood services and the wider National Recurrent revenue allocations are currently made to Health Service; PCTs on the basis of a weighted capitation formula, take full account of the need to maintain the safety of .blood, used to determine PCTs’ target shares of available tissues and organs, operating under the remit of the Precautionary resources to enable them to commission similar levels of Principle; health services for populations in similar need. Once take account of the financial implications of assessing or allocated, it is for PCTs to use this funding to commission introducing new technologies to mitigate the risk of variant services to meet the health care needs of their local Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease transmission by blood, tissues or organs; populations, taking account of local and national priorities. act independently of any commercial organisation with whom it works and, proactively identify potential conflicts of interest; maintain confidentiality of any data made available to it as per confidentiality agreements; Speech Therapy: Manpower work closely with Scientific Advisory Committees and the Joint United Kingdom Blood Transfusion Services and National Institute of Biological Standards and Control Professional Advisory Committee (JPAC) on the approval of systems as suitable for use; Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for take full account of the work conducted by the Governments’ Health how many speech and language therapists employed Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs in the public sector there are per 10,000 population. (SaBTO); [56505] ultimately be accountable to the UK Forum.” Public Expenditure Anne Milton: The following table gives the number of speech and language therapists employed in national Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State health service hospitals or community health services for Health (1) how frequently he plans to assess the per 10,000 of population as at 30 September 2010, the effect of inflation on the real-terms increase in his date of the last NHS work force census. The NHS Department’s budget; [56242] Information Centre do not hold data on this speciality (2) what estimate he has made of the future level of who may be employed in the wider public sector. inflation at which any real-terms increase in his NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified Speech and Language Department’s budget would cease. [56243] Therapy staff in England per 10,000 population by strategic health authority area as at 30 September 2010 Mr Simon Burns: The Government are committed to Number real terms increases in health spending, as set out in England 1.4 “The Coalition: our programme for government”. The Government are meeting this commitment. North East Strategic Health Authority area 1.6 The Office of Budget Responsibility produces projections North West Strategic Health Authority area 1.4 for measures of inflation at least twice a year. Yorkshire and the Humber Strategic Health Authority 1.3 area Radiotherapy: Finance East Midlands Strategic Health Authority area 1.2 West Midlands Strategic Health Authority area 1.4 Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health East of England Strategic Health Authority area 1.2 (1) pursuant to the answer of 11 May 2011, Official London Strategic Health Authority area 2.4 Report, column 527, on radiotherapy: finance, whether South East Coast Strategic Health Authority area 1.4 NHS hospital trusts are able to apply directly to his South Central Strategic Health Authority area 1.2 Department for additional investment for radiotherapy; South West Strategic Health Authority area 1.5 441W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 442W

NHS hospital and community health services: Qualified Speech and Language In the financial year 2010-11, there were 3.4 whole-time Therapy staff in England per 10,000 population by strategic health authority area as at 30 September 2010 equivalent staff. The cost of salaries was £210,826. Number Other costs incurred by these officials, such as for expenses, are met by their respective unions. Notes: 1. The NHS IC only holds information on speech and language therapists All other union officials, such as branch executive employed by NHS hospitals or community health services. We do not hold officers and local union representatives are covered by data on speech and language therapists employed elsewhere in the wider public the Department’s facility time agreement and are not sector. 2. Figures are calculated using headcount staff in post figures. full-time. As the time spent on industrial relations is 3. Figures are rounded to one decimal place. minimal, their salary costs are met by local directorates. 4. Staff in post figures are as at 30 September.2010. Population figures are It is not, therefore, possible to make an estimate of the ONS estimates for 2009. 5. 2009 is the latest available population data. cost of these activities and to collect this information Sources: would incur disproportionate cost. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care Non-Medical Workforce Census The Department, the MHRA and the recognised Office for National Statistics 2009 Final Mid-Year Population Estimates (2001 trades unions place high value on fostering and maintaining census based) good industrial relations. We work in partnership to achieve shared aims, objectives and outcomes. The granting St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust of reasonable facilities and facility time by the Department and its agencies to the recognised trades unions makes Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health an important contribution to the success of the organisation. what meetings (a) he and (b) his officials have had The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency closed on with the North West Strategic Health Authority to 31 December 2009. discuss the future of St. Helens and Knowsley NHS Trust; and who was present at each such meeting. Whiston Hospital: Finance [57182] Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Paul Burstow: The Secretary of State for Health, my what submissions his Department has received from right hon. Friend the Member for South Cambridgeshire the Strategic Health Authority on potential solutions (Mr Lansley), met with NHS North West on 15 February to the financial problems at Whiston hospital; and if he 2011 to discuss the wider national health service reform will place in the Library a copy of each such document. programme and implications for the region. This meeting [57181] included discussing the implications of the reforms for St Helens and Knowsley NHS Trust alongside other Paul Burstow: The Department receives routine financial NHS organisations in the region. In attendance at the information from national health service trusts, including meeting were the NHS chief executive and the chair and St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, chief executive of NHS North West. the host organisation for Whiston hospital. Analyses of In addition, the managing director of provider this information are published regularly by the Department. development and director of provider delivery from the There have been no separate submissions received by Department of Health have met with NHS North West the Department from the Strategic Health Authority on to discuss the plans being agreed for the remaining the financial position of Whiston hospital. NHS trusts to achieve foundation trust status by April 2014. INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Trade Unions Developing Countries: Education Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff of (a) his Department, (b) the Medicines Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and (c) International Development what discussions he has the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency are entitled to had with the executive director of UN Women on work (i) full-time as trade union representatives and (ii) increasing the level of education for girls and women part-time on trade union activities; how many such staff during her recent visit to the UK. [57020] are paid more than £25,900 annually; and what the cost to the public purse of employing such staff on such Mr Andrew Mitchell: I had wide-ranging discussions duties was in the latest period for which figures are with Michelle Bachelet, executive director of UN Women, available. [56453] when she visited the UK on 16-17 May, including on my Department’s Strategic Vision for Girls and Women. Mr Simon Burns: The Department and the Medicines This will work in 23 country programmes and support and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) over nine million children in primary school, at least currently employ 3.4 whole-time equivalent staff to half of which will be girls, and put at least 700,000 girls work as trade union officials. Of these, 2.8 whole time into secondary education by 2014. Ms Bachelet agreed equivalents are elected by the Public and Commercial that educating girls was crucial and explained how UN Service Union and the remainder by Prospect. All are Women will work closely in partnership with other UN ’full-time’ (ie 100% of their time is dedicated to union organisations like UNICEF and UNESCO to improve duties) and all are paid more than £25,900 annually. girls’ education. The First Division Association union representative is not a ’full-time’ union official and salary costs are Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for met by the directorate that employs him. International Development what steps he plans to take 443W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 444W to ensure that teacher training delivered under his and infrastructure is also being supported through the Department’s commitment in the Bilateral and Multilateral international growth centre. Aid Reviews (a) is of a high quality and (b) includes participatory and inclusive teaching methods to enable Overseas Aid marginalised children including girls and children with disabilities to participate in classroom activities. [57021] Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he plans to bring Mr O’Brien: Supporting countries to develop realistic forward legislative proposals to make legally binding plans for recruiting, training and retaining teachers is the target to spend 0.7 per cent. of gross national an integral part sector planning, which the Department income on overseas aid by 2013. [56683] for International Development (DFID) supports in all countries where we have education programmes. DFID Mr Andrew Mitchell: The coalition Government have provides technical expertise and guidance to partner set out how we will meet our commitment to spend countries to help ensure that teacher training is of high 0.7% of national income as overseas aid from 2013. We quality and that teachers are responsive to the needs of will enshrine that commitment in law as soon as the all their students, including the marginalised. parliamentary timetable allows. DFID has published a guidance note on inclusive Palestinians: International Assistance education for children with disabilities in developing countries. This note, available on the DFID website, Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for offers practical suggestions on how teachers can support International Development how UN General Assembly children with disabilities to access education and learn Resolution A/RES/65/272 will be incorporated into his effectively. Department’s diplomatic policy on the Middle East. [55787] Developing Countries: Fisheries Alistair Burt: I have been asked to reply. Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made The UK voted in favour of the UN General Assembly of the merits of introducing tradable permit schemes to Resolution A/RES/65/272 in order to reinforce our improve fisheries management in developing countries. support to the UN Relief and Works Agency’s (UNRWA) [56197] management reform process and to acknowledge UNRWA’s critical financial situation. Mr O’Brien: The Department for International The UK, through the Department for International Development (DFID) has not made a specific assessment Development (DFID), has been working closely with of the merits of introducing tradable permit schemes to UNRWA to ensure that robust management reform improve fisheries management in developing countries. plans are implemented to achieve maximum efficiency. However, DFID supports the Partnership for African DFID has a five year agreement with UNRWA to Fisheries (PAF) which aims to improve the contribution provide un-earmarked funding to UNRWA’s general of fisheries to African economic growth and food security. budget which includes a performance tranche payable if A key objective of the partnership will be the development UNRWA meets agreed targets for reform. UNRWA is and eventual implementation of a Comprehensive African committed to reform and to date has received the Fisheries Reform Strategy. The PAF and the World additional tranche of funding each year. Bank have both promoted the idea of ‘rights-based’ fisheries management, of which tradable permits are Trade Unions one possible approach. Developing Countries: Sustainable Development Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial support his Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Department has provided to (a) the National Union of International Development what steps his Department Teachers, (b) the National Association of Schoolmasters is taking to support the sustainable development of and Union of Women Teachers, (c) the Association of urban environments in developing countries. [56205] Teachers and Lecturers, (d) the National Association of Head Teachers and (e) schemes run by those Mr O’Brien: The Department for International organisations in each year since 1997. [56431] Development (DFID) has a number of programmes that support the sustainable development of urban Mr Andrew Mitchell: The Department for International environments. These are focused on the poorest urban Development has provided funding to the National residents who often live in marginalised areas, subject Union of Teachers through a grant beginning April to flooding and other environmental threats, with very 2009 under the Development Awareness Fund. Details limited services for effluent and waste disposal. of this funding are available in the Library of the For example, in Bangladesh, DFID is working through House. I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 7 December the United Nations Development Programme to support 2010, Official Report, column 215W. slum improvements in 34 towns and cities which will All DFID’s support for programmes to raise awareness benefit three million people over six years. DFID supports of international development is currently being reviewed. private sector programmes including the community-led infrastructure financing facility which provides capacity Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for building and loan finance for slum development projects International Development how many staff of his that are implemented in the urban environments of Department are entitled to work (a) full-time as trade India, the Philippines and Kenya. Research on urbanisation union representatives and (b) part-time on trade union 445W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 446W activities; how many such staff are paid more than by the government of Burma between criminals and £25,900 annually; and what the cost to the public purse those held for their political beliefs. [57071] of employing such staff on such duties was in the latest period for which figures are available. [56445] Mr Jeremy Browne: The Burmese Government announced on 16 May that it had reduced the sentences Mr Duncan: The Department for International of all prisoners by one year and commuted all death Development (DFID) has one full-time member of sentences to life imprisonment. Reports indicate that staff allocated to trade union activities under a ‘facility over 14,000 prisoners have been released but we think time’ agreement. There are three other elected trade that only 47 were political prisoners, who were anyway union representatives who spend a minimal amount of nearing the end of their sentences. We also understand time on trade union activity. The salary of the full-time that over 300 death sentences were commuted and note staff member was in the range of £30,000 to £35,000 in that no death sentences have been carried out in Burma 2010-11. for over 20 years. The UK made clear in a closed session of the UN Security Council on 19 May that the amnesty falls far short of the demands and expectations of the international community, which has repeatedly called FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE for the release of all of Burma’s over 2,000 political Bahamas: High Commissions prisoners. Burmese law criminalises basic civil and political rights and the Burmese authorities have frequently denied the existence of prisoners of conscience claiming that David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for all have been guilty of criminal offences. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has considered the merits of reopening the British high commission in the Bahamas. [56800] Departmental Data Protection

Mr Lidington: I refer to the statement made by the Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many contracts Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond his Department holds which allow contractors to store (Yorks) (Mr Hague) to the House on 11 May 2011, personal data of UK citizens overseas; to which contracts Official Report, columns 1165-68: this applies; in which countries the data for each such “We will now reverse the previous Government’s policy of contract is held; and how many people have their data closing embassies and reducing our diplomatic presence in key stored overseas under each such contract. [55740] parts of the world”. In the Caribbean we will keep our existing network fully Mr Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s open and staffed. But, regrettably, due to pressures on (FCO) Consular Directorate holds four contracts which our resources, we will not be opening new posts there. allow contractors to store personal data of UK citizens overseas. British Nationals Abroad: Criminal Investigation (i) FedEx Express to deliver legalised documents to customers overseas (who may or may not be a British National). This Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for contract allows Fedex Express to store personal data of customers requiring this service. The data are held in Memphis, USA and Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what provision his under the terms of the contract Fedex Express are required to Department makes for legal assistance to British nationals observe all data protection provisions, including only holding the under investigation without charge but unable to leave data as long as is reasonably necessary. There are approximately countries such as the United Arab Emirates. [56807] 250 customers who use this service per week and as of 16 May 2011, there were 1,750 people who had their data stored by Fedex Mr Lidington: If a British national is subject to a Express under this contract. travel ban, consular staff can assist by providing a list of (ii) The British Red Cross, who provide psycho-social support local English-speaking lawyers, information about any to British Nationals following a consular crisis overseas. The Red organisations or charities that may be able to help, and Cross holds all data in the UK and are fully compliant with the can contact family and friends in the UK on their Data Protection Act 1998. behalf if they are unable to do so easily. We are unable (iii) Teleperformance to provide a call-centre service to respond to give legal advice. We will consider approaching the to inquiries on our Travel Advice. Some callers to this service may request to be sent one of our travel advice leaflets. In these cases, local authorities if there are concerns that a British Teleperformance will take a name and address from that caller national subject to the local law is not treated in line and will use it to send out the requested leaflet. This data is stored with applicable international standards. Guidance for in the UK, in line with the Data Protection Act 1998. During a the support we offer to British nationals in difficulty consular crisis the contract we have with Teleperformance is abroad is explained in our publication ‘Support for sometimes extended to include crisis related calls. At such times British nationals abroad: A guide’, which is also available the contractor briefly stores personal data of British citizens who on the FCO website. may be overseas and transfers this to the FCO to provide crisis related assistance. Teleperformance does not archive this data. Burma: Prisoners (iv) Snap Survey. In June 2011, Consular Directorate will launch a customer satisfaction survey, using software provided Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State under license from SnapSurveys.com, Respondents to the survey (who may or may not be a British National) can submit contact for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise details if they would like Consular Directorate to get in touch at the United Nations the recent announcement by the with them to give further customer feedback. This data is stored Burmese authorities of an amnesty in order to establish by Snap, in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998, in the the nature of the amnesty and any differentiation made UK. There is currently no data stored under this contract. 447W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 448W

Other non consular contracts which allow contractors Mr Hague: We are aware of media reports of the use to store personal data are not kept centrally and could of cluster munitions by Gaddafi regime forces, in particular be obtained only at disproportionate cost. around Misrata. We and our North Atlantic Treaty Organisation allies do not use cluster munitions. Departmental Mobile Phones Middle East Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the name is of each Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State contractor or supplier of (a) mobile telephone and (b) for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he mobile data services to his Department. [56063] plans to hold discussions with the US administration on the Middle East following the visit by President Mr Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Obama to that region. [57070] (FCO) has a contract with Vodafone which provides mobile telephones and data services in the UK. Alistair Burt: We regularly discuss middle east issues A full list of all suppliers abroad is available only at with US counterparts and will continue to do so, including disproportionate cost because budgets are devolved to during the forthcoming State visit of President Obama our network of over 260 posts, which have contracts to the UK from 24-26 May 2011. with local mobile telephone providers. Middle East: Politics and Government European Union: Publicity Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) reports he has Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign received on and (b) assessment he has made of the and Commonwealth Affairs if he will have discussions implications for the Middle East Peace Process of the at EU level on reducing the funding spent by the EU on agreement of 27 April 2011 between the Palestinian publicity campaigns. [56498] Authority and Hamas; what discussions he has had with (a) the government of Israel, (b) the Palestinian Mr Lidington: While it is important for institutions Authority, (c) the Arab League and (d) his US counterpart such as the EU to communicate effectively with the on this issue; and if he will make a statement. [54843] general public, spend on this should be efficient, affordable and proportional. Funding levels for the EU to Alistair Burt: The reconciliation agreement was signed communicate its work publicly, as for all other EU at a ceremony in Cairo on 4 May 2011, attended by activities, will be decided within the negotiations on the President Abbas for the Palestinian Authority; Khaled EU 2012 Budget. Within those negotiations, this Mishaal for Hamas and the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Government are seeking substantial reductions in spend Nabil el Araby. A representative from our embassy in and greater efficiency across all areas of the Budget. Cairo attended as an observer, along with key EU partners. International Criminal Court My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister met with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on 4 May 2011 and Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for discussed the announcement on Palestinian unity. We Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is renew our calls on both sides to commit to peace talks, taking to encourage states that do not recognise the leading to a Palestinian state that exists in peace and International Criminal Court to do so. [56653] security alongside Israel. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Mr Lidington: We, together with EU partners, regularly Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) lobby all countries that have not yet done so to take has been clear that Britain hopes that the announcement steps towards ratification of the Rome Statute and of reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas will lead to implementation of the statute into their domestic legislation. the formation of a Government that rejects violence This will ensure that the International Criminal Court’s and pursues a negotiated peace, and we will judge a (ICC) jurisdiction continues to expand and that States future Palestinian Government by its actions and its Parties are able to fully co-operate with the ICC’s readiness to work for peace. investigations. We will continue to monitor and discuss with the The most recent occasion was on 5 April 2011, when Palestinian Authority, Arab League and US via our our embassy in Kathmandu raised this issue with the British Missions. Nepalese Government as part of an EU lobbying exercise. We underlined our commitment to this issue during the North Korea: Foreign Policy ICC’s Review Conference in Kampala in June 2010, where we also made a pledge to promote ratification Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for and implementation within the Commonwealth. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the objectives are of UK policy on North Korea. [56677] Libya: Cluster Munitions Mr Jeremy Browne: The UK shares the widely-held Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State international objective of a North Korea which does for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports not pose a threat to regional or global security, and he has received on the use of cluster munitions in adheres to international law and conventions, including Libya; and if he will make a statement. [56307] on human rights. 449W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 450W

To achieve this, the UK pursues a policy of critical and European capitals to garner support for the latest engagement. We support international efforts towards a initiative. My officials will continue to liaise with our complete and verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean EU counterparts to maintain the momentum of recent peninsula, through sanctions and talks between relevant progress towards a democratic, peaceful and inclusive parties. We also have diplomatic relations with North transitional process. Korea. Such engagement enables us to raise difficult After the visit to Yemen in April by the UN Special issues, which is important particularly during times of Adviser, Jamal Benomar, when he met a wide range of heightened tension. It also allows us to carry out a Yemeni, UK and EU officials, the UN Security Council programme of humanitarian projects and English Language discussed Yemen for the first time since the political Teacher Training. crisis began. Mr Benomar returned to Yemen in early May, and again met UK colleagues. Further meetings Queen Elizabeth II: Anniversaries with senior colleagues are expected during Mr Benomar’s forthcoming trip to the UK. The international community Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for is becoming increasingly focussed on Yemen, and I Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his welcome the intensification of all our efforts to see a Department has allocated in respect of the Queen’s quick and peaceful resolution to the current situation. Birthday celebrations in British Embassies in (a) each of the last three years and (b) 2011 to date. [55801] Zimbabwe: British Nationals

Mr Lidington: Budgets in the Foreign and Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Office, including the amount spent on Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the the Queen’s birthday celebrations, are devolved to over answer of 26 April 2011, Official Report, column 406W, 260 posts. As details are not held centrally, this information on Zimbabwe: British nationals abroad, what information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. on safety and security his Department provides to UK UN Security Council citizens wishing to relocate to Zimbabwe and not only to travel to or through that country. [57191] Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State Mr Bellingham: The “Living Abroad” page on the for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent FCO website: steps his Department has taken to seek reform of the http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/living- UN Security Council. [56329] overseas/ and the “Going to Live Abroad” booklet: Mr Hague: Her Majesty’s Government support UN http://www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/2855621/going-to- Security Council reform and are working with international live-abroad partners on this. We continue to support the aspirations give generic tips on starting life abroad. of Brazil, Germany, India and Japan as well as African representation for permanent seats on the Council. Our Travel Advice for Zimbabwe gives general advice Earlier this month officials attended Security Council to British nationals travelling to Zimbabwe whatever Reform Workshops in Doha and Rome. At these meetings the purpose of their visit at: the UK encouraged all member states to engage http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel- constructively in the process of reform. advice-by-country/sub-saharan-africa/zimbabwe If the move is business related Overseas Security Yemen: Politics and Government Information for Business (OSIB), a joint FCO/UKTI venture provide information at: Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign http://www.ukti.gov.uk/export/howwehelp/ and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he osibupdatesinfo.html has had with his (a) EU and (b) UN counterparts on The UK in Zimbabwe website provides information the political situation in Yemen. [55149] on Living in Zimbabwe at: http://ukinzimbabwe.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/ Alistair Burt: The focus of the UK is encouraging the living-in-zimbabwe/ ruling party and the official opposition in Yemen to reach agreement on peaceful transition. The Government recognise the urgency with which a political settlement EDUCATION in Yemen must be reached to avoid further violence and a deepening economic crisis. To this end we have actively Special Educational Needs engaged our international partners, including the EU, 19. Penny Mordaunt: To ask the Secretary of State to encourage unified and strong messaging to the for Education what progress he has made on the reform Government of Yemenand the parliamentary opposition. of provision for children with special educational needs I welcome the support given by Baroness Ashton, the in (a) Portsmouth North constituency and (b) High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and England. [56592] Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission. In light of reports that both the ruling party and the Sarah Teather: We published a Green Paper “Support opposition agreed to the Gulf Co-operation Council and aspiration: A new approach to special educational transition plan she issued an EU declaration on behalf needs and disability”on 9 March. This is out to consultation of the 27 member states urging all parties to move until 30 June. We will consider responses carefully before quickly to finalise the plan. Our officials have been taking forward our reforms. We will shortly be inviting working intensively alongside EU missions in Sana’a tenders for pathfinders to test proposals in the Green 451W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 452W

Paper. Within the general framework for special needs Tim Loughton: The Department has provided a grant provision, it is for local authorities to determine the of £521,360 for 2011-12 to Barnardo’s to deliver a particular arrangements in their areas. project which will work with local authorities to train specialist carers in providing safe fostering placements Capital Funding: Liverpool for victims of child sexual exploitation and trafficking. A further grant of £876,360 for 2012-13 will be made to 20. Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Barnardo’s, providing they meet their first year targets, Education how much capital funding he has allocated to allow them to build on and improve capacity for this for schools in Liverpool during the comprehensive specialist service. spending review period; and if he will make a statement. [56593] Free Schools Michael Gove: The Department has allocated £30.6 million to two academy projects in Liverpool, and a further £12.3 million to Liverpool schools in 2011/12. 24. Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Further allocations will be announced in due course, Education how many expressions of interest in informed by the recommendations made in Sebastian establishing a free school his Department is proceeding James’ report. with. [56597] Disadvantaged Children Michael Gove: My Department is working with 26 groups which have submitted applications for free schools 21. Amber Rudd: To ask the Secretary of State for and are now in the pre-opening stage. I expect to receive Education what steps he is taking to improve the a large number of high quality applications in June for educational achievement of disadvantaged children in the next round. We have had very strong interest indeed (a) Hastings and Rye constituency and (b) England. from parents, teachers and others wanting to set up [56594] new, high quality free schools.

Tim Loughton: In Hastings and Rye, disadvantaged Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for children will benefit from a pupil premium of £430 per Education what proposals for (a) primary and (b) pupil to ensure they receive the support they need. secondary free schools he has received in each local Funding of £625 million is available in 2011-12, rising authority area; and what the (i) proposed start date and to £2.5 billion a year by 2014-15. (ii) pupil capacity is in each case. [55836] The pupil premium will be allocated to schools according to the number of pupils who are known to be eligible Mr Gibb [holding answer 16 May 2011]: To date 40 for free school meals or have been looked after continuously proposals have been approved by the Secretary of State for at least six months. to proceed to business case and plan stage or beyond. We expect a number of these proposed schools to open Human Trafficking: Child Victims in September 2011 with others opening in the following years. Until the approval and admissions processes are 22. Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for complete, it is not possible to provide accurate pupil Education what funding his Department has allocated numbers. to non-governmental organisations to provide safe A breakdown of the 40 proposals is provided in the homes for child victims of human trafficking in following table with details of their locations and school 2011-12. [56595] phase:

Name of school Local authority Phase

All Saints Junior School Reading Primary ARK Atwood Primary Academy Westminster Primary ARK Bolingbroke Academy Wandsworth Secondary ARK Conway Primary Academy Hammersmith and Fulham Primary Atherton Free School Wigan Secondary Barwick’s Own 2nd Secondary School Stockton-on-Tees Secondary Batley Grammar School Kirklees All through BBG Parents Alliance Kirklees Secondary Bedford and Kempston Free School Bedford borough Secondary Brandon Free School Suffolk Secondary Bristol Free School Bristol Secondary Canary Wharf College Tower Hamlets All through Discovery New School West Sussex Primary Eden Primary School Haringey Primary Etz Chaim Jewish Primary School Barnet Primary Harris Peckham Primary Free School Southwark Primary King’s Science Academy Bradford Secondary Krishna-Avanti Primary School Leicester City Primary 453W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 454W

Name of school Local authority Phase

Langley Hall Primary Academy Slough Primary Maharishi School Lancashire All through McAuley College Academy Kingston upon Hull Secondary Moorlands School Luton Primary Nishkam Free School Birmingham Primary Phoenix Academy of Performance Arts Northamptonshire Secondary Priors Free School Warwickshire Primary Rainbow Primary School Bradford Primary Redbridge Primary School (E-ACT) Redbridge Primary Rivendale Free School Hammersmith and Fulham Primary Sandbach School Cheshire East Secondary Shooters Hill Primary School of the Arts Greenwich Primary St Luke’s C of E Primary School Camden Primary St Michael’s Catholic Secondary School Cornwall Secondary Stoke-by-Nayland High School Suffolk Secondary Stour Valley Community School Suffolk Secondary Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School Blackburn with Darwen Secondary The Free School, Norwich Norfolk Primary Three Valleys Independent Academy Rotherham Secondary We Need A School Hertfordshire Secondary West London Free School Hammersmith and Fulham Secondary Woodpecker Hall Primary Academy Enfield Primary

Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for in respect of the choices that local authorities are making. Education how many groups have expressed an interest It is for local authorities to determine the allocation of in establishing a free school in (a) Weaver Vale their resources and I am sure that in doing so they will constituency and (b) England. [56373] be taking in to account the needs of the most vulnerable children and young people. Mr Gibb: When the initial application round closed in February 2011, the Department for Education had Primary Schools: Foreign Languages not received any proposals for free schools from groups in the Weaver Vale constituency but had received a total of 323 proposals for England as a whole. The application David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for round for free schools planning to open in September Education what steps he plans to take to improve the 2012 has recently opened and we are expecting many teaching of modern foreign languages in primary further proposals. schools; and if he will make a statement. [56488] City Challenge Mr Gibb: In advance of decisions following the review of the National Curriculum on which subjects will be Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for statutory, we strongly encourage primary schools to Education what recent assessment he has made of the continue teaching languages and building on the good performance of the City Challenge programme in progress already made. We will also be funding the London. [56577] provision of specific language support services for primary schools from the autumn of 2011. Mr Hayes: Last year, the Secretary of State approved an evaluation of the City Challenge programme, to Academies enable us to fully assess its effectiveness. This will report towards the end of 2011 and copies will be placed in the Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Library. Our initial view, supported by an Ofsted report Education how many schools have (a) converted and published in December, is that the programme had been (b) applied to convert to academy status in (i) Pendle, helpful in raising school standards. That is why our (ii) Lancashire and (iii) England. [55595] broader programme of school improvement builds on its successes. Mr Gibb: At present, no schools in Pendle have Child Protection Services applied to convert to academy status. In Lancashire seven schools have applied, of which six have opened as Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for academies. Education what assessment he has made of the potential Full details of schools that have formally applied for effects on the provision of child protection services of academy status, as well as a list of academies that have reductions in local authority budgets. [56596] opened in the academic year 2010/11, can be found on the DfE Academies website at: Tim Loughton: The Department for Education has http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/leadership/ not made its own assessment, but I am aware of the typesofschools/academies/a0069811/schools-submitting- research that has been carried out by other organisations applications-and-academies-that-have-opened-in-201011 455W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 456W

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State The cost of installing the CCTV systems for London, for Education what assessment he has made of the Darlington and Runcorn are not available due to the value for money of increasing the number of academies. age of the installations being over six years ago. [55947] The cost of the installation of the CCTV system at 2 St Paul’s Place in Sheffield forms part of the overall Mr Gibb [holding answer 18 May 2011]: During the refurbishment cost for the building in 2009 and is not passage of the Academies Act 2010 the Department separately identifiable. Two additional cameras have published an impact assessment which included reference been installed since the refurbishment at a cost of £464. to the benefits and costs of increasing the number of The current annual cost for maintenance of the CCTV academies. A copy has been placed in the House Libraries. systems across the four sites is £4,666.

Children: Abuse Departmental Research

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for for Education if he will discuss with representatives of Education what (a) longitudinal and (b) other (i) the Roman Catholic Church the compatibility of the research and (ii) collection of data his Department has provisions of the Vatican’s recent circular letter on (A) initiated, (B) terminated and (C) amended in the guidelines for dealing with cases of sexual abuse of last 12 months; and what such research and data minors in respect of the responsibility of bishops for collection exercises undertaken by the Department dealing with child abuse cases with the general responsibility have not been amended in that period. [56760] to report cases of child abuse to the appropriate authorities. [57068] Mr Gibb: Information about research and data collections which have been initiated, terminated and amended in Tim Loughton: There are no plans for such discussions. the last 12 months (between 17 May 2010 and 18 May I understand that the letter referred to emphasises the 2011), and research and data collections undertaken by importance of bishops following national requirements the Department which have not been amended in that for reporting such abuse to the designated authority. I period has been placed in the House Libraries. have no reason to believe that the Roman Catholic Education Maintenance Allowance Church is in any doubt about the fact that all cases of suspected child abuse should be reported to local children’s Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for social care services or the police. Education what assessment he has made of the effects of the withdrawal of education maintenance allowance Departmental Billing on participation in further education by young people from low-income families whose distance from college Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for entails high travel costs; and if he will make a Education how many invoices his Department received statement. [56515] in respect of goods or services supplied by tier 1 suppliers between 1 May 2010 and 1 April 2011; and Mr Gibb: The equality impact assessment for the how many of those invoices were not paid within the ending of education maintenance allowance and the period of time specified in the Government’s Fair introduction of the 16-19 bursary funding is available Payment guidance. [55870] on the Department for Education website at: http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/1/ema%20 Tim Loughton: Between the period 1 May 2010 and replacement%20scheme%20%20%20equality%20impact% 1 April 2011 the Department did not receive any invoices 20assessment.pdf from tier 1 suppliers. The 16-19 bursary funding will enable schools, colleges and training providers to support students facing the Departmental CCTV greatest financial barriers to participation, including the cost of transport. Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Education: Finance Education how many CCTV cameras are installed in and around his Department’s premises; and how much Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education such cameras cost to (a) install and (b) operate in the pursuant to the answer of 26 April 2011, Official Report, latest period for which figures are available. [56834] columns 280-81W, on education: finance, whether his Department has made an assessment of the effects of Tim Loughton: The Department for Education has reductions in funding for student support services in 105 CCTV cameras across its four sites as follows: (a) further education colleges, (b) sixth form colleges London: 43; and (c) schools. [54386] Darlington: 14; Mr Gibb: The Department has not made a formal Runcorn: 25; and assessment of the effects of reductions in funding for Sheffield: 23. student support services in further education colleges, The higher number of cameras in London reflects the sixth-form colleges and schools. The Government have size of the facility and the additional risks arising from increased by £150 million the amount available for the building’s location within the central London disadvantaged funding, additional learner support and Government Secure Zone. Foundation Learning, to ensure that funding is targeted 457W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 458W where it is most needed. The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund or standard of work. Similar systems are already in will, in addition, allow schools, colleges and training place for education maintenance allowance, and schools providers to award bursaries to students in ways that and colleges have told us that the ability to set conditions best fit local needs and circumstances. Further education is important for promoting a positive attitude to education. colleges, sixth-form colleges and schools will have the flexibility to determine the most appropriate use of Foster Care funding in order to meet the needs of their students.

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Mr Timpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education pursuant to the answer of 10 May 2011, Official Report, how many young people who had been in local authority column 1144W, on students: finance, whether a receipt foster care in each (a) parliamentary constituency and of a guaranteed bursary will be conditional on students (b) local authority enrolled in an undergraduate course meeting any set standards. [56472] in each of the last five years. [55513]

Mr Gibb [holding answer 19 May 2011]: Subject to Tim Loughton: Information on the number of care the result of the consultation on new financial support leavers aged 19 in each local authority who are in higher arrangements, we expect that schools, colleges and training education, who were also looked after aged 16 and organisations will make receipt of a 16-19 bursary— whose final placement on ceasing was in foster care, is including bursaries guarantees to young people from shown in the following table. vulnerable groups—conditional on a student meeting Information at parliamentary constituency level is expected standards, for example, of attendance, behaviour not collected centrally.

Children aged 19 years old who were in higher education (i.e. studies beyond A level) and who were looked after aged 16 years (in their 17th year in a foster placement as their final placement when they ceased to be looked after1,2,3. Years ending 31 March 2005 to 2010. Coverage: England Number 20064 20075 20086 20098 20108

England 230 220 240 260 270

North East 10x101010 Darlington00xx0 Durham 0xx0x Gateshead x0x0x Hartlepool 0000x Middlesbrough 000x0 Newcastle upon Tyne xxxxx North Tyneside 00xxx Northumberland 0x00x Redcar and Cleveland 0000x South Tyneside 00000 Stockton-on-Tees00000 Sunderland xxxxx

North West 20 30 30 30 30 BlackburnwithDarwenx000x Blackpool 000x0 Bolton x0x0x Bury 00x00 Cheshire9 xxxxn/a Cheshire East9 n/a n/a n/a n/a x Cheshire West and Chester9 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 Cumbria 0xxxx Hatton 00x00 Knowsley 000xx Lancashire xxxx0 Liverpool 0xxx0 Manchester xx05x Oldham xxxxx Rochdale 0x000 Salford xxxx0 Sefton x0x00 St. Helens xx0xx Stockport 0xx05 Tameside 00x0x Trafford 0xxxx 459W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 460W

Children aged 19 years old who were in higher education (i.e. studies beyond A level) and who were looked after aged 16 years (in their 17th year in a foster placement as their final placement when they ceased to be looked after1,2,3. Years ending 31 March 2005 to 2010. Coverage: England Number 20064 20075 20086 20098 20108

Warrington 0x00x Wigan xxx00 Wirral 0xxxx

Yorkshire and the Humber 10 10 20 10 20 Barnsley 00000 Bradford 0xxxx Calderdale0x0x0 Doncaster 00x00 EastRidingofYorkshire00x0x Kingston upon Hull, City of xxxx0 Kirklees 00xx0 Leeds 5xxxx NorthEastLincolnshirexxxxx NorthLincolnshire0xx0x NorthYorkshirexx00x Rotherham000x00 Sheffield 0xxxx Wakefield 0xx0x York x0000

East Midlands 10x102010 Derby xxx0x Derbyshirexxxx0 Leicester xxxxx Leicestershire 000x0 Lincolnshire00xxx Northamptonshire0x0xx Nottingham x0x0x Nottinghamshire 0x0xx Rutland 00x00

West Midlands 30 20 30 40 40 Birmingham 15 5 5 10 5 Coventry x00xx Dudley x0xx5 Herefordshire00xxx Sandwell 5x5x5 Shropshire000x0 Solihull xx0xx Staffordshirexx0xx Stoke-on-Trent000xx TelfordandWrekinx00xx Walsall x00xx Warwickshirexx5xx Wolverhampton0x0xx Worcestershire xx5xx

East of England 20 20 30 20 20 Bedfordshire9 x0xxn/a Bedford Borough9 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 Central Bedfordshire9 n/a n/a n/a n/a x Cambridgeshire 10xxxx Essex 055xx Hertfordshire x 105x5 Luton 00xx0 Norfolk x0xxx Peterborough 0xx0x Southend-on-Sea x0050 461W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 462W

Children aged 19 years old who were in higher education (i.e. studies beyond A level) and who were looked after aged 16 years (in their 17th year in a foster placement as their final placement when they ceased to be looked after1,2,3. Years ending 31 March 2005 to 2010. Coverage: England Number 20064 20075 20086 20098 20108

Suffolk 50xxx Thurrock xxx0x

London 90 80 80 90 90 Inner London 50 40 30 30 50 Camden x10xxx City of London 00000 Hackney10x00x Hammersmith and Fulham 100x0x Haringey xxxx10 Islington xx00x Kensington and Chelsea xx00x Lambeth x0x55 Lewisham0xxxx Newham 5xxx15 Southwark xxxxx Tower Hamlets x05xx Wandsworth5xxxx Westminster x5xxx

Outer London 30 40 50 70 40 Barking and Dagenham 0 x 10 10 x Bamet xx5xx Bexley 000xx Brent 0xxxx Bromley 00xx0 Croydon 10x102510 Ealing xxxxx Enfield xxx00 Greenwichxxxxx Harrow 0xxx0 Havering 00x00 Hillingdon x 15xxx Hounslow xx00x Kingston upon Thames x00x0 Merton xxxxx Redbridgexxx0x Richmond upon Thames 000xx Sutton 00xxx Waltham Forest x0xx0

South East 30 30 30 30 40 BracknellForestx0000 BrightonandHovex0x0x Buckinghamshire xxxxx EastSussexxx0xx Hampshirexxx0x Isle of Wight xxx00 Kent xxxx10 MedwayTownsxxxxx Milton Keynes x000x Oxfordshirexxx0x Portsmouth xx00x Reading x00xx Slough xxx00 Southampton 0xx00 Surrey xxxxx WestBerkshire00xx5 WestSussexx555x 463W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 464W

Children aged 19 years old who were in higher education (i.e. studies beyond A level) and who were looked after aged 16 years (in their 17th year in a foster placement as their final placement when they ceased to be looked after1,2,3. Years ending 31 March 2005 to 2010. Coverage: England Number 20064 20075 20086 20098 20108

WindsorandMaidenhead00x00 Wokingham00x00

South West 20 10 20 20 20 Bath and North East Somerset x0x0x Bournemouth 0x0x0 Bristol, City of x0xxx Cornwall xxxxx Devon 000xx Dorset 0xx00 Gloucestershire xxxx0 Isles of Scilly 00000 North Somerset 0x0xx Plymouth x0xxx Poole 00xx0 Somerset xxxxx South Gloucestershire 00000x Swindon 0000 Torbay x0x0x Wiltshire xxxxx n/a = not applicable x = Figures not shown in order to protect confidentiality 1 England and regional totals have been rounded to the nearest 10. Other numbers have been rounded to the nearest five. For confidentiality purposes, numbers from one to five inclusive have been replaced by a cross (x). 2 Figures exclude children who were looked after on 1 April aged 16 (in their 17th year) under an agreed series of short-term placements. 3 Includes children who were in full and part-time higher education which was collected separately from 2006-07. 4 Children now aged 19 years old who were looked after on 1 April 2003 then aged 16 years old (in their 17th year). 5 Children now aged 19 years old who were looked after on 1 April 2004 then aged 16 years old (in their 17th year). 6 Children now aged 19 years old who were looked after on 1 April 2005 then aged 16 years old (in their 17th year). 7 Children now aged 19 years old who were looked after on 1 April 2006 then aged 16 years old (in their 17th year). 8 Children now aged 19 years old who were looked after on 1 April 2007 then aged 16 years old (in their 17th year). 9 In 2009, Cheshire local authority split in to Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester. Similarly, Bedfordshire LA split into Bedford borough and Central Bedfordshire. Source: SSDAQ03

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced that we what proportion of children in each local authority are conducting a review of the national curriculum at area were in foster care in each of the last six years. both primary and secondary levels. This review includes [55725] consideration of the status of design and technology (and all its constituent modules). Tim Loughton: Information on the number and percentage of children who were in foster care, in each local authority area, in each of the last six years, has Office of the Qualifications and Examinations been placed in the House Libraries. Regulator: Consultants This information, for year ending 31 March 2010, has also been published in tables LAA2 and LAA3 in the Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Statistical First Release ‘Children looked after in England how much the Office of the Qualifications and (including adoption and care leavers) year ending 31 March Examinations Regulator paid to (a) Grant Thornton 2010’, which is available on the Department’s website in relation to the study on the Collection of Economic via the following link: and Financial Information, (b) Frontier Economics in http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000960/ relation to the study on the Markets for Qualifications index.shtml in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, (c) Reckon LLP in relation to the study on Increasing Transparency Health Education: Nutrition of Qualification Fees, (d) PKF (UK) LLP in relation to the study on the Review of Awarding Bodies’ Fees, (e) Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Grant Thornton in relation to the study on the Education what plans he has to require schools to Reasonableness of Fees in Other Widely Used Qualifications teach more about food and nutrition. [56784] and (f) PricewaterhouseCoopers in relation to the Efficiency Study of the Regulated Qualifications System. [56747] Mr Gibb: At present food is one of the components that may be studied at Key Stage 3 within the design Mr Gibb: This is a matter for the Office of Qualifications and technology curriculum. On 20 January, my right and Examinations Regulation and I have asked its chief 465W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 466W executive, Glenys Stacey, to write directly to the hon. the school lunch grant. However, the total paid to Member. A copy of her reply will be placed in the Peterborough local authority in each year since 2005 House Libraries. are as follows:

Primary Education: Capital Investment £ 2005-06 215,771 Bill Esterson: To ask the Secretary of State for 2006-07 324,562 Education what proportion of funding allocated to 2007-08 327,423 Sefton council under the Primary Capital programme 2008-09 312,452 for building projects beginning in 2011-12 has been 2009-10 302,495 withdrawn; and how many schools in Sefton local 2010-11 298,278 authority area have had funding withdrawn for building projects under the programme. [55661] From 2011, the funding for the school lunch grant is part of the schools’ baseline funding announced in the Mr Gibb [holding answer 16 May 2011]: The Primary spending review. The funding will not be ring-fenced as Capital programme was one of a number of targeted the Government believe that schools need more freedom funding streams which ended in 2010-11. The Department to decide how to deploy their resources to meet the has reduced the number of ring-fenced capital programmes needs of their pupils. It will be for schools and local for 2011-12, enabling local prioritisation of funding. authorities to decide how to spend the funding in line Sefton county council and its schools have been with their priorities while consistent with the delivery of allocated £7,695,229 of capital funding for 2011-12. statutory nutritional standards. Decisions about priorities for investment rest with the local authority. Schools: Admissions Pupils: Disadvantaged Mr Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Timpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Education how many and what proportion of children what additional monies he estimates will be spent funding living in each local education authority (LEA) area the pupil premium in Crewe and Nantwich constituency attended a (a) primary and (b) secondary school in the financial year 2011-12. [55999] outside their LEA area in the last year for which figures are available. [55949] Mr Gibb [holding answer 17 May 2011]: The January 2010 school censuses allow an estimate of the number Mr Gibb [holding answer 17 May 2011]: The latest of pupils known to be eligible for FSM to be made. In information showing how many and what proportion maintained schools and academies in the Crewe and of children living in each local authority attended a school Nantwich constituency in January 2010 there were 2,135 outside their local authority area in January 2010 is pupils known to be eligible, which would give rise to a available in the publication ‘Schools, Pupils and their pupil premium of £918,050. In addition to this there Characteristics: January 2010’. This publication is available were eight pupils known to be eligible for the Service on the Department’s website at the following address: child premium, paid at a lower rate of £200 per pupil, http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000925/ which would give rise to a further £1,600. However, index.shtml these are estimates only and are based on data for The information requested about (a) primary schools January 2010. It is not possible to determine the number and (b) secondary schools is available in tables 15a and of parliamentary constituency pupils recorded on the 15b at the following address: alternative provision census or recorded as looked after http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000925/ as they are both local authority, rather than establishment sfr09-2010xbmvv2.xls level, returns. The information in this publication is based on data Tables that contain the estimates based on the figures collected in the January 2010 school census. Information from the January 2010 census, disaggregated by local based on the January 2011 school census is scheduled to authority, region and constituency have been placed in be published in June 2011. the Libraries. Figures from the January 2011 census will be published in June. Teachers: Training School Meals: Peterborough Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will place in the Library a copy of each Education how much was paid to each school in item of evidence he considers before outlining his plans Peterborough local education authority area in respect for initial teacher training to be school-based. [56884] of the school lunch grant under the dedicated schools grant in each year since 2005; and if he will make a Mr Gibb: We intend to publish shortly a strategy statement. [55992] document for general discussion giving details on our plans for initial teacher training reform, including for Mr Gibb [holding answer 17 May 2011]: The school-based training. A copy of the document along Department does not hold information about how much with the responses where permission is given for them was paid to each school in Peterborough in respect of to be made public will be placed in the House Libraries. 467W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 468W

Teaching Methods Arms Trade: Exports

Mr Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Sir John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will assess the teaching methods used Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer in the instruction of reading, writing and arithmetic of 9 March 2011, Official Report, column 1173W and during initial recruit training in the Army, Royal Navy 31 March 2011, Official Report, columns 475-76W, on and Royal Air Force and examine how the resulting the arms trade: exports, for which countries arms export changes in educational attainment might be replicated licences have been revoked as a result of his Department’s in mainstream schools. [56700] review of export licences announced on 18 February 2011 since 15.00 on 3 March 2011; how many (a) Mr Gibb: I understand that a range of approaches to individual and (b) open licences were revoked in respect the teaching of reading, writing and arithmetic will be of each country; and what the date of revocation was in used during initial training in the armed services, to each case. [55031] enable the recruits to reach the required standard. The Government are currently assessing how standards in Mr Prisk [holding answer 12 May 2011]: Since 15.00 schools can be raised and have outlined their plans in on 3 March the following licences have been revoked: the Schools White Paper “The Importance of Teaching” Libya which was published on 24 November 2010. One standard individual export licence (SIEL) was revoked on 4 March. Trade Unions Bahrain Bahrain was removed as a permitted destination from two Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Education open individual export licences (OIELs) on 4 March, three OIELs how many staff of his Department are entitled to work on 9 March and one OIEL on 30 March. (a) full-time as trade union representatives and (b) Egypt part-time on trade union activities; how many such staff Egypt was removed as a permitted destination from two OIELs are paid more than £25,900 annually; and what the cost on 4 March and one OIEL on 12 May. to the public purse of employing such staff on such The review is ongoing as we continue to monitor how duties was in the latest period for which figures are the situation develops in this region. available. [56439] Business Tim Loughton: The Department’s trade union facilities agreement allows for three full-time trade union posts. Neil Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for The overall cost of trade union activity in the Department Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has is capped at 0.2% of the paybill. For 2010-11 the overall had with Ministerial colleagues on measures to promote salary expenditure to staff on trade union duties was opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises £210,000, including the three full-time posts costing to win contracts with large corporations as (a) suppliers £92,000. In 2010-11, there were 39 trade union officials and (b) resellers of products and services; and if he will including the three full-time posts. The three staff engaged make a statement. [56615] in the full-time posts were the only staff paid more than £25,900 annually for trade union duties. Mr Prisk: It is not the role of Government to intervene directly with respect to private sector contracts. However, the Government are committed to supporting small BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS business to overcome barriers to growth and to access new markets through a range of new business improvement Advantage West Midlands: Assets initiatives. These include: a national website and a national contact centre; Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for the new Business Coaching for Growth programme; and Business, Innovation and Skills which assets owned by a national mentoring network which will bring together existing the West Midlands Regional Development Agency his networks of mentors in the voluntary and private sectors to Department has approved for sale; what the value is of provide advice to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). each such asset; which further assets his Department In addition, specialist support is available to SMEs plans to sell; and what the estimated monetary value is through UK Trade and Investment and the Manufacturing of those assets. [56127] Advisory Service. Mr Prisk: Advantage West Midlands, alongside the We have also taken a number of steps to remove seven other regional development agency (RDAs) outside barriers to small businesses accessing public procurement London, have put forward proposals for the disposal of opportunities. This includes promoting the use of the a proportion of their land and property assets. Details Government’s single public procurement web portal— of the sites expected to be sold in the short-term have Contracts Finder—by prime suppliers to advertise been made available via the BIS website and the House appropriate sub-contracting opportunities. Libraries. It would not be in the interest of securing best value for the taxpayer to indicate the assumed value of Computer Software: Exports individual assets prior to sale. RDA boards remain responsible for determining which RDA assets should Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State be sold. Decisions on further disposals will be announced for Business, Innovation and Skills what information in due course. his Department holds on the export by UK businesses 469W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 470W of internet filtering technologies and products in the to develop a Roadmap to a Green Economy that will last 12 months for which figures are available. [56392] provide businesses with the longer term clarity they have been seeking from Government. The Departments Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply. have been looking at the evidence available and engaging The information requested falls within the responsibility with key stakeholders to understand the priorities and of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority needs of business. to reply. The roadmap will be published this July. It will set Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated May 2011: out the Government’s goals in enabling the transition to a green economy, the business and investment As Director-General for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary environment that is required and the policies that we Question to ask what information the Department holds on the will put in place to shape that business environment. export by UK businesses of internet filtering technologies and products in the last 12 months for which figures are available. EU External Trade: India [56392] I regret that the ONS does not separately identify this specific Mr Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for item or therefore publish statistics relating to it. Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has The latest UK Balance of Payments Statistical Bulletin can be made of the Mode 4 component sought by India in the found at the following web link: EU-India Free Trade Agreement negotiations; what http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/product.asp?vlnk=1118 requests have been made by India in respect of the redefinition of categories; what his policy is on minimum Credit salary requirements for intra corporate transfers; when he expects a decision to be taken on the number of David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for people to be admitted under the agreement; and if he Business, Innovation and Skills if he will bring forward will make a statement. [57176] proposals to prohibit the use of facsimile signatures on credit agreements. [56655] Mr Davey: The EU-India Free Trade Agreement is still under negotiation. It is possible an outline deal may Mr Davey: The Call for Evidence issued as part of the emerge by the summer. Government’s Consumer Credit and Personal Insolvency As part of the ongoing negotiation, we are assessing Review asked for views on rationalising the requirements the requests India has made in Mode 4. These raise around signing of agreements. issues around lengths of stay, definitions of categories The responses are being considered and the Government and sectoral coverage. We expect the agreement to be will make an announcement on next steps before the consistent with the Government’s current policy of summer recess. Any proposal will need to balance applying minimum salary requirements to intra-company appropriate protection for consumers and increased transferees coming to the UK. efficiency for lenders while providing clarity on the signature requirements for credit agreements. Government Departments: Bureaucracy

Domestic Service: Conditions of Employment Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Dr Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Department is taking to reduce administrative burdens Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of and bureaucracy in government. [55219] the likely level of legal protection for domestic workers under the proposed International Labour Organization Mr Prisk: We recognise that badly-designed regulation Convention on Domestic Workers. [56716] and red tape can stifle enterprise and business growth and have set out a clear aim—to leave office having Mr Davey: There has not yet been final agreement on reduced the overall burden of regulation. the proposed convention, so it is not possible to comment The coalition agreement set out an ambitious agenda in detail on the level of protection it would offer at this for dealing with the burden of red tape on businesses. stage. The matter is to be discussed further at the In September, the Government introduced the One-in, forthcoming International Labour Conference. The One-out rule for new regulations so a new regulatory Government will seek a workable convention that can burden cannot be introduced without identifying another be ratified by as many countries as possible, and to be removed first. In December, we introduced a new consequently protect vulnerable domestic workers approach to transposing EU directives, to end ’gold worldwide. plating’ and ensure they are not transposed in such a Environment Protection way that they disadvantage UK businesses relative to their EU competitors. In March we introduced sunset Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for clauses in new regulations which impose a cost on businesses Business, Innovation and Skills what progress his to ensure they remain relevant and are fit-for-purpose. Department has made on the green economy roadmap. Last year, we launched a series of formal reviews in [56530] areas which impose a particular burden on business, such as the Lord Young review of health and safety Mr Prisk [holding answer 19 May 2011]: Over recent laws and the ongoing employment law review. months, this Department has been working with the In ‘The Plan for Growth’, published alongside the Department of Energy and Climate Change and the Budget 2011, as part of a package of measures to Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs improve the UK’s regulatory environment, the Government 471W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 472W announced that micro-businesses (those with fewer than Department has provided to organisations located at 10 employees) would be exempt from all new domestic the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in each of regulation for three years. We also decided not to extend the last five years. [52489] the right to request time to train to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), potentially saving SMEs approximately Mr Willetts: This Department’s capital and resource £350 million and not to bring forward the dual funding to organisations located at Harwell in the last discrimination provision, saving business up to £3 million five years, delivered via the main funding partners (Science per year. and Technology Facilities Council, Medical Research Last month, the Prime Minister launched the Red Council, Natural Environment Research Council, Tape Challenge website: International Space Innovation Centre and UK Atomic www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk Energy Authority) was as follows: which asks the public and businesses to identify regulations £ million that need to be amended or removed. Every few weeks regulations affecting one specific sector or industry will 2006-07 205.4 be published on the website. There is also the opportunity 2007-08 211.2 to comment on cross-cutting areas of regulation, such 2008-09 218.1 as employment law. 2009-10 196.3 1 Green Economy Council 2010-11 147.8 1 Incomplete as data comes from different sources: some is unavailable as the data is unaudited, while some is provisional. Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the agenda was Higher Education: Anti-Semitism for the most recent meeting of the Green Economy Council. [56503] Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Prisk: The most recent meeting of the Green Business, Innovation and Skills whether officials in his Economy Council on 16 February discussed the council’s Department with policy responsibility for dealing with terms of reference and the Government’s Roadmap to a anti-Semitism in universities (a) have regular access to Green Economy, which is currently being developed. and (b) read Jewish weekly newspapers in the course of their official duties; and if he will make a statement. Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for [56613] Business, Innovation and Skills on what date the most recent meeting of the Green Economy Council was Mr Willetts: Policy officials have access to a range of information sources to ensure they are well informed held. [56504] about issues facing the Jewish community in higher Mr Prisk: The last meeting of the Green Economy education. This will include relationships with other Council took place on the 16 February. Government Departments and direct contact with external partners such as the Union of Jewish Students and the Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Community Security Trust. Officials will access the Business, Innovation and Skills how many times the media where this is a necessary part of their duties. Green Economy Council has met since its establishment. [56531] Higher Education: Employment

Mr Prisk [holding answer 19 May 2011]: The Green Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Economy Council has met once since its establishment. Business, Innovation and Skills what recent steps he Further meetings are planned. has taken to encourage the development of links Green Investment Bank between employers and universities. [56298]

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Willetts: We are working with partners such as Business, Innovation and Skills (1) when he plans to the Higher Education Funding Council for England announce the appointment of the chairperson of the (HEFCE), the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES), the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) Green Investment Bank; [56527] and others, to encourage further development of the (2) whether he has any plans to establish a shadow links between employers and higher education institutions management board for the Green Investment Bank (HEIs). These relationships help deliver a more highly prior to its launch. [56528] skilled work force, more effective use of our research base, and support for innovation and economic growth Mr Prisk [holding answer 19 May 2011]: The in key sectors. For example: Government will announce their plans for the Green We have asked UKCES to bring together employers in particular Investment Bank later this month (May 2011). These sectors to identify their evolving skills priorities and get them to will set out governance arrangements, including prior collaborate in tackling their own skills needs through partnerships to the bank’s launch. with universities and colleges; Harwell Science and Innovation Campus To ensure universities work more closely with business, we have maintained the Higher Education Innovation Funding at £150 million a year to support a broad range of knowledge exchange activities, Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for and are introducing reforms which increase incentives for the Business, Innovation and Skills how much funding his most effective HEIs; and 473W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 474W

The Technology Strategy Board (TSB) are establishing a network Higher Education: Work Experience of Technology and Innovation Centres (TICs) to help commercialise the outputs of our world-class research base and further bridge the gap between universities and businesses. TICs will allow Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for businesses to access equipment and expertise that would otherwise Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has be out of reach, help them access new funding streams, and point made of the employment prospects of graduates who towards the potential of emerging technologies. TICs will receive undertake integrated work-based placements as part of £200 million in the current spending review period. The first will degree courses. [57409] focus on high-value manufacturing, and TSB will run competitions in 2011-12 and 2012-13 to create an elite network of six to eight such TICs. Mr Willetts: In general employers say they are happy with the quality of UK graduates (National Employers We will continue to encourage close and sustained Skill Survey 2009, UKCES 2010). However, they believe engagement between employers and universities that that graduates could be better provided with generic promote such high-level skills, knowledge transfer employability skills such as team working, leadership, and collaborative research initiatives, to the benefit of etc. Higher education institutions are increasingly business, the higher education sector and the wider offering such programmes, including practical work economy. experience placements, as part of their provision. We would like to see more of this approach and will, in our forthcoming White Paper, be highlighting to students, Higher Education: Vocational Guidance the higher education sector and employers the benefits of such activity. Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has assessed the (a) availability and (b) quality of careers advice in Local Enterprise Partnerships universities. [56297] Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Mr Willetts: Being independent, autonomous bodies for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he the responsibility for providing careers advice within has made of the likely level of economic growth in universities lies with the institutions in question. The areas not covered by local enterprise partnerships in vast majority of university careers offices are members each year to 2014. [56352] of the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) which is the professional association for higher Mr Prisk: No assessment has been made of the likely education careers practitioners: level of economic growth in areas not covered by local www.agcas.org.uk enterprise partnerships in each year to 2014. Currently 94% Accreditation against matrix of all active enterprises are covered by a local enterprise partnership and we are continuing to work with new www.matrixstandard.com partnerships as they develop their proposals. the Government quality standard for information, advice and guidance, is a criterion for institutional membership of AGCAS. AGCAS services also abide by the Quality Manufacturing Industries Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)’s code of practice Jonathan Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/codeOfPractice/ Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking section8/default.asp to improve the status and profile of manufacturing as a They also deliver a full range of professional development career path; and if he will make a statement. [56871] training via a suite of qualifications for careers staff in association with the university of Warwick. Mr Prisk: To improve the perception of manufacturing http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/study/cll/othercourses/ as a career path, the Government are funding STEMNET, careerstudies/ a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Improving information for students is a key part of network which provides resources for students, teachers our future plans for higher education. The Higher Education and professionals. We have also set up a programme of Funding Council for England has consulted on proposals exhibitions on manufacturing, engineering and design that higher education institutions should publish, from and will shortly be piloting a series of open days in the September 2012, a standard set of 17 key information automotive sector through the ‘See Inside Manufacturing’ items, for each course, on their websites. The information initiative which will see companies like General Motors is based on what research shows that students want: and Jaguar Land Rover open their doors to school information about costs, previous student satisfaction, children and students. This will be rolled out to other employment outcomes and number of contact hours. manufacturing sectors. The coalition Government are committed to improving the quality of careers advice for everyone, including Nuclear Engineering: Training students. We will establish the national careers service in England from April 2012 which will provide independent and expert advice to help young people and adults Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State progress in learning and careers. Advisers in the service for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions will have access to clear information about higher education he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on courses and sources of funding. the UK’s capacity to train nuclear engineers. [56355] 475W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 476W

Mr Willetts: The Secretary of State for Business, Table 2: Further Education learner participation in colleges by country Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member of domicile, 2009/10 for Twickenham (Vince Cable), has had no recent FE learner participation discussions with the Secretary of State for Defence, my Brazil 110 right hon. Friend the Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox), China 200 on the UK’s capacity to train nuclear engineers. India 290 Russia 50 Total 650 Notes: Overseas Students 1 .This data includes learning in the Learner Responsive, Apprenticeships and Other work-based learning funding streams delivered in General Further Education Colleges including Tertiary, Sixth Form Colleges, Special Colleges—Agricultural and Horticultural Colleges and Art and Design Colleges, Specialist Colleges and External Institutions. Mr Douglas Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State 2. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10. for Business, Innovation and Skills how many students Source: who are nationals of (a) Brazil, (b) the Russian Federation, Individualised Learner Record (c) India and (d) China attended (i) universities and (ii) colleges in the UK in the latest period for which figures are available. [56337] Post Offices: Closures

Mr Willetts: The latest available information from Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) regarding Business, Innovation and Skills how many post offices students in UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) is have closed since May 2010. [56853] shown in Table 1. It is compulsory for HEIs to record a student’s domicile, whereas nationality is not compulsory, Mr Davey: The information requested is an operational therefore figures based on domicile have been provided. matter for Post Office Ltd. I have therefore asked Figures for the 2010/11 academic year will be available Paula Vennells, the managing director of the Post Office in January 2012. Ltd, to respond directly to the hon. Member and a copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of the Table 1: Enrolments1 by country of domicile, UK Higher Education House. Institutions, academic year 2009/10

Country of domicile Enrolments

Brazil 1,315 Post Offices: Wales Russian Federation 3,245

India 38,500 Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many post offices China 56,990 in Wales have closed since May 2010. [57143] 1 Covers enrolments to postgraduate and undergraduate full-time and part-time courses. Mr Davey: The information requested is an operational Note: matter for Post Office Ltd. I have therefore asked Figures are based on a HESA standard registration population and Paula Vennells, the managing director of the Post Office have been rounded to the nearest five. Ltd, to respond directly to the hon. Member and a Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) copy of her reply will be placed in the Libraries of the House. Table 2 shows the number of learners participating in Further Education in colleges with a country of domicile of Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2009/10, the latest year for which final data is available. Information Press: Competition on the nationality of learners in Further Education is not available, therefore country of domicile has been provided. Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what meetings the Government funded learning as recorded on the Competition Minister has had with representatives of Individualised Learner Record (ILR) for Further Education (a) newspaper and magazine publishers, (b) news and is restricted to home learners. Therefore funded learners magazine wholesalers, (c) newspaper and magazine who are non EEA (European Economic Area) nationals retailers and (d) the Office of Fair Trading on the must have been resident in the UK for the three years exemption of news and magazine suppliers from the preceding their course start date and the main purpose for requirements of section 131 of the Enterprise Act 2002. residence was not to receive full-time education during [56663] any part of that three year period. There are a limited number of exceptions to this, for example—refugees, Mr Davey: I have not had any meetings relating to learners with indefinite leave to remain status, or learners exempting newspaper and magazine suppliers from the studying under reciprocal exchange agreements. requirements of section 131 of the Enterprise Act 2002. 477W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 478W

Research: Finance Stress

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what provision he has Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for made for any revenue running costs arising from the Business, Innovation and Skills what arrangements his additional capital expenditure on science announced in Department has in place to (a) reduce levels of and the Budget 2011. [52798] (b) support staff diagnosed with work-related stress. [48294] Mr Willetts: We are not expecting any net increases in running costs arising from these projects. Formal allocations of the additional Budget 2011 capital funding for science Mr Davey: This Department has a range of measures will be subject to BIS approval of the Research Council in place to reduce levels of and to support staff diagnosed and UK Space Agency business cases for each project. with stress and related conditions. These business cases will identify where there are any People with a long-term health condition or disability increases to running costs arising from the capital projects may request reasonable adjustments in the workplace in and will explain how these costs will be funded from order to help them perform their job effectively and to available resources and any future revenue. the best of their ability. These in-depth assessments are carried out by a specialist disability management service provider. All staff have access to a confidential Employee Research: Procurement Assistance Programme providing support and advice. Where staff are absent for a period of two weeks or Simon Danczuk: To ask the Secretary of State for more for stress or related conditions, the Department Business, Innovation and Skills what his Department’s seeks early advice from our occupational health service policy is on encouraging publicly-funded research provider on the support that can be offered to facilitate centres to procure machinery manufactured in the UK. an early and effective return to work. [57266] This Department is currently developing a BIS Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which includes more support Mr Willetts: All procurement of equipment or other for line managers who manage individuals with products and services by publicly funded research centres anxiety, depression or stress. We have identified is undertaken on the basis of open and competitive individuals with a susceptibility for being absent on tendering procedures, as required by the EU procurement these grounds to ensure that they are accessing available directives and UK Government guidance issued by the support. Cabinet Office.

Students: Finance

Rolls-Royce Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 3 May Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State 2011, Official Report, column 717W,on students: finance, for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will meet what progress he has made with the Central Office of relevant hon. Members and trade union officials from Information in developing its information campaign to Rolls Royce to discuss his Department’s Plan for communicate student finance arrangements to prospective Growth. [56354] students. [56292]

Mr Prisk: I met hon. Members and trade union officials from Rolls-Royce on 22 March to discuss a range of issues. If there are specific questions about the Mr Willetts: The first phase of our campaign to get Plan for Growth, it would be helpful if the hon. Member information to prospective students and their families could write to me setting them out. We also have close about our student finance reforms was launched on 9 and regular contact with Rolls-Royce’s senior management May. It uses a mixture of radio, press and digital team. advertising. The first phase of the growth review was reported at Budget 2011. Some 117 measures were announced in ‘The Plan for Growth’, and the majority of these measures are incorporated in published departmental business Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, plans. The growth review will last the lifetime of this Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 3 May Parliament to provide an ongoing focus on what 2011, Official Report, column 717W,on students: finance, Government can do to support growth. The next phase what meetings (a) he and (b) his officials have had will include a key focus on the successful implementation with the Central Office of Information on the development of these measures. Progress on delivering these actions, of an information campaign to communicate student and on the next phase, will initially report in autumn finance arrangements to prospective students; and on 2011. what date each such meeting took place. [56293] 479W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 480W

Mr Willetts: BIS officials are in regular contact with college of the Arts, Nottingham Trent university, Open university, the Central Office of Information to discuss the best Oxford Brookes university, Queen Mary, university of London, way to provide information about our student finance Ravensbourne, Roehampton university, Rose Bruford College, reforms to prospective students and their families. I met Royal Academy of Music, Royal Agricultural College, Royal College of Art, Royal College of Music, Royal Holloway university with the Central Office of Information and officials on of London, Royal Northern College of Music, Royal Veterinary 4 April 2011 to review the proposals for the recently College, School of Oriental and African Studies, School of Pharmacy, launched public information campaign. Sheffield Hallam university, Southampton Solent university, St George’s Hospital Medical School, St Mary’s university college, Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Staffordshire university, Thames Valley university, Arts university Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer college at Bournemouth, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, University college Birmingham, University college of 27 April 2011, Official Report, column 493W, on Falmouth, University college London, University college Plymouth students: finance, to which organisations and websites St Mark & St John, University for the Creative Arts, university of the key facts e-flyer has been sent. [56294] Bath, university of Bedfordshire, university of Birmingham, university of Bolton, university of Bradford, university of Brighton, university of Bristol, university of Cambridge, university of Central Lancashire, Mr Willetts: To date, the following organisations and university of Chester, university of Chichester, university of Cumbria, websites have received the e-flyer. university of Derby, university of Durham, university of East Anglia, university of East London, university of Essex, university Organisations and websites of Exeter, university of Gloucestershire, university of Greenwich, Universities UK, Guild HE, Russell Group, 1994 Group, university of Hertfordshire, university of Huddersfield, university Million+, University Alliance, 157 Group, Mixed Economy Group, of Hull, university of Kent, university of Leeds, university of Association of Colleges, Association of Learning Providers, Higher Leicester, university of Lincoln, university of Liverpool, university Education Policy Institute, Sutton Trust, Universities Marketing of London, university of Manchester, Newcastle university, university Forum, Higher Education External Relations Association, Royal of Northampton, university of Northumbria at Newcastle, university Institute of British Architectures, British Dental Association, of Nottingham, university of Oxford, university of Plymouth, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Research Councils UK, university of Portsmouth, university of Reading, university of Confederation of Business Industry, Council of Validating Universities, Salford, university of Sheffield, university of Southampton, university British Academy, APPG Personal Finance Education, Helena of Sunderland, university of Surrey, university of Sussex, university Kennedy Foundation, Consumer Finance Education Board, Credit of Teesside, university of the Arts London, university of the West Action, Higher Education Statistic Agency, Action on Access, of England Bristol, university of Warwick, university of Westminster, Leadership Foundation for Higher Education, Higher Education university of Winchester, university of Wolverhampton, university Liaison Officers Association, National Association of Student of Worcester, university of York, Writtle college, York St John Money Advisers, Association of Managers of Student Services in university, Government Departments, MPs and Peers. Higher Education, National Association of Managers of Student Services in Colleges, Institute of Careers Guidance, Association for Careers Education and Guidance, National Association for Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Guidance for Adults, Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Service, Association of Career Professionals, Careers Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer Research Advisory Centre, Universities and Colleges Employers of 27 April 2011, Official Report, column 493W, on Association, National Union of Teachers, Association of Teachers students: finance, which organisation processed the and Lecturers, University and College Union, Association for typesetting of the key facts e-flyer; and on what date School and College Leaders , National Association of Head his Department commissioned the work. [56295] Teachers, National Association of Independent Schools and Non- Maintained Special Schools, Sixth Form Colleges Forum, Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, Association of Learning Providers, Mr Willetts: Communisis was commissioned on 7 March Teach First, Future First, Association of Colleges National College, to typeset the efacts flyer. BPP, Kaplan, Buckingham university, School of Finance, Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, College of Law, Resource Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Development International, National Union of Students, UK Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 3 May Youth Parliament, Youth Net, The Student Room, Push, 2011, Official Report, column 717W,on students: finance, BrightsideUniAid, Fullonmag, Personal Finance Education Group, moneysavingexpert.com, Opendays, Quality Assurance Agency what funding he has allocated for communicating student for Higher Education, Office of the Independent Adjudicator, finance arrangements to prospective students for (a) Higher Education Funding Council for England, Office of Fair 2011-12 and (b) 2012-13. [56296] Access, UCAS, Student Loan Company, Anglia Ruskin university, Aston university, Bath Spa university, Birkbeck college, Birmingham Mr Willetts: To date the Department has allocated City university, Bishop Grosseteste university college, Bournemouth £1.475 million to the recently launched information university, Brunel university, Buckinghamshire New university, Canterbury Christ Church university, Central School of Speech campaign aimed at potential students considering entering and Drama, City university London, Conservatoire for Dance university from September 2012. and Drama, Courtauld Institute of Art, Coventry university, The Student Loan Company has allocated some £1.3 Cranfield university, De Montfort university, Edge Hill university, million in the current financial year to provide information, Goldsmiths college, University of London, Guildhall School advice and guidance aimed at informing and encouraging of Music & Drama, Harper Adams university college, Heythrop College, Imperial College London, Institute of Education, Keele potential students to apply for the student support university, King’s College London, Kingston university, Lancaster available from September. university, Leeds College of Music, Leeds Metropolitan university, Leeds Trinity university college, Liverpool Hope university, Liverpool Mr Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Institute for Performing Arts, Liverpool John Moores university, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 3 May London Business School, London Metropolitan university, London School of Economics and Political Science, London School of 2011, Official Report, column 717W,on students: finance, Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London South Bank university, which advertising agency he has appointed to support Loughborough university, Manchester Metropolitan university, the campaign to communicate higher education finance Middlesex university, Newman university college, Norwich university options to prospective students. [56301] 481W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 482W

Mr Willetts: Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe—part of Mr Willetts: Part-time students will become liable to the Young and Rubicam Group has been appointed to repay from 6 April following the third anniversary of develop our campaign to communicate information the start date of their course, even if they are continuing about student finance reforms to prospective students to study. If the study period is less than three years, an and their families. individual will start repaying the loan in the April after the course finishes. Part-time students will repay at a rate of 9% above £21,000 and no one is expected to repay until they earn Students: Loans more than £21,000. This date has been chosen as it is consistent with the Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for repayment date that will typically apply to full-time Business, Innovation and Skills how much and what students. proportion of the amount lent each year in student This balances the needs of the student with those of loans he estimates will be written off under the new the tax payer, as it secures repayments from part-time arrangements for student finance and tuition fees since students who earn more than £21,000 at the earliest universities announced their proposed fee levels for reasonable opportunity while also affording protection 2011-12; and whether his Department has revised those to low-earning graduates. estimates. [55437] Because the earnings threshold at which repayments start will be raised to £21,000, more low earners, including Mr Willetts: For 2011-12 we are forecasting that of many part-time workers, will fall below the repayment the amount of student loans issued, both tuition fee threshold. The new system will particularly benefit those and maintenance around 30% will not be repaid. The (both men and women) who take time out to have a tuition fee arrangements for 2011-12 will remain as they family and the lowest-earners. are now; a university will be able to charge up to £3,375 for tuition fees and a student will be able to apply for Currently, part-time students do not receive such this amount as a tuition fee loan. Information on the support, so they will be in a better position with this arrangements for student finance for 2011-12 can be new system. found on www.direct.gov.uk For 2012-13 we are forecasting the same level of non repayment of loans issued as although students will be Third Sector borrowing more for tuition fees their terms of repayment will increase to 30 years and the percentage of their income that will be repaid when they earn over £21,000 Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for will be 9%. Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 27 April 2011, Official Report, column 494W, on the Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for third sector, how much funding was provided to each Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he charity funded by his Department in the last year for made of the potential effect on student participation which figures are available. [56628] levels of the determination of the interest rate on student loans by reference to the retail prices index; and if he will make a statement. [56518] Mr Davey: This Department does not make charitable donations but provides grant or grant in aid funding to Mr Willetts: We are not proposing to change the some bodies that are registered charities. The following measure of inflation used to determine the interest rate table sets out the amounts this Department has given to on student loans, and do not therefore expect there to these bodies in financial year 2010-11. be an impact on student participation levels. Further information on funding to charities could be The retail price index (RPI) has been used since the provided only at disproportionate cost. introduction of student loans as the basis for determining 2010-11 interest. We will continue to use it for this purpose; the Bodies £000 real rate of interest that will apply to student loans while the student is studying and to higher earners will Citizens Advice 53,573 use RPI as the basis for determining inflation. Citizens Advice Scotland 3,518 Design Council 5,755 These proposals have been carefully costed and are Enterprise UK 3,627 fair, reasonable and affordable in the long-term. Learning and Skills Improvement Service 47,430 The National Institute of Adult Continuing 2,910 Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Education Innovation and Skills what assessment he made of the University for Industry 135,212 potential effect on participation by students with family UK Council for International Student Affairs 300 responsibilities of setting student loan repayment liability UK Skills 4,000 for part-time students from three and a half years after UK Online 5,455 borrowing; and if he will make a statement. [56519] 483W Written Answers23 MAY 2011 Written Answers 484W

Video Recordings Act 1984 Mr Vaizey: I have been asked to reply.

Mr Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for As work on implementing changes to the Video Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has Recordings Act has been progressing, my officials have made of the likely effect on consumer protection of the been speaking regularly to officials at Local Government proposed reorganisation of the Local Government Regulation to ensure that the needs of those involved in Group on the enforcement of the Video Recordings enforcement are met. Act 1984 by trading standards officers. [55913] 5MC Ministerial Corrections23 MAY 2011 Ministerial Corrections 6MC

Mrs Glindon: Can the Secretary of State tell me what Ministerial Correction DEFRA is doing to help local authorities to crack down on persistent fly-tippers in rural and urban areas? Monday 23 May 2011 Mrs Spelman: Responsibility for dealing with fly-tipping is also a matter for the Department for Communities and Local Government, and I am sure that the hon. ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS Lady is aware that, over time, the fines have been increased. The Natural Environment and Rural Departmental Waste Review Communities Act 2006 makes provision for penalties for fly-tippers, and I want to make it perfectly clear The following are the answers given by the Secretary of from DEFRA’s perspective that it is a practice that we State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the right abhor, and that we seek to catch and prosecute those hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs Spelman), relating to who perpetrate it. questions from the hon. Member for North Tyneside [Official Report, 12 May 2011, Vol. 527, c. 1333.] (Mrs Glindon) during Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Question Time on 12 May 2011. An error has been identified in an oral answer given on 12 May 2011. It is the Environmental Protection Act 1. Mrs Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab): What 1990 (as amended) that makes provision for penalties recent representations she has received from local for fly-tippers, not the Natural Environment and Rural authorities on her Department’s waste review. [55086] Communities Act 2006. The correct answer should have been: The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mrs Caroline Spelman): My ministerial Mrs Spelman: Responsibility for dealing with fly-tipping colleagues and I have met a wide range of local authority is also a matter for the Department for Communities representatives to discuss our review of waste policy in and Local Government, and I am sure that the hon. England. Eighty local authorities, and a range of Lady is aware that, over time, the fines have been partnership groups, responded to our call for evidence increased. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 (as and many have participated in subsequent discussions amended) makes provision for penalties for fly-tippers, with Department for Environment, Food and Rural and I want to make it perfectly clear from DEFRA’s Affairs officials, emphasising the diversity of local perspective that it is a practice that we abhor, and that circumstances. we seek to catch and prosecute those who perpetrate it.

ORAL ANSWERS

Monday 23 May 2011

Col. No. Col. No. EDUCATION...... 611 EDUCATION—continued Academies ...... 620 English Baccalaureate...... 614 Adoption Rates...... 618 Free Schools ...... 615 Arts and Culture...... 626 Maintained School Buildings...... 621 Bursary Fund...... 625 School Administration...... 613 Careers Guidance ...... 622 School Staff Redundancies ...... 615 Citizenship Teaching...... 619 Special Educational Needs...... 618 Connexions...... 623 Topical Questions ...... 627 Directors of Children’s Services ...... 624 Underperforming Schools...... 611 Discretionary Learner Support Fund ...... 620 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Monday 23 May 2011

Col. No. Col. No. CABINET OFFICE ...... 41WS HOME DEPARTMENT—continued “Giving” White Paper ...... 41WS Management of Police Pursuits: Code of Practice ...... 44WS ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS...... 42WS TRANSPORT...... 45WS Pitt Review...... 42WS Strategic National Transport Corridors ...... 45WS HOME DEPARTMENT ...... 43WS WORK AND PENSIONS...... 46WS Identity and Passport Service: Restructuring ...... 43WS Universal Credit (Review of Passported Benefits)...... 46WS WRITTEN ANSWERS

Monday 23 May 2011

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 376W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT...... 394W Trade Unions...... 376W Affordable Housing ...... 394W Allotments ...... 395W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS...... 467W Common Land ...... 396W Advantage West Midlands: Assets ...... 467W Energy Performance Certificates...... 397W Arms Trade: Exports ...... 468W Fire Services: Manpower...... 397W Business ...... 468W Homelessness...... 398W Computer Software: Exports ...... 468W Housing: Environment Protection ...... 398W Credit...... 469W Local Government: Pensions ...... 398W Domestic Service: Conditions of Employment ...... 469W Mayors...... 398W Environment Protection...... 469W Planning ...... 399W EU External Trade: India ...... 470W Sky Lanterns: Safety ...... 400W Government Departments: Bureaucracy...... 470W Green Economy Council...... 471W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT...... 345W Green Investment Bank ...... 471W Arts...... 345W Harwell Science and Innovation Campus...... 471W Bingo ...... 346W Higher Education: Anti-Semitism...... 472W Bingo: Taxation ...... 346W Higher Education: Employment ...... 472W Bowling...... 346W Higher Education: Vocational Guidance...... 473W Broadband...... 346W Higher Education: Work Experience...... 474W Broadband: Scotland ...... 347W Local Enterprise Partnerships...... 474W BSkyB: News Corporation...... 348W Manufacturing Industries ...... 474W Departmental Travel ...... 348W Nuclear Engineering: Training...... 474W Film ...... 349W Overseas Students...... 475W Gambling...... 349W Post Offices: Closures...... 476W Horserace Totalisator Board: North West...... 350W Post Offices: Wales...... 476W Horserace Totalisator Board: Wigan...... 350W Press: Competition...... 476W Intellectual Property ...... 350W Research: Finance...... 477W Members: Correspondence ...... 351W Research: Procurement ...... 477W Ofcom: Wi-Fi...... 351W Rolls-Royce...... 477W Radio Frequencies ...... 351W Stress ...... 478W Sports: Reading ...... 352W Students: Finance ...... 478W Video Games ...... 352W Students: Loans ...... 481W Third Sector...... 482W DEFENCE ...... 387W Video Recordings Act 1984...... 483W Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations ...... 387W Air Force: Redundancy...... 389W CABINET OFFICE ...... 381W Aircraft Carriers ...... 389W Departmental Travel ...... 381W Armed Forces: Conditions of Employment ...... 390W Government Departments: Correspondence...... 381W Armed Forces Day...... 390W Mortality Rates...... 382W EU Law ...... 390W Col. No. Col. No. DEFENCE—continued FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE— Falkland Islands: Military Aircraft ...... 391W continued Improvised Explosive Devices...... 391W Departmental Data Protection...... 446W Joint Strike Fighter Programme...... 391W Departmental Mobile Phones ...... 447W Libya: Armed Conflict...... 393W European Union: Publicity ...... 447W Nuclear Weapons...... 393W International Criminal Court...... 447W Special Air Service ...... 394W Libya: Cluster Munitions...... 447W Trident Submarines: Safety...... 394W Middle East ...... 448W Middle East: Politics and Government...... 448W DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER ...... 379W North Korea: Foreign Policy...... 448W House of Lords: Reform ...... 379W Queen Elizabeth II: Anniversaries...... 449W Members: Conduct ...... 380W UN Security Council ...... 449W Voting Rights: Prisoners ...... 380W Yemen: Politics and Government ...... 449W Zimbabwe: British Nationals ...... 450W EDUCATION...... 450W Academies ...... 454W HEALTH ...... 420W Capital Funding: Liverpool ...... 451W Ambulance Services: Expenditure ...... 420W Child Protection Services ...... 453W Bladder Cancer ...... 421W Children: Abuse...... 455W Bladder Cancer: Research...... 422W City Challenge ...... 453W Blood: CJD...... 423W Departmental Billing ...... 455W Breast Cancer: Screening ...... 424W Departmental CCTV ...... 455W Cancer: Drugs...... 424W Departmental Research ...... 456W Cancer: Medical Treatments ...... 425W Disadvantaged Children ...... 451W Cancer: Research ...... 425W Education: Finance...... 456W Drugs: Hospitals...... 426W Education Maintenance Allowance ...... 456W Food Poisoning...... 427W Foster Care ...... 458W General Practitioners...... 427W Free Schools ...... 452W Health and Social Care Bill...... 428W Health Education: Nutrition...... 463W Health Professions: Patients...... 428W Human Trafficking: Child Victims...... 451W Health Services: Merseyside...... 428W Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Health Services: Older People ...... 429W Regulator: Consultants ...... 464W Heart Diseases: Children ...... 431W Primary Education: Capital Investment...... 465W Hospitals: Admissions ...... 432W Primary Schools: Foreign Languages...... 454W Hospitals: Repairs and Maintenance ...... 432W Pupils: Disadvantaged ...... 465W Influenza: Vaccination ...... 432W School Meals: Peterborough ...... 465W Macular Degeneration: Drugs ...... 433W Schools: Admissions ...... 466W NHS Blood and Transplant ...... 433W Special Educational Needs ...... 450W NHS: Equality ...... 433W Teachers: Training...... 466W NHS: Manpower ...... 436W Teaching Methods ...... 467W NHS: Reorganisation...... 436W Trade Unions ...... 467W NHS: Standards...... 437W NHS: Trade Unions...... 437W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE...... 383W NHS: Training ...... 437W Departmental Research ...... 383W Occupational Therapy: Manpower ...... 438W Energy: Housing ...... 385W Prion Working Group...... 438W Energy: Prices ...... 385W Public Expenditure ...... 439W Energy: Sales...... 385W Radiotherapy: Finance ...... 439W Energy: Telecommunications ...... 385W Speech Therapy: Manpower ...... 440W Fuels: Prices...... 386W St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust ...... 441W Oil: Prices ...... 386W Trade Unions ...... 441W Radioactive Waste ...... 386W Whiston Hospital: Finance ...... 442W Wind Power: Seas and Oceans ...... 387W

ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS...... 367W HOME DEPARTMENT ...... 409W Agriculture ...... 367W Crown Relocations...... 409W Air Pollution...... 368W Death Certificates ...... 409W Animal Welfare: Circuses...... 368W Departmental Travel ...... 410W Animal Welfare: Seized Articles...... 368W Deportation: Children ...... 411W Bees ...... 369W Domestic Violence ...... 412W Bovine Tuberculosis: Berkshire ...... 369W Drugs: Crime Prevention ...... 413W Departmental Responsibilities ...... 370W Electoral Register...... 413W Energy: National Policy Statements...... 370W Firearms: Young Offenders...... 414W Farmers: Subsidies...... 370W Fraud...... 414W Farming ...... 371W Independent Police Complaints Commission: Finance .... 415W Farms: Inspections...... 371W National Public Order Intelligence Unit ...... 415W Fishery Agreements: Morocco...... 371W Northumbria Police ...... 416W Food: Commodity Markets ...... 372W Nottinghamshire Police ...... 417W Heathrow Airport: Air Pollution...... 372W Police ...... 417W Lighting: Carbon Emissions ...... 373W Police: Ammunition ...... 417W Livestock ...... 374W Police: Complaints...... 418W Pigs ...... 375W Police: Jamaica...... 418W Sustainable Development...... 375W Police: Manpower ...... 419W Veterinary Services...... 375W Police: Mass Media...... 419W Water ...... 376W Police: Termination of Employment ...... 419W Written Questions: Government Responses ...... 376W Police: Trade Unions...... 419W Security Services: Data Protection ...... 420W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE ...... 445W Serious Organised Crime Agency...... 420W Bahamas: High Commissions ...... 445W British Nationals Abroad: Criminal Investigation...... 445W HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION ...... 345W Burma: Prisoners ...... 445W Internet...... 345W Col. No. Col. No. HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION—continued TRANSPORT—continued Portcullis House: Clocks...... 345W Departmental Pensions...... 363W Departmental Responsibilities ...... 363W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ...... 442W Driving Offences: Speed Limits...... 364W Developing Countries: Education ...... 442W Employment Agencies ...... 364W Developing Countries: Fisheries ...... 443W High Speed 2 Railway Line: North West...... 365W Developing Countries: Sustainable Development ...... 443W Level Crossings: Accidents...... 365W Overseas Aid...... 444W Motor Vehicles: Exhaust Emissions ...... 365W Palestinians: International Assistance...... 444W Public Transport: Carbon Emissions ...... 366W Trade Unions ...... 444W Public Transport: Vandalism...... 366W Railways: Overcrowding...... 366W JUSTICE ...... 400W Railways: Tickets ...... 367W Aarhus Convention...... 400W Roads: Snow and Ice...... 367W Corruption...... 400W Vehicle Number Plates ...... 367W County Courts: Judgments ...... 401W Departmental CCTV ...... 401W TREASURY...... 352W Departmental Research ...... 402W Bank Cards: Young People ...... 352W Offenders ...... 403W Bank Services...... 352W Offenders: Bank Services ...... 404W Bank Services: Interest Rates ...... 353W Prisoners on Remand...... 405W Banks: Pay ...... 353W Prisons: Crimes of Violence...... 405W Business: Finance...... 353W Prisons: Manpower...... 405W Business: Regulation ...... 353W Prisons: Repairs and Maintenance...... 406W Carbon Emissions...... 354W Prisons: Sexuality...... 406W Departmental CCTV ...... 354W Prisons: Training...... 406W Departmental Drinks...... 355W Rape: Research ...... 407W Devolution...... 355W Risley Prison: Suicide ...... 407W Economic Policy ...... 355W Trade Unions ...... 407W Equitable Life Assurance Society: Compensation ...... 356W Tribunals: Special Educational Needs...... 408W European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism...... 356W Financial Services: Taxation ...... 357W PRIME MINISTER ...... 378W Fiscal Policy: Environment Protection ...... 357W Scottish Grand Committee ...... 378W Food: Prices ...... 358W Special Advisers: Disciplinary Proceedings ...... 379W Renewable Energy: Feed-in Tariffs...... 358W Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation...... 359W SCOTLAND...... 360W Revenue and Customs: Debt Collection...... 359W Charitable Donations...... 360W Taxation: Aviation ...... 359W Conditions of Employment ...... 361W Taxation: Combined Heat and Power ...... 360W Departmental Research ...... 361W Taxation: Offshore Industry...... 360W Members...... 361W Terrorism: Finance...... 360W Ministers...... 362W Rescue Services ...... 362W WALES...... 379W Scotland Bill ...... 362W Trade Unions...... 379W Scottish Parliament...... 362W Taxation: Aviation ...... 362W WOMEN AND EQUALITIES...... 377W Departmental Temporary Employment...... 377W TRANSPORT...... 363W Gender Recognition...... 378W Crossrail Line: Consultants...... 363W Trade Unions ...... 378W MINISTERIAL CORRECTION

Monday 23 May 2011

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CONTENTS

Monday 23 May 2011

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 611] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Education

Injunctions [Col. 633] Answer to urgent question—(Attorney-General)

Rosemary Nelson Inquiry Report [Col. 644] Statement—(Mr Paterson)

Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures [Col. 656] Bill presented, and read the First time

Opposition Day [16th allotted day] Sentencing [Col. 657] Motion—(Sadiq Khan)—on a Division, negatived Amendment—(Mr Kenneth Clarke)—agreed to Motion, as amended, agreed to Policing and Crime [Col. 703] Motion—(Yvette Cooper)—on a Division, negatived

FTSE 100 Companies (Governance) [Col. 749] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 41WS]

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 345W] [see index inside back page]

Ministerial Correction [Col. 5MC]