Monday Volume 502 7 December 2009 No. 11

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Monday 7 December 2009

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2009 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Parliamentary Click-Use Licence, available online through the Office of Public Sector Information website at www.opsi.gov.uk/click-use/ Enquiries to the Office of Public Sector Information, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU; e-: [email protected] HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT

MEMBERS OF THE CABINET

(FORMED BY THE RT.HON.,MP,JUNE 2007)

PRIME MINISTER,FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY AND MINISTER FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE—The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown, MP LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,LORD PRIVY SEAL AND MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITY—The Rt. Hon. , QC, MP FIRST SECRETARY OF STATE,SECRETARY OF STATE FOR BUSINESS,INNOVATION AND SKILLS AND LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL—The Rt. Hon. Lord Mandelson CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR JUSTICE AND LORD CHANCELLOR—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENVIRONMENT,FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR CHILDREN,SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE—The Rt. Hon. Edward Miliband, MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND—The Rt. Hon. , MP LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS AND CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER —The Rt. Hon. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon MINISTER FOR THE AND FOR THE OLYMPICS, AND PAYMASTER GENERAL—The Rt. Hon. , MP (Minister for )* SECRETARY OF STATE FOR —The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WORK AND PENSIONS—The Rt. Hon. , MP CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR —The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE—The Rt. Hon. , MP SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT—The Rt. Hon. Lord Adonis SECRETARY OF STATE FOR CULTURE,MEDIA AND SPORT—The Rt. Hon. , MP

DEPARTMENTS OF STATE AND MINISTERS Business, Innovation and Skills— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Lord Mandelson § MINISTERS OF STATE— Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills—The Rt. Hon. Pat McFadden, MP Minister for Science and Innovation—The Rt. Hon. Lord Drayson § Minister for Regional Economic Development and Co-ordination—The Rt. Hon. Rosie Winterton, MP (Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber)* § Minister for Trade, Investment and Small Business—The Lord Davies of Abersoch, CBE § Minister for Higher Education and Intellectual Property—The Rt. Hon. David Lammy, MP Minister for Further Education, Skills, Apprenticeships and Consumer Affairs—Kevin Brennan, MP § PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— The Rt. Hon , MP § The Lord Young of Norwood Green Ian Lucas, MP Cabinet Office— MINISTER FOR THE CABINET OFFICE AND FOR THE OLYMPICS, AND PAYMASTER GENERAL—The Rt. Hon. Tessa Jowell, MP (Minister for London)* MINISTER OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Angela E Smith, MP PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY—Dawn Butler, MP Children, Schools and Families— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Ed Balls, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— Minister for Children, Young People and Families—The Rt. Hon. , MP Minister for Schools and Learners—Vernon Coaker, MP Kevin Brennan, MP § PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— , MP The Baroness Morgan of Drefelin Diana R Johnson, MP ii HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT—cont.

Communities and Local Government— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. John Denham, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— Minister for Regional Economic Development and Co-ordination—The Rt. Hon. Rosie Winterton, MP (Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber)* § Minister for Housing—The Rt. Hon. , MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Barbara Follett, MP (Minister for the East of )* Shahid Malik, MP Ian Austin, MP (Minister for the West Midlands)* The Lord McKenzie of Luton § Culture, Media and Sport— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Ben Bradshaw, MP MINISTER OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Margaret Hodge, MBE, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Gerry Sutcliffe, MP Siôn Simon, MP Defence— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Bob Ainsworth, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— Minister for the Armed Forces—Bill Rammell, MP The Rt. Hon. Lord Drayson § PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— The Rt. Hon. Baroness Taylor of Bolton § Quentin Davies, MP Kevan Jones, MP Duchy of Lancaster— CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER AND LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS—The Rt. Hon. Baroness Royall of Blaisdon Energy and Climate Change— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Edward Miliband, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt. Hon. Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, OBE Joan Ruddock, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE— , MP Environment, Food and Rural Affairs— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Hilary Benn, MP MINISTER OF STATE— Jim Fitzpatrick, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Huw Irranca-Davies, MP Dan Norris, MP The Rt. Hon. Lord Davies of Oldham § Foreign and Commonwealth Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. David Miliband, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— Minister for Africa and the UN—The Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead Minister for Trade, Investment and Small Business—The Lord Davies of Abersoch, CBE § Ivan Lewis, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Minister for Europe—, MP The Rt. Hon. Baroness Taylor of Bolton § Government Equalities Office— MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITY—The Rt. Hon. Harriet Harman, QC, MP § MINISTER OF STATE—Maria Eagle, MP § PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY—Michael Jabez Foster, MP (Hastings and Rye) Health— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Andy Burnham, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt. Hon. Mike O’Brien, QC, MP Phil Hope, MP (Minister for the East Midlands)* Gillian Merron, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE— Ann Keen, MP HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT—cont. iii

Home Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Alan Johnson, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— Minister for Borders and Immigration—Phil Woolas, MP (Minister for the North West)* § Minister for Policing, Crime and Counter-Terrorism—The Rt. Hon. David Hanson, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Admiral The Lord West of Spithead, GCB DSC , MP Alan Campbell, MP The Lord Brett § International Development— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Douglas Alexander, MP MINISTER OF STATE—Gareth Thomas, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE— Michael Foster, MP (Worcester) Justice— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Jack Straw, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— The Rt. Hon. Michael Wills, MP Maria Eagle, MP § PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Bridget Prentice, MP The Lord Bach Claire Ward, MP Law Officers’ Department— ATTORNEY-GENERAL—The Rt. Hon. Baroness Scotland of Asthal, QC SOLICITOR-GENERAL—Vera Baird, QC, MP ADVOCATE-GENERAL FOR SCOTLAND—The Lord Davidson of Glen Clova, QC Leader of the House of Commons— LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,LORD PRIVY SEAL AND MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND EQUALITY—The Rt. Hon. Harriet Harman, QC, MP § PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY,OFFICE OF THE LEADER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS— Barbara Keeley, MP Northern Ireland— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Shaun Woodward, MP MINISTER OF STATE— The Rt. Hon. Paul Goggins, MP Privy Council Office— LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL,FIRST SECRETARY OF STATE AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR BUSINESS,INNOVATION AND SKILLS—The Rt. Hon. Lord Mandelson § Scotland Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Jim Murphy, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE— Ann McKechin, MP Transport— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Lord Adonis MINISTER OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. , MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Paul Clark, MP Chris Mole, MP Treasury— PRIME MINISTER,FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY AND MINISTER FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE—The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown, MP CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER—The Rt. Hon. Alistair Darling, MP CHIEF SECRETARY—The Rt. Hon. Liam Byrne, MP FINANCIAL SECRETARY—The Rt. Hon. Stephen Timms, MP § MINISTER OF STATE—Phil Woolas, MP (Minister for the North West)* § ECONOMIC SECRETARY—Ian Pearson, MP EXCHEQUER SECRETARY—Sarah McCarthy-Fry, MP PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY—The Rt. Hon. Nicholas Brown, MP (Minister for the North East)* FINANCIAL SERVICES SECRETARY—The Lord Myners, CBE iv HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT—cont.

LORDS COMMISSIONERS— Frank Roy, MP Steve McCabe, MP Dave Watts, MP Tony Cunningham, MP Bob Blizzard, MP ASSISTANT WHIPS— , MP George Mudie, MP John Heppell, MP Lyn Brown, MP , MP Sharon Hodgson, MP Kerry McCarthy, MP David Wright, MP Wales Office— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Peter Hain, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE— , MP Work and Pensions— SECRETARY OF STATE—The Rt. Hon. Yvette Cooper, MP MINISTERS OF STATE— Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform—The Rt. Hon. , MP (Minister for the South West)* Minister for Pensions and the Ageing Society—, MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE— Jonathan Shaw, MP (Minister for the South East)* Helen Goodman, MP The Lord McKenzie of Luton § Her Majesty’s Household— LORD CHAMBERLAIN—The Rt. Hon. Earl Peel, GCVO, DL LORD STEWARD—The Earl of Dalhousie MASTER OF THE HORSE—The Rt. Hon. Lord Vestey, KCVO TREASURER—The Rt. Hon. Thomas McAvoy, MP COMPTROLLER—The Rt. Hon. John Spellar, MP VICE-CHAMBERLAIN—Helen Jones, MP CAPTAIN OF THE HONOURABLE CORPS OF GENTLEMEN-AT-ARMS—The Lord Bassam of Brighton CAPTAIN OF THE QUEEN’S BODYGUARD OF THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD—The Rt. Hon. Lord Davies of Oldham § LORDS IN WAITING—The Lord Tunnicliffe, The Lord Young of Norwood Green, The Lord Brett §, The Lord Faulkner of Worcester

BARONESSES IN WAITING—The Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton, The Baroness Thornton, The Baroness Crawley § Members of the Government with responsibilities in more than one area * Regional Ministers (in addition to other ministerial responsibilities)

Full list: Ministers for the English Regions— Ian Austin, MP (Minister for the West Midlands) The Rt. Hon. Nicholas Brown, MP (Minister for the North East) Barbara Follett, MP (Minister for the East of England) Phil Hope, MP (Minister for the East Midlands) The Rt. Hon. Tessa Jowell, MP (Minister for London) The Rt. Hon. Jim Knight, MP (Minister for the South West) Jonathan Shaw, MP (Minister for the South East) The Rt. Hon. Rosie Winterton, MP (Minister for Yorkshire and the Humber) Phil Woolas, MP (Minister for the North West)

SECOND CHURCH ESTATES COMMISSIONER,REPRESENTING CHURCH COMMISSIONERS—Sir Stuart Bell, MP HOUSE OF COMMONS

THE SPEAKER—The Rt. Hon. , MP CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS—The Rt. Hon. Sir Alan Haselhurst, MP FIRST DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS—Sylvia Heal, MP SECOND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF WAYS AND MEANS—Sir , MP CHAIRMEN’S PANEL Mr. David Amess, MP, Janet Anderson, MP, Mr. Peter Atkinson, MP, Hugh Bayley, MP, Miss Anne Begg, MP, Mr. Joe Benton, MP, Mr. , MP, Mr. Graham Brady, MP, Sir John Butterfill, MP, Mr. Martin Caton, MP, Mr. Christopher Chope, MP, Frank Cook, MP, John Cummings, MP, Mrs. Janet Dean, MP, Mr. , MP, Christopher Fraser, MP, Mr. Roger Gale, MP, Mr. Mike Hancock, MP, Mr. Jim Hood, MP, The Rt. Hon. George Howarth, MP, Mrs. Joan Humble, MP, Mr. Eric Illsley, MP, Mr. Martyn Jones, MP, Robert Key, MP, Dr. William McCrea, MP, Mr. Eric Martlew, MP, Mr. Edward O’Hara, MP, Mr. Bill Olner, MP, Mr. Greg Pope, MP, Bob Russell, MP, Jim Sheridan, MP, Mr. Gary Streeter, MP, David Taylor, MP, Joan Walley, MP, Mr. Mike Weir, MP, , MP, Mr. David Wilshire, MP, Ann Winterton, MP, Sir Nicholas Winterton, MP HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION The Rt. Hon. The Speaker (Chairman), Sir Stuart Bell, MP, The Rt. Hon. Harriet Harman, QC, MP, Nick Harvey, MP, The Rt. Hon. , MP, The Rt. Hon. Sir George Young, MP SECRETARY OF THE COMMISSION—Dorian Gerhold ASSISTANT SECRETARY—Robert Cope ADMINISTRATION ESTIMATE AUDIT COMMITTEE The Rt. Hon. Sir George Young, MP (Chairman), Clive Betts, MP, Nick Harvey, MP, Mark Clarke, Alex Jablonowski, David Taylor SECRETARY OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE—Hannah White, PhD MANAGEMENT BOARD Malcolm Jack, PhD (Chief Executive), Robert Rogers (Director General, Chamber and Committee Services), John Pullinger (Director General, Information Services), Andrew Walker (Director General, Resources), John Borley, CB (Director General, Facilities), Joan Miller (Director of Parliamentary ICT) (External Member), Alex Jablonowski (External Member) SECRETARY OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD—Philippa Helme SPEAKER’S SECRETARY—Angus Sinclair SPEAKER’S COUNSEL—Michael Carpenter SPEAKER’S CHAPLAIN—Rev. Canon Robert Wright MEDICAL ADVISER TO THE SPEAKER—Dr. Ron Zeegen, OBE, FRCP, MRCS, DObst, RCOG PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSIONER FOR STANDARDS—John Lyon, CB PARLIAMENTARY SECURITY CO-ORDINATOR—Peter Mason

7 December 2009

THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES OFFICIAL REPORT

IN THE FIFTH SESSION OF THE FIFTY-FOURTH PARLIAMENT OF THE OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND [WHICH OPENED 11 MAY 2005]

FIFTY-EIGHTH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II

SIXTH SERIES VOLUME 502 SECOND VOLUME OF SESSION 2009-2010

employment. What measures are the Government taking House of Commons to ensure that those without degrees are given as much help and support as those who have left university? Monday 7 December 2009 Yvette Cooper: The hon. Gentleman makes an important point because we need to help young people, whatever The House met at half-past Two o’clock their circumstances or their level of qualifications, to be able to get into work as rapidly as possible. Currently, more than half of young people are managing to leave PRAYERS the claimant count new jobseeker’s allowance within three months, so a lot of people are getting help. As well as support for graduates, particularly through internships, [MR.SPEAKER in the Chair] we are providing additional help for young people through additional training places, the September guarantee, and the young person’s guarantee that no young person Oral Answers to Questions should become long-term unemployed. The future jobs fund is also providing youth jobs in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency, and I hope that his party will change its policy and support it, as it is making a difference to WORK AND PENSIONS young people.

Mr. Frank Field (Birkenhead) (Lab): Will the Secretary The Secretary of State was asked— of State place in the Library information on the breakdown by educational qualification of those who are young Youth Unemployment and unemployed? That would show just how important the Government’s education reforms are in supporting 1. Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Con): What a safe move from school into work. assessment she has made of the causes of the change in the level of youth unemployment in the last 12 months. Yvette Cooper: I am certainly happy to make sure [304061] that that information is available. My right hon. Friend is right that those with lower qualifications and skills The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Yvette are at higher risk not just of unemployment generally Cooper): Young people have been particularly heavily but of becoming long-term unemployed. That is why it affected by the impact of the global financial crisis and is important not only to raise the education-leaving age the recession. Many employers have chosen to delay so that more young people stay on in education, but to new recruitment, which is why the £5 billion investment provide the guarantee that young people do not end up that we have put in place to help the unemployed stuck on the dole for the long term. The £5 billion includes a £1 billion future jobs fund as well as extra investment to support that is also important. training and support for young people across the country. Mrs. Theresa May (Maidenhead) (Con): In the last Andrew Rosindell: I thank the Secretary of State for Department for Work and Pensions questions on her reply. She will be aware that many people who are 19 October, as reported in Hansard at column 620, I not graduates also need help and support in finding effectively asked the Government to adopt our proposal 3 Oral Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 4 to give the young unemployed specialist help through Yvette Cooper: My hon. Friend is right. People, especially welfare-to-work providers after six months. The Secretary those with complex needs, need individual support to of State dismissed this, but yesterday in The Sunday deal with particular circumstances. She will know that Telegraph, it was reported that the Government were the future jobs fund is providing real job opportunities going to change the young person’s guarantee so that in for young people. The Conservatives have said that they future it will kick in at six months. That is not enough, would abolish it, but I know that it is already making a but will the Secretary of State now admit that she got it difference in her part of the world. We want to expand wrong and we got it right? on that to provide additional help for, in particular, those with the greatest needs, who might otherwise be at Yvette Cooper: Let us be clear of the consequence of the greatest risk of long-term unemployment. the programme we have already put in place. Youth unemployment figures for the right hon. Lady’s constituency Winter Fuel Payments show 2,200 young people on the dole at the moment compared to 4,300 in December 1992—half the level it 2. Shona McIsaac () (Lab): What steps was in the early 1990s. I would also point out that the her Department is taking to support older people investment we have put in place not only provides during the winter months. [304062] support at six months but provides it from day one of unemployment—from the very beginning when young The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Yvette people lose their job and need to find work. We are Cooper): This winter, older people will again receive the investing to deliver the young person’s guarantee with higher levels of winter fuel payment: £250, and £400 for £5 billion of additional investment. Her party opposes the over-80s. We are also maintaining the cold weather that and she also opposes the young person’s guarantee payment at last year’s higher rate this winter. that we want to bring forward. She has opposed it because she cannot support the investment to guarantee Shona McIsaac: Given that, of all the initiatives jobs and training for young people. introduced by the Government, the winter fuel payment is probably the most universally popular with the over-60s, Mrs. May: The Secretary of State is always keen to what does my right hon. Friend think of Members who contrast the performance of the last Conservative have described that assistance as a gimmick and believe Government and this Labour Government with selective that it should be abolished? figures, so I will give her a contrast. In the last five years of the last Conservative Government, youth unemployment Yvette Cooper: There are pensioners across the country fell by 251,000. In the five years of this Labour Government who certainly do not regard extra cash in their pockets before the recession began, youth unemployment rose at the time when they need it most as a gimmick. They by 129,000. We will give earlier help through welfare-to-work regard it as a lifeline that helps them to pay their fuel providers and create hundreds of thousands of new bills in the winter. In 1997-98, about £60 million a year apprenticeships, training places, places at further education was spent on helping pensioners with fuel bills; now we colleges and work pairings. Is not the clear contrast the spend about £2.7 billion a year. I think that that represents one between a Conservative party that has policies to a justifiable increase in investment in helping people to help young people and a Labour Government who have get through the winter months. let them down?

Yvette Cooper: What utter and complete nonsense! Workplace Pension Saving The right hon. Lady will not guarantee young people a job or training or real-work opportunities for young 3. Richard Ottaway (Croydon, South) (Con): What people right now, and she will not fund the additional steps she plans to take to encourage uptake of workplace investment of £5 billion to help young people right now. pension saving. [304064] As long as Conservative Members oppose the £5 billion investment, they cannot back our young person’s guarantee The Minister for Pensions and the Ageing Society and the extra help. I have to say to her again that the (Angela Eagle): Our reforms to workplace pension saving, 18 to 24-year-olds claimant count is 462,000 right now; including automatic enrolment and the introduction in the early ’90s it was 784,000; in the mid-80s it was of the personal accounts scheme, will result in between 980,000. This investment helps young people through 5 million and 9 million people newly saving, or saving the recession rather than abandoning them like the more, for their retirement. Conservatives did time and again in previous recessions and want to do again now because they want to cut the Richard Ottaway: The Minister will be well aware of investment and support that is aimed at giving those Conservative criticism of the Government’s appalling young people a chance. record on pensions and the savings culture, but she may not be aware of the comments of the chief executive of Ms Sally Keeble (Northampton, North) (Lab): May I the National Association of Pension Funds, who said bring to the attention of my right hon. Friend the the other day: report from my constituency, “Northampton Young “″The Government can no longer sit on its hands. It must take People and the Recession”? Will she say how she is bold and positive action to help support employer-sponsored going to meet one of the challenges mentioned in pensions.” it—providing targeted help for young people who have Even at this late hour, can the Minister get a grip on the quite complex needs and making sure that they get issue, do something about it, and reverse the culture support with social issues as well as training to get them towards pensions that has prevailed in this country for back into the job market as quickly as possible? far too long? 5 Oral Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 6

Angela Eagle: The Government are determined to Pension Protection Fund, which ensures that, in the support the provision of good private sector schemes. event of private sector insolvency, there are protections That is why we are in the middle of putting into effect for those who have paid into, and invested in, private the Turner commission’s proposals, which will ensure pension funds. that between 5 million and 9 million people who do not currently have an opportunity to save begin to do so. Mr. Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne) (Con): But can the We know of the hon. Gentleman’s views on the stresses Minister confirm that 100,000 pension schemes have on defined benefit final salary schemes so perhaps he been wound up since 1997 and that the number of will explain why the Conservatives want to reduce pension active members has halved from 5.1 million in 1995 to saving in the public sector. 2.6 million according to the latest Office for National Statistics figures published very recently? Is it any wonder Rob Marris (Wolverhampton, South-West) (Lab): What that a survey conducted by the Minister’s own Department evidence have the Government that tax relief on pension showed that 51 per cent. of people do not trust the contributions, particularly for higher-rate taxpayers, has Government to act in their best interests on pensions? any effect on savings for pensions? If the Government have such evidence, will they please send it to me? Angela Eagle: It is important to understand that the decline in final salary or defined benefit schemes, which Angela Eagle: I have seen no such evidence, although the hon. Gentleman refers to, has been going on since I have heard plenty of assertions since my right hon. the 1960s, when I was at school, so it was rather a long Friend the Chancellor decided to reduce the tax relief time ago. There is no magic bullet in preserving defined available to those who earn more than £150,000 a year. benefit schemes. Perhaps he will also acknowledge his As for the distribution of tax relief accorded to pensions party’s role in the creation of personal pensions and the savings, I do not know whether my hon. Friend is aware mis-selling scandals of the 1980s, which also destroyed that 230,000 of the best-off people in the country confidence in pension-saving schemes. currently receive £6.1 billion, or 25 per cent. of all that tax relief. Disability Benefits

Steve Webb (Northavon) (LD): The Minister will 4. Mr. Douglas Carswell (Harwich) (Con): What know that the Personal Accounts Delivery Authority is plans the Government have for the future of disability now reduced to just two potential bidders to provide the living allowance and other disability benefits. [304065] massive IT system for personal accounts and that it will have personal data on millions of employees who have 11. Mr. David Amess (Southend, West) (Con): What never been pensioned before. Is she concerned about plans the Government have for the future of disability that and, in particular, would she be concerned if one or living allowance and other disability benefits. [304072] both of those bidders held those sensitive data offshore? The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work Angela Eagle: I would certainly not be concerned and Pensions (Jonathan Shaw): The “Shaping the future about the fact that the competitive dialogue being led of care together” Green Paper set out our vision for a by the authority has now reduced the number of potential new national care service. There may be a case for bidders from four to two. One would expect that as part bringing together some disability benefits and the adult of a dialogue. Clearly we must be careful about the way social care system into a single system, as a better way in which personal data are held, and it is certainly true of providing support to older and disabled people. The that the security of personal data is very important in Department keeps all our benefits under review. this context. I assure the hon. Gentleman that those concerns are being taken into account adequately in Mr. Carswell: Many folk in Clacton who have disabilities continuing discussions between the Personal Accounts and whose need is genuine have contacted me to say Delivery Authority and the potential bidders who are they are very concerned that they could lose their still left in the competition. allowances. Can the Minister guarantee that the deficit will not be fixed on the back of vulnerable people in Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab): Clacton who genuinely need these allowances? Workplace pensions are extremely important for employers and employees, but will the Minister also have discussions Jonathan Shaw: I welcome the hon. Gentleman’s with the trade unions to encourage them to play a interest in disability benefits. We are, of course, concerned positive role in encouraging such schemes? about pensioner disability benefits—both attendance allowance and disability living allowance. As the hon. Angela Eagle: I regularly see stakeholders on all sides Gentleman will know, about 1.7 million extra people of the pensions issue, including trade unions, as well as are going to need social care by 2026, so we do need a suppliers and stakeholders in the pensions industry new system, but I can assure him that those people who itself. The trade unions have long played an important are receiving the affected benefits at the time of reform role, such as by providing trustees to ensure that pension of the care service nationally will continue to receive the funds are properly and adequately looked after and same level of cash support. administered. I intend, of course, to continue seeing representatives of all sides of the pensions industry. It is Mr. Amess: I represent the most centenarians in the important that employees as well as employers have the country, and a huge number of senior citizens in my confidence that the pensions they are putting aside are constituency are greatly concerned about any changes being properly administered. That is why it is also to their allowances. Will the Minister put their minds at important that, for the first time ever, we have the rest by saying that the changes to, or even abolition of, 7 Oral Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 8 the attendance allowance, as referred to in the Green and, at best, they are not even given back to them in an Paper, will not mean that 2.5 million pensioners will be individual budget or, at worst, if they lose that independence £3,500 a year worse off? and control? How do they benefit?

Jonathan Shaw: I have given an assurance about the Jonathan Shaw: The hon. Gentleman is approaching arrangements for existing claimants if we introduce a this from a one-dimensional perspective. I have set out national care service. Many of the hon. Gentleman’s that we have an ageing population and that there will be constituents are currently living to 100, and he will be additional costs in order for us to deliver on a required aware that that number will quadruple in 20 years’ new system. It took the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues time—and I hope he is among them, and that you are, about four months to read this paper before we got a too, Mr. Speaker. The Wanless report identified that, scaremongering response. I have said to his hon. Friends because of the ageing population profile in this country, and other hon. Members that existing claimants will we will need an additional £6 billion, so we do need a have their cash-related income protected as regards new system. I have assured the House that existing attendance allowance and DLA. We need to put in claimants will continue to receive the same cash levels place a system that is fit for the future. We will have a as before, but I think that everyone recognises that we national care system in the same way that we have a need a new system, and that is why we are determined to national health service, and that is opposed completely bring forward this debate. by the Opposition.

Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North) (Lab): The Jobseeker’s Allowance Government have a good record as far as disabled people are concerned, but does my hon. Friend recognise the genuine anxiety among many disabled people about 5. Mr. Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): What the the Green Paper? It is necessary to reassure them that percentage change has been in the number of no one who is genuinely disabled will lose out as a jobseeker’s allowance claimants in (a) Wellingborough result. constituency and (b) England between 1997 and the latest period for which figures are available. [304066] Jonathan Shaw: My hon. Friend will have heard the scaremongering from certain quarters. I think that we The Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform all accept that, with the ageing population, we need a (Jim Knight): From October 1997 to the end of October system that is fit for purpose. With increasing age 2009, the numbers claiming jobseeker’s allowance in comes increasing cost, and there is a demand for more England have gone up by 163,277 and in Wellingborough quality, too. Grappling with these competing demands by 1,578. This is a change of 14.1 per cent. and 105.1 per necessitates that we should come up with a new system. cent. respectively. In the same period, employment has If we do not, the current system will buckle and fall. I risen by 2,685,200 in England and by 11,700 in hope that my hon. Friend will take the assurance from Wellingborough. me that existing claimants will continue to receive the same cash level of support if we introduce a national care service. Mr. Bone: In 1997, said that things could only get better. In Wellingborough, unemployment has more than doubled since 1997. How could Tony Blair Dr. Phyllis Starkey (Milton Keynes, South-West) (Lab): have got it so wrong? May I draw the Minister’s attention to a problem that is affecting some of my constituents who are in receipt of disability and other benefits? If they report any change Jim Knight: Things have certainly got better for those in circumstance, there seems to be a very long time lag 11,700 people who, thanks to the policies of this before their new benefit is agreed. In the meantime—and Government, are now in work and who would not have these people are on very low incomes—they are left been in work before. Things have got better for the with no income at all. Will the Minister look into this? 137 people net who came off jobseeker’s allowance last month in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency. I do not Jonathan Shaw: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for hear him celebrating the fact that the figures are now bringing to our attention the concerns of her constituents starting to come down in his constituency. All in all, the in Milton Keynes. If she provides me with the details of management of the economy that we have seen over the those constituents who have experienced a delay, I shall past year through this recession is in stark contrast to certainly look into the matter. that when his party was in power, when unemployment was deemed a price worth paying. We have now seen Mr. Mark Harper (Forest of Dean) (Con): It is no unemployment figures that are 400,000 less than those good the Minister pretending that this is all Conservative predicted at the time of the Budget in April. scaremongering, because 34 Labour Members have signed early-day motion 1 and they, along with all the disability David Taylor (North-West Leicestershire) (Lab/Co-op): organisations, oppose taking away attendance allowance In Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, including in and disability living allowance and folding them into Wellingborough, those who have been on jobseeker’s the social care system. The simple question for the allowance for 12 months are referred by the local jobcentre Minister is this: the Secretary of State herself, in evidence to a private sector organisation, the offices of which I to the Select Committee, said that older people valued visited last week to discuss its approach. How confident attendance allowance and disability living allowance is the Minister that the training and support that those and the independence and control that they gave them, outsourced contracts provide will be appropriate to so how do they benefit if those benefits are taken away those who seek to find work in a very difficult market? 9 Oral Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 10

Jim Knight: My hon. Friend is right to point out that, majority of whom want to experience the same job however good the providers are, we also need to ensure opportunities and job satisfaction as has been the experience that we have policies in place to create work for people of their peers? to move into. Those providers are paid on the basis of results—for those whom they successfully get into work— and that is a strong incentive for them properly to Jim Knight: My right hon. Friend is well known in match the support that is needed with the individuals. the House as a champion for disabled people. The The biggest threat comes from the policies that have future jobs fund is designed to help all young people been put forward by the shadow Chancellor, which The and, with my hon. Friend the Minister with responsibility Economist has said would lead to a doubling of for disabled people, the Under-Secretary of State for unemployment to 5 million. Work and Pensions, my hon. Friend the Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Jonathan Shaw), I am looking Mr. James Clappison (Hertsmere) (Con): Was not the to secure good access to all future jobs fund opportunities pledge of Labour in 1997 to get 250,000 under-25s off for young disabled people. Among the future jobs fund benefits and into work? Is it not the case that bids, First Movement in the east midlands will offer there are 300,000 more under-25s out of work than creative arts and outreach activities for people with there were in 1997, and that that figure has been rising disabilities, and, in Scotland, the Royal National Institute for many years? Was it not higher before the recession of Blind People has proposed a number of jobs, including took hold than it was in 1997? Is there not a problem of positions such as facilities officers, conferences officers structural youth unemployment today, and do we not and an admin director. need some fresh thinking rather than the failed policies of the Government? Mr. Hepburn: Programmes such as the young person’s guarantee are to be welcomed, and I am sure that they Jim Knight: I am afraid that that is more rubbish will do a lot of good. However, does my hon. Friend from the Conservative party. The pledge on the famous realise—I do not know what was in the press yesterday, pledge cards in 1997 was about long-term youth but as far as I am concerned this is the case with the unemployment and what would be delivered through rules today—that there are daft rules? There is a 39-week the new deal. As the noble Lord Freud said a year ago, eligibility wait before one can qualify for that scheme, that was a huge success. We were able to tackle long-term which means that about a third of young unemployed claimant youth unemployment, which is currently an people in the north-east will not qualify at all. Will the 18th of what it was in 1997. It has been slashed, thanks Minister look into this issue and scrap the rule to make to the imaginative ideas of the Government. The problems sure that all young people get their rights from day one? that we have now are in relation to short-term levels of unemployment. Jim Knight: Given that my hon. Friend comes from Youth Unemployment the part of the world that he does, which has been hard hit by the recession, I naturally listen carefully to his 6. Mr. Tom Clarke (Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill) encouragements. Of course, we continue to consider the (Lab): What steps her Department is taking to reduce point at which people become eligible for increasing unemployment among young people; and if she will levels of support, according to the risks that they have of becoming long-term unemployed. We will have more make a statement. [304067] to say about that in the next few days. 12. Mr. Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow) (Lab): What steps the Government are taking to reduce the level of youth Mr. Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) (Con): unemployment; and if she will make a statement. I am sure that the Minister recognises the anger and [304073] frustration of young people and families who find themselves unemployed at this time. Why have the numbers The Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform been rising steadily, even before the credit crunch? Does (Jim Knight): We have launched a number of targeted he understand and accept that unemployment when initiatives to tackle youth unemployment, as hon. Members one is young has a long-term, scarring effect, from have been hearing. From next month, the young person’s which people often do not recover? guarantee will ensure that all 18 to 24-year-olds on jobseeker’s allowance will be guaranteed either the offer of work, work-focused training or meaningful activity. Jim Knight: We know only too well, from our memories They will then be required to take up one of those of the recessions of the 1980s and 1990s, when the opportunities. The future jobs fund will create 150,000 Government of the day thought that unemployment jobs. About 95,000 jobs have already been approved was a price worth paying, about the scarring effect of and some have already started, but the Government unemployment, especially on young people. It can damage cannot prevent youth unemployment on our own. That their self-confidence for the rest of their working lives. is why we have launched Backing Young Britain, and That is why we have put such a focus on preventing I am delighted to report that, as a result, more than long-term youth unemployment through the £5 billion 330 employers are already pledging new opportunities investment—opposed by the hon. Gentleman and his for young people. party—which has been successful, as I have already said in answers today. That is why, if we consider the Mr. Clarke: What measures within the future jobs international position, our youth unemployment is below fund and other initiatives within the Department are the European average and that of countries such as focused specifically on disabled young people, the vast France, Italy and Spain. 11 Oral Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 12

Local Housing Allowance Pensioner Poverty

7. Angela Watkinson (Upminster) (Con): What recent 8. Malcolm Bruce (Gordon) (LD): What her most assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the recent estimate is of the number of pensioners living in poverty. [304069] rules governing local housing allowance. [304068] The Minister for Pensions and the Ageing Society The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work (Angela Eagle): Through targeted support and additional and Pensions (Helen Goodman): We are taking forward funding, we have got 900,000 pensioners out of the a review of the first two years of the operation of local relative poverty in which they were living in 1997. housing allowance. In many respects, it is effective, but However, there are still 2 million pensioners in relative we will shortly consult on the reform of housing benefit. poverty, which we define as 60 per cent. or below of Our aim is a system that is fair to customers, landlords median household income. and the taxpayer. Malcolm Bruce: Does the Minister acknowledge that Angela Watkinson: Does the Under-Secretary agree a reason for that is the complexity and delay involved in that more private rented accommodation might become applying for benefits, particularly pension credit, for available if tenants could opt to have their LHA paid which the form is 18-pages long and the guidance is directly to the landlord? The landlord would thus be 19 pages? Does she not accept that, for many people, guaranteed to receive the rent and tenants would not be that is simply a deterrent, which means that they do not at risk of accumulating unmanageable debt. claim benefits? Is that not the Government’s intention? If it is not, surely they could find a better way of ensuring that people who are entitled to benefits get Helen Goodman: I am afraid that we have no independent them. evidence to support the hon. Lady’s proposition. Indeed, the number of people living in the private rented sector Angela Eagle: First things first: I am proud to be part has increased by 200,000 since November 2008. of the first Government ever to end the link between poverty and old age. A report published by the Joseph Steve Webb (Northavon) (LD): The local housing Rowntree Foundation on 3 December revealed that allowance was designed to give people an incentive to there has been a historic reversal in the fortunes of shop around; if they could get a rent for below the pensioners over state pension age, who are now at the going rate, they could keep the difference. However, the lowest risk of being in poverty than any other age Under-Secretary knows that the Government plan to group. I do very important work with the Pensions scrap that. In those circumstances, why would landlords Service in attempting to encourage pension credit recipients offer rents below local housing allowance level? Will not to claim, and that service makes 13,000 visits a week to they simply put up rents as a result? Is not that a direct the homes of vulnerable pensioners to take them through transfer from the taxpayer to landlords? the claim form. People can claim for pension credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit in the same phone call, and the hon. Gentleman’s own local Helen Goodman: At the moment, we are considering authority—Aberdeenshire—is one of 203 local authorities the consultation responses to our proposals about the working in partnership with the Department for Work £15 excess. We will respond to that in due course. I am and Pensions to improve the take-up of pension credit, afraid that I do not accept the hon. Gentleman’s proposition. and we believe that we are succeeding. We believe that the freedom that we have given tenants enables them to shop around. It also gives them more Jobseeker’s Allowance choice, enables them to manage their benefit payments and open accounts, and improves their financial inclusion generally. 9. Mr. David Jones (Clwyd, West) (Con): How many jobseeker’s allowance claimants there were in (a) the UK, (b) Wales and (c) Clwyd, West constituency on Andrew Selous (South-West Bedfordshire) (Con): But the most recent date for which figures are available. why do the Government persist in refusing tenants’ [304070] request to have their local housing allowance paid directly to their landlords? That is what tenants want. There is The Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform much evidence to show that money goes straight to loan (Jim Knight): In October 2009, there were 1,582,555 sharks or drug dealers. The policy also reduces the jobseeker’s allowance claimants in the UK, 78,234 in supply of social homes to local housing allowance Wales, and 1,603 in the Clwyd, West parliamentary tenants. When will the Government give tenants the constituency. Employment levels have risen since 1997 choice for which they are asking? by 121,200 in Wales and 6,700 in Clwyd, West.

Helen Goodman: As I have said, the evidence is Mr. Jones: Almost half of the last quarterly increase unclear. The feedback that we have had from local in unemployment across the UK was attributable to job authorities generally is that most tenants manage their losses in Wales, which was particularly hard-hit by the benefit payments and do not get into increasing arrears. downturn. I know that the Minister’s Department works Choice is only one aspect of the local housing allowance; closely with the Welsh Assembly Government in the responsibility is a key principle. I would have thought delivery of their ProAct programme, so can he explain that the hon. Gentleman would accept that principle. why in the 12 months to October this year, not a penny 13 Oral Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 14 was spent under that programme in the county of Mr. Goodwill: To return to where we were on Question 7, Conwy, which includes my constituency, where there would the Minister be surprised to hear that, despite a has been a 50 per cent. increase in unemployment? private landlord contacting Scarborough borough council to inform it that three months’ rent that had been paid Jim Knight: The hon. Gentleman is right that I regularly to a tenant had not been passed on, and that, before meet Ministers from the Welsh Assembly Government. eviction proceedings could take place, the tenant absconded, Over the summer, we were pleased that Wales appeared the council said that it had no alternative but to pay the to buck the trend and be moving in a positive direction. subsequent payment to the tenant, although they had Some people put that down to the effectiveness of left the property with three months of arrears? ProAct and ReAct. I cannot give him a detailed answer on spending in his part of the world, but I can tell him Helen Goodman: The hon. Gentleman has told this that in the past year, employment has risen in his story, but the overall picture is quite different. In total, constituency, inactivity has fallen and the number of across the whole country, there are a million people people claiming jobseeker’s allowance fell in the past receiving local housing allowance. It is, on average, month. £110 a week, and they use that to pay their rent. Miss Julie Kirkbride (Bromsgrove) (Con): I am sure Gloucester Works Project the Minister saw the story in the newspapers last week of a family in west London who were receiving some 10. Mr. Parmjit Dhanda (Gloucester) (Lab): What £180,000 worth of benefits, most of which formed their assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the housing allowance. The hon. Lady previously had plans Gloucester Works project. [304071] to cap the very large sums of rent that were paid to families. Can she explain how such an extraordinary state of affairs came about? The Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform (Jim Knight): This is a good-quality project, providing Helen Goodman: We have already acted to cap those support to unemployed people and businesses in Gloucester, high levels of benefit by capping the local housing and bringing together the public and private sectors to allowance to the five-bedroom rate. We will shortly be ensure that local communities benefit from regeneration. consulting on reform of housing benefit to make it During the first phase of the Quays development, the fairer and support access to reasonably priced project has delivered 236 jobs for local people, 67 per accommodation. The hon. Lady makes a fair point. cent. of whom had previously been unemployed or Nobody expects housing benefit to pay for a small facing redundancy. I was very pleased to see this for number of people to live in extremely expensive myself when I visited the project in October to meet accommodation, but I point out to her that fewer than people who have secured jobs thanks both to the investment 100 households across the whole country receive housing Government are making and to the tireless work of benefit of more than £1,000 a week. their excellent local Member of Parliament. Unemployment Mr. Dhanda: I am grateful to my right hon. Friend, who will be aware that Gloucester Works has contributed 16. Mr. (Chorley) (Lab): What recent to a reduction in unemployment in the city of Gloucester steps she has taken to reduce the level of unemployment; in four of the past six months. The project is worth and if she will make a statement. [304077]. something like £4 million of investment from the Government, so does he share my concern that that The Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform funding would not continue should the Opposition ever (Jim Knight): We are taking decisive steps to reduce the come to power? level of unemployment, as we have been discussing. Since November 2008, the Government have made available Jim Knight: I share my hon. Friend’s concern, because £5 billion to provide more support to jobseekers prior the funding has come from two organisations about to redundancy, when they are newly unemployed, and which the Opposition are sceptical—the regional at the six and 12-month points of their claim. development agency and the European Union. As I have said, the project has delivered 236 jobs that would Mr. Hoyle: My right hon. Friend rightly describes not be delivered if the Opposition’s policies had their what has been put in place when people are unemployed. way. Would it not make sense to support people while they are in the workplace? Perhaps we ought to introduce Local Housing Allowance something similar to the ProAct scheme. In that way we will be subsidising people to keep their jobs, rather than retraining them at the jobcentre afterwards. 14. Mr. Robert Goodwill (Scarborough and Whitby) (Con): What recent assessment she has made of the Jim Knight: Thanks to the extra £5 billion that we are effectiveness of the rules governing local housing spending, one of the areas of investment has been in the allowance. [304075] rapid response service, which goes into workplaces and works with those immediately facing redundancy, before The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work they start their claim for jobseeker’s allowance, reskilling and Pensions (Helen Goodman): I refer the hon. Gentleman them so that they can go straight on into a different sort to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Upminster of job. In respect of ProAct and whether we should (Angela Watkinson). have some kind of wage subsidy scheme, in England we 15 Oral Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 16 have chosen not to go down that road because of other Disability Living Allowance/Attendance Allowance schemes that are in place. We have heard some debate today about its effectiveness or otherwise in Wales. 18. Mr. Stephen O’Brien (Eddisbury) (Con): What plans the Government have for the future of disability Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York) (Con): Can the living allowance and attendance allowance. [304079] Minister tell me why, when in 1997 youth unemployment in the Vale of York and across the country was going The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work down dramatically, we now have record levels of youth and Pensions (Jonathan Shaw): I refer the hon. Gentleman unemployment in the Vale of York, as well as those to the reply that I gave earlier to the hon. Members for 18 to 24-year-olds not in employment or training? Harwich (Mr. Carswell) and for Southend, West (Mr. Amess) Jim Knight: This may come as a surprise to the hon. Lady, but there has been a global recession. Thanks to Mr. O’Brien: The Minister did, indeed, reply to that, unemployment has risen, which normally happens Question 4, and his response centred on the rising during recessions. It has happened during every previous elderly population and on the escalating costs. He rested recession, but the measures that have been taken—the his case on false accusations of scaremongering, but I £5 billion that we have invested—have lessened the have with me a number of letters from real people, impact of unemployment. We have done considerably showing the vulnerability that they feel in the light of better during the present recession than in previous the threatened withdrawal of attendance allowance and ones. disability living allowance. Why do the Government so blatantly discriminate against the over-65s on disability (Luton, North) (Lab): Will my right living allowance? hon. Friend urge our right hon. Friend the Chancellor not to cut public spending in the areas of public services Jonathan Shaw: The arrangements for disability living and construction in particular, which are labour intensive allowance have been in place for many years, and they and should make a considerable contribution to future precede this Government’s entry into office, as I am employment? sure the hon. Gentleman is aware, and as I am sure he will tell the people who have written to him. We need to Jim Knight: Naturally, we are deep in discussions set out a new care system. People want a system that with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, ends the postcode lottery: they want a system whereby, but it is beyond my pay grade to comment at this point if they move from one town to another, they do not on the outcome of those discussions. have to battle to receive such services. In my earlier reply, I said that an existent pensioner claimant who is Private Pension Schemes in receipt of attendance allowance or disability living allowance will get the same cash total under the new system. In order to reassure the people who have written 17. Mr. Henry Bellingham (North-West Norfolk) (Con): to him, I hope that the hon. Gentleman will tell them When she next expects to meet representatives of that, and not repeat the scaremongering that we have occupational pension campaign groups to discuss heard from those on the Opposition Front Benches. private pension schemes that have been wound up. [304078] Topical Questions

The Minister for Pensions and the Ageing Society T1. [304086] Ann Winterton (Congleton) (Con): If (Angela Eagle): My predecessors and I have frequently she will make a statement on her departmental met representatives of occupational pension campaign responsibilities. groups and trade unions, and I will continue to do so. The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Yvette Mr. Bellingham: The Minister will know that I represent Cooper): Today, the Secretary of State for Health and I a number of constituents who are in occupational pension announced a number of publications on mental health schemes that have failed. That has caused substantial conditions and employment. Because of the devastating concern and grief. Can she confirm that the financial impact that mental health can have on people and their assistance scheme will pay out the 90 per cent. as families, we know that it also costs the economy between promised, without conditions? Can she also confirm £30 billion and £40 billion in lost production, sick pay, that there will be full protection for widows and partners NHS treatment and unemployment. We want to do of deceased members of schemes? more not only to help people—and their families—who have mental health conditions, but to improve their Angela Eagle: I am aware that the hon. Gentleman employment chances, because that is good for the economy, represents areas where there are pensioners in several as well as for such individuals and their families. Later schemes that have entered the financial assistance scheme this week, the Department will publish its back to work because he has been in correspondence with me about White Paper, with extra help for young people and that, and I have been more than happy to correspond others who are struggling to find work. with him in reply. I can confirm the promise that we issued when we introduced the financial assistance scheme: Ann Winterton: But does the Secretary of State recall that members would get 90 per cent. of expected pension, the parable of the 10 wise and foolish virgins? Would it subject to the cap, revalued from the date of wind-up. not have been wiser for the Government to have prevented This is not the pension that they could have expected to the £3 billion worth of benefit fraud and overpayment retire on if they had continued paying all the way to each year, rather than to set up yet another taskforce, retirement, but the rights that they had accrued to date. which is foolishly 12 years’ too late? 17 Oral Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 18

Yvette Cooper: The hon. Lady will realise that the The Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform Government have done a huge amount of work to (Jim Knight): I am very encouraged to hear the stories reduce fraud and overpayments. The progress that we of how successful Charlton Athletic is being in engaging have made has been hugely important, but we want to with young people in my hon. Friend’s constituency. go further, so it is right that we look both throughout Last week, I was at Stamford Bridge to take part in the the Government and in the private sector at how we can launch of the premier league Into Work initiative, which go further and build on the very considerable progress is trying to do similar things. It might be worth Charlton’s that has already been made. linking up with the premier league and Richard Scudamore on that work. Jessica Morden (Newport, East) (Lab): A constituent I am happy to discuss funding with my hon. Friend of mine, who was successfully helped back into work by to see whether there is any more that we can do. the new deal for lone parents, found herself within 3p of losing her carer’s allowance when the minimum wage T5. [304090] Mr. Stephen O’Brien (Eddisbury) (Con): went up in October. What work is the Department Given the exchanges that we have had on Questions 4, doing to synchronise minimum wage rises with the 11 and 18, and the Government’s attempts to suggest earnings threshold for carer’s allowance? that nobody who is on existing benefits will suffer, can the Minister give the equivalent promise that those in Yvette Cooper: My hon. Friend makes an important future need will have equivalent benefits in cash? point, and we are looking at what more can be done to help carers who are often very keen to work, even if The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work they are able to do so for only a limited number of and Pensions (Jonathan Shaw): The hon. Gentleman hours, so that they can combine such work with their knows that we have a Green Paper, on which we are caring responsibilities. That is one of the issues that we consulting, to provide—[Interruption.] To answer the have looked at as part of the back to work White sedentary question, the problem is that we have an ageing Paper—how we do more to support carers and parents population with increasing demands, and we need to who need more flexible work. I am happy to talk find solutions in order to meet those demands. We have further to my hon. Friend about that issue and the a Green Paper, which we are consulting on, and we are concerns of her constituent. listening carefully to what people have to say. We need to ensure that those who are most vulnerable—those in Mr. Patrick McLoughlin (West Derbyshire) (Con): the greatest need—[Interruption] If the right hon. Member May I tell the Secretary of State of a constituent who for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) would listen, I repeat that came to see me on Saturday morning? His partner died those in the greatest need require support and care, but on 8 September, and he is having tremendous problems all she is doing is scaremongering elderly people in a getting the child benefit and tax credits that should be vulnerable situation. We will come forward with a national paid over to him. He is in desperate straits, and so are care service that will be popular and will meet the needs his children—obviously suffering the terrible loss of of future generations, whereas the Conservatives have a their mother. If I give the Secretary of State’s office the blank sheet of paper and can offer nothing other than— details, will she ensure that the situation is sorted out by Christmas? Mr. David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con): Rubbish!

Yvette Cooper: I can say that I will look into this Jonathan Shaw: As the hon. Gentleman says, all they immediately. If the hon. Gentleman gives me the details can offer is rubbish. today, I will get my office on to it straight away. It is important that people are provided with rapid support T7. [304092] Mr. Russell Brown (Dumfries and Galloway) at a very difficult time. We are trying to work right (Lab): The future jobs fund has the potential to provide across Government so that, particularly in cases of 134 new jobs in my area after the Conservative- bereavement, it is possible for people to tell not only our controlled local authority submitting bids to the fund. Department but any other area of Government, just However, can the Minister help me with a dilemma— once, about what has happened so that all areas of namely, how does the position of my local authority Government concerned can work together to provide square with the position of the Conservative party? that support rapidly. I am very sorry to hear of the hon. Gentleman’s constituent’s case. Jonathan Shaw: My hon. Friend knows that the future jobs fund is creating jobs in the Dumfries and T2. [304087] Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab): This morning, Galloway council area in gardening, community together with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of development and customer services. I take on board his State for Children, Schools and Families, I had the comments in welcoming it. As for how it squares with pleasure of attending a youth impact project run by the policy of the Conservative party centrally, it does Charlton Athletic community trust in partnership with not. The Conservatives opposed the investment, and CARE—the Charlton Athletic race equality project. the borrowing that financed it, which has been spent on The project works with NEETs—people not in education, the future jobs fund. Without that investment put in by employment or training—and it has had a high success this Labour Government, my hon. Friend would not rate. We heard some very moving stories from young have those 91 jobs in his constituency. people who had been through the project. The funding for this successful project comes to an end in March, T6. [304091] Richard Ottaway (Croydon, South) (Con): and it is looking for funding to take the project forward. Does the Secretary of State agree with the Joseph May I urge the Secretary of State to enter into negotiations Rowntree Foundation that poverty, unemployment and with such projects in order to get secure funding? repossessions started to rise as early as 2004? 19 Oral Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 20

Yvette Cooper: The hon. Gentleman will be aware had a woeful record of using its enforcement powers. that as a result of the support that we have put in, Can the Minister tell me, if not today then later, how particularly for those who are at risk of losing their many driving licences were removed in each of the past mortgages, the number of repossessions has in fact been five years? Was that power ever used? considerably lower than people expected at the beginning of the recession. That has helped a lot of families who Helen Goodman: I am sorry, I cannot give my hon. had lost their jobs and were at risk of losing their homes Friend that information immediately. I will have to to stay in their homes and to get additional support, write to him. As he knows, that is an additional power whether from their local council, from the Government, that we are using to get more non-paying, non-resident or from their mortgage company. That has been helpful, parents to pay the maintenance that they owe their and it means that we have not been turning our backs children. on people as the hon. Gentleman’s party did in the early ’90s. T10. [304095] Mr. (Preseli Pembrokeshire) (Con): I sat down at the weekend to help a constituent T8. [304093] Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire, fill out an application for disability living allowance, North) (Lab): Despite resistance from the official and I was appalled at the length and complexity of the Opposition, the Access to Work scheme has proven form. Have Ministers ever tried filling one out for extremely successful in either getting disabled people themselves? If so, what suggestions do they have for back to work or getting them the benefits that they are making the process far less lengthy and complex? entitled to. However, there remains a problem for people with autism in trying to get back into work or get their Jonathan Shaw: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman benefits. Will my right hon. Friend the Secretary of for his question. He will appreciate the competing demands State meet representatives from the National Autistic in any benefit form. On one hand we must get the right Society to explore whether the difficulties can be solved? information, and on the other we want to ensure that there is no fraud and mitigate against appeals, which we Jonathan Shaw: I thank my hon. Friend for his question want to reduce. We have recently revised the DLA form and for his commitment to working with people with for children, which has been welcomed by a number autism and all disabilities. We seek to provide more of children’s organisations. We keep all benefits under opportunities to get into work, and disabled people review and work in partnership with a range of have seen employment levels rise by about 10 per cent. organisations that advise us, but I am sure that the hon. in recent years, assisted by Access to Work, for which Gentleman and his constituent understand those competing we are doubling the resources to about £138 million, demands. helping about 34,000 people. However, we do need to do more to help people with autism, and I will be Mr. Gordon Prentice (Pendle) (Lab): In a few moments pleased to meet him and representatives of the NAS we will hear more about smarter government. The to discuss how we might make Access to Work Department is leading the Government’s “Tell us once” more flexible and tailor-make it for people such as he programme, which reduces the number of times individuals refers to. have to contact Government to tell them about changes that have affected them. How is it going?

T9. [304094] David T.C. Davies (Monmouth) (Con): Jonathan Shaw: The “Tell us once” initiative has been Despite promises of action back in October, Ministers very effective, bringing together a number of agencies. have continued happily to pay for a family of Afghans For example, there has been some excellent work on to live in a seven-bedroom, £1 million townhouse in bereavement in particular, especially children’s bereavement, west London. Will they now offer the same right to by St. Guy’s and St. Thomas’s hospital and Lambeth homeless ex-British soldiers living on the streets of council. We want that successful initiative, which reduces London? bureaucracy and eases people’s pain, to be expanded, and I hope that my hon. Friend will be satisfied with the The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work responses on it that come forward. and Pensions (Helen Goodman): As I said in answer to an earlier question, the number of people being paid Sir Patrick Cormack (South Staffordshire) (Con): exceptionally high levels of local housing allowance, Will the Secretary of State be able to offer any Christmas which I agree are not acceptable, is very small indeed. cheer to those of my pensioner constituents who are We will bring forward proposals to tackle the problem victims of Equitable Life? in our consultation document on housing benefit, but the hon. Gentleman sheds no light whatever on the Yvette Cooper: The hon. Gentleman will know that matter by suggesting that it is somehow to do with Judge Chadwick is currently reviewing the circumstances immigration. of many people who were affected by Equitable Life, and that there are a lot of problems for a lot of pensioners Rob Marris (Wolverhampton, South-West) (Lab): On who have been badly affected. The Government have 1 November 2008, the Child Maintenance and Enforcement said that additional support should be given, and we are Commission took over the Child Support Agency, which waiting for Judge Chadwick’s response. 21 7 DECEMBER 2009 NHS IT Programme 22

NHS IT Programme and choice of IT systems, within a framework provided by existing contracts, to keep the benefits of a national 3.30 pm approach. Specifically, that could include the IT systems that clinicians have told us are most important to them, Mr. Andrew Lansley (South Cambridgeshire) (Con) such as electronic prescribing; enabling local innovation (Urgent Question): To ask the Secretary of State for to take place by linking national systems with those Health what plans he has for the future of the NHS IT provided by local service providers; and allowing the programme, and if he will make a statement. NHS to design IT systems to fit its local needs. The Secretary of State for Health (Andy Burnham): I The programme has already provided benefits, and want to begin by challenging the myth put around by we believe that this approach will accelerate the delivery the hon. Gentleman that the NHS IT programme has of benefits to front-line services and patients across been a waste. The programme has changed the way in the NHS. which the Government pay for IT by creating a contract whereby we pay for what we get from suppliers only Mr. Lansley: Oh dear, Mr. Speaker. Rarely have we when it is fully delivered. Indeed, we have been praised seen a more abject example of the Government’s by the National Audit Office for creating such a contract. incompetence. They took central control of NHS IT— The national programme comprises a number of key £7.5 billion in central contracts and £5 billion in associated elements that are already essential to the delivery of costs on top of that. Seven years on, they are over front-line services. For instance, digital X-rays and scans, budget and under-delivered. The electronic patient record which facilitate faster safer care, are in place in 100 per is four years late at the very best—if it will ever happen. cent. of hospital trusts; electronic prescriptions are now Everyone told them that big IT projects had to be user the norm in general practitioner systems; choose and led, but that one was not. We told them that the system book—the electronic booking service—provides choice should be decentralised, with local procurement and and convenience for patients; GP2GP—the electronic patient control over health records, but they did not transfer of health records between GP practices—will listen. Now the Chancellor of the Exchequer says it has in time support our policy of abolishing practice boundaries, to stop. The Secretary of State is clearly not in charge. giving patients more choice; and we also have the summary The Government got it wrong and the Treasury is now care record, whereby key information from the patient’s belatedly putting a stop to the continuing disaster. GP record, including current prescriptions and reactions to medicines, can be made readily available. Let me ask the Secretary of State some questions. To put it simply, the programme is a key part of Will he now stop the centralised care record system and delivering modern, safe, joined-up health care. It is allow local procurement of care record systems to national supporting the ongoing reform of the NHS by giving standards? Will he allow general practitioners and hospital choice and convenience to patients. The NHS could not trusts to be purchasers of their own IT hardware and function without it. However, in the current climate it is software from open sources of supply? Will he now be right to look again at efficiencies and value for money open about the contractual situation with the three on all big projects, and at the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s local service providers, and about whether, as we suspect, request—and that is what the Minister of State, Department it would now be possible to abandon the existing contracts of Health, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member without penalties—in either direction—because the costs for North Warwickshire (Mr. O’Brien) and I have been of fulfilling the contracts to the companies exceed the doing across my Department. value of the contracts to them? That could deliver up to £4 billion, unspent under those contracts, for support As part of that, I have looked closely at options for for front-line IT and other services in the NHS. savings on the NHS IT system; it was to those that the Chancellor referred yesterday. The details of those Will the Secretary of State now have the grace to discussions with the IT companies are commercially acknowledge the Government’s failure, the billions of sensitive and ongoing, but I can give the House this pounds spent without delivery, the spiralling opportunity update. My aim in conducting this exercise has been to costs of delays, the confusion and frustrations over IT ensure that the elements of the IT programme that can and choose and book, but—worst of all—the resulting deliver most benefit to patients and front-line staff are lack of IT innovation in our hospitals, when it has the taken forward, while cancelling certain additions to the potential to be of such benefit to patients in managing system where it makes sense to do so. their care and minimising errors in treatment? Will the Let me be absolutely clear: we have no intention Secretary of State just admit that they got it hopelessly whatsoever of cancelling the programme overall, not wrong? least because it is already making the NHS safer, more efficient and more convenient for patients. However, we Andy Burnham: Let me begin with a phrase that the are discussing with our suppliers potential reductions to hon. Gentleman used towards the end of his contribution, the scope of the systems and the cost savings that could about the “lack of IT innovation” in hospitals. I do not be generated. In addition, we are looking seriously into know how many he has visited recently, but I do not the internal savings that can be made from the costs of understand how he can make such a comment on the running the programme. In the light of that work, I can Floor of the House. The step change in the quality of confirm to the House that we are working towards images available to clinicians is evident to anybody who achieving a reduction of £600 million in the lifetime looks at the NHS today, and because people all around costs of the programme. the hospital can view clear images, that has been a real That means that we will now pare back the programme benefit for patient safety across the NHS. I simply do to the core elements that have been identified as critical not believe that there has been no innovation or by clinicians. Our aim is to give trusts more flexibility improvement in services. Indeed, clinicians—not 23 NHS IT Programme7 DECEMBER 2009 NHS IT Programme 24

[Andy Burnham] Mr. David Heath (Somerton and Frome) (LD): The Secretary of State was provoked into whistling in the Ministers—have today spoken in favour of the changes dark by claiming that the programme had been a success. brought about by the national programme for IT across He quoted the NAO report, but did not the Public the NHS—[Interruption.] Accounts Committee conclude in January that the programme was, among other things, “very disappointing,” and Mr. Speaker: Mr. O’Brien, you have developed a bad habit of chuntering away from a sedentary position on “not providing value for money,” the Opposition Front Bench, in evident disapproval of that estimates of costs were “unreliable”, and that the the answer from the Minister. The question has been system had “little clinical functionality”, as well as asked: the answer must be heard. reporting “understandable concerns about data security”? Andy Burnham: Before I was so rudely interrupted, I That does not sound to me like a system that is going was saying that it is clinicians who have come out today well. Is this not the classic case of an IT programme to say that they value the improvements that the national that is too big, too expensive, too late and insufficiently programme for IT has brought. The hon. Gentleman planned? By building the system from the top down, the would do well to listen to those voices before he comes Government have smothered the option of local schemes here and makes sweeping statements suggesting that with interoperability, which would, I agree, have been a that programme has brought no benefit to patients. better solution. The hon. Gentleman said that the programme was Do the enormous compensation counter-claims by over budget and under-delivered. In my statement I suppliers of which we read represent a contingent liability mentioned the views of the National Audit Office, and against the NHS? If so, does that mean that they will be I hope that he will acknowledge that the programme paid at the expense of front-line services? The Government’s has been praised by the NAO. Its 2006 report said: dithering over cancellations of quite large elements of “The Office of Government Commerce considered there to be the scheme has resulted in eye-wateringly large amounts many good features in the procurement process for wider application of money being sunk in a scheme that has produced to government IT procurement. These included elements of contract nothing like the benefits claimed for it, but which has, I innovation, which it has built on to develop its good practice am afraid, used a great deal of NHS money for very guidance.” little result. It is simply not true to say that this programme is flawed and has not delivered benefits: it has delivered considerable benefits to the NHS and has improved the way in which Andy Burnham: The hon. Gentleman also seems to the NHS contracts for IT. We get what we pay for, and have misunderstood the very nature of the contract. It the NHS has learned the lessons of IT failures in the was an innovative contract that meant that the NHS past. paid only once it received the system and the system had been passed over and was operational. That was a The hon. Gentleman said that the programme was step forward in how the NHS paid for IT systems. over budget and under-delivered: it is not, and never has been, over budget. The last NAO report confirmed The hon. Gentleman quoted the NAO at me, but the that the cost of the original contracts had not changed NAO recognised the improvement in contracting that and that the overall programme costs, including NHS came with the system. If he is saying that it is not right, costs and the costs of additional items such as payment in the current climate, for me to take a look at the by results and the 18 weeks, are substantially unchanged system and see whether we can make savings, then quite from the figure of £12.4 billion in the earlier NAO honestly I disagree with him. It is right that we should report. look at the system again in the current climate and, where we can, make savings. The hon. Gentleman asked about the care records Let us be absolutely clear: we are being led by clinicians system. That will be a matter for local choice—[HON. on this issue. They are saying to us that they value the MEMBERS: “Ah!”] I said in my statement that we wanted to create a system in which acute hospitals had more improvements in patient safety and the reduction in choice and flexibility in relation to their IT requirements errors that have come with the national IT programme. within a national system. He seems to reject the benefits The British Medical Association issued a statement of a national system across the NHS, but we do not. We today to that effect, and I think that I would prefer to believe that there are significant benefits from a national listen to the BMA than to the hon. Gentleman. health service having a programme of IT that can link We can make savings and pare the system down to up clinicians across the system. We further believe that the core elements that have been identified as important it is safer for patients if their records can be accessed by the clinical community. If I may, let me give the hon. across the system. Gentleman a specific example of those changes. We Let me finish with a comment on the hon. Gentleman’s have made a big investment in GP systems. GP systems plans for IT in the NHS. are working well across the country and have high levels of satisfaction. GPs are happy with them and they are internationally recognised. Recognising that, we have Mr. Speaker: Order. I do not think that we need to go agreed that we will not now go ahead with the replacement into that. I know that the Secretary of State has been of further enhancements to that system, because people provoked by quite a lot of sedentary chuntering, which are happy with it. It is working well, and technology I have just deprecated, but may I urge him to be economical makes it possible for those parts of the system to talk to in his replies? I am keen to get Back Benchers in as well. other parts. 25 NHS IT Programme7 DECEMBER 2009 NHS IT Programme 26

We are looking at the system again in a new financial Andy Burnham: My hon. Friend raises a separate context, but it is also the case that technology makes issue, and I promise to come back to him with a detailed possible other developments that were not available to reply. It is important in the coming period for the NHS us when the programme began. It is right that we to make savings from back office functions. That is the should always re-examine the system in the context of right thing to do in the current climate, so that we can current developments. put every possible support into the NHS front line. I will give my hon. Friend a detailed answer on shared Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab): In business services. rejecting the siren voices from those on the Opposition Benches, who clearly know very little about computer Mr. John Baron (Billericay) (Con): The history of this systems, may I ask my right hon. Friend to undertake Government’s involvement in major IT projects has some research into the productivity gains that some of been woeful, as was confirmed by the latest Public the systems have produced? As a customer of the health Accounts Committee report. For future reference, will service over a number of years and from discussions the Secretary of State explain why this major IT programme with consultants, I can say that it is unambiguously was imposed from the top, rather than being user led? clear that massive improvements have been made. However, they need to be studied and published, so that people Andy Burnham: It was both. There was a clear drive understand properly the value of that incredibly sensible to improve IT across the NHS, and I make no apology investment. for that. To support the reform in the NHS that this Government wanted to see, we needed a better IT Andy Burnham: I could not agree more with my hon. system that reflected a national health service, and Friend. For instance, the widespread use of the choose could be interoperable across the huge NHS system. and book system in general practice makes it much Choose and book has facilitated the policy of giving easier for GPs to have direct access to referrals in patients choice, and I have mentioned the GP2GP system secondary care. I would argue that that cuts out significant in which whole patient records can be transferred amounts of time in the referral process. It is also better electronically. That will soon support the abolition of for patients, because they can see in their GP surgery, practice boundaries, so that people can have a full and have explained to them, the options open to them choice of GP. We are supporting reform in the national in booking a secondary appointment. I agree entirely health service, but we have listened at all times to the with my hon. Friend: there are huge productivity gains voices of the clinicians. That is why they have come out to be had for the NHS and it is right that we press on today and strongly supported the system. with the system. Mr. Gordon Prentice (Pendle) (Lab): A quarter of all Mr. Richard Bacon (South Norfolk) (Con): I am left prescriptions go to pharmacies electronically; I think gasping by this woeful performance. The Secretary of that that involves about 155 million prescriptions. How State talked about GPs doing well, but GP Systems of will my Friend’s statement today affect the future of the Choice was the reason why they were doing well—and electronic prescription service? that system came before the national programme. It is also no accident that he referred to digital scanning. Andy Burnham: My hon. Friend is right to focus on That was added to the programme in September 2004, the potential benefit of electronic prescribing. In my and it is an example of something that worked; it had view, it could be further developed. He cites a figure for nothing to do with central patient records. I could go on electronic transfer between GP surgeries and pharmacies, about this for ages, but you would not let me, Mr. Speaker. and I think that there is scope for further progress so Can the Secretary of State explain how the NHS could that we could move to a paperless system for prescriptions. not operate without the system, as he says, while at the I will give him an update in due course, but this is an same time the Chancellor of the Exchequer says that it important area that is working. As I said in my statement, is of no value to the front line? Which is it? where the system is working, we will press on and ensure that we derive full benefits for the NHS front Andy Burnham: I said clearly that there are elements line. of the scheme that can now be pared back. I also made it clear that one of those elements was the enhancement Dr. Richard Taylor (Wyre Forest) (Ind): If there is to the GP system, which is unnecessary because GPs are any further delay in the summary care record, will the happy with how the system is working now. If the hon. Secretary of State look at the work being done by Gentleman is saying that there have been no benefits Coventry university and the City university, London? for hospitals from the PAC—picture archiving and They are producing a most exciting, cheap, simple, communications—system, I do not agree with him. personalised smartcard with an extendable memory There have been significant benefits for patient safety stick, which could solve most of the problems of the and the reduction of errors. The strong support from summary care record. clinicians for the system that they now have refutes what the hon. Gentleman has just said. Andy Burnham: I can give the hon. Gentleman an assurance that I will take a look at that particular Mr. David Anderson (Blaydon) (Lab): In conducting system. As I said to the hon. Member for Somerton and the review, will the Secretary of State also look at the Frome (Mr. Heath) a few moments ago, as we hear of business service authority’s plans to outsource its IT good practice around the system and as developments infrastructure? In doing that, it has ignored the views of in technology make it possible for new developments to the work force about where the greatest savings could be be considered, it is always right for us to reflect on them made. to see whether we can improve the system. Knowing the 27 NHS IT Programme7 DECEMBER 2009 NHS IT Programme 28

[Andy Burnham] Mr. David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con): We all listened with interest to the Secretary of State’s hon. Gentleman as I do, I suspect that that initiative has excuses, and with some disbelief to his comments. However, the strong endorsement of clinicians and has been led can he advise us whether the taxpayer is likely to face by clinicians, so I give him the assurance that I will take any contractual penalties after his statement today? a further look at it. Andy Burnham: We have relationships with the Rob Marris (Wolverhampton, South-West) (Lab): Of commercial sector here, and as I said in my statement, the NHS IT programme, the Secretary of State said some are commercially sensitive. We want to deliver a earlier today in the House that the Government would successful system, while also recognising that the companies “only pay once it has been received and is operational”. involved have contractual commitments. We are working As a measure of the proportion of the NHS IT programme through those issues; that is why I gave a broad update that is operational, will the Secretary of State tell the on the discussions. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman House what percentage of the cost has been paid by the would accept that I cannot go into much more detail. NHS so far? Let me make one further point: this is about delivering a system that is affordable, but also does a good job. We are not going to do it on the cheap, as the hon. Member Andy Burnham: I have a precise figure, but it is not in for South Cambridgeshire (Mr. Lansley) suggests. I fear front of me right now. I can tell my hon. Friend, from that the proposal to hand over the job to Google or memory, that I believe that about 40 to 50 per cent. has Microsoft, or whoever else the Opposition have in mind, been paid out so far. While the overall contract value would simply not do a secure job for the NHS. If the has not changed, with this contract we pay only as we hon. Gentleman wanted to do things on the cheap, I receive the benefits. I will come back to my hon. Friend think that he would pay the price later. with the precise figures. As of today, however, we are making clear our intention to make £600 million savings Mr. Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): It is absolutely from the overall contract value, which will be achieved unbelievable that the Secretary of State can come to this by paring back elements of the system that we do not House without knowledge of the contingent liability to believe are any longer necessary. the NHS resulting from the cancellation of the contracts. Will he please say now what the contingent liability is, Mr. David Jones (Clwyd, West) (Con): Will the Secretary and stop dodging the question? of State please say what the effects of the proposed cuts Andy Burnham: That is not what I said; perhaps the will be on the interoperability of the English and Welsh hon. Gentleman was not listening or paying attention. NHS IT systems? This has already been a cause of We have a contractual commitment and, as I said to his concern to, among others, the BMA in Wales. hon. Friend the Member for Bexleyheath and Crayford (Mr. Evennett) a moment ago, the discussions are Andy Burnham: I am afraid that I will have to reply commercially sensitive. I am afraid that I am not going later to the hon. Gentleman about whether the changes to go into those details on the Floor of the House that we are announcing today will have any impact on today, although if I can provide the hon. Gentleman hospital administration in Wales, but I give him an with any further details through correspondence, I will assurance that I will come back to him on that subject. do so. 29 7 DECEMBER 2009 Smarter Government 30

Smarter Government modern life by putting more services online, and we will redouble our efforts to persuade more people to use the 3.53 pm . Today I can announce the provision of a further £30 million with the aim of getting 1 million The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Liam Byrne): more people online by 2012. We will free public data With permission, Mr. Speaker, I would like to make a created using taxpayers’ money, including Ordnance statement on “Putting the Frontline First: smarter Survey mapping and boundary information. We will government”, a Command Paper that I am presenting make it easier for civic society to contribute to public to Parliament today. life by pressing ahead with a new social investment This Government are very proud of Britain’s public bank, and by testing social impact bonds. services and Britain’s public servants: our doctors and Our second principle will be to free up the front line nurses, who treat 1 million people every 36 hours; our to innovate and collaborate by cutting back on ring-fenced police teams, who have brought down crime by a third; budgets and national targets. I am therefore setting out the teachers and support staff in our schools, who have today 10 steps that I, with the Secretary of State for helped record numbers of young people get record Communities and Local Government, have drawn up to exam results this year; our job centre staff, who have provide local councils with a range of trading, joint-venture helped 2 million people move off unemployment since and regulatory flexibilities. I believe that if we set in last November; and, of course, our armed forces, serving place strong rights to high standards and free up the with such distinction in Afghanistan and around the front line to innovate, we can cut overhead costs at world. the centre. We always knew that with the right backing, Britain’s We are already on track to deliver £30 billion of public servants could transform the quality and standards savings between 2008 and 2011, but today I am setting of public service in this country, and over the last out steps to save £12 billion more, and in the pre-Budget decade they have—not by some happy accident, but by report we will set out further difficult choices that will the work of careful design and determined investment. have to be made if we are to halve our deficit over four NHS investment has doubled, education investment is years. up by 60 per cent. and investment in public order and First, we will reduce the costs of the senior civil safety is up by 50 per cent. All that was achieved while service. I am announcing today that we will reduce over-delivering by 20 per cent. our Gershon review senior civil service costs by 20 per cent. by 2012-13, and savings of £26.5 billion in the three years to 2008. seek to move 10 per cent. of civil service posts that are Thanks to that effort, we have reached a point at currently in London and the south-east to other parts which the investment gap that we inherited in 1997 has of the country in the medium term. been fixed. We have not only reached but exceeded Secondly, Bill Cockburn, chair of the Senior Salaries international averages for spending on education and Pay Review Body, will review senior pay across the health. We are at a turning point. In the decade ahead whole of the public sector, reporting to Government in we can capitalise on the great strengths that we have time for next year’s Budget. In the meantime, I will created, and set out a new way of driving standards in personally review all proposals for salary offers above public services up, while we drive the deficit down. £150,000 set by Government. I am laying before the House today a Command Thirdly, we are publishing today plans drawn up by Paper showing how the Government will set about that all Secretaries of State to increase the administrative task in the years to come. It draws together more than efficiency for which they are accountable in human 12 months’ work from literally thousands of people resources, IT, collaborative procurement and asset across public life, the private sector, charities and voluntary management. I am also publishing benchmarking groups. I particularly thank Sir Michael Bichard, information for all central Government Departments Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Nigel Shadbolt, Martha Lane-Fox, and major agencies, showing exactly where we will focus our efficiency advisers Gerry Grimstone, Lord Carter to deliver £9 billion of efficiency savings over the next of Coles, Martin Read and Martin Jay, and those from few years. I am also today setting a goal of saving across the third sector who have advanced the relationship £1.3 billion by putting services online, halving the between Government and civic society. consultancy bill and reducing our marketing spend by Today’s command paper summarises what we have a quarter. learnt from that work, but our starting point is a Fourthly, I am announcing today the first results of a relentless focus on standards. We are ambitious for comprehensive review of arm’s-length bodies, which Britain’s future: we know that we can do well in the will report by the time of the 2010 Budget. We will save years to come. However, we know that if Britain’s £500 million a year from changes introduced by the families are to do well in the future, they will need review, and as an interim step we will abolish or rationalise first-class public services to support them. We will make 123 arm’s-length bodies, subject to the necessary first-class standards in public services not a privilege for consultation and legislation. the few but the right of all, by setting out—in health, Finally, I believe that, as part of this new future, the education, policing and, in time, social care—new Government must either sell or transfer to different entitlements to high-quality public services, backed where owners the things they no longer need to own. I am appropriate by the force of law. therefore publishing today an asset portfolio listing the To help citizens to hold local services to account, we state-owned assets that Government can commercialise will revolutionise the free availability of comparative over the medium term. It includes options for the future information on police efficiency, hospital costs, and sale of the Tote, the student loan book, the Dartford Government and local authority spending. We will ensure crossing and the high-speed rail link, and potential that services, where they can, fit in with the demands of alternative forms of ownership of British Waterways 31 Smarter Government7 DECEMBER 2009 Smarter Government 32

[Mr. Liam Byrne] Today, Sir Peter Gershon has joined our public services advisory board, along with Mr. Bernard Gray, the agreed by myself and the Secretary of State for author of the defence procurement report whose Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Our policy will conclusions were so damning that the Prime Minister also include a new approach for testing where publicly tried to suppress it, and Dr. Martin Read, whom the owned assets should be transferred for use by the third Chief Secretary has just mentioned and who chaired sector. the Government operational efficiency review. They will The Government believe this country is both richer advise us as we develop our agenda for a truly radical, and fairer for the strength of our public services. We bottom-up reform of public service delivery, based on will never compromise on high standards, but neither the principles of transparency, alignment of incentives, will we ever compromise in our search for value for freedoms to innovate and support for change. They will money. Today’s Command Paper sets a new path for the help us to deliver a genuine culture change in Government future that draws on the strengths created through a and public services by ensuring that efficiency gain and decade’s work, and I commend it to the House. productivity improvement become a central part of the day-to-day business of our public sector, not some alien Mr. Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge) imposition visited upon it whenever an election is (Con): I am grateful to the Chief Secretary for letting approaching. me have a copy of his statement in advance—not that it, The truth is that our front-line public services can be or the Prime Minister’s speech this morning, tells us protected for future generations only by genuine reforms— anything much that we have not heard before. The reforms that will close the productivity gap and ensure paper is a series of reheated announcements that underline that those services are affordable for future generations. Labour’s failure over 12 years to get to grips with public For 12 years, Labour has demonstrated that it can talk service reform and to cut the waste and inefficiency that about efficiency but it cannot deliver. The Government’s have been allowed to multiply. record speaks for itself. Between 1997 and 2007, according We were told that all services would be available to the Office for National Statistics, public sector online, but Tony Blair pledged in 2000 that all services productivity fell by 3.4 per cent. while private service would be available online by 2005, and they were not. sector productivity grew by more than 20 per cent. That The Government tell us they will roll out a “tell us is a measure of the scale of Labour’s failure on public once” service for births and deaths, but they have already sector efficiency. When the Government have failed so told us about “tell us once” three times. There is also the comprehensively for 12 years, why should anybody believe reannouncement of the sale of the Tote: that is a 1997 that they will succeed with this mishmash of reheated manifesto commitment that has been reannounced several announcements and stolen clothes in the dying months times since, most recently about six weeks ago at that of their rule? Dispatch Box. The story is the same for crime mapping, The Government are ducking the hard questions. ring-fencing, NHS tariffs, e-auctions, and so on and so The Chancellor is talking about reducing spending while on. In addition to the reheated announcements, there is the Prime Minister is making new spending pledges at the usual sprinkling of stolen policies: the quango cull his party conference and the Schools Secretary and the that the Leader of the Opposition announced in July Transport Secretary are telling us that their budgets will this year, and the high-level sign-off for top public not be cut. Will the Chief Secretary confirm today that sector salaries. there will not be a departmental spending review before There are also the pledges to undo some of the the Budget in the spring? Is that what the Chancellor of damage the Government themselves have done during the Exchequer was telling us yesterday? their 12 years in office. The Prime Minister said in this morning’s speech that the Government will cut marketing As the Chief Secretary has adopted a raft of our and communications spend by 25 per cent.—after more policy proposals, let us see whether he will match some than quadrupling it since 1997. Since 2000, they have of our pledges. Will he, for example, match our pledge poured billions of pounds of taxpayers’ money into to cut by one third the administrative cost of Whitehall unreformed public services, borrowing and spending bureaucracy and quangos during the lifetime of the like it was Monopoly money, and talking about efficiency next Parliament, saving £3 billion a year for the front but never delivering it. line? Will he cap the biggest Whitehall pensions, as we have pledged to do, so that the taxpayer will not contribute That has happened not because the Government do any further to pensions that are already worth £50,000 not understand—the Prime Minister said in a speech to or more? Will he give some clear purpose to these the Institute of Directors in 2001: efficiency savings by matching our pledge to deliver “The efficiency we seek in the private sector we demand in the real-terms spending increases year on year to the national public sector…Government at every level—national, regional health service, protecting our most important public and local—must raise its game.” service? It is also not because they did not have good advice—tens of thousands of man-hours spent on reviews and report The Prime Minister said in his speech this morning writing have identified tens of billions of pounds-worth that of potential efficiencies. But the Government have not “there will be no hiding place for Ministers or civil servants who been able to translate that into real cashable savings. fail to drive increasing efficiencies”. Gershon identified £21.5 billion-worth of savings, and Let me tell him that there is no hiding place for a Prime while the Chief Secretary has just claimed some fantasy Minister who has not only failed to deliver value for figure for delivered Gershon savings, the National Audit money in public spending, but been the roadblock to Office says the Government only delivered £3.5 billion real reform for a decade. Today’s offering is too little in real, hard cashable saving. That is less than 0.1 per and, for the Prime Minister and his Government, it is cent. of total public spending over the period in question. too late. 33 Smarter Government7 DECEMBER 2009 Smarter Government 34

Mr. Speaker: Order. May I say for future reference Dr. Vincent Cable (Twickenham) (LD): Much of the that the response from the Opposition Front-Bench statement is uncontroversial and, indeed, blindingly spokesman was longer than the statement itself, and we obvious. Let me start with the efficiency savings. Is not really do not want that to happen again? there a basic problem with announced efficiency savings in Government? If they knew that there was inefficiency, Mr. Byrne: I shall be brief in my reply, Mr. Speaker. why had not they dealt with it already? To what extent is That was an extraordinary response. The hon. Member this new? for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr. Hammond) claims Let me pick up on a particular item to clarify what that there has been no reform in public services. Crime the Government are doing. They say that they are down by a third is reform. He says that there is no cutting the consultancy budget by 50 per cent., but reform, but exam results are 50 per cent. better for our 50 per cent. of how much? What is their consultancy young people. That is real reform. He says that there is budget? There are estimates that it could be in the order no public service reform, but getting people in to hospital of £20 billion. We discovered on Friday that they are in four and half weeks instead of 18 months is real paying more than £100 million a year for consultants reform that the public care about. who are advising on the bail-out of the alone, so The hon. Gentleman prayed in aid the NAO. The what is the consultancy budget that is now being cut truth is that when the NAO considered the Gershon by half? savings, it said: The Chief Secretary said that he is personally going “Projects across the Programme are making” to vet pay of more than £150,000 a year. He is going to be a very busy man. How many people in the public real sector are paid more than £150,000 a year, whose salary “improvements to the efficiency of public services.” he will vet personally? Are we talking about GPs and It went on to say that all of the £26.5 billion savings met dentists, heads of quangos and the dozens of people in the most robust category in its conclusions. He went on the BBC who are paid more than the Prime Minister? to talk about productivity and tried to pray in aid some Whom does he mean and how many of them are there? contributions from the ONS. Of course, the ONS said: Are we talking about hundreds or thousands of people? “These are experimental statistics and work continues to develop The Chief Secretary also suggested that he will save the measures.” lots of money by reducing the number of targets for I know that there is a taste for experimentation among and the amount of monitoring of local government. some people on the hon. Gentleman’s team. I hope, That is admirable, but I understand that the Government however, that it does not extend to the selective use of currently spend £1 billion to £1.5 billion on various statistics. audit bodies, notably the Audit Commission, in overseeing local government. How much of that budget will be The hon. Gentleman talks about our matching his saved and how many officials who are employed in plan to save £3 billion from Whitehall. We are saying overseeing local government will no longer be required? that we will save £12 billion, not only from Whitehall If he is genuine about restoring autonomy to local but from the wider public sector, over the next three to government, why does not he consider ideas such as four years. Of course, there are a few proposals that I giving them significantly greater freedom over the business have examined in drawing up these efficiency plans rate system? today. I could, for example, have set out proposals to scrap ID cards, which I was told by some quarters Let me make a specific point. The Chief Secretary would save £2 billion. In fact, on closer inspection, it says that the Government are to give away, free of turns out that that would save no more than £50 million charge, data from the Met Office and the Ordnance to £100 million. I was told that abolishing regional Survey. That sounds straightforward, but those development agencies would save “a huge amount.” It organisations survive by selling data, so if they have to turns out on closer inspection that it would save merely give their data away for free, how will they function as £180 million. I was told that capping public service organisations, especially now that the Government plan pensions at £50,000 would save hundreds of millions of to privatise them? How can the Government privatise pounds. In fact, it turns out that it would save but a organisations that do not have any income? small fraction of that. I was told that taking child Mr. Byrne: I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s credits away from families who earn more than £150,000 welcome for at least some of these measures. I think would save £400 million a year, but it turns out that it that there is a direction of travel in some of the reforms would save only £45 million a year. I was told that that Liberal Democrat Members will welcome, not least bringing forward changes to the retirement age could the move towards greater freedom and flexibility for save £13 billion a year, but it would make no impact local authorities. When he has had time to study the whatever on the deficit in the next Parliament. report in some depth, I think that he will welcome some The truth is that every one of those proposals was put of the flexibilities that we have talked about. On Wednesday, forward by the Conservatives, but it turns out that none my right hon. Friend the Chancellor will announce of them was worth the paper it was written on. No further measures, which attempt to bring a degree more wonder the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge freedom from the regime of inspection and performance has had to hire a group of Government advisers to setting that has helped to drive up service standards answer an SOS—stand up our savings—from the shadow over the past 10 years. We will be able to retire some of Chancellor, and no wonder he told us this morning that that regime in the years to come, and there will be the front line would suffer under the Conservatives, significant savings as a result. It is right that many of because he has nothing else to pay for the £10 billion-worth the relevant reductions in targets should wait until the of tax cuts that he has promised to people who are rich next comprehensive spending review, so that the plans enough not to need them. that are drawn up reflect the resources that are provided. 35 Smarter Government7 DECEMBER 2009 Smarter Government 36

[Mr. Byrne] to look hard now at not only what constitutes the right level of pay for senior executives in different parts of The hon. Gentleman asked some specific questions the public sector, but the legislative changes that may be that I will try to answer. First, he asked about consultancy required to enable Ministers, when necessary, to exert bills. My goal is to save about £512 million from the downward pressure. I do not think that such legislative consultancy bill by 2011-12, by reducing it by 50 per power is currently available in some parts of our public cent. He asked about pay, and I reiterate that we have life, such as universities, further education colleges or asked Bill Cockburn, the chair of the Senior Salaries local councils, but we have asked Bill Cockburn and his Review Body, to draw up proposals on how to bring advisers to tell us a little more about that. greater transparency to the system of setting senior sector pay and how to make sure that value-for-money Geraldine Smith (Morecambe and Lunesdale) (Lab): bodies such as the Audit Commission and others are I am delighted that my right hon. Friend is looking to given a greater role in scrutinising those offers. The scrap or rationalise 123 quangos for starters—not before simple answer is that I believe that too many people are time. One chief executive of a quango told me that he paid more than £150,000, and my goal is to exert was on £1,000 a day. That is disgraceful when there are downward pressure. That is partly why I say that we public sector workers at the bottom who are paid £10,000 should cut the costs of, for example, the senior civil a year. We need to protect them and keep them in work service by 20 per cent. in the next couple of years. to keep the economy going, and we need to ensure that On data, we must get the balance right. Organisations we get rid of some of the fat cats. such as Ordnance Survey can make a great deal of money by supporting specialist engineering and mapping Mr. Byrne: There are obviously some complicated companies with high-quality data. Ordnance Survey parts of public administration in this country. For runs one of the best—if not the best—mapping services example, the health service is a big and important in the world. When there are opportunities to make organisation, which spends somewhere north of £90 billion available information such as low-resolution maps or a year. We want first-class people running such boundary data, the public should be able to get hold of organisations. However, in such times, it is incumbent it free of charge. on senior leaders in public life to show leadership on pay. The Government have therefore said to the pay Mr. Graham Allen (Nottingham, North) (Lab): Does review bodies that we expect a pay freeze for the senior the Chief Secretary agree that some of the biggest civil service, and pay awards of no more than zero to public expenditure is on late intervention and is the cost 1 per cent. for civil servants more generally. of failure—of prisons, magistrates courts, welfare benefits and so on? Does he therefore accept my welcome to the Justine Greening (Putney) (Con): The Chief Secretary green shoots in the Green Paper, including the social has talked about reducing senior civil service costs by investment wholesale bank—perhaps we can tidy up the 20 per cent. by 2012-13. What has he planned for names—and the social impact bonds? Those constitute redundancy costs? Will redundancy be voluntary or early intervention and are cheaper and much more involuntary? efficient because they ensure that society benefits from the consequences of success, rather than suffering those of failure. Mr. Byrne: Obviously, we hope to achieve most of our cost savings through voluntary redundancy, natural Mr. Byrne: May I put on the record my personal wastage and so on, but I certainly cannot stand here thanks to my hon. Friend for his work in not only today and rule out the possibility of compulsory championing new approaches to early intervention, but redundancy. The hon. Lady will know that we introduced bringing pressure to bear on finding innovative forms of reforms last week to the compensation arrangements social finance? Social impact bonds appear in today’s available to civil servants, which are projected to save Command Paper partly because of his work in lobbying something like half a billion pounds over the next for such change. In my authority of Birmingham, we couple of years. have found that investment in early years can produce savings later in life. I think that Birmingham city council Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock) (Lab): The Chief Secretary found that for every pound invested in early years, will remember—and you will, too, Mr. Speaker—that something like £4 could be saved in the criminal justice about six weeks ago, I asked him about this crackpot system later. Sometimes, different agencies from those proposal to privatise the Thurrock Dartford crossing. I responsible for early intervention reap the rewards of asked how it was going to be done and what his brief such intervention. Social impact bonds are a new way said, and he held up a blank sheet of paper. He will of bringing some of the incentives back into line. It is understand why I am irritated. What is the answer to therefore right to test them out. my question of six weeks ago, and how is he going to do it, bearing in mind that tolling is only allowed under the Mr. Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks) (Con): The Prime European directive as a mechanism against congestion? Minister said this morning that in health, schools, policing It is not a cash register for the Treasury. How does he and social services, there had been propose to sell this and offer the purchaser some return? “excessive salaries and unjustified bonuses”. I just do not understand it; it is crackpot—daft. Why were they allowed? Mr. Byrne: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that Mr. Byrne: The hon. Gentleman knows that in the question. British administration a great deal of flexibility is given to, for example, local authorities. That is why it is right Andrew Mackinlay: What is the answer? 37 Smarter Government7 DECEMBER 2009 Smarter Government 38

Mr. Byrne: The answer is that there is no European or Mr. Brian Jenkins (Tamworth) (Lab): I am very pleased other legal impediment to the proposal that we have that my right hon. Friend has decided to keep standards introduced for the future of the Dartford crossing. My at the top of his agenda and to axe many of the targets hon. Friend will know that it remains within the and inspectorates that maintain those standards, but Government’s power to regulate tolls on the crossing. can he elaborate on how he expects consumers of monopoly suppliers who know no other standards to raise those Sir Patrick Cormack (South Staffordshire) (Con): standards? What role does he see for professional external Will the Chief Secretary do me a very great favour? Will scrutinisers in maintaining or raising standards? he read an account of Britain after 12 years of Labour rule written in plain, simple English, shorn of the Mr. Byrne: There are two ways in which we can exert jargon with which his statement was laden? It is “Bog- greater popular pressure to push up standards in front-line Standard Britain” by Mr. Quentin Letts. services. The first thing that we can do is set out a range Mr. Byrne: Sometimes I am forced to read the words of guarantees to high-quality public services. That means, of Quentin Letts, but I tend to avoid it when I can. for example, the right to see a cancer specialist within two weeks if a specialist is worried that a patient has Andrew Miller (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab): cancer, the right to a good local police team and the Will my right hon. Friend reflect on the exchange that right to one-to-one tuition for a child who is falling took place earlier today about disability living allowance, behind at school. With those rights in place, it is much and look at this as an opportunity to re-examine business easier to judge whether public services are delivering for processes and why we do things in a particular way? consumers. That is why, in today’s Command Paper, we There are lots of areas in which we can make significant have set out steps to free up the kind of comparative productivity gains by making delivery more customer- information that allows people to see how services in focused. DLA is a classic example, but the relationship their area are doing compared with others, and whether between, for example the Department for Work and they are performing in a more efficient way than others. Pensions and housing benefit is another, and there are many others in which a more customer-focused approach Mr. Rob Wilson (Reading, East) (Con): Neither in would benefit not only the customer but the Treasury, the statement nor in the earlier urgent question has the too. Minister made it clear how much he will save on the NHS supercomputer. The NAO says that the Government Mr. Byrne: My hon. Friend is right and, as I said, I have spent £3.6 billion already. Can he confirm that that am particularly grateful to Sir Michael Bichard and figure from the NAO is accurate? public servants across 65 local authorities and a number of constabularies and primary care trusts who are looking at how we can bring together the administrative services Mr. Byrne: I would need to check the date of the run by central and local government to eradicate exactly figure that was published by the NAO. The basic point the kind of inefficiency to which my hon. Friend points. is that, at a time when we are trying to drive standards We will have more to say about how we take those up and the deficit down, in some parts of Government findings forward in the Budget next year. we will have to make difficult decisions about whether programmes that are in place are contributing enough Stewart Hosie (Dundee, East) (SNP): I thank the to front-line care or whether they can be put off. There Minister, both for the statement and for giving us early will often be difficult decisions. The decisions that we sight of it. Some of the measures are sensible, not least have set out in the Command Paper are difficult but the ending of ring-fencing for council budgets. The doable. Scottish Government have already done that. At its heart, though, this is £12 billion of additional cuts, Mr. Gordon Prentice (Pendle) (Lab): Will not the some beginning next year, over and above the 10 years smarter state end up looking very stupid if we outsource, of austerity promised by Lord Mandelson. Given that sell off or transfer to the private sector and then are even the CBI has argued that additional fiscal tightening ripped off down the line? Are there any functions from should not take place until 2011-12, lest it risk a fragile which the Government intend to withdraw entirely? recovery, what steps has the Minister taken to ensure Does my right hon. Friend worry, as I do, about the that the cuts in the document do not lead to the weakening morale of those working in a public sector that is of recovery from recession? constantly denigrated and told that it is useless? Mr. Byrne: If we want to grow our economy in the years to come, we have to make sure that we have strong Mr. Byrne: I do not have quite the same apoplectic public services in this country that stand behind families vision of public service reform as my hon. Friend. who want to get on in life. The hon. Gentleman knows Sometimes there are efficiencies to be had through that if we want to raise standards in public services at outsourcing certain services, particularly in finance, IT the same time as halving our deficit, we must make sure and so on. I make no apology for that. The prospectus that our economy grows and that we make the right that we set out this afternoon will be enthusiastically decisions on public spending and on tax. That is a received by front-line public servants, not least because presentation that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of its promise of greater freedom to innovate and do will make to the House on Wednesday, but the hon. things in a different way locally. Gentleman will surely admit that if we want to raise standards and investment in front-line services, it is Mr. Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): I do not right to look for inefficiencies that we can cut at the know whether the Chief Secretary has been watching centre of government, and today’s plan sets out a way too much of “Bargain Hunt”, but it is clear that the to do that. Government are keen on selling off the family silver. 39 Smarter Government 7 DECEMBER 2009 40

[Mr. Peter Bone] Point of Order

His listed a raft of things that would be sold off, but he 4.29 pm did not mention Urenco. Will that still be sold off? Mr. Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge) Mr. Byrne: We will certainly explore options for (Con): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. During his commercialising our stakeholding in Urenco, yes. remarks in response to me earlier, the Chief Secretary referred to the Opposition hiring certain former Government advisers to advise them. Would the right Rob Marris (Wolverhampton, South-West) (Lab): I hon. Gentleman like to take this opportunity to make it welcome my right hon. Friend’s statement, but I urge clear that he understands that no money is changing him to go a little further in respect of quangos. He hands in any of these transactions, and that anyone suggests saving only £500 million by abolishing or who has made the decision to advise the Opposition has rationalising 123 of them. May I ask him to give me an done so because he believes that that is in the best early Christmas present—less quango for Marris? interests of this country?

Mr. Byrne: I think I can promise that. The final Mr. Speaker: The Chief Secretary may offer a brief report from the review of arm’s length bodies will be reply if he wishes, but he is not under any obligation. published at the Budget next year. The 123 arm’s length bodies that I set out this afternoon are merely an Mr. Byrne: I am happy to offer the clarification that interim step. that is my understanding. I spoke to Dr. Read last night and he made that point to me very clearly.

Mr. Speaker: I am grateful. 41 7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 42

Energy Bill is completely undermined by people such as Lord Lawson Second Reading and the Conservative MEP Richard Helmer; and, that the Conservatives must do more to ensure that they align themselves with our policies and the policies that 4.30 pm the British public want? The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (Edward Miliband): I beg to move, That the Bill be now Edward Miliband: The truth is that we need as much read a Second time. of a consensus as we can get on these issues—from all Today is an appropriate day to discuss the Energy parts of the House. That is very important, and that is Bill—at the opening of the Copenhagen conference and why I emphasise the importance of us all showing before the ministerial meetings that will take place in its responsibility, rather than setting ourselves up as scientists second week. Those talks are an essential part of the and somehow substituting for the views of the science. context of the Bill that we are debating, and in the past It is important that politicians act on the basis of the two weeks we have seen signs of progress from China, science, and that is what we seek to do. India and the United States. They have all put targets on the table, and we are determined to use our influence Justine Greening (Putney) (Con): The right hon. to get the best agreement that we can, consistent with Gentleman talks about acting on the evidence of the the science. We are determined also to show the maximum science, but he knows that in the case of Heathrow ambition in our own plans, and that explains the Bill airport, involving an important decision that will affect that we have brought before the House. the environment, the only costed emissions were those of outgoing flights, not of incoming ones. How can he Given recent events, I should also like to say that we be serious about taking good decisions if his own are here to debate a Bill that is driven in large part by Department does not get its maths right? the science of climate change. It is important to take this opportunity to restate briefly the case on the science, Edward Miliband: The hon. Lady has a long history because it underlies today’s debate. The science is not of campaigning on this issue. I agree with her about from politicians, but from scientists: the Intergovernmental needing to make decisions such as that on the third Panel on Climate Change, whose work is based on runway at Heathrow in the proper context. That is why 4,000 experts; the national academies of science of the we are the first Government in the world to say that we G8 developed countries and the five leading developing will stabilise aviation emissions at 2050 levels. Indeed, countries; and, here at home, the Met Office, the Natural there will soon be a report from Committee Environment Research Council and the Royal Society. on Climate Change on that precise point. All those organisations are clear that the science is unambiguous—that climate change is real and man-made. Bob Spink (Castle Point) (Ind): The Select Committee Of course the science is not static, but we must not on Science and Technology was in absolutely no doubt somehow suggest that robust and near universally accepted about the validity and strength of the case that climate science is merely of equal validity to the views of a very change is happening and that it is the result of man’s small minority of people, many of whom are not scientists. activity since the industrial revolution. Even if some of Importantly, one chain of e- does not undo decades the science can be questioned, the consequences for the of climate science, and particular responsibility lies planet and mankind are so dire that the precautionary with Members of this House and, indeed, of the other principle should be observed, and I congratulate the place not to seek to sow doubt or to replace the view of Government on taking that line. the science with their prejudices. Edward Miliband: The hon. Gentleman is completely Mr. Robert Goodwill (Scarborough and Whitby) (Con): right. The precautionary principle was emphasised by Does the Minister share my concern that the media—some the hon. Member for Bexhill and Battle (Gregory Barker) of the tabloid press, in particular—choose deliberately in a debate that we had a few weeks ago. It is right that to misrepresent the science just to sell a few more we should follow the precautionary principle in this papers? process; in a way, that is an important part of the argument. However, in emphasising the precautionary Edward Miliband: I actually think that, by and large, principle we must not give a sense—I know that the members of the press, including the tabloid press, have hon. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink) is not doing during this year embraced the idea of climate change this—that the science is not settled and that we would and the need to tackle it. However, the hon. Gentleman be better off being cautious. The science is clear and makes an important point: in this process, we rely partly overwhelming, and the precautionary principle adds on the press to make clear the burden of evidence and extra weight to that. views and where they lie, and, indeed, the balance of views and where they lie. Anything that the press can do Dr. Brian Iddon (Bolton, South-East) (Lab): Whether to help us to make that case is very important, because one believes that emissions of carbon dioxide into the we are debating difficult decisions—and nobody should atmosphere produce climate change is a big argument, be under any illusion that they are not difficult. If but does my right hon. Friend agree that there are two people come away with the impression that the science other important reasons why we should not be burning is somehow not settled, or that there is an easy way out, fossil fuels? First, we are acidifying the sea almost we will face difficulties. beyond the point of no return. Secondly—I speak passionately as a chemist—producing energy from carbon Nigel Griffiths (Edinburgh, South) (Lab): Does my fuels is a very inefficient process, and we need those right hon. Friend accept that the validity of the arguments carbon fuels as larders of chemicals for the generations and the scientific case for the existence of climate change of the future, so it is a sin to burn them. 43 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 44

Edward Miliband: My hon. Friend speaks with great that I have talked about—and that is just in the energy knowledge; indeed, much greater than mine. My chemistry sector. Those are big changes, and I will not pretend is probably as bad as my brother’s physics in terms of that they are not. his performance at school. My hon. Friend is completely The central response to the challenge of the science right about that point and about ocean acidification, must be for the Government to understand their role in which is a serious issue that lots of oceanographers and making the low-carbon transition happen. The truth others are very concerned about. underlying the Bill is that markets left to their own devices do not put a price on carbon emissions and will Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey) not bring forward the investment and industrial policy (LD): The Energy Secretary is clear that he is persuaded that we need, nor will they provide the right energy mix by the science and that the scientific evidence is for the future. Our low carbon transition plan, which overwhelming, which is the view on the Liberal Democrat was published in the summer and widely welcomed, sets Benches and on the Conservative Front Bench. Can he out sector by sector what needs to change to meet our confirm that the logic of that is that the UK Government, commitment to a 34 per cent. reduction by 2020. I this week and next, on their own and with the European believe that we are the first country in the world to do Union, will go for the toughest, strongest, clearest that. It builds on the fact, which Opposition Members binding agreement so that we can not only follow the often forget, that we are one of the few countries to precautionary principle but remember that we are going have met and exceeded our Kyoto targets, with greenhouse in to bat for a world where countries such as Bangladesh gas emissions 21 per cent. below 1990 levels. and the Maldives have the chance of a future, not just Previous legislation, including the Climate Change countries such as ours which caused the bulk of the Act 2008, provides us with many of the powers that we problem in the first place? need. In the Bill, which is relatively short because of the length of the Session, we provide for legislation on three Edward Miliband: I think I can say yes to that particular matters that are central to the task that we intervention. I agree with the hon. Gentleman that we face. First, to clean up our energy supplies, it legislates need the toughest and most ambitious agreement possible for a levy to provide unprecedented investment in clean and the shortest track to a legally binding treaty. coal. Secondly, to improve the deal for consumers, it strengthens the power of the regulator and ensures that Mr. (Bournemouth, East) (Con): The it must be proactive for the consumer. Thirdly, to deliver right hon. Gentleman gave his maiden speech just after fairness, we are introducing compulsory cut-price energy I gave mine; I congratulate him on his epic rise to fame for the most vulnerable customers. on the Front Benches. Mr. Michael Clapham (Barnsley, West and Penistone) Taking up the issue of fossil fuels, we now know that (Lab): Does my right hon. Friend agree that carbon nuclear capacity is running out and that we are running capture and storage is important for the UK, because it out of oil and gas. What have this Government done for will give flexibility to the energy mix, but even more the past 10 years? It is as though the Secretary of State important for the world? Exporting post-combustion is the boy scout who has turned up late for camp and technology will allow the bolt-on application that will finally realised that he is responsible for lighting the fire, help to reduce carbon dioxide throughout the world so everybody will get very cold and angry. Have we not and help us to reach the 2050 targets? just had a wasted decade? Edward Miliband: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Edward Miliband: If we are talking about responsibility, We have said that there will be up to four carbon I have to say that the alarmism that Opposition Front capture and storage projects, up to two of which will be Benchers have engaged in on these issues is of no help at post-combustion and up to two pre-combustion. That all. The answer to the hon. Gentleman is that we have is not just for domestic reasons but for the international very clear plans, as I will explain, on renewables, where reasons that he mentions. we are now the leader in offshore wind, on nuclear My hon. Friend’s comments take me to one of the power—opposed tooth and nail by the Opposition, central purposes of the Bill, which is to provide for a whose leader said that it was a last resort—and on clean levy for clean coal technology. In total, the new levy will coal. provide up to £9.5 billion over the coming two decades. It is fair to say that in a world of tight resources, it must Mr. Mike Weir (Angus) (SNP): I very much agree be right to provide a dedicated stream of funding for with what the Secretary of State has said, but even if we clean coal and CCS. It is the largest single investment in get an agreement at Copenhagen there is still the problem CCS of any country in the world, including the United of having to explain to people what the figures actually States. Let me be clear about the timetable, which has mean. If we are talking about 80 per cent. reductions, been raised with us: if the measure is passed the new that will mean massive changes in our economy. I am levy will come into force in 2011. Next year, before its not convinced that the people of this country really introduction, we will launch a competition for the up to understand what it means as yet. three additional projects that will benefit from it, alongside the current competition. We need to move quickly on Edward Miliband: I agree with the hon. Gentleman CCS, and that is what we will do, in support of our that, as I said at the weekend, there is a mountain to central aim to demonstrate CCS and make it ready for climb and a huge amount to do to explain to people widespread deployment by 2020. the scale of the changes that we are making, such as The importance of that is that it is right not just for 10,000 wind turbines between now and 2020, more our environment but for our economy. As many hon. nuclear power stations and the clean coal technology Members know, the CCS industry could provide Britain 45 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 46 with up to 60,000 jobs by 2030. Furthermore, CCS can protect the consumer, so the Bill makes it clear that be good for our long-term energy security, as my hon. Ofgem must use all the measures at its disposal, not just Friend has pointed out on a number of occasions, competition. It is wrong that generating companies can because it will give us greater diversity in our energy unfairly exploit market power to overcharge consumers, sources. As we develop it and make it viable, there will so we are responding to a request—such a request was be future steps to ensure that it can be applied to turned down some years ago by the Competition gas-fired power stations as well. Commission—to provide Ofgem with new sanctions against market power exploitation in the generation Mr. (Selby) (Lab): As regards the consumer, market. It is also wrong that companies can escape whom the Secretary of State mentions, is there not now penalty if abuse is not discovered for more than a year. a compelling case for him to use his powers to refer the To ensure that the enforcement regime provides an big six energy companies and the relationship between effective deterrent, the Bill extends the time limit within consumer and wholesale prices to the Competition which Ofgem can impose penalties for licence breach Commission—that is supported by Consumer Focus, from 12 months to five years. the statutory consumer body—given that the commission That suite of new powers significantly strengthens alone has the powers to break down barriers to entry to the powers of the regulator to ensure that the costs of the market and that the enhanced powers for Ofgem in energy are fairer. the Bill will not come fully into effect until 2011? Mr. David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells) (Con): As the Edward Miliband: My hon. Friend has thought deeply Secretary of State is going to change Ofgem’s powers about this issue and we have discussed it. The Competition and duties, has he considered doing so in relation to Commission remains a potential last resort, which I still new grid transmission lines? He will be aware of a new consider it to be. Let me explain why. For a Competition proposal by National Grid for a high-voltage line across Commission inquiry, we are looking at one to two the Somerset levels. Only two options have been proposed, years, and further remedies will take longer. The commission but a sub-marine option up the Bristol channel was looked into the liquefied petroleum gas market, but it excluded even before consultation began. If he is considering was five years between the initial investigation and the making changes, will he put additional obligations on final remedies being introduced—not that I hold the National Grid to consider other options for that type of commission responsible for that. environmental project? However, the intent behind my hon. Friend’s question is right in the sense that we have cause for concern, Edward Miliband: The right hon. Gentleman raises a including about what Ofgem has shown today, but the local issue that is of some importance, but I confess that Government need to think about a policy response, and I do not know the details. On the question of grid we have work going on around the road map for low access, which is a significant and wider problem, he will carbon that will be published in the spring. It is better perhaps be aware that I exercise powers—under the last to look at policy options—Ofgem will indeed have a Energy Bill we had, in the summer—to set the terms of report out early in the new year—rather than at a grid access, which has been a perennial problem in lengthy Competition Commission investigation. relation to renewables. We pledge that that process will be completed by the summer of 2010, and we are on Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) track to do that. On the local issue, he may wish to write (LD): The Secretary of State mentioned in passing that to me or one of my colleagues and we will look into it. CCS would be rolled out to gas-fired power stations as well. Nothing in the Bill does that, so how will that step Miss Julie Kirkbride (Bromsgrove) (Con): The Secretary be taken? of State is right to say that there are some important issues connected with being fair to consumers given Edward Miliband: I think the urgency is to make coal some of the monopolistic powers of the energy generators. carbon capture work—CCS for gas is farther down the Why has he rejected the suggestion of a legal requirement road. We know that coal-fired power stations have for gas storage, as is the case in other European countries? approximately double the emissions of gas-fired power Some people believe that that allows those countries’ stations. The North sea industry, for which the hon. markets to behave in a fairer way towards consumers, Gentleman campaigns vigorously, can play a crucial whereas our market, which has such a limited supply of role in that area of CCS—indeed, I enjoyed a recent gas storage, has enabled some of the suppliers to behave visit to Aberdeen. poorly. That takes me to the second part of my remarks, which is about the consumer. I welcome the fact that in Edward Miliband: We do need more gas storage, and the past year, we have seen an improvement in certain the hon. Lady, as a member of the Select Committee, areas; for example, for pre-payment retail customers, has expertise in these matters. The reason why we are which has long been campaigned for by hon. Members. worried about the proposal that she recommends—we A year ago, people on pre-payment meters paid will shortly respond to the recommendations of the £41 more for their energy than standard credit customers; Wicks review, which looked at some of these issues—is today, that differential has been effectively eliminated. the danger that it could take the pressure off the companies However, there is a lot further to go, as I said in reply in terms of what they need to do to build more gas to my hon. Friend the Member for Selby (Mr. Grogan), storage. If we substitute our judgment in these matters and the Bill provides for three important changes in for their judgment about what is necessary, the danger is regulation. Central to the Bill is reforming the duties of that we increase costs to consumers and inhibit future Ofgem. It is wrong to think that competition alone can plans for gas storage. 47 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 48

[Edward Miliband] intervention, we need to strike the right balance between the groups that are helped and how targeted the measures The third issue is the question of vulnerable consumers, are. which is very important to hon. Members. As well as strengthening general powers of regulation, the Energy Nick Ainger (Carmarthen, Westand South Pembrokeshire) Bill will do more for vulnerable consumers. We need to (Lab): My hon. Friend the Member for Sherwood (Paddy help those most in need through higher incomes, energy Tipping) referred to the sectors that are currently not efficiency and prices. That is why we have introduced covered by the social tariff. My right hon. Friend said and increased the winter fuel payment and brought in that the issue would be debated in Committee, but higher cold weather payments. Since 2002, 6 million would he like to comment now on the fact that although homes have received loft or cavity wall insulation, and approximately 4 million-plus consumers are not on the we are on the way to loft and cavity wall insulation for gas network, but are instead dependent on liquefied all houses where it can work by 2015. But we need to go petroleum gas and heating oil, they do not qualify for further. Today we are announcing pay-as-you-save pilots any social tariff? That is a genuine issue. in five parts of the country to test out a comprehensive, whole-house approach to energy efficiency, supported Edward Miliband: That is something that many hon. by finance, as is necessary to make it happen. This is on Members have campaigned on. I would refer to my the way to whole-house refurbishment, beyond loft and earlier answer. There was a Competition Commission cavity wall improvements, for 7 million homes by 2020 inquiry into that issue which lasted five years and was and all by 2030. This will help save money for consumers. designed to bring some relief. That is a warning to us all But we also need action on tariffs. The current voluntary as we advocate a Competition Commission response to agreement on social assistance with energy companies other energy issues. We are looking at measures to help has already helped more than 1 million customer accounts. those groups of consumers through Warm Front and However, the powers in the Bill will mean that rather other schemes, although I recognise the case that my than a voluntary agreement, there is a compulsory hon. Friend makes. money-off energy deal for vulnerable customers. We As I approach the end of my speech, let me say, as I will increase the total amount of help, up from the level always say on these occasions, that we want as much of of £150 million in the final year of the current voluntary an all-party consensus as possible. Unfortunately, we agreement. We want the new system to ensure that have no clarity about where those on the Conservative older, poorer pensioners in particular receive assistance Opposition Front Bench stand on the measures. When with their energy bills and we will set out more detailed we debated the Gracious Speech, I posed five questions plans in the coming weeks. to the hon. Member for Tunbridge Wells (), including about the Bill, but I am afraid that he gave John Robertson (Glasgow, North-West) (Lab): How satisfactory answers to none of them. However, I am a will that scheme be paid for? Will it be the taxpayer who fair-minded person and I believe in second chances, ultimately pays or will the companies be expected to use even for members of the Conservative party—indeed, some of their profits to pay for it? he was not always a member of the Conservative party, so perhaps he deserves a special offer. Edward Miliband: As for many of these levies, the Today the hon. Gentleman gets the chance of a resit cost will be spread across other bill payers. Alongside on the questions that I asked him previously. I shall that, we need the tough regulation that I am talking narrow those questions down, but if he is to show that about, which bears down on prices as much as possible. the Conservative party offers more than greenwash on It is right that we take action to help the most vulnerable such matters, he must show that he can answer some consumers in our society, and a voluntary agreement is basic questions. First, does he support the CCS levy inadequate in the current circumstances. We will have that we have put forward? We say that it will provide more to say about that in the coming weeks. unprecedented investment in clean coal. He says that he will use money that is already accounted for in the Several hon. Members rose— Government’s tax and spending plans. He says that revenues from the EU emissions trading scheme can get him 5 GW of new coal, but, as we might expect, that is a Edward Miliband: I have been generous in giving way, policy about image and not substance, and it would but I will give way to the Chair of the Select Committee. damage our ability to tackle climate change. Paddy Tipping (Sherwood) (Lab): I welcome the Secondly, the hon. Gentleman needs to answer the announcement about mandatory social tariffs. The Secretary question that was posed brilliantly by my hon. Friend of State said that the poorest pensioners will benefit, the Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Emily but will he look at the case of people with long-term Thornberry) last time about his £150 billion scheme for chronic illnesses and, in particular, the campaign run by energy efficiency. He says that it will cost no public Macmillan for people with cancer? money, whereas his hon. Friend, the hon. Member for Wealden (Charles Hendry) has said—[Interruption.] I know that the Opposition do not like to hear about Edward Miliband: My hon. Friend asks about the their own policies, but they should be able to answer debate that my hon. Friend the Minister of State is some basic questions. The hon. Gentleman said: looking forward to in Committee about the groups that “The policy should be carried out and supported by loan should be helped by the social tariffs. There are lots of guarantees from the Government, to ensure that the energy strong cases to be made, but the point is that there is a companies can do it. That is how the task is done elsewhere.”—[Official balance to be struck. Because the costs are spread Report, Third Delegated Legislation Committee, 13 July 2009; across all consumers, as I said in response to an earlier c. 9.] 49 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 50

It would be good to hear today how those loan guarantees We can, however, agree on what the problems are. will be paid for, because the hon. Gentleman’s colleague There are five in particular. We are facing power cuts has said that loan guarantees are required. and an energy crunch by 2017—[Interruption.] The Thirdly, there is the wider question of Europe, which Secretary of State says that that is rubbish, but he wrote I also posed last time. Frankly, again we see the Opposition an article entitled “We must work together to keep the hanging round with the wrong crowd in Europe. lights on”. Why would he write such a thing if he did not think that there was a risk of that happening? Mr. Ellwood: Read out the list then. Mr. Ellwood: Labour’s lights. Edward Miliband: I can read out the list if the hon. Gentleman—[Interruption.] He says that he is getting Greg Clark: My hon. Friend is correct. In that article, bored with it, but it is very relevant because action in the Secretary of State said that we needed to work Europe is essential to the Bill and to tackling climate together to keep the lights on. Great! I agree, but where change, yet the majority of the Conservative party’s are the measures to do that in the Bill? There is not one European partners voted against the motion that was single such measure. put forward in last week’s Copenhagen debate.

Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD): On the subject Miss Kirkbride: As part of the evidence that my hon. of supporting European initiatives on energy, do the Friend is putting forward to the Secretary of State, he Government support the European super grid yet? might refer to that given to the Select Committee last week by Alistair Buchanan, the chief executive of Ofgem, Edward Miliband: We do support the European super who clearly described the worrying scenario of the grid, which we think is an important idea. lights going off in the middle of the next decade. He is the man in charge of this policy. We deserve answers from the Opposition today, not just the usual hot air. They need to come forward with some genuine policies rather than just image. Tackling Greg Clark: My hon. Friend is quite right. I am climate change, protecting our energy security and surprised that the Secretary of State has not taken that protecting consumers all require significant change. The evidence into account. In fact, Mr. Buchanan went on Energy Bill is key to making those changes and it to say: deserves the support of all Members. I commend it to “The headline fact is that Britain is the single most exposed the House. country among the big players in Europe”. That is what the Secretary of State’s regulator says. I 5pm thought that this problem was something on which we could agree, and that the Bill might contain measures to Greg Clark (Tunbridge Wells) (Con): I have respect solve it, yet it contains none. for the Secretary of State but I have to say that, with every speech that he makes, he sounds more like a The second threat was mentioned earlier. The fact is member of the Opposition than a Secretary of State. that during the years ahead we will rely more and more He seems to be practising. The decisions on climate on imported gas. For understandable reasons, North change and energy policy are so far reaching that the sea oil and gas supplies have peaked and are in decline. rest of the country looks to us to establish some common Other countries facing this situation have adequate ground and speed things up, rather than make petty storage capacity. The French have 120 days’ supply and points. I will answer all the questions that he asked—I the Germans have 99 days, yet we have only 15 days. have no problem with that—but anyone looking at the Where is the proposal in the Bill to increase our level of Bill cannot help but be disappointed at this missed gas storage? opportunity. My hon. Friend the Member for Bromsgrove (Miss This is an anaemic Bill that lacks energy, even though Kirkbride) asked the Secretary of State a question on it calls itself an Energy Bill. The Secretary of State has storage, and he gave a completely incoherent answer. had a year in post in which to think about the issues and He said that to advance the proposition that we should to reflect on and bring forward legislation. Who knows have the kind of storage on which other countries insist what will happen after the election. He might still be in would somehow put off companies from investing. I do post, he might be in a different post, or he might be in not understand what he meant by that. Perhaps the opposition. This was therefore perhaps his one and only Minister of State will make a better job of explaining it opportunity to put on the statute book a Bill that could when she winds up the debate. have lived up to the ideals that he no doubt shares, and Another problem is our pitiful progress on renewables. that could have made a difference and provided a legacy I know that the Secretary of State believes in renewables, of which he could be proud. The problems that we face as do I, and we want to accelerate progress. We agree are mountainous, and we deserve boldness in response. that wind farms and other renewables projects tend to I do not want to cast blame around at this stage; there get bogged down in acrimonious planning disputes. He will be other occasions on which we can do that. The thinks that we should have more renewables projects, Secretary of State and I came into the House at the and so do I, but his approach is to go round the country same time and, whatever his contribution might have shouting at people for opposing wind farms, like Lady been to our national economic success when he was Catherine de Bourgh visiting a disobedient relative to chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, he was tick them off. But where is the policy in the Bill to not in charge of energy policy at the time, so we cannot provide incentives for local communities to take on hold him personally responsible for that. such projects? 51 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 52

Mr. Jamie Reed (Copeland) (Lab): The hon. Gentleman in any way, shape or form—to incorporate green correctly identifies the need for clarity in the planning initiatives, green energy or any form of biodiversity to system, and the need to speed up that system. Will he help support it. therefore support our proposals to do precisely that? Greg Clark: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. That Greg Clark: We share a view about the need to speed is the point that I am making: this Bill is a colossal up the planning process, and we think that the powers missed opportunity. If the Government think that there of the Infrastructure Planning Commission are absolutely is a problem—we agree that there is—why do they not right. It is also right that what are essentially national bring forward solutions? We have said that we need to matters are decided nationally through planning statements. cut people in to the benefits of renewable technologies, We have two points of difference, and we would amend but nothing in the Bill addresses that. the proposals on the IPC. First, we think such decisions should be accountable; the final decision should be Edward Miliband: I am astonished by the hon. taken by a Secretary of State who is accountable to this Gentleman’s response to my hon. Friend the Member House rather than by some unelected official. We think for Edinburgh, South (Nigel Griffiths). Since the hon. it is right that people should be able to hold someone to Gentleman aspires to be in government, how does he account, but under our proposals there would be the think a potential Government might function when the same time limits and the same secretariat to advise, and shadow Business Secretary, who is supposed to be an the same process would apply, so it would be at least as ally when it comes to wind farms, says: quick, if not quicker, than under the Government’s “My view is that those few wild and open… spaces that we proposal. have left in Britain should not be used for wind turbines”? Secondly, we think that the planning statements that Will that strengthen or weaken a potential Government are read out to the House—starting with the nuclear when it comes to delivering on the renewables agenda? one, in which I know the hon. Member for Copeland (Mr. Reed) is as keenly interested as me—are so important Greg Clark: The right hon. Gentleman is speaking that they should be proofed against the inevitable legal from his experience of the type of mind control that challenges through judicial review that will be made goes on in the Labour Government. We Conservatives against them. By subjecting them to a positive vote, the are perfectly relaxed to have discussions about these will of this House that the statements represent public things, knowing that we have strong policies that will policy will be expressed. If these statements are merely make a difference. It is one reason why the country is the utterances of a set of officials whose democratic getting a bit fed up with the government by that legitimacy has not been established, that might be a we get from Labour. problem that causes further delays. Therefore, we are at one with the hon. Member for Copeland in wanting Martin Horwood rose— these planning obstacles to be removed, and our amendments to the Government’s proposals will speed Greg Clark: I will give way to the hon. Gentleman, that up. but then make some progress.

Nigel Griffiths: Does the hon. Gentleman not Martin Horwood: I am now thoroughly confused acknowledge that his Front-Bench colleague, the right about the Conservative Front-Bench position on wind hon. and learned Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke) farms. Would the hon. Gentleman have supported the opposes all onshore wind farms, which is rather typical private Member’s Bill recently promoted by his hon. of the Conservative position? Friend the Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Peter Luff), which sought to drive a coach and horses through wind power in this country? What is the Conservative position Greg Clark: Once again, I had hoped that we would on such initiatives? seek to achieve unity on these issues. [Interruption.] When my right hon. and learned Friend the Member Greg Clark: As the hon. Gentleman well knows, for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke) made that comment, he said private Members’ Bills are not taken up by the Front that he was speaking in a personal capacity and fully Bench, but my hon. Friend the Member for Mid- respected the Front-Bench viewpoint. The party in Worcestershire (Peter Luff) made an interesting point, government goes around the country telling people that and if it is relevant I am sure that it can be taken up in they are immoral to raise even a qualm about a wind the discussions on renewable energy that the Minister farm in their area, but it has no policy response to it. If will be promoting. the Secretary of State has any policy suggestions, why The Bill contains no strategy to deal with fuel poverty, do they not appear in this Energy Bill? The Bill is one of the most pressing issues facing the country. Yes, designed to solve a problem that the hon. Member for it gives Ministers reserve powers to intervene, but where Edinburgh, South (Nigel Griffiths) seems to think exists— is the commitment to the only sustainable way in which but the Secretary of State has no solution. [Interruption.] to reduce fuel poverty, improved home energy efficiency? That is completely absent from the Bill, although it is Anne Main (St. Albans) (Con): My hon. Friend certainly surely beyond politics and is something that we should does not need helping out; I think that the Minister get on with. When people’s fuel bills are £1,200 a year does. The Bill is very much a missed opportunity for and more, and they can save money and carbon dioxide planning. There is to be no obligation placed on large and create jobs by improving insulation, how can a pieces of infrastructure—in my constituency, for example, serious Energy Bill possibly be completely silent on the 3.5 million square feet of roof space is not being used issue? It beggars belief. 53 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 54

At a time when we need £200 billion of investment in the first choice should have been the revenues from the new generating capacity, we know that that investment European Union emissions trading scheme. The Secretary is not being made. That is partly because people are so of State tells me that they have been spent, although uncertain about the policy environment, including the they do not begin to accrue in this phase until 2012. If price of carbon, which has been low and very volatile. they have indeed been spent, there must be an assumption Where are the measures in the Bill providing for a more of the amount that they were going to raise. Let me ask stable carbon pricing regime? the Secretary of State now what that estimate is, and There is a better way. This was the moment at which where it appears in the Red Book. I am happy to give the whole House could have united—as we did when we way to him. [HON.MEMBERS: “No answer.”] This is discussed the Climate Change Bill—in devising an typical Labour party economics: the money has been ambitious, progressive solution to a crisis that commands spent on something that is completely invisible and the all our attention. The Bill, however, contains nothing to Secretary of State cannot even find it in the Red Book. close the energy gap, nothing to secure our gas supplies, No wonder we are in the mess we are in. nothing to accelerate renewables, nothing to improve energy efficiency at home, and nothing to address the Mr. Jamie Reed rose— price of carbon. What a disappointment it is. I am sorry if the Secretary of State has been distracted, whether by Greg Clark: I shall give way to the hon. Gentleman. writing the manifesto or by the silly dividing-line nonsense Perhaps he can provide an explanation for the missing that he tried earlier, when he should have been applying billions of pounds. himself to turning his policy thoughts into proposals in the Bill. Mr. Reed: In time. Can the hon. Gentleman confirm Let me now deal with the Bill’s contents, slight though whether a future Conservative Government would support they are. Given the scale of the challenges, it is a pitiful a Government subsidy for CCS, and if so, up to what Bill, and not even a Bill that produces any action today. level—and would he also make the same benefits available In the case of each of its three components—carbon to the nuclear industry? The answer to that question capture and storage, Ofgem, and social tariffs—it merely will be listened to very keenly by international and enables Ministers to take powers which they cannot domestic investors in this country. begin to implement without new statutory instruments in a new Parliament, probably following further Greg Clark: Of course we would support a subsidy consultations. Where is the ambition and the urgency for CCS; that is what we have been urging on the that we require from the Secretary of State? Of the Government. The Secretary of State says he has spent 37 clauses in the Bill, 34 are enabling, consequential or the money, although he is unable to say how much he technical; only three make actual changes to the way in has spent or what it has been spent on. On nuclear, we which things work at present. have said that we do not believe that it is a mature Let me give my response to the three measures that technology, and that it therefore should not be given a the Bill does contain. It seems that we do agree on the specific subsidy. I do not think there is any difference importance of carbon capture and storage, but not on between us on that. its urgency. Britain is ideally placed to be in the vanguard If the Secretary of State can convince us that the of the deployment of carbon capture and storage. We money has, indeed, been spent, it may be the case that have depleted gas wells and saline aquifers in the North the levy is what we will have to fall back on. I still do not sea. We have along our coastline some of the industries think, however, that he can get away with saying that that can lead the world in this regard: processing industries this money has been spent on something the Government and marine engineering businesses. We have some of cannot account for. [Interruption.] So far, it is impossible the best research establishments in the world, and we to tell what the impact of the levy will be, because, as should be leading the world. It is important that we do, the Secretary of State has just said from a sedentary because carbon capture and storage corresponds to the position, he is merely proposing powers to charge a levy experience curve: the sooner we get on with it, the more in the future. we can establish a lead. There is no great scientific If there were to be a levy, however, would that not breakthrough for which people are waiting. offer the Secretary of State an opportunity to provide a Given that the present Prime Minister announced clearer price for carbon, which is much needed? Why plans to support carbon capture and storage in his 2006 should suppliers of electricity from renewables, for example, Budget, why did the Government wait a further 18 months have to pay a levy to support the capture of carbon before launching a competition to deliver a single carbon when they do not generate any carbon dioxide in their capture and storage plan? It took until November 2007 production of electricity? Should not the “polluter pays” for them to do that. More than two years have passed, principle be followed, so that the levy is incurred in and we still do not have a winner. Meanwhile, the proportion to the CO2 emissions generated by each chance for Britain to lead the world is slipping away. supplier? The Secretary of State might like to consider China, Australia, Canada, Germany, Norway and Belgium that, since he has clearly not designed his levy properly have all used that delay to overtake Britain. yet. The Bill proposes a new levy on electricity to pay for Why are the Government restricting themselves to carbon capture and storage. The first question to be the same approach that they took in respect of the asked is why we have had to wait for a Bill that cannot climate change levy: a stealth tax, which did not do possibly receive Royal Assent until 2010 to pay for a what was described on the tin, as it were, because it had scheme that was first mooted in 2006. If it needs this nothing at all to do with climate change? If the Government levy, why was it not in the 2006, the 2007 or the 2008 are serious about forbidding CO2 emissions from new Queen’s Speech? We believe that, when it came to payment, coal power stations, why do they not specify—as we 55 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 56

[Greg Clark] Malcolm Wicks (Croydon, North) (Lab): I have listened very carefully to what the hon. Gentleman has said have said we would—an emissions performance standard about the critical issue of CCS, and he has talked about so that no coal-generating plant can be more polluting urgency. What would a future Government do that is than the most efficient combined cycle gas turbine not being proposed by the Secretary of State? I am not station? That must be a totem of their seriousness in clear about that and I am not clear at all whether or not this matter. he supports the levy. If we are to have investment in CCS, in the hope that it will work and be demonstrated successfully, why will Greg Clark: Of course we will support the levy, if it the Government not ensure that the pipelines for the indeed turns out that the funds from the emissions demonstration plants are built oversize so that they can trading scheme have been exhausted. The detail of the be made use of by future CCS plants, rather than be levy requires scrutiny, which is why I have asked the fully exhausted from day one? Secretary of State to publish the regulations before the Bill goes into Committee so that we can ensure that there are no perverse consequences. Mr. David Anderson (Blaydon) (Lab): How much oversized should the pipelines be? Mr. Ellwood: Has my hon. Friend noticed that the Bill is so slim and small that we have now lost interest in Greg Clark: They should be adequate for the potential it almost in its entirety and have moved over to discussing in their area. The Secretary of State has talked about Tory policy? That is all very well, but it is a waste of the having clusters for CCS. It is possible to make an time in which we are supposed to be focusing on the assessment of how many such future plants might be Bill. Does he agree that one thing that could have been able to make use of the pipelines. It is wrong to spend included in the Bill, considering the threat that is now public money on building pipelines that will be adequate imposed on us, is what would happen if the lights go only for the demonstration plant and then to have to out? Should we not be considering an emergency plan repeat installation if the process is successful. That is a in case we do not have power for Britain in the future? bonkers approach; it is a waste of public money. Greg Clark: My hon. Friend is quite right. This Mr. Anderson: In Select Committee discussions it was should have been a Bill that enjoyed cross-party support said that, if this were a road, it would be eitheraBroad for keeping the lights on. The Secretary of State said or a motorway. They are hugely different. Has the hon. that we need to work together to keep the lights on, but Gentleman costed his proposal? he seems to have shrunk from an important opportunity to do that. When average bills for domestic fuel are £1,200, high Greg Clark: I am delighted that the hon. Gentleman energy prices are a desperate problem for many families is asking me questions that presuppose that I will be in struggling with the consequences of the recession— office. I am saying, assuming that this project works and especially now. There is an unsatisfactory delay in the looking to the future, that it will be rather ridiculous if publication of the fuel poverty statistics. As the Secretary the Public Accounts Committee holds an inquiry in of State knows, the last available figures, which were several years and asks why on earth the Secretary of published in October, are for 2007 and show that 4 million State consented to spending public money on building a households spent more than 10 per cent. of their income pipeline network that was not adequate for the coal on energy bills. Since then energy prices have risen still plants that he hoped would be able to access it in future. further—domestic gas prices have doubled since 2004—and That is a waste. Will the Secretary of State make clear unemployment has risen. To use the Government’s the criteria for the clusters of CCS that have been projections, it is thought that 6 million households—one promised—but which are mysteriously absent from the family in every four—are in fuel poverty. Bill? Many parts of the country are keenly awaiting the answer to that. We desperately need a strategy to address fuel poverty, but the Bill does not provide one. Again, it does not In particular, with the devastating closure— even set out the Government’s plans; it merely hands [Interruption.] The Secretary of State should listen to over another batch of regulation-making powers to the this, because thousands of jobs are affected on Teesside. Secretary of State to be used in the future. So, if the Bill The people on Teesside, who have lost 1,700 jobs in the is passed into law, only then will the Government come last week with the closure of the Corus plant, could up with detailed proposals. No doubt Ministers will benefit if Teesside became a CCS cluster. Can he or the want to consult on them, too, before laying a draft Minister, in the winding-up speech, say anything about order before Parliament. Not only is that the very whether Teesside can count on being a contender for opposite of the kind of urgency that is so badly needed, the cluster and when he will make the decision? I am but, in all likelihood, vulnerable households will be disappointed that he does not find the situation on lucky if they see a benefit by next winter, let alone this Teesside sufficiently meritorious for him even to listen winter. to it. In the interests of giving the Bill and the levy A serious fuel poverty strategy, as everyone in the mechanism proper scrutiny, will the Secretary of State House knows, must be based on tackling the cause, not commit to publishing in draft form the regulations that just the symptoms. Our housing stock is appallingly he proposes to make before the Bill goes into Committee? inefficient and yet the Government’s approach to energy The second part of the Bill creates a framework for efficiency, which saves everyone money, is to ration it. obliging energy suppliers to provide social pricing for The Government’s approach is that we should ration vulnerable customers. energy efficiency improvements. The funding that is 57 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 58 available through Warm Front, for example, is, as we necessary in so far as they allow Ofgem to implement discovered from the Under-Secretary, being cut by decisions that are made or promoted by Ministers on £15 million from the next financial year. grounds such as energy security. However, in the past Earlier, the Secretary of State briefly skated over his 12 years—and for the past 15 Energy Ministers—there pay-as-you-save scheme. That is not surprising, because has been a policy vacuum, the solution to which should it amounts to an exercise in piloting an approach in not be to look to unelected bodies to proliferate policy. 500 homes—only 500 homes, when we have a problem Instead, they should implement policy that has been on such a scale. This must be the biggest and most determined by Ministers. I hope that that is what the gaping hole in the strategy. Secretary of State has in mind with these changes. Once again, the other two elements in this part of the Paddy Tipping: As I understand it, the hon. Gentleman Bill are simply enabling clauses, and they fail to grasp would make available a loan of £6,500 for every house the urgency of the situation. A year ago, I told the to be insulated. That is a big programme with a big cost. Secretary of State that he should ask for an immediate What will the cost be, at a time when his colleagues are Competition Commission investigation into the relationship talking about reducing spending significantly, moving between wholesale and retail energy prices. Initially, his from a big-state approach—and this is it—to a small-state response—I think it was last November, but he will approach? correct me if I am wrong—was to summon the energy Greg Clark: I am delighted that the hon. Gentleman companies in to growl at them in some fierce way, but he has asked me that question, because it allows me to has proved to be a paper tiger, because nothing has explain once more that not all investment is public happened and he has done absolutely nothing to protect investment. It is possible, especially when there are consumers’ interests. Ofgem has today published a report savings to be made, for people to bring about those that says that savings and, given that the savings will exceed the costs, “customer bill increases have consistently outweighed cost increases”— to pay for the scheme through those means. We will this is in relation to the wholesale price cost of gas— allow every household in the country up to £6,500 in since July 2008”. approved energy efficiency insulations, and the system will be conditional on money being saved on their bills So, since July 2008, customer bill increases have consistently during the payback time. That is a win-win situation. outweighed cost increases. On present trends, Ofgem expects customers to be losing £17 a month by September Let me refer the Secretary of State to his own words 2010, which will make a lot of difference to people’s about his pay-as-you-save schemes. He is having pilots household bills. That should not come as a surprise to for 500 homes, but I do not know why if he does not the Secretary of State because his own quango, Consumer think that they will work. He has said that the pilots Focus, told him last June that every household was then “will give households the opportunity to invest in energy efficiency…in paying £74 a year too much. A swift, forensic investigation their homes with no upfront cost. Householders will make repayments spread over a long enough period so that repayments are lower is needed to settle the matter once and for all. It is in no than their predicted energy bill savings, meaning financial and one’s interests—neither those of the energy companies carbon savings are made from day one.” nor those of consumers—to have such a point of That is his press release from today. I do not know contention. whether he has read his own press release, but it mentions The Secretary of State’s response to an intervention that the limit of his ambition is 500 homes. from the hon. Member for Selby (Mr. Grogan) on the matter was to say that he would examine the policy Edward Miliband: The difference between me and the options in the spring. Meanwhile, we are approaching a hon. Gentleman is that I recognise that this proposal winter in which, if we consider the figures from last will have a cost: we are providing £4 million to make winter, people will die because they feel unable to afford those pilots possible. This comes back to image versus to keep the heating on to get them through. The matter substance. He wants to claim that he can give £6,500 to has an urgency that I commend to the Secretary of every household in the country, costing up to £180 billion, State. I hope that he will think again rather than raising and that it will cost no public money. That is clearly his eyes about a problem that is very real to our constituents. a con. Although we are, of course, content for the Bill to go Greg Clark: I regret allowing the right hon. Gentleman into Committee, where we will try to strengthen it and to deliver such a poor response. The difference between remedy its deficiencies, it is a wasted opportunity. It us is a lack of ambition. Every household in the country could have taken urgent steps to keep the lights on, cut could benefit from energy efficiency improvements, but CO2 emissions and create jobs. It would then have had the limit of his ambition is to treat 500 homes. How can broad-based support. he introduce a Bill with such poor potential for success? First, the Bill should include a green deal to give all Let me address the third aspect of the Bill—the households the energy efficiency improvements they changes that it makes to the regulation of gas and need. Secondly, it should have an emissions performance electricity markets. We support in principle the clarification standard to require all newly built electricity generation of Ofgem’s objective and the clear role that is being to cut emissions. Thirdly, it should include a requirement given to enhancing energy security and pursuing our for gas storage to get us through the winter. Fourthly, it low-carbon obligations. We also support the extension should provide for reform of the climate change levy to of the time limit in which Ofgem can impose penalties make it distinguish between high and low carbon sources for breaches of licence conditions. However, we need to of energy. Fifthly, it should contain measures to require be clear about the respective roles of the Government energy companies to say exactly what would have been and the regulator. Ministers should make policy decisions saved on a cheaper tariff had a customer had access to and the regulator should execute them. The changes are it, and how to switch to that tariff. 59 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 60

[Greg Clark] been in power for 10 years, during which our nuclear power capability has shrunk. It took 22 years to get a Sixthly, the Bill should have real incentives to allow spark out of Dungeness, but we have reached the point communities that host wind farms to reap some of the where nuclear power facilities are closing faster than we rewards. Seventhly, it should provide for action to ensure can replace them. That took place on the hon. Gentleman’s that smart meters are fitted in every home, not by watch; it was nothing to do with Tory policy. 2021—the Government’s plan—but by 2017 at the latest. Eighthly, it should require immediate deployment of Paddy Tipping: We need new investment in generation carbon capture and storage, with a network of pipes big capacity of £95 billion to £200 billion. Companies such enough for future use, not just for the proposed as EDF want to know whether the policy framework demonstrations. Ninthly, it should require the national will be secure into the future, because in a difficult grid to extend its network out to sea to harness the capital market it is hard to see where those sums will offshore wind, wave and marine energy that is available come from. We must remember that of the big six there. Tenthly, it should include the opportunity for players in the UK, four are truly international companies. Parliament to vote on the planning statements to ensure It is far from clear that money will be invested in this that there can be no further hold-ups in our nuclear country, so we must ensure that we have a set of policies programme. that can encourage investment into the future. At the The Secretary of State and the House could have cornerstone of those policies is a robust and high carbon been proud of such a measure—a Bill to keep the lights price. on, cut CO2 and boost the economy. Had the Secretary of State possessed such boldness and ambition, he John Robertson: May I tell my hon. Friend not to would attract the admiration of the House and the take any history lessons from the Opposition, because country. Instead, it will fall to a Conservative Government the reinvention of history that we are hearing today to take the decisive action that Britain needs. bears no resemblance to what has happened in the past 25 years, particularly in the nuclear industry? Does he agree that the Government’s policy of proceeding with 5.32 pm the Planning Act 2008, the Climate Change Act 2008 Paddy Tipping (Sherwood) (Lab): It is perhaps a and the Energy Bill is the right way forward, and that coincidence that Second Reading takes place on the we should all get back to talking about what is important, opening day of the climate change conference in which is the needs of the people of this country? Copenhagen, which Lord Stern described as perhaps the most significant international conference since the Paddy Tipping: And the need of the people of this end of the second world war. Britain will show leadership country is to keep the lights on. There is a potential at the conference. There may well be difficulties, but I energy difficulty in 2015-17, and it is clear to me that we hope that, at the end, we will get some sort of political must encourage investment to ensure that we can keep agreement that can be translated into action. the lights on. One way, which my hon. Friend has It is important to recognise that the Bill’s provisions always championed, is to bring on new nuclear generation. link with the Copenhagen discussions. As has been said, The Opposition may not like it, but they are Johnny- the measure is modest, with 37 clauses and three subject come-latelys to nuclear. There are differences between areas. However, we all need to recognise the enormous those on their Front-Bench team about nuclear power. challenge before us, and the big challenge of Copenhagen If we are to ensure that the first new nuclear plant is is to ensure that we move to having a robust and stable open by 2017, we must ensure that companies such as carbon price in future. Ofgem described the new investment EDF are confident that their investment will last into required in the generating industry as being between the future. £95 billion and £200 billion by 2020. It is interesting that Opposition Members said nothing about nuclear Mr. Jamie Reed: My hon. Friend will know, because power today. Is it still an option of last resort? Do they he is a keen student of such issues, that every major accept Zac Goldsmith’s comment that the Tory policy is nuclear decision in this country has been made by a “No to nuclear power”? Where do they stand on nuclear Labour Government, from Calder Hall onwards. He power in their priorities for the future? mentioned the Copenhagen conference, but does he, like the rest of the policy-making world, believe that it Greg Clark: I am delighted to have the opportunity is much harder for the Secretary of State to strike a deal to correct the hon. Gentleman. He will discover when with Environment Secretaries from other countries, because he reads Hansard that I made it clear several times that when they look at Britain’s putative alternative Government we want to accelerate the deployment of nuclear power. they see that they increasingly consist of climate change deniers? Paddy Tipping: What is the position then? Is nuclear power still a sort of last resort, ranking behind renewables? Paddy Tipping: My hon. Friend makes the point. It is What does the hon. Gentleman say to his errant colleague clear from the discussion in the Chamber, and from the Mr. Goldsmith, who says that his position—and he has policies announced by the right hon. and learned Member been an adviser to the Tory party—is a no to nuclear for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke) and by the right hon. Member power. for Haltemprice and Howden (David Davis), who used to be the shadow Home Secretary, that there are real Mr. Ellwood: The hon. Gentleman is using tactics difficulties about investment in the future. To put it typical of those on his Front Bench. Instead of discussing simply, they just do not know what they are doing. As the issues of the day and taking responsibility, he has they say in my part of the country, they don’t know shifted the argument to the Opposition. His party has their arse from their elbow. 61 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 62

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Michael Lord): Order. I We should be clear that the cost of the levy will fall shall not ask the hon. Gentleman to withdraw those on customers’ bills. One of the Government’s aims, in remarks, but perhaps he should choose his words a little addition to security of supply and a reduction in carbon more carefully. emissions, is affordable heat. As politicians we must recognise that there is increasing consumer resistance to Paddy Tipping: I take your reproach, Mr. Deputy rises in bills. The £2 billion cost of the levy will be Speaker. Those words will be read down the coal pit in passed on to customers. They are beginning to say, “But Welbeck in Edwinstowe, and the miners there will know we’re paying the social tariffs.” About 1 per cent. of what I am talking about, even if it offends some of the their bill is for social tariffs, and 9 per cent. is for people in this Chamber. environmental purposes, to deliver the ROC obligation. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has been In future that could rise to 20 per cent. There will come a champion in the process of preparing for Copenhagen, a point when customers say, “Enough is enough,” and but I am not confident that the discussions will produce in the immediate short term we need to ensure that bills that high and stable carbon price for the future. He are detailed enough for customers to understand what describes getting an agreement there as plan A. We need they are paying for. Given the rising bills—the hon. to consider plan B. There is an argument that if we want Member for Tunbridge Wells (Greg Clark) quoted the investment on such a scale, we need to ensure that we in figures—it is important that we look at social tariffs. the UK can underwrite the price of carbon—that there Some companies, such as Centrica, have an excellent can be a ceiling on that price, to drive the investment reputation and record, but we need to go further, which forward. It is not a decision that we need to take this is why I support mandatory social tariffs. year, pre-Copenhagen or straight afterwards, but ultimately I look forward to discussing in Committee who might a decision will have to be made about how we can benefit from such tariffs, because they should apply not promote new investment. The obvious way is to maintain only to people who are elderly, but to people who are in a robust carbon price into the future. fuel poverty generally. Last winter, 5 million people One way of bringing on new fossil fuel plant—new experienced fuel poverty, including a group below clean coal plant—is through a carbon capture and pensionable age with long-term illnesses. We need to storage levy. That is in the Bill, and I welcome it, even look carefully for ways in which we can help them, and though it is a little late. The rules of the competition we need to discuss mandatory social tariffs in a wider seem to have changed over time, and the end date, even context. today, is not entirely clear, but four new projects here in Sir Robert Smith: The hon. Gentleman, in his intervention the UK will be a tremendous development. I want my on the Secretary of State, specifically mentioned Macmillan, right hon. Friend to initiate that quickly. I want him to which has taken this issue forward. It provides a helpline listen to the miners in Nottinghamshire, who know that to support people with cancer, and one of the commonest although Harworth colliery is mothballed, it could be questions asked is, “How do we cope with our energy reopened and new reserves could be accessed. That bills?” That is because when someone is being treated is what UK Coal, the owners, would want to do, if for cancer, not only do they often become more sensitive £200 million were available. to a shortage of heat, but their income falls at the same That sort of money is pretty tough to raise on the time, because their employment is disrupted. capital markets just now. In recognition of that, there have been discussions with the European Investment Paddy Tipping: The hon. Gentleman has a long track Bank about a loan. The discussions have gone well. The record of following the subject of fuel poverty, and he is sticking point appears to be that the EIB says that any exactly right. I look forward to a more detailed discussion coal that comes from Harworth should be burned cleanly. about how to tackle that problem. At present there is no power station in the UK that can As I have said, we need to set social tariffs in a wider provide that. I want to stick up for and protect mineworkers context. The Warm Front budget is clearly under real in Nottinghamshire and steelworkers in Middlesbrough pressure, and there needs to be a discussion about its and Redcar, because we owe it to them. They have given future. The Minister of State, Department of Energy their lives and their health to keep us warm, so anything and Climate Change, my hon. Friend the Member for that my right hon. Friend can do with the EIB would be Lewisham, Deptford (Joan Ruddock), who will wind up extremely helpful. the debate, has made some very welcome changes to My right hon. Friend ought to pick up on two other Warm Front, but I want us not only to roll out smart points about carbon capture and storage. The first is meters but to give people real practical assistance with that it is important not to let the market operate, but to energy issues such as efficiency and insulation. I want us take a strategic approach. E.ON’s development at to roll out smart meters at the same time as we give Kingsnorth is long delayed, but were it to win the advice. competition, there would be sense in talking to E.ON John Robertson: Members in all parts of the House and the rival company, RWE, which has a power station agree that smart meters are important, but, from what I just over the river at the Isle of Grain, to ensure that any have seen of them on television over the past week or demonstration plant at Kingsnorth was significant, with so, I think that they will be quite technically challenging sufficient capacity to act as a cluster. We do not want for some members of our communities, particularly the stranded assets. elderly, the frail, people with sight problems and so on. We should look at the work that Yorkshire Forward We really have to provide education as well as the meter. has been doing in the Yorkshire coalfield down the Humber valley and take a strategic approach to carbon Paddy Tipping: I am sure that that is right. Smart capture and storage. In Committee we need to debate meters with a visual display will clearly be interesting that and think it through extremely carefully. for some people but a turn-off for others. Nevertheless, 63 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 64

[Paddy Tipping] constituents and those of many colleagues as having left millions of the British public out in the cold. They feel now that we have the technology to look at a minute-by- worse off, not better off, as a result of the energy minute, second-by-second account of our energy use, it policies of the past 12 and a half years—and they are is clearly right that we structure the market to ensure worse off. Energy is costing them more and the future is that elderly people and those with visual handicaps less certain. The number of people who spend more know that they are getting the best deal. than 10p in the pound on their fuel bills has gone up, I talked about a wider discussion, and I am keen not down, and that situation is likely to get worse, not to discuss the winter fuel allowance. Last year it cost better, given the price increases in oil and gas that they £2.7 billion, and I am not entirely confident that we get know they are to expect. If the Government had been the best out of it. Of those who received the allowance, really bold and determined, they could have said, “This it is estimated that only 12 per cent. were in fuel poverty. is the opportunity to try to put high fuel bills that We need to make some tough choices about how best to people cannot afford behind us once and for all.”—in use our resources, and as part of a debate about mandatory other words, to do the sort of social justice legislating social tariffs, Warm Front and Eaga we need to discuss that I thought Labour came to power to deliver. It is whether the winter fuel allowance is the best way forward. therefore sad that, on the first day of the Copenhagen The final part of the Bill deals with, and extends, the conference, when people are calling for radical action role of Ofgem. My respect for Ofgem has grown over abroad, we are not seeing extensive and radical proposals the past 12 months, when, under pressure from at home. Government, it has become much more proactive. I Over the past 12 and a half years, the response to welcome its quarterly reports, in which it is interesting variations in fuel costs has been a system that, although to follow the tracks and see the gross margins that have welcome when delivered, is very much one in which been made by all the energy companies. We must extend Labour makes people dependent on themselves. The Ofgem’s role by giving it more investigatory powers and winter fuel payment, which is a better system than the greater responsibilities, to ensure that customers benefit benefits system if people do not claim the benefits, has as soon as possible from those powers. been given irregularly, spasmodically and unpredictably. The case for going to the Competition Commission There has not been a built-in subsidy for poor people, has been argued on both sides of the House today. or a guaranteed, legislated-for provision so that people However, let us be clear about this: it would probably know they will be able to afford their bills. That is in the take two years for that inquiry to come round, and Bill—we are now seeing it for the first time ever—but it during that period the big energy companies would not has taken 12 and a half years for a Labour Government be investing. It is as simple as that. If people want to realise that without guarantees in law, people often £95 billion or £200 billion of investment, a Competition end up paying much too high a price. Commission inquiry would be completely the wrong As we have heard, there are three issues before us. way to go about getting it. It would stop that investment Many of us wish that there were many more and that in its tracks, because companies such as E.ON and this was legislation in which the Government nailed RWE would make decisions to invest elsewhere in the their colours to the mast of continuing to support and world, and we need that finance here. to develop support for the renewables sector, which is The big issue for us at the moment is the renewal of growing, but from a terribly lame and slow start. Of our generating capacity by 2020. The Bill goes a small course, in some respects there is a difference between way towards achieving that, and I support it, although I my colleagues and I and both the Government and the am not entirely confident that it is supported throughout Conservatives. We do not think that the future lies in the House. I look forward to the debate in Committee, nuclear power, which is always expensive, always delivered because it is a valuable, if modest, Bill, which could still late and always risky because of the fuel that we import be improved. and the failure to find ways to store, let alone to dispose of properly, the waste that is created. Nothing that has 5.52 pm recently come to light suggests that nuclear power will Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey) become any more safe or secure in future, as the climate (LD): I am happy to follow the hon. Member for change crisis affects Britain and we get more floods, Sherwood (Paddy Tipping), the acting Chairman of the more storms and more risk of disruption, with the same Select Committee on Energy and Climate Change, who things happening around the world. For this country, speaks with a long-held interest in energy issues. which is so well placed with our wind, wave and tidal power, renewables are a far safer and saner route forward, The hon. Gentleman ended where I begin: by contrasting and that is the way we should go. the Bill before us with the great task that begins today across the North sea in Copenhagen. Earlier, I put it to the Secretary of State—he responded positively—that Mr. Ellwood: As I do with much Lib Dem policy, I Copenhagen requires the United Kingdom and the am having a few problems understanding this. If the European Union to be ambitious, bold and brave in hon. Gentleman is against nuclear policy per se, why reaching for the best possible permanent deal. That is does he support the nuclear deterrent? From a safety obvious. We could also have had an ambitious energy perspective, he seems to have one rule for our service Bill being debated in this country at the same time but, personnel working on nuclear submarines and another to repeat the word used by the hon. Member for Sherwood, for the civilian population. this is a very modest Bill indeed. Having been in the House throughout the period, my Simon Hughes: Those are entirely different arguments, analysis is that, after nearly 13 years in government, as the hon. Gentleman well knows, having also been Labour’s energy policy is perceived by many of my involved in this debate for a long time. I will not be 65 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 66 distracted into a debate on defence, although I am ended in September, on having a framework of emissions happy to have it another time. The position we have performance standards for the whole coal industry. He always taken is that we have inherited a nuclear deterrent did not allude to that in his opening speech, so I hope that, in the multilateral negotiations that are coming up that the Minister of State will do so in her response. In next year, we should use to lever down the number of the debate in the summer on a Bill introduced by my nuclear weapons in the world, with a world policy and a right hon. Friend the Member for Ross, Skye and national policy of reducing dependence on things nuclear. Lochaber (Mr. Kennedy), the Under-Secretary of State We believe that, having gone down the nuclear road for Energy and Climate Change said that he supported in this country and seen that it is unsatisfactory—it was the general direction of it, but it was a sort of not at all successfully developed under past Tory St. Augustine’s reply—“But not yet.” He said: Governments—it is completely the wrong road to go “The Government’s position is that in our general policy down under any prospective Government, whether Labour direction, we are where every Member who has spoken has urged or Conservative, or with somebody else in the lead. us to be. We have already commenced a consultation on the best way to get a detailed policy so that we can travel forward… I believe that consultation is a very good thing and an important Mr. Goodwill: The hon. Gentleman talked about the component of getting policy right.”—[Official Report,3July security of fuel supply. As I recall, the main sources of 2009; Vol. 495, c. 636.] nuclear fuel are Australia and Canada, which are surely The consultation has ended, and we are clear that there much more secure places to get fuel from than the ought to be—[Interruption.] I know that the Government middle east or Russia. have responded, but we need to know what they will do now. It is generally accepted that the current carbon Simon Hughes: Some of the sources of supply that we price is not the stable one that this country and the need for nuclear are not in those countries but elsewhere, world need, and that it needs to stabilise at something and there are predictions that they may run out in the much more like ¤50 or ¤60 a tonne than the present foreseeable future and that prices may become significantly ¤14 a tonne. higher. If the hon. Gentleman thinks that, in a world of Given the European Union directive on clean coal, uncertainty, transporting around the world things that which will come into force at the end of the next decade, are needed to create nuclear power is a safe and sensible we need a clear position on the future of coal in this thing to do, he can make that argument, but it is not country. There has to be a clear statement that there will finding much credence with the public, who, on all the be no new coal-fired power stations without carbon opinion poll evidence, find the idea of renewables a capture and storage working right from the beginning, much more satisfactory way forward than nuclear power. not retrofitted later. Without that absolute parameter, the industry will not know where it stands, and Ministers Several hon. Members rose— know that we are likely to have new coal-fired, dirty coal power stations that will contribute to worsening Simon Hughes: Let me make a bit more progress. I do the climate crisis rather than help to solve it. not want to get bogged down in nuclear, which is not in Another question about the CCS levy has been asked the Bill, nor should it be. We are not in favour of it, and a couple of times already. I assume that the Secretary of we hope that in the end the Government realise that State—again, he was silent on the matter—does not they should not support it either. expect the parts of the energy industry that do not The first item in the Bill is carbon capture and release carbon into the atmosphere to contribute to the storage. Ministers know that we support CCS technology, levy to fund CCS demonstration projects. I assume that which is vital if we are to make coal our servant in the under the regulations that he anticipates—like the hon. years to come and ensure that it does not produce the Member for Tunbridge Wells (Greg Clark), I believe same problems for our planet in the future that it has in that it would be helpful to see them in draft—the the past. It needs to be seen to be commercially viable, renewables sector will not have to contribute. It would and one difficulty has been that we have been really be a nonsense if the sector that does not contribute to slow off the mark. That is not the fault of the Secretary the climate crisis and the emissions problem had to pay of State or the Minister of State, the hon. Member for to develop the technology for making dirty coal clean. Lewisham, Deptford (Joan Ruddock), but it was in One other point on the technology of carbon capture 2006 that the Select Committee on Science and Technology and storage has not so far been alluded to, and I would said of carbon capture and storage: be grateful if the Minister of State mentioned it in her “Multiple full scale demonstration projects using different response. She has said before how important it is that types of capture technology and storage conditions are urgently we share the technology that we develop in this country needed.” with developing countries in other parts of the world. It The first demonstration project was in 1996 in Norway. is not just we in the rich west who will need CCS; it is Why have we been waiting? What has caused the delay? eastern European countries such as Poland, as well as Why, for 12 and a half years, when the technology has countries such as China. What will happen to the intellectual been developed elsewhere in the world, have we not property of the technology that the prototype plants sought to advance the CCS that we have always known will produce? I hope that it will be shared and that we we would need? We are now going to have to try to do not just develop it to be nationalistic. I understand catch up, but with other countries much further ahead, that all the CCS interests are to be consortiums of it might be as easy for us to take the technology from companies, some British but mostly international, in them as to develop our own. locations up and down the east coast, so I hope it is I would be interested to hear from the Secretary of clear that we will share the technology and intellectual State why the Government have not yet come clean on property and ensure that we have the power to help the their response to the results of their consultation, which developing world and not just ourselves. 67 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 68

[Simon Hughes] their fuel bills because they are not connected to the gas grid. The figures that I currently have are that the The second section of the Bill is probably the most average bill of someone on mains gas is £568 a year, that immediately important to our constituents, because it is of someone on domestic fuel oil more than £1,000 a about how we deal with rising and, for many people, year and that of someone on LPG more than £1,300 a unaffordable fuel bills. The Government know how year. There is no justification for that inequity in this embarrassing their record on that is. Again, that is not country today. because of this Secretary of State, but his Government There is plenty of evidence and Select Committees should be embarrassed about the cost of fuel to the have put the argument for change on an all-party basis, poor over the past 12 and a half years. They set a but the problem is getting worse. We know that last statutory target, which still exists in law, to eliminate year, gas bills year went up 58 per cent. and that this fuel poverty in vulnerable households by 2010 and all year, when gas prices came down, bills decreased by households by 2016. I understand that 4.5 million or only 6 per cent. Last year, electricity bills went up by more households now spend more than 10p in the 28 per cent., but when prices came down this year, they pound on their fuel bills, compared with 2 million or decreased by only 8 per cent. The reality is that the thereabouts only four years ago. We know that there are system has not properly regulated bills according to the explanations for part of that and that there has been a wholesale prices paid by the utility companies that massive failure to take up benefits and tax credits that supply the product. could help to pay the bills. However, it is not just There have been opportunities in this place to legislate pensioners who are affected but single-parent families along these lines. My hon. Friend the Member for and those with long-term illness, who do not benefit Somerton and Frome (Mr. Heath) introduced a Bill to from the winter fuel payment. The hon. Member for deal with high fuel bills earlier this year, but the Minister Sherwood alluded to that. The whole system has failed resisted and talked it out, and did not let it proceed. The to ensure that the poor and the vulnerable are protected. reality is that it is bit late now, in the last months of a Another group affected, which is often spoken for by Labour Government, to get a Bill through to paper over Liberal Democrat Members such as my hon. Friend the cracks and to try to cover the embarrassment that the Member for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine they know they feel, in however limited a way. They (Sir Robert Smith), is the large number of people who have not delivered to their constituents, but far worse, live off the gas grid. They may live near it, but they have they have not delivered to the public as a whole. not been protected at all by the system. They have had There is one very odd bit of the Bill that I hope the to buy their liquid petroleum gas or oil fuel and get it Minister can explain. Clause 14, “Schemes for reducing into the tank at the bottom of the garden, and nothing fuel poverty”, states: has protected them. There have been 12 and a half years in which some of the rural poor have not been assisted “For the purposes of this Part, fuel poverty is reduced if… (a) the number of people living in fuel poverty is reduced, or…(b) at all, along with many of the urban and suburban poor. the extent to which any person is living in fuel poverty is reduced” Ministers know that the Liberal Democrats are again and clause 14(4) appears to give the Secretary of State going to criticise the fact that all the schemes for warm by regulation the opportunity to redefine fuel poverty. I homes have been piecemeal, limited, inadequate responses. should like clarification of that, because we have seen They have told us this year that only one in 80 homes in plenty of figures massaged over the years. I know the Britain is a warm home, so we need a scheme that Government are embarrassed, and they know they are encompasses everybody. The carbon emissions reduction embarrassed, but we need to be clear. If the general target and Warm Front are inadequate. Age Concern understanding is that when we talk about fuel poverty, tells me that it receives 5,000 complaints about Warm we are talking about people who pay more than 10 per Front every year, and CERT does not have reducing cent. of their income for fuel, that should remain as the fuel poverty as a key objective. I understand that Warm definition. Ministers, whether of this Government or Front funding will be cut by half next year, from the next, should not have a chance to change it and to £350 million to about £176 million, because some of the pretend that the problem is less than it is. money was brought forward. The size of the grant has On the regulation of the energy market, if this was a been kept the same, but fewer and fewer people are Bill to really get to grips with Ofgem and produce a benefitting. We have heard the example of the latest regulator that regulated in the consumer interest, the pilot scheme, which is for but a handful of people. people would say, “Amen.” However, I sense the Bill If Ministers had said that they wanted a scheme will be not nearly as tough as that. The Secretary of rolled out across Britain, led by Government and using State has spoken to Ofgem and told it that if it does not local councils, to make every home a warm home within behave, there will be more draconian powers, but the 10 years, as we have argued for, they would have had our Bill introduces only a modest change to its regulatory support. [Interruption.] Of course it costs money, but authority. there are ways of doing it and I have explained them in Of course, there is some good stuff. The provision to the House. The Government could underwrite a loan ensure that energy transmission costs, which could result that was paid back over a maximum of 10 years. Of in higher bills if companies argued that they had low course there would have to be investment for that capacity in the grid, cannot be a method of exploiting underwriting, but it would be worth it. It would save on the consumer is a good thing, and we welcome it. It is CO2 emissions, produce warm homes, reduce winter also good that the time period for investigations will be deaths and insulate housing. extended. There have been lots of abuses. I have seen I would have liked the Government to display that cases in the paper and I have spoken to people who have sort of ambition, and I would have liked them to tackle had repayments of more than £1,000 from npower, the problem of those who pay far more than average for because there has been a fiddling of the tariff and a 69 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 70 misrepresentation of the cost. Those cases were taken low-carbon energy economy properly protects those up and awards were made in favour of those people. who are in fuel poverty, and for ensuring that the future What will happen to cases that are currently timed out, base load of our energy supply, which will inevitably but in which there has been a clear breach? I am not concern coal and gas in future, is properly developed as asking for retrospective legislation, but what remedy is far as the low-carbon form of energy supply and CCS there for people who have a clear, justifiable complaint are concerned. The regulator has the base powers to against utility companies that has not been met? regulate the energy market as it becomes much more I am concerned that nothing in the Bill will make sustainable. They may appear to be modest legislative Ofgem more open to the consumer, accountable and achievements, but they underpin a much greater step transparent. Ministers know what is being asked for by forward. Consumer Focus, Which? and others—that Ofgem meet What we have heard this afternoon concerns me. The in public and that it include representatives of the Opposition claim that they will allow the Bill a Second public. The regulatory body needs to be much more Reading and make changes in Committee, but they accountable if it is to have the confidence of the public. would, were they to have their way, have a huge legislative There is now going to be, for the first time, an ability programme. They make declaratory statements on to change the rules on the method of payment and the everything under the sun as far as energy policy is Government will have the power to control such things. concerned, including on a great deal of legislation that, The current voluntary system to which, as I understand unless they have been completely oblivious of what has it, the energy companies have subscribed, means they been happening in the House, they would notice has do not currently charge more, for example, for pre-payment already actually been passed. meters. However, I am concerned that some of the For example, we know that as a result of the 2008 companies have indicated, even this winter, that they Act, a feed-in tariff for smaller-scale electricity generation may be willing to go back on the system and charge will be introduced soon. We know that the year after more. Scottish and Southern Energy, for example, has that a renewable heat incentive will come in. Incidentally, said that it intends to withdraw its offer of equalisation that will be the first introduced by any Government at the end of this winter. anywhere in the world to ensure that renewable heat is The hon. Member for Sherwood led into my speech part of a programme of moving towards low-carbon by saying that this is a modest Bill, which sadly it is. In domestic and commercial energy for providing heat. Committee, we will seek to make it tougher. We will Having that legislation in place will help when it seek to make Ofgem’s powers tougher and the rights of comes to the next stage in energy efficiency for households the consumer greater and to ensure that the schemes for and domestic properties, because that will require not making our homes in Britain warmer and better insulated just passive insulation and energy efficiency measures are much more extensive. We will also seek to ensure but active measures such as the installation of small-scale that the CCS proposals do not penalise the renewables or district generation in domestic properties. That can sector, which has just been re-incentivised by increased reduce the carbon footprint of a house radically over support. We need that support to go on growing, and time. Therefore the future relates to regulation following not to be seen punishing or hindering such development. from legislation that has already been passed, and the We hope that we will make the Bill stronger and will to ensure that that happens actively in the future. tougher. The Secretary of State has promised to be bold The claim that an opportunity to pass legislation has when he goes to Copenhagen in the next couple of days. been missed in those areas is to misunderstand how I hope he will be, but I also hope that he will leave a one makes progress with a renewable and sustainable message for his ministerial colleagues who will be in energy policy. I do not claim that that is a deliberate Committee that if the last of the Labour Government’s misunderstanding, but a misunderstanding it is, nevertheless. Energy Bills is to be worth having, it needs to be much It concerns me when that misunderstanding is tougher, bolder and socially just. compounded by simplistic claims about how progress can be made on these issues. We have heard the suggestion 6.16 pm —it was repeated this afternoon—that every household should be given £6,500, and that that will sort out the Dr. Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test) (Lab): Hon. whole question of insulation and active energy generation Members have this afternoon said that the Bill is a concerns. As a result, it is suggested, we will have fully modest one. It is indeed modest if one goes by the insulated and approaching zero-carbon households, but number of clauses or what it provides by way of new it is akin to the other short-lived policy we heard about legislation in the light of what we know are the challenges a while ago, whereby everybody was to put £8,000 into ahead. However, when considering Bills it is important the pot and they would then have their health and social to understand clearly what we need to legislate on at care needs taken care of for the rest of their lives. That particular times. It is important to ask what has already policy ran into similar mathematical difficulties. happened legislatively and what is still required. It is The mathematics of the £6,500 policy—over and also important to ask what the role of regulation is and above requiring loan guarantees of some £160 billion to what are the roles of future initiatives, which stem from £170 billion to be injected into the economy if the powers given by the Bill and other legislation, in meeting guarantee is from the public purse—would require savings the energy challenge ahead of us. of £360 a year, if the loan is to be serviced and assuming The reality is that the Bill builds on the Energy that it would not be just given out to householders. Act 2008 and a number of other items of legislation to make some progress on various issues relating to the Mr. Goodwill: The hon. Gentleman is making one or energy challenge. In any event, regulatory powers are two errors in interpreting our policy. The amount would already available and financial investments can and are be up to £6,500, because not every home would require being made. There is a strategy for ensuring that a new the same level of cost-effective investment. Any private 71 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 72

[Mr. Goodwill] bring forward serious and well thought-out programmes to ensure that those people who are not able to afford company that can save money on its electric bills by their energy bills now—let alone future higher energy bills investment is doing so: the problem with individuals is —are proofed against those bills for a long time to come. that they cannot borrow the money in the same way as We need to be looking at a quantum shift in our businesses. This scheme would enable them to draw understanding of what an energy bill should consist of down their future energy savings to invest in the energy and what those in fuel poverty face in paying their fuel efficiency of their homes. It seems a bit of a no-brainer bills. For the future, I envisage that happening in much to me. the same way that council tax is paid—everybody pays Dr. Whitehead: I am delighted that the hon. Gentleman it, but there is a rebate for those in less fortunate intervened at the moment that he did and in the way financial circumstances—so that a number of people that he did because he has completely anticipated my are thereby effectively excluded or only partially included next point. Despite the fact that the leader of his party in the process of paying energy bills. Having a requirement insisted that every family in the country could spend in the Bill that social tariffs be introduced by legislation £6,500 on their household energy efficiency—and the in future, rather than by voluntary agreement, seems to shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Climate be a move towards that idea. We are all in this together, Change emphasised that point in the House recently—the in ensuring that we have a low-carbon energy economy, truth of the matter is that in practice it would be alongside what we know will be high prices for energy nothing like that sum. And if it were £6,500, it would be supplies, but at the same time ensuring that the effects unsustainable to support, in terms of the investment of that high-cost energy economy are not brought to required to underpin it. It is because the sum would be bear in a most cruel way on those who can least afford nothing like £6,500—it would be more like £1,500 on to finance such an energy economy. average under the Conservatives’ blue-green energy Therefore, a fuel poverty strategy should combine proposals—that funding the policy even starts to become several different factors, not all of which will exactly conceivable for most households. Indeed, the savings correlate with each other. It is not the case, for instance, suggested for an expenditure of £1,500 are the full £360 that everybody who is in fuel poverty lives in a badly that would be needed to underpin the £6,500 in terms of insulated house, although a good proportion do so. the interest that would be lost through granting that Therefore, a strategy that moves rapidly towards ensuring sum. It is claimed that those savings would result from that the standard assessment procedure ratings—the measures such as the installation of low-energy light SAP ratings—of houses across the country are raised bulbs, cavity wall insulation and roof insulation, all of substantially, in order to fuel-poverty proof those houses which have already been legislated for to a considerable as far as possible, seems absolutely essential. However, extent, or are under way. By 2011, for example, low-energy it is also not the case that simply doing that will cause light bulbs will be in place across the whole of the UK. everybody who is now in fuel poverty not to be in fuel The policy does not take seriously the real job that poverty. It is also not the case that everyone who is in needs to be done, especially on fuel poverty, or the fuel poverty stays in the same house. Therefore, a investment in efficient homes that it will be necessary to programme to ensure social tariffs, tariff reductions undertake. and affordable tariffs for those in fuel poverty—these The recent White Paper, which does take the issue might be related as, in effect, a gateway benefit, in seriously, proposed that all homes should have a whole- respect of other indicators of the fact that a person in house package—to be achieved not by legislative means fuel poverty lives in a house that is not well insulated—would but through other measures—to include cost-effective seem to be a way forward in ensuring, as far as possible, energy saving measures plus renewable heat and electricity that fuel poverty becomes a thing of the past in our measures as appropriate by 2030, and all lofts and future energy economy. cavity walls to be insulated, where practicable, by 2015. We have to be honest and reflect on the indicators of It also included the development of new ways to provide fuel poverty. Although it is widely accepted that those financial support so that people could make more who spend more than 10 per cent.—10p in a pound—on substantial energy saving and renewable energy their energy bills are in fuel poverty, that definition rises improvements. Does it not appear sensible to work out or falls precisely with energy prices. Some 40,000 people how that can be done properly in order to pursue the will be in fuel poverty if fuel prices rise by 1 per cent., policy, instead of magicking a sum of money out of yet they will apparently come out of fuel poverty if fuel thin air, which would be completely insupportable in prices fall by 1 per cent., regardless of their objective the real world? Would it not make more sense to examine circumstances before or after that price rise or fall. placing a charge on the district network operator for the Therefore, attempting to secure a combination of factors supply to the household? Would it not make sense to in fighting fuel poverty, so that people are fuel-poverty consider how loans could come into the equation to proofed as far as possible, seems to be the right way overcome the capital costs of such energy-saving devices? forward. That will require a combination of legislation Would it not make sense to consider the option of leasing, and regulation on a series of important fronts. It is or to pilot some of these schemes so that what we say therefore interesting to note that the code for sustainable and what we can do are the same thing? In a future buildings, which will ensure by 2016 that the building of low-carbon energy economy, the savings will need to match new houses is carbon neutral as far as possible, which up to the investment so that the householder will be in a will, among other things, help to increase the SAP win-win situation in terms of their energy bills as well as rating of UK housing stock, is not based on legislation. the security of a well insulated, low-carbon house. We need to be clear that whatever the oscillation in Martin Horwood: Does the hon. Gentleman agree energy prices in the future, they will be high and will get with us that it is important to have consistent measures higher. There is therefore a particular onus on us to of fuel poverty, so that Governments of any colour 73 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 74 cannot wriggle out of their responsibilities, and that electricity, so that it underpins new investment in a therefore clause 14, to which my hon. Friend the Member positive way, will be a good achievement of the Bill for North Southwark and Bermondsey (Simon Hughes) should it become law. drew our attention earlier and which appears to give If we are to regulate positively in order to achieve our the Secretary of State the power to change and flex aims, it is important that we all face in the same direction, the definition, is rather dangerous and ought to be and that we do not place on the statute book legislation removed? that resiles from those aims. I was therefore concerned to hear proposals from Conservative Members for Dr. Whitehead: There is a distinction between ensuring legislation to prevent onshore wind energy from being that the definition of fuel poverty works in the way that put in place anywhere in the country if it is less than a I have described and a clause in a Bill that enables a specified distance from a house or dwelling. The aim of Government simply to declare that fuel poverty does that proposal is not, as has been suggested by Opposition not exist. As the hon. Gentleman says, it would be a bad Front Benchers, to involve communities more in onshore outcome if a Government were able, by a legislative wind development. It is simply to stop onshore wind ruse, to declare that fuel poverty did not exist. However, farms being put in place. as we all know that it does exist and as we have a Giving that kind of signal through legislation would definition in the Bill that is not to be removed, the prevent the investment in our energy supply that we question is how we ensure, through a combination of need to replace our ageing equipment, and create fuel-poverty proofing, social tariffs and reduced tariffs, uncertainty in the market. Our claim to be able to move and through how they cross over for people living in forward on to a low-carbon economy would effectively particular houses, that fuel poverty is combated rather be rugby tackled by legislation that would make that more effectively than previously. impossible to achieve. I am sorry that, when those on I want to say a few words about the future of our the Opposition Front Bench were given the opportunity energy supply. As my hon. Friend the Member for to repudiate that approach today, they simply ducked Sherwood (Paddy Tipping) mentioned, the test of the the question and said that it was nothing to do with success or otherwise of our whole strategy of moving them. It is something to do with them. towards a low-carbon fuel economy will be the extent to which we effectively replace the 40 or so per cent. of our We should place on record that we will put on the existing electricity supply with a low-carbon electricity statute book legislation and regulations that will move supply. Over the next 10 to 15 years, all but one of our us solidly in the direction of a low-carbon economy, to nuclear power stations will go out of commission, as ensure that the people who are going to be paying their will all our coal-fired power stations, a number of bills in such an economy are not so disadvantaged by gas-fired power stations and, as things stand, all our what that economy is going to produce that they cannot oil-fired power stations, through a combination of age, take part in it. We should all face in the same direction end of life, the European large combustion plant directive on this, and we must make it clear that we do not and associated activities. It is imperative that that process support anything that goes against that. I hope that should take clear note of the need to ensure, first, that when the Opposition Front-Bench spokesman sums up we have a base load capacity in our fuel economy and, their case on this Second Reading debate he will take secondly, that we do not require investors in new plant—let the opportunity to repudiate that it is any part of their us be clear: by and large, the investors in any new plant policy to stop the development of onshore wind will be the energy companies that currently supply our farms by placing distance barriers in the way of such energy investment in the UK—to invest in plant that developments, thereby preventing them from going ahead. will become redundant or a stranded asset as soon as it is installed. 6.43 pm That will require two things to happen. First, we need to ensure that the capacity exists to invest in both coal Mr. Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth, East) (Con): It is and gas, while at the same time squaring the circle of a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Southampton, that investment for a future low-carbon economy.Secondly, Test (Dr. Whitehead), but I must begin by correcting it is absolutely right that we should send out strong him. He has spent the past 10 minutes talking about signals about carbon capture and storage for those new Tory policy, and I hope that that is not a theme that will investments. It is also absolutely right, therefore, that we continue through the debate. I want to clarify the fact should put in place a legislative framework through this that my hon. Friend the Member for Tunbridge Wells Bill to move ahead with carbon capture and storage, (Greg Clark) put clearly into context the remarks about both pre-combustion and post-combustion, coupled wind farms made by my right hon. and learned Friend with a serious tranche of new powers for the regulator the Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Clarke). to ensure that the energy market works in a more It was, however, the comments made by the right carefully regulated way. hon. Member for Sherwood (Paddy Tipping)— One thing to emerge as a result of those changes is [Interruption.] I have inadvertently promoted him. The that in future we will live in a far more regulated energy hon. Member for Sherwood made a thoughtful speech, economy. Indeed, it is right that we should do so, and he made two points that I hope those on both Front because we have serious targets to reach, a short time in Benches will listen to. First, he talked about the rising which to reach them and a series of replacements that cost of winter fuel allowances, which needs to be addressed. we need to make in our generating capacity to enable us Is it right that we should pour so much money into to reach them, rather than standing against them. Therefore, heating houses, rather than making them capable of a combination of this legislation and Ofgem being able requiring less heat by insulating them? He also raised to recast the market arrangements for the generation of the possibility of power cuts in 2017—I see him nodding— 75 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 76

[Mr. Tobias Ellwood] problems over planning in Conservative councils and in others across the country. It is worth putting on record which is a prospect that the Secretary of State refused to the fact that there are more Conservative councils than acknowledge even though he wrote about it not long there are Labour and Liberal Democrat councils put ago. together, so of course there will be more issues and We have gathered here today to debate Second Reading question marks in relation to those matters. I would like of this Bill, but there is another gathering taking place to see more incentives provided by the Government so in Copenhagen. That involves a significant grouping of that councils, regardless of their colour, would be international leaders who are hoping to move the debate encouraged to look at renewables as opposed to other on the 1997 Kyoto protocol forward. We must all wish energy sources. that conference well, but also bear in mind that it took more than eight years for much of that protocol to David Taylor (North-West Leicestershire) (Lab/Co-op): become law. Our hopes are high that we shall see I do not think that that point has substantial weight. agreement on the targets for greenhouse gas emissions, The same sort of attitudes were present before the on financial support for adaptation to climate change in major wave of new Conservative councils was elected developing countries and on the carbon trading scheme. two years or so ago. Often, in the more balanced I shall not hold my breath while waiting to see any of councils—in terms of political control—it was the that put on the statute book, however, because of the Conservative councils that led the opposition to energy slowness of planning and the delays involved in Government initiatives of this kind, so I am not sure that the hon. agreements. All that goes against the grain of what we Gentleman’s point is all that significant. have heard on both sides of the House about the urgency of dealing with climate change and the demise of this country’s natural resources. Mr. Ellwood: I did not quite understand that intervention. I visited Cumbria last week. We do not know whether The point is that today, we are where we are. If the flooding there was caused by climate change, but councils are not embracing the opportunity for renewables, many of the images that we saw on television are still we need to look at ways of incentivising them to do so. vivid in our minds. I want to place on record the fact What is wrong is that despite 10 years of commitment that Cumbria is very much open for business. Yes, there by this Government, the contribution to Britain’s energy have been problems in Cockermouth, but Lake Windermere requirement made by renewables has gone from 1 per is back to its normal levels, and the people there are cent. to 1.3 per cent. That is not good enough, considering calling for tourists to visit the area. When we debate the pressure that we are under to find other ways of climate change, we need to be careful not to label or providing our energy. It is almost as if a pilot were to identify places that have been affected and simply leave take off without knowing how much fuel was in the it at that. We can incur damage if we do not subsequently tanks and then started searching around for somewhere confirm that repairs have been made. The fighting spirit to land to refuel. That is not sensible planning for the of the people in Cumbria has got it back to business as future. That is my basic argument. What has happened normal, and we owe them a debt of gratitude. We can in the last 10 years, as the oil and gas have been running show that gratitude by sending out the message that the out? The initiatives that we need to prepare ourselves Lake district is very much open for business. for the future when the lights may be threatened, or indeed turned right out, have not been forthcoming. I am delighted to be participating in this Second Reading debate, not only to underline my own views on In Germany it is against the law to run out of fuel climate change but to comment on the demise of our while driving a car on the motorway: one has to plan own natural resources. As I said in my interventions on ahead. I wonder what the fine would be for a Government the Secretary of State, I am very concerned about what who were running towards empty, or if their tank ran has happened to those resources over the past decade. out completely. It would probably be more than this History will look back on that decade with concern that Government could afford. we did not do enough in time to make people aware that It is helpful to remind ourselves of our energy needs. our resources were being so greatly reduced. It is fair to say that for many years we have been blessed The risk of blackouts in the future is now a reality, with energy efficiency in this country, as we have had an yet we hear denials of that from the Government Front ample supply. Our requirement is roughly around 60 GW, Bench. Instead, we get lists of initiatives. Some of them although it is likely to decline this year, simply because are very good: we have just heard about the longer-lasting of the recession and the consequent reduction in light bulbs initiative, and that is fantastic. Unfortunately, requirements. Current capacity is 76 GW, so one might however, it does not address the question of what we ask what all the fuss is about. According to the should do when the oil and gas run out. That is exactly Government’s own statistics, our energy requirements what is happening. In addition, our nuclear power are likely to increase by around 40 per cent. over the capability used to contribute 30 per cent. of the UK’s next 20 years. energy needs; the figure is now down to 12.5 per cent. Let us look at our resources more closely. We have and falling. We have had many discussions on the known for years that North sea oil is on the decline. further use of coal, but it is now seen as too dirty to use Surely the recent oil price spike at $147 a barrel would on its own. Extra investment is required, as is further have set the alarm bells ringing to say that what we are research, because the scale on which we could use doing is not sustainable. We clearly cannot carry on this carbon capture and storage has yet to be confirmed. way—and not only on account of the cost of the fuel, We have also had big debates about renewables. The because it is simply running out. Labour has watched, subject was just raised by the hon. Member for like a rabbit caught in the headlights, as the North sea Southampton, Test. I do not doubt that there have been oil dials swing round towards empty. 77 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 78

The story with gas is not much different; about a intervene now, she would no doubt say, “Oh, that’s third of our requirements are now imported. UK storage 20 years away.” Well, it will continue to be 20 years capacity has also changed little. That was pointed out a away, so long as we continue to fail to invest in it. Given number of times to the Secretary of State, who gave the that that is effectively nuclear power utopia, I cannot most waffly reply I have heard in this Chamber about understand why we are not doing more to find something the reasons why we cannot have a legal requirement, as that would allow us to build only one more set of France and Germany do, to keep a certain number of nuclear fission reactors before moving over to nuclear days’ supply of gas in storage in the UK. In France it is fusion. Nuclear fusion combines hydrogen, turning it 125 days; in Germany it is 95 days; in the UK we into helium, creating water, so it is very safe: there is no average around 15, but last winter we went down to just radioactive material and there are no CO2 emissions, four days’ capacity, coming very close indeed to running making it extremely clean. Yet we are doing nothing—no on empty. research, no discussion in the UK of how to move that The question has been raised—the hon. Member debate forward. Scientists know that that power can be who raised it is no longer in his place—about an issue harnessed, but because it a long time in the future, the that the Front-Bench teams need to answer: rough storage, attitude is that it will not happen on our watch; I am and who owns the gas itself. Germany owns a number afraid that that is not the right attitude. of the companies that operate in the UK, but is it right As for coal, we have a supply, but as we have known that when they are running low on gas, they can remove for a long time, it is a big polluter. If we have known gas from rough storage here in the UK and take it back that for a long time, why are we only now coming to to Germany to look after their own residents? The terms with the challenges, issues and benefits of carbon Government should provide an answer to that question. capture and storage? Again, it is all too late in the day. The nuclear story provides another tale of woe. Again, 30 per cent. of energy needs were once being met, but Paddy Tipping: The hon. Gentleman will remember we are now down to 12.5 per cent. The Magnox fleet is the project to develop clean coal technology at going to disappear almost completely over the next few Grimesthorpe—but it was closed by the last Tory years, as are pressurised water reactors. These cannot be Government. replaced overnight. The Government are at last waking up, but they will turn around and say, “What are the Mr. Ellwood: I repeat that that took place before I Conservatives going to do?” That is not a powerful had the opportunity even to comment on it; I was still at argument, when it is under their watch that the nuclear school studying chemistry. The hon. Gentleman has power capability has been reduced to the point at which been in the House for 10 years now, and this Government we cannot replace those power stations, like for like, in have been responsible for 10 years, so at what point do time to meet the same energy requirements as before. the Government finally stop using, “Oh, it was the last Government’s fault,” as an excuse to cover what they As I said in an earlier intervention, it took 22 years to are not doing now. That debate is getting very old get planning permission to build the Dungeness nuclear indeed. power plant. The processes have been speeded up, but the technology is no longer here in the UK. Virtually I put it to the Minister that the levy that the Bill every nuclear power station is different—unique—as we introduces will penalise the entire industry, including have built one, learned from it and then moved on to those who do not produce any CO2 emissions. Would it build another one. That is not a good story. Much of not be an incentive for the producers of electricity and the technology and the people have moved elsewhere, to energy—and, indeed, the consumers—to move over to places such as South Africa, Canada, the United States greener forms if they knew that they would not then and France. We should be looking to international have to pay the levy? I am ready to give way to the organisations to come over here to teach and train us so Minister to explain, but it does not look as if she is that we have the right nuclear capability to we can meet going to intervene. We will wait for her summing up. our needs in the future. Finally, on renewables, the point has been made that we have managed to increase our capability in the UK Mr. Jamie Reed: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his by only 0.3 per cent. There are more imaginative ways comments about Cumbria, but on the subject of the of using renewables. The point has been made that there nuclear industry, I urge him please not to talk down the are so many buildings—council-owned buildings and capability of the UK industry. Many of the points that other public buildings—that would readily provide a he has made are not true. I know he is supportive, which place for wind turbines of varying sizes, in order to I welcome, but let us stick to the facts. increase our contribution. Those are not all Tory council Mr. Ellwood: I am sticking to the facts. I am on the town halls either, as there are a myriad places where we all-party nuclear energy group, and we have made a could do that. That is the approach that we need. number of visits across the globe. We meet British To have 10,000 wind turbines by 2020 is a fantastic people—now slightly aged, I have to say—who worked target, but this Government did not manage to save a in the British nuclear industry and have now moved major wind turbine company close to my constituency, away from it. I could mention the CANDU systems in in the Isle of Wight. What a shame that it has now gone Canada, the pebble bed systems in South Africa, and out of business. I am afraid that this provides another other systems developed in France and Sweden, all of example of people upping sticks and moving out of this which benefited from British interest and British know-how, country: their experience, technology and resources have as they started off here in the UK. now left these shores. The second absence from the Bill is any mention of nuclear fusion, and I suspect that not many Members Simon Hughes: I share the hon. Gentleman’s regret are aware of what is going on in that connection. The about the fact that the Danish company Vesta is ending Minister of State shakes her head, and if she were to its activities on the Isle of Wight, but I hope that he will 79 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 80

[Simon Hughes] in the future? I believe that we have just 15 days of supply—although that may have been reduced to four be open enough to accept that one of the causes of its days. The test will be the coming winter. I shall be frustration was the consistent opposition to those activities interested to hear about the Minister’s plans for the by the Tory-run council there, and by his Tory colleague winter, and the emergency procedures that may be the hon. Member for Isle of Wight (Mr. Turner). When required should it be as harsh as winters have been in those at Vesta’s headquarters asked what support it was the past. We are gambling with people’s lives, as was receiving locally, it had to answer, “Very little, if any.” proved by the increase in deaths tolls during last year’s harsh winter. Mr. Ellwood: The hon. Gentleman has made a fair Earlier generations created the problem of greenhouse point. As I think I said at the beginning of my speech, gases through ignorance. The Government is compounding we need to find ways of incentivising all councils, whatever that problem with arrogance, by doing so little. We have their colour or persuasion. If it is true that councils are had 15 Energy Ministers in 10 years. That is recycling at turning their backs, we must think about how the its worst. It seems that we must wait for a Conservative situation can be reversed. However, I see nothing in the Minister to take the neglect of our energy requirements Bill that would take us down that route. I see nothing in seriously. it that would persuade councils on the Isle of Wight, in Felixstowe or anywhere else to invest more in technology 7.4 pm of this kind. The position in Europe is just as bleak as it is here in Dr. Desmond Turner (Brighton, Kemptown) (Lab): I the United Kingdom. Europe is already largely dependent shall not be as churlish as Opposition Members about on imports—90 per cent. of oil, 80 per cent. of gas and the Bill. It is indeed a modest Bill, but I think it 50 per cent. of coal come from outside Europe—but we unreasonable to expect a compendium Bill dealing with cannot lean on our neighbours and depend on them to every outstanding energy issue to go through Parliament provide long-term support for our energy needs. That in the limited time that we have before the general raises the question of security of supply—another issue election. For obvious reasons, this Bill focuses on what that is absent from the Bill. I had an opportunity to visit is needed immediately. Georgia and observe the development of pipelines there. I welcome the Bill, and I gather that, in a way, the A political game was being played, involving the geography Opposition do as well, so I assume that they will not of the placing of pipelines in Europe. What is worrying vote against it. [Interruption.] is that Russia is now in a strong position to turn the taps on and off, and we may see prices fluctuate across Madam Deputy Speaker (Sylvia Heal): Order. There Europe. We must not find ourselves in that position are too many sedentary exchanges. again, particularly as we approach another tough winter. We are seeing an abdication of responsibility by the Dr. Turner: My apologies, Madam Deputy Speaker. Government. I do not understand the reason for the As I was saying, this is a modest Bill. Only three delay in the introduction of smart meters, and of charging issues, in my view, have not been addressed at all, or points for electric cars—those were mentioned by my have not been addressed as much as they might have hon. Friend the Member for Tunbridge Wells, and the been. The reason why we need the Bill is clear, however. nation is calling out for them—and the upgrade of the We have a liberalised electricity market, for which we 50-year-old grid. Moreover, surely an energy Bill should must thank the Opposition in their former role as the focus on reducing heat requirements, given that they Government. I sometimes think that our problems with constitute 42 per cent. of our energy requirements. It energy policy would be much easier to deal with if we should also focus on greener transport systems. The still had the late, lamented dear old Central Electricity introduction of TGV-style trains would reduce the need Generating Board. If that were the case, we could for aeroplanes, and an increase in the number of light simply say, “We are going to do this,” rather than having railways might encourage people to use their cars less. A to act through a purely commercial market. All change particular interest of mine is the introduction of grants is not progress, and the liberalised electricity markets or other incentives for councils to provide safer bike have created more problems than solutions. lanes, to reduce the need for cars for the school run—a Low-carbon or zero-carbon technologies cost more major contributor to road pollution. than fossil-fuel technologies. It is as simple as that. There is little in the Bill with which we can disagree—but Deploying those technologies requires market support then there is little in the Bill anyway. As the Copenhagen mechanisms, or, to put it more crudely, subsidies. There summit gets under way, I hope that none of the delegates is no way of getting around that in the present are turning their eyes in the direction of this Chamber circumstances, and it is the reason for part 1 of the Bill. to see whether they can learn anything from what is No one will invest in the building of plants with carbon being said here. I fear that they would be sadly disappointed. capture and storage without a subsidy to cover the extra From an energy perspective, Labour’s period in office cost. That basic fact applies to renewable energy and, will be seen as a wasted decade, and the Bill represents a indeed, to the nuclear industry. If the nuclear industry wasted opportunity. The nation can rightly ask why we had to compete with gas or coal-fired power generation have not planned for the future. Our oil and gas are on costs, it would not have a chance. It has made that running out, our nuclear power stations are grinding to clear through a number of darkly muttered remarks, for a halt, and our coal is becoming too expensive and dirty example, about the need for a sufficiently high carbon to use. Why has more not been done not only to ensure price to underpin its investment. The industry would that we can generate the power that we need, but to also like long-term supply contracts, thank you very ensure that our homes are more energy-efficient? More much, to guarantee it flat-out running of its reactors fundamentally, what has been done to keep the lights on and make it as economic as possible. 81 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 82

Mr. Goodwill: The playing field would, of course, be That brings me on to the first matter that I would more level if the fossil-fuel generators had to take care have liked the Bill to address. As has been mentioned, of their own waste. At present, they simply expel it into we have some of the best raw energy-producing resources the atmosphere for us or future generations to deal of any country in the world in terms of wind, wave and with. At least the nuclear industry contains and processes tidal stream, but although some of our wave power and its own waste. Surely that is the point of what we are tidal stream technologies are at the point of being ready discussing today. for commercial exploitation and deployment, that will not happen under our current market support regimes. Dr. Turner: I think that one of the best ways to level Even if the double-ROCs for offshore wind could be the playing field is to have a realistic carbon price. We accessed, it would not be enough because such new currently have a ludicrous price in the EU emissions technologies have higher capital costs, which can only trading scheme. I know that one of the things that my come down with increased scale, the development of right hon. Friend the Secretary of State hopes will supply chains and so forth. emerge from Copenhagen is an internationally agreed Other countries, notably Germany and Denmark, means of increasing the carbon price. have deployed market support systems that will develop technologies so they reach the point of cost reduction. Mr. Weir: I was somewhat astonished by what the In the process, although such countries may have to hon. Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Mr. Goodwill) invest a bit, they will gain enormously in terms of the said about cost. Would the hon. Gentleman care to green industries they develop. We could have had the remind us of the current cost of the Nuclear wind industry in Britain if we had done that. Like Decommissioning Authority to deal with historical nuclear Germany, we might now have 250,000 extra jobs and waste, never mind new nuclear waste? several billions of pounds-worth of turnover from the manufacture of wind turbines. We have an opportunity Dr. Turner: It is about £70 billion, but I have slightly with wave and tidal stream technology, but it will not lost track; there is, however, a mounting pile of both happen unless we put in place a market support waste and cost. I should add that the nuclear industry mechanism—to be brutally honest, a subsidy—that will does not want to know about making a level playing bring that through. field. I would have liked to have seen a provision in the Bill to extend the levy principle to support and foster new Returning to my theme, the whole process would be technologies, because none of the current market support made a great deal easier if we had a sensible carbon systems are doing the job. We could have a magnificent price. If we had such a carbon price, we would not need tidal stream industry in this country, as exemplified by to exact so much money through a levy from electricity the first commercial machine, SeaGen, in Strangford consumers. It is the electricity consumers who will have lough. There is a danger, however, that those involved in to pick up the tab for the levy, and £9.5 billion is quite a the industry will be forced to go to other countries, lot of money. It could be raised through a carbon where there is a market support mechanism. tax—that was a Freudian slip. I have long advocated our having a carbon tax, but I should have referred to it Mr. Elliot Morley (Scunthorpe) (Lab): My hon. Friend being raised through a carbon price—although that is making a very good argument. On market mechanisms, does not really matter because a sensible carbon price does he not agree that we might look back at a previous would, in effect, be a carbon tax, so that is just semantics. Bill on feed-in tariffs? I know it depends on the scale of It has now become really quite respectable to suggest generation, but there is a possibility of helping emerging that we should have a mechanism for underpinning the technologies through the feed-in tariff applied. Although price of carbon. That has now been suggested by Lord the Department of Energy and Climate Change has Turner, chair of the Committee on Climate Change, put in place a very good tariff structure, is there not an and by many others. If we had a realistic carbon price, argument for having a higher rate—perhaps only that would help to level the playing field for competition temporarily, for a few years—to encourage those new in generation. We need to do that, because it is unrealistic technologies? to think we can continue to subsidise everything, as we Dr. Turner: I absolutely agree, and I thank my right have to do now to get decarbonised electricity supply. hon. Friend for that intervention. I do not mind whether We cannot do that through regulation because of the the measure in question is called a feed-in tariff, a liberalised market. We could regulate, however, to say multiple ROC or a special levy, as long as it does the not only that no coal-fired power station will be built job. Obviously, it would be temporary and tied to the without CCS in place, but that there will be no coal-fired state of development of a given technology. If we do generation at all. Under that restriction, only zero or not do that, however, we run the risk of losing an low-carbon generation technologies would be licensed, industry that this country could have—it is on the point but we would not get those power stations built, because of development—and that could produce gigawatts of the capital markets are in such a bad state that no one power that could, in turn, produce great industrial would invest in them. We are therefore, in effect, having benefit. If that does not happen, we will still want to to cough up subsidies in order to satisfy bankers. It all deploy tidal stream power in this country, because we comes back to bankers—I am sorry to have to say that, have so much of it, but instead of being the manufacturer but it is true. They want to see returns on their investments, and getting 100 per cent. of the added value of deploying and the only way they can get them is through subsidies: the technology, we would get very little—perhaps about in this case, it would be the CCS levy, and in the case of 10 per cent. We would be a client. We would be importing wind and other renewables, it would be renewables machines made abroad that could have been made in obligation certificates. Either way, there has to be the Britain, and we would lose a potentially huge export subsidy. industry as well. 83 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 84

[Dr. Desmond Turner] Martin Horwood: I am broadly in sympathy with the hon. Gentleman’s argument. It is long overdue that I therefore make the following serious plea: we should sustainability should take a major place in Ofgem’s examine the possibility of incorporating in the Bill a remit. Is he satisfied with the rather circuitous and new support mechanism for emerging technologies, so convoluted way in which the Bill attempts to do that, by that we no longer have to try desperately to get the redefining sustainability as one of the consumer benefits? Treasury to agree to tweaking the existing mechanisms. That just is not happening, and that is extremely frustrating Dr. Turner: That is an interesting question, but I do for those in the industry, those who want to see it not think it matters. The provision states quite clearly develop, and all of us who want this country to have the that sustainability is a primary part of Ofgem’s responsibility low-carbon electricity it can produce for us and the and, of course, it is a consumer benefit. Fighting climate contribution it can make towards our climate change change is as much a consumer benefit as anything else. efforts. I think we have now had enough of that whinge, In fact, I think that it is probably one of the greatest although it is intended to be a very constructive benefits that we can give to successive generations of whinge. consumers. I do not have a problem with that. As long It is inevitable that energy prices will increase. I as Ofgem finally starts to go green, I shall be quite cannot think of a single factor that would bring them happy. down. Oil and gas prices are going up and the recession The other thing that worries me about Ofgem is that, will not counter that. The general trend is inexorably although for years it has been rather tentative in its upwards, just as the general trend in climate change is of regulation and how it has tackled abuses of the energy global warming and temperatures moving inexorably market by energy companies, it needs more powers. upwards. It is vital that the increased burden of Even if it has the will to go in a particular direction of decarbonising energy is shared reasonably and that it enforcement, it definitely needs more powers. The Bill does not fall on the poorest sections of the community, contains some. Although I have not worked through the so I very much welcome the social tariff provisions issue enough to define the extra powers that I think of the Bill. I think that they are long overdue. We need Ofgem might need, this is one part of the Bill that will to ensure that they bite the energy companies. It means need very careful scrutiny in Committee. It could well that the rest of us have to pay, but I personally have be expedient to further increase Ofgem’s powers beyond no objection to that. Some of us accept that principle those that are already in the Bill. with taxation, although I cannot say that everybody I endorse the Bill, although I think it can be improved. does. I realise why it is a modest Bill. It fits within a time That is vital, but the tariff is not the only thing. Quite setting. It is what it is and can only be what it is. a lot has been said already about energy efficiency, and However, even within the limited time that we have left a social tariff regime needs to go hand in hand with of this Parliament, I think that it can be usefully improved. increased energy efficiency. Whatever financial difficulties I sincerely hope that the whole House will at least give it there are, we need to explore alternative mechanisms of a Second Reading. ensuring that those people at the lower end of the income spectrum who will benefit from the social tariffs 7.27 pm can also benefit from support for increasing the energy efficiency of their homes. That is the other gap in the Mr. Robert Goodwill (Scarborough and Whitby) (Con): Bill as I see it. Such an approach will not necessarily It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Brighton, involve great expenditure on the part of the Treasury Kemptown (Dr. Turner). and it can be done by manipulation of the market. I We have become accustomed to relying on an would like to see that explored. uninterrupted supply of electricity in this country although, Finally, we come to my concerns about Ofgem. Those as the hon. Member for Sherwood (Paddy Tipping) who are easily bored might remember that I have been mentioned and as I also read in a report from the having a pop at Ofgem for many years now, trying to get Environmental Audit Committee—in fact, only the Minister some responsibility for sustainability into its mandate. has not recognised it—we are heading for a situation in Ofgem has resisted that quite strongly. However, my which the lights could well go out in 2017. efforts achieved something in 2004, when sustainability Every aspect of our modern life is plugged into the was added to the secondary responsibilities of Ofgem—I grid. There are usually no back-up arrangements, except cannot remember the list of them now, but it was quite perhaps for hospitals or dairy farmers who need to keep long. There it stayed, but it made very little difference to their milking machines going. For many vulnerable Ofgem’s behaviour in practice because Ofgem has focused people and families, the prospect of losing power supplies almost entirely on competition and security of supply is a real concern. Even our gas central heating systems up until now. I am very pleased that the Bill puts and cookers rely on electricity to function, so there will sustainability and climate change at the top of Ofgem’s be no Christmas dinner without electricity. In fact, a primary responsibilities. couple of years ago in my part of North Yorkshire there It will be extremely interesting to watch the behaviour were power cuts on Christmas day, which created particular of Ofgem when it has to consider such matters as its problems. primary remit, with everything else following them. We have identified that there are two serious challenges. That should produce a culture change that is long The first, as I have mentioned, is security of supply of overdue. Ofgem’s role is central to all energy policy, so if electricity and gas. The experience in Ukraine a couple it is singing from the climate change hymn sheet, we of years ago, when Gazprom decided to turn off the might see some real progress towards large-scale deployment supplies, showed that this is all too great a threat for of renewable energy. many parts of the world. Of course, the United Kingdom 85 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 86 is at the end of the pipe, and we have heard it asked Mr. Goodwill: The current generation of power stations whether Germany could pull back supplies that are has a credible plan to store waste in tanks until it cools already in the UK should there be a strategic problem. down. It could then be transferred to air-cooled silos for The second challenge—and this is the really big one—is 40 or 50 years. In the long term, the answer would be long-term geological storage—not disposal, but storage— CO2. When the North sea oil and gas run out, our major indigenous supply of energy will be the coal that because future generations might need to access that stretches from under the South Yorkshire area to under nuclear fuel again to use in a new generation of power my constituency in North Yorkshire to where the Barnsley stations, perhaps in 100 years’ time. I believe that the seam extends. Government have made the right decision in embarking on a new generation of nuclear power stations, although One decision that the Government have made, which it is true that the nuclear industry in the UK has had a I think was right, is to embark on a new generation of somewhat unfortunate history. nuclear power stations in this country. I am disappointed that the Liberal Democrats have still got a head-in-the-sand My hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth, East attitude, whether it is out of political opportunism or (Mr. Ellwood) talked about bumping into nuclear engineers whether they just sing too much to the tune played by from the UK in different parts of the world. When I was Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth. They need to in Canada, I was told that the premier league engineers wake up and realise that the nuclear industry has a vital had been in Britain building our gas-cooled reactor fleet. The theoretical design behind those reactors made part to play in delivering our CO2 targets. them the safest in the world, but the problem lay with Martin Horwood: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? the practicalities of building the power stations, particularly as no stations were built to exactly the same design. I Mr. Goodwill: I thought that the hon. Gentleman think that there was a similar strategy behind the building might intervene. of Concorde: we thought that we were the best engineers in the world and that we could engineer our way through anything. Perhaps, as lessons were learned, we should Martin Horwood: I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s have gone down the route of the Americans and French contribution to the Liberal Democrat policy debate, but with the pressurised water reactor, which was originally is he aware that no nuclear power station has ever been designed to be put into a nuclear submarine or aircraft built on time and to budget and that we are still paying carrier, as that has turned out to be the most dependable between £1 billion and £2 billion to clean up the last and reliable reactor. generation of nuclear waste? We have still not found anywhere or anyhow to dispose of the waste from the Nuclear has a bright future. The only problem is that last 40 years of nuclear waste generation; why on earth the decision to build has been left 10 years too late, and would we want to go down that route again? so we might have a problem keeping the lights on in the mean time. Certainly, there is plenty of fuel for the Mr. Goodwill: If the hon. Gentleman spoke to the nuclear industry. When I was in Canada, I spoke to Canadians, he would find that they are delivering representatives of the nuclear uranium mining industry nuclear power stations to places such as China and who told me that there was enough fuel for at least Korea to budget and on time. As for legacy waste, much 40 years. The problem is that there is no incentive for of it has come from our military nuclear developments. anyone to prospect for more fuel in places such as The incremental amount of waste that will be produced Canada and Australia, given that the likely return will by the new generation means that that is not an be more than 40 years away. Some of the scare stories insurmountable problem. I visited a nuclear power station that have been put about by the Liberal Democrats have in Canada with some people who had never been in a more to do with political opportunism than with the nuclear power station before and who had no experience best interests of the UK economy and the world climate. of nuclear. When we saw some waste in a tank, they It is all very well their saying that renewables are the were asked how much they thought there was—a week answer—and they are, absolutely, part of the answer—but or a year’s supply—but the tank contained the past so is nuclear. I am pleased that we will have a new 15 years-worth of waste. The nuclear industry’s waste is generation of nuclear power stations, and I hope that manageable. will be a start. I hope that, in years to come, when we look at future generations, we consider having still more The hon. Gentleman should speak to the Canadians nuclear. about how they address their waste problem. They picked the Canadian equivalent of Jonathan Porritt, a If we get to the point at which nuclear supplies more lady called Elizabeth Dowdeswell, to set up a commission, than just the base load supply, we should look at how and it became apparent that the problem of nuclear the surplus generation can be used. Our coal and gas waste management and disposal is not a technical or stations can be turned on and off; at half time in the scientific issue but a purely political one, and that World cup final, in which I sincerely hope England will courageous decisions have to be taken to enable waste be playing, when everyone goes to put the kettle on, to be managed and for closure on that issue. those gas and coal stations can be cranked up. The nature of nuclear generation means that those stations Martin Horwood: I have to accept that even a Liberal have to be on permanently so, looking a little further Democrat Government would have to find some way of ahead than the Bill envisages, we should consider ways managing that waste—that is inevitable, as it is already we can use our successes. in existence—but will the hon. Gentleman tell us when, how or where the last generation of nuclear waste will Martin Horwood: I am extremely grateful to the hon. be disposed of? An answer to one of those three questions Gentleman for giving way again. He is being very would do. generous, given that I am criticising his points, but I 87 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 88

[Martin Horwood] It is not clear to me, from the Secretary of State’s introductory remarks, whether the research and cannot let him get away with the idea that nuclear development that we are embarking on will be kept as a power has ever been on constantly on in this country. UK possession, or whether we will share around the Can he name any period in which all our nuclear power world the benefits of any new knowledge on carbon reactors have been working at once? capture and storage. I suppose there is a difficult line to tread between allowing the UK to capitalise on and Mr. Goodwill: I recall having just mentioned the profit from the investment that we will put into that technical problems that we have had with advanced research and allowing the rest of the world, including gas-cooled reactors and that that is why we changed to developing countries, to benefit. Perhaps when she sums the technology that the French and Germans developed— up the Minister will give us some idea of how the the Sizewell technology—which has been proved to be ownership of that technology, which will be funded more dependable. partly by the Government but largely by electricity As I was saying, if we have that base load supply at consumers, will benefit the UK. Will she tell us what night when people are not boiling kettles, we will have degree of co-ordination there has been between the to think about how to deal with that. I read an interesting major economies, which are all looking into this type of paper about developing a hydrogen economy. We already technology, to make sure that we are not duplicating have motor cars that will run on hydrogen—BMW and work that is being done elsewhere? Certainly, sequestration other manufacturers have taken the lead on that. It and carbon capture and storage are part of the solution. would certainly be practical to use hydrogen that is The most wonderful part of that would be an ability to generated by electrolysis at night, or by a process that burn biofuels in our power stations, capture the carbon the Americans are looking into of producing hydrogen and pump it down into the ground. That would be directly in a reactor core—I get notes from the hon. genuine sequestration: taking CO2 out of the atmosphere Member for Copeland (Mr. Reed), who knows more from the biofuels and getting rid of it in a hole in the about the nuclear industry than I do. It would be ground. practical to pump hydrogen around the existing gas I think that there has been an element not of complacency network—hydrogen is a little more porous than the but perhaps of thinking, “Well it’s just going to happen. current natural gas that we put in there—and have a If we throw enough money at this research, it will hydrogen economy based on our existing gas network. definitely happen. Whatever research we put in, we’ll That idea looks a little further ahead than even the Bill come up with a solution.” Although we could technically envisages, but we do not want to close the door to such come up with a post-combustion or pre-combustion ideas. system and make it work, the problem is the cost and I welcome the news from the Government about the energy loss. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate electric cars, and I am sure that even if there were a Change report suggested that there would be a 25 to change of Government, that approach would not change. 40 per cent. energy loss from carrying out such processing However, I think that some people are making claims of gases. I recall the regulation that we passed more that cannot be substantiated by research or data about than a decade ago on fuel quality for diesel and petrol how green electric cars are at the moment. I am not sure vehicles, whereby we took the sulphur out of the diesel how green an electric car can be if it is being charged up and petrol. There was a 10 or 15 per cent. energy loss at using coal power, but it is important to allow the the refinery from that. For every environmental step industry to develop electric cars because we will in due forward, we sometimes have to take a short step back. course have green electricity that they can use. Another Of course, a 40 per cent. energy cost in that sort of issue to consider is smart metering and how car batteries process will have a severe impact on people’s energy can be used as a resource when they are on charge. We bills. might be able to smooth out some of the peaks in We need to ensure that we are not missing the point supply and demand by using the resource of all those on other sorts of technology that we should identify. We car batteries, when they are plugged into their chargers, have been criticised for missing some of the low-hanging to augment the grid at certain times. fruit. The proposals of my hon. Friend the Member for Recently, at Imperial college, London, I looked at Tunbridge Wells (Greg Clark) to allow people effectively some very interesting developments involving fuel cells to borrow against the savings on their bills so that their for domestic use. There was a boiler that looked every homes become more fuel efficient seem a sensible way bit like the kind of normal combi boiler that we would forward. Most businesses are doing that already. If they have in our flats and homes, but it was producing go to their bank manager with a proposal for investing electricity using a fuel cell that used natural gas, and the £100,000 to save £25,000 a year, the bank would go with waste heat that was being produced was not being that. We want that sort of scheme to be extended to wasted as it is in big power stations in south Yorkshire, ordinary domestic consumers. where it goes up as waste heat through cooling towers, We also have a long way to go in heating our homes. but was being used to heat domestic water for the house. We fitted a new central heating system in my home I hope that we will see that interesting technology go recently and put thermostatic valves on the radiators. forward. However, the bedroom heating does not need to go on till perhaps 9 o’clock at night; the living room heating The Minister of State, Department of Energy and does not need to go on till 5 o’clock. In many homes, Climate Change (Joan Ruddock) indicated assent. when the heating is on, it is simply on, and people do not go around the house adjusting their thermostatic Mr. Goodwill: The Minister nods. It would be one valves. I hope that we will examine ways in which way of having micro-generation in every home in the heating systems in houses can become more intelligent country and utilising that waste heat. to allow people to make savings. 89 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 90

When I was in Canada, those generating electricity Although I welcome the Bill, it is the sort of step in there told me that their peak load is not in winter, but in the right direction that a person takes when their shoe summer because of air conditioning. I hope that we will laces are tied together. I hope that we will have the examine more carefully ways of using natural ventilation. opportunity in Committee to improve the measure and In Parliament, if one has an office in Portcullis House, make it more fit for purpose. it is impossible to open the window. However, I am pleased that the temperature in the Chamber today Several hon. Members rose— indicates that we are leading by example in keeping the dial turned down. Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. Before I call the next My big disappointment with the Bill is that it does speaker, I reassure hon. Members that the temperature not refer to energy from waste through incineration and in the Chamber is not cool because the authorities and I anaerobic digestion. There was a scheme in my are not trying to improve it. We have closed windows constituency—everybody calls it the Seamer Carr tip; I and are doing our best to increase the temperature so think the council has a better name—which foundered that it is a little more comfortable. because of the technology not working. It was a pyrolysis scheme, whereby waste was heated to produce gas, which was burned in an engine. The Department for 7.47 pm Environment, Food and Rural Affairs put a lot of Mr. Jamie Reed (Copeland) (Lab): It is a pleasure to money into that scheme, which unfortunately did not follow the thoughtful and informed contribution of the come to fruition. That is an example of how we cannot hon. Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Mr. Goodwill), always assume that technology will work. who made some relevant points. It is interesting to consider other European Union countries, which comply with the landfill directive and Like the Bill, I will be mercifully brief. I declare an incinerate their waste and capture the energy from it interest at the outset, as I will mention nuclear power rather than continuing to throw it into holes in the and the nuclear industry throughout my contribution. ground. I suspect that it will not be long before the You would be surprised if I did not, Madam Deputy European Commission has something to say about Speaker. Sellafield is in my constituency and I therefore that. declare rather more than my interest: I declare around 17,000 interests—the number of jobs that it provides in Mr. Andrew Pelling (Croydon, Central) (Ind): Is it my constituency and in west Cumbria, including for not also important to try to gain the public’s confidence many of my family and friends. I am a former employee about incineration? In south-west London, there is a of the site—a third generation nuclear worker great deal of controversy about the prospect of the The Bill does not specifically affect nuclear generation. polluting effects of an incinerator. Perhaps more work Many hon. Members have pointed out that previous needs to be done on technology so that people can feel Bills have attended to that. However, the measure raises reassured that their environment will not be compromised issues, particularly on public subsidy, which are germane by such incinerators in urban areas. to future electricity generation from nuclear and other sources. Mr. Goodwill: My hon. Friend is right. In Vienna, there is an aesthetically as well as environmentally nice Before I continue, I thank the hon. Member for incinerator in the middle of town. People in Austria Scarborough and Whitby for saying that Cumbria is understand that the standards that the large combustion open for business. We were badly affected by the floods. plants directive imposes on new incinerators mean that Our economy relies very much on tourism, and the they are in more danger from airborne pollution from a roads, hotels, hostels and guesthouses are open. Please neighbour who has a garden fire and throws some come and spend money there this Christmas. plastic or other waste on to it than from a properly run There is a limit to how far we can play the blame incinerator—not a toxic waste incinerator, but a normal game. There has been some of that in the Chamber this domestic waste incinerator. We face quite a challenge in evening about specific elements of policy, in particular persuading people that such incinerators are not a how we have arrived at the current nuclear policy. threat to their health or their children’s health. Indeed, Having said that, the genesis of the malaise in the it is a sensible method of harnessing the energy in waste nuclear industry, which we have begun to remedy, is in in a way that will save not only the planet but their bills. the previous Government’s failure to address the long-term Some local authorities—certainly in the borough of waste disposal issues. I think that we have resolved that Scarborough in my constituency—go for recycling targets with the laudable and overdue creation of the Nuclear by, for example, targeting green waste, which many Decommissioning Authority and the effective prosecution people previously simply composted in their gardens. of a properly informed, thoughtful, well understood That has increased the mass of waste that has been long-term radioactive waste management policy for this collected. The local authority also collects a lot of country. That commands support from hon. Members unseparated waste—thereby creating costs—which people of all parties. would previously have perhaps taken to a collection The hon. Member for North Southwark and area, where they could separate it themselves. The value Bermondsey (Simon Hughes) raised the issue of nuclear of waste has been somewhat compromised by the wish fuel, and the environmental consequences and security to increase weight rather than value. We need to consider of supply issues affecting the new generation of nuclear the incineration of waste and take the people with us to reactors in this country. The answer is very simple: we persuade them that it is a good thing for their community already reprocess our spent fuel and, moreover, we and the environment. The other way we can get energy continue to manufacture fuel in my constituency at from waste is through anaerobic digestion. Sellafield and at the Westinghouse facility at Springfields. 91 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 92

[Mr. Jamie Reed] do not think that anyone would doubt that, but in recent years the deregulated market has not so much I shall make a brief pitch for something for which I driven down prices as resemble a multinational cartel. I have been pushing for four and a half years. There are am not suggesting for a second that the creation of fuel 40,000 tonnes of uranium oxide—that is a commodity, poverty was ever an aim of the market or of its constituent not waste—and 100,000 tonnes of plutonium oxide, parts, but it is a consequence of the way in which it has which is also a commodity and not waste. If we turn conducted itself in recent years. those materials into fuel, not only do we obviate the There are two alternatives to that model: first, the need to dispose of them, saving £3 billion to £4 billion, complete re-regulation of the energy markets, which but we could run three new nuclear reactors at Sellafield may well be the inevitable consequence of continued over a 60-year period, eliminating the need to emit more failure; and secondly, the creation of a stronger regulator, than 0.5 million tonnes of CO2 in the same period while with more socially responsible practices deployed by the providing 6 per cent. of the UK’s electricity-based energy utility companies, and a stronger framework generation. That is a prize worth pursuing. In addition, established by Government designed to protect the most we could provide perhaps the most comprehensive and vulnerable consumers—not quite a public-private effective way for the nation to meet its non-proliferation partnership, but not far from one. That is what the Bill targets. That policy should be championed by any strives to achieve, and I support it. Government of any colour in future. The House should make no mistake: the strength of With that in mind, I welcome the Bill’s main objectives. feeling about fuel poverty is such that unless that second The establishment of carbon capture and storage alternative works, re-regulation will become a necessity. technology—and consequently ours, and the world’s, This is the last chance for the energy utilities to prove ability to reduce emissions of CO2—the protection of that the current model of regulation can be effective millions of customers from energy price exploitation, and even beneficial, so I urge them to make it work. and much needed steps to end fuel poverty are at the They must not follow the route of the banks. If the heart of the Bill. It is a scandal in the world’s fourth market cannot deliver for the people of this country, we largest economy, at the beginning of the 21st century, will have no choice but to intervene. that anyone in the UK should be affected by, or live in, Carbon capture and storage is a phenomenally important fuel poverty. It is even more distressing to note that, issue, and a great deal has been said about it today. If inevitably, it is the least well-off , including thousands that technology can be proven to work, it may well rank of elderly people, who find themselves in fuel poverty in importance alongside the invention of the internal for lack of what is a basic essential need. As my hon. combustion engine, the advent of powered flight and Friend the Member for Southampton, Test (Dr. Whitehead) the splitting of the atom. Given the nature of the pointed out, the days of cheap energy are well and truly challenges posed to human life by climate change, it over, so it is right for the Government to mandate may in time prove to be even more important than any energy companies to discount bills for some people on of those landmark achievements. Again, it is right for the lowest incomes. Government to facilitate CCS. The Bill will introduce a I pay tribute to the Secretary of State for taking up financial support mechanism for up to four commercial- cudgels against electricity providers. That has been scale demonstration projects for CCS, and it will also mentioned fleetingly, but I believe that he was right to permit the retrofit of additional CCS capacity for those intervene. His intervention was significant, and will be projects, should it be required in future. welcomed by people living in fuel poverty. As has been The benefits of CCS, as we have heard, are enormous. said, about 1 million households receive discounts and It will create truly green jobs. In the UK, 30,000 to other help with their energy bills. However, that voluntary 60,000 jobs in engineering, manufacturing and procurement arrangement will end in March 2011. The Bill will will be created by 2030. It will leverage investment for ensure that when it does so, discounts for the most the UK, and could create £2 billion to £4 billion a year vulnerable will continue in law through compulsory for the economy, or a total of £20 billion to £40 billion social programmes, which should be welcomed by Members between 2010 and 2030. It will develop a genuinely new on both sides on the House. industry for Britain, thus providing a massive regional opportunity for Tyneside, Teesside, the Thames Gateway, It is right that we should spend more to take people the firth of Forth, the Humber, Merseyside and other out of fuel poverty, and I welcome the fact that new locations with industry sources that are CO2–intensive, resources will be targeted at the most vulnerable consumers. and offer a great opportunity for the establishment of I have mentioned the elderly, and I pay tribute to Age British CCS business centres. In my view, those are jobs Concern for its interest in this issue over many years in the right areas. and its advocacy on behalf of elderly people in fuel CCS will also bring an end to unabated coal. The poverty. Not only is it morally and socially right that we conditions that the Government propose are the most attend to the most vulnerable people in fuel poverty—as environmentally ambitious of any country in the world, I have said, very often they are elderly people—but I am and it is right that at the advent of the Copenhagen sure that there is a body of work about to be done conference we should lead. Our plans will make the UK somewhere demonstrating the value to the nation in a world leader in technology that will help us to avoid policy areas such as the NHS of taking elderly people the most severe effects of climate change. Something out of fuel poverty. It must be significant, and somewhere that has not been mentioned is the fact that CCS there must be a figure that we can put on that. technology could be of real benefit in helping to facilitate It must also be said that the fight against fuel poverty or smooth the transition to a post-oil economy. When, is a real test of the deregulated market. Historically, inevitably, we begin to exploit tar and oil shale reserves consumers have benefited financially from increased and so on, CCS technology will be vital in enabling us competition driving down the unit price of electricity. I to use them. 93 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 94

I fear, however, that the public at large do not yet and the reality of so many in his party, he should have know enough about CCS. I am concerned that there is a the basic decency and courage to do that publicly. We belief that CCS is a panacea or a silver bullet for the need a consensus or else we invite failure. If we fail— climate change challenge facing us all, but it is not like that. The Government are right to support and subsidise Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Michael Lord): Order. I am CCS, as it is a strategic and environmental necessity for not very happy about the word that the hon. Gentleman the nation. Again, I draw a comparison with the nuclear has just used. Perhaps he would like to withdraw it. industry. CCS must command well-understood public support, Mr. Reed: Which word in particular, Mr. Deputy so there is a job of work to be done. In many ways, as Speaker? [Laughter.] the hon. Member for Scarborough and Whitby suggested, the challenges of CCS make the challenges of radioactive Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. Is the hon. Gentleman waste disposal look like a walk in the park. We know a not aware of the word that I am talking about? great deal about radioactive wastes—their properties, their effects, their half-lives, how to contain them, for Mr. Reed: I am afraid not, sir. how long, and the costs and engineering challenges associated with containment. As much as I support CCS, can we really say the same of it right now? How Mr. Deputy Speaker: He might consider withdrawing and where will carbon be stored? What are the public the word “Quisling” . liability implications? How will it affect the unit price of electricity? What are the effects of storage on the Mr. Reed: Absolutely, sir. environment? What would happen in the event of a leak If we fail, our children will never forget and they will or catastrophic failure? We must address all those questions, never forgive. because CCS is too important to fail. However, it does not follow that it will succeed just because we want it to. Nevertheless, the signs are encouraging. 8.2 pm I support the necessary subsidy of CCS, and I place Mr. David Jones (Clwyd, West) (Con): Before those on record that I support subsidy in principle for any somewhat churlish closing remarks, I was going to say technology that will help us to ensure the security of what a great pleasure it was to follow the hon. Member our energy supplies and help us to combat climate for Copeland (Mr. Reed), who speaks with great knowledge change. Let me be explicit. If it is necessary, I would of the nuclear industry. agree with state support for the nuclear industry and all As many other Members have pointed out, it is not aspects of it—although I do not believe it is necessary. I wholly coincidental that we are debating the Second refer to power generation, fuel reprocessing, fuel Reading of the Bill on the first day of the Copenhagen manufacture, waste disposal and decommissioning. Will summit on climate change, which has been described by such an approach work? Ask the French. some as the most important conference in human history. The Secretary of State heads for Copenhagen well Although there may be some hyperbole in that armed, able to demonstrate leadership and able to make description—I seem to recall that Yalta was quite British industry central to whatever policy initiatives important—the question of climate change is certainly and agreements emerge. We should all support him in the dominant one for our generation. Notwithstanding doing so. These issues require cross-party political consensus, the local difficulties at the university of East Anglia’s so it is a matter of regret that so many front-line climatic research unit, it is clear to most sensible Conservative figures are leading what can only be called commentators that the world’s climate is indeed changing. a counter-revolution in the scientific and political consensus Whether climate change is caused by human activity is regarding climate change. It beggars belief that the still a matter for debate. Leader of the Opposition will not publicly denounce A few years ago I was fortunate enough to pay a visit these senior figures in his party and his hand-picked to the Argonne national laboratory in Chicago. My visit non-dom environmental policy advisers, who have holed and the presentation that I received there left me in no his attempted rebrand below the waterline—the rising doubt whatever that since mass industrialisation, the waterline. world’s climate has warmed and is continuing to warm Instead of supporting the Government in an effective significantly. I, for one, am entirely satisfied that human and non-partisan fashion for the benefit of the planet activity is contributing significantly to global warming, and entirely within the national interest, the Leader of and it is clear that for the sake of future generations, we the Opposition is presiding over a party that increasingly must take what action we can to attempt to slow that believes that the established science which attributes process and to adapt to it. climate change to manmade activities is a sham. It is As other hon. Members have pointed out, however, worse than neo-conservative flat earth science. So obsessed the Government have been somewhat slow to respond are they, many of them, with the size of government to this phenomenon. Given that some 47 per cent. of that they do not believe that the Government can carbon emissions are produced in energy generation, achieve any good, even when the future of the planet the Government’s energy policy was for many years depends upon it. That is not a philosophy. It is an timid, with a refusal, for example, to accept and recognise illness. The right hand does not seem to know what the the urgent need to replace our ageing fleet of nuclear extreme right hand is doing. power stations. Very late in the day they have recognised The Leader of the Opposition currently resembles that nuclear generation should be an important part of the Quisling of the climate change deniers, so if he the energy mix of this country, and that it will be seriously wants to bridge the chasm between his rhetoric necessary to build new nuclear reactors. 95 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 96

[Mr. David Jones] power stations are contributing significantly to global warming, the problem of those emissions must be The Government’s slowness in recognising that fact addressed. means that there will be a hiatus of many years between The Select Committee on Science and Technology the closure of our last remaining nuclear stations and has indicated that in the long term, some 85 per cent. of the commissioning of the new ones. During that time carbon dioxide emissions could be stored safely through the country will be prone to serious power cuts, and the development of carbon capture and storage technology, when the lights go off, the will remember so it is highly desirable to do as much as we can to who is responsible for that. develop that. We are fortunate in this country in that we Nevertheless, there are signs in the Bill that the already have significant expertise in exploiting the North Government have belatedly recognised that security of sea’s resources, which themselves could be turned to the supply should be central to our energy policy. To that development of CCS technology. Exhausted wells in extent, I welcome the amendments in clauses 16 and 17, the North sea could also prove to be ideal locations for which provide that the principal objective of both the the storage of captured carbon. The Government therefore Secretary of State and Ofgem is to protect the interests need to press on with the development of CCS technology, of consumers in relation to gas and electricity—interests and I welcome the Bill to the extent that, in its own which include the reduction of emissions of greenhouse faltering way, it provides the launch pad for that gases, and security of supply. Indeed, security of supply development. must be a prime objective. However, I have concerns about how CCS will be With the depletion of North sea oil and gas and the funded. My constituency—indeed, much of Wales—is decline in our nuclear generating capability, it is all the largely rural, and I know from conversations with more important to ensure that our supply of gas and constituents that fuel poverty is a significant concern. electricity is as secure as it may be. This will undoubtedly Indeed, it has been estimated that more than 740,000 rural mean employing various fuels for the generation of households in the UK live in fuel poverty, and that electricity, including nuclear, gas, conventional fossil amounts to about 8 per cent. of rural households. fuels and renewables. Further, some 42 per cent. of rural households are not connected to the gas mains, as compared with only We in Wales have a significant interest in all matters 8 per cent. of households in urban areas. As a consequence, relating to energy, which is perhaps unsurprising, given many rural households rely upon liquid petroleum gas that we are sitting on large coal reserves, are in a or fuel oil to heat their homes, and the Commission for particularly windy part of the country, and have coastlines Rural Communities has estimated that heating a three- that lend themselves to the production of tidal power, bedroom house in the countryside costs some £1,300 to say nothing of the fact that we are on the coast of the per annum using LPG and £1,044 using domestic fuel Severn estuary. We also have one of the last remaining oil, as against only £568 using mains gas. operational nuclear power stations, at Wylfa, and I was pleased to see that only last month the Secretary of Clause 4 provides that CCS demonstration projects State indicated that Wylfa was a preferred location for will be funded by a levy on electricity suppliers. As one of the new fleet of nuclear power stations. other hon. Members have said, that levy will undoubtedly be passed on to consumers in the form of higher electricity We also have Trawsfyndd, which is in the process of prices, and although the levy will affect all consumers, it decommissioning, and which I have visited. It provides will have a disproportionate affect on rural households, an example of an impressive exercise in the handling of which already pay considerably more than urban a retired nuclear power station. I was told by the work households to heat their homes. Clause 4(4) provides force there that one of the things they would like most that the Secretary of State may make regulations exempting of all in that area is another nuclear power station, certain types of electricity suppliers from the levy, so I because nuclear power stations provide high-value jobs ask the Secretary of State to consider the disproportionate in areas where frequently there is no other work at all. impact that electricity price increases will have on rural We also have the Dinorwig and Ffestiniog pump consumers, particularly because they will not benefit storage schemes. I am sure many hon. Members have from the schemes in part 2 for reducing fuel poverty, visited those schemes. They are remarkable feats of because those do not apply to either LPG or fuel oil. engineering, able to fire up from complete shutdown in Returning to clause 17, I should say that the new 12 seconds, giving an enormous and reliable boost to statutory focus on greenhouse gas emissions will, or the energy supply in the grid. should, clearly lead to the development of new sources Some three years ago, the Welsh Affairs Committee of renewable energy. At the moment, the principal form conducted an important inquiry into energy in Wales, of renewable energy in Wales, as indeed in most of the and produced a follow-up report a couple of years later. rest of the country, is wind power. There is no doubt Those reports were important contributions to the debate that wind should form part of an energy mix, but it is on energy production in this country, and I commend illusory to suggest that it can ever constitute a reliable both of them to hon. Members. Some of the themes form of base load generation. Its efficiency—at some touched on by the Committee in its inquiry have to 27 per cent. as opposed to nuclear power’s 95 per some extent been addressed by the Government and cent.—is worrying low, and the reasons why are obvious: feature in the Bill. In particular, I welcome the proposals wind by its nature is intermittent, and when the wind to take forward the development of carbon capture and does not blow the turbines do not turn. storage technology, set out in Part 1. Wind can at best, therefore, constitute only an ancillary Coal is an important resource for future generation source of generation. However, in Wales and many in the UK. However, it is clear that if we accept, as other parts of the country, wind appears to be the only I believe we must, that emissions from conventional form of renewable generation that is being pursued, and 97 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 98 the inherent hazardousness of that is self-evident. During banding of renewables obligation certificates as a matter the five coldest days last winter, very few turbines of some urgency, so as positively to encourage the turned, and those days were just the period when we development of new technologies. needed as much electricity as possible. The reason why As other Members have said, this Bill is a step in the they did not turn is quite simple: a large anticyclone was right direction, but it is a somewhat timid and faltering sitting over the British Isles, and as every schoolboy one. The Government need to be bolder and to act knows, anticyclones in winter tend to produce cold more quickly and decisively. Twelve years has elapsed, conditions without wind. and only now are we really getting to grips with a Nevertheless, wind farms continue to be built, and problem that will affect our children very significantly that is a significant phenomenon in Wales, where the indeed. We need to develop the nuclear power stations Welsh Assembly Government’s infamous technical advice and to facilitate development of the reliable renewable note 8 provides a planning presumption in favour of technologies that the country needs. I believe that this wind farm development in the so-called strategic search will be done, but that the Government who achieve it areas, which tend to be located, interestingly enough, will be a Conservative one. on Forestry Commission land, the rental income of which passes to the Welsh Assembly Government. 8.19 pm Consequently, large areas of Welsh upland are being progressively colonised by wind turbines. Nick Ainger (Carmarthen, Westand South Pembrokeshire) (Lab): I was interested to hear what the hon. Member for Indeed, the Hiraethog area of my constituency contains Clwyd, West (Mr. Jones) said about wind energy, in numerous small wind farms that have been consented to particular. As one who also represents a rural constituency, under town and country planning legislation. RWE I understand the concerns that many residents have npower renewables, however, now has plans to build in about the impact of wind turbines on the landscape. the Clocaenog forest a wind farm with an output of However,we have to accept that this is a proven technology more than 50 MW, for which an application will soon and that many other countries have developed their be made to the Department of Energy and Climate wind industries in areas that are important to their Change under the provisions of the Electricity Act 1989. citizens in terms of landscape value. Perhaps the way If that is consented to, the cumulative impact of forward is a policy that states that the wind industry development on the Hiraethog area will be to turn a shouldnotdevelopinnationalparksandareasof outstanding beautiful rural landscape into an industrialised one—for beauty, but that elsewhere we must accept compromises a source of generation that is only 27 per cent. efficient. because ultimately they give us the prize of low-carbon, Part of the problem is the way in which renewables low-emission generation. I accept what the hon. Gentleman obligation certificates are structured, a point that the saysaboutitsefficiencycomparedwithbase-loadgeneration, hon. Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Dr. Turner) whether in nuclear, gas or coal, but we must accept that it touched on briefly. ROCs are a very blunt instrument was never intended as a base-load form of generation. that reward the developers of wind farms at precisely I was somewhat concerned by the references to security the same rate as the developers of other renewable of supply made by Conservative Front Benchers and technologies—with one certificate per megawatt-hour. several Conservative Back Benchers. What is missing The Department has proposals for banding ROCs to from their equation is what is already happening in encourage the development of other forms of renewable relation to the building of new generation facilities. In technology. However, wind farms would still have the my constituency, the construction of a 2,000 MW gas-fired benefit of one ROC per megawatt-hour under the power station is under way. There is Staythorpe, a large Government’s new proposals. That is particularly worrying, gas-fired power station in Nottingham, and another because other potential forms of renewable technology, such facility in Plymouth. Some Conservative Members if exploited, could prove significantly more efficient gave the impression that the Government have done than wind. nothing, not recognising that the large combustion plant In that respect, I agree entirely with the hon. Gentleman. directive means that several coal-fired power stations He mentioned tidal power, which offers the most obvious will have to close because they have reached their advantages. The tide, after all, ebbs and flows with decommissioning date, and several nuclear power stations absolute predictability twice a day, every day, and Wales will be phased out as well. Several projects are already has many locations where tidal stream technology and in the pipeline and under construction. There is also a tidal lagoon technology could be developed commercially. substantial expansion in wind generation, particularly Swansea bay and Kinmel bay, which is off the coast of offshore, which the Government were right to encourage. my constituency, offer particularly exciting potential for The offshore wind industry will start to deal with the the development of tidal lagoons. problem of renewables development, which we must Indeed, evidence taken by the Select Committee on accept has been too slow in this country. It also presents Welsh Affairs indicated that the Kinmel bay site had a many opportunities, not only for CO2 reductions in our potential generating capacity of 432 MW, which is by own economy, but through the expertise that Britain any standards a significant power station. However, has developed, particularly in our offshore oil industry. ROCs have hitherto not differentiated between the various There are real opportunities for British companies to forms of renewable technology, so developers have tended develop offshore wind farms around the world. to opt for the low-hanging fruit of wind turbines, with Another aspect of security of supply, which was not all their inherent unreliability, as opposed to tide. The mentioned by Conservative Front Benchers or anyone Department’s proposed re-banding will not settle that. else, is what has happened in the new market that has Wind turbines are relatively cheap and easy to construct, developed for liquefied natural gas. At Milford Haven, so developers will continue to opt for them, but the there are now two large LNG terminals which together Government should reconsider their proposal for the can supply 30 per cent. of the UK market for gas—just 99 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 100

[Nick Ainger] they would have been electric-powered, rather than the traditional very large ones that give off a plume of from one part of Wales. The development of a new steam, the power station would have been significantly LNG terminal at the Isle of Grain provides further less efficient and its CO2 emissions would actually have opportunities for substantial imports from—in terms of increased. In trying to address one environmental problem, the middle east—relatively stable regions. We also import we create another. gas in LNG form from the Caribbean. There are already If, right from the word go, an emission performance several developments taking place that will provide us standard had been set for the amount of CO2 per with security of supply in the gas industry. Unlike kilowatt-hour generated, perhaps the company could continental Europe, which has very little indigenous gas have come up with an alternative use for the excess heat supply, we have had North sea gas. Basically, the industry from the waste water. To be fair to the company, it is grew on the back of that and used those gas fields as a now trying to deal with the problem. It is considering storage facility. We are now moving on: supply from the developing, with another partner, large glasshouses for North sea is declining and we must depend on imports. the production of fruit and vegetables or flowers. That I emphasise that we import our LNG from stable areas, interesting suggestion could perhaps be explored in unlike continental Europe, which has depended on a Committee. Russian gas supply that, sadly, has been unpredictable, I intervened on my right hon. Friend the Secretary of let us say, in recent times. That is why continental State to ask about social tariffs. I welcome the fact that Europe has such substantial storage capacity—it is we are now moving to mandatory schemes. The aware of that instability in its source of supply. arrangements that have been made with some companies I welcome the Bill. The fact that we are now legislating are welcome, but the identification of those who should, for essential new technology indicates that the market in my view, be eligible for social tariffs, is a major has not worked. The science and technology behind problem. Many such people are on benefits, and when it carbon capture and storage is not new, but ways of comes to identifying them, there are data protection converting it to a practical form, so that it can work in issues. The fact that there will now be a mandatory large coal or even gas-fired power stations, have yet to scheme will hopefully encourage the Department for be developed and proved. It is clear that the market was Work and Pensions to become involved in the decisions not prepared to take the risk of such a development on about who qualifies. its own, and given those circumstances it is right that There are two issues related to social tariffs. First the Government have said that this is an absolutely companies currently give social tariffs almost exclusively essential technological development, and we have to to pensioners, but Citizens Advice has informed us that support it. not many pensioners remain in fuel poverty because of A number of Members asked whether it is fair to the effect of the winter fuel allowance. However, significant expect those who are on a green electricity tariff to numbers of younger people, certainly below pensioner make a contribution in their bills to the development of age and some who have children, go to citizens advice CCS. As the hon. Member for Clwyd, West said, the bureaux with major problems with fuel debt. It is fair to green tariff source of energy is not available to some assume that if people have problems with fuel debt, people. Whether electricity is from a coal, nuclear or they have problems with fuel poverty. It would therefore gas-fired station or a wind turbine, it all comes down appear that a significant number of people who would the same cable at the end, so the idea that the contribution benefit from a social tariff—perhaps a significant should be across the board is a relatively fair and majority—cannot currently access one. reasonable compromise. I hope that any mandatory scheme will definitely We should be saying to the industry now that we are include those younger people. For example, a single going to set carbon emission targets for future new pensioner on pension credit receives £130 and under-80s generation. As I am sure many Members did, I received also qualify for the £250 winter fuel allowance, but a a briefing from a number of organisations, including single person aged 50 on long-term incapacity benefit the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, arguing would have a total weekly income of £91.80, no winter that the Bill should include a mandatory emissions fuel allowance and the same sorts of needs. There is also performance standard for any new applications for a very strong argument behind the Macmillan campaign fossil fuel power stations. That is a reasonable concept, for assisting those with cancer, to which hon. Members because at the moment the large combustion plant have referred. directive means that generators know that they have to The second issue, which has also been referred to by meet certain standards on emissions of sulphur dioxide, hon. Members, is that 4,300,000 households are not nitrous oxide and so on to prevent acid rain and other connected to the mains gas system and depend on pollution. We should say to them now, “If you build any heating oil or LPG for their central heating and hot fossil fuel power station, we will set a mandatory emissions water. A number of figures have been bandied about, standard that you will have to meet.” We should give but Citizens Advice estimates that someone who is not them notice of that. connected to the mains gas system has an average fuel In my constituency, RWE npower has started building bill of £1,700, whereas those who are connected to the a large, 2,000 MW power station. During the planning mains gas system have bills of just under £1,200— process, the Countryside Council for Wales expressed approximately £500 difference, or £10 a week, purely concern that the waste cooling water that would be because people have no connection to the mains system. taken from Milford Haven, then returned there having The sale and distribution of LPG and heating oil are gone through the plant, could cause environmental not regulated, but they should be. We are talking about problems. The solution that it suggested would have a significant number of people—4,300,000 households, required the construction of cooling towers. Although almost exclusively in rural areas. It is the oil companies 101 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 102 that are supplying the distributors of LPG and heating Peterhead, but unfortunately that was lost, owing to oil, so I do not see why they cannot be regulated for that endless dithering by the Government, and the project is part of their business by Ofgem. The mandatory social now proceeding in Abu Dhabi. It appears that the tariff should also be available to those people who are reason the Government did not want to proceed with dependent on LPG and heating oil. I hope that in that project was that they wished instead to concentrate Committee we can make that happen. It is essential, as on pre-combustion processes, which they hoped would a matter of fairness, that we do so, given that the lead to an export industry, particularly to developing average consumer in a rural area has to pay at least nations such as China. Unfortunately, that dithering led £10 a week more than the average urban consumer. to China developing its own industry. Indeed, one of That is wrong, and we need to address the issue, especially the few commercial projects that is up and running is for those families and individuals on low incomes. the one in Beijing. We could end up importing such I am glad that clauses 16, 17 and 18 will change the technology instead of being in the lead, and if we had responsibilities and duties of Ofgem, and I hope that developed it in the first place, we could well be in the part of its responsibility will stretch to transmission lead. capacity. Areas such as Wales have a strong electricity Peterhead could also have helped to develop a method distribution system in the north and in the south, but that would have been of particular benefit to the UK, as very little in the middle, and wind farm developers are it would have allowed gas stations to de-carbonise and having a real problem—not in finding the funding to the carbon to be stored in the North sea’s depleted oil invest in building the turbines, but in obtaining a connection and gas reserves. Sadly, it appears that the prejudice to the national grid. The hopes of achieving a significant against gas continues, as I note that clause 6 defines a offshore wind industry, especially down the west coast CCS demonstration project as of both Wales and England—and Scotland, although I “a project to demonstrate and assess carbon capture and storage do not wish to speak for Scotland—depend on a submarine technology through its use in commercial coal-fired electricity cable network. I hope that the Bill will provide sufficient generation”. powers to ensure that such development takes place as Gas seems to be specifically excluded by that definition. quickly as possible, so that we can take advantage of the I wonder whether the Minister could explain in summing major opportunities that it will bring. The regular wind up why gas is excluded and why only coal is to be helped provided by nature down our west coast should be by the scheme. That point was also raised with the exploited, and the main stumbling block appears to be Secretary of State, who said that gas could come in the connection with the national grid. further downstream, but we already have a lot of gas-fired I welcome the Bill, and I hope that it can be improved stations and we still have a lot of gas in the UK along the lines that I and other hon. Members have continental shelf, although obviously it is diminishing. suggested. I hope that the Minister of State, who will It therefore seems crazy not at least to look at the take the Bill through Committee, will be able to prospects of carbon capture and storage for gas, and accommodate some of the sensible suggestions that instead put all our eggs in the basket of coal, important have been made in the debate so far. though that is. That said, CCS provides an important opportunity. I 8.39 pm strongly support the claim of the Longannet project, which is being developed in , as a strong candidate Mr. Mike Weir (Angus) (SNP): In this debate, we for help from the scheme, especially given its proximity have had a canter around various parts of energy policy to the North sea and the ability, therefore, to enable the and climate change. It has been said that this is a current infrastructure of the North sea oil and gas modest Bill, but it is an important one that covers three industry to be utilised in the development of CCS. The distinct areas that impact on us all. Indeed, the Bill hon. Member for Carmarthen, West and South impacts on some issues that I have spent many happy Pembrokeshire (Nick Ainger) made the good point that hours debating in the Chamber over the years. the oil and gas industry could develop to include aspects Part 1 deals with the framework for establishing of CCS. There is a huge opportunity to ensure the carbon capture and storage, which follows the Budget transfer of those skills to new industries after the run-down announcement in April of of oil and gas, as many of them will be useful in CCS, “a new funding mechanism to support up to four carbon capture particularly if it is developed by storing the carbon and storage demonstration projects, and £90 million to fund under the North sea. detailed preparatory studies.” The Scottish CO2 study has concluded that there is a The original carbon capture and storage project, or possibility that the North sea could store up to 200 years contest, seems to have been grinding on for some of CO2 emissions, bringing in a huge amount of work considerable time. The hon. Member for Sherwood and billions of pounds to the economy over a long time. (Paddy Tipping) was on the mark when he said that the Indeed, the EU is interested in a North sea grid to help rules seemed to keep changing. A shiver ran up my to develop CCS and seize the potential for development spine when the Secretary of State mentioned a contest in the old oil and gas fields and the saline aquifers. for the remaining three projects. I hope that they will be However, that brings up another issue that is not covered an awful lot quicker than the contest we are currently in the Bill and which the Government will need to going through, although better late than never. address: how do we ensure that the North sea infrastructure Ministers are keen on telling us about our world is in place to enable that development to happen? leadership in carbon capture and storage technology, Much of the existing infrastructure of the oil and gas although sadly I doubt whether that is entirely correct industry is now becoming fairly elderly. As the main now. We had an excellent opportunity to be in the lead fields in the North sea begin to wind down, there is a with the proposed development of the gas station in danger of losing that essential infrastructure unless 103 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 104

[Mr. Mike Weir] has plagued the whole fuel poverty debate for some considerable time. This is discrimination, pure and simple, action is taken to ensure that it is retained. Many of the against those people who are fuel-poor in rural areas. new discoveries in the North sea are of much smaller We must do something about this, and ensure that they fields, where the oil and gas industry perhaps needs a get the same benefit as those who live in towns and can different set of infrastructure, but what is now in place access mains gas. I also echo what has been said by for the depleted fields could be important for CCS. others about those with long-term medical conditions Given that we are probably still a decade away from the who need more heat. technology becoming commercially viable, will the Minister One of the impacts of ensuring that we meet our tell us whether either the Department for Energy and carbon targets and improve our infrastructure is that Climate Change or the Treasury have been in discussions increasing amounts of subsidy are being paid by consumers with the oil and gas industries to try to agree on a through their energy bills. Centrica is the first to put a regime that would ensure that that infrastructure is percentage on that, but I am sure that the other companies maintained and available for CCS? will do so. The CCS levy will inevitably be another part Part 2 of the Bill deals with fuel poverty, an issue in of that, as will all the other subsidies that are coming which I have taken a great interest over the years. I hope through. that many of these measures will be entirely non- People who do not benefit from the various tariffs or controversial. I warmly welcome the efforts to replace the winter fuel subsidy are going to find it increasingly the existing voluntary schemes operated by the energy difficult. It is simply unfair that those who require more companies with a mandatory scheme. That is welcome heat because of long-term medical conditions do not and long overdue. One of the great problems with the get the help available to pensioners. Again, that must be existing system has been the bewildering variety of looked at—as was said earlier, energy bills are not going schemes that have been marketed by the energy companies. to go down in the near future. Indeed, when Ofgem was It is sometimes difficult for people to find out what the before the Select Committee last week, I believe it said best social scheme for them might be. The new system that up to 20 per cent. of the bill could come from should be much simpler for consumers, and will be a various subsidies within a few years. That is a worrying huge improvement. statistic for those who have to pay the full amount of Like many other Members, however, I regret that a their electricity bills. vital element among the fuel poor has once again been Part 3 deals with the change to the regulation of gas omitted from the statutory regime—namely, those who and electricity markets and the role of Ofgem. In my rely on liquefied petroleum gas or home fuel oil to heat time in the House, I have had many spirited discussions their homes. The Bill specifically defines the suppliers as with Ofgem about its actions, particularly regarding the electricity and mains gas suppliers. I appreciate that hoary old issue of transmission charges. It has always there are difficulties with the LPG and home oil market. seemed to me that Ofgem had a totally blinkered attitude There has been a Competition Commission inquiry defined by its ideological interpretation of its principal into this matter, which ran for years and came to no real duty to look at the interests of consumers. That seemed conclusions. The market is much more complex than to give it the idea that all generation should be based that for electricity and gas supplies, which contains only near the main centres of population, which meant that a limited number of large companies, but this is none many renewable energy developments in the more remote the less a serious issue for its customers. Many of them areas of Scotland—having listened to the hon. Member live in rural areas, where the gas mains will never reach, for Carmarthen, West and South Pembrokeshire, I and their choices are very limited indeed. appreciate that this may also be a problem in Wales—where The hon. Member for Carmarthen, West and South much of the wind and many of the waves actually are, Pembrokeshire mentioned the difference in cost between faced very discriminatory transmission and access charges the average mains gas bill and the average home fuel or over the years to be able to get into the grid and LPG bill, but another factor that works against consumers transport the energy to market. in this market is that the problem is exacerbated by the I appreciate that the Secretary of State is taking fact that many face minimum delivery amounts. This powers, which deals to some extent with the access means that they sometimes have to pay substantial charge problem, but there is still a transmission charge sums up front in order to get a delivery of fuel. Those problem, although it has been slowly improving. I very on low incomes—many of whom live in rural areas, and much hope that the changes brought about by clause 17, suffer disguised rural poverty—suffer particularly badly which ensures that climate change and security of supply because of this. They simply do not have the funds to will become much more important for Ofgem to consider pay up front for large amounts of fuel oil. This can lead in coming to its decisions. I hope this will mean that to their being unable to get the fuel, and unable to heat much of the ideological baggage of the past will have to their homes. That is unacceptable in this day and age. be jettisoned. I would caution, however, that before this I appreciate that efforts are being made to get alternatives can be done, there will have to be a major cultural such as small-scale renewables to those consumers, but change at Ofgem. It is one thing to put these clauses in again there is a problem of cost. Many small-scale the Bill, but strong action is needed to ensure that they renewables, such as heat pumps, are very expensive and are given the required weight in Ofgem’s decisions. The therefore outwith the reach of many people, even with recent report that Ofgem was seeking to undermine the the grants that are available. I agree with the hon. introduction of feed-in tariffs is a matter of huge concern Member for Carmarthen, West and South Pembrokeshire and shows that it is one thing for a Government to that it is simply wrong that that group of people do not declare a policy and for Parliament to pass a Bill, and have the same access to social tariffs as those on mains quite another to ensure that it is energetically followed supplies. Ministers must look again at this issue, which through. 105 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 106

I am not sure that clauses 18 to 25 are so welcome, as Another part of the Bill intrigues me. I may be there is a potential for them to have a negative impact completely—as we say in Angus—up the wrang dreel, on investment in energy generation in Scotland. These but I should be obliged if the Minister would clarify the provisions relate to various constraints within the energy meaning of clauses 27 to 31. Clause 27, entitled “Adjustment distribution system, and it has been a particular problem of charges to help disadvantaged groups of customers”, at the Cheviot gap between Scotland and England, empowers the Secretary of State to adjust charges if he which has rumbled on for quite some time. thinks that some consumers are paying unfair charges. At the moment, there are constraints on transmission So far, so good; none of us, I hope, would disagree with under the British electricity trading and transmission that. I fully appreciate that the clause constitutes, in arrangements. Generators in Scotland pay to be connected effect, more or less a restatement of powers that exist in to, and to use, the Great Britain transmission system. the Utilities Act 2000. It seems to me, however, that the Annually, such payments amount to 40 per cent. of the definition of the categories of customers covers all the total transmission charges, which, allowing for the fact customers of the energy companies as set out in that Scottish generation represents only 12 per cent. of subsection (5). That is important because of subsection (3), total generation, means that Scottish generators contribute which states that disadvantaged customers can constitute approximately £100 million a year more than what all the members of the group specified in subsection (5). would be a fair share. In return for the payments, In theory, the upshot of that is that the Secretary of generators are entitled to access and to use the transmission State would have the power to decide that all the customers system to move their generated electricity to market. of one energy company, or indeed all of them, were Consequently, when they cannot have full access to the paying too much for their energy, and could decide that system because of inadequate grid capacity, they should everyone’s bills should be reduced. That might be welcome, be entitled to compensation for the resulting loss—and but I think we need to know exactly what the clause these are referred to as constraint payments. means. One interpretation is that it would give the Electricity generation in Scotland already exceeds the Secretary of State power to decide the level of charges capacity of the network, and additional renewable that energy companies could impose. generation in Scotland will exacerbate the situation. Despite the reservations that I have expressed in Neither National Grid nor Ofgem has previously taken regard to certain clauses, I support what the Government sufficient steps to address the capacity shortfall, even are trying to do. If I am fortunate enough to be selected though the problem has been known about since well as a member of the Committee, I shall look forward to before 2005. There is an ongoing programme of many happy hours debating the issues. This may be a infrastructure reinforcement works to increase capacity, small Bill, but it contains a great deal that is very but it will be several years before the interconnector important to the future of energy generation in this capacity between Scotland and England is sufficient to country. eliminate constraints. National Grid and Ofgem previously put forward a 8.58 pm proposal that appeared to target Scottish generators. They wanted to change the system of balancing costs so Anne Main (St. Albans) (Con): One of the delightful that constraint payments would effectively be charged aspects of speaking late in a debate is that one has back to the same generators, which is to say that generators heard so many wonderful speeches. However, the theme would pay constraint charges for not being able to that has typified the speeches today is that the Bill is access the system, which seemed bizarre in the extreme. lacking in many respects—that it is a light Bill. A Thankfully that proposal was junked. However, the Bill Labour Member, who is not present now, described his seems to be trying to achieve much the same, although I own comments as a constructive whinge. I had thought can see that its proposals are slightly better than the that it was up to the Opposition to produce constructive original one. They are limited to the balancing market, whinges, so it was good to hear so many of them, and to there are good appeal mechanisms, and there is a sunset hear a long list of things that should have been in the clause that will remove the provisions when the much Bill but—as has been freely admitted—have not been delayed upgrades have been introduced. included because time constraints made it impossible to Placing artificial limits on the level of compensation include anything of note. that Scottish generators would receive—irrespective of I can think of a few measures that could easily have the value that they provide for National Grid or the been included, as they touch on the theme of the Bill, losses incurred by generators—seems daft, but the proposal but sadly they are not there. One involves the production also seriously undermines the confidence of those who of biodiesel from used cooking oil. I drew this to the might otherwise invest in Scotland’s thermal and renewable attention of the Under-Secretary of State for Energy energy sectors, including carbon capture and storage. and Climate Change in a Westminster Hall debate in We are placing a great deal of faith in the future of CCS October. It was a very lively and well-attended debate, to meet our emission targets, and we need to do everything and he said he would reflect on the point. I therefore possible to ensure that that happens. We cannot discriminate hoped he might have inserted some constructive measures against existing and future Scottish generators, because into the Bill, but I am sorry to have to say that there that would call into question the validity of the British are none. electricity trading and transmission arrangements. That debate was about the production of biodiesel by I ask Ministers to consider the matter again, and to recycling used cooking oil of UK origin. That is a ensure that they do not introduce a measure that will highly sustainable way to produce energy. We have work against future generation. We need investment in hundreds of restaurants, fast-food premises and commercial new generation, regardless of whether it involves renewables food producers, all of which use large quantities of or not, but such investment will not come about if cooking oils. When used, they become a waste product, constraints of this kind are imposed. and they can be both costly to deal with and difficult to 107 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 108

[Anne Main] natural gas in biodiesel production discounts the fuel from being included in the renewables obligation scheme. dispose of. Within manufacturing industries, huge quantities That cannot be right. Many right hon. and hon. Members of fats and oils are used, with significant quantities of who are present have served on the Select Committee, waste food oils resulting from processing methods. When and I see its acting Chairman, who will remember when recycled properly, it can be a truly sustainable fuel, and the Committee was discussing this part of our energy we all want to increase our use of such fuels as much as remit. I raised the discounting with a witness who was possible. The Bill should have gone a little further in giving evidence to the Committee, and he described it as this regard, because it is ridiculous to dispose of such a “bonkers anomaly”. waste oils when they are ultimately a valuable recyclable A bonkers anomaly was introduced under this resource. If we are worrying about the lights going out Government’s watch in March 2009. As the Government and shortages of fuel, it is also ridiculous that, despite are aware of this bonkers anomaly, I would have thought the fact that the huge amount of waste from used that they would have taken the opportunity in the short cooking oils could be used highly efficiently as a truly time left to them to address it. The ruling was made recycled product, people are paying to get rid of it. following consultation and discussion with the Department Earlier this year, I discussed this matter with Richard of Energy and Climate Change. As a result of the O’Keefe, director of Green2Go. He was the inspiration presence of that very small portion of fossil fuel derived behind our having the debate in October. His company from methanol in some biodiesels, we have this bonkers was established in 2007 with the express intention of anomaly.The ruling is based on a very literal interpretation providing renewable and sustainable heat and power of the law, which classes the entirety of the biodiesel solutions. We are hearing a lot about dirty solutions, produced in such a way as a fossil fuel under article 9 of such as coal, having to be made greener, but this is a the renewables obligation, despite the fact that the fossil green solution. fuel element of the fuel, made from used cooking oil, is Green2Go is a relatively small company, but it is a relatively small—about 11 per cent. by mass. key proponent of this effort. It estimates that there are Members of the UK biofuels industry believe that currently 250 million litres of the waste product of used the Ofgem ruling on biodiesel is likely to have a significant cooking oil available from commercial sources and effect on the UK’s industry and would have ramifications significant further amounts from domestic sources. In for our future domestic supply of renewable energy. areas that pride themselves on trying to increase recycling, That is what the Bill should be considering, to ensure such as St. Albans, we are also getting rid of this that we have domestic supplies of renewable energy so product on the domestic level. that the lights do not go out. That is why there is a real Biodiesel, which can be manufactured from used missed opportunity in the Bill. I hope that we will have cooking oil, is a particularly sustainable renewable fuel, a chance to raise that issue in Committee. whose use can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up Energy production in the UK has been set extremely to 90 per cent. If we were to use that fuel, it would help ambitious long-term targets for renewable sources, yet us deliver on our challenging energy targets. Used cooking many feel that the 2009 legislation—or at least Ofgem’s oil does not cause additional deforestation, as it is a interpretation of it, and I note that Ofgem is mentioned waste product that would otherwise have to be disposed regularly in the Bill and it should have its attention of by professional collectors at significant cost—in the drawn back to the anomaly—does not offer any incentive debates on this, it has been mentioned that sometimes it to use such a form of renewable fuel in the generation of is not disposed of properly and it goes down into rivers electricity and heat. When I mentioned that to the and drainage and there is then the high cost of cleaning Under-Secretary, I was encouraged. He agreed to meet that up as well. Certain green pressure groups have representatives of the industry who had raised the anomaly great worries about whether the steps we are taking to with me to discuss it in more depth. I had heard that try to ensure that the lights do not go out are green, but they were having trouble getting hold of him and I hope this is certainly green. It does not cause any land-use that he will tell me tonight that they have met. I would change, and the fuel is consequently one of the lowest- love to hear any update about any meeting that he has carbon forms of biodiesel. Converting used cooking oil had with them. If he has not met them, I press him to that might otherwise have gone to landfill to biodiesel is renew that commitment tonight to meet them. an excellent example of a sustainable biofuel. The renewables obligation came into effect in 2002 to The Under-Secretary of State agreed with all this in support renewable electricity projects in the UK. Under our earlier debate. As he said it was a valuable debate, I the obligation, suppliers are required to meet their am hoping I shall hear some more from him about the obligations by presenting sufficient renewables obligation issue today. This type of biofuel contributes to reducing certificates—it is a mouthful, so I shall call them ROCs— carbon emissions and waste minimisation. As it uses a which are green certificates issued to an accredited waste product, there is no resultant pressure on land use generator for eligible renewable electricity generated. and no impact on food prices. There is a big concern The 2008 consultation by Ofgem, which led to this about third world countries that should be growing decision, focused on the detail that the methanol used crops to eat but that are instead exporting crops for in the process was normally derived from natural gas, making biofuels. This does not contribute to that concern. itself a fossil fuel. Ofgem therefore set out that it was Vital resources are not diverted from a valuable existing difficult to view biodiesel made in that way as a renewable land use. fuel as set out in the Electricity Act 1989 and in specific Methanol is commonly used in the process of producing parts of the Renewables Obligation Order 2006 biodiesel from used cooking oil. However, in March (Amendment) Order 2007. Instead, Ofgem argued that 2009—not very long ago—Ofgem reversed an earlier biodiesel produced from the reagent will in turn fall position and ruled that the use of methanol made from within the term “fossil fuel”—that is, the whole of the 109 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 110 biodiesel—under article 9 of the renewables obligation I believe that every encouragement should be given to and concluded that biodiesel produced in such a way green initiatives and technologies, and that green should be classed as fossil fuel generation under articles 9 technologies should be used on all new, large-scale and 18. development projects. If they cannot be used, there I believe that the Government do not want this should be a good reason why not. Some used cooking anomaly and that, in October, the Minister saw that the oil is converted and used—I know that the hon. Member argument in favour of it was nonsense. Given that the for Cheltenham (Martin Horwood), who also spoke in ruling stated that where fossil fuel-derived alcohols are my previous debate on this issue, has a used cooking oil used no ROC will be issued, even for the biomass-derived company in his constituency.Such investment by companies portion of the biodiesel involved, will he—or whoever is welcome, as is the fact that used cooking oil is being speaks on behalf of the Government—take up the used in that way. suggestion that we made in October to have 0.9 of a It has been in the news today—I do not know whether ROC to recognise such a truly renewable biofuel and anyone has been reading the papers—that the famous the greenness of the energy provided by it? Electricity supermarket chain, Tesco, has opened its first zero-carbon generators cannot receive the renewable obligation on store in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire. I understand that electricity that is produced from that fuel. That is despite Tesco is combining a host of energy-saving features in the fact that the fuel element is so comparatively small the store, which is part of its plan to make the company and despite the fact that the majority of the fuel is truly a zero-carbon business by 2050. The store is powered by recycled from the waste stream and would have no an on-site generator that runs on renewable sources other purpose. such as vegetable oil. The store’s heating is provided by the generator, and there are a host of other green There was widespread industry reaction to the Ofgem features. All that must be welcomed. It demonstrates ruling on the basis that exclusion from the scheme what is possible, as well as the company’s commitment would not encourage the generation of renewable energy— to being zero-carbon. something that we have talked about at length tonight. Ofgem itself has concluded that its ruling ran counter Much is being done to reduce the impact of domestic to the desires of the majority of respondents to the 2008 properties, particularly in the new build sector, but large consultation. Ofgem has further admitted that the issues industrial and commercial buildings often have very that many such respondents raised are policy decisions little provision for saving energy. I have to ask why such that are the responsibility of the Department of Energy measures were not included in the Bill. Other hon. and Climate Change and are outside the remit of Ofgem’s Members have raised this issue, and my hon. Friend the role as the scheme’s administrator. Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Ellwood) has said that there should be more joined-up thinking in that I have raised this issue in a sitting of the Energy and regard, particularly in relation to planning. That is the Climate Change Committee, in which we discussed way forward. There is nothing in the Bill that will low-carbon technologies in a green economy—I note commit large projects to having to explore at least some that our acting Chairman, the hon. Member for Sherwood form of green energy and microgeneration on their (Paddy Tipping), is nodding. When I raised it with Greg sites. That is a totally missed opportunity. Archer of the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, he did not hold back; as I have said, he described the situation I will give an example of a missed opportunity. I do as a “bonkers anomaly”. He is not the only expert who not want such a development in my constituency, but has misgivings about the situation. I hope that the the totally non-green plans are there for everyone to see Minister will update me regarding the possibility of for a massive strategic rail freight interchange at the introducing a 0.9 ROC. He has agreed to investigate former aerodrome site. They include huge that idea, and I am sure that he will have made some warehousing, covering more than 3.5 million square progress in that regard. Used cooking oil can produce feet. The hangars are colossal—hon. Members can significant carbon savings and is an excellent way of imagine the amount of roof space. The development using a waste product to create energy, but it currently will concrete over acres of green-belt land. It is claimed seems to be uneconomic for many producers to do that. that a rail freight development is a green initiative. Will the Minister re-examine the legislation covering However, although the plans provide for aesthetic the treatment of biodiesel that is produced from used improvements to the surrounding area, there is little cooking oil to see whether anything can be done to iron foresight about energy use and environmental impact. out the anomaly? I would also welcome a statement on the implementation of the renewable energy directive. (Leominster) (Con): My hon. Friend is making an important point about the use of extra space. It is a tragedy that Germany, France, Japan, Mr. David Jones: Before my hon. Friend leaves that Spain, Norway, America and Korea all outperform the point, will she enlighten the House as to what form of UK on solar photovoltaic installation. Does she agree fossil fuel is comprised in that 0.1 of a ROC or that that that would be an excellent use of the roof space 10 per cent., of cooking oil? I should not have thought that she just described? that cooking oil could possibly comprise any fossil fuel. Anne Main: My hon. Friend has knocked the nail on Anne Main: I probably have not explained that point the head. I have heard much in the debate about wind well enough. Some 89 per cent. of the fuel will be from farms and how people are resistant or otherwise to used cooking oil and 11 per cent. will be from the them. Yet so little attention is paid to the vast amounts methanol that is used, which is derived from gas. That is of space, particularly industrial space, that could be the fossil fuel element that has unfortunately given rise used efficiently. I believe that people who intend to to the bonkers anomaly. develop large projects that communities are supposed 111 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 112

[Anne Main] people who have terminal cancer, are an important group. If we cannot get fuel poverty measures right for to accept should be compelled to consider that. It the Government’s designated groups, I hold out little would make them greener and improve their carbon hope that we can get them right for people with long-term footprint and could overcome some of the resistance in illnesses, such as those who are supported by the Macmillan communities to built development. campaign. There are no plans for the solar energy generation that my hon. Friend just mentioned. There are no plans 9.20 pm for water recycling and no microgeneration provisions Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD): It is a pleasure for the site. It is a scandal and a huge wasted opportunity. to follow the hon. Member for St. Albans (Anne Main). As I said, wind farms have been much criticised today. We do not always agree, but I warmed to her defence of Why are we talking about building wind farms, nuclear the green belt and agreed with it. She is exactly right, power stations, and so on, on green belt when we are too, about utilising used cooking oil for biodiesel. As not saying that buildings that are already being constructed she said, I have raised the issue, and I was pleased that should be made as energy efficient as possible and the Under-Secretary of State for Energy and Climate hopefully generate energy that would go into the grid? Change agreed to meet my constituents and me. We all Surely more should be done to encourage applicants look forward to positive announcements, if not today, to build and invest in environmentally sustainable structures. then perhaps in the pre-Budget report on Wednesday. That would lower their carbon footprint. Such disregard We live in hope. of green technology should mean a rejection. We should not allow plans to go ahead if they have not made even Liberal Democrats have given this limited Bill a broad a nod to green technologies. How on earth are we welcome. The revisions to Ofgem’s remit to take account supposed to meet our stringent targets when developers of environmental considerations are long overdue, as is can simply build what they like without having to do a more consistent framework for social tariffs. Millions that? That is important. endure fuel poverty, and social tariffs are patchily applied by private sector companies. Liberal Democrats have David Taylor: The hon. Lady referred to wind turbines. called for a more uniform framework ever since, in the I believe that her party, were it elected, is likely to case of my right hon. Friend the Member for Gordon introduce a policy whereby wind turbines would not be (Malcolm Bruce), the time of the former Prime Minister allowed within a minimum distance of any houses. Mrs. Thatcher, so measures to tackle the problem more What sort of distance does she consider appropriate for consistently are long overdue. such an embargo? The measures to promote carbon capture and storage are welcome, too. CCS is a critical technology if we are Anne Main: I am afraid that I am not good on to achieve our aims in tackling climate change, and planning distances, but I am good on the planning while we—I hope—make the transition to a more renewable distance for the rail freight terminal, which will come energy economy in the long-term future, we need transition within 100 yards of some houses. If the Government technologies. I certainly support CCS, rather than nuclear allow that, I shall look to the hon. Gentleman to ensure power, as a means of keeping the lights on. I was that he gets his yardage right, too. The development is astonished by the speeches by Conservative Members, totally wrong. which featured consistent attacks on renewable energy, particularly wind energy, and consistent support for Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd) (Lab): Will the hon. nuclear power. Lady give way? Chris Ruane: I share the hon. Gentleman’s concern Anne Main: No, I have only a few minutes left. It has about Conservative policy on wind power. Does he been a long debate and the Labour Benches were empty agree that the description by the Leader of the Opposition for a while, so I hope that the hon. Gentleman will of wind turbines off the coast of north Wales as giant forgive my not giving way, given that I have sat through bird blenders is despicable? the graveyard shift, as it is sometimes called. Part 2 deals with fuel poverty. The Bill includes Martin Horwood: Not only despicable but wrong, as various schemes to reduce fuel poverty, and that must modern wind turbines, especially the larger ones that be welcomed. The most recently available sub-regional avoid providing perches for birds, have turned out to be split of fuel poverty figures, which relate to 2003, showed perfectly safe for most bird life. Such an ill-informed that there are approximately 1,900 fuel-poor households attack on wind power is exactly the kind of thing that in St. Albans—which is considered to be an affluent we should reject. constituency—and around 22,200 fuel-poor households The Conservatives’ support for nuclear power worries in Hertfordshire. Since then, the number of fuel-poor me just as much. That technology costs us billions even homes nationally has risen sharply from 1.2 million in today, and we do not how, when or where to dispose of 2004 to 3.5 million. I can extrapolate rises of a similar nuclear waste, which will leave a toxic legacy for future magnitude in my constituency. This year, the Government generations for as long as 1,000 years. I was struck by announced that 4.6 million households in England could the speech by the hon. Member for Copeland (Mr. Reed), be fuel poor, despite a pledge to end fuel poverty by which was well informed and technically accurate. He is 2016. Does the Minister agree that an undelivered pledge a gentleman who knows the nuclear industry very well, is a worthless pledge? so it is instructive that he made a plea to open the door I agree with the Macmillan campaign, of which I am to public subsidy for the nuclear industry. I hope that a patron, that there are many groups that must bear the the Government will take the opportunity tonight very cost of having to heat their homes. The ill, particularly firmly to reject that out of hand. 113 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 114

We agree with some of the criticism of this limited constituents will be very grateful that the Government Bill. The encouragement of social tariffs is welcome, has had the vision to bring forward these vital measures,” but it is very little and, I would say, much too late. There but they have not been here. The word that has run are weaknesses in the Bill, and there is still not a clear through the entire debate is “modest”. After 12 years, ban on differentiated fuel tariffs according to the method 15 Ministers, countless reviews, consultations and White of payment, which have been widely condemned. However, Papers—more consultation than one could imagine there is not an absolutely clear commitment in the Bill possible—the culmination is a modest Bill. to remove that inconsistency. We have heard a great deal The issues that have come through are clear. The first about the lack of attention to rural fuel poverty in theme that has run through the debate is the lack of particular. detail in the Bill. We do not know at what level the levy The steps towards more carbon capture and storage for carbon capture and storage will be set. The hon. are welcome, but there is a loophole in the Bill, which I Member for North Southwark and Bermondsey (Simon have mentioned to the Secretary of State on several Hughes) asked who would be exempted from the levy. occasions. There is no guarantee that by the 2020s, We need to understand that. We need to understand coal-fired powers stations will not emit large amounts which technologies might be exempted. Will it be low- of carbon, with only a proportion of their output carbon technologies or zero-carbon technologies? Will subject to CCS. Ministers are nodding their heads, but I micro generation be exempted? We need a great deal cannot do better than quote the progress report to more detail before we can give the Bill the approval that Parliament by the Committee on Climate Change, issued it needs. in October. It is concerned that we have not given a On the fuel poverty issues, the hon. Member for strong enough signal that Sherwood (Paddy Tipping) asked who would benefit “for any plant not fitted with CCS there will be little or no role from the fuel poverty measures. My hon. Friend the further into the 2020s”. Member for Clwyd, West (Mr. Jones) and the hon. The report goes on to say: Member for Angus (Mr. Weir) spoke about the need to “The Government should make it absolutely clear now that protect people who live in rural areas and who are whether or not CCS can be deemed economically viable any dependent on oil or LPG. We need to understand who conventional coal plant still operating unabated beyond the early the Government have it in mind to exempt. 2020s would only generate for a very limited number of hours.” My hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough and We still have not heard that commitment from Government. Whitby (Mr. Goodwill) asked who would own the We have been debating the Bill in an enjoyably cool intellectual property from the carbon capture projects. environment. When Madam Deputy Speaker was in the The hon. Member for Angus wanted to know whether Chair earlier, she considered turning the heating up so the changes in the transmission arrangements would be that we were all warmed up during the debate. I know damaging to investment in Scotland. If the Bill is to get that the Minister was feeling particularly chilly, but it is the necessary agreement to proceed to Committee, we entirely appropriate that on the first day of the Copenhagen must have answers on those details. They cannot be left summit we have resisted that temptation, and for once vague for the Secretary of State to decide in future. We seem to have saved some energy in this place and need to know what is in the Government’s mind, so that reduced the amount of hot air in the Chamber—which people can clearly understand what is being supported. many of our constituents might think could be done on The second theme of the debate has been the lack of many other occasions. ambition. The hon. Member for Sherwood talked about As it is the first day of the Copenhagen summit, it is carbon capture and storage as a competition without right that I should take a moment to express our unity end; the hon. Member for North Southwark and across the House. We are critical of Government policy Bermondsey talked about the slowness of the whole from time to time. We are critical of many aspects of the procedure, which has resulted in Britain moving from Bill, but when the Secretary of State goes to Copenhagen, the top of the international league in CCS and slipping if he goes to press for a tough deal on climate change down the table; and the hon. Member for Angus talked and for a clear timetable for binding commitments—early about the need to understand the role of gas in the in 2010, I hope—he goes with our best wishes and our carbon capture model. support. It is quite possible that the future of human The hon. Member for Southampton, Test (Dr. Whitehead) civilisation as we know it may rest on decisions taken in talked a great deal about his concern that there was not Copenhagen over the next couple of weeks. That obliges more ambition on energy efficiency, but he also managed us to put aside national and party political divisions for completely to reinvent Conservative party policy. He the common good. To that end, we wish him well. was wrong about what it includes, what it might cost and how it would be paid for—but apart from that, he was 9.26 pm pretty close. The hon. Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Dr. Turner) Charles Hendry (Wealden) (Con): We have had a talked about the need to be more ambitious in using the thoughtful, constructive, well-informed debate which, carbon price as a key driver of low-carbon technologies, on rare occasions, related to the content of the Bill. and many hon. Members called for the need to be more Most of the rest of it dealt with wider energy issues. The supportive of emerging technologies. The hon. Gentleman Secretary of State would probably say that the Bill is so talked about marine renewables and the absolute insistence good that we did not need to discuss it in the Chamber. that, with all our natural potential for such technology, I listened in vain for the words that one usually we should not end up in 20 years’ time looking back and hears—the senior Back Bencher who says, “This is a saying, “How did we lose that advantage? Why did the great Bill, which deals with the challenges that we face,” Germans, the Danes and the others manage to master or the energetic young Back Bencher who is keen to get that technology? Why didn’t we have the leadership that promotion in the remaining few months, who says, “My was necessary in those areas?” 115 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 116

[Charles Hendry] as we were approaching a dispute between Russia and Ukraine, during the coldest winter for 18 years, our gas My hon. Friend the Member for Scarborough and storage was down to just four days. Nevertheless, here Whitby talked about the importance of developing we have a Bill, and in it the Government do not have a energy from waste technologies, because we must change single word to say about gas storage. our whole way of thinking. We have to think of waste as We have also missed, particularly on this day when a resource, not just as a cost. We have to do so much to the Copenhagen summit is starting, the challenge of reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill or discussing what more can be done urgently to tackle the landrise, and we must ensure that we deal with it by problem of CO2 emissions. Nowhere in the Bill does addressing both the waste issue and the energy issue. one see a driving sense of urgency. There is a little bit of My hon. Friend the Member for St. Albans (Anne movement and change, but no sense that this is a crisis Main), warming to the cooking oil theme that she has that has to be addressed. The hon. Member for Carmarthen, made her own, also made sure that we start to address West and South Pembrokeshire (Nick Ainger)—I am those issues. delighted to see him coming in on cue—talked about a My hon. Friend the Member for Clwyd, West talked lack of the strategic thinking that is needed if we are to about pump storage and what we are going to do to see the development of marine technologies such as realise the potential in that area. The hon. Member for offshore wind. The Government must take the lead Copeland (Mr. Reed) mentioned nuclear power and and put in place down the coastline the high-voltage gave a broadly thoughtful and sensible speech, until it DC cables to connect up those facilities. was taken over by some raging creature, and he launched In terms of failing to recognise the challenges, most into a vicious attack on the Opposition parties while telling of all was the Secretary of State’s indication that trying to say that he sought consensus. It was the sort of the Government would come forward with a strategy speech that, when he re-reads it in the morning, may on fuel poverty in the spring. The numbers of people in make him wonder whether he got the balance quite fuel poverty have gone up, and they need help now, not right. need proposals after the winter. We need a sense of Running through the debate is the issue of missed urgency and a recognition that the Bill must do more opportunities and the recognition that the Bill does not than it currently sets out to do. rise to the challenges that we face on energy policy. We I turn to the key elements in the Bill. On the CCS face a genuine crisis, but we do not see any measures to levy, there has to be a funding mechanism to make address it. Again, I return to the hon. Member for carbon capture and storage happen—we completely Sherwood, who is the acting Chairman of the Select support that. However, let me ask the Secretary of State Committee on Energy and Climate Change. I always again: where is the money from the third round of the thought that he would be a very good Energy Minister. EU emissions trading scheme that was promised? How Indeed, there is still time—we have a change every few much is in it, and what has it been allocated to? He says months—and he could still have the chance to be the that it has all been spent, so what has been done with it? Energy Minister before the next election. We recognise that if it is not available, the levy may be a way of trying to support that. However, if the Bill is to The hon. Gentleman’s words made it sound as if he go into Committee, we need from Ministers a clear were being critical of the Conservative party, but, when explanation of what has happened to the Government’s one listened to what he was saying underneath, one expected revenue from the third round. found that he was actually putting the boot into his own Government. There he was, talking about the £200 billion However, the levy is just part of this. We still do not of investment that is so essential, and which we must have the leadership that we require if we are to lead the make. He said that the investment needed a secure world in CCS. We were leading, but we have been framework—but we have been waiting for that for 12 years, overtaken by America, Canada, Germany, Abu Dhabi, and we are still waiting. He talked about the need to Norway, Australia and China— critically, given that work harder to encourage international companies to this whole project was designed to develop a technology invest in Britain and to understand the potential that is that we could sell to the Chinese. We must have more here, and he also talked about power cuts. strategic leadership. How will the whole process be handled? What aspect of Government will make CCS The Secretary of State says, “No, there’s no risk of happen? Who will be responsible for scoping the potential cuts,” but he writes articles saying that there may be sites? Will there be oversized pipelines to facilitate the power cuts. Even the Government’s own documentation development of clusters? Can we not do still more to mentions power cuts: there they are, on page 86 of the speed up the pace of this competition, which has been UK Low Carbon Transition Plan, although it does not absurdly slow? We need to move towards a conclusion, say “power cuts”, but “demand unserved”, which is and to know who is going to be the winner on the pilot Government-speak for power cuts, and the equivalent project. of a city the size of Manchester being without electricity The whole aspect of social tariffs and support for every night for three months. Nevertheless, the hon. consumers brings home how far away we are from Gentleman told us where we were failing to respond to achieving the fuel poverty targets set out by the Government, the size of the challenge. with the legally binding commitments that by 2010 all My hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth, East vulnerable households would be taken out of fuel poverty (Mr. Ellwood), in a very powerful critique, talked about and that by 22 November 2016 every household in the the serious challenge that we face on gas storage. We country would be out of fuel poverty. The Secretary of have just 15 days’ storage, and in January we exported State may not know if that will happen in the morning through the interconnector 25 million cubic metres of or the afternoon of 22 November; nevertheless, it is a gas a day—the equivalent of 250 Albert Halls of gas clear commitment, and the Government must now recognise every single day being pumped out of this country. Just that all the movements are in the wrong direction. 117 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 118

As the hon. Member for Brighton, Kemptown said, face. This is a landmark year in the fight against climate prices will be rising, and everything that is necessary change and today, as many contributors have said, is will be expensive. Of course we support social tariffs, the start of the discussions at Copenhagen. The world but we want the Bill to go much further. We want much has come together in an attempt to reach a new international more information on bills so that people can see how agreement to tackle climate change. We are going into much electricity they are using in comparison with their the negotiations with a clear plan of the ambitious, neighbours in similar houses. We want information on effective and fair deal that we believe all the world’s bills about CO2 emissions. We want people to be able to nations must agree, and confident that the UK has a see how much less their bill would be if they were on the track record of taking real action at home to tackle our lowest tariff available from the company, and, perhaps, own emissions. The low carbon transition plan, which information on environmental charges. We want those we launched in July, sets out a clear pathway that will things because they are the ways in which we can help to lead us to a low-carbon world with secure energy supplies deal with fuel poverty. In addition, we need a great drive and protection for the most vulnerable. The Bill puts forward on energy efficiency. It is extraordinary that in into place legislation that will implement that plan. a Bill that deals with fuel poverty, energy efficiency does Let me comment on the speeches that have been not get a mention. made today. The hon. Member for Tunbridge Wells The Bill includes proposals on the remit of Ofgem, (Greg Clark) simply gave an alarmist account of what which has interpreted its new role well. Project Discovery this country faces, without any positive reference to the shows that it has been giving good consideration to the measures in the Bill, some of which tackle the need for issues that face us. However, we need to understand energy security in future. He constantly referred to more clearly who is in charge. The Bill suggests that matters that were not in the Bill, reciting a huge wish list there are equal powers as between the Government and of things that he believes could be legislated for. He Ofgem, but it is clear to us that in policy terms Government failed to notice that most of the measures of which he should have primacy. spoke are already under way and do not require primary The Bill will do many worthy things, but it is simply not legislation. It was a complete nonsense of a speech. up to the scale of the challenge that we face. We need to The hon. Gentleman said that there was a possibility attract £200 billion of investment in the next 15 years. of power cuts, which has been repeated by Opposition Members over and over again. [Interruption.] I shall Rob Marris: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? come to what my hon. Friend the Member for Sherwood Charles Hendry: I will not, because I am keen to ensure (Paddy Tipping) said in due course, but at the moment I that the Minister of State has plenty of time to respond. am dealing with the opening Front-Bench speeches. We challenged the hon. Gentleman on the need for assistance We need to do more to secure that investment, and to households to make their homes more energy efficient. the Bill simply will not do it. Those who are looking to We still do not know how the Conservatives plan to invest in nuclear power need much more certainty on fund the provision of £6,500 to households. He challenged the price of carbon, and the Bill fails to give them any us by saying that we have only 500 homes in our pilots, reassurance. If we are to become more reliant on gas but why do we have pilots? To work out what is the best imports—many predictions suggest that 80 per cent. of way of incentivising people and how the public are our gas will be imported by 2020—we need much more most likely to respond. That is why the pilots are action on gas storage, and the Bill has not a single word critical. The hon. Gentleman is not able to tell me to say about that. If we are to drive forward investment tonight how the up-front payments for those energy in renewables, the Government have to accept that they efficiency measures will be made, and he has never been have a strategic role in requiring high-voltage DC cables able to say. to be put in place, and providing much more support for embryonic marine renewables. They must ensure that we develop a real spirit of partnership, so that when David Taylor: Is it not the case that the sum involved applications for new renewable facilities come to our would be £6,500 times 20 million or so, so we are communities, they know that there is something significant talking about £160 billion—a figure not unadjacent to in it for them if they decide to host those facilities. 10 per cent. of gross domestic product? Surely the official Opposition must have thought in more detail The Bill is not so much a plan of action as a statement about how they can fund that. of intent that the Government will think about consulting and having a review of whether they should change their energy policies. We need firm government and Joan Ruddock: My hon. Friend is right. One would decisive action: time is not on our side, and the Bill is have thought they would have done so, but it appears not up to the challenge. The Secretary of State is a very they have not. ambitious man—so ambitious, we are told, that one day The hon. Member for Tunbridge Wells spoke about he would even like to be Leader of the Opposition. The how vital an emissions performance standard is and Bill is not ambitious, and if it goes to Committee we again said that such a measure was not in the Bill. The hope to work with the Government to find consensus fact is that it does not need to be in the Bill. We do not and address many of the issues that have been left out need primary legislation and can adopt an emissions of it. performance standard without new legislation if we wish to do so—[Interruption.] I will come to that in due 9.41 pm course. The Minister of State, Department of Energy and The other point on the emissions performance standard Climate Change (Joan Ruddock): Combating climate is that we think it better to gain a proper understanding change while maintaining secure and affordable energy of the potential of CCS before considering how the supplies is one the greatest challenges that our Government regulatory and financial measures relating to emissions 119 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 120

[Joan Ruddock] requirement. It is not a requirement, but clearly those who come forward in the competition might propose from power stations will be affected. We will continue to that making a cluster is an attractive feature of the maintain a rolling review of progress, as we have clearly offer. stated, with CCS technologies. By 2018, we will publish a report—[Interruption.] It is not far off. By 2018, we Anne Main: The Minister has a long history of opposing will publish a report that considers the case for new nuclear power. What caused her to change her mind? measures to drive a move to clean coal. Joan Ruddock: May I correct the hon. Lady? I have a Mr. Speaker: Order. I apologise for interrupting the long history of leading a campaign against nuclear hon. Lady, but there is a constant chorus of chuntering weapons. from the Opposition Front Bench. Mr. Barker, you need The hon. Member for North Southwark and to sit quietly and listen to the Minister’s speech. Stop Bermondsey (Simon Hughes) said that he wanted to see chuntering—I do not want to hear it. more ambition in the Bill, although he welcomed many aspects of it, and we are grateful for that. He challenged Joan Ruddock: I am so grateful, Mr. Speaker. us to say whether there would be new coal that did not The hon. Member for Tunbridge Wells spoke of the have some sort of constraint on emissions. We have UK falling behind in the race to build CCS. That could made it clear that all new coal will have to have a degree not be further from the truth. A number of other hon. of carbon capture, and that if the technology is proven, Members, including the hon. Member for Angus (Mr. Weir), there will be retrofitting. As he knows, other old stations mentioned China, but no project in China is on the will go out of use, so it is clear— scale of any of our projects, and no construction is under way for capture, transportation and storage on Martin Horwood rose— the scale that our projects propose. It is therefore a complete nonsense to suggest that other countries have Joan Ruddock: I am not giving way on this point. It is overtaken us. We are still in the lead. We are co-operating clear that under our proposal, if the technology works, with other countries, which is the most reasonable thing we will end up where we want to be. To suggest that it forustodo. should be in place from the beginning would be to My hon. Friend the Member for Sherwood, the acting defeat the progress of the technology completely. Chairman of the Energy and Climate Change Committee, The hon. Member for North Southwark and made a very thoughtful speech and we are glad that he Bermondsey also asked about CCS and intellectual welcomed our CCS proposals. He spoke with passion property. We want to have the maximum sharing, and about the mining communities and the future of coal that is why we are working with China. We want to see mining in this country. Of course, it is CCS that can the sharing and development of technology. It will be offer a guarantee of a future for those activities. necessary, of course, to have some intellectual property My hon. Friend spoke in more moderate and reasonable rights, but we do not envisage those standing in the way terms about a possible energy supply gap around 2016, of the kind of co-operation that we need. but I must tell the House that the evidence does not The hon. Gentleman, and other hon. Members, asked support that view. It is true that 18 GW of electricity about fuel poverty and argued that those off the gas generation is due to close by 2018, but nearly 20 GW is grid are not protected. One way to deal with the situation under construction or has planning consent. Industry is would be to put the social price support on electricity responding to the signals of the need for new generation bills. In that way, we could assist everyone who had an by getting on with the building. The latest analysis electricity supply, which is virtually everyone in the issued by the Government has shown that there is no country. That would mean that we did not disadvantage gap. Ofgem’s “Project Discovery” presents a wide range those who are off the gas grid. of scenarios and shows that electricity supplies would meet demand in almost all foreseeable situations. Sir Robert Smith: That is an interesting proposition. Does it mean that those who are off the gas grid would Rob Marris: Is my hon. Friend as surprised as I am get a greater reduction in the electricity social tariff to that Conservative policy on the energy gap still seems to make up for the fact that their heating comes from oil or be to sit on the fence about nuclear and say, “If we need LPG? a nuclear power station, we’ll just pop down to the supermarket and get one”? That is a crazy policy. Joan Ruddock: What will be done is a matter for extensive consultation, when the hon. Gentleman will Joan Ruddock: My hon. Friend is absolutely right, have an opportunity to make those points. I offer that but perhaps the most remarkable thing the hon. Member suggestion as a way out of the dilemma that hon. for Tunbridge Wells said was that he is entirely relaxed Members mentioned. about the shadow Business Secretary’s comments about I was asked about clause 14 by the hon. Member for wind turbines. It is quite clear that the Conservatives do North Southwark and Bermondsey. The Secretary of not want the new generation capacity that we believe is State already has the power to amend the fuel poverty so vital. definition under the Warm Homes and Energy My hon. Friend the Member for Sherwood asked Conservation Act 2000. We are not, however, looking to about the consideration of clusters. We understand that change that definition. He also asked what we could do co-location of CCS demonstration projects could reduce those customers already suffering harm, but whose the overall costs of the demonstration programme, but cases had been timed out. The legislation will not apply the competition process could be weakened if that is a retrospectively, as I think he understood, and that is 121 Energy Bill7 DECEMBER 2009 Energy Bill 122 why we are extending the provision to enable breaches huge potential opportunities, including job opportunities, of licence going back more than 12 months—indeed, for areas with CO2-intensive industries. We agree with up to five years—to be tackled. him and believe that CCS will be adaptable to many My hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Test industries. (Dr. Whitehead) said that the Bill might be modest, but The hon. Member for Clwyd, West (Mr. Jones) asked it represents a real step forward. He is so right. He whether the Secretary of State would exclude rural recognises that this limited Bill will do a lot that is communities from the CCS levy. That is not one of our complementary to the huge programme of change that plans, but all such issues will be a matter for debate in is already under way. He demonstrated his deep Committee. He was also not keen on the proliferation understanding of the relationship between the three of wind farms in Wales, but we are talking about a elements of fuel poverty—prices, energy efficiency and technology that can be used now and ought to be used incomes—and I am grateful for his welcome of the now, and we should be getting on with that. investment and regulatory approach that we are taking My hon. Friend the Member for Carmarthen, West in the Bill. and South Pembrokeshire (Nick Ainger) gave a helpful The hon. Member for Bournemouth, East (Mr. Ellwood), account of gas import and storage. He welcomed the in an alarmist speech, spoke a great deal about gas Bill, and we appreciate his support. On fuel poverty, he storage. He accused us of coming late to new nuclear, argued that pensioners were not an absolute priority, but it was his party that said that it was a policy of last but I have to tell him that, regrettably, the majority of resort. We are getting on with the job while his party people in fuel poverty are still pensioners. has been dithering. He spoke about Vestas, which is The hon. Member for Angus (Mr. Weir) posed a lot producing blades not for the UK market, but for the US of questions that I think I have dealt with already. market. He said that there is nothing in the Bill to [Interruption.] I am being urged to come to the end of incentivise wind turbines—that is incredible, because my remarks by everyone around me. we have the renewables obligation certificates—and nothing This is an important Bill. It is important to implement for local communities, when of course there are jobs the measures to decarbonise our electricity supplies, and investment. help more vulnerable customers with their energy bills and provide the clear market framework needed for a Mr. Ellwood: Will the Minister give way? transition to a low-carbon economy. Question put and agreed to. Joan Ruddock: I cannot; I do not have time. Bill accordingly read a Second time. The hon. Gentleman asked what we would do if this winter was as harsh as last winter. National Grid, which is most closely involved in protecting security of supply, ENERGY BILL (PROGRAMME) tells us that although unforeseen events could occur, Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing overall supply and demand in gas and electricity look Order No. 83A(7)), relatively comfortable. We have the highest generation That the following provisions shall apply to the Energy Bill: margin for many years and gas import infrastructure Committal has increased by 500 per cent. over the past decade. 1. The Bill shall be committed to a Public Bill Committee. My hon. Friend the Member for Brighton, Kemptown Proceedings in Public Bill Committee (Dr. Turner) spoke about the carbon price and suggested 2. Proceedings in the Public Bill Committee shall (so far as not that there should be a mechanism for underpinning it. previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on Thursday That is not something that we are going to adopt, at 21 January 2010. least not at the present time, because we see significant 3. The Public Bill Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the risks in attempting to manage the carbon price. For first day on which it meets. example, introducing a price floor would set a precedent Consideration and Third Reading for intervening in the market and lead to increased calls for a price ceiling in times of higher economic growth. 4. Proceedings on consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the He also argued that market support is not sufficient for moment of interruption on the day on which those proceedings the development of marine technology. We always keep are commenced. the way to incentivise such development under review. I 5. Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously also point out to him the investments that we are concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption making in the south-west in marine renewables. on that day. The hon. Member for Scarborough and Whitby 6. Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall (Mr. Goodwill) made a strong and constructive speech not apply to proceedings on consideration and Third Reading. in favour of nuclear and is obviously a keen advocate of Other proceedings new technology—he made a reference to my old college, 7. Any other proceedings on the Bill (including any proceedings Imperial. He can be assured that we will be co-ordinating on consideration of Lords Amendments or on any further messages with others in the various CCS projects, as I have from the Lords) may be programmed.—(Mr. Mudie.) indicated. Question agreed to. My hon. Friend the Member for Copeland (Mr. Reed) spoke on behalf of his constituents, as always, about ENERGY BILL (MONEY) their keen interest in all things nuclear. He welcomed the social price support, but asked us to do more. We Queen’s recommendation signified. are always looking to do more on fuel poverty and will Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing consider everything he said. On CCS, he referred to the Order No. 52(1)(a)), 123 7 DECEMBER 2009 Business without Debate 124

That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Energy instrument subject to the provisions of Standing Order No. 118 Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money (Delegated Legislation Committees) in respect of which notice of provided by Parliament of— a motion has been given that the instrument be approved.— (1) any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State by virtue (Mr. Mudie.) of the Act, (2) any expenditure incurred by the Gas and Electricity Markets REGIONAL SELECT COMMITTEE (LONDON) Authority by virtue of the Act, and Motion made, (3) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable out That Ms Karen Buck, , Clive Efford, Siobhain of money so provided under any other enactment.—(Mr. Mudie.) McDonagh, Mr. Andy Slaughter and Mr. Andrew Pelling be Question agreed to. members of the London Regional Select Committee.—(Mr. Mudie.)

Hon. Members: Object. ENERGY BILL (WAYS AND MEANS) Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing SITTINGS OF THE HOUSE Order No. 52(1)(a)), Motion made, That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Energy Bill, it is expedient to authorise— That— (1) the imposition of charges in connection with the provision (1) Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business) of financial assistance relating to the development and use of shall have effect for this Session with the following modifications, carbon capture and storage technology, and namely: (2) the payment of sums into the Consolidated Fund.— In paragraph (4) the word ’eight’ shall be substituted for the (Mr. Mudie.) word ’thirteen’ in line 42 and in paragraph (5) the word ’fifth’ shall be substituted for the word ’eighth’ in line 44; Question agreed to. (2) Standing Order No. 90 (Second reading committees) shall have effect for this Session with the following modification, Business without Debate namely: In paragraph (2) the word ’fifth’ shall be substituted for the word ’eighth’ in line 21; and DELEGATED LEGISLATION (3) Private Members’ Bills shall have precedence over Government business on 29 January; 5 and 26 February; 5 and 12 March; Mr. Speaker: With the leave of the House, we shall 23 and 30 April; and 7 May.—(Mr. Mudie.) take motions 5 to 7 together. Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Hon. Members: Object. Order No. 118(6)), HUMAN RIGHTS (JOINT COMMITTEE) HEALTH CARE AND ASSOCIATED PROFESSIONS Ordered, That the draft Health Professions (Hearing Aid Dispensers) That John Austin be discharged from the Joint Committee on Order 2009, which was laid before this House on 22 October, in Human Rights and Fiona Mactaggart be added.—(Rosemary the previous Session of Parliament, be approved. McKenna, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.)

INCOME TAX STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS That the draft Tax Credits (Excluded Companies) Regulations (JOINT COMMITTEE) 2009, which were laid before this House on 19 October, in the previous Session of Parliament, be approved. Ordered, That Michael Jabez Foster and Mr. David Kidney be discharged from the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments and Jeff CORPORATION TAX Ennis, July Mallaber and Chris Ruane be added.—(Rosemary That the draft Distributions (Excluded Companies) Regulations McKenna, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.) 2009, which were laid before this House on 15 October, in the previous Session of Parliament, be approved.—(Mr. Mudie.) TAX LAW REWRITE BILLS Question agreed to. (JOINT COMMITTEE) Ordered, ELECTORAL COMMISSION That Mr. David Gauke and Mr. George Mudie be discharged Ordered, from the Joint Committee on Tax Law Rewrite Bills and Mr. William That the Motion in the name of Ms Harriet Harman relating Bain and Mr. Andrew Tyrie be added.—(Rosemary McKenna, on to the Electoral Commission shall be treated as if it related to an behalf of the Committee of Selection.) 125 7 DECEMBER 2009 Asylum System 126

Asylum System to sort out their legal position and make properly organised new applications. Then there is my old friend Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House Geoff Wilkins, who with others runs a destitution fund, do now adjourn.—(Mr. Mudie.) supported by various charities and Church groups so that we can help people with small amounts of money 10.1 pm and provide temporary housing for homeless women Clare Short (Birmingham, Ladywood) (Ind Lab): I and children while they are helped to submit properly have secured this Adjournment debate in order to plead organised new applications, which enable them to apply with the Government to reconsider the disgraceful for hard case support from the UK Border Agency. arrangements that have been in place since 14 October There are similar organisations in other parts of the this year for processing new claims from asylum seekers UK, which report the same experience. In October who are already in the UK. I have discussed this with 2008, for example, members of the Asylum Support the Minister, and it is my view that the whole international Partnership, plus a number of other agencies run by the asylum system needs reorganising, and that the existing Red Cross and others, recorded the number of visits convention is out of date and needs renegotiating. For made by asylum seekers in one month. The study found example, it is ridiculous that people cannot apply for that destitution is most common among refused asylum asylum in the UK without arriving here, and they have seekers and that 1,178 visits from among this group to pay people-smugglers to get here. The possibility of took place in October, and that 62 per cent. of the applying for asylum is therefore controlled by criminal destitute asylum seekers have been destitute for six months networks. and more. Of them, 70 per cent. were from Iraq, Iran, I also believe that the £2 billion a year that the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Eritrea, Government spend running a large bureaucracy designed Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Somalia—all deeply troubled to refuse as many cases as possible could be much better countries likely to generate asylum seekers. Similar studies spent elsewhere. However, the inadequacies of the in Leeds and Leicester showed an increase in the number international system do not excuse the way in which of destitute asylum seekers this year compared with people already in the UK are subjected to a refusal to 2008, an increase in long-term destitution and also allow them to work, and given very mean benefits an increase in those reporting physical and mental which have recently been cut further. As soon as their health problems, including HIV/AIDS, pregnancy and claims are refused, all support is cut off. We therefore tuberculosis. have significant numbers of destitute, homeless asylum The Children’s Society contacted me when it noticed seekers scattered throughout our cities. It is the conclusion that this Adjournment debate was taking place. It reminded of almost everyone who works in this field that this me that in 2008 it published a report that revealed, in its cruelty is deliberately inflicted to encourage asylum words, seekers to leave the UK, and to discourage others from “shocking evidence of children growing up in households without arriving. food, heating or toys, mothers forced to prostitute themselves to I see many such cases in my constituency advice survive, young people in care cut off from any help and at 18 becoming homeless”. bureau. The people who have been refused have often waited for many years for a decision. They are destitute It pointed out that the main cause of destitution was and homeless. Not surprisingly, many of them suffer lack of legal representation during the asylum claims from depression and other mental and physical illnesses. and concluded that the lack of proper legal advice was Heartbreakingly, for example, two weeks ago, I saw a directly responsible for the failure of many asylum man from Gaza who had been here for two or three claims. years. He was trying, through the Red Cross, to contact Since then, the Children’s Society has set up the west his seven brothers and sisters who were still in Gaza. He midlands destitution project to work with Church partners did not know whether they had survived the Israeli and others to help such families. Many families were bombardment that took place a year ago. He had found to be destitute either because, having been refused recently been very badly beaten up in Stoke, and came asylum, they had their support cut off or through to me with a medical report saying that he had severe delays in bureaucracy after applying for support. It post-traumatic stress disorder. He was frightened of all concluded that the effects of destitution on children authority and distrustful of everyone. He was destitute, were very serious indeed. Many of the children considered and reliant on another asylum seeker to help him to in the forthcoming report, which I believe is due shortly, deal with the authorities and find some kind of food were displaying, in its words, and shelter. I frequently feel ashamed that this is how “signs of mental and physical ill-health”. we are running our asylum system in Britain in 2009. That was the rather shameful situation that refused May I ask the Minister in passing to ask the National asylum seekers faced in the UK. Let me repeat that Asylum Support Service to review the placing of asylum many were refused because they did not have adequate seekers in Stoke? I have heard of more than one case of legal representation when they made their first application. asylum seekers there being very badly beaten up. We Then, on 14 October 2009, without any notice or know that the British National party has considerable consultation, the UK Border Agency announced the representation on the council there. I really think we establishment of an even worse new set of arrangements should do something about that. that required new asylum submissions to be made in Fortunately, in this bleak picture, there are some person and not by post. A ministerial statement explained good people in Birmingham and elsewhere to whom that because there were parts of the system where those in great distress can turn. I am particularly impressed information “is not gripped quickly”—I think those by the work of ASIRT—Asylum Support and Immigration were the Minister’s words—applications from those who Resource Team—in Birmingham, which helps people have been refused cannot in future be made by post. 127 Asylum System7 DECEMBER 2009 Asylum System 128

[Clare Short] allow an appointment to be made more than 10 days in advance. When all the slots have been used up, the line Instead, people have to make an appointment and then is closed. I understand that it has been closed at noon go in person to Liverpool if they first applied before on most days recently, but desperate people do not March 2007, or to a regional centre if they applied after know that. They telephone constantly and hear an that. engaged tone as other desperate people telephone and the lines clash. Eventually they may get through, but Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey) then an answering machine tells them that the line is (LD): I am very grateful to the right hon. Lady for closed. allowing me to intervene. As someone who has a huge The reason for this Kafkaesque system is, I understand, number of asylum cases in his constituency, may I say that the case resolution department has been set a that this is one of the most unacceptable changes in deadline of 20 days to decide whether new submissions policy ever, as it is impractical and completely arrogant are valid, and whether those making them can therefore and insensitive? I am glad that the right hon. Lady has receive hard case support and cease to be destitute. The sought this debate and I hope that her plea to the 20 days run from the day on which the appointment is Minister will make him realise, as I believe his officials made—so the answer is to close the line and not make do already, that this is a system that cannot justifiably appointments, and leave people destitute beforehand so be allowed to continue. that the 20-day target can be met. Kafka would be proud of those arrangements. Clare Short: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman and The new system has made provision for exceptional I really cannot believe that the Minister intended this to cases. It is theoretically possible for someone who is be as bad as it has proved to be. I am hopeful that he very ill and cannot travel to Liverpool to apply by post, will agree to review and change the situation. but to obtain permission to do that the person must—guess In order to receive hard case financial support—which what?—telephone the same number to which it is almost is also known as section 4 support, and is the only impossible to get through. I recently heard of a traumatised support of any kind that is available to asylum seekers and severely ill asylum seeker who was viciously beaten who have been refused once—people must present their in Stoke-on-Trent. I have not been able to discover applications to Liverpool, and the UK Border Agency whether he is my Gazan constituent. He has also been must validate their claims. Incidentally, to accommodate diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, and is the change, the office currently deciding on hard case incapable of travelling to Liverpool. His further submission support applications that have already been submitted has been refused because it was posted, and he therefore has been moved from Liverpool to Croydon, and the cannot obtain hard case support and continues to be Refugee Council’s Birmingham office tells us that as a destitute. I also know of an adviser who spent eight consequence the number of decisions made has declined days repeatedly telephoning before finally managing to from five per day to five in two weeks. That inevitably secure an appointment. means more destitution and homelessness for those On top of all that, when people do present themselves who are currently in the queue for hard case support. in Liverpool they are often met by a security guard who When we ask the UK Border Agency how destitute gives them a slip and sends them away. If that is the people are to get to Liverpool—and they are advised to system, why not just post the submission? Clearly this bring family members if their names are to be added to has nothing to do with getting a grip on the information. applications—the agency makes it clear that it will not It is impossible to explain these changes without provide funds for travel, let alone for overnight concluding that the ending of postal applications is accommodation if families cannot travel there and back simply designed to make it more difficult to make an in a day. When questioned, it said that the voluntary application. This will inevitably increase destitution and sector should fund such travel. That is a disgraceful homelessness among this very vulnerable group of people. suggestion, particularly at a time when charities are Legal practitioners have concluded that the courts will hard pressed because of the general recession. strike down these arrangements, as they have struck Part of the madness of the new arrangements lies in down previous arrangements. In the meantime, however, the fact that the system has recently been reorganised terrible suffering is being inflicted. and regionalised. There are offices in Birmingham and other regions, but people from Scotland, Dover, London, I sincerely ask the Minister to undertake to review the Bristol and Birmingham must go to Liverpool if they situation, as I cannot believe he intended that it should first applied before March 2007. Moreover, there will be work in this way. I ask him to revert to having postal no interviews when they get there. Papers are simply to applications, and to make arrangements for there to be be handed over, and no interpreters are available. It is very quick responses to valid applications for hard case impossible to understand the intentions behind the new support. Otherwise, to our deep shame, we will see arrangements without concluding that they were designed growing numbers of homeless, destitute, mentally ill to make it as difficult as possible for people to make asylum seekers spread across the UK over Christmas new applications and to apply for hard case support. and beyond. I am afraid, however, that the position is even worse than I have described so far. Applicants cannot simply 10.16 pm turn up in Liverpool with their applications; they must first make an appointment by telephone. The formal The Minister for Borders and Immigration (Mr. Phil opening hours of the telephone line are between 9 am Woolas): I thank the right hon. Member for Birmingham, and 4 pm, Monday to Friday, but there are only Ladywood (Clare Short) for raising these issues with 80 appointment slots per day, and the system will not her customary sincerity, conviction and consistency. I 129 Asylum System7 DECEMBER 2009 Asylum System 130 shall try to respond directly to the points she has made, policy is to improve the decision making and the Select and I undertake to look into any matters where I am Committee has concentrated on getting rid of the legacy unabletodoso. backlog. That is what we are doing. There are some misunderstandings. The right hon. In order to provide good legal advice early in the Lady started off by saying that the existing convention process, which is our policy—it is in the interests of a is out of date. I am on record as saying I also believe fairer system to do so—we have the Solihull project, that to be the case, but I suspect that that is for different which we are examining, whereby legal advice can be reasons. She suggested that it should be possible to provided earlier rather than later to avoid some of the make asylum claims out of country, but I suggest that problems that the right hon. Lady has mentioned. As a that would not be practical and would not achieve the constituency MP, I recognise that point. desired intention. We are very proud of the United Let me return to the right hon. Lady’s point about Kingdom’s work through the United Nations, and Liverpool. A further submission must, in most cases, be particularly the gateway protection programme. We have treated as a fresh application. It is not the case that the a very good record compared with those of other UK Border Agency does not provide support for people advanced countries; that is frequently recognised by who cannot attend. Indeed, I recently met Scottish the UN. colleagues to discuss that point, given the geographical The right hon. Lady also asserted that asylum support distances involved. Just as new applications that are not has been cut. Again, I think that is a misunderstanding. made at the port must be made at Croydon, a further I have double-checked the figures since her letter to the submission, which is treated as a fresh application under Prime Minister, and I have sent a reply to her on this the Court of Appeal rulings, must also, we think, be point. The increase in asylum support was 5.1 per cent. dealt with in person. To allow a fresh application to be That is in line with the September consumer prices dealt with by post would simply result in a further index, rather than the December index, which we had legacy backlog and further hardship and destitution. the option of choosing. We chose the September index, because I felt it was right to do so. There were some Simon Hughes: The Minister knows, because I have changes, particularly in the 25 to 26 age bracket and the worked closely with his colleagues to try to get a better single parent bracket. Nobody has lost money in real system, that there is now a regional allocation of terms as a result of those changes—I have checked the immigration staff in his Department who work with figures in the right hon. Lady’s letter—but what has MPs in the regions of England and separately in Scotland, changed is that the number of children has been recognised Wales and Northern Ireland. That suggests that a perfectly in respect of that support. competent system could be arranged regionally to allow To turn to a particularly serious point, the right hon. people to take in their application. Applications from Lady said that destitution was a deliberate policy. That MPs with further representations could still be considered, is not the case. as all it would mean would be that people could come to MPs rather than having to go in person. Lynne Jones (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): Exactly how much money are these asylum seekers receiving? Mr. Woolas: My policy is to clear the backlog. My policy is that we should take decisions fairly and quickly, commensurate with fairness. I have looked at the Croydon Mr. Woolas: If time permits, I shall come on to deal figures as a result of the changes that we have made, with the detail of that. The letter in reply to the right and it is not the case that the number has fallen, as the hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood will outline right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood has the figures and give that answer. A number of other suggested. Indeed, the overall numbers applying at Croydon changes have been made. have diminished as we have cleared the backlog and got The right hon. Lady made a very important point more on top of the situation. about Stoke-on-Trent. There is a political difficulty Let me give examples of some of the policy measures here, which has also arisen in other towns where the that we have implemented. activities of the organised far-right may be designed to achieve the objective of stopping asylum support. This is a very important point which I will look into. I have Clare Short: To repeat the suggestion made by the received two pieces of correspondence that I am aware hon. Member for North Southwark and Bermondsey of about this issue: one of them is from a housing (Simon Hughes), will the Minister please consider allowing provider, and the other is from an hon. Member. pre-March 2007 applicants to take their new application to their regional or local office, where they have to go The right hon. Lady made points about changes in anyway every so often to sign on? That would overcome respect of Liverpool, and I shall come straight to them. lots of the difficulties that I have just outlined. It is already the case that an asylum claim that is not made at a port of entry—there are such cases, of Mr. Woolas: Let me outline some of the policy measures, course—must be made in person, at Croydon or one of because I think that I can address that point. When a the other centres. failed asylum seeker asks us to reconsider their claim Our policy is to improve the decision making and to due to a change in their circumstances, in the past we make quicker and better quality decisions. The problem simply have not dealt with them fast enough. It becomes in the past has been that the backlog has built up. A a self-fulfilling prophecy. By definition, as time goes on year ago, in my speech to University college London, I circumstances change. People’s lives do not freeze as we put it on the record that the failure of successive consider the legacy. Dealing with the decisions quicker, Governments to provide support has caused division in but commensurate with fairness, is critical to our policy. communities and hardship for the people applying. Our We are achieving that. The backlog is being dealt with 131 Asylum System7 DECEMBER 2009 Asylum System 132

[Mr. Woolas] with just as well and as efficiently, addressing all the relevant objectives, if it were dealt with regionally, and decisions are being taken within our objective of without the huge disadvantage that the present system 60 per cent. within six months. The figure of 40 per of going to Liverpool causes to individuals and their cent. is not because we are not fit for purpose, as some families. All the policy objectives could be achieved in might say, but because some of the cases are inherently that way, there would be face-to-face engagement and more complicated, particularly those that deal with the system would be just as efficient. families. Our policy is that we have been working since 2005 to Mr. Woolas: I do not rule out that possibility, and I require asylum seekers to make initial claims in person. see that point. I hesitate to say that the hon. Gentleman As the right hon. Lady rightly said, this October we is being naive, but the system has been subject to brought the process for further submissions into line frustration, to the detriment of genuine applicants. I with that by introducing a requirement to make a have raised this issue with our directorates in Scotland further submission in person. The reason for that change and Northern Ireland, and we have mechanisms in is to make the system better. We cannot be asked to place to allow what he suggests. If something positive treat a further representation as a fresh application and can come out of this debate, I shall reconsider that then to deal with it by post, because there would be point. abuse, corruption and exploitation, which I have a Let me briefly consider destitution. The idea that a responsibility to address. Government—especially a Labour Government—would The change helps to minimise the risk of fraud, deliberately cause destitution genuinely worries people because we often receive applications, or fresh and must be taken seriously. Putting aside the asylum representations, from people who are not the person in system, let us consider the Government’s commitment whose name the application is made. It also discourages to end rough sleeping. Of course, it has not ended abuse of the system by people who attempt to frustrate completely, but a sea change has happened. The “no a removal. All of us know, from our experience as one left out” strategy has a goal of ending rough constituency MPs, that there are, sadly, people who sleeping by 2012. The right hon. Lady raised some cases attempt to frustrate the system. Out of fairness to with me recently and I have looked at the figures. I genuine applicants and their rights, we have to address recognise that the methodology might not be perfect that issue. In making this change, we are reducing the and I am not so naive as to think that everyone who is incentive for individuals to make unfounded further destitute sleeps on the pavement. They may sleep in submissions. Again, it cannot be denied that there are empty buildings or in places where our systems do not legions of unfounded further representations. Anyone reach them, but there is significant evidence to show who has looked at a case that has been strung along— that rough sleeping has decreased significantly. sometimes for years, and often not to the benefit of the Now we get to the difficult matter of what to do when child where a child is involved—will know that that is the end of the appeals system, the legal consideration the case. and the decision making has been reached. Of course, if The change helps to ensure that those who need our somebody has failed to be granted leave under the protection get it as early as possible, because it enables asylum system and cannot, through no fault of their us to deal with cases more quickly. Are there exceptions own, return to their country, support is available. However, and facilities for people to make further representations, when that is not the case, we have a difficult dilemma. or fresh applications if one takes the court’s definition? Are we to say that the taxpayer should continue supporting That is the case if they genuinely cannot appear to make a person, when there is no obstacle to returning, especially the application, and we consider such situations on a given the voluntary return system, which our constituents case-by-case basis. I believe that the House will find that criticise heavily? The easy political option for the the impact of this policy will not be what is feared; Government would be to give in to those pressures and indeed, it will be the opposite. not provide support for the voluntary return system. Indeed, there have been several high profile cases recently, The right hon. Lady has raised a number of points. I and I, with my colleagues’ support, have resisted that will check the Croydon figures and come back to her pressure on us. The Refugee Integration and Employment about what I recognise to be a critical point. If she is Service and our work with the International Organisation right and I am wrong, I will need to review the policy. for Migration—

Simon Hughes: I do not wish to take up any more 10.31 pm time, but I hope that the Minister will respond to me as House adjourned without Question put (Standing Order well as to the right hon. Lady. This issue could be dealt No. 9(7)). 1WS Written Ministerial Statements7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 2WS

by recasting the relationship between the centre and the Written Ministerial front line, and streamlining the centre of Government for sharper delivery. Statements Copies of the document have been deposited in the Libraries of both Houses. Monday 7 December 2009 FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TREASURY Cluster Munitions Production (Financing) Asset Protection Scheme/Asset Protection Agency The Minister for Europe (Chris Bryant): In December 2008, the UK was among the first signatories to the The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Alistair Darling): Convention on Cluster Munitions. It is recognised as In my statement to the House, 30 November, I said that one of the most significant disarmament treaties of I would provide Parliament with full details of the recent years, prohibiting the use, development, production, operation of the Asset Protection Scheme by 7 December. stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions. I am today placing copies of the legal agreements that have been signed with the in To enable the UK to proceed with ratification, the the Libraries of both Houses, with redactions only in so Government have introduced the Cluster Munitions far as they are necessary to protect commercial interests. (Prohibitions) Bill in this Parliament. The Bill would Copies of these agreements will also be placed on legislate for the treaty’s prohibitions, establishing criminal HM Treasury’s website. offences and penalties for a range of banned actions; notably the use, production or transfer of cluster munitions I am placing information on the assets covered by the on UK territory or by UK nationals. scheme, drawn from HM Treasury due diligence, into the Libraries of both Houses. This information will also In response to the interest of civil society and be placed on HM Treasury’s website. parliamentarians, I would like to set out the Government’s understanding of how the Bill’s prohibitions apply to In addition, I am today announcing the launch of the the financing of cluster munitions production. Under Asset Protection Agency (APA), an Executive Agency the current provisions of the Bill, which have been of HM Treasury. This follows the announcement on modelled upon the definitions and requirements of the 25 September 2009 regarding the appointment of Stephan convention, the direct financing of cluster munitions Wilcke as Chief Executive Officer of the APA. would be prohibited. The provision of funds directly The APA’s role will be to manage the Asset Protection contributing to the manufacture of these weapons would Scheme on behalf of HM Treasury, ensuring compliance therefore become illegal. with the scheme rules by the participating financial The convention does not prohibit so-called indirect institution. financing of cluster munitions. Indirect financing is The overarching objectives of the APA are to run the therefore not within the scope of the Bill’s provisions. scheme effectively and to ensure the participant maximises As such, it would not become illegal to provide funds the economic value of the protected assets. Performance generally to companies that manufacture a range of targets will be based on provision of timely information, goods, including cluster munitions. identification of risks, and delivery of remedial action. However, aware of the humanitarian suffering caused The CEO reports to Treasury Ministers and will by cluster munitions and the threat they pose to provide them with any information needed in the course development in post-conflict areas, the Government are of parliamentary business. The APA will prepare and keen to see a complete end to cluster munitions. Due to publish an annual report and accounts each year which the complex nature of indirect financing, there is a need will be laid before Parliament. for thorough consultation to consider the impact of any Treasury Ministers are accountable to Parliament for measures, and to ensure that we develop the most the work of the APA. appropriate and effective measures to end indirect financing. Further information on the role of the APA and The Government intend to work with the financial relationship with HM Treasury is set out in the APA sector, non-governmental organisations and other interested framework document, copies of which have been placed parties, to promote a voluntary code of conduct to in the Libraries of both Houses. The document is also prevent indirect financing, and if necessary would use accessible via the HM Treasury website: www.hm- their right to initiate legislation. We shall also review treasury.gov.uk public investment guidelines to the same end.

“Putting the Frontline First” International War Crimes Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (Serbia) The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Liam Byrne): Today I am publishing a command paper entitled “Putting The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth the Frontline First”. The document is an action plan for Affairs (David Miliband): The International War delivering better public services for lower cost. The plan Crimes Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) Chief has three central actions: driving up public service Prosecutor, Serge Brammertz, delivered his latest standards to strengthen the role of citizens and civic report on the ICTY completion strategy to the UN society, providing new freedoms for frontline services Security Council on 3 December. One of his key judgments 3WS Written Ministerial Statements7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 4WS was his very positive assessment of Serbia’s co-operation co-ordinated exit strategies from the economic stimuli with the ICTY. The Government warmly welcome this taken forward under the European economic recovery assessment. plan. In this context, the European Council will also The Government have long been among the strongest begin discussions on the future of the Lisbon strategy supporters of the ICTY, and of a clear policy of for jobs and growth. We also expect it to reach agreement conditionality underpinning EU integration. It is important on the Commission’s proposals for financial supervision that all countries wishing to join the EU show their and regulation. The European Council will also review commitment to the rule of law and fully accept their the implementation of the EU sustainable development responsibility to deal with the past, in particular by strategy and adopt the EU’s new work programme ensuring that all those indicted for the most serious of (the “Stockholm programme”) setting out priorities crimes face justice. EU member states have made it for EU co-operation in justice and home affairs from consistently clear that achieving and maintaining full 2010 to 2014. co-operation with the ICTY is essential for progress On external relations, we expect the December European towards EU membership. Council to take stock of Iran’s response to the offer of We have had many discussions with the Serbian negotiations on their nuclear programme and set out a authorities about this over recent years. We have not clear, appropriate way forward in line with the dual been slow, when we thought they were not doing enough, track strategy of engagement and pressure. to make our views known. Enlargement When the new Serbian Government took office last The General Affairs Council will take stock of progress year, under President Tadic’s leadership, we were encouraged on enlargement and the stabilisation and association by their public commitment to do everything necessary process in the Western Balkans, informed by the to conclude this process successfully. We have maintained Commission Communication of 14 October, which set close contact since then with those responsible for the out an enlargement strategy and progress reports for investigations. candidates and potential candidates. We believe the I have previously made clear to this House that our Commission Communication to be a fair and balanced assessment of full co-operation would be based on assessment. We expect the Council to agree conclusions committed and sustained activity from the Serbian that reconfirm consensus support for enlargement and Government, demonstrating 100 per cent. effort and recognition that the accession process gives strong political will in co-operating with ICTY.That co-operation encouragement to political and economic reform in the should cover efforts in a wide range of areas including: enlargement countries and reinforces peace, democracy tackling support networks; meeting requests for documents; and stability in Europe. We also expect the Council to allowing access to archives; ensuring protection of witnesses; recognise that enlargement countries have been affected, as well as in locating and transferring the remaining to different degrees, by the global economic recession indictees. The Government’s assessment is that prosecutor and reconfirm its commitment to provide support Brammertz’s report shows this to be the case. including through the instrument for pre-accession (IPA). We congratulate the Serbian authorities on this significant We would support conclusions language emphasising achievement. We are discussing with our EU partners that the rule of law, in particular the fight against how the EU should recognise this. We will remain in corruption and organised crime, and the need to build close touch with the authorities in Serbia to underline professional civil services remain major challenges that the importance of maintaining this sustained effort, the enlargement countries need to address at an early including to track down and deliver the two remaining stage. We also support the Commission’s view that ICTY indictees, Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic. bilateral disputes should not be allowed to hold up the accession process. We expect the Council to review progress in the General Affairs Council and Foreign Affairs Council accession negotiations for Turkey and Croatia. We will support the Council’s recognition of the key role Turkey plays in regional security, energy supply, and the promotion The Minister for Europe (Chris Bryant): The General of dialogue between civilisations and recent initiatives Affairs Council (GAC) and Foreign Affairs Council including addressing the Kurdish issue. However, we (FAC) have replaced the General Affairs and External will share the Council’s disappointment that Turkey has Relations Council (GAERC) under the provisions of not yet fulfilled its obligation to open its ports to trade the Lisbon treaty, which came into force on 1 December with Cyprus under the additional protocol to the association 2009. The GAC and FAC will be held on 7 and 8 December agreement and agree that further efforts are needed to in Brussels. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary accelerate the pace of Turkey’s accession negotiations. will represent the UK. We will support the Council in commending Croatia The agenda items are as follows: for progress made but stressing that further efforts are needed to meet accession criteria in order to be able to GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL conclude negotiations in 2010. We will support the Preparation of the 10 and 11 December European Council Council to reiterate that full cooperation with the Ministers will discuss the presidency’s draft agenda International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia for the December European Council. We welcome the remains essential in line with the negotiating framework. presidency’s continued focus on the economic and financial We also expect the Council to note that Iceland’s application situation. We expect the European Council to take for EU membership is currently being assessed by the stock of the economic climate. It will review the measures Commission. We expect the Council to make a decision necessary to return the EU economy to sustainable on opening negotiations early in 2010 on the basis of growth, including through ensuring the development of the Commission’s opinion. 5WS Written Ministerial Statements7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 6WS

EU Disaster Management joining the EU on the basis of their progress in meeting Ministers will discuss the future of civil protection the fair and rigorous conditions for membership. In under the arrangements introduced by the Lisbon treaty. particular, we support the Commission’s recent We expect the December European Council to focus on recommendation for Macedonia to open accession the possibilities afforded by both the solidarity clause negotiations and believe that conclusions should ensure and the civil protection article to enable improved disaster that the country continues to move forward in the management in the EU. The European Council will enlargement process. The Government also want to adopt the Stockholm programme, which stresses the see conclusions that demonstrate the EU’s ongoing need for an integrated approach to disaster management commitment to Kosovo’s economic and political including prevention, preparedness and response; and development. foresees further efforts to strengthen and improve the Iran Community’s civil protection instruments. We also expect Ministers will discuss recent developments and consider, the European Council to adopt conclusions on a in preparation for the December European Council, Community framework for disaster prevention, which whether efforts to engage with Iran have shown any will set out priorities for efforts to reduce vulnerability signs of progress. Ministers may also consider next to catastrophes and their consequences and for which steps in the context of the dual track policy, in order to the Government have expressed support. persuade Iran to enter into meaningful negotiations on The Government recognise the primary role of national the nuclear issue. They will also focus on the human responsibility in disaster management while acknowledging rights situation inside Iran. the importance of solidarity among member states when Middle East Peace Process disasters overwhelm national capabilities. Ministers will discuss developments in the Middle Trio Programme of the Spanish, Belgian and Hungarian East, including the Israeli announcement of a limited Presidencies 10-month moratorium on settlement building in the The next trio presidency of the EU will begin on West Bank. The presidency plans conclusions that are 1 January 2010 with Spain, followed by Belgium and likely to reaffirm the EU’s commitment to a two state Hungary. Under the Lisbon treaty, they will look to solution and support of US efforts. The UK will be build a stronger, more coherent EU that more effectively arguing for the EU to make clear its position on the works for its citizens and addresses their concerns. importance of a two-state solution. Their focus will be on the reinforcement of the social Burma agenda, with strong European leadership in key areas Ministers may discuss the latest developments and such as recovery from the financial and economic crisis, consider the EU’s next steps. The military Government climate change and energy security. have made no tangible progress towards meeting the FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL long-standing demands of the international community, Western Balkans including the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all We expect discussion to focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina political prisoners and the start of a genuine process of (BiH). Ministers are likely to consider further the future dialogue and national reconciliation. The prospect of of the EU’s military presence (EUFOR Operation Althea) elections in 2010 gives such discussion added urgency. and may receive an update from the presidency on the ongoing EU/US initiative to unblock progress on reforms. The Government believe that EUFOR makes a vital HEALTH contribution to stability and security in BiH and should therefore only be reconfigured when the time is right. The Government support the EU/US initiative and Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer believe that the conditionality set by the Peace Affairs Council Implementation Council (PIC) must be met before the Office of the High Representative can close and we move to an EU-led presence in BiH. The Minister of State, Department of Health (Gillian Merron): The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Ministers may discuss progress in Serbia, following a Consumer Affairs Council met on 30 November and report to the UN Security Council on 3 December by 1 December in Brussels. The Health and Consumer the Chief Prosecutor for the International Criminal Affairs part of the Council was taken on 1 December. I Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). If this represented the UK. report is sufficiently positive, Ministers may consider whether it is possible to implement Serbia’s interim At the meeting, the Council was unable to reach agreement. The Government support implementation agreement on the application of patients’ rights in the of Serbia’s interim agreement, on the basis of the cross-border healthcare directive. This issue will be significantly improved co-operation with ICTY that discussed further under the Spanish presidency. Serbia has already demonstrated. Ministers received a progress report from the European We also expect Ministers to discuss progress by the Commission and the European Centre for Disease Control. Western Balkans countries towards eventual EU There was also a discussion on lessons learnt from the membership. The Government support the assessments EU level response to the H1N1 pandemic. made by the European Commission in its Communication A Council recommendation on smoke-free environments of 14 October and believe that Council conclusions and Council conclusions on alcohol and health, e-Health should reaffirm support for the European perspective and innovative incentives for effective antibiotics were of the Western Balkan countries. We believe that the adopted. The presidency also provided an update on countries of the region should make progress towards progress of the proposals in the pharmaceutical package. 7WS Written Ministerial Statements7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 8WS

New Horizons: A Shared Vision for Mental Health hon. Friend, the Leader of the House of Commons, Lord Privy Seal and Minister for Women and Equality. Health business was taken on 1 December 2009. The Minister of State, Department of Health (Phil Hope): Today I am publishing “New Horizons: a shared The first discussion and main item of the agenda was vision for mental health”. Mental health care in England the Council policy debate on recovering from the financial has been transformed since the launch in 1999 of the crisis and preparing for the post-2010 Lisbon strategy. national service framework for mental health. Significant The presidency stressed that work was the best way out and sustained increases in investment, an expansion of of social exclusion and also promoted health and wealth. the workforce and a shift from hospital care to treatment I intervened to note the domestic measures taken by the in the community mean that our services are now UK to tackle the crisis, including the focus on minimising recognised and admired internationally. It is time now youth unemployment and keeping people close to the to build on those achievements. labour market, extra staff and funding for Jobcentre Plus and help for lone parents. I also underlined the New Horizons represents an innovative dual approach: need to learn from the mistakes of previous recessions, continued improvement to mental health services in when the early retirement or placing on disability benefits England, coupled with ambitious cross-Government of workers created significant long-term employment action for promoting public mental health and well-being. issues. It is the product of close collaboration between Government Departments and with a coalition of leading stakeholders The second policy debate of the meeting was on from local government, the professions and the third gender equality, strengthening growth and employment. sector. It has also been the subject of extensive public The presidency stressed the importance of equality consultation. issues being fully considered both in short-term responses The guiding values of New Horizons, endorsed by to the recession and as part of the longer-term post-Lisbon the consultation response, are equality and justice; helping strategy. For the UK, my right hon. Friend the Minister people to fulfil their potential and control their lives; for Women and Equality, stressed the importance of and valuing relationships. It has six key themes: recognising skills of men and women alike in the workplace, (i) preventing mental ill health and promoting good mental and believed that gender should be at the heart of the health; work of the EU, not just in terms of growth and (ii) intervening early; employment policy but across the board. The Minister (iii) tackling stigma; called for more joint working by women Ministers in order to put forward the gender equality agenda and (iv) strengthening transitions between mental health services; looked ahead to the EU playing a strong role in the (v) personalising care; and creation of the UN’s new ‘Gender Entity’. (vi) achieving value for money. Its publication marks the beginning of a process, not The Council adopted Council conclusions on: promoting the end. New Horizons provides a platform for action Labour market inclusion—recovering from the crisis across Government in the coming months and years. and preparing for the post-2010 Lisbon strategy; healthy We are already putting this approach into action with and dignified ageing; gender equality—strengthening the publication today of a suite of documents relating growth and employment; and on the follow-up of the to the issue of mental health and employment. They implementation by the member states and the EU are”Working our way to better mental health: a framework institutions of the Beijing platform of action. The Council for action, alongside Work, Recovery and Inclusion” similarly endorsed Employment Committee and Social and “Realising ambitions: better employment support Protection Committee Opinions on the post-2010 Lisbon for people with a mental health condition”. These are agenda. described more fully in the written ministerial statement Political agreement was reached unanimously by the made today by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of Council on the revised social partner framework agreement State for Work and Pensions. on parental leave, and the ILO’s Work in Fishing “New Horizons: a shared vision for mental health” Convention, after the Commission circulated a minute has been placed in the Library and copies are available statement clarifying that member states do not need to for hon. Members from the Vote Office. ratify this convention. After some debate, the Council achieved political agreement on the directive on equal treatment of the WORK AND PENSIONS self-employed and the directive was adopted by qualified majority. Hungary, Germany and the UK abstained: Hungary because of the legal base, the UK because of Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer concerns that some aspects of the directive were not in Affairs Council line with the general principle that member states should decide how best to provide social protection, and Germany on both counts. The directive will now return to the The Minister for Pensions and the Ageing Society European Parliament with a view to achieving a Second (Angela Eagle): The Employment, Social Policy, Health Reading agreement. and Consumer Affairs Council was held on 30 November and 1 December 2009 in Brussels. I represented the Finally, the Council also adopted without comment United Kingdom on all employment and social policy a progress report on implementing equal treatment items on 30 November, except for the intervention on between persons irrespective of religion or belief, gender equality: strengthening growth and employment, disability, age or sexual orientation (the anti-discrimination where the United Kingdom was represented by my right directive). 9WS Written Ministerial Statements7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 10WS

Under other business, the presidency and the Czech of Great Britain. It sets out a practical approach to delegation summarised several recent conferences and achieving the twin aims of increasing well-being at the Spanish delegation outlined the central themes of work for everyone and improving employment outcomes their presidency, noting that job creation and social for people with mental health conditions. It has been cohesion would be among them. developed with the assistance of a group of independent There was no formal discussion over lunch. experts, including mental health specialists, senior academics and representatives from business and third sector organisations, chaired by Dame Carol Black, the National Director for Health and Work. The document was WORK AND PENSIONS developed in partnership with the devolved Administrations in Scotland and Wales. Mental Health and Employment We are also publishing today an independent review commissioned by DWP and led by Dr. Rachel Perkins of South-West London and St. George’s Mental Health The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Yvette Trust. Her review, “Realising Ambitions: Better employment Cooper): Today, the Secretary of State for Health and I support for people with a mental health condition”, are announcing a number of publications on the subject describes how we can strengthen employment, health of mental ill health and employment. and wider state support to help people with mental Mental ill health presents a major challenge to our conditions who are out of work. society. As well as the devastating impact it can have on Our third publication, “Work Recovery and Inclusion” individuals and their families, mental ill health costs the is a cross-Government delivery plan for England setting economy between £30 billion and £40 billion through out a high-level vision and series of commitments to lost production, sick pay, NHS treatment and support those people in contact with secondary mental unemployment. It is now also the most common reason health services into work. It forms part of the UK for claiming health-related benefits. Government response to the Perkins review. The Government are determined to support individuals and families and tackle these costs. Improving mental Acting on employment and mental health must be a health at work and boosting the employment chances of long-term commitment. These publications support the people with mental health conditions are central to our objectives of “New Horizons: a shared vision for mental approach. Taking part in well-managed work can help health” in England that is also published today. Taken to develop people’s mental health, resilience and well-being. together, our ambitions will influence future policy We must ensure that more workplaces support their development across Governments and throughout the employees to do this and provide joined-up services to wider public sector, and bring about changes in behaviour help people with mental health conditions to find and in organisations and individuals. In so doing, they stay in employment. signal a long-term commitment to joint working between Government and their partners. Our first publication, “Working Our Way to Better Mental Health: a Framework for Action” is the first Copies of all the documents will be available later mental health and employment strategy for the whole today in the Vote Office.

1P Petitions7 DECEMBER 2009 Petitions 2P Petitions Badman Report (Gloucester) The Petition of persons resident in the Gloucester parliamentary constituency, Monday 7 December 2009 Declares that they are concerned about the recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests PRESENTED PETITIONS closer monitoring of home educators, including a Petitions presented to the House but not read on the Floor compulsory annual registration scheme and right of Badman Report (Eastbourne) access to people’s homes for local authority officials; further declares that the Petitioners believe the The Petition of persons resident in the Eastbourne recommendations are based on a review that was extremely parliamentary constituency, rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, Declares that they are concerned about the failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing closer monitoring of home educators, including a legislative framework. compulsory annual registration scheme and right of access to people’s homes for local authority officials; The Petitioners therefore request that the House of further declares that the Petitioners believe the Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, recommendations are based on a review that was extremely Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently tighter registration and monitoring of children educated robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing at home in the absence of a thorough independent legislative framework. inquiry into the condition and future of elective home education in England; but instead to take the steps The Petitioners therefore request that the House of necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to implemented, learning from current best practice, in all withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for local authorities in England. tighter registration and monitoring of children educated at home in the absence of a thorough independent And the Petitioners remain, etc. inquiry into the condition and future of elective home [P000502] education in England; but instead to take the steps Badman Report (Sheffield, Hillsborough) necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly The Petition of persons resident in the Sheffield, implemented, learning from current best practice, in all Hillsborough parliamentary constituency, local authorities in England. Declares that they are concerned about the And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mr. Nigel recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests Waterson .] closer monitoring of home educators, including a [P000518] compulsory annual registration scheme and right of Badman Report (Elmet) access to people’s homes for local authority officials; further declares that the Petitioners believe the The Petition of persons resident in the Elmet parliamentary recommendations are based on a review that was extremely constituency, rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, Declares that they are concerned about the failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing closer monitoring of home educators, including a legislative framework. compulsory annual registration scheme and right of access to people’s homes for local authority officials; The Petitioners therefore request that the House of further declares that the Petitioners believe the Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, recommendations are based on a review that was extremely Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently tighter registration and monitoring of children educated robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing at home in the absence of a thorough independent legislative framework. inquiry into the condition and future of elective home The Petitioners therefore request that the House of education in England; but instead to take the steps Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for implemented, learning from current best practice, in all tighter registration and monitoring of children educated local authorities in England. at home in the absence of a thorough independent And the Petitioners remain, etc. inquiry into the condition and future of elective home [P000514] education in England; but instead to take the steps necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home Badman Report (Sittingbourne and Sheppey) Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly The Petition of persons resident in the Sittingbourne implemented, learning from current best practice, in all and Sheppey parliamentary constituency, local authorities in England. Declares that they are concerned about the And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Colin recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests Burgon .] closer monitoring of home educators, including a [P000515] compulsory annual registration scheme and right of 3P Petitions7 DECEMBER 2009 Petitions 4P access to people’s homes for local authority officials; tighter registration and monitoring of children educated further declares that the Petitioners believe the at home in the absence of a thorough independent recommendations are based on a review that was extremely inquiry into the condition and future of elective home rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, education in England; but instead to take the steps failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly legislative framework. implemented, learning from current best practice, in all The Petitioners therefore request that the House of local authorities in England. Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mr. Neil Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to Gerrard .] withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for [P000505] tighter registration and monitoring of children educated at home in the absence of a thorough independent Badman Report (Wells) inquiry into the condition and future of elective home The Petition of persons resident in the Wells parliamentary education in England; but instead to take the steps constituency, necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly Declares that they are concerned about the implemented, learning from current best practice, in all recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests local authorities in England. closer monitoring of home educators, including a And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Derek compulsory annual registration scheme and right of Wyatt .] access to people’s homes for local authority officials; further declares that the Petitioners believe the [P000486] recommendations are based on a review that was extremely rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, Badman Report (Walthamstow) failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently The Petition of persons resident in the Walthamstow robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing parliamentary constituency, legislative framework. Declares that they are concerned about the The Petitioners therefore request that the House of recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, closer monitoring of home educators, including a Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to compulsory annual registration scheme and right of withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for access to people’s homes for local authority officials; tighter registration and monitoring of children educated further declares that the Petitioners believe the at home in the absence of a thorough independent recommendations are based on a review that was extremely inquiry into the condition and future of elective home rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, education in England; but instead to take the steps failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly legislative framework. implemented, learning from current best practice, in all local authorities in England. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to Mr. David Heathcoat-Amory .] withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for [P000513] 1W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 2W Written Answers to WALES Questions Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish before 9 December 2009 all correspondence his Department has received on the Monday 7 December 2009 Welsh Language Legislative Competence Order other than from Welsh Assembly Government Ministers and officials. [304685] SCOTLAND Mr. Hain: The correspondence the Wales Office has Departmental Taxis received falls into two broad categories. First, the responses Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for received to my predecessor’s call for views on the proposed Scotland how many miles (a) Ministers and (b) legislative competence order. Those responses which officials in his Department have travelled by taxi in the could be made public were sent to the Welsh Affairs course of their official duties in each year since 1997; Select Committee and the First Minister, copied to the and at what cost to the public purse in each such year. National Assembly for Wales Committee that scrutinised [302717] the LCO, on 14 May 2009, and I will place copies of that correspondence in the Library of the House. Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office does not record Second, correspondence received either before or after the number of miles travelled by taxi by Ministers or the call for views. This includes: officials in the course of their official duties. The costs of taxi journeys since the Scotland Office was established some 300 e-mails from members of the public seeking a swift publication of the Welsh Affairs Committee report. The vast on 1 July 1999 are shown in the following table: majority of these were a standard text; correspondence from members of the public and Welsh language £ bodies. This totals some 37 letters and e-mails; Ministers Officials some eight items of correspondence from parliamentary committees 1999-2000 366 8,153 or committees of the National Assembly for Wales, or from 2000-01 733 14,887 individual members of those committees; and 2001-02 0 7,431 some 10 letters from businesses or their representative bodies. 2002-03 244 8,659 We have not sought the permission of these respondents 2003-04 147 8,172 to publish their correspondence, and to do so would 2004-05 0 7,821 incur disproportionate cost. Releasing correspondence 2005-06 0 8,291 from businesses and their representative bodies would 2006-07 0 7,595 also prejudice commercial interests. 2007-08 1,075 7,278 2008-09 1,103 9,265 PRIME MINISTER Official Engagements ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE Electoral Commission: Leave Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Prime Minister when he last met the Chief of the Defence Staff Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the hon. Member for accompanied by the Chief of the Naval Staff, Chief of South West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee the General Staff and Chief of the Air Staff. [304721] on the Electoral Commission for how many days each year the Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission The Prime Minister: I have regular meetings and is released or is entitled to take leave for service on the discussions with ministerial colleagues and others including board of the Basildon and Thurrock Hospital Foundation the Chief of the Defence Staff, Chief of the Naval Staff, Trust; and if he will make a statement. [304447] Chief of the General Staff and Chief of the Air Staff. Mr. Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me Scientists that the chief executive is allowed up to five days paid leave a year for service as a non-executive director of : To ask the Prime Minister on how the trust, provided that there is no adverse impact on many occasions he has met the Government Chief the performance of his duties at the commission. The Scientific Adviser in the course of his official duties in chief executive does not receive payment from the trust the last 12 months. [303989] for his services. The Prime Minister: I have regular meetings with Electoral Commission: Pay ministerial colleagues, officials and others. Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker’s CABINET OFFICE Committee on the Electoral Commission what the salary or salary band of the Chief Executive of the Electoral Departmental Consultants Commission is. [304446] Mr. Heald: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office Mr. Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me how many external consultants work for (a) the that in 2009-10 the salary of the chief executive of the Cabinet Office and (b) the Prime Minister’s Office. Electoral Commission is £121,800. [303244] 3W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 4W

Ms Butler: The Prime Minister’s Office is an integral locally. Most of this funding has come from the Victims part of the Cabinet Office and therefore the answer Fund. We do not have a breakdown by local authority provided is for the whole of the Cabinet Office. area of funding to rape crisis centres. The information requested for the Cabinet Office is The Government do not collect information centrally not readily available and could be obtained only at on what services are available for victims of rape and disproportionate cost. sexual abuse or domestic violence. Information is held on the following central Government funding: KBR organisations which have received awards from the Government Equalities Office Special Funds in 2008-09 and 2009-10; Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Minister for the organisations which have received awards from the Victims Cabinet Office whether her Department has entered Fund in the last three financial years (2007-08, 2008-09 and into any contracts with Kellogg, Brown and Root or its 2009-10); subsidiaries since January 2009. [303286] total Supporting People spend by Administering Authority per Client Group (£), per financial year. Ms Butler: The Cabinet Office has not entered into The provision of services to victims of these terrible any contracts with Kellogg, Brown and Root or its crimes is an issue for local authorities; decision makers subsidiaries since January 2009. in these authorities are best placed to assess the needs of Political Honours Scrutiny Committee their area. The majority of services are delivered through local providers who are supported and funded by local bodies, such as councils and health organisations. Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) whether any records held by the Political Honours Scrutiny Committee relating to individuals nominated for a peerage have been destroyed; [304581] ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS (2) where the records and documents of the Political Agriculture: Subsidies Honours Scrutiny Committee are held. [304582]

Ms Butler: No records of the Political Honours Scrutiny Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Committee have been destroyed although criteria for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average selecting those for preservation at the National Archives level of fine charged was for late payments in respect of (TNA) are presently being considered. Any records over the 2005 Single Payment Scheme; and what estimate he 30 years old that are not selected for transfer to TNA has made of the outstanding amount due relating to will be destroyed. payments under the (a) 2005 and (b) 2006 schemes. Records of the Political Honours Scrutiny Committee [303424] are held by the Cabinet Office. Jim Fitzpatrick: Financial penalties are applied by Refuges: Enfield the European Commission if member states fail to make 96.154 per cent. of payments, by value, under the Mr. Burrowes: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Single Payment Scheme (SPS) by 30 June of the year Office how much funding has been provided for following each scheme year. To date, such penalties, women’s refuges and rape crisis centres in Enfield in the totalling some £64 million, have only been applied to latest period for which figures are available. [302364] the UK in respect of the 2005 SPS. The SPS payments still due are estimated at £9,628 Maria Eagle: I have been asked to reply. for the 2005 SPS scheme year and £6,440 for the 2006 I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the scheme year. Most of the nine outstanding claims are right hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) on cases where probate issues still need to be resolved. 1 April 2009, Official Report, column 1236W, for detail Some additional sums may become due as a result of of individual awards from the Victims Fund and the changes to claim values following, for example, appeals Government Equalities Office Special Fund 2008-09. by farmers. Details of the awards made in 2009-10 will be placed in the Commons Library. Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many The Supporting People programme provides the main claims of under (a) £300 and (b) £500 have been made source of public funding for housing-related support under the Single Payment Scheme in 2009. [303612] services in England. This programme is delivered at a local level. The 2008-09 national allocations for Supporting Jim Fitzpatrick: In England, for the 2009 Single People amount to £1.686 billion. Payment Scheme, the Rural Payments Agency received The most recently available spend data on Supporting 3,748 claims for less than £300 and 4,223 claims for People is for 2007-08. Details of this data will be placed between £300 and £499.99. These reflect the value claimed; in the Commons Library. It shows that Enfield reported the value paid may differ. an annual spend of £397,817 on housing-related support services with a primary client group of women at risk of Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for domestic violence. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average The Government have invested around £11 million time taken to process a claim made under the Single over the last five years in specialist services for victims Payment Scheme was in each of the last five years. of sexual violence; this is in addition to funding provided [303621] 5W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 6W

Jim Fitzpatrick: Based on the information contained The mapping update currently in progress uses the within the NAO Value for Money Report by the most recent Ordnance Survey data available in conjunction Comptroller and Auditor General, HC 880 Session with aerial photography to update the RLR maps. This 2008-09, published on 15 October 2009 and titled “A includes improving the positional accuracy of our map Second Progress Update on the Administration of the data and reflecting any real world change recorded by Single Payment Scheme by the Rural Payments Agency”, Ordnance Survey. the average staff time taken to process single payment scheme (SPS) claims in England for each year is set out Agriculture: Wales as follows: Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for SPS scheme year Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions 2005 2006 2007 2008 he has had with (a) the Welsh Assembly Government and (b) the European Commission on the transitional Number of claimants 116,474 109,100 106,700 106,500 arrangements for the agri-environment scheme in Number of staff 3,077 2,993 2,879 2,527 Glastir up to 2012; and what assessment he has made Average time per claim 43.00 44.66 43.93 38.62 of that scheme’s compliance with the rules stipulated (hours) by the Commission. [304141] The number of staff shown includes staff employed in shared service and corporate service roles, indirectly Jim Fitzpatrick: The transitional arrangements for supporting processing, as well as those employed directly agri-environment schemes prior to the introduction of in processing. Glastir will be funded under the Rural Development Plan (RDP) for Wales 2007-13. The RDP for Wales is Figures are not yet available for processing 2009 the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly Government scheme claims. (WAG). Therefore, there has been no need to discuss these arrangements with either WAG or the European Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Commission, nor has it been necessary to make an Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many assessment of the scheme’s compliance with European cheques under the Single Payment Scheme have been Commission rules. issued by the Rural Payments Agency for less than (a) £60, (b) £40, (c) £20, (d) £10 and (e) £1 in each year Animal Welfare since 2001. [303623] Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of Single Payment Scheme Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many (SPS) cheque payments issued by the Rural Payments reports of abandoned animals his Department (a) has Agency (RPA) for the bands and scheme years specified received in each of the last five years and (b) estimates in the question are as follows: it will receive in 2009. [304748] Number of payments 1 Jim Fitzpatrick: None. DEFRA does not receive Band SPS 2005 SPS 2006 SPS 2007 SPS 2008 formal reports about the numbers of abandoned animals. £40.01 to 4,356 2,417 807 299 £60.00 Animal Welfare: Circuses £20.01 to 4,920 1,861 492 122 £40.00 Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for £10.01 to 1,812 546 69 14 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent £20.00 assessment he has made of the merits of banning the £1.01 to 639 80 14 3 use of wild animals in circuses; and if he will make a £10.00 statement. [303056] £0.01 to 58 2 6 3 £1.00 1 A change in EU regulations meant that RPA stopped making Jim Fitzpatrick: During the passage of the Animal payments by cheque on 15 October 2008. All payments are now Welfare Bill through Parliament a Circus Working Group made via BACS. was established consisting of representatives of welfare Payments for the 2009 SPS scheme year only began organisations and the circus industry, together with an on 1 December so we cannot provide equivalent figures academic panel from the scientific community. The at this stage. group was charged with examining the issues relating to the transportation and housing needs of wild animals Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for (i.e. animals not normally domesticated in the British Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment Isles) used for performance in travelling circuses. The he has made of the accuracy of the digitalised farm conclusions were that there was not enough evidence to maps used by the Rural Payments Agency for the show that the welfare of wild animals in circuses is any purpose of making payments under the Single Payment better or worse than those in other captive environments Scheme. [303628] and that available scientific evidence was insufficient to justify regulations being introduced to ban wild animals Jim Fitzpatrick: For Single Payment Scheme claims being used in circus performance. up to and including the 2009 scheme year, the Rural In the light of these conclusions we commenced a Payments Agency has been using existing Ordnance feasibility study on the possibility of introducing regulations. Survey base-data information on Rural Land Register The first element, a report and recommendations from (RLR) maps. two zoo inspectors who have undertaken visits to both 7W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 8W travelling circuses and winter quarters, has now been Biofuels completed. The findings of the first element have been discussed with representatives of welfare and industry Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for organisations and we are aiming for completion by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will estimate end of the year. the carbon savings resulting from the growing of biofuels on land which had previously been (a) used to grow Badgers food crops and (b) set aside or unused; and if he will make a statement. [303289] Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Khan: I have been asked to reply. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his policy Currently there is no agreed methodology for accurately is on the relocation of badger setts resulting from the accounting for the emissions from land currently used development of land for homes. [304538] for food production, or set aside, if displaced by biofuel production. As such, the guidelines for reporting under Huw Irranca-Davies: DEFRA is not responsible for the Renewable Transport the policy on determining licences for the purpose of Fuels Obligation do not account for these emissions. development under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992; this falls to Natural England. However, DEFRA has an Under the recently adopted Renewable Energy Directive, agreement with Natural England that it will consult the European Commission is required to review the DEFRA if a proposed licensed operation might pose a impact of indirect land use change from biofuel production TB risk. Licences for development can only be issued on green house gas emissions and if necessary, come for interference with badger setts; this is normally by forward with a methodology for addressing ways to closing down whole or part setts. The taking of badgers, minimise that impact by the end of 2010. and therefore translocation, for the purpose of development The has commissioned the is not allowed under the Act. development of an indirect land use change methodology through expert stakeholder input and will be making its Bees: Imports findings available to the Commission in order to feed into the above-mentioned review. Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many queen bees were imported in each of the last five years. Mr. McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farms [304738] in (a) West Derbyshire constituency and (b) the East Midlands were under bovine tuberculosis restrictions Dan Norris: Information on the number of queen (i) in each of the last five years and (ii) on the latest bees imported into England from countries within and date for which figures are available. [303191] outside the European Community is available on the Food and Environment Research Agency’s National Jim Fitzpatrick: Bovine tuberculosis (TB) statistics Bee Unit’s Beebase website. are collated and reported in the animal health database The information requested is set out in the table: down to county level. Therefore it is not possible to distinguish the number of herds under restriction in Number of queen bees imported individual constituencies.

2009 10,829 The following table shows the number of herds under 2008 9,575 bovine TB movement restrictions at the end of the last 5 years for the East Midlands (Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, 2007 10,549 Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire), as 2006 4,074 1 well as individual figures for Derbyshire. Data for 2009 2005 2,256 are to the end of August. The numbers include herds 1 Imports from outside the European Community only. More reliable that were under restrictions for any reason related to data on imports from within the European Community became available from 2006. bovine TB controls, including for instance a new TB breakdown or an overdue TB test. Biodiversity August 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he Derbyshire 154 190 143 129 98 has made of the number of species which became East 199 257 226 247 247 extinct in England in each of the last 10 years; and if he Midlands will make a statement. [303290] Note: Information is taken from DEFRA VetNet Animal Health Database. Jim Fitzpatrick: We have not made an annual assessment Nick Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for of the total number of species that have become extinct Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cattle in England in each of the last 10 years. In the 2008 UK have been slaughtered having tested positive for bovine Biodiversity Action Plan reporting round, seven priority TB in each of the last five years; how many of those species were reported as having been lost from England slaughtered did not show signs of TB at post mortem in the last 10 years. Natural England is currently carrying in each year; and how many of those slaughtered had out a systematic review of species extinctions in England cultures taken at post mortem which subsequently did which is due to be published in March 2010. not confirm the presence of TB in each year. [303534] 9W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 10W

Jim Fitzpatrick: The following table shows the number These figures do not include the costs of projects of cattle slaughtered under bovine tuberculosis (TB) concerning the development of cattle and badger diagnostics control measures in Great Britain over the last five which are relevant to the development of TB vaccines, years, and the number of these animals with demonstrable therefore the total expenditure on TB vaccines research post-mortem evidence of infection having tested positive for each year represents a slight underestimate. for bovine TB in each of the last five years. Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Number of Number of Number of Science: Shipping cattle “confirmed” “unconfirmed” 1 2 slaughtered cases cases Mr. Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for 20083 39,973 13,283 26,690 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost to 20073 28,200 9,145 19,055 the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture 20063 22,282 7,697 14,585 Science was of operating the CEFAS vessel Endeavour 20053 30,093 8,715 21,378 in 2008-09; what estimate he has made of this cost in 20043 19,938 6,355 13,583 (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11; how many days the vessel 1 Includes cattle slaughtered as skin and gamma-interferon test reactors, skin was at sea undertaking research in 2008-09; and what test inconclusive reactors and direct contacts. estimate has been made of the equivalent number of 2 Number of cattle slaughtered—number of confirmed cases 3 2004-08 figures are provisional, subject to change as more data become such days in (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11. [302015] available. Source: Huw Irranca-Davies: The following table sets out Data are sourced from DEFRA’s VetNet Animal Health database, downloaded in December 2009. details of the number of days at sea for the CEFAS Endeavour in support of CEFAS managed projects. Following a TB breakdown we aim to carry out post-mortem inspections of all the slaughtered cattle Financial year Days at sea and to take tissue samples from the reactor (or if several animals must be removed, from a representative subset 2008-09 1273 of those), to attempt isolation and molecular typing of 2009-10 2284 the causative organism in the laboratory. This is done to 2010-11 3275 support epidemiological investigations and management 1 Completed. 2 Committed. of the incident, rather than to validate the ante-mortem 3 Forecast. test results. The days at sea figures shown do not take into Failure to detect lesions of TB by post-mortem consideration the time required for mobilisation and examination, or to culture M. bovis in the laboratory, demobilisation of scientific equipment before and after does not imply that a test reactor was not infected with each scientific campaign (approximately 40 days per bovine TB. Indeed, in the early stages of this disease it is annum). They also exclude the time associated with not always possible to observe lesions during abattoir essential vessel maintenance (approximately 20 days per post-mortem examination and, due to the fastidious annum rising to 40 days per annum where scheduled nature of this organism, it is very difficult to isolate it dry docking is required). from tissue samples without visible lesions. Meaningful Sea trips are increasingly planned to integrate a number proportions that subsequently did not confirm disease of projects with objectives which can be achieved during at culture for TB test reactors cannot be provided, as the same campaign. This typically requires 24 hour substantial numbers of skin and gIFN positive animals operations, so maximising the scientific returns from a are not subject to laboratory culture—e.g. once infection single day of sea time. has already been identified in other cattle from the same herd. The annual cost of operating the CEFAS Endeavour include vessel operations and management, technical support, capital charges, fuel and costs and allowances Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccination for CEFAS staff on-board the vessel during scientific campaigns. The annual services agreement to operate Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for and maintain the vessel was recently let via open competition Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his with a six year contract signed in March 2009. The Department has spent on research on a bovine tuberculosis agreement is subject to terms of confidentiality, hence vaccine in each of the last five years. [303622] annual budgets are not included in this response. Mr. Brazier: Toask the Secretary of State for Environment, Jim Fitzpatrick: The following table provides a summary Food and Rural Affairs how many days the CEFAS of TB vaccines research cost to the Department for vessel Endeavour was (a) made available by the Centre each of the last five years. for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science Expenditure on TB vaccines research between 2004-05 and and (b) used by other organisations during 2008-09; 2008-09, GB and what estimate has been made of the number of such £000 days in (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11. [302016] Cattle vaccine Badger vaccine Total

2004-05 343 200 543 Huw Irranca-Davies: The CEFAS Endeavour is available 2005-06 1,083 918 2,001 365 days per annum for the scheduling of sea trips. 2006-07 2,562 2,406 4,968 Schedule planning must allow time for non sea going 2007-08 3,074 2,497 5,571 activities such as mobilisation, demobilisation and planned 2008-09 3,207 2,184 5,391 maintenance. These non sea going activities require between approximately 60 and 80 days per year. 11W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 12W

The CEFAS Endeavour programme in 2008-09 was There is also funding available under the Rural Development 100 per cent. dedicated to CEFAS managed projects Programme for England to support co-operation between and no chartering of the vessel to other organisations farmers, including dairy farmers, and between farmers took place. The committed programme for 2009-10 is and food processors. So far, approximately £12 million also 100 per cent. dedicated to CEFAS managed projects has been committed to this measure. DEFRA has not with no chartering of the vessel to other organisations spent any additional money on specific incentives for planned. The forecast programme for 2010-11 is based dairy farmers to establish supplier co-operatives. upon the same premise. Departmental Fixed Penalties CEFAS managed projects are undertaken on behalf of a range of customers such as DEFRA, the Marine Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environmental Protection Fund (MEPF), JNCC and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many non- Natural England. In addition, on a project basis, visiting compliance penalties were imposed by his Department scientists, observers and organisations collaborating with in each of the last five years; what the most common CEFAS (for project delivery) will also be present on the reason was for such penalties being imposed; what the vessel. (a) largest, (b) smallest, (c) median and (d) mean penalty was in each such year; and if he will make a Dairy Farming: Cooperatives statement. [300295]

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Jim Fitzpatrick: In answering this question we have Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what incentives taken ‘non-compliance penalties’ to mean all cases where his Department provides for dairy farmers to establish a reduction has been made to farmers’ payments under supplier co-operatives. [303625] the single payment scheme. The figures in the following table therefore include minor over-declarations of land Jim Fitzpatrick: DEFRA has provided over £5 million area, which in a regulatory sense do not qualify as a in grant funding to English Farming and Food Partnerships ‘penalty’, as well as regulatory penalties for late claims since 2003 to promote collaboration throughout the and breaches of both eligibility and cross compliance food supply chain, including amongst dairy producers. rules.

Largest penalty Smallest penalty Median penalty Mean penalty SPS scheme year Number of penalties imposed (£) imposed (£) imposed (£) imposed (£)

2005 17,777 59,490.79 0.02 28.91 449.70 2006 12,921 105,263.17 0.06 46.14 529.11 2007 13,719 67,391.91 0.08 54.00 551.84 2008 7,748 135,645.54 0.38 77.88 548.90

We do not yet have data for 2009 as processing checks Departmental Travel and inspections have not been completed. The most common reason for ‘penalties’ being imposed Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for is through over-declared land areas. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what date he last travelled by (a) bus and (b) taxi in the course of Departmental Official Cars his official duties. [302726]

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Dan Norris: The Secretary of State last travelled by Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he taxi in the course of his official duties on 5 November has made of the cost to his Department of providing 2009. He has made no journeys by bus in the course of official cars for the use of (a) Ministers and (b) his official duties. officials in the last 12 months. [301180] Drinking Water: Crime Dan Norris: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement made by my hon. Friend the Under- Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Secretary of State for Transport (Paul Clark) on 16 July Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many 2009, Official Report, column 80WS. prosecutions brought by the Drinking Water Inspectorate have resulted in (a) convictions and (b) custodial sentences Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for in each year since 1995; and how many (i) prosecutions Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the cost of brought, (ii) cautions given and (iii) enforcement notices provision of Government cars to special advisers in his served the Inspectorate was responsible for in each Department was in the last 12 months. [301391] region in each such year. [303291]

Dan Norris: No special advisers are provided with an Jim Fitzpatrick: The Drinking Water Inspectorate allocated Government car and driver. As with all civil has brought 64 prosecutions (including cautions) against servants, special advisers may use an official car or taxi water companies in England and Wales since 1995 for in certain circumstances. Information on such use is not offences relating to drinking water quality. All but one held centrally and could be provided only at of these were successful. There have been no custodial disproportionate cost. sentences. 13W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 14W

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Environment Agency does not Number Regions hold the information required to answer this question in Prosecutions a format that could be completed without incurring (successful) disproportionate costs. 1995 2 (2) Central, Wales The Environment Agency is on track to deliver a 1996 1 (1) Thames programme of flood and coastal risk management schemes 1997 4 (3) Wales (3), Western that over three years is set to exceed the challenging 1998 9 (9) Central, Northern (3), Southern, Thames, Wales (3) target to provide increased protection to 145,000 households. 1999 10 (10) Central, Eastern (3), Northern (2), The Environment Agency continuously strives to improve Southern (2), Western (2), its procurement and management of construction and 2000 5 (5) Northern (4), Thames, engineering projects. Since 2007 it has completed 102 2001 3 (3) Eastern, Southern, Wales major flood defence schemes that have protected over 2002 1 (1) Northern 63,000 properties from flooding in England. 2003 0 — Through the Environment Agency’s Streamlining project 2004 1 (1) Eastern it has been able to reduce the cost of project development, 2005 0 — meaning that a greater proportion of the money is 2006 3 (3) Northern (2), Thames actually spent on constructing defences than ever before. 2007 2 (2) Western, Wales 2008 1 (1) Thames Flood Control: Water Companies

Cautions 1995 1 Western Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for 1996 0 — Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps water 1997 0 — companies are required to take to ensure that pumping 1998 2 Northern stations for the drainage of low-lying areas are [303293] 1999 0 — protected against flooding. 2000 9 Northern (5), Thames (2), Western (2) Jim Fitzpatrick: It is for individual water and sewerage 2001 3 Northern (2), Southern companies to decide how best to protect their infrastructure 2002 2 Northern (2) from the effects of flooding. Companies have a duty to 2003 2 Northern, Wales provide safe and secure water and sewerage services to 2004 1 Thames their customers. 2005 2 Northern, Southern In its final determinations Ofwat has allowed water 2006 0 — companies to invest £414 million on improving the 2007 0 — resilience of their water and sewerage services against 2008 0 — external hazards such as flooding.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate has initiated Food: Procurement enforcement action 1,084 times since 1995. It has not been possible to divide these figures by region. Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consideration Enforcements his Department has given to introducing a sustainable 1995 143 seafood public procurement policy. [303619] 1996 148 1997 189 Jim Fitzpatrick: We are working closely with the 1998 156 Department of Health and the Food Standards Agency 1999 129 on the development of the Healthier Food Mark, an 2000 81 award scheme for public sector catering services offering 2001 45 healthier and more sustainable food. Criteria on sustainable 2002 28 seafood are included at all three levels of the scheme, 2003 29 which is currently being tested in a pre-consultation 2004 21 pilot. 2005 23 2006 8 Hill Farming 2007 29 2008 55 Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of farmers in the English Flood Control: Finance uplands required to maintain adequate land management capacity. [303631] Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the expected Jim Fitzpatrick: The 2007 June Survey data suggest expenditure on each (a) capital and (b) resource that the number of holdings in the English uplands expenditure flood defence project (i) under way and (ii) (Severely Disadvantaged Areas) has increased by completed in the last two years was at the date of approximately 3,000 since 2000. This increase has largely scheme approval. [303297] been driven by an increase in small (less than 10 hectares) 15W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 16W holdings. There appears to be no change in the number developing a new Evidence Investment Strategy which of holdings greater than 10 hectares in size over the will inform priorities for future years. same period. Research investment in the farming and food area is DEFRA recognises the vital role which upland farmers within cross-cutting programmes, for example agriculture can play in delivering landscape and environmental and climate change and sustainable farming systems, benefits, and will, therefore, introduce the new Uplands and these programmes include activity relevant to the Entry Level Scheme (Uplands ELS) in 2010. Uplands horticulture sector. ELS will reward those upland farmers who deliver Within these programmes, in the current financial existing good practice, as well as encouraging positive year, DEFRA has committed approximately £4.5 million change. Unlike the current Hill Farm Allowance scheme, on research relevant to horticulture. £6.7 million was Uplands ELS will be open to all farmers in the English spent on similar work in the 2008-09 financial year. uplands, provided they meet the rules. Overall, DEFRA invested £63 million in 2008-09 on food and agricultural (including horticultural) research. Horticulture: Research It is anticipated that funding will be similar in 2009-10. Nature Conservation: Crime Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) whether his Department plans to increase its funding for Mr. Cawsey: To ask the Secretary of State for horticultural research in the next three years; [302476] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people were (a) proceeded against and (b) convicted of offences (2) what funding his Department has provided for under the provisions of the (i) Badgers Act 1991, (ii) horticultural research and development in the last 12 Deer Act 1991 and (iii) Wild Mammals Protection Act months; [302480] 1996 in 2007; and if he will make a statement. [304217] (3) how much funding his Department provided for agricultural and horticultural research in (a) 2008 and Jim Fitzpatrick: Information from the court proceedings (b) 2009 to date. [302481] database held by the Ministry of Justice showing the number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates Jim Fitzpatrick: Funding for DEFRA’s farming and courts and found guilty at all courts for offences under food research and development programme is allocated the Badgers Act 1911, Deer Act 1991 and Wild Mammals in line with the Department’s strategic priorities and Protection Act 1996, in England and Wales in 2007 is policy evidence requirements. DEFRA is currently given in the following table:

Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for selected offences,1,2 England and Wales 2007 Offence description Statute Proceeded against Found guilty

Offence of cruelty to badgers and special Badgers Act 1973, as amended by Criminal 20 6 protection for badgers and their setts Justice Act 1991 and Badgers Act 1991 Killing or injuring deer by shooting, Deer Act 1991 3 1 trap, snares etc. Offences under this act Wild Mammals Protection Act 1996 7 3 1The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 2Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice. (Job ref: 573-09).

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones Number Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Yorkshire and the Humber 14,980 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farms East Midlands 20,431 there are in nitrate vulnerable zones in each region of West Midlands 20,350 England; and what the (a) size and (b) location is of Eastern 22,777 each such farm. [303451] South East 20,328 South West 24,514 Jim Fitzpatrick: The partial impact assessment Total 139,601 accompanying the August 2007 consultation on the implementation of the nitrates directive in England Details of the size and location of each farm could be estimated the number of farms in the NVZ in each provided only at disproportionate cost. region of the UK on the basis of 2005 agricultural census. Ports

Number Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for North East 1,078 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) whether his Department has issued any recent guidance on the North West 15,144 development of marinas on canals; [303927] 17W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 18W

(2) what recent discussions he has had with British Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government have no plans to Waterways on the development of marinas on canals. end the trade in primates as pets. [303929] Sewers Jim Fitzpatrick: DEFRA is not responsible for issuing guidance on the construction or location of marinas Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for and there have not been any recent discussions with Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) consultation British Waterways on this issue. Developers of new he has undertaken and (b) representations he has received marinas must comply with the relevant planning on the proposed transfer of drains and sewers to water requirements. Planning controls are a matter for the and sewerage undertakers in England and Wales. Department of Communities and Local Government. [304020] Marinas are however an essential facility to support the use of the waterways network and its significant Jim Fitzpatrick: In July 2003 DEFRA published the contribution to the wider visitor economy. Offline marinas Review of Existing Private Sewers and Drains in England prevent congestion along our historic waterways and so and Wales consultation paper that sought views on a free up the navigation for leisure and commercial use. range of strategic options to deal with the problems of This is particularly important in the light of substantial private sewers. The Government published a response growth in boat numbers over the past 10 years. to this consultation in October 2004. 81 per cent. of stakeholders favoured a change of ownership, and of Poultry these, 90 per cent. held the view that sewerage undertakers should take over responsibility. DEFRA acknowledged Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for the strength of support for this solution and undertook Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage to look at it in more depth. of turkey sales in the UK was of domestically Subsequently, representatives of 50 stakeholder groups produced birds in each year since 1997. [304747] were invited to a private sewers seminar in January 2005. This included a workshop looking at the potential Jim Fitzpatrick: DEFRA does not record information impacts on small businesses. DEFRA undertook a on Turkey sales in the UK. telephone survey of over 130 drainage contractors to identify the potential impacts of any transfer on them Primates: Sales and also commissioned qualitative customer research to investigate customers’ potential views on transfer to Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for water and sewerage companies. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria his In February 2007 the Government published their Department uses to determine whether trading in decision paper and committed to consult on options for animals as pets constitutes a business for the purposes the implementation of transfer. A consultation paper of section 7(1) of the Pet Animals Act 1951. [303224] on implementation options was published in July 2007 and Hilary Benn announced on 15 December 2008 the Jim Fitzpatrick: This Department does not use any Government’s decision to proceed with transfer from criteria—it is the responsibility of the appropriate local 2011. authority to consider all the relevant factors relating to Copies of the 2003 and 2007 consultation papers and each individual case. Factors to be considered would the Government’s 2004 response to the review were include the number of animals being sold and the placed in the Library of the House on publication. A potential value of sales. Summary of Responses to the 2007 Consultation on Implementation Options was published in March 2008 Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for and is available from DEFRA. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what definition his Department uses of too early an age for the Further consultation on the content of regulations to purposes of regulating the sale of primates from the implement transfer will be published this winter. (a) cebus, (b) callithrix, (c) saimin and (d) saguinus My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, has species under the Pet Animals Act 1951; and what received representations from a range of interested methodology his Department used to determine such stakeholders during the course of the Review. DEFRA ages. [303225] continues to consult with key stakeholders through working groups and meetings in developing proposals Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department does not define too for implementation. early an age. When determining whether to grant a licence for a pet shop, local authorities must have regard Sheep: Conservation to the need for ensuring that no mammal will be sold at too early an age. Local authorities should be making Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for such decisions based on advice from professional people Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding his such as appropriate veterinary surgeons or other suitable Department has provided for the protection of the experts. Herdwick indigenous sheep flock in each year since 1997. [303627] Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to Jim Fitzpatrick: In 2001, DEFRA granted £10,000 to the answer of 15 July 2009, Official Report, column create the Heritage Gene Bank which was set up to 388W, on primates, what steps the Government is preserve semen and embryos from breeds considered to taking to end the trade in primates as pets. [303226] be at-risk due to the foot and mouth disease (FMD) 19W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 20W outbreak of the time. The Herdwick was one of the Waste Management breeds considered to be at-risk because the majority of its breeding population were in or near to areas heavily Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for affected by FMD. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when his DEFRA recognises the need to have a long term view Department will provide a clear time line for amending on managing the genetic health of our livestock breeding the Environmental Permitting Regulations to reflect population and the need for a co-ordinated effort to the adoption of the end of waste concept; and if he will support initiatives that will encourage the characterisation, make a statement. [304326] conservation and utilisation of our livestock genetic Dan Norris: In DEFRA’s view, it would be premature resources—which includes rare, mainstream and heritage to carry out a review of the requirements of the livestock breeds. The National Standing Committee on Environmental Permitting Regulations that apply to Farm Animal Genetic Resources is currently advising fuel manufactured from waste before the conclusion of Ministers on implementing the UK’s national action the procedures necessary to comply with the Technical plan on farm animal genetic resources which was published Standards Directive (TSD) (98/34/EC) in relation to the in 2006. draft end-of-waste protocol for fuel produced from In England, from next year, the use of hardy native waste lubricating oils, developed in response to the sheep breeds will be one of the factors contributing Appeal Court’s judgment in the OSS case. The European points towards eligibility for payments under the new Commission and Austria have now commented on that Uplands Entry Level Stewardship Scheme. Although draft protocol under Article 8(2) of the TSD. The UK is not confined to Herdwicks, those with Herdwick sheep required to take such comments into account and this may be able to gain benefits under the scheme which legal obligation is currently being fulfilled. On conclusion will thereby provide indirect support for the breed. of our consideration of the comments made under Article 8(2) of the TSD, we will consider further a review of the requirements of the Environmental Permitting Waste Disposal: Hazardous Substances Regulations that apply to fuel manufactured from waste. Water: EU Law Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for many waste treatment sites treat toxic waste; at what Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his most distance from the nearest residential building each such recent estimate is of the cost to the water industry of site is located; and if he will make a statement. [303829] meeting the water quality targets contained in the EU Water Framework Directive. [303423] Dan Norris: There are 224 sites that treat hazardous waste. I have arranged for a list of these sites to be Jim Fitzpatrick: The most recent estimate of cost to placed in the Library of the House. the water industry across England and Wales of achieving water quality targets determined under the first planning The centrally available distance data in this list are round of the Water Framework Directive is £174,000,000. derived from the system that the Environment Agency This includes £117,000,000 in one-off costs and £57,000,000 uses as part of the risk assessment it carries out before average annual costs over the six years of the first River authorising permits for sites. The permitting system is Basin Management Plans from 2009-2015. intended to ensure that the waste operations it authorises are carried out in a way that protects human health and These figures include the costs of investigations which the environment. The distances are not limited to residential are essential to progressing work within the future buildings and cover a far wider range of potential planning rounds of the Directive. receptors such as commercial and industrial premises, playing fields and parks as well as housing. NORTHERN IRELAND Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what Capita definition his Department uses of (a) toxic and (b) hazardous waste; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern [303830] Ireland whether any contracts between Capita Group plc and his Department have been cancelled before completion since 1997; and whether Capita Group plc Dan Norris: Hazardous waste is defined by reference has been liable for any penalties arising from failings in to the European Commission’s definition of hazardous the administration of contracts since 1997. [303090] waste which is based on the list set out in EC Decision 2000/532/EC. Essentially hazardous waste displays one Paul Goggins: The Northern Ireland Office (NIO), or more of the hazardous properties set out in EC including its arms length bodies and the Public Prosecution legislation at above specified thresholds and which may Service Northern Ireland but excluding its agencies and cause harm to human health or the environment if not NDPBs, has no record of any contracts awarded to managed in an appropriately controlled manner. Capita Group plc since 1997. Toxicity is one of the properties that may make a The NIO departmental disposal policy states that waste hazardous. Toxic substances and preparations are records of contracts do not have to be held longer than those which, if they are inhaled or ingested, or if they six years and financial records seven years. Central penetrate the skin, may involve serious acute or chronic Procurement Directorate (CPD) records go back to health risks or even death. 2001. No records are available beyond this year. 21W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 22W

The information provided is based on contracts which Under a separate scheme special performance payments have been conducted through the NIO central procurement are awarded to staff at grades D2 to A. unit prior to November 2003 and the Department of Figures for the last two years are set out in the Finance and Personnel’s CPD since November 2003. following tables. Departmental Information Officers Non-consolidated performance payments 2007-08 2008-09

Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Number of staff 1409 563 Northern Ireland how many full-time equivalent press Proportion (percentage) 26 28 officers (a) are employed by and (b) work for his Total amount (£) 609,875.00 599,048.50 [303604] Department. Largest payment (£) 18,000 11,000 1 The details for the 2007-08 non-consolidated performance payments Mr. Woodward: There are a total of 8.5 press officers do not include payments made by the Northern Ireland Prison employed by, and work for, my Department. Service to staff below senior civil service. Special performance payments Departmental Legislation 2007-08 2008-09

Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Number of staff 809 996 Ireland what criminal offences have been (a) abolished Proportion (percentage) 40 49 and (b) created by primary legislation sponsored by his Total amount(£) 227,349.48 260,865.00 Department since 1 May 2008. [303255] Largest payment (£) 750 900

Paul Goggins: The primary legislation made by the Northern Ireland Office since 1 May 2008 which abolished Departmental Public Expenditure or created criminal offences is as follows: The Sexual Offences (NI) Order 2008, implemented Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for in February 2009, reformed the body of law on sexual Northern Ireland what the cost to his Department was offences. The order contains all criminal offences in of the provision of office facilities to (a) special relation to sexual offending behaviour. Articles 81 and advisers and (b) press officers in the 2008-09 financial 83 and schedules 1 and 3 to the order list the old year. [302967] offences which were repealed and article 5 abolished the common law offence of rape. Paul Goggins: Northern Ireland Office (NIO) special The Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 2008, advisers and press officers are located alongside other made in May 2008, created nine new offences. Articles 52, NIO staff in a number of buildings. Rent, rates and 53, 65(6) and 91(4) contain four new driving-related utilities, etc., are charged on the basis of the entire offences; article 68 created one new offence in relation building and the cost of specific areas of the building or to alcohol consumption in designated public places; accommodation for groups or individuals within the and the remaining offences relate to prison security. building could not be separated from the overall running Article 71, a single offence of assisting or permitting a costs of the entire building. person to escape from lawful custody has replaced the separate offences of rescuing, or assisting or permitting the escape of, a person sentenced to death or for life, Disabled and rescuing or assisting or permitting the escape of other prisoners, formerly in sections 29 and 30 the Mr. Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Prison Act (NI) 1953. Articles 77 and 78 create offences Northern Ireland what meetings he has had with in relation to conveying articles into or out of prison. disability organisations since his appointment. [303472] This replaces the offences of conveying spirits or alcohol or other articles into prison (formerly in sections 34 and Mr. Woodward: I have not met directly with any of 35 of the Prison (NI) Act) with a more extensive prohibition. the disability organisations since my appointment as No offences were repealed by the order. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Departmental Pay Iraq Committee of Inquiry Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many staff in his Department received bonus payments in (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09; what Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for proportion of the total work force they represented; Northern Ireland what position each official in his what the total amount of bonuses paid was; what the Department seconded to the Iraq Committee of Inquiry largest single payment was; and if he will make a held between January 2001 and December 2003; and for statement. [300892] what matters each was responsible in each such year. [303145] Paul Goggins: Non-consolidated performance payments are made to staff in the senior civil service in line with Paul Goggins: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the Cabinet Office Guidance and also to staff at grades D2 answer given by the Minister for the Cabinet Office, the to A in line with HM Treasury Guidance. These payments right hon. Member for Dulwich and West Norwood are made at the end of the reporting year to reward (Tessa Jowell) on 3 December 2009, Official Report, performance throughout the year retrospectively. columns 974-75W. 23W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 24W

Prisoners: Foreign Nationality Before being transferred to Foyleview, prisoners must be assessed at category C level—the lowest category of risk assessment. Each prisoner accepted to Foyleview Mr. Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern has been admitted as a result of his progression through Ireland how many foreign national prisoners were the prison regime, though where a prisoner fails to discharged from a sentence of imprisonment in Northern comply with the requirements of the unit, they may be Ireland in (a) 2008 and (b) each month in 2009 for returned to the main prison complex. which figures are available. [303832] There is no obligation on NIPS to inform the public. Paul Goggins: In 2008, the Northern Ireland Prison Service discharged 188 sentenced foreign national prisoners. From 1 January to 30 November 2009, the service FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE discharged 234 sentenced foreign national prisoners, as shown in the following table. Colombia Number discharged Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign January 13 and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department February 11 has taken to seek to ensure the implementation of EU March 25 guidelines on the protection of human rights defenders April 24 in Colombia in 2009. [302764] May 22 June 21 Chris Bryant: When I visited Colombia, I issued a July 26 joint statement with President Uribe and the Foreign August 24 Minister declaring that September 13 “the defence of human rights is necessary and legitimate for October 30 democracy, in a country like Colombia which is proud of being November 25 fully open and ready for international Scrutiny on this subject”. Total 234 We work closely with EU partners, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and human rights defenders on implementation of the EU guidelines on human rights Sexual Offences defenders. For example, we have made visits to rural communities, including the Curvarado River Basin, and more recently Popoyan, to visit communities and Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for human rights defenders that are under threat, and we Northern Ireland (1) how many sex offenders were are planning further visits in conjunction with EU housed in dormitory accommodation in HM Prison partners. Magilligan (a) in the nine months up to August 2009 and (b) on the latest date for which figures are We also make representations to the Colombian available; on what authority they were so housed; and authorities in specific cases of violence or threats against what steps have been taken to move them to single cell individual or collective human rights defenders. Our accommodation; [304438] ambassador recently wrote to the Colombian Director of Human Rights, Carlos Franco, to request a greater (2) how many sex offenders have been moved to open level of protection for a human rights defender under type accommodation at Foyleview in the last three threat. We also make our support clearly visible by months; and what steps have been taken to inform the visiting those under threat at their places of work. local population of the matter. [304439] We undertake a range of project work alongside Colombian and international NGOs aimed at supporting Paul Goggins: In the nine months up to August 2009 the work of human rights defenders. For example, we there was an average of 55 sex offenders held in dormitory run two projects on tackling impunity in the criminal type accommodation; at 3 December 2009 there were 47 justice system, and three specifically aimed at promoting sex offenders held in this accommodation unit. Staff at and strengthening the position of human rights defenders Magilligan are in the process of reallocating prisoner in Colombia. accommodation, following the refurbishment of H blocks, which will reduce the numbers in dormitory Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign accommodation to 32, with the intention of introducing and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department partitions to provide for increased privacy. has plans to monitor the trial in Colombia of Jorge All prisoners, regardless of offence, may occupy cellular Noguera Cotes, former head of the internal security accommodation, single rooms or dormitories. department in that country. [302765] On 24 September 2009 five sex offenders were transferred to Foyleview semi-open accommodation unit (a low Chris Bryant: Yes, we will follow this trial with interest. supervision unit within the Magilligan prison complex) and as of 3 December 2009 nine sex offenders were Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign located there. This is part of our strategy to make the and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department most effective use of prisoner accommodation, based has taken to assist human rights defenders in Colombia on prisoners satisfactorily completing a risk assessment in each quarter of 2009; and if he will make a and meeting the strict criteria necessary for their placement. statement. [302766] 25W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 26W

Chris Bryant: We are involved in a number of activities EU Law to help human rights defenders in Colombia, and to support their cause. In October 2009 I visited Colombia, Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State where I urged President Uribe to ensure that human for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what EC rights defenders were properly supported and protected. legislative instruments including provisions on criminal My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary recently law, which apply to the UK, and are in force or are due met Eduardo Carreno, a Colombian human rights lawyer, to come into force have been adopted on the basis of to discuss the problems human rights defenders face, provisions of the Treaty establishing the European and to express the UK’s support for their cause. Our Community other than those in Title IV of Part Three ambassador in Bogota and his officials make representations of that Treaty. [302582] to the Colombian Government in specific cases of violence or threats against human rights defenders, and visit Claire Ward: I have been asked to reply. them at their offices to demonstrate the UK’s support. Two legislative instruments containing criminal law In addition to our lobbying activities, we also provide provisions in the first pillar were adopted under the practical support through our project work in the areas provisions of the treaty establishing the European of freedom of expression, tackling impunity, equality Community other than those of Title IV of Part III of and promoting civil society. the treaty. Directive 2008/99/EC on the protection of the environment through criminal law was adopted on Departmental Buildings 19 November 2008. The instrument is in force and the deadline for transposition is December 2010. The amending Mr. Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign directive 2005/35/EC on ship source pollution and on and Commonwealth Affairs how many residential the introduction of penalties for infringements was properties his Department owns; and how many (a) adopted in March 2009. The instrument is not yet in are occupied and (b) have been empty for more than force. six months. [303999] European Union: Fines Chris Bryant: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office owns 1,391 residential properties throughout our overseas Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign network. This includes the official residences of our and Commonwealth Affairs what financial penalties heads of post and other staff accommodation. We do the Government has paid to European Union not own any residential properties in the UK. institutions in the first six months of 2009. [304005] Monitoring the occupancy of our residential properties Chris Bryant: The UK has never incurred a financial is not done centrally, as the day-to-day management of penalty for failure to comply with an European Court the estate is carried out by our overseas missions. of Justice judgment under Article 228 (ex Article 171) of the treaty establishing the European Community. Departmental Recruitment Fiji Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of jobs Mr. Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for advertised by his Department in the last 12 months Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps were online only applications; and what provision his he has taken to encourage Fiji to rejoin the Department makes for those wishing to apply for jobs Commonwealth. [304711] in his Department who do not have access to the internet. [301541] Chris Bryant: Following the military coup in December 2006, Fiji was suspended from the Councils of the Chris Bryant: Within the last 12 months, the Foreign Commonwealth. The situation deteriorated further in and Commonwealth Office has advertised for 211 vacancies April 2009, with the abrogation of the constitution, in the national press and on our website. Online application suspension of the courts, censorship of the press and forms were used for 164 (78 per cent.) of these vacancies. re-establishment of Public Emergency Regulations. In The remaining 47 vacancies (22 per cent.) were advertised July, Military Commander and interim PM, Voreqe inviting applications via email and hard copy. Alternative Bainimarama, announced a ‘Roadmap for Change’, application methods are considered on request for all which ruled out holding democratic elections until 2014. our vacancies. As a member of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, the UK took a full role in discussions which led EC Law: Agriculture to Fiji’s full suspension from the Commonwealth on 1 September 2009. The regime can be erratic: the Australian Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and New Zealand Heads of Mission were suddenly and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the UK expelled on 3 November 2009. This was the third New Permanent Representative to the EU has had with (a) Zealand Head of Mission expulsion since the coup. the Welsh Assembly Government and (b) the Directorate- Full suspension from the Commonwealth means Fiji General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the is no longer eligible for Commonwealth technical assistance, European Commission on the application of European and can no longer participate in Commonwealth sporting Commission rules to the transitional arrangements for events. While the Commonwealth Games Federation EU agri-environment schemes in Wales. [304194] has voted to exclude Fiji from the Commonwealth Games, Fiji officials continue to lobby for Fiji participation. Chris Bryant: None. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 27W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 28W

(CHOGM) reinforced suspension from the Commonwealth Students: Extremism calling for an early return to democracy, respect for human rights and respect for the rule of law. CHOGM Mr. Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for also made clear that sporting ties under the Commonwealth Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his name are inseparable from the values of the association. Department’s most recent assessment is of the level of The Commonwealth is keen to readmit Fiji, but only threat to national security posed by foreign extremists, when the regime demonstrates a clear and committed violent extremists and terrorists on student campuses willingness to return to democracy and adhere to the in the UK. [303023] principles of the Harare Declaration, which includes a commitment to the respect for fundamental human Mr. Lammy [holding answer 30 November 2009]: I rights. The UK continues in its policy of engagement have been asked to reply. with the regime to work towards these common objectives, Our assessment is that there is some extremist activity both in Suva and in other capitals, and works closely happening in Higher Education Institutions within the with the EU, UN and regional partners in encouraging UK. The problem is not widespread but where it does Fiji towards an early return to democratic principles occur it is serious. For national security reasons, we and the rule of law. cannot release details of which institutions. Holidays Abroad: Death

Mr. Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British TRANSPORT citizens have (a) died whilst abroad and (b) had their death reported to the British Embassy in the relevant Arriva: Government Assistance country in each of the last five years. [304710] : To ask the Minister of State, Chris Bryant: Figures collated by consular directorate Department for Transport what net subsidy was paid in previous years related only to deaths that required to Arriva Buses from the public purse in (a) England action by our staff. Since April 2008, we have updated and (b) in the latest period for which our guidance to include cases where we have been figures are available. [303016] notified of a death even if no action has been necessary. Based on the above criteria, the number of deaths Mr. Khan: The Government subsidises bus services in recorded by consular staff overseas over the last five England through the Department for Transport’s Bus years are as follows: Service Operators Grant (BSOG) which is paid to operators of local bus services. April to March each year Number of deaths In 2008-09, Arriva England were paid £66,753,127.18 2004-05 3,925 and Arriva Yorkshire West Ltd. were paid £2,042,380.03. 2005-06 4,071 Aviation: Greater London 2006-07 4,577 2007-08 4,157 2008-09 5,629 Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if his Department will ensure that details Iraq: Prisoners of all air flights over London are publicly available and open to public inspection so that any resident is able to Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign obtain accurate information as to how many flights fly and Commonwealth Affairs what information his over a particular London borough. [304760] Department holds on the (a) conditions under which Daniel Fitzsimmons has been detained since the incident Paul Clark: These are operational matters for NATS in respect of which he is to stand trial in Iraq and (b) and the Department for Transport does not hold the judicial process by which that trial will be conducted; information in the form and detail requested. Assistance and what representations he has received from relatives may be available from the chief executive of NATS with of those who died in that incident. [304040] his inquiries. His address is: Paul Barron Chris Bryant: Mr. Fitzsimons is being held at a police Chief Executive station in the International Zone in Baghdad where he is visited regularly by our consular staff. He has not NATS raised any concerns with us about the conditions in Corporate and Technical Centre which he is being held. 4000 Parkway The judicial process is a matter for the Iraqi authorities. Whiteley However, we will make representations to the authorities Fareham should it become clear that there are concerns around Hants PO15 7FL the ongoing legal proceedings in comparison with internationally recognised standards or local procedure. Aviation: Noise Foreign and Commonwealth Office consular staff have been in regular contact with the deceased British Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department national’s family to ensure he was repatriated to the for Transport whether his Department has any plans to UK as soon as was practicably possible and to discuss improve the provision of information relating to noise any other ongoing concerns they have. levels from air traffic in London. [304759] 29W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 30W

Paul Clark: The Secretary of State for Transport example, in November this year, we produced guidance publishes annual aircraft noise contour maps for Heathrow to local authorities on delivering sustainable low carbon airport which are designated under section 80 for the travel2. purposes of section 78 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 We have also invested £10 million from 2004-09 on for noise control purposes. These follow the standard the ‘Sustainable Travel Towns’, initial results of which UK practice of producing aircraft noise contours for indicate cycling increases of at least 12 per cent. the average summer’s day (Leq 16 hour, 07.00 to 23.00) 1 The ‘National Standard’ for cycle training (for children and where ‘summer’ is the 92 day period from 16 June to 15 adults) was launched by us in 2005. September. 2 Delivering Sustainable Low Carbon Travel: An Essential Guide The contours are produced in three dB bands starting for Local Authorities (November 2009). at 57 Leq which the Department for Transport regards as the approximate onset of significant community Bicycles: Safety annoyance. Therefore the contours will encompass those areas of London exposed to 57 Leq or more. Contour Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, details are available on the Department’s website at: Department for Transport what recent steps his Department http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/environmentalissues/nec/ has taken to increase cycling safety. [302686] The Secretary of State is not responsible for the production of noise contour maps at non designated Paul Clark: The Department for Transport has taken airports. However London City airport also produces a number of steps to increase the level of safety for annual noise contours on a similar basis which are cyclists. We are aware that safety concerns are a deterrent available on the London City Airport Consultative for many people to cycle more, or to allow their children Committee’s website at to cycle, and so it is an important aspect of our cycling http://www.lcacc.org/ promotion work. Modelling aircraft levels at lower levels becomes To this end we have: increasingly uncertain as the noise level decreases, primarily Developed a new National Standard for Cycle Training suitable because of difficulties in obtaining aircraft noise for children and adults. We provided grants to local authorities to measurements that are not contaminated with other enable an extra 500,000 children to take part in Bikeability sources of noise, such as traffic noise. training by 2012. (Our Bikeability training meets the National Standard.) This year, we are providing almost £10 million to train around 200,000 children. Bicycles Through Cycling England’s Links to Schools Programme, funded improvements to infrastructure which will include at least Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, 250 safer routes to approximately 500 schools. Department for Transport what recent steps his Launched a new THINK! education website with resources for Department has taken to increase the number of primary school teachers, pupils and parents covering the themes people who cycle. [302687] of cycle training, wearing the correct clothes, cycle maintenance and using the Highway Code. Mr. Khan: The Department for Transport is providing Proposed, in our consultation on a new road safety strategy, to considerable support for projects to increase cycling, provide greater encouragement for local authorities to introduce through Cycling England. Cycling England was established 20 mph limits and zones in streets which are primarily residential by the Department to get more people cycling, more in nature. safely, more often. We have increased their budget to Commissioned a two-year research project looking at a range £140 million over three years (running from 2008-09 to of road safety and cycling issues including casualty data, infrastructure, 2010-11). attitudes and cycle helmets. And finally Current cycling projects include the Cycling Demonstration Towns and Cycling City (we are investing We have recently completed a study considering the safety £48 million in these) and ‘Bikeability’ cycle training. aspects of a range of supplementary devices on large goods vehicles, including the Fresnel lens, in order to reduce blind spots The first six cycle demonstration towns showed an which can be particularly dangerous to cyclists. average increase in cycling of 27 per cent. Our grants for Bikeability will enable an extra 500,000 children to take Bus Services part in cycle training which meets the National Standard by 20121. This year, we are providing almost £10 million to train around 200,000 children. Graham Stringer: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport when he expects the panel of In September of this year, the Secretary of State for members for the Quality Contract Scheme approvals Transport, announced a major £14 million package to board to be appointed. [304143] transform facilities for cyclists at rail stations (£4 million of which is from Cycling England’s budget). Mr. Khan: I expect to make an announcement about In October of this year, the Department set up the Quality Contracts Schemes shortly. Cycle to Work Guarantee. Signing up to the guarantee commits employers to helping their employees cycle to Graham Stringer: To ask the Minister of State, work, by providing them with improved cycle facilities, Department for Transport how many bus monitoring and giving them access to the Government’s tax break officer posts there were in each traffic commissioner scheme for new bicycles and equipment. area in (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Scotland in The Department is also developing the evidence base each of the last five years; and how many such posts for the outcomes and benefits of cycling, and provides were funded by the Vehicle and Operator Services guidance on increasing cycling to local authorities. For Agency. [304144] 31W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 32W

Paul Clark: The information requested is in the following Mr. Khan: The Government were a strong supporter table: of the New Car CO2 regulation adopted in April 2009. The regulation aims to reduce CO2 emissions by setting England Wales Scotland manufacturers average CO2 targets based on the new cars they produce that are registered in the EU. In 2004 10 3 4 particular, the Government played a successful leading 2005 10 3 4 role, in calling for an ambitious long-term target in the 2006 10 3 6 regulation. This target of 95g/km means that, on average, 2007 10 3 6 new cars will emit 40 per cent. less CO2 in 2020 compared 2008 10 3 6 to 2007. In the UK alone, this is expected to save 2009 10 3 6 7.6MtC0 per year by 2020. 2 The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency does not In addition, the Government have allocated over fund bus monitoring officer posts. £400 million to deliver policies, through the new cross Whitehall Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), Graham Stringer: To ask the Minister of State, aiming to place the UK at the global forefront of Department for Transport how many research projects ultra-low carbon vehicle development, demonstration, his Department has commissioned in the 2009-10 manufacture and us. Details of OLEV’s work can be financial year to assess the likely effects on bus services found here: of changes to the Bus Service Operators Grant; and www.dft.gov.uk/olev what the (a) title and (b) remit was of each such Departmental Consultants research project. [304145] Mr. Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department Mr. Khan: The Department for Transport has for Transport how many external consultants work for commissioned no research projects in the 2009-10 financial his Department. [303241] year to assess the likely effects on bus services of changes to the Bus Service Operators Grant. Chris Mole: The Department for Transport does not Bus Services: Lincolnshire hold the information centrally and it could be provided only by incurring disproportionate cost. However, following a search across the Department’s Human Resources Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Minister of State, systems, it is know that 146 external consultants work Department for Transport how much has been paid in for the Department. kickstart grants to improve bus services in North East Lincolnshire. [304429] The following table provided a breakdown of the number of consultants: Mr. Khan: £522,067 has been paid to North East Lincolnshire council in kickstart grants to improve bus Number of consultants services. Department for Transport Central 95 Caparo Group Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 140 Vehicle Certification Agency 0 Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Minister of State, Vehicle and Operator Services Agency 10 Department for Transport what meetings (a) the Government Car and Despatch 1 Agency Secretary of State, (b) other Ministers and (c) officials Total 146 in his Department have had with Angad Paul in each of 1 The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency figure only includes the the last three years. [303058] number of consultants appointed through their Consultancy and Interim Management Services (CIMS) Framework Agreement. The Chris Mole: There have been no meetings between the total number could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Secretary of State for Transport, other Ministers or The Driving Standards Agency, Highways Agency officials in the Department and Mr. Paul in the last and Marine and Coastguard Agency could provide the three years. information requested only at disproportionate cost. Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Minister of State, Departmental Food Department for Transport whether his Department holds contracts with each company of the Caparo Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Group. [303107] Department for Transport what estimate he has made of the proportion of (a) lamb, (b) beef, (c) chicken, (d) Chris Mole: There is one contract with AP Braking pork, (e) turkey, (f) other meats, (g) vegetables and Limited of the Caparo Group where the Department (h) fruit procured by his Department that was produced for Transport provides services for approval of vehicle in the UK in the latest period for which figures are brakes. available; and if he will make a statement. [300175]

Cars: Fuels Chris Mole: The Department for Transport contributes annually towards the Department for Environment, Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Procurement of Food Department for Transport what steps his Department and Catering Services Report which can be found at: is taking to increase the fuel efficiency of new cars. http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/policy/publicsectorfood/ [304054] awareness.htm 33W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 34W

The report gives details of the proportion of domestically Total allocations provided to English local transport produced meat, fruit and vegetable purchased. The authorities (outside London) since 1997 are shown in figures for 2008-09 will be published by DEFRA at the the following table. end of 2009. Allocation (£ million) Departmental Legislation 2009-10 1,345.000 Chris Huhne: To ask the Minister of State, Department 2008-09 1,280.000 for Transport what criminal offences have been (a) 2007-08 1,254.000 abolished and (b) created by primary legislation sponsored 2006-07 1,218.871 by his Department since 1 May 2008. [303257] 2005-06 1,215.285 2004-05 1,308.411 Chris Mole: No criminal offences have been abolished 2003-04 1,178.476 by primary legislation falling within the scope of the 2002-03 1,123.443 question. 2001-02 1,074.045 A number of criminal offences have been created by 2000-01 514.393 the Crossrail Act 2008 and the Local Transport Act 1999-2000 535.325 2008. These are: 1998-99 479.060 Crossrail Act 2008 (c. 18) 1997-98 584.151 1. Schedule 4, paragraph 2(2) - creates an offence of installing Note: an electric line above ground without prior consent. Since 2000 the allocations comprise integrated transport block grant and highways maintenance. Prior to 2000 the allocations are in the 2. Schedule 12, Part 4, paragraph 18(6) - creates an offence of form of gross approved spending. intentionally altering, suppressing or destroying a document which has been required to be produced by a notice served by the Revenue expenditure on transport is generally supported Secretary of State for Transport where a transfer scheme is through the Department for Communities and Local proposed (such schemes provide for the transfer of property, rights and liabilities). Government’s Formula Grant. Local Transport Act 2008 (c.26) In addition to this funding, the Government have 1. Section 44 - will, when in force, insert a new section 134B(11) made some funding available specifically to improve the into the Transport Act 2000 (c. 38). Section 134(B)(11) will create provision of cycle parking. In 2009-10 and 2010-11, a an offence in relation to the provision of information that is false total of £14 million is being provided by the Department or misleading by a person operating local services. It is expected to improve cycle facilities at rail stations, including the that section 44 will be brought into force in January 2010. provision of 10,000 extra cycle parking spaces. A further 2. Section 55 - amended section 36 of the Disability Discrimination £62.7 million has been committed between 2005-06 and Act 1995 (c.50) to impose new duties on the drivers of certain 2010-11 to provide cycling infrastructure in 17 English taxis and private hire vehicles. Breach of the duties is a criminal towns and cities, as part of the Department’s Cycling offence and so the effect of section 55 is to expand the scope of an Towns initiative. existing offence. The Department published a new action plan to 3. Section 115 - amended section 174 of the Transport Act 2000 and paragraph 25 of Schedule 23 to the Greater London improve lorry parking in England on 24 November Authority Act 1999 (c.29) to make it an offence, in particular 2009, available at: circumstances, to interfere with the functioning of any equipment http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/freight/road to do with road user charging. It was already an offence to interfere with the equipment itself. The action plan will help to raise standards at existing truck stops and tackle shortages of lorry parking facilities The following have not been included in this answer as they are not considered to be covered by the scope of the question: but retains the principle that the financing and delivery of lorry parking is for the private sector. DfT Circular (a) provisions in primary legislation which enable secondary legislation to be made (and offences to be included in that 01/2008 on Policy on Service Areas and Other Roadside legislation); and Facilities on Motorways and All-Purpose Trunk Roads (b) provisions which change the penalties for contravening in England includes information on the role that the existing offences (including in particular circumstances, for instance Highways Agency has in lorry parking. where the offence is Crossrail related).

Departmental Parking Floods: Cumbria

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent steps he has Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister of State, taken to improve (a) bicycle, (b) lorry and (c) car Department for Transport what estimate he has made parking provision; and how much his Department has of (a) the number of bridges and (b) the length of spent on such provision in each year since 1997. [302799] highway damaged in the recent floods in Cumbria; what estimate he has made of the costs of repairing Mr. Khan: The Department for Transport (DfT) allocates such damage; and if he will make a statement. [302144] integrated transport block and highways maintenance funding to local transport authorities for capital investment Mr. Khan: Cumbria county council are the local in transport. Funding provided by the Department to highway authority for Cumbria. According to records local authorities is not generally ring-fenced and local held by Cumbria county council there are 1,764 bridges authorities have discretion to spend their allocations in in Cumbria which are managed by the authority, of line with their priorities, such as the provision of improved which 1,240 are over or near water. Other bridges in cycle, lorry and car parking. Cumbria will be the responsibility of other bodies. 35W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 36W

The Prime Minister announced on 25 November Paul Clark: The Department for Transport’s latest 2009 that the Government will provide funding to Cumbria published forecasts of aircraft movements and terminal county council to assist them to carry out repairs to passenger numbers at airports in the UK are presented their bridges and roads damaged by the recent floods. in “UK Air Passenger Demand and CO2 Forecasts”, Surveys of all damage will be required before it will be January 2009. This is available at: possible to estimate the cost of the damage to the local http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/atf/co2forecasts09/ highway network in Cumbria. The flood water will need The Department’s latest forecasts of air transport to recede before all surveys can be carried out. The movements are given in table G8, page 141 of “UK Air Department for Transport will work with Cumbria Passenger Demand and CO2 Forecasts”. The central county council to assist them to estimate the cost of the estimate for the number of air transport movements at damage to their highway network. London City airport in 2015 is 92,000 an increase of The Ministry of Defence and the Department have 28,000, or 44 per cent., over the 2010 estimate. worked together to finalise arrangements for a temporary The Department’s latest forecasts for airport terminal bridge at Workington over the River Derwent. The passengers are given in table G3, page 135 of “UK Air Department will provide funding for other temporary Passenger Demand and CO2 Forecasts”. The central bridges as and when required by Cumbria county council. estimate from the Department’s forecasts for the number The Highways Agency is the highway authority for of passengers using London City airport in 2015 is 3.7 trunk roads and motorways in England and has inspected million passengers per annum (mppa), an increase of 92 roads over water bridges and three retaining walls on 1.4 million passengers, or 68 per cent., over the 2010 its road network in Cumbria, following the floods. No estimate. structural faults were found during those inspections. The above estimates only include scheduled passenger Further assessments of these structures and earthwork services. The Department has not modelled unscheduled embankments near watercourses in Cumbria, will be business jet charters and air taxis at London City airport. made over the coming days. The model currently underestimates scheduled air traffic The structural integrity of the remainder of the trunk movements at London City airport. Table 2.4, page 34 road and motorway network in Cumbria was not affected of “UK Air Passenger Demand and CO2 Forecasts” by the floods. However, in the interests of safety for the provides a comparison of modelled and actual air transport travelling public, the network is being monitored daily. movements. For larger airports, such as Heathrow and Invalid Vehicles: Insurance Gatwick, modelled and actual figures are within a couple of per cent. of each other. Moreover, the forecasts in Mr. Harper: To ask the Minister of State, “UK Air Passenger Demand and CO2 Forecasts” fulfil Department for Transport what recent estimate he has their intended purpose—to inform and monitor long made of the number of individuals who own mobility term strategic aviation policy. We currently expect to scooters who have purchased insurance policies for publish updated aviation forecasts in 2010. their vehicles. [304542] James Brokenshire: To ask the Minister of State, Mr. Khan: The Department for Transport strongly Department for Transport what recent representations recommends that mobility scooter users take out insurance. he has received on aircraft noise at London City A survey performed for the Department in 2005 suggested Airport. [303850] that around 72 per cent. of them do so. Paul Clark: No formal representations have been Recent estimates from the national travel survey suggest received on aircraft noise at London City airport. However that there could be 316,000 of these vehicles in the UK, early next year, the airport will be required to submit a so therefore somewhat over 200,000 of these individuals draft strategic noise action plan to the Secretary of might be expected to be covered by some form of State for consideration for formal adoption under the insurance. European Environmental Noise Directive (2002/49/EC). Kellogg Brown and Root If the requirements are met, the Secretary of State for Transport will recommend to the Secretary of State for Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Minister of State, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that the action Department for Transport whether his Department has plan should be adopted. The airport is currently conducting entered into any contracts with Kellogg, Brown and a public consultation on its draft noise action plan. This Root or its subsidiaries since January 2009. [303342] consultation closes on 15 January 2010. Chris Mole: The Department for Transport does not James Brokenshire: To ask the Minister of State, hold this information centrally and it could be provided Department for Transport what recent assessment he only by incurring disproportionate cost due to the very has made of the level of noise nuisance arising from many number of subsidiaries that Kellogg, Brown and aircraft using London City Airport; and what changes Root have. in that level have been recorded in the last 10 years. [303852] London City Airport Paul Clark: Responsibility for monitoring the noise James Brokenshire: To ask the Minister of State, levels of aircraft operating at London City airport rests Department for Transport what recent estimate he has with the airport operator. Under local planning agreements made of the likely change in the number of (a) aircraft with the London borough of Newham, the airport is movements and (b) passengers at London City Airport required to produce noise exposure contours on an in the next five years; and if he will make a statement. annual basis. These are published on the London City [303849] airport consultative committee’s website. 37W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 38W

James Brokenshire: To ask the Minister of State, Public Transport: Crimes of Violence Department for Transport how many (a) jet and (b) propeller aircraft (i) arrivals and (ii) departures there Damian Green: To ask the Minister of State, have been at London City Airport in each of the last 10 Department for Transport how many incidents of years. [303853] violence and abuse on public transport in (a) Ashford and (b) Kent have been reported in each of the last five Paul Clark: The following tables show the number of years; and what steps he is taking to reduce the number jet and propeller aircraft arriving and departing London of such incidents. [304929] City airport from 1999 to 2008:

(i) Air transport movements: Arrivals Chris Mole: The Department for Transport does not hold records of crime on public transport. Details of Number crime on the railways can be obtained from the British Jets Propellers Total Transport police at 25 Camden road, London, NW1 9LN, 1999 8,993 11,746 20,739 e-mail 2000 8,049 16,460 24,509 [email protected] 2001 7,769 19,123 26,892 We are committed to improving the personal security 2002 6,552 19,932 26,484 of passengers on public transport. For example, new 2003 6,227 17,800 24,027 rail franchises now specify minimum levels of investment 2004 7,469 19,134 26,603 in public safety and we are encouraging Crime and 2005 10,907 19,448 30,355 Disorder Reduction Partnerships to work with the transport 2006 12,358 20,728 33,086 industry to help tackle transport crime. 2007 19,163 19,475 38,638 2008 24,502 17,514 42,016 Railway Network Total 111,989 181,360 293,349 Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, (ii) Air transport movements: Departures Department for Transport which railway lines have Number been (a) built and (b) reopened in the last 20 years; Jets Propellers Total how many jobs were created (i) directly during the first 1999 8,988 11,758 20,746 two years of construction, (ii) indirectly during the first 2000 8,033 16,462 24,495 two years of construction and (iii) overall on each 2001 7,749 19,122 26,871 project; and how much each project cost. [304293] 2002 6,537 19,935 26,472 2003 6,205 17,787 23,992 Chris Mole: The following railway lines were opened 2004 7,465 19,131 26,596 or reopened on the national network in the last 20 2005 10,892 19,446 30,338 years: 2006 12,336 20,707 33,043 Paisley Canal Line 2007 19,180 19,456 38,636 Bridgend-Maesteg 2008 24,560 17,498 42,058 Manchester Airport Line Total 111,945 181,302 293,247 Blackburn-Clitheroe (regular passenger services) Source: Civil Aviation Authority. Jewellery Line (Smethwick-Birmingham Snow Hill) James Brokenshire: To ask the Minister of State, Robin Hood Line Department for Transport whether his Department has Hednesford-Rugeley had discussions with the London Borough of Newham Walsall-Wolverhampton in connection with proposals to increase aircraft Heathrow Airport (Heathrow Express/Heathrow Connect) movements at London City Airport. [303854] Brighouse Line Paul Clark: The Department for Transport has not Eastleigh to Romsey (via Chandlers Ford) had any such discussions. Channel Tunnel rail link Vale of Glamorgan M6: Walsall Larkhall Line Mr. Winnick: To ask the Minister of State, Department Ebbw Vale Line for Transport pursuant to the answer of 24 November Alloa Line 2009, Official Report, columns 60-1W, when the Chief Kettering to Corby. Executive of the Highways Agency plans to visit the This list excludes freight only, London Underground, sites in Walsall Borough, where the work on the M6 tramways, Docklands Light Railway, heritage and other motorway is being undertaken, Department for Transport independent railways. reference 0048 004909/10. [304593] New and reopened lines in Scotland and Wales are Chris Mole: The chief executive of the Highways included in this list even though for part of the period Agency is planning to visit the Managed Motorway openings and re-openings have been a devolved matter. works on the M6 within the next three weeks. A firm The Department for Transport does not hold information date has yet to be finalised and my hon. Friend will be on the number of jobs created in each project or the notified when this is confirmed. cost of each project. 39W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 40W

Railway Stations Brighouse (2000) Wavertree Technology Park (2000) Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department Lea Green (2000) for Transport which railway stations have been (a) Warwick Parkway (2000) opened for the first time and (b) reopened in the last 20 years; how many jobs were created (i) directly during Howwood (2001) the first two years of construction, (ii) indirectly during Beauly (2002) the first two years of construction and (iii) overall on Newcraighall (2002) each project; and how much each project cost. [304292] Brunstane (2002) Chris Mole: The Department for Transport holds Edinburgh Park (2003) information only on the passenger stations that were Chandlers Ford (2003) opened and reopened in the last 15 years. These are as Glasshoughton (2005) follows: Gartcosh (2005) Syston (1994) Rhoose Cardiff International Airport (2005) Sileby (1994) Llantwit Major (2005) Barrow upon Soar (1994) Kelvindale (2005) Bulwell (1994) Larkhall (2005) Cam and Dursley (1994) Merryton (2005) Langho (1994) Ramsgreave and Wilpshire (1994) Chatelherault (2005) Whalley (1994) Liverpool South Parkway (2006) Briton Ferry (1994) Coleshill Parkway (2007) Wallyford (1994) St. Pancras International (2007) Sanquar (1994) Ebbsfleet International (2007) Llansamlet (1994) Llanharan (2007) Pyle (1994) Ebbw Vale Parkway (2008) Skewen (1994) Newbridge (2008) Ivybridge (1994) Risca and Pontymister (2008) Prestwick International Airport (1994) Camelon (1994) (2008) Eastham Rake (1995) Alloa (2008) Digby and Sowton (1995) Heathrow Terminal 5 (2008) Willington (1995) Mitcham Eastfields (2008) Chafford Hundred (1995) Llanhilleth (2008) Jewellery Quarter (1995) Crosskeys (2008) The Hawthorns (1995) Shepherds Bush (2008) Smethwick Galton Bridge (1995) Aylesbury Vale Parkway (2008) Sutton Parkway (1995) East Midlands Parkway (2009) Mansfield Woodhouse (1995) Corby (2009) Mansfield (1995) Yarm (1996) Laurencekirk (2009) Filton Abbey Wood (1996) Imperial Wharf (2009). Baglan (1996) New and reopened stations in Scotland and Wales Kirby in Ashfield (1996) are included in this list, even though for part of the Ashchurch for Tewkesbury (1997) period openings and re-openings have been a devolved matter. Rugeley Town (1997) Euxton Balshaw Lane (1997) This list excludes London Underground, tramways, Brunswick (1998) Docklands Light Railway and heritage and other independent railways. Dalgety Bay (1998) Drumfrochar (1998) The Department for Transport does not hold information on the number of jobs created in each project and the Whitwell (1998) cost of each project. Creswell (1998) Langwith—Whaley Thorns (1998) Railway Stations: Greater London Shirebrook (1998) Heathrow Terminals 1, 2, 3 (1998) Heathrow Terminal 4 (1998) Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, Conway Park (1998) Department for Transport what improvement works on railway stations located within Greater London in (a) West Brompton (1999) wave one and (b) wave two of the Access for All Horwich Parkway (1999) Strategy (i) have been completed, (ii) have been started Braintree Freeport (1999) but not completed and (iii) are scheduled to start (A) in Luton Airport Parkway (1999) 2009-10, (B) in 2010-11, (C) in 2011-12 and (D) from Dunfermline Queen Margaret (2000) 2012-13 onwards. [304233] 41W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 42W

Chris Mole: Stations in the programme were announced Chris Mole: This information is held by Network in three lists with indicative delivery time scales, but are Rail as the owner and operator of the national rail now part of an integrated delivery plan which is a live network. The hon. Member should therefore contact document owned by Network Rail. Network Rail’s chief executive at the following address There are 35 stations in London boroughs, representing for a response to her questions: a third of the total programme, and of these seven are Iain Coucher completed and six are started on site. The remainder are Chief Executive at the design stage and I understand from Network Rail Network Rail that seven are due to start on site in 2010-11, nine in Kings Place 2011-12 and six from 2012-13 onwards. I therefore 90 York Way suggest that the hon. Member contact Network Rail’s London N1 9AG chief executive at the following address for a response Railways to her questions: Iain Coucher Mr. Brady: To ask the Minister of State, Department Chief Executive for Transport (1) if he will meet representatives of Network Rail railway enthusiast groups to discuss the revision of Kings Place official guidelines for railway enthusiasts for the 90 York Way purposes of (a) increasing levels of access to and (b) London N1 9AG maintaining security at railway stations; [304695] (2) if he will take steps to ensure that railway Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, industry managers and staff are aware of official Department for Transport how much funding has been guidelines for railway enthusiasts, with particular (a) allocated to and (b) spent on each railway station reference to the guidelines on photography. [304696] located within Greater London as part of (i) wave one and (ii) wave two of the Access for All strategy in (A) Chris Mole: Network Rail, many train operators and 2006-07, (B) 2007-08 and (C) 2008-09; and how much the British Transport police all have policies in place funding has been allocated for each such station under that recognise the security benefits that the presence of each wave for each year from 2009-10 to 2012-13. enthusiasts can bring to the railway. The Government, [304234] too, recognise this and believe that security measures at stations should not prevent enthusiasts from pursuing Chris Mole: Stations in the programme were announced their legitimate interest. Responsibility for ensuring that in three lists with indicative delivery time scales but are staff are aware of these policies rests with train and now part of a detailed delivery plan which is a live station operators and police commanders. document owned by Network Rail. Railways: East of England There are 35 stations in London boroughs, representing a third of the total programme, included in the programme Mr. Ruffley: To ask the Minister of State, Department and current the anticipated cost for these is £121.1 million for Transport how many complaints National Express and current funding spent is £49.3 million. and its predecessors received in relation to rail services Information on actual spend and future years’ forecast in East Anglia in each of the last 10 years. [304213] spend for individual sites is held by Network Rail and Chris Mole: The Office of Rail Regulation is responsible not the Department for Transport. I suggest the hon. for the publication of National Rail Trends which includes Member therefore contact Network Rail’s chief executive customer complaint statistics. National Rail Trends can at the following address for a response to her questions: be accessed from the Office of Rail Regulation website Iain Coucher at: Chief Executive www.rail-reg.gov.uk Network Rail Alternatively, the hon. Member may wish to contact Kings Place the Office of Rail Regulation at the following address: 90 York Way The Office of Rail Regulation London N1 9AG One Kemble Street London WC2B 4AN. Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport (1) which of the 150 stations Railways: Electrification which have been identified for improvement under the Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, National Stations Improvement Plan are located within Department for Transport what estimate he has made Greater London; and for which such stations improvement of the cost (a) per mile and (b) in total of electrifying work (a) has been completed, (b) has been started but (i) the Great Western Line and (ii) the Midland Main not completed, (c) is scheduled to start in 2009-10, (d) Line. [304294] is scheduled to start in 2010-11, (e) is scheduled to start in 2011-12 and (f) is scheduled to start from 2012-13 Chris Mole: On 23 July the Department for Transport onwards; [304236] announced the electrification of the Great Western (2) how much of the planned expenditure under the Main Line between London, Reading, , Newbury, National Stations Improvement Plan has been (a) Bristol, Cardiff and Swansea at an estimated cost of allocated and (b) spent on each station located within £1 billion, including contingency and optimism bias. Greater London in 2009-10; and how much has been The total length of track being electrified is around allocated for each such station in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 640 single track miles, so the estimated cost is around 2011-12, (iii) 2012-13 and (iv) 2013-14. [304237] £1.6 million per single track mile. 43W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 44W

On the Midland Main Line, a clear scope of Mr. Khan [holding answer 2 December 2009]: Tyne electrification work and timescale for delivery has not and Wear received pump priming funding from the yet been agreed, so the Department has not yet been Department’s Transport Innovation Fund (TIF). able to make an estimate of the cost. While the Department discussed with Tyne and Wear authorities the option for providing further resources Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for the completion of a formal report on the outputs, it for Transport what estimate he has made of the number was concluded that a business case for TIF funding was of jobs which would be created (a) directly and (b) unlikely to be supported. indirectly as a result of the electrification of (i) the Great Western Line and (ii) the Midland Main Line. The Department has continued to work with the [304295] authorities in making full use of the outputs, including the Tyne and Wear model, an Urban Traffic Management Chris Mole: On 23 July the Department for Transport Control system and Smarter Choices initiatives. These announced the electrification of the Great Western outcomes have informed the development of the Tyne Main Line between London, Reading, Oxford, Newbury, and Wear authorities’ transport policies, including Local Bristol, Cardiff and Swansea. Delivery of the scheme is Transport Plans and will inform the development of a matter for Network Rail, and the number of jobs proposals resulting from the recently announced Delivering created will depend on the delivery mechanisms which a Sustainable Transport System (DaSTS) Study. they select. Until these are finalised, it is not possible to Further details are available on Tyne and Wear’s estimate the number of jobs which will be created. People in Motion website at: No decision has been made on whether to take forward http://www.tyneandwearltp.co.uk/core.nsf/a/ltp2_documents the electrification of the Midland Main Line or, if it is taken forward, on the timescale for delivery or the Roads: Repair and Maintenance delivery mechanisms. It is therefore not possible to estimate the number of jobs which would be created. Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department Railways: Kent for Transport with reference to the answer of 11 November 2009, Official Report, column 370W, on roads: repair Miss Widdecombe: To ask the Minister of State, and maintenance, if he will publish the submission to Department for Transport when he expects to make a the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State setting out decision on the future of the City Service from Ashford (a) the (i) reasons and (ii) justifications for not providing the information requested in question 296881 and (b) International via Maidstone East station. [302149] the estimated cost of providing the information requested, Chris Mole [holding answer 30 November 2009]: The as required in accordance with section 7.28 of the December 2009 timetable seeks to make best use of the Cabinet Office’s Guide to Parliamentary Work. [302908] rail network in Kent and delivers wider benefits to communities across the network, primarily through the Chris Mole: The information requested in parliamentary introduction of high speed services and the consequent question 296881 asked for the benefit-cost ratios (BCRs) freeing up of capacity to West Kent. There are no plans of all schemes in the targeted programme of improvements to reinstate the city services from Ashford International at programme entry and at present. The BCR data via Maidstone East. requested are not held centrally. The targeted programme of improvements (TPI) Railways: Liverpool comprised 114 major road schemes of which 71 are now open for traffic. The schemes entered the programme at Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, various times, 37 of them in July 1998. For the older, Department for Transport what the estimated cost is of completed schemes, files have been put away into storage building the Liverpool light rail network; and what and would have to be retrieved at a cost of £20 per file. estimate he has made of the number of jobs created Extracting the relevant BCR information from the files (a) directly and (b) indirectly as a result. [304299] and putting that information into context in terms of what assumptions were made when the BCR was calculated Mr. Khan: The Department for Transport has made is not a straightforward task. To quote BCRs out of no estimate of the costs and benefits of a light rail context would be misleading. scheme in Liverpool as it has not received a proposal It is not possible to estimate accurately how much it from the promoters. I would be happy to receive a fresh would cost to obtain the BCRs for all 114 schemes. It is proposal for such a scheme but only if a viable funding thought likely that to retrieve and examine the files of package has been agreed. one completed scheme would take around half a day at Road Traffic: Tyne and Wear a cost of £260 (PB 5/6 Full Economic Cost rate). Further work would then be required to enable meaningful comparisons to be made between the present BCR and Jim Cousins: To ask the Minister of State, that calculated at programme entry. Department for Transport with reference to the answer of 27 January 2009, Official Report, column 303W, on road traffic: Tyne and Wear and of 4 November 2009, Roads: Lincolnshire Official Report, column 250W, on transport: Tyne and Wear, when he expects to receive the report of the Tyne Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Minister of State, and Wear Transport Innovation Fund’s work and Department for Transport what proposals he has for outcomes; and if he will place a copy in the Library. (a) improvements to the A160 and (b) the resurfacing [303442] of the A180. [301830] 45W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 46W

Chris Mole: It is proposed, subject to approval, to Biomedical Research improve the A160 by upgrading the existing single carriageway sections to dual carriageway and by providing Paul Rowen: To ask the Minister of State, a free flow link eastbound from the A180 junction. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what There are no major resurfacing schemes planned for biomedical research into myalgic encephalomyelitis the A180 in the current works programme as the concrete and xenotropic murine leukaemia virus-related virus is carriageway is still in good condition. A resurfacing being undertaken. [304330] scheme from Barnetby to Croxton on the A180 has been identified in the four-year forward programme for Mr. Lammy: The Medical Research Council (MRC) 2010-14. Progression of this scheme to construction will is one of the main agencies through which the Government depend on available funding and relative priorities at support medical and clinical research. The MRC is an the time. independent body which receives its grant in aid from The A180 carriageway will continue to be monitored the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. and small works such as patching and concrete repairs In 2008-09 the MRC’s total expenditure for research will be carried out as and when required. relating to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Rolling Stock Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) amounted to £728,000. This supported four projects including a £164,000 research Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, programme led by Dr. C Clark at Queen Mary College, Department for Transport how many of the 1,300 new London on the general and specific risk markers and carriages referred to in the 2007 Rail White Paper (a) preventive factors for chronic fatigue and irritable bowel have been (i) ordered and (ii) delivered and (b) are in syndromes. CFS/ME continues to be a strategic priority use for each (A) train operating company and (B) line area for funding and the MRC remains committed to supporting scientific research into all aspects of CFS/ME serving stations in Greater London. [304235] including evaluations of treatments and studies into the Chris Mole: In the two years since publication of the biological basis of the condition. 2007 Rail White Paper, 543 new carriages have been The MRC recently held a CFS/ME research workshop ordered. Of these 232 are already in service: 148 with where the recent xenotropic murine leukaemia virus-related London Midland on services operating on lines out of virus (XMRV)findings were among the items discussed. London Euston and 84 on Thameslink routes operated A note of the discussions will be published on the MRC by First Capital Connect. website in due course. We are currently in negotiations for a number of The MRC’s National Institute for Medical Research other procurements. are leading a programme on infection and replication of retroviruses (including XMRV). One study within the Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, programme is looking at how XMRV reproduces in the Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of cell, its interaction with host cell factors and how it 1 December 2009, Official Report, column 571W, on subverts the host immune systems. rolling stock, what percentage of the fuel consumed when running under the wires is attributable to the Digital Broadcasting: Fees and Charges conveying of the diesel engine itself. [304407]

Chris Mole: The diesel engine is switched off and Derek Wyatt: To ask the Minister of State, therefore will not consume any fuel under the wires. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with on mandating fees and charges associated with wholesale connections across digital platforms. [304133] BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS Bingo: Closures Mr. Timms: I have regular contact with Ofcom on a range of matters but we have not recently discussed this Mr. Moss: To ask the Minister of State, Department specific issue. for Business, Innovation and Skills how many bingo clubs have closed in (a) England and (b) North East Higher Education: Nursing Cambridgeshire since 1 January 2008. [303642]

Ms Butler: I have been asked to reply. Mr. Drew: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many places on The information requested falls within the responsibility nursing degree courses he estimates will need to be of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority provided in each year when nursing becomes a degree to reply. entry profession, taking account of estimated drop-out Letter from Jil Matheson, dated December 2009: rates. [303357] As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning what estimate has Ann Keen: I have been asked to reply. been made of how many bingo clubs have closed in (a) England and (b) North East Cambridgeshire since 1 January 2008. (303642) The Department does not hold this information centrally. Annual statistics on business births, deaths and survival are It is for local employers to decide what skill mix they available from the ONS release on Business Demography at need to deliver their services. Strategic health authorities, www.statistics.gov.uk. However, the industrial classification is not working with national health service organisations and detailed enough to separately identify bingo clubs. education providers will be planning for and determining 47W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 48W the future numbers of nurses they need, including the Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, numbers of places on pre-registration nursing programmes Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how they commission. many branches have closed since the completion of the Network Change Programme. Manufacturing Industries: Closures [304197] Mr. McFadden: I have asked Alan Cook, Managing Mr. Prisk: To ask the Minister of State, Department Director of Post Office Ltd, to respond directly to the for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he hon. Member and a copy of his reply will be placed in has made of the number of small and medium-sized the House Libraries. enterprises in the manufacturing sector which have closed in each quarter since March 2008; and if he will Prince Madog make a statement. [302138]

Ms Butler: I have been asked to reply. Mr. Brazier: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills for The information requested falls within the responsibility how many days the research vessel Prince Madog was of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority (a) hired and (b) used by organisations other than the to reply. Natural Environment Research Council in 2008-09; Letter from Jil Matheson, dated December 2009: and what estimate has been made of the equivalent As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your figures for (i) 2009-10 and (ii) 2010-11. [302018] recent Parliamentary Question concerning what estimate has been made of the number of small and medium-sized enterprises Mr. Lammy: The research vessel Prince Madog is in the manufacturing industry which have closed in each quarter owned by a joint venture company, VT Ocean Sciences. since March 2008. (302138) Operational arrangements are a matter for the company. Quarterly data on the closure of enterprises are not available. However, annual statistics on business births, deaths and survival are available from the ONS release on Business Demography at : Industrial Disputes www.statistics.gov.uk. The table below contains counts of enterprise deaths in manufacturing in 2008. Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Count of deaths of enterprises for 2008. Manufacturing, UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what Employment Number recent progress has been made in discussions between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union; 0-49 11,410 and what assessment he has made of the likelihood of 50-249 105 a final agreement being reached soon. [303662] 250+ 10 Total 11,525 Mr. McFadden [holding answer 2 December 2009]: We are pleased that the discussions between Royal Mail Natural Environment Research Council and the Communication Workers Union established by the agreement on 6 November are continuing. The detail of those discussions, however, is a confidential Mr. Brazier: To ask the Minister of State, matter for both parties. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what grant the made from the joint infrastructure fund to The Government want to see a successful outcome to VT Ocean Sciences as a contribution towards the costs the discussions and welcome the appointment of Roger of the research vessel Prince Madog; and what such Poole (former Assistant General Secretary of NUPE funding is expected to be provided in (a) 2009-10 and and of UNISON and Chairman of the Parades Commission for Northern Ireland) to oversee the process. (b) 2010-11. [302019] Both parties need to keep talking until an agreement is made on a way forward on the next phase of modernisation, Mr. Lammy: The Natural Environment Research Council which everyone accepts is vital for the company’s future. (NERC) awarded one £2.8 million Joint Infrastructure Funding (JIF) grant in 1999 to contribute to the capital cost of the research vessel Prince Madog. NERC has Royal Mail: Pay not provided any other capital funding and there is no planned capital funding for the vessel. Mr. Evans: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what mechanisms Post Office are in place for the to review the remuneration and benefits package of the Chief Executive of Royal Mail. [304694] Lorely Burt: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how Mr. McFadden: Royal Mail’s Remuneration Committee much subsidy the Government plan to provide to the is responsible for the remuneration of the company’s Post Office after 2011. [304196] Executive Board members. As special shareholder, the Secretary of State’s consent is required for any material Mr. McFadden: No decisions have been taken beyond changes to the Directors’ remuneration. His approval is the current settlement, but the Government are committed also required for the framework for short and long term to supporting the non-commercial segment of the post bonuses but the final decision on bonus payments rests office network beyond 2011 and is in regular dialogue with the Committee. Details of the Directors’ remuneration with Post Office Ltd. are set out annually in the company’s Report and Accounts. 49W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 50W

RRV James Cook TREASURY Asset Protection Scheme Mr. Brazier: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate has Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer been made of the cost of rectifying the problem of how much his Department (a) has spent and (b) has acoustic noise from the bow of the Natural Environment committed to spend on external advice on the Asset Research Council vessel RRV James Cook; and how Protection Scheme in respect of (i) Royal Bank of many operational days are expected to be lost while Scotland and (ii) Lloyds Banking Group; and if he will corrective modifications are made. [302017] list the sources of that advice. [303558]

Mr. Lammy: The Natural Environment Research Council Sarah McCarthy-Fry [holding answer 2 December (NERC) has not yet initiated a project to rectify the 2009]: Lloyds and RBS have agreed to refund HM bow issue on the RRS James Cook. There is therefore Treasury the costs it incurs in establishing and operating no available estimate of the cost, or the time that would the Asset Protection Scheme, including those of external be lost while any modifications are made. advisers. When it decided not to participate in the scheme on 3 November, Lloyds agreed to pay HM Treasury £26 Scientists million, its share of the costs to that date of HM Treasury’s own staff working on the APS, the costs of external advisers and the costs of establishing the Asset Adam Afriyie: To ask the Minister of State, Protection Agency. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on how many occasions the Secretary of State has met (a) RBS has paid the Treasury £45 million, being the the Government Chief Scientific Adviser and (b) his Treasury’s current estimate of RBS’ share of the costs Department’s Departmental Chief Scientific Adviser to date incurred by the Treasury in developing and in the course of his official duties in the last 12 months. setting up the APS and the APA. [303990] HM Treasury has received legal advice from Slaughters and May and financial advice from Ernst and Young, KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Mr. McFadden: My noble Friend the Secretary of Deutsche Bank and Blackrock. The cost to the Treasury State met the Government chief scientific adviser on 30 of these advisers has been fully met by Lloyds and RBS. July and has met his Department’s chief scientific adviser in the course of various departmental policy discussions Bank of England: Loans over the last 12 months. Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what loans of over £1 billion were made by Unsolicited Goods and Services: Telephones the Bank of England in the 2008-09 financial year. [302989] Martin Horwood: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Operational details are a matter steps his Department has taken to protect for the Bank of England. customers from unsolicited telephone Bank Services: Fees and Charges calls from companies claiming to be processing a refund and seeking to obtain bank account details for fraudulent Mr. Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer purposes. [304140] what estimate he has made of the number of people who paid overdraft charges between July 2007 and the Mr. Timms: The Department for Trade and Industry date of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the powers of introduced the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) scheme the Office of Fair Trading to determine the fairness of in 1999 under the Telecommunications (Data Protection such changes. [303886] and Privacy) Regulations, which were updated by the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations in Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Treasury does not collect 2003. The TPS scheme currently has 15.4 million registered these data. numbers and reports an 85 per cent. success rate in preventing unsolicited calls. The TPS scheme provides Banks: Government Assistance protection from unsolicited marketing calls after subscribers have been registered for 28 days or have previously Mr. Bone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if notified the caller that they do not wish to receive such he will place in the Library a copy of each signed share calls, which under Regulation 21 also applies to those subscription agreement between his Department and who are not TPS registered. The Information each bank in respect of public funds. [302696] Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has responsibility for the enforcement of the TPS scheme and considers complaints Sarah McCarthy-Fry [holding answer 30 November about breaches. Recipients of these types of calls are 2009]: The placing and open offer agreements, and advised to be cautious about disclosing personal details preference share subscription agreements, for the without first checking to ensure that the call is genuine. recapitalisation of RBS, HBOS and Lloyds were deposited Suspected fraudulent activity should be reported to the in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament on 18 police. November 2008. 51W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 52W

I have today placed copies of the placing and open Defence Training College offer agreements relating to the redemption of the Government’s, preference share holdings in RBS and Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Lloyds, dated 19 January 2009 (RBS) and 7 March 2009 when the Major Projects Review Group plans to (Lloyds), in the Libraries. publish its conclusions on the Defence Technical In addition I have today placed copies of the documents College proposals at St. Athan. [304520] relating to the Government’s upcoming subscription to Lloyds’ rights issue, and to Lloyds’ withdrawal from the Ian Pearson: It is not normal practice for Major Asset Protection Scheme (APS) in the Libraries. These Projects Review Group information to be made public. are dated 2 and 3 November 2009. Departmental Buildings I have also today placed copies of all legal documentation associated with RBS’s participation in the APS in the Mr. Willis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Libraries, subject only to any necessary redactions to how many residential properties his Department owns; protect commercial interests. and how many (a) are occupied and (b) have been empty for more than six months. [304002]

Banks: Loans Sarah McCarthy-Fry: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer the then Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to the hon. Member for St. Albans (Anne Main) when the auditors of the accounts of the Bank of on 11 March 2008, Official Report, column 364W. England for 2008-09 were informed of the loan to (a) Departmental Information Officers RBS and (b) HBOS made in October 2008. [302985] Mr. Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Bank’s auditors were made how many full-time equivalent press officers (a) are aware of the emergency liquidity assistance to RBS and employed by and (b) work for his Department. HBOS prior to the commencement of their audit of the Bank’s accounts for the year to 28 February 2009. [303607] The relevant Bank of England Annual Report can be Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Nine full-time equivalent press accessed via: officers are employed by HM Treasury, as well as one http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/annualreport/ FTE working under contract to cover a vacant full-time index.htm post. EU Law Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Court of Directors of the Bank of England was informed of the loan made to (a) RBS Gregory Barker: To ask the Chancellor of the and (b) HBOS in October 2008. [302986] Exchequer what (a) statutory instruments and (b) other regulations his Department has brought forward in the 2005 Parliament to meet obligations arising from Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Court of the Bank, acting EU law. [304180] through its Transactions Committee, was consulted in a number of meetings between 1 October and 13 October Sarah McCarthy-Fry: This information is not held 2008. centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what requirements there are on the Bank of England in Financial Services respect of disclosure of information on loans made in each financial year, with particular reference to the Dr. Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer bank’s annual report and accounts. [302988] what recent estimate his Department has made of the number of (a) adults and (b) households that do not Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Bank’s financial statements use any financial services. [303847] for the year ended 28 February 2009 (and in earlier years) state that where the Bank acts a lender of last Sarah McCarthy-Fry: On 19 October the Financial resort, the financial effects of such operations will be Inclusion Taskforce published its fourth annual report included in the financial statements in the year in which on access to banking. The taskforce used data from the they occur although these financial statements may not Family Resources Survey to estimate that around 890,000 explicitly identify the existence of such support. This adults living in 690,000 households do not have access was the case for the year ending 28 February 2009. The to either a banking or a saving account. Of these, Bank’s auditors confirmed that the financial statements 590,000 adults have a Post Office card account, which for the year were properly prepared in accordance with enables them to receive benefits directly. the stated basis of preparation set out in the notes to the Government: Assets accounts. The relevant Bank of England annual report can be Colin Challen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer accessed via: what the monetary value is of the equity stake held by http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/annualreport/ the Government in each financial institution recapitalised index.htm from the public purse. [303793] 53W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 54W

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: As disclosed in UKFI’s Annual within the European economic area and Switzerland, or under a Report, the Government currently hold 39,645 million bi-lateral social security agreement with another country; or ordinary shares in the Royal Bank of Scotland, equivalent 2. The employee comes from outside the European economic to 70 per cent. of voting share capital. The total price at area, Switzerland, or a bi-lateral social security agreement country purchase of this investment was a net £20 billion. In and falls within the 52 week exception in Regulation 145(2) Social connection with the asset protection scheme, the Security Contributions Regulations 2001, that applies to certain seconded workers who are not ordinarily resident in the UK. Government shareholding is due to increase by up to an additional 51,000 million non-voting B shares at a price of 50p per share. Revenue and Customs The Government currently hold 11,799 million ordinary shares in the Lloyds Banking Group, equivalent to 43 Mr. Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Chancellor of the per cent. of voting share capital. The total price at Exchequer what improvement programmes were in purchase of this investment was a net £14.5 billion. The operation at HM Revenue and Customs in (a) 2006, Government have announced that they will take up (b) 2007, (c) 2008 and (d) 2009; how much each has their share of the forthcoming Rights Issue, increasing cost; how much each programme has spent on external their shareholding by an additional 15,810 million ordinary consultants; and which official of HM Revenue and shares at a price of 37p per share. Customs had oversight of each programme. [303066] National Insurance Contributions: Foreign Workers Mr. Timms: Since 2006, HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) major change and improvement programmes Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer have been delivered through the Department’s investment whether (a) employee and (b) employer national insurance portfolio known as the ‘Departmental Transformation contributions are payable in respect of intra-company Programme’. Total expenditure, including consultancy, transferees under Tier Two of the points-based immigration on these programmes is set out in the table. system with work permits which state that the transferees The successful delivery of a change portfolio of the intend to spend less than two years in the UK. [304136] scale and complexity of HMRC’s Departmental Transformation Programme depends critically on suitably Mr. Timms: Intra company transferees and their skilled project management personnel as well as specialists employers (or if their employer is overseas, their host in niche areas, e.g. data security and commercial banking. employers) pay National Insurance in the UK. There Where HMRC staff with the necessary skills and experience are exceptions where: are not available, the Department will employ, through 1. The employee is entitled to exception from national insurance its commercial frameworks, external contractors and under European Community Regulations 1408/71 that operate consultants to ensure successful programme delivery.

£ million 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 (forecast at November 2009) Programmes Total Consultancy Total Consultancy Total Consultancy Total Consultancy

Agents and Employers — — — — 1.2 0.5 — — Business Intelligence 40.0 0.6 — — — — — — Business.gov — — 21.0 — 35.4 — 35.8 — Capability Review — — — — 3.5 3.2 0.7 0.5 Carter (previously Online 23.0 6.3 84.7 0.9 89.2 0.7 74.2 1.0 Services) Compliance and Enforcement 71.9 13.8 59.3 8.0 87.3 6.1 67.1 1.8 Compliance and ——————6.4— Enforcement—Debt Management Construction Industry 34.0 1.0 6.8 0.2 0.6 — — — Scheme Customer Contact 43.0 9.8 3.8 0.7 — — — — Customer Foundations 6.0 3.5 — — — — — — Customer Interactions — — — — 8.7 4.2 — — Customs Service 5.0 2.4 13.9 2.5 25.3 2.9 25.4 1.6 Transformation Data Quality 12.0 7.6 — — — — — — Data Security — — — — 43.9 2.1 18.7 1.7 Direct Debits — — — — 3.4 — — — Enterprise Infrastructure/ 19.0 0.2 8.5 0.9 19.2 1.1 — — Disaster Recovery ERP Shared Services — — — — 4.7 0.2 — — Estates Consolidation 14.0 — 31.3 — 38.6 — 22.1 — Estates Transformation — — 2.7 — 3.1 — — — e-Sourcing — — 0.7 0.4 1.7 0.6 — — Government Banking 1.0 — 12.6 4.9 22.1 8.2 17.4 11.1 Human Resources initiatives 4.0 0.3 — — — — — — 55W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 56W

£ million 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 (forecast at November 2009) Programmes Total Consultancy Total Consultancy Total Consultancy Total Consultancy

Information Technology 52.0 1.9 — — — — — — (Desktop upgrade) Integrated Customer 1.0 — — — — — — — Management Joint Working DWP/ 1.0 — — — — — — — Transform Government Northgate—transfer of — — 3.9 — 1.4 — — — payroll to HMRC Pacesetter (all programmes) — — — — 5.9 4.8 11.9 7.9 PAYE(MPPC) 27.0 0.2 63.8 0.4 73.6 9.0 43.4 7.2 Pensions Simplification 14.0 0.4 5.1 — — — — — People, Culture and Skills 9.0 0.3 — — — — — PAYE Improvement Group — — — — 0.1 — — — Performance Management — — 0.9 — 0.8 0.7 0.4 0.1 Framework Policy Development 19.0 0.5 — — 34.9 4.5 42.8 2.2 Programme Processing Pacesetter 18.0 10.3 12.3 2.7 6.1 0.7 — — Strategic Investment 3.0 1.2 — — — — — — Tax Credits 1.0 0.3 8.9 0.8 14.1 0.9 10.7 — Taxpayer Understanding — — 2.0 1.9 0.0 — — — Transform Debt 6.0 0.8 15.1 0.8 — — — — Managements. Banking Web Convergence — — 4.4 3.1 — — — — Workforce Change — — — — 65.9 — — — HMRC overheads1 5.5 — 12.2 — 3.6 — 4.2 — IT service line charges1 — — 47.5 — 53.2 — 60.0 — Total 429.4 61.5 421.4 28.2 647.5 50.6 441.2 35.2 1 These items represent expenditure commitments funded though the DTP and are not formal delivery programmes.

The HMRC Senior Responsible Owners for each of Programme Senior responsible owner the programmes in delivery during 2009-10 are as follows: PaceSetter—Enforcement and Mike Eland Programme Senior responsible owner Compliance PaceSetter—HMRC Central Alison McDonald Business.gov Stephen Banyard Performance Management Mary Aiston Capability Review Steve Lamey Framework Carter Stephen Banyard Policy Programme Peter Michael Compliance and Enforcement Mike Eland Tax Credits Steve Lowthian Customs Service Mike Norgrove Transformation Data Security Mary Aiston Scientists Debt Management and Nick Lodge Banking Adam Afriyie: To ask the Chancellor of the Estates Consolidation Paul King Exchequer on how many occasions he has met the Government Banking Dave Hartnett Government Chief Scientific Adviser in the course of Method of Payments Jon Fundrey his official duties in the last 12 months. [303881] MPPC (PAYE) Bemadette Kenny PaceSetter—Benefits and Richard Summersgill Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Treasury Ministers and officials Credits have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in PaceSetter—Business Tax Theresa Hobson—Frohock the public and private sectors as part of the process of PaceSetter—Charity, Assets Charles Hall policy development and delivery. As was the case with and Residence previous Administrations, it is not the Government’s PaceSetter—Customer Contact Theresa Middleton practice to provide details of all such meetings. PaceSetter—Chief People Cathy Wilcher (to end—November Office function 2009) PaceSetter—Corporate Shared Cathy Wilcher (to end—November Taxation: Gaming Services 2009) PaceSetter—Customer Simon Smith Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Operations what progress has been made on his Department’s PaceSetter—Debt Management Nick Lodge and Banking consultation on gross profits tax in respect of adult gaming centres. [304135] 57W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 58W

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Government issued a off project fee of 10 June 2009, (ii) Connect fee as consultation on the future of gaming machine taxation agreed of 12 June 2009 and (iii) each Connect fee of 14 on 16 July. The consultation period formally closed on September 2009. [304714] 23 October. The responses received during the consultation are currently being analysed and reviewed by officials. Ms Rosie Winterton: This is an operational matter for No decisions will be taken on the future of gaming the Audit Commission, and I will ask the chief executive machines taxation until this analysis is complete. of the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member direct. VAT: Northern Ireland Letter from Steve Bundred, dated 7 December 2009: Mark Durkan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer The nature and purpose of the work paid for on 10 June 2009 was to provide an informed analysis of changes in departmental what estimate he has made of the revenue which accrued portfolios and policies following the reshuffle of government to the Exchequer in value added tax (VAT) from VAT- ministers, of possible changes in the machinery of government, registered businesses in each constituency in Northern and of responses by Opposition parties in the House of Commons Ireland in each of the last three years. [304266] and House of Lords. The purpose of the work paid for on 12 June 2009 was to Mr. Timms: The information requested is not available. update our parliamentary database (held for the purposes of Although HM Revenue and Customs holds data on the supplying MPs with reports and studies relevant to their known place of registration by trader this has not been analysed interests and their constituencies); to update our records of where by constituency.The address of registration is not necessarily prospective candidates had been selected; and to provide informed the same as the location the trader will be operating commentary on the potential electoral effects of the controversy over MPs expenses. from, for example a chain would only have one VAT registration covering all its branches, so would be unreliable The purpose of the work paid for on 14 September 2009 was to provide further updates on parliamentary constituencies where for identifying the VAT accrued in that constituency. MPs had announced they were standing down at the next general Winter Fuel Payments: Income Tax election; a briefing on changes in the electoral and policy landscape in the run-up to the general election; and analysis of policy commitments made by the parties on regulation, audit, inspection, David Howarth: To ask the Chancellor of the local government spending and other subjects relative to the Exchequer how many persons in receipt of winter fuel Commission’s work. allowance pay income tax at the (a) standard and (b) A copy of this letter will be placed in Hansard. higher rate. [303741] Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Timms: The information requested is not available. Communities and Local Government with reference to However, winter fuel payments are paid to most people the answer to the hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood aged 60 and over, and the estimated number of income of 1 December 2009, Official Report, column 640W, on taxpayers for 2009-10 in this age group is 6.4 million, of the Audit Commission: public relations, if he will place which 6.0 million pay income tax at the basic rate or in the Library a copy of the (a) analysis and overview starting rate on savings income and 0.4 million pay of the local election results and (b) public affairs income tax at the higher rate. strategy that was produced for the Audit Commission Working Tax Credit by Connect Public Affairs. [304715] Ms Rosie Winterton: This is an operational matter for Mr. Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer the Audit Commission, and I will ask the chief executive (1) if he will estimate the cost to the public purse of of the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member enabling recipients of the childcare element of working direct. tax credit to continue to receive it for 12 weeks following redundancy; and if he will make a statement; Letter from Steve Bundred, dated 7 December 2009: [303737] Parliamentary Question: to ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Answer to the hon. (2) how many unemployed people claimed the childcare Member for Ruislip-Northwood of 1 December 2009, Official element of working tax credit in each of the last 12 Report, column 640W, on Audit Commission: public relations, if he months; and if he will make a statement. [303738] will place in the Library a copy of the (a) analysis and overview of the local election results and (b) public affairs strategy that was Mr. Timms: I refer the hon. Member to the answers produced for the Audit Commission by Connect Public Affairs. given to the hon. Member on 1 December 2009, Official Your Parliamentary Question outlined above has been passed Report, column 604W. to me to reply. Copies of the following documents produced by Connect Public Affairs for the Audit Commission have been placed in the library: COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Local election analysis Audit Commission: Public Relations Public affairs strategy A copy of this letter will be placed in Hansard. Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the answer to the hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood Communities and Local Government with reference to of 1 December 2009, Official Report, column 640W, on the answer to the hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood Audit Commission: public relations, what the (a) of 1 December 2009, Official Report, column 640W, on nature and (b) purpose was of the work entitled (i) one the Audit Commission: public relations, which key 59W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 60W prospective parliamentary candidates were identified Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for by Connect Public Affairs for the Audit Commission; Communities and Local Government pursuant to the and what action the Audit Commission or Connect answer to the hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood of took in relation to those individuals after their 1 December 2009, Official Report, column 640W,on the identification. [304716] Audit Commission: public relations, if he will make an assessment of the compliance of the Audit Commission’s Ms Rosie Winterton: This is an operational matter for hiring of a public affairs firm to identify key prospective the Audit Commission, and I will ask the chief executive parliamentary candidates with the Cabinet Office’s Propriety of the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member Guidance rules in respect of use of public relations direct. consultancies or agencies. [304718] Letter from Steve Bundred, dated 7 December 2009: Parliamentary Question: with reference to the Answer to the hon. Ms Rosie Winterton: The Cabinet Office’s Propriety Member for Ruislip-Northwood of 1 December 2009, Official Guidance does not apply to non-civil servants, so the Report, column 640W, on Audit Commission: public relations, Audit Commission is not required to comply with it. which key prospective parliamentary candidates were identified by Connect Public Affairs for the Audit Commission; and what action Council Tax the Audit Commission or Connect took in relation to those individuals after their identification. Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State Your Parliamentary Question outlined above has been passed for Communities and Local Government if he will to me to reply. increase the number of council tax bands. [304216] The Audit Commission asked Connect Public Affairs to produce a list and analysis of the known interests of prospective parliamentary Barbara Follett: The Government have no plans to candidates of all parties. increase the number of council tax bands. Candidates are an important group of users of the rich local detail contained in Comprehensive Area Assessment. The Audit Departmental Internet Commission is using this work to disseminate details of area assessments to those who have declared they are standing at the next general election. Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for The Audit Commission has not asked Connect Public Affairs Communities and Local Government how many (a) to lobby or communicate with prospective parliamentary candidates page hits and (b) visitors his Department’s website on its behalf. Connect was asked to carry out research, for received in 2008-09. [301849] example providing contact details, to ensure the Commission’s data records were as accurate as possible. Barbara Follett: The Department’s website received A copy of this letter will be placed in Hansard. the following page hits and visitors in 2008-9: Page hits: 28,372,910 Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Visitors: 3,334,213. Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood Departmental Security of 1 December 2009, Official Report, column 640W, on the Audit Commission: public relations, what the Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities purpose was of the public affairs work entitled CPA and Local Government how many security passes his Conservative Shadow Cabinet; and what the work Department has issued to contractors providing consultancy entailed. [304717] services in the last 12 months. [303951]

Ms Rosie Winterton: This is an operational matter for Barbara Follett: Over the last 12 months the Department the Audit Commission, and I will ask the chief executive for Communities and Local Government has issued 172 of the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member building passes to contractors and/or consultants working direct. in Eland House. The Department does not separately Letter from Steve Bundred, dated 7 December 2009: distinguish passes issued to general contractors or Parliamentary Question: with reference to the answer to the hon. consultants. Member for Ruislip-Northwood of 1 December 2009, Official Report, column 640W, on Audit Commission: public relations, what EU Law the purpose was of the public affairs work entitled CPA Conservative Shadow Cabinet; and what the work entailed. Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Your Parliamentary Question outlined above has been passed Communities and Local Government what (a) to me to reply. statutory instruments and (b) other regulations his Ministers, their shadows, MPs and elected members in local Department has brought forward to meet obligations government are among the important users of the information arising from EU law in the 2005 Parliament. [304174] and place analysis contained in the new Comprehensive Area Assessment. To identify them and plan effective communications to them, the Audit Commission asked Connect Public Affairs to Barbara Follett: The Department has made the following use its expert knowledge to draw up a ’perceptions and influence statutory instruments to meet obligations arising from map’. EU law in this Parliament. It lists those who are likely to take an interest in Comprehensive The Architects (Recognition of European Qualifications etc. Area Assessment and those to whom further information might and Saving and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/ be of use and of interest, so allowing the Audit Commission to 1331). target its spending on dissemination of reports, assessments and The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) analyses more effectively. (England and Wales) Regulations 2007 (amended by S.I. 2007/991, A copy of this letter will be placed in Hansard. 1669 and 3302, S.I. 2008/647, 2363 and S.I. 2009/1900). 61W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 62W

The Environmental Impact Assessment and Natural Habitats (Extraction of Minerals by Marine Dredging) (England and Cost to the Northern Ireland) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007/1067). Government Office for The European Regional Development Fund (East of England London (£) Operational Programme) (Implementation) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007/3624). Resilience Multi Agency Risk Assessment Committee 18 The European Regional Development Fund (East Midlands Seminar Operational Programme) (Implementation) Regulations 2007 Early Years Capital Roadshow—highlighting DCSF 182 (SI 2007/3625). programmes The European Regional Development Fund (London Operational New Draft Safeguarding Statutory Guidance Seminar 1,200 Programme) (Implementation) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007/1342). Sustainable Schools Event for London Boroughs 485 The European Regional Development Fund (North East Childcare Take-up and LAAs Seminar 3,687 Operational Programme) (Implementation) Regulations 2007 Vigilance national funding: Bidding Event 96 (SI 2007/3621). Future Jobs Fund: Successful Bidders Event 232 The European Regional Development Fund (North West Future Jobs Fund: Successful Bidders Event 134 Operational Programme) (Implementation) Regulations 2007 Climate Change Projection in Practice Workshops 0 (SI 2007/3622). (in association with DEFRA, Regional Climate Change The European Regional Development Fund (South East Partnership, UKCIP) Operational Programme) (Implementation) Regulations 2007 ‘Transforming Outcomes for Children and Young 4,000 (SI 2007/3620). People Conference’ (in association with London The European Regional Development Fund (South West VCS, CYP Network, Partnership for YoungLondon Operational Programmes) (Implementation) Regulations 2007 & Children England) (SI 2007/3623). London Young Mayors Conference (in association 0 with 11 Million listening tour) The European Regional Development Fund (West Midlands Operational Programme) (Implementation) Regulations 2007 Ofsted Serious Case Review Guidance Consultation 1,555 (SI 2007/3618). Seminar The European Regional Development Fund (Yorkshire and Health of Looked After Children—emerging best 12,000 practice report launch the Humber Operational Programme) (Implementation) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007/3619). Parenting Outcomes Framework Launch 4,909 The Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Prevent in London DVD Launch 5,575 Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/2263). DCSF 3/4 Year-old Child Programme Funding Seminar 1,796 The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Sustainable Schools Event for Headteachers 320 Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/3295). Childcare Sufficiency Seminars 345 The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Climate Change Mitigation Event for Local Authorities 750 Assessment) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/2093). (in association with Energy Saving Trust and London The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Councils) Assessment) (Mineral Permissions and Amendment) (England) GOL London Reception 2009 4,783 Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/1556). London Safeguarding Children Conference (in 5,000 The Planning (Hazardous Substances) (Amendment) (England) association with London Councils) Regulations 2009 (SI 2009/1901). Total 62,975 Government Office for London Events in 2008-09 Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Getting Started with Sustainable Food Conference 2,000 Communities and Local Government what events the Cohesion & Prevent Group Meeting 201 Government Office for London has hosted in each of The London European Social Fund Story (in 7,491 the last five years; and what the cost was of hosting association with the LDA) each such event. [303638] Public Service Agreement 23 & 25: Celebrating the 309 Sign Off of LAAs (in association with the Home Office) Ms Rosie Winterton: A list of events hosted or co-hosted Celebrations at London’s Successes: analysis of policing 341 by the Government Office for London in 2009-10 and and community safety 2008-09, including any costs occurred by the Office, is Climate Change Adaptation Seminar (in association 0 set out in the following table. Information relating to with Defra, Regional Climate Change Partnership events held in preceding years is no longer held centrally and UKCIP) and can be provided only at disproportionate cost. Utilities Awareness Workshop (in association with 1,346 London Fire Brigade and utility providers) Cost to the Climate change mitigation event for local authorities 0 Government (in association with Energy Saving Trust, London Office for Councils and Carbon Trust) London (£) GOL London Reception 2008 4,863 Events in 2009-10 Sustainable Schools Event—London Sustainable 4,000 Schools Forum ‘Together We Can Aim Higher’—youth opportunity 11,200 funding conference (in association with DCSF) International Domestic Violence Conference (in 4,000 Future Jobs Fund: Potential Bidders Event 713 association with LB Croydon) DCSF 2-Year-Old Child Programme Knowledge 3,956 Sustainable Schools Event for Head teacher’s 350 Sharing Seminars Sustainable Schools Event—Learning Seminar for 1,075 Residential Burglary Seminar for London Local 39 Schools Authorities “What is Community Cohesion?” film launch 4,428 63W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 64W

Barbara Follett: The information requested on Cost to the Government expenditure and receipts is shown as follows. Office for Lichfield district council London (£) £000 Sustainable Schools Event—Learning Seminar for 2,130 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 Schools Revenue 12,353 12,603 12,507 13,656 Climate change flooding event for local authorities 0 expenditure (in association with the Environment Agency) financed by: Prevent Conference 36,710 London Prevent Network—promote good practise, 240 Government grants 3,709 2,713 2,979 2,197 training and peer support seminar Redistributed non- 2,711 4,853 5,019 5,241 Sustainable Schools Event—London Sustainable 2,654 domestic rates Schools Forum Council tax 5,413 5,817 6,21 6,431 Climate change adaptation event for local authorities 0 Other 520 -780 -1,612 -213 (in association with Defra) Total 72,338 Capital expenditure 5,187 4,253 7,411 4,052 financed by: Homes and Communities Agency: Harlow Central 709 338 459 336 Government grants : To ask the Secretary of State for Use of capital 2,299 2,993 4,046 2,381 Communities and Local Government pursuant to the receipts answer of 24 November 2009, Official Report, column Other 2,179 922 2,906 1,335 71W, on the Home and Communities Agency, how Capital receipts in 857 1,110 2,613 330 much the Homes and Communities Agency’s predecessor year bodies spent on acquiring the freehold to the Gateway Source: site in Harlow; how much was spent on security for the Communities and Local Government Revenue and Capital Outturn returns site; and on what date the freehold was (a) bought by Revenue expenditure figures are produced on a non that predecessor body and (b) sold. [302952] Financial Reporting Standard 17 (FRS17) basis. John Healey: It is not possible to provide a precise Government grants within revenue expenditure are figure or date for the completion of the Gateway site. It defined here as the sum of revenue support grant, area was part of a larger acquisition carried out prior to based grant and specific grants inside aggregate external 1959, which was itself part of the land assembly to finance (AEF) i.e. revenue grants paid for authorities’ support the creation of Harlow New Town. To determine core services. the precise date and cost of the acquisition of the “Other”within revenue expenditure financing includes: freehold of this site would represent a disproportionate transfers and adjustments; appropriations to/from revenue cost. reserves; collection fund surpluses/deficits; and community The Gateway site was disposed of in 2004 for the charge amounts transferred to/from collection fund. figure given in my previous answer. The freehold is Local authority council tax requirement is the council being transferred on a plot by plot basis as units are tax available to finance revenue expenditure, not council completed. It has therefore been transferred on some of tax collected. the land but not all. Revenue figures exclude grants outside AEF (i.e. Nothing was spent by either the HCA or its predecessor where funding is not for authorities’ core services but is bodies on security for the site. passed to a third party e.g. rent allowances and rebates), funding for the local authorities’ housing management Leasehold Valuation Tribunal responsibilities and those grant programmes (such as European funding) where authorities are simply one of Mr. Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the recipients of funding paid towards an area. Communities and Local Government how many cases Comparisons across years may not be valid owing to relating to the level of fees charged by private sheltered changing local authority responsibilities. housing companies have been brought before the “Other” within capital expenditure financing includes Leasehold Valuation Tribunal in 2009 to date. [302997] grants and contributions from outside government (e.g. private developers, national lottery), revenue financing Mr. Ian Austin: Leasehold Valuation tribunals have and borrowing. so far dealt with 18 cases in 2009 concerning the service charges of private sheltered housing companies. Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 Lichfield District Council: Finance David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects Communities and Local Government how much was to implement Part 6 of the Local Government and spent by Lichfield district council in each of the last Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. [303758] four financial years; and what revenue the authority received from (a) Government grants, (b) council tax, Ms Rosie Winterton: Our response, published on (c) non-domestic rates, (d) the sale of assets and (e) 27 October 2009, to the consultation paper ‘The making other sources in each of those years. [304166] and enforcement of byelaws’ made clear our intention 65W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 66W to implement the new regime for the making and 312-13W, on non-domestic rates, what the estimated enforcement of byelaws, which we are minded to do net collectable debt in respect of non-domestic rates early in the new year. was for each local authority in the (a) 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10 tax year. [304232] Local Government Finance Barbara Follett: I refer the hon. Member to the Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities answer I gave her on 26 November 2009, Official Report, and Local Government (1) what percentage of the columns 312-13W and in particular column 2 of the external finance in each local authority in England was table that was placed in the Library of the House. generated from (a) fees and charges, (b) council tax and (c) central Government funding in (i) 1992, (ii) Parking: Fees and Charges 1997 and (iii) 2007; [302117] (2) if he will rank each English London local Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities authority in order of the percentage of total income and Local Government what (a) the total reserve in its generated from council tax in 2008-09. [302118] Parking Places Revenue Account and (b) the annual income from parking charges was of each local authority Barbara Follett: I have today placed in the Library of in each of the last five years. [302116] the House a table that gives, by each local authority in England, the percentage of income generated from (a) Barbara Follett: I have today placed in the Library of fees and charges, (b) council tax and (c) central the House a table that gives, by each local authority in Government funding in 2007-08. England, the annual revenue raised by local authorities Estimates for 1992-93 and 1997-98 are not available from all parking charges in each year from 2005-06 to as they could be made only at disproportionate cost. 2008-09. Information on some of the elements of total income Information about local authorities’ Parking Places required to produce estimates for 2008-09 has not yet Revenue Account is not collected centrally. been compiled. Planning Permission: Appeals Local Government: ICT Mr. Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities Mr. Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for and Local Government what recent guidelines his Communities and Local Government if he will commission Department has issued to planning inspectors in respect a report on the role of Liverpool Direct Ltd. in Liverpool of planning appeals. [304724] city council’s ICT strategy; and if he will make a Mr. Ian Austin: The Department has not recently statement. [302767] issued any guidelines specifically to planning inspectors. In determining cases, planning inspectors must take Ms Rosie Winterton: This is a matter for Liverpool account, where relevant, of Planning Policy statements city council. Local authorities have a duty to secure and any associated material such as circulars and guidance continuous improvement in the way in which they exercise issued by my Department. All such material is in the their functions, having regard to a combination of economy, public domain. effectiveness and efficiency. Local Government: Procurement Sheltered Housing Mr. Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment Communities and Local Government what guidance he has made of the benefits to residents of sheltered his Department publishes on local authority accommodation of the provision of services by wardens commissioning of goods and services; how many local who work a 34-hour week; and what assessment he has authorities have been required under that guidance to made of the likely effects on such residents of changes tender for services being conducted in house, or by in the working patterns of such wardens. [303811] existing providers in the last 12 months. [303356] Barbara Follett: There has been no central assessment Ms Rosie Winterton: Guidance on securing positive of the benefits to residents of having warden services outcomes and best value through commissioning was within sheltered accommodation. When reviewing services set out in paragraphs 6.4 to 6.17 of “Creating Strong, local authorities should take account of residents views Safe and Prosperous Communities: Statutory Guidance” on the services being provided and the benefits received. (Communities and Local Government, 9 July 2008). We expect every service user to have a full risk and The guidance is available at: needs assessment undertaken and an appropriate support http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/ plan put in place. It is a local decision as to how to best localgovernment/strongsafeprosperous meet the needs identified. Information on how many authorities have tendered for services in the last 12 months is not held centrally. Social Rented Housing: Equality

Non-Domestic Rates Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) how many Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for employment tribunal claims have been brought against Communities and Local Government pursuant to the (a) local authorities and (b) registered social answer of 26 November 2009, Official Report, columns landlords in each of the last five years; [304537] 67W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 68W

(2) how many cases have been brought against (a) HOME DEPARTMENT local authorities and (b) registered social landlords in respect of alleged breaches of equalities legislation in Asylum each of the last five years; [304535] (3) how many legal cases have been brought in Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the respect of racial discrimination allegations against (a) Home Department how many outstanding asylum local authorities and (b) registered social landlords in appeals there were on 1 November 2009. [301283] each of the last five years. [304536] Bridget Prentice: I have been asked to reply. Ms Rosie Winterton: This information is not held The number of outstanding asylum appeals as of centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate 1 November 2009 is as follows: cost. Number of cases Social Rented Housing: Regulation Immigration Judge1 3,282 High Court Review (Filter) 271 Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for 2 Communities and Local Government what assessment Applications 3 he has made of the effectiveness of local authority Reconsiderations 1,304 regulation of registered social landlords; what estimate Total Asylum Appeal cases 4,857 he has made of the cost to local authorities of such outstanding 1 Initial appeal of Home Office decision. regulation in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement. 2 The application to review whether a reconsideration of the case is [304522] appropriate because of an error of law 3 Reconsideration of case because of an error of law. John Healey: Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) in England are regulated by the Tenant Services Authority Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the (TSA), the independent social housing regulator. Local Home Department to which countries children seeking authorities are not responsible for regulating RSLs. asylum aged (a) 17, (b) 12 to 16, (c) five to 11 and (d) under five years old have been deported in each year Tenant Services Agency since 1997. [302884]

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Alan Johnson: The requested information is not available Communities and Local Government if he will prior to 2004; however, the following table shows the estimate the cost to the public purse of (a) setting up number of removals and voluntary departures of children and (b) operating for the first year the (i) Tenant asylum cases under the age of 18, including dependants, Services Agency and (ii) the Homes and Communities from the United Kingdom between 2004 and 2008, by Agency. [304521] age group and country of destination. The figures provided include children in family groups. John Healey: The set up costs of the Homes and Where they have been found by the UK Border Agency Communities Agency (HCA) and Tenant Services and the independent courts to have no basis of stay in Authority (TSA) are set out in the Housing and the UK they are expected to leave the country or face an Regeneration Bill-Impact Assessment, a copy of which enforced removal. Wherever possible they are given the is in the House Library opportunity to make a voluntary departure. The UK http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/ Border Agency only consider returning an unaccompanied housingregenactimpactassess child with no legal right to remain in the UK to their The running costs for both the HCA and the TSA country of origin if safe and adequate reception can be found in the published financial statements for arrangements are in place. 2008-09. Published statistics on immigration and asylum are http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/annual-report- available from the Library of the House and from the 2009.htm Home Office Research, Development and Statistics and Directorate website at: http://www.tenantservicesauthority.org/server/show/ http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum- ConWebDoc.19672 stats.html

Removals and voluntary departures1,2 of children asylum cases3, by age group and type, 2004 to 2008 Number of departures4 2004 2005 2006 2007 20085

Enforced removals and notified 1,050 1,400 1,035 570 505 voluntary departures6,7 of which: under 5 years 435 500 375 220 175 5 to 11 years 295 435 355 205 180 12 to 16 years 205 330 230 115 120 17 years 115 140 80 30 25

Assisted voluntary returns8 295 235 580 305 160 of which: under 5 years 120 110 280 145 70 5 to 11 years 100 65 190 95 50 69W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 70W

Removals and voluntary departures1,2 of children asylum cases3, by age group and type, 2004 to 2008 Number of departures4 2004 2005 2006 2007 20085

12 to 16 years 60 40 80 50 30 17 years 20 20 30 15 10

Other voluntary departures9 n/a * 30 35 60 of which: under 5 years n/a * 5 5 10 5to11years * 5 15 20 12 to 16 years n/a * 5 10 20 17 years n/a * 5 5 15

Total removals and voluntary 1,345 1,635 1,645 905 725 departures of which: under 5 years 555 610 660 370 255 5 to 11 years 395 500 555 310 250 12 to 16 years 265 370 320 175 170 17 years 135 155 110 50 50 n/a = not applicable. 1 Figures are rounded to the nearest 5 (- = 0, *=1or2)andmaynotsumtothetotalsshownbecause of independent rounding. 2 Figures include dependants. 3 This figure may overstate because some applicants aged 18 or over may claim to be younger on their date of departure from the UK. 4 Removals and voluntary departures recorded on the system as at the dates on which the data extracts were taken. 5 Provisional figures. Figures will under record due to data cleansing and data matching exercises that take place after the extracts are taken. 6 Due to a reclassification of removal categories, figures include asylum removals which have been performed by enforcement officers using port powers of removal and a small number of cases dealt with at juxtaposed controls. 7 Since October 2006, figures include persons leaving under facilitated return schemes. 8 Persons leaving under assisted voluntary return programmes run by the International Organization for Migration. May include some cases leaving under the assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants programme and some cases where enforcement action had been initiated. 9 Since January 2005, persons who it has been established left the UK without informing the immigration authorities.

Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Crimes of Violence Home Department how many children from each country of origin aged (a) 17, (b) 12 to 16, (c) five to 11 and (d) under five years old have been refused Mr. Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for the asylum in each year since 1997. [302885] Home Department how many incidents of grievous and actual bodily harm were recorded by police in (a) England and (b) North East Cambridgeshire in each Alan Johnson: Information on asylum refusals by age of the last 10 years. [303643] group and country of origin is not collated. Information on asylum is published annually and Mr. Hanson: The Home Office does not hold data for quarterly. Annual statistics for 2008 and the latest statistics the constituency area North East Cambridgeshire, as for Q3 2009 are available from the Library of the House this does not correspond with a Crime and Disorder and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate website at: Reduction Partnership or Cambridgeshire Police Basic Command Unit. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum- stats.html Data for grievous bodily harm (GBH) and actual bodily harm (ABH) offences for England for 1999-2000 to 2008-09 are given in Table A. Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children from each There was a major change in police recorded crime country of origin aged (a) 17, (b) 12 to 16, (c) five to recording in 2002 that means that figures from 2002-03 11 and (d) under five years old have claimed asylum in are not comparable with figures prior to this year. each year since 1997. [302886] The introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in 2002 brought in a more victim-focused reporting system, where victim accounts had to be Alan Johnson: Information on asylum applications accepted unless there was credible evidence to the contrary. from principal applicants (since 2001) and dependants In its first year, this is estimated to have artificially (since 2002) is only available by the published age increased recording of violence against the person by categories at time of application and nationality. 23 per cent. (it is also thought to have increased figures Information prior to these dates is not available. in the following year as the standard bedded in but The figures are available from the annual Statistical precise estimates of this effect are not available). Bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom prior to From 1 April 2008 there were also changes in offence 2008 and the supplementary tables of the Control of classification, introducing the new category of GBH Immigration Bulletin 2008 for the year of 2008. Copies without intent, and a clarification in the counting rules of these publications are available from the Library of for GBH with intent which meant that in some forces the House and from the Home Office Research, there was a significant shift in recording away from Development and Statistics website at: ABH to GBH with intent. This means figures for 2008-09 http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html are not comparable with those for earlier years. 71W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 72W

Table A: Recorded crime for grievous bodily harm (GBH) and actual bodily harm (ABH) offences in England, 1999-2000 to 2008-09 1999- Offence 20000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

GBH 5 More 13,835 14,452 15,202 16.113 17,746 17,801 17,045 15,667 13,596 — serious wounding or other act endangering life 5A Inflicting —————————21,253 grevious bodily hard (GBH) with intent 8F Inflicting —————————16,170 grevious bodily harm (GBH) without intent 8H Racially or ————————— 376 religiously aggravated inflicting grevious bodily harm without intent ABH 8A Less serious 189,441 185,312 198,418 320,157 401,917 458,372 486,052 454,638 406,251 — wounding 8D Racially or 2,618 3,112 3,369 4,197 4,685 5,134 5,799 5,405 4,614 — religiously aggravated less serious wounding 8G Actually —————————351,550 bodily harm and other injury 8J Racially or —————————3,759 religiously aggravated actual bodily harm and other injury Total 205,894 202,876 216,989 340,467 424,348 481,307 508,896 475,710 424,461 393,108 GBH and ABH Notes: 1. There was a major change in police recorded crime recording in 2002 that means that figures from 2002-03 are not comparable with figures prior to this year. The introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in 2002 brought In a more victim-focused reporting system, where victim accounts had to be accepted unless there was credible evidence to the contrary. 2. Offence classifications 5A, 5B and 5C were introduced from 1 April 2008 and replace classification 5. Classification 5A was influenced by a clarification in recording rules that had the effect of significantly increasing levels of recording in some forces. Figures for 2008-09 for classification 5A should be viewed as provisional as a current inspection by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary may give rise to further revisions from forces. Classification 5A also includes some other offences of endangering life as well as GBH with intent, though GBH with intent is the major part of this category. 3. Offence classifications 8F, 8G, 8H, 8J and 8K were introduced from 1 April 2008 and had previously been recorded as part of classifications 8A or 8D.

Departmental Legislation Notifying false information in purported compliance with a violent offender order (section 113(3)) Remaining on or entering premises in contravention of a Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the closure notice (section 118 and Schedule 20) Home Department what criminal offences have been Obstructing a person enforcing a closure notice or closure (a) abolished and (b) created by primary legislation order etc. (section 11D(2)) sponsored by his Department since 1 May 2008. Policing And Crime Act 2009 [303253] Paying for sexual services of a prostitute subjected to force etc. (section 14) Alan Johnson: The following new offences have been Paying for sexual services of a prostitute subjected to force etc. created since 1 May 2008: (section 15) Amendment to offence of loitering etc. for purposes of prostitution Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 (section 16) Failure to comply with a prohibition etc. in a violent offender Soliciting a person for purpose of obtaining sexual services order (section 113(1)) (section 19) Failure to comply with the notification requirements of a Soliciting a person for purpose of obtaining sexual services violent offender order (section 113(2)) (section 20) 73W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 74W

Remaining on or entering premises in contravention of a Figures for the third quarter of 2009 will be published closure notice (section 21 and Schedule 2) on 26 November 2009. Remaining on or entering premises in contravention of a closure order (section 21 and Schedule 2) Obstructing a person enforcing a closure notice or closure DNA: Databases order etc. (section 21 and Schedule 2) Person under 18: persistently possessing alcohol in a public place (section 30) Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the written Prohibition on importation of offensive weapons (section 102) ministerial statement of 11 November 2009, Official Borders, Citizenship And Immigration Act 2009 Report, columns 25-28WS, on DNA and fingerprint Disclosure of personal customs information to certain persons retention, whether all those arrested and not charged (section 18(1)) under counter-terrorism legislation will have their DNA Disclosure of personal customs revenue information (section 18 (1)) retained beyond the six-year limit. [301934] Disclosure of material information without appropriate consent (section 18(1)) Mr. Hanson: DNA profiles and fingerprints taken Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 from adults detained under section 41 of the Terrorism Offence of obstruction (section 2) Act 2000 or Schedule 7 to that Act will only be retained Offences relating to notification (section 54) beyond six years if the relevant chief officer of police determines that it is necessary to do so for national Offences relating to information about members of armed forces etc. (section 76) security purposes. Offences relating to breaches of a foreign travel restriction All cases will be reviewed on a rolling two year basis order (paragraph 15 of Schedule 5) after the six year timeframe and the material will be Offences relating to HMT’s provisions on terrorist financing destroyed when it is no longer necessary to retain it for and money laundering (paragraph 30 and 31 of Schedule 7) those purposes. The following offences have been abolished since 1 May 2008: Entry Clearances Policing And Crime Act 2009 Kerb-crawling (section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 1985) Persistent soliciting (section 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 1985) Mr. MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) leave to remain, (b) Deportation indefinite leave to remain and (c) student visa (tier four) applications have been refused in the last five Mr. MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for the years. [300921] Home Department how many people have been deported from the UK in the last five years. [300920] Mr. Woolas: Statistics on leave to remain and indefinite leave to remain (settlement) applications refused for the Mr. Woolas: The Home Office publishes statistics on last five complete years, 2004-08, are provided in the the number of persons who were removed or departed following table. voluntarily from the UK on a quarterly and annual Provisional calendar year totals for 2009 are due to basis, which are available from the Library of the House be published in February 2010. The leave to remain and from the Home Office’s Research, Development refusals total for 2009 will include in-country applications and Statistics website at: from non-EEA students that have been considered and http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum- refused under tier 4 of the points-based system from 31 stats.html March 2009. Statistics on removals and voluntary departures, by Provisional leave to remain and indefinite leave to type, in the last 10 years are provided in table 3.1 of the remain quarterly data for the first three quarters of Control of Immigration: Statistics United Kingdom 2009 were published on 26 November in the “Control of 2008 bulletin at: Immigration: Quarterly Statistical Summary, United http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs09/hosb1409.pdf Kingdom—Third Quarter 2009”. Copies are available Statistics for the first two quarters of 2009 are provided from the Library of the House and from the Home in table 7a/b/c of the Control of Immigration: Quarterly Office Research, Development and Statistics website at: Statistical summary, April to June 2009 at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum- http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs09/immiq209.pdf stats.html

Refusals of an extension of leave to remain1, 2 and refusals of settlement in the United Kingdom, excluding EEA3, 4 and Swiss nationals, 2004-085 Number of refusals 20043 2005 2006 20074 20086

Main applicants

Refusals of an extension 24,730 27,175 20,175 23,555 21,120 Of which:

Students 6,765 9,535 7,875 9,040 5,365 Refusals of settlement 6,525 6,260 8,365 11,875 7,420 Total main applicant refusals 31,250 33,435 28,540 35,435 28,540 75W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 76W

Refusals of an extension of leave to remain1, 2 and refusals of settlement in the United Kingdom, excluding EEA3, 4 and Swiss nationals, 2004-085 Number of refusals 20043 2005 2006 20074 20086

Dependants Refusals of an extension 2,885 4,130 3,110 4,500 5,165 Of which: Students 950 1,405 1,355 1,895 1,395 Refusals of settlement 810 750 1,445 1,605 1,925 Total dependant refusals 3,695 4,875 4,555 6,105 7,090 1 Excludes asylum-related decisions and withdrawn applications. 2 Includes reconsideration cases and the outcome of appeals. 3 Includes nationals of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia before 1 May 2004, but excludes them from this date. 4 Since 2007, excludes Bulgaria and Romania who acceded to the EU on 1 January 2007. 5 Figures rounded to the nearest five and may not sum to the totals shown because of independent rounding. 6 Provisional figures.

Entry Clearances: Overseas Students Mr. Hanson: Extremism may take many forms. As regards funding for OSCT Prevent this was spent as Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the follows: Home Department if he will assess the financial effect on language schools teaching English as a foreign £million language of proposed reforms to Tier 4 of the Actual programme Actual admin. spend spend points-based system. [302084] 2007-08 0.92 1.71 Mr. Woolas: The Prime Minister announced on 17 2008-09 2.30 27.02 November 2009 that a review of tier 4, the student tier of the points based system, would be conducted by a Fixed Penalties joint team from the UK Border Agency and the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. The Nick Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the review team have been asked to assess whether the Home Department what guidance his Department has current tier 4 policy strikes the appropriate balance issued to police forces on the publication of information between facilitating access of genuine students to education on the number of fixed penalty notices issued in respect in the UK and preventing abuse by economic migrants. of offences committed upon a particular part of the The review is looking at evidence gathered from the highway; and if he will make a statement. [303532] early stages of tier 4, which was launched in March this year, to look at the case for or against any policy Mr. Hanson: Decisions on the release of any information changes. The review will consider all of the available held by the police is a matter for individual chief officers data and evidence, including the potential financial of police. impact of the proposals on the different parts of the education sector such as the English language sector. Nick Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ask South Wales Police Entry Clearances: Skilled Workers Force to review its decision on publication of the number of fixed penalty notices issued for speeding in Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the the 50mph limit area on the approach to the Severn Home Department how many (a) work permits with a Bridge toll booths on the M4. [303533] length of more than 12 months and (b) highly skilled migrant programme permits were issued in 2008-09. Mr. Hanson: Decisions on the release of any information [302155] held by the police is a matter for individual chief officers of police. Mr. Woolas [holding answer 30 November 2009]: The Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, if the UK Border Agency issued 60,305 work permits with a requester is not satisfied with the response that they length of 12 months or more and 10,775 highly skilled have received from a police force, they have two options migrant programme permits in the financial year 2008-09. which they can follow: Figures are rounded to nearest five. (a) ask the force to conduct an internal review of their decision and if they remain dissatisfied then The figures quoted are not provided under National Statistics protocols and have been derived from local (b) they should take the matter to the Information Commissioner. management information and are therefore provisional Foreign Nationals: Convictions and subject to change. Dr. Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Extremism Unit: Finance Department how many foreign nationals who have been convicted in this country in each of the last five Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the years were identified by a Government department or Home Department how much his Department’s agency as having a criminal record in another country Extremism Unit spent under each budget heading in or countries (a) on entry into the UK and (b) on (a) 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09. [301038] release from custody. [303323] 77W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 78W

Mr. Woolas: It is not possible to obtain the requested Immigration information. In the case of EU nationals there is a mechanism for Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the the exchange of conviction information, operated under Home Department how many children from each 2009 Framework Decision (previously conviction country of origin aged (a) 17, (b) 12 to 16, (c) five to information was transferred under the Council of Europe 11 and (d) under five years old have been detained arrangements, 1959). under immigration rules in each of the last 12 years. In the case of non-European countries there are [302881] arrangements via Interpol, which concentrate on more serious offences. Alan Johnson: The requested information is not available; however, in August 2009 the Control of Immigration Identity Cards Quarterly Statistical publication was expanded to include information on persons entering detention, total number Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the of persons leaving detention and the number of families Home Department with reference to the answer of 12 with children held in detention. This information is November 2009, Official Report, column 946W, on available split by age (to separately identify children), identity cards, what proportion of the 1,000 applications and will be published quarterly in the future; however received has come from (a) Identity and Passport Service data for earlier years will remain unavailable. and the Home Department staff and (b) airport operator Information on the number of children under the age staff at Manchester and London City airports. [303782] of 18 entering detention solely under Immigration Act powers in Q1-Q3 2009 by age and country of nationality Alan Johnson: Since 20 October, and up to and including is available in: 30 November, 1,589 applicants have been enrolled or Q1 and Q2 2009 have made an enrolment appointment for an identity card. The information held on the National Identity Table 8a and 8b of the Control of Immigration Register does not include the occupation of an individual. Quarterly Statistical Summary United Kingdom publication http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs09/immiq209.pdf, Identity Cards: Databases Tables G and H of the supplementary tables http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs09/immiq209supp.xls Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Q3 2009 Home Department which organisations were accredited under the Identity Cards Act 2006 to access Table 9 of the Control of Immigration Quarterly data on the National Identity Register on 1 October Statistical Summary United Kingdom publication 2009. [303816] http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs09/immiq309.pdf, Table H of the supplementary tables Meg Hillier: No organisation will have access to the http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs09/immiq309supp.xls. information held on the National Identity Register. However, the Identity Cards Act 2006 does allow for Published statistics on immigration and asylum are information to be provided from the register in prescribed available from the Library of the House and from the circumstances. The register was not in operation on 1 Home Office Research, Development and Statistics October 2009, and powers to provide information were Directorate website at: not commenced until 20 October 2009. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum- stats.html. Identity Cards: Greater Manchester Immigration Controls: Foreign Workers Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the personal information Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State of British citizens applying for identity cards in Greater for the Home Department what effects changes in the Manchester from 30 November will be stored on the labour market test for obtaining a work permit have National Identity Register. [303791] had on the number of domestic workers (a) applying for and (b) obtaining jobs in the UK. [301223] Alan Johnson: British citizens resident or working in Greater Manchester who apply for an identity card will Mr. Woolas: The flexibility of the points-based system have their identity information including biometrics allows us to support UK workers and at the same time stored on the National Identity Register. The register meet the recruitment needs of businesses and support will hold the same sort of personal information as is the economy. Since April this year, the RLMT has been already held for the issue of passports. strengthened to include a requirement to advertise skilled jobs in Jobcentre Plus, so that resident workers have a Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the single source—their local job centre—to access all skilled Home Department how much has been spent on informing vacancies. This strengthening of the resident labour people in Greater Manchester that they may apply for market test was introduced to better support resident identity cards from 30 November 2009. [303792] workers looking for skilled jobs. I announced on 24 November that, on the Migration Advisory Committee’s Alan Johnson: The Identity and Passport Service has recommendation the test would be further strengthened spent £41,195 to date to buy advertising space that by increasing from two weeks to four weeks the minimum utilises regional press and online search to inform people period that jobs must be advertised in order to satisfy who live or work in Greater Manchester that they may the test. No formal assessment of the impact of the apply for Identity Cards from 30 November 2009. changes has yet been undertaken. 79W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 80W

Members: Correspondence Mr. Hanson: The funding allocated to the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) since it was Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for established in April 2007 is shown in the following table. the Home Department when he intends to reply to the The NPIA is subject to the principles of regularity, letter of 9 October 2009 from the right hon. Member propriety and value for money that applies to all for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. Waqas Ur Government Departments and other public bodies in Rashid. [303408] the management of public money and must observe the Treasury guidance ’Managing Public Money’. A Financial Alan Johnson: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 30 Memorandum between the Home Office and NPIA is November 2009. in place and the Management Statement (published on the NPIA website) sets out in greater detail the financial Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for framework within which NPIA is required to operate. the Home Department when he intends to reply to the Annual Accounts are laid before Parliament each year. letter of 5 October 2009 from the right hon. Member The Chief Executive of the NPIA is the Accounting for Manchester Gorton with regard to Mr. Rara Ali Officer. Raza. [303415] The Secretary of State has statutory authority to make payments to the NPIA under Schedule 1, part 4 Alan Johnson: I wrote my right hon. Friend on 30 of the Police and Justice Act 2006. November 2009. Home Office funding delegated to the National Policing Improvement Agency since vesting on April 20071 Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for (£ million) the Home Department when he plans to reply to the Resource Capital Total letter of 5 October 2009 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Omer Farooq 2007-08 412.3 185.4 597.7 and Hassan Akhtar. [304031] 2008-09 396.3 172.5 568.8 2009-10 397.6 153.8 551.4 Alan Johnson: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 2 December 2009. Police Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister of State expects to provide a substantive reply to the letter from the Mr. Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home hon. Member for Rossendale and Darwen of 16 Department (1) if he will bring forward proposals for a November 2009 sent on behalf of her constituent Miss protocol for police officers dealing with people with Ashley Redmayne. [304339] learning difficulties; [303983] (2) what training police forces give to police officers Mr. Hanson: I wrote to my hon. Friend on 25 November on dealing with people with learning difficulties. 2009. [303988]

National Policing Improvement Agency Mr. Hanson [holding answer 3 December 2009]: The Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP) and Police Community Support Officer learning Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the programme contain modules relating to dealing with Home Department what plans he has for the future (a) individuals with learning difficulties. A list of these governance and (b) funding of the National Policing modules is given in table 1. Improvement Agency; and if he will make a statement. [303902] Police training for all officers and staff is being reviewed to ensure that mental ill health and learning Mr. Hanson: The National Policing Improvement difficulties are covered appropriately.The National Policing Agency (NPIA) is an executive non-departmental public Improvement Agency has developed guidance on the body (ENDPB) of the Home Office created under the ‘Police Response to People with Mental Ill Health and Police and Justice Act 2006. Its governance arrangements Learning Disabilities’ on behalf of the Association of are set out in legislation under Schedule 1 of the Police Chief Police Officers (ACPO). and Justice Act 2006 and there are no plans to change It has been developed in response to the these arrangements. recommendations of Lord Bradley’s review of people Funding for the NPIA is allocated on an annual basis with mental health problems or learning disabilities in and funding allocations have not yet been set for 2010-11 the criminal justice system (April 2009). and beyond. A new Mental Ill Health Learning Programme will take a more focused and detailed approach in looking at Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the mental ill health and learning disabilities, identifying Home Department how much funding his Department the difference between the two and being able to identify allocated to the National Policing Improvement symptoms, indicators and responses to a range of disabilities Agency in each of the last five years; what agreements in a wide variety of policing situations. A list of topics are in place between his Department and that agency in and outcomes is given in table 2. Mind, Mencap and relation to the use of such funding; under what the Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health have been statutory powers such funding was allocated; and if he consulted throughout the development of this learning will make a statement. [303903] programme. 81W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 82W

The contents of table 2 only identify where a specific Table 1: Modules currently included in the IPLDP and Police focus has been drawn to persons with a disability or Community Support Officer Learning Programme learning difficulties. There is a strong thread throughout Name of module Description IPLDP promoting equality and dealing with people in a fair and ethical manner by recognising and responding Prepare and present case Includes a section on witnesses to their needs in respect of race and diversity, as set out information, present evidence with learning difficulties and in the Disability Discrimination Act and the Human and finalise investigations deals with how witnesses with Rights Act. learning difficulties may find the criminal justice process An e-learning module is being developed as part of especially stressful, and on occasion, traumatic. High stress the Mental Ill Health Learning Programme to support reduces the person’s ability to the new guidance. The e-learning module, which is participate and respond to designed for all public-facing officers, will be part of questioning, or effectively recall initial training and will be available to all Home Office events in order to assist the fact police forces. finding process of the criminal justice system. The student The overarching intention of the guidance, practice notes associated with this module look at pre-trial support advice and training is to reduce the risk of harm to the to aid this process. individual, to members of the community and to policing personnel. Victims and witnesses This looks at the code of practice for the victims of crime Table 1: Modules currently included in the IPLDP and Police and specifically deals with Community Support Officer Learning Programme vulnerable and intimidated witnesses. Name of module Description Strategies for dealing with This module specifically covers persons suffering from mental learning in relation to the legal Assessing the needs of Identifying vulnerable witnesses disorder term of learning disabilities’ individuals and provide advice (behavioural characteristics and within the Mental Health Act and support physical characteristics), who 1983. It also covers identifying may be vulnerable and why. It people with learning difficulties also looks at communicating and court appearances for with such individuals, special people with learning difficulties. measures provided for vulnerable witnesses including Mental health The module includes a chapter the identification of such needs dedicated to dealing with and on the appropriate interviewing people with documentation in file learning difficulties and mental completion. There is also an disorders. It looks at appendix of common communication and memory conditions including those that difficulties and responses to could affect communication, perceived aggression. The with a summary of that mental Capacity Act 2005 is condition. explored to ensure that officers have an understanding of Using police actions in a fair The student notes cover Section 44 of the Act - III and justified way communication skills and Treatment or Neglect. It fully highlights some conditions that explains the concept of lacking could affect communication. capacity, inability to make decisions and acting in the best interests of the individual. Interviewing victims and Includes a section on vulnerable witnesses witnesses/victims and Table 2 specifically highlights the Topics and outcomes covered by e-learning potential for communication difficulties and 3 (aim) Demonstrate an understanding of a range of learning misunderstandings arising. disabilities to be able to effectively communicate with and support the individual Interviewing suspects Dealing with vulnerable people, 2d Skills and strategies to break down possible barriers to whether they are a victim, communication when dealing with a person who has a learning witness or suspect and the need disability. to treat vulnerable people with 2e The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 as amended in relation particular consideration at all to learning disabilities. times. It looks at whether individuals are fit to be 6a The reasons why people experiencing mental ill health issues or interviewed, and mental health learning disabilities are at greater risk of becoming a victim of issues, physical disorder, health crime. and behaviour are discussed. It 6b The Association of Chief Police Officers’ definition of ‘Hate also looks at communication Crime’ and the impact that a hate incident can have on a difficulties, the need for victim. appropriate adults in certain 6c The meaning of ‘vulnerable’ and ‘intimidated’ witness as they situations and the Police and apply to section 16 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Criminal Evidence Act 1985 Act 1999. code of practice in relation to 6d Examples of behavioural and physical characteristics that may interviewing those who may serve as prompts to identifying vulnerable witnesses. have a learning difficulty or a mental health issue. 6e Why information may be difficult to obtain from a vulnerable witness and suggest ways to overcome those difficulties. 83W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 84W

Table 2 Special grant is intended to provide financial assistance Topics and outcomes covered by e-learning in exceptional circumstances to help meet costs where additional expenditure, incurred by the force, would 3c Effective communication skills and strategies to break down possible barriers and identify individual needs of people who otherwise create a serious threat to the authority’s may be experiencing mental health problems within a variety financial stability and would threaten seriously to of policing contexts. compromise the force’s capacity to deliver normal policing. 3e Strategies that could help reduce the possibility of agitation when dealing with individuals experiencing a mental health problem. Radicalism 3f Strategies for de-escalation of an existing crisis or distress situation when dealing with individuals experiencing a mental health problem. Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State Note: for the Home Department with which civil society Numerals followed by letters are references to the Learning Descriptor v 1.5 organisations his Department has entered into partnerships and agreements to support the delivery of policies Mr. Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home related to extremism in the last five years. [300480] Department how many complaints people with learning difficulties have made against police officers in Mr. Hanson: Extremism may take many forms. As each of the last five years. [303984] regards the community-based organisations undertaking work in support of the Prevent agenda, these are funded Mr. Hanson [holding answer 3 December 2009]: The through Communities and Local Government. However, Home Office does not hold this information centrally. It the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism Prevent is a matter for each police force to retain such information. Interventions Unit have also sponsored Prevent work The Police Reform Act, 2002 places a duty on all with a range of community-based organisations during police forces to record all complaints made by members the past five years. This includes the funding of projects of the public about the conduct of those serving with based on sports, education and mentoring in various the police. The Independent Police Complaints Commission environments. (IPCC) is responsible for the collation and publication of complaints statistics for England and Wales. Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State Complaints made by people with learning difficulties, for the Home Department what partnerships and is not a category currently used by the IPCC in the initiatives designed to tackle the spread of extremism collation of its complaints statistics. The IPCC have on the internet his Department has entered into with however recently requested that forces provide information overseas authorities and agencies in the last 10 years. relating to complainant disability and they are working [300482] with forces to ensure the consistent and accurate recording of these data going forward. Mr. Hanson: The Government are actively engaged in multilateral and bilateral discussions to explore options Mr. Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home available to tackle online violent extremist material. For Department what recent representations he has example, we participated actively in a year-long European received from hon. Members on the conduct of police project which has just been completed and are currently officers dealing with people with learning difficulties. discussing a follow-up project with European partners. [303987] The Government are also assisting with the development of a Europol hosted web portal which is available to Mr. Hanson [holding answer 3 December 2009]: Since investigating agencies across the EU, to share information February 2008 I am aware that four hon. Members have on open access terrorism related websites and content. written to Home Office Ministers regarding the conduct Law enforcement agencies have also engaged with partner of police officers in dealing with people with learning organisations on operational matters. difficulties. These include one from the hon. Member The internet hate crime action plan contains actions himself, to the Home Secretary, in June of this year. to improve co-operation with other states in addressing Since the representations concerned police training internet hate crime, including prejudice motivated matters they were passed to the Chief Executive of the extremism. National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) for consideration and a reply. Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department Political Activities has evaluated on the root causes of extremism; and what steps he has taken to tackle them. [301467] Mr. Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the Mr. Hanson: Extremism takes many forms. Our cost of policing party political conferences in (a) assessment is that the main violent extremist threat to 2007-08 and (b) 2008-09. [304215] the UK is from al-Qaeda or al-Qaeda inspired groups. Experience here and abroad has identified a range of Mr. Hanson: We have provided a total of £9.08 million factors that in combination can lead to individuals in 2007-08 and £11.2 million in 2008-09 in special supporting or becoming violent extremists. The main grant to police authorities for policing party political objectives of the Prevent strand of CONTEST are conferences. informed by this work. 85W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 86W

Radicalism: Crime Prevention carried out under (a) section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and (b) section 60 of the Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 in each for the Home Department what assessment he has London borough in each month since May 2007; and made of the adequacy of information on extremism how many searches resulted in (i) an arrest and (ii) a available to (a) his Department and (b) the police to conviction for each type of search. [304307] enable them to tackle it; and if he will make a statement. [301403] Mr. Hanson: Information on stop-and-searches in Mr. Hanson: My Department and the police rely on 2007-08 (the latest period available) under section 1 of high quality reporting from a wide range of sources the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and section appropriate to different forms of extremism including 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre and community in the Metropolitan police force area and City of London, tension monitoring information gathered by the police. broken down by quarter, are provided in the following Through websites, bulletins and bespoke reports relevant table. information is made available to those at the frontline in Data broken down by month and London borough the police service and the wider public sector. are not available as the information reported to the Stop and Search: Greater London Home Office on stop and searches are broken down by police force area and quarter only. Mr. Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Information on stops and searches conducted in 2008-09 Home Department how many stop-and-searches were is scheduled to be published in March 2010.

Stop-searches and resultant arrests under section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, by quarter and police force area, Greater London 2007-08 Number Section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 Arrests for possession of an offensive weapon or dangerous Searches Resultant arrests Searches instrument Arrests for other reasons

Metropolitan Police Quarter 1 (April 2007 to June 2007) 86,119 10,238 2,686 14 77 Quarter 2 (July 2007 to September 2007) 90,807 10,242 4,867 18 150 Quarter 3 (October 2007 to December 2007) 96,593 10,386 4,812 24 198 Quarter 4 (January 2008 to March 2008) 120,064 11,031 5,106 28 119 Total 2007-08 393,583 41,897 17,471 84 544

City of London Quarter 1 (April 2007 to June 2007) 1,767 245 — — — Quarter 2 (July 2007 to September 2007) 1,539 252 2 — — Quarter 3 (October 2007 to December 2007) 1,203 202 — — — Quarter 4 (January 2008 to March 2008) 1,252 175 1 — — Total 2007-08 5,761 874 3 — —

Greater London Quarter 1 (April 2007 to June 2007) 87,886 10,483 2,686 14 77 Quarter 2 (July 2007 to September 2007) 92,346 10,494 4,869 18 150 Quarter 3 (October 2007 to December 2007) 97,796 10,588 4,812 24 198 Quarter 4 (January 2008 to March 2008) 121,316 11,206 5,107 28 119 Total 2007-08 399,344 42,771 17,474 84 544

Terrorism: Detainees Work Permits

Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the work permits the Home Department whether he plans to bring granted on the basis of intra-company transfer in forward proposals to increase the maximum period for respect of non-EU IT contractors in the last five years pre-charge detention for terrorist suspects; and if he were valid on the latest date for which figures are will make a statement. [304030] available. [303040]

Mr. Hanson: There are no plans for the Home Secretary Mr. Woolas: The work permit arrangements closed to bring forward legislation to extend the maximum on 26 November 2008 and were replaced by the Points period for pre-charge detention at this time. Based System. 87W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 88W

The number of work permits granted during the Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence period 1 January 2004 to 26 November 2008 on the pursuant to the answer of 7 July 2009, Official Report, basis of intra-company transfers in respect of non-EU column 657W,on Afghanistan: peacekeeping operations, IT employers that were still valid on 27 November is how many helicopters have been deployed to Afghanistan 31,660. as a direct result of the UK-French helicopter initiative. Figures are rounded to nearest 5. [304349] The figures quoted are not provided under National Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The first three helicopters will Statistics protocols and have been derived from local deploy to Afghanistan this month. We expect a further management information and are therefore provisional four helicopters to deploy from late 2010 and up to a and subject to change. further four by 2013.

Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence the Home Department how many applications for a what discussions he has had with his NATO work permit on the basis of intra-company transfer counterparts on sourcing the requirement for ISAF’s were (a) made and (b) granted in respect of non-EU Operational Reserve Force; and what progress has been IT contractors in each of the last (i) five years and (ii) made in these discussions. [304361] eight quarters; and if he will make a statement. [303041] Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The operational reserve force for ISAF has not been filled since 2007. NATO’s priority Mr. Woolas: The work permit arrangements closed has been to generate operational forces for deployment on 26 November 2008 and were replaced by the Points into theatre rather than the reserve, and this has been Based System. the focus of discussions in the alliance.

Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Pakistani military personnel are (a) assigned, DEFENCE (b) attached and (c) embedded with coalition military forces in Regional Command South. [304368] Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations Mr. Bob Ainsworth: There are currently no personnel from the Pakistani armed forces assigned to, attached Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for to or embedded with coalition armed forces in regional Defence (1) under what circumstances service command (south). There is a small team of Pakistani personnel serving in Afghanistan are not issued with a military personnel based at the official border crossing personal morphine capsule; [300265] point in regional command (south); they are working (2) whether all service personnel entering theatre in with Afghan and coalition partners to help facilitate Afghanistan have been issued with a personal border crossing activity. morphine capsule. [300266] Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 23 November how many British military personnel are (a) embedded 2009]: Personal morphine auto injectors are issued to with Pakistani military units and (b) based in Pakistan service personnel in Afghanistan rather than personal to co-ordinate military operations in support of British morphine capsules. They should be issued to all service military operations in Regional Command South. personnel who deploy “outside the wire” of the main [304372] operating bases. Those staff who work in the main operating bases, Camp Bastion and Kandahar Airfield, Mr. Bob Ainsworth: There are currently no UK military are issued with personal morphine auto injectors if the personnel embedded with Pakistani military units. There threat level dictates they should. are three UK military staff based at the British high commission in Islamabad, who provide a liaison and The only circumstance when personal morphine auto co-ordination function between the Pakistani military injectors should not be issued to service personnel in and UK and NATO operations in Afghanistan, which Afghanistan is when they are based in a main operating includes regional command (south). base where the threat level does not require it. Mr. Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what records his Department keeps in respect Defence how many (a) minor injuries, (b) serious of civilian contractors killed while working in support injuries and (c) fatalities among Afghan civilians have of UK operations overseas; how many such contractors been recorded by his Department in Afghanistan in have been killed while supporting UK operations in each year since 2001. [303808] Afghanistan since 2005; and if he will make a statement. [304744] Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The UK Government do not collate or publish figures for civilian casualties in Mr. Bob Ainsworth: We have a record of the civilian Afghanistan because of the immense difficulty and contractors killed supporting UK forces in Iraq who risks of collecting robust data. Every effort is made to have been recorded on the memorial wall at the National avoid civilian casualties and any that are the result of Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire. We action by UK armed forces are always a matter of hold some records that have been provided by contractors profound regret. supporting UK forces in Afghanistan. 89W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 90W

Detailed and reliable information on the number of at (i) RAF Croughton, (ii) RAF Menwith Hill, (iii) contractors killed while supporting UK operations in RAF Fairford, (iv) RAF Molesworth, (v) RAF Feltwell, Afghanistan is not held centrally and could be provided (vi) RAF Lakenheath, (vii) RAF Mildenhall, (viii) RAF only at disproportionate cost. Collating comprehensive Upwood, (ix) RAF Barford St John, (x) RAF Alconbury, data on fatalities suffered by our contractors is very (xi) RAF Wyton, (xii) RAF Digby, (xiii) RAF St Mawgan, difficult due to the variety of contractors and the various (xiv) RAF Blenheim Crescent and (xv) RAF Welford; ways in which they are employed. and how many RAF personnel are based at each. We greatly value the work done by our civilian contractors [303580] in supporting operations in Afghanistan and we take very seriously our responsibilities towards them. Air Force: Military Bases Bill Rammell: The rank of the RAF Commander and the name and rank of the Station Commander, together Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with the number of RAF personnel based at the RAF what the (a) name and (b) rank is of the RAF Commander bases in the table are as follows:

Base Position Name/rank Number of RAF personnel

RAF Croughton RAF Commander Squadron Leader 1 RAF Barford St. John RAF Blenheim Crescent

RAF Menwith Hill RAF Commander Squadron Leader 3

RAF Fairford RAF Commander Squadron Leader 1 RAF Welford

RAF Alconbury RAF Commander Squadron Leader 2 RAF Molesworth RAF Upwood

RAF Lakenheath RAF Commander Squadron Leader 1 RAF Feltwell

RAF Mildenhall RAF Commander Squadron Leader 5

RAF Wyton Station Commander Group Captain 850 RAF Brampton RAF Henlow

RAF Digby Station Commander Group Captain 290

RAF St. Mawgan Station Commander Wing Commander 140

The names of the RAF Commanders have been Armed Forces: Housing withheld in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Armed Forces: Casualties Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints Modern Housing David T.C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Solutions received about animal infestations in service Defence what the policy is of each of the armed forces accommodation in each of the last five years. [304331] on the confirmation of acting ranks held by members of the armed forces killed in active duty. [303617] Mr. Kevan Jones: The requested information is not Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The award of acting rank is given recorded separately and could be provided only at to service personnel who are required to undertake the disproportionate cost. role and responsibilities of a higher rank, either for a limited period of time, where they have been selected for Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for promotion but their promotion has yet to be confirmed Defence how many complaints were received by by the individual service authorities, or they have not Modern Housing Solutions about accommodation for yet completed pre-requisite promotion courses. service personnel and their families in each of the last In the event of death while holding acting rank, 12 months. [304332] personnel will continue to be referred to by the rank with which they were formally addressed by immediately Mr. Kevan Jones: Modern Housing Solutions (MHS) prior to their death. is responsible for the repair and maintenance of some 91W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 92W

44,000 service family accommodation properties in England Mr. Kevan Jones: I refer the hon. Member to the and Wales, and attend some 200,000 response repair answer I gave on 29 June 2009, Official Report, column 43W. jobs each year. The following table details the total number of complaints Armed Forces: Telephone Services received about all aspects of the maintenance and repair service provided for the last 12 months: Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints have been received in Month Complaints the last 12 months about the effectiveness of the emergency contact numbers provided for the families 2008 of serving personnel. [304671] November 407 December 390 Mr. Kevan Jones: The MOD does not maintain records 2009 on the number of complaints made on the effectiveness January 534 of the emergency contact numbers provided for service February 465 families. However, all calls made on these numbers are March 497 recorded. April 532 May 480 Climate and Energy Security Envoy June 497 July 573 Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for August 518 Defence what the objectives are of his Climate and September 584 Energy Security Envoy. [304475] October 543

These figures include calls about all aspects of the Mr. Kevan Jones: The objectives for the joint MOD/FCO repair and maintenance service provided by MHS, ranging climate and energy security envoy are: from missed or late appointments and duration of work, To broaden and deepen the debate on the security implications to vehicle parking and debris left on site. of climate change in key countries; To ensure increased understanding of climate change risks Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for within the security and defence communities and share best practice; Defence how many complaints were received by Modern Housing Solutions on the maintenance of service To address the consequences of climate change for regional and global stability, including the benefits for the military in accommodation in (a) Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and reducing its own carbon footprint; Strathspey constituency, (b) the Highlands and (c) To help develop a comprehensive policy approach for climate [304651] Scotland in each month in 2009 to date. security across the UK Government.

Mr. Kevan Jones: The Housing Prime Contract with Cyprus Modern Housing Solutions covers England and Wales only. Service family accommodation (SFA) in Scotland is repaired and maintained by Turner Estate Solutions, Mrs. Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the regional prime contractor for Scotland, who repair Defence (1) what assessment he has made of the and maintain some 3,000 SFA properties in Scotland. adequacy of the environmental policy for bird protection on his Department’s land in Cyprus; It is not possible to provide information in the format [304188] requested, however, the total number of complaints received about the repair and maintenance service in (2) what account his Department’s policy on the Scotland for 2009 is provided in the following table. trapping of wild birds on its land in Cyprus takes of the provisions of the EU environmental legislation; Number of complaints [304191] (3) what legislative provisions of the EU Birds January 9 Directive apply to the Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) in February 9 Cyprus; and what steps are being taken to reduce levels March 7 of trapping and killing of wild birds in the SBAs. April 11 [304487] May 8 June 2 Mr. Kevan Jones: The provisions of the EU July 2 environmental legislation on the trapping of wild birds, August 1 contained in the EU Birds Directive, have been replicated September 4 within the Sovereign Base Areas through the enactment October 3 of the Game and Wild Birds Ordinance of 2008. The Sovereign Base Area Administration (SBAA) Armed Forces: Pensions has taken a policy decision to adopt all relevant EU legislation relating to the protection of the environment. Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for The SBAA is also committed to meeting the obligations Defence what pension is payable to a soldier who arising from the Bern Convention on the Conservation retires after 15 years in the British Army on 30 April of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, and will 1997 as a sergeant in a (a) Gurkha regiment and (b) introduce Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) next regiment recruited in the UK. [304704] year. 93W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 94W

The Sovereign Base Areas Police has mounted 64 Mrs. Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for operations and committed in excess of 3,900 hours this Defence what assessment he has made of trends in the year combating illegal trapping. This has resulted in 56 level of bird trapping through (a) liming and (b) mist arrests. The Sovereign Base Areas Administration works netting on his Department’s land in Cyprus in the last closely with the Game Fund of the Republic of Cyprus five years. [304189] and NGOs such as Birdlife Cyprus to exchange information and combine our efforts to tackle this activity. Education also plays a big part in the process, through Mr. Kevan Jones: The following tables provides the school and community liaison visits, and particularly number of offences detected by the sovereign base areas through our Environmental Centre at Akrotiri which police in each of the sovereign base areas over the past receives in the region of 10,000 visitors per year, five years. approximately 5,000 of whom are Cypriot school children.

Eastern sovereign base area 1 April 2009 to 1 April 2008 to 1 April 2007 to 1 April 2006 to 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2010 31 March 2009 31 March 2008 31 March 2007 31 March 2006

Arrests 21 19 28 24 17 Mist Nets 523 698 966 260 294 Lime-sticks 409 550 452 413 698

Western sovereign base area 1 January 2009 to 1 January 2008 to 1 January 2007 to 1 January 2006 to 1 April 2005 to 31 December 2009 31 December 2008 31 December 2007 31 December 2006 31 December 2005

Arrests 35 71 28 6 3 Mist Nets 12 23 25 1 0 Lime-sticks 309 268 196 50 0

DA Notices Mr. Quentin Davies: 15,000 Mk7 helmets have been ordered, of which 5,000 have been delivered to theatre. Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for A further 7,000 will be delivered to theatre early next Defence what criteria his Department applies in year. Defence Clothing is seeking to contract for more determining when to issue a D notice regarding troop Mk7 helmets to meet requirements over and above the 3,000 remaining from the original contract. movements; and if he will make a statement. [304550] Because helmets are a personnel issue item, theatre Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The Defence Advisory (DA) stocks will be continually replenished as service personnel Notice System provides guidance to the UK Media on return to the UK with their helmet at the end of their the public disclosure of sensitive national security tour of duty. information. It is an entirely voluntary system, is not Departmental Contracts supported by any form of sanction, and the advice offered under it can be accepted or rejected in whole or in part. The five standing DA Notices define the limits Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State of the System. DA Notice No 1—which deals with for Defence what contracts his Department has entered military operations, plans and capabilities—sets out the into since January 2009; and what the (a) name of the criteria applied to the public disclosure of information contracting company, (b) monetary value, (c) purpose about troop movements. Specifically, it asks that DA and (d) date of each was. [303350] Notice advice should be sought before publishing or broadcasting information about the: Mr. Quentin Davies [holding answer 1 December 2009]: ‘operational movements of .... individual units or formations I will place the requested information in the Library of (as distinct from routine movements unconnected with operations)’. the House. It is for the DA Notice Secretary to provide this advice Departmental Cost Effectiveness by applying the general guidance given in the DA Notices to specific public disclosure cases. In doing so, he seeks expert advice when necessary from appropriate Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence staffs and takes into account relevant information already what efficiency savings projects (a) his Department widely available in the public domain. and (b) its agencies put in place under the Operational Efficiency Programme; on what date each such project was initiated; how much each such project was expected to contribute to departmental savings; how Defence: Procurement much had been saved through each such project on the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for make a statement. [300926] Defence how many Mk7 helmets (a) have been ordered, (b) have been delivered to theatre and (c) are Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The MOD is firmly committed to planned to be delivered to theatre; and over what delivering the recommendations of the Operational period the latter are planned to be delivered. [304673] Efficiency Programme (OEP). My hon. Friend the Minister 95W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 96W for Veterans (Mr. Jones) has been appointed Value for (CSR07) VFM target to a total of £3.15 billion VFM Money (VFM) Minster and is supported by a board savings by 2010-11. There is no separate OEP target in composed of the Minister for Strategic Defence Acquisition this spending review period beyond this contribution to Reform, the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, the second the CSR07 £35 billion cross government target. permanent under-secretary and the directors general finance and strategy, ensuring senior ownership for By the end of FY 2008-09 MOD had achieved around driving efficiency throughout the Department. A single £650 million VFM savings. An indicative breakdown of programme has been established to deliver the VFM the initiatives that make up this figure, along with their agenda. anticipated savings by FY 2010-11 are described as MOD’s response to the OEP was a £450 million follows. increase in its comprehensive spending review 2007

£ million Initiative VFM savings at end of FY 2008-09 Approximate VFM savings expected by FY 2010-11

Improvements in corporate enabling 200 390 services Improvements in the way we support 70 253 defence equipment Driving down costs in the nuclear 60 178 warhead capability sustainment programme Savings following a review of 3.3 4.3 Headquarters British Forces Cyprus Drawdown in both military and civilian 114 114 personnel in Northern Ireland Reprioritisation of research 25 25 programmes Over-delivery from SR04 (agreed with 267 267 HMT)

Additional VFM savings are being delivered through Departmental Drinking Water the Department’s planning round, which includes discrete efficiency initiatives and allocative savings, where the Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Department has chosen to reprioritise its expenditure pursuant to the answer of 30 November 2009, Official to ensure its highest priority, delivering success on Report, column 415W, on departmental drinking water, operations, is supported most effectively. Further progress what the reasons are for the increase in expenditure will be reported in our autumn performance report, against the contract between November 2008 and October which will report VFM savings of around £1.2 billion in 2009. [304519] the first 18 months of the CSR07 period. We are therefore broadly on track for delivery of the £3.15 Mr. Quentin Davies: The increase towards the end of billion target. the 12 month period was primarily due to support to Work is also in progress to deliver the specific OEP Operation Panther’s Claw, including provision to members recommendations, which will contribute to the £9 billion of the Afghan national army and US forces. which will be delivered across Government in the next spending review. Progress to date includes: Departmental Security An annual benchmarking of Defence (including trading funds) finance, human resource, estates, information technology, and Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence back office costs; how many security passes his Department has issued to A review of several MOD assets (the Met Office, the Oil and contractors providing consultancy services in the last Pipelines Agency, the Defence Storage and Distribution Agency); 12 months. [303949] and Exploration of collaborative procurement opportunities. Mr. Kevan Jones: The requested information is not A number of VFM studies to explore further savings within held centrally and could be provided only at the Department. disproportionate cost. Departmental Taxis Departmental Domestic Visits Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many miles (a) Ministers and (b) officials Defence on how many occasions he visited (a) in his Department travelled by taxi in the course of their Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland in an official duties in each year since 1997; and at what cost official capacity in the last 12 months. [303486] to the public purse in each such year. [302713]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: I have visited Scotland four times, Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Taxis are used where it is the Wales twice and Northern Ireland twice in an official most cost-effective and economical way of conducting capacity in the last 12 months. business travel. The mileage accrued when travelling is 97W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 98W not recorded. Due to the way that expense data are confidentiality agreement between the parties. However, recorded, the Department is not able to identify expense I can say that genuine negotiations have taken place claims for taxi travel. This information could be provided between the parties respective counsels and a settlement only at disproportionate cost. proposal was made by the Ministry of Defence, although I cannot disclose the amount. To date, no response has Departmental Travel been received from the claimants’ counsel or the law firm representing them (Rosenblatts). This is obviously Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for disappointing, but we remain open to meaningful Defence on what date he last travelled by (a) bus and discussions. In the meantime, we have been left with no (b) taxi in the course of his official duties. [302737] option but to proceed with our appeal for which the High Court judge has given us permission. I understand Mr. Bob Ainsworth: I have not travelled by bus in the the appeal is listed for a three week window starting on course of my official duties, and last travelled by taxi on 4 May 2010. 30 July 2009. HMS Endurance Devonport Dockyard Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for when he expects HMS Endurance to be (a) repaired Defence how much his Department paid to Rolls Royce and (b) back on operations. [304360] for work on the refuelling capabilities of Devonport dockyard; and how much his Department originally Mr. Quentin Davies: I refer the hon. Member to the budgeted for the project. [304778] answer I gave to the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis) on 2 November 2009, Official Report, column Mr. Quentin Davies: The nuclear refuelling facilities 648W. at Devonport Royal Dockyard were upgraded as part of the D154 contract, to support Vanguard class submarine refits. Rolls-Royce was a subcontractor for this work; Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations the prime contractor was Devonport Management Ltd. The original budget for the Rolls-Royce element of Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence this work, when it first started in 1996-97, was £20.4 million. how many commercial (a) aeroplanes and (b) ships By the completion of the work in 2002, £126 million were hired to assist with the withdrawal of British had been paid to Rolls-Royce. forces from Iraq; and at what cost. [304364]

Ex-servicemen: Radiation Exposure Mr. Bob Ainsworth: A total of 62 commercial passenger aircraft flights were chartered to assist the withdrawal Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for of British forces from Iraq between 19 April and 31 Defence what legal costs have been incurred by his August 2009. The cost of these flights was £6.11 million. Department in the case of the nuclear test veterans (a) A total of 29 commercial freight aircraft flights were since the start of the litigation, (b) since 6 February chartered to assist the withdrawal of British forces from 2009, (c) in relation to the appeal alone and (d) for Iraq between 19 April and 31 August 2009. The cost of barristers’ fees. [302180] these flights was £1.77 million. No ships were hired specifically to assist with the Mr. Kevan Jones: The legal costs incurred in the case withdrawal of British forces from Iraq and there were of the nuclear test veterans are as follows: no costs in this area. The majority of equipment, vehicles and stores were withdrawn from Iraq on five sailings £ using the ro-ro ships operated by Foreland on behalf of (a) Total since the start of the litigation 2,661,225.10 the MOD under the 25-year private finance initiative (b) Since 6 February 2009 669,967.34 arrangement entered into in 1999. A limited quantity of (c) In relation to the appeal alone 189,338.23 equipment was transported back to the United Kingdom (d) Barristers’ fees alone 1,555,389.50 in containers under normal commercial arrangements with contractors using commercially scheduled sailings. These are the actual costs as invoiced to 27 November 2009. Low Flying In addition, the High Court ordered the Department to make an interim payment of £7,500,000 on account Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of of costs to the claimants’ legal representatives Rosenblatt State for Defence what his policy is on the low flying of Solicitors although the Ministry of Defence was given military aircraft over populated areas. [304913] leave to appeal the High Court judgment. At the conclusion of his judgment Mr. Justice Foskett Mr. Kevan Jones: To minimise disturbance pilots are said: instructed to avoid large centres of population, towns “The Government is, of course, pledged to settle legal cases by with over 10,000 inhabitants. Fixed wing aircraft are to alternative dispute resolution in all suitable cases whenever the avoid overflight of these areas below 2,000 feet minimum other party agrees to it. In my view, this is such a case.” separation distance (MSD). Light aircraft and rotary The Ministry of Defence has adhered to the judge’s wing are to avoid overflights below 1,000 feet MSD. wish but, unfortunately, I cannot reveal the contents of Aircraft conducting authorised flypasts may overfly the the negotiations because this would breach the area at 1,000 feet MSD if approved by MOD. 99W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 100W

Military Bases: Energy Bill Rammell: I have written to the hon. Member. A copy of this information was placed in the Library of Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for the House on 12 November 2009. Defence what steps he has taken to develop smart Trident Missiles power grids for UK military bases. [304478]

Mr. Kevan Jones: The Ministry of Defence is in the Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for process of better understanding its energy consumption Defence in which country the gas reservoirs for Trident through the introduction of smart metering on electricity, nuclear warheads are filled with tritium; and if he will gas and oil supplies and these may then have the potential make a statement. [303891] to link into smart grids as they develop across the UK. The Department has, however, not taken any steps so Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 3 December 2009]: far to introduce smart power grids on its estate but will This information is being withheld for the purpose of be considering “Smarter Grids: The Opportunity”published safeguarding national security. by the Department of Energy and Climate Change on 2 USA: Defence December 2009. NATO Response Force Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there have been any changes to the Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence range of nuclear weapons-related information and what units form the British commitment to the NATO material which can be exchanged between the US and the UK since 2003. [303888] Response Force in 2010. [304359]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: From January to June 2010, the Mr. Bob Ainsworth: I refer the hon. Member to the UK’s commitment to the NATO Response Force will be reply my predecessor gave on 2 March 2009, Official an Anti-Submarine Warfare Escort Ship and supporting Report, column 1370W to the hon. Member for North Logistic Ship; a Deployable Air Operating Base, with Devon (Nick Harvey), on a related question which six Fighter Bomber Aircraft, six Air Defence Aircraft, confirms there has been no extension to the scope of the two Airborne Early Warning Aircraft, two Air to Air Mutual Defence Agreement under which nuclear-related Refuelling Aircraft, and a Nuclear Biological and Chemical information and material can be exchanged between the Response Company. US and the UK. From July to December 2010, the UK will contribute an Anti-Submarine Warfare Escort Ship and a Mine Hunter Ship; six Air Defence Aircraft, six Fighter Bomber CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Aircraft, two Airborne Early Warning Aircraft, and two Air to Air Refuelling Aircraft. Anti-Semitism

Navy: Discharges Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent steps he has taken to Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for reduce the incidence of anti-Semitism in (a) football Defence how many people (a) requested and (b) were and (b) other sports; what recent representations he granted a discharge from the Royal Navy on grounds of has received on that matter; what recent meetings he ill health in the last five years. [304193] has had with the Football Association on that matter; and if he will make a statement. [303921] Mr. Kevan Jones: During the period November 2004 to November 2009 the Naval Service Medical Board of Mr. Sutcliffe: While I have received no recent Survey and Naval Service Medical Employability Board representations or held any recent meetings on the issue considered the cases of 835 Royal Navy personnel who of tackling anti-Semitism in sport, I remain fully committed expressed a desire to be invalided from the service. Of to a sporting landscape free from all forms of discrimination. this number 766 were discharged on medical grounds. To this end: Nigeria and Sierra Leone: Peacekeeping Operations (a) Football treats anti-Semitism as it does all forms of racism as an offence under the ground regulations, giving the clubs and Police powers to deal with it should it occur. The Football David T.C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Association’s (FA) close working relationship with the clubs, the Defence what expenditure his Department has incurred Police and the Crown Prosecution Service also ensures that all on engaging private security companies and private incidents of discrimination in football are brought to justice. In military companies for work undertaken in (a) Nigeria addition, The FA’s anti-Semitism and Islamophobia working and (b) Sierra Leone in each of the last three years. group, chaired by my hon. Friend the Member for Bassetlaw [304645] (John Mann) and established in July 2008, continues to explore the issues and make recommendations to the FA Board. With the Premier League and the Professional Footballer’s Association, Mr. Bob Ainsworth: None. the FA also provides funding for the “Kick It Out” campaign, Territorial Army which tackles anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination. (b) Other sports that receive Government funding through Sport England and UK Sport do so on the basis of their compliance Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with the Equality Standard for Sport. The standard forbids pursuant to the answers of 7 July 2009, Official Report, discrimination on the grounds of gender, marital status, race, columns 662-3W, on the Territorial Army, when he colour, religion, disability, age, occupation, religion or political expects to place the information in the Library. [304322] opinion other than that in accordance with legal justification. 101W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 102W

Departmental Public Relations the following statutory instruments (including regulations) which arise from obligations in EU law. Mr. Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, The Gambling Act 2005 (Repeal) (Remote Operating Licence Media and Sport what payments Sport England has and Credit) Regulations 2007—SI 2007/2321 made to (a) Blue Rubicon, (b) Edelman and (c) The Export of Objects of Cultural Interest (Control) (Amendment) FD-LLM and FD-Public Affairs in the last 12 months Order 2009–SI 2009/2164 for which figures are available; for what purpose; and if The Audiovisual Media Services Regulations 2009 - SI 2009/2979 he will place in the Library a copy of the contracts The Licensing Act 2003 (Premises licences and club premises under which such payments have been made. [305143] certificates) (Amendment) (Electronic Applications etc) Regulations 2009—SI 2009/3159 Mr. Sutcliffe: The information you have requested is Music: Finance not held centrally and is a matter for Sport England. Accordingly, I have asked the chief executive to write Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for to the hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood. Copies of Culture, Media and Sport with reference to the answer the reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. of 21 July 2009, Official Report, column 1557W, on music: finance (a) how much of the £500,000 funding Departmental Written Questions announced in December 2007 to set up music rehearsal spaces has now been (i) allocated and (ii) spent and (b) John Mason: To ask the Secretary of State for how many of the new rehearsal spaces are now open. Culture, Media and Sport how many questions tabled [304749] for answer on a named day his Department received in each of the last 12 months; and to how many such Mr. Simon: Although we continue to make good questions his Department provided a substantive progress on the development of these spaces in liaison answer on the day named. [305387] with our local authority and music industry partners, and expect to make further offers of grant shortly, for Mr. Simon: My Department1 received 515 parliamentary the moment the position remains as set out in the questions tabled for answer on a named day during the answer of 21 July 2009. last 12 months. The amount tabled for answer in each of the last 12 months and the number given a substantive Olympic Games 2012: East Sussex reply are in the table. Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Named day Number sent a substantive Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made questions tabled reply on the named day of the likely legacy from the London 2012 Olympics for 2008 participation in sport in East Sussex (a) in general and December 43 11 (b) by children under 14 years old. [304280]

2009 Mr. Sutcliffe: Since the publication of the Government’s Legacy Action Plan in June 2008, there has been significant January 45 15 progress on delivering our aims for a lasting community February 41 21 sport legacy from the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics March 53 23 across the UK. April 57 29 May 40 16 We are investing £480 million, through Sport England’s June 73 40 Whole Sport Plan process, in the National Governing July 35 15 Bodies (NGBs) of sport during the run up to the games, August 0 0 in order to drive up participation so 1 million more September 30 18 people are doing more sport. The PE and Sport Strategy October 53 36 for Young People sets out how the £780 million of November 45 36 DCMS and DCSF investment is targeted at getting more children to do five hours of sport per week. The 1Includes figures for named day parliamentary questions tabled huge range of programmes under these strategies will to the Minister for the Olympics. help to ensure that the sporting system in 2012 and My Department endeavours to answer all named day beyond is in the best shape possible. parliamentary questions on the allocated day but where In addition, regional partners are capitalising on this is not possible we aim to provide a substantive reply national programmes of delivery like Change 4 Life, at the earliest opportunity possible. Living Well and Free Swimming to encourage innovation through partnerships at all levels to create a real and EU Law lasting legacy from the 2012 games for East Sussex.

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Portland PR: Public Relations Culture, Media and Sport what (a) statutory instruments and (b) other regulations his Department Mr. Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, has brought forward in the 2005 Parliament to meet Media and Sport what payments the British Board of obligations arising from EU law. [304173] Film Classification has made to Portland PR in the last 12 months; for what purpose; and if he will place in the Mr. Simon: In this Parliament, Ministers in the Library a copy of the contract under which such Department for Culture, Media and Sport have made payments have been made. [305134] 103W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 104W

Mr. Simon: The British Board of Film Classification Stratagem: Public Relations is independent of Government and receives no public funding. We have no knowledge, powers or remit concerning Mr. Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, its contracts. Media and Sport what payments the Big Lottery Fund has made to Stratagem in the last 12 months; for what Scientists purpose; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the contract under which such payments have been Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for made. [305138] Culture, Media and Sport on how many occasions he has met (a) the Government Chief Scientific Adviser Mr. Simon: The information you have requested is and (b) his Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser in not held centrally and is a matter for the Big Lottery the course of his official duties in the last 12 months. Fund. [303962] Accordingly, I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member for Ruislip Northwood. Copies of Mr. Bradshaw: I have not met the Government Chief the reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses. Scientific Adviser in the last 12 months, however I regularly meet and take advice from the Department’s Tourism Chief Scientific Advisor who is in regular contact with him. Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made Sports: East of England of the revenue generated by tourism in the British uplands in each of the last five years. [303630] Mr. Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been allocated for Margaret Hodge: VisitBritain does not hold this expenditure per resident on sports and leisure facilities information in the form requested. We do however in each (a) district and (b) unitary local authority area know that spend on tourism in Cumbria in 2008 was 1 in the Eastern region in 2009-10. [303186] £68 million . Further statistics on tourism spend at county and town level are available on the VisitBritain Mr. Sutcliffe: The information requested is not held website at: centrally in the manner requested; to provide it would http://www.visitbritain.Org/insightsandstatistics/ incur disproportionate costs. visitorstatistics/inbound/regions/towns.aspx 1 Information taken from the Visit Britain website, based on the International Passenger Survey. Sports: Finance Tourism: Yorkshire and Humberside Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much his Department Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for spent on sport in (a) Yorkshire and the Humber and Culture, Media and Sport how much the Government (b) City of York local authority area in each year since has allocated for tourism promotion in Yorkshire and 1996-97. [304511] the Humber in each year since 1996-97. [304510]

Mr. Sutcliffe: The information is as follows: Margaret Hodge: Yorkshire Forward is the regional (a) Sport England’s figures on this breakdown go development agency (RDA) responsible for supporting back to 2002-03 and the following table shows the tourism in Yorkshire and the Humber. Prior to 2003, amount spent on sport in Yorkshire and the Humber in the Yorkshire Tourist Board held this responsibility and each year since then. This does not include the significant figures held by region are not available centrally. investment that will benefit Yorkshire and the Humber, Yorkshire Forward has estimated that the following and the city of York, through the £480 million worth of amounts were spent in supporting tourism in the region National Governing Body investment through Sport from 2003: England’s Whole Sport Plans. Amount (£ million) Financial year Region Total 2003-04 0.6 2002-03 Yorkshire 589,245 2004-05 1.7 2003-04 Yorkshire 309,748 2005-06 2.3 2004-05 Yorkshire 572,514 2006-07 3.9 2005-06 Yorkshire 6,027,852 2007-08 6.0 2006-07 Yorkshire 9,191,344 Source: 2007-08 Yorkshire 1,609,495 VisitBritain—British Tourism Framework Review, 2009 2008-09 Yorkshire 3,851,282 VisitBritain and Visit England additionally market 2009-10 Yorkshire 3,332,074 Britain overseas and England to British residents. This Grand total 25,483,554 promotion will benefit Yorkshire and the Humber. Source: The hon. Member may wish to write to the chief Sport England executive of Yorkshire Forward to discover if the regional (b) In addition, £149,800 was spent specifically in the development agency hold records for the period prior to city of York local authority area in 2008-09. 2003. 105W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 106W

UK School Games Support of staff—development meetings Resource support—development and production Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Training and support of Champion Ambassadors Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of Strategic review of competition pathways. 1 December 2009, Official Report, column 596W, on the UK School Games, under what budgetary headings the £350,000 paid for event management was spent; and to whom payments were made under each such JUSTICE heading. [304818] Ashwell Prison Mr. Sutcliffe: The Youth Sport Trust is responsible for the delivery of the UK School Games and was given Mr. Ronnie Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State a contribution of £130,000 to cover their costs. The for Justice on what date he expects the report on the YouthSport Trust contracted Fast Track with the delivery riot at HM Prison Ashwell to be published. [302182] of the four day event element of the UK School Games Mr. Straw: The National Offender Management Service and their fee was £220,000. (NOMS) has drawn up an action plan in response to each of the recommendations in the report, all of which Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for were accepted by Ministers. I placed a copy of the Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 1 action plan in the Libraries of the House in response to December 2009, Official Report, column 596W, on the a question from the hon. Member for Harborough UK School Games, how much was spent on work with (Mr. Garnier) on 11 November 2009, Official Report, each ambassador. [304819] column 462W. Mr. Sutcliffe: The Youth Sport Trust spent £28,000 It would not be appropriate to publish a restricted on work with 16 Athlete Ambassadors. report, containing sensitive information and while a police investigation is continuing. Key findings were, Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for however that the incident could not have been foreseen; Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 1 that the prisoners held at Ashwell were appropriate for December 2009, Official Report, column 596W, on the the prison; and that staffing levels were also appropriate. UK School Games, under what budgetary heading the A strategic review of Ashwell is well underway, and I £227,000 paid for event production, media, website etc. will report to the House once further decisions have was spent; and to whom payments were made under been taken. each such heading. [304820] C-NOMIS Database Project Mr. Sutcliffe: The Youth Sport Trust has provided Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice the following information: All payments were made whether any officials of his Department who were initially to Fast Track, which was responsible for event working on the C-NOMIS database project up until management. Fast Track then paid individual suppliers October 2008 have since moved to private organisations and contractors. who have won contracts from his Department in respect The promotional campaign and research, including of the C-NOMIS project. [300958] website design and publishing, economic impact study, design/artwork and branding cost £48,595. Maria Eagle: A senior manager who had worked on Media costs, including event photography, a contract the C-NOMIS project is on secondment to an incumbent with Sportsbeat, cuttings and evaluation were £27,747. supplier, which has had a contract change notice awarded. Production facilities, including sound equipment, lighting In addition, a senior manager employed by the probation and TV production cost £68,379. service and who was seconded to the National Offender Management Service to work on the NOMIS Programme Media management costs undertaken by the Youth has, following retirement, taken up employment with an Sport Trust and Fast Track were £82,688. incumbent supplier, which has had a contract change notice awarded. Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 1 December 2009, Official Report, column 596W, on what steps he is taking against officials in his Department the UK School Games, what payments were made to for not following Government procurement procedures national governing bodies; and what non-financial in respect of the C-NOMIS database project. [300957] support was provided to those bodies. [304821] Maria Eagle: Officials working on the C-NOMIS Mr. Sutcliffe: The Youth Sport Trust has provided project followed Government procurement procedures. the following information. Payments of between £40,000 and £45,000 were made Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for to hockey, athletics, badminton, fencing, gymnastics, Justice what estimate the C-NOMIS database project judo, swimming, table tennis, and volleyball. An additional board had made of the cost of the project in the period £10,000 went to disability sports: athletics, swimming, up to October 2007. [300959] table tennis, boccia. Maria Eagle: A C-NOMIS Project finance manager Non-financial support provided included: was recruited in late 2006. He undertook a comprehensive Training of staff review and informed the C-NOMIS project board that 107W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 108W the total cost of completion (one off investment and Courts: Domestic Violence ongoing live support until 2020) was estimated to be £690 million. The Minister, David Hanson MP, was Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for briefed accordingly and he stopped the project in 2007. Justice how much funding the Government has The National Offender Management Service has since allocated to specialist domestic violence courts in confirmed that the cost of the C-NOMIS project from England and Wales in each year since 2006. [303971] inception to December 2007 was £160.7 million (which excludes depreciation and cost of capital). The majority Maria Eagle: Specialist domestic violence courts are of this work has been re-used in the Prison-NOMIS based on a partnership approach to domestic violence project, which now forms part of the NOMIS Programme. by the police, prosecutors, court staff, the probation service and specialist support services for victims. They therefore involve the approach of the wider criminal Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for justice system, rather than simply a court building or Justice if he will initiate an inquiry into the application jurisdiction. Agencies work together to identify, track of Government procurement procedures in respect of and risk assess domestic violence cases, support victims the C-NOMIS database project. [300785] of domestic violence and share information better so that more offenders are brought to justice. Maria Eagle: Procurement of the C-NOMIS project The funding allocated by the Government to specialist was carried out in accordance with the public services domestic violence courts is for two components of the contracts regulations. system; Independent Domestic Advisers and Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conferences. In 2006-07, the Government allocated £3 million. In 2007-08 this figure rose to £4.85 Convictions : Personnel million. In 2008-09 and 2009-10 £6.1 million per year has been allocated for the continued roll-out of Independent Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Domestic Violence Advisers and Multi Agency Risk how many employees of his Department and its Assessment Conferences, some of which are not linked agencies were convicted of a criminal offence of each to specialist domestic violence courts. type in each year since 1997. [302188] All other components of the model are either met through existing services or by adapting existing work Mr. Straw: As the Ministry’s disciplinary processes practices. are devolved to a local level, there is no central recording Dangerous Driving: Invalid Vehicles of the total number of criminal convictions incurred by staff. To determine the number of employees convicted Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice of any criminal offences would require contacting all what programmes his Department has for people who work areas within the Ministry. To do so would incur have committed an offence of riding mobility scooters disproportionate cost. in a dangerous way. [302133] However, the Ministry’s conduct policy requires all employees to notify their managers about a criminal Mr. Khan: I have been asked to reply. conviction and, depending on the circumstances of the There is no offence in law of riding a mobility scooter case, disciplinary proceedings may be instigated at a in a dangerous manner, therefore there are no mandatory local level. Where such a procedure is invoked it is driver rehabilitation programmes in place. possible to identify employees with convictions. The Ministry collates this information centrally but the reasons Departmental Domestic Visits are not held in every case. David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for For the period 1997 to 2007 (up to the date of the Justice on how many occasions he visited (a) Scotland, establishment of the Ministry), the number of disciplinary (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland in an official cases related to convictions can be sourced only at a capacity in the last 12 months. [303490] disproportionate cost. Since 2007, the number of staff in the Ministry’s staff subject to formal disciplinary Mr. Straw: I made five official visits in total to action following receipt of a criminal conviction/police Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in the past caution is detailed in the following table: 12 months. The dates and reason for travel are listed. (a) Scotland Period Number of cases 16 April 2009 9May2007to8May2008 59 Regional Cabinet 9May2008to8May2009 36 (b) Wales 9May2009to31October2009 14 3 December 2009 - Speech on the Administration of Justice in Total 109 Wales 23 July 2009 - Regional Cabinet The total number of people employed by the Ministry 8 April 2009 - Visit to HMP Cardiff and Cardiff Magistrates’ of Justice varies from day-to-day. The cases above are Court from an employment population of circ. 79,840 in (c) Northern Ireland 2007-08 and 80,750 in 2008-09. The staff numbers used 7 September 2009 - Opening of the Legal Year in Northern are published headcount figures on 31 March 2009 held Ireland on the Office for National Statistics website at: All travel was made in accordance with the Ministerial http://www.statistics.gov.uk Code. 109W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 110W

Departmental Food by his Department that was produced in the UK in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [300191] Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the proportion of Claire Ward: Percentages of each product type used (a) lamb, (b) beef, (c) chicken, (d) pork, (e) turkey, by the Ministry of Justice that are produced in the UK (f) other meats, (g) vegetables and (h) fruit procured are shown in the following table:

Percentage MoJ-public Reference Category MoJ sector prisons MoJ-private prisons

Meat and poultry (a) Mutton and lamb 55 65 53 (b) Beef and veal 84 46 48 (c) Poultry meat 14 2 40 (d) Pork 70 18 36 (d) Bacon 4 0 28

Vegetables, salads and fruit (g) Ware potatoes—whole, unprepared 97 98 99 (g) Processed potatoes—for prepared both whole 66460 and cut (g) Roots and onions, e.g. carrots, parsnips, 97 66 77 onions, turnips and swedes (g) Brassicas, e.g. Brussels sprouts, cabbage and 80 55 78 cauliflower (g) Legumes, e.g. beans (broad), beans (runner and 74 1 24 dwarf), peas (green for market), peas (green for processing), peas (harvested dry) (g) Protected vegetables, e.g. tomatoes (round, 38 39 45 vine, plum and cherry), tomatoes (cold), cucumbers, lettuce, celery, sweet peppers (g) Other vegetables, e.g. asparagus, celery, leeks, 75 18 56 lettuce, watercress (h) Orchard fruit, e.g. dessert apples, culinary 40 0 12 apples, pears, plums (h) Soft fruit, e.g. strawberries, raspberries, 39 0 26 blackberries, blackcurrants

Her Majesty’s Court Service and headquarters buildings—locations Mr. Straw: The information is as follows: with centrally let catering contracts1 (a) Not in the last 12 months, and Ministry of Justice Number (b) 17 September 2009. Public sector prisons 128 Private prisons 11 Departmental Working Hours 1 There are no food contracts. This most recent information is contained in a Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Justice how many and what proportion of staff of his report for 2007-08 detailing the proportion of food Department, its executive agencies and non- grown or reared in the UK used by Whitehall Departments, departmental public bodies work flexibly or part-time; including that supplied to public sector prisons in England and what his Department’s policy is on making jobs and Wales under contracts negotiated by HM Prison available on a job-share or flexible basis. [301329] Service, now part of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS). Mr. Straw: In the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), the A copy of this report was placed in the House of number and proportion of staff who work part-time is Commons Library. A copy can be obtained using the shown in the following table. following link: Table of Part-timers and Full-timers in the Ministry of http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/policy/publicsectorfood/ documents/psfpi-datareport081125.pdf Justice

Part Full Departmental Travel Time Time (PT) PT (%) (FT) FT (%) Total

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Total 1,1259 14.1 68,604 85.9 79,863 Justice on what date he last travelled by (a) bus and Note: (b) taxi in the course of his official duties. [302724] ONS Data as at 30m June 2009 111W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 112W

These figures include civil servants employed in the constituency, (b) the East of England and (c) England MOJ, its executive agencies and Wales Office plus MOJ were disqualified from driving as a result of (i) drink staff on secondment to Scotland Office all of which are driving, (ii) speeding and (iii) dangerous or reckless recorded on the central HR databases. driving in each of the last 10 years. [302925] Managers consider all requests to work flexibly. Many of these requests for flexible working may be made Claire Ward: The number of disqualifications imposed informally and therefore will not be formally recorded. at all courts in the Bedfordshire police force area, the Information concerning how many staff participate in East of England Government office region and England such arrangements is not collated centrally and could for driving after consuming alcohol or taking drugs, not be provided without incurring disproportionate speed limit offences, dangerous and careless driving cost. offences, is given in Tables 1, 2 and 3 from 1998 to 2007 (latest available). In the MOJ all jobs are available on a job-share or flexible basis, unless there is a business reason why this There is no specific offence of reckless driving, thus cannot be granted. information included in the table is for offences of dangerous and careless driving. Driving Offences Court proceedings data are not available at parliamentary constituency level. Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Data for 2008 are planned for publication on 28 Justice how many people in (a) Mid Bedfordshire January 2010.

Table 1: The number of disqualifications imposed at all courts in the Bedfordshire police force area, for selected motoring offences, from 1998 to 20071,2 number of offences Offence type 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Dangerous driving 35 36 32 37 41 71 48 64 70 61 Driving etc. after 993 820 756 857 899 1,013 1,016 987 1,073 994 consuming alcohol or taking drugs Careless driving 17 13 22 42 34 37 28 34 47 48 Speed limit 158 121 126 138 117 289 238 441 355 258 offences Total 1,203 990 936 1,074 1,091 1,410 1,330 1,526 1,545 1,361 1 It is known that for some police force areas, the reporting of court proceedings, in particular those relating to summary motoring offences, may be less than complete. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfrom large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice. Table 2: The number of disqualifications imposed at all courts in the East of England Government office region1, for selected motoring offences, from 1998 to 20072,3 number of offences Offence type 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Dangerous driving 373 376 322 333 422 555 485 469 452 461 Driving etc. after 7,732 7,553 6,933 7,391 8,038 8,406 8,860 8,544 8,968 8,482 consuming alcohol or taking drugs Careless driving 149 141 162 221 256 260 253 288 279 274 Speed limit offences 1,705 1,772 1,403 1,591 1,450 1,497 1,477 1,870 1,609 1,375 Total 9,959 9,842 8,820 9,536 10,166 10,718 11,075 11,171 11,308 10,592 1 Includes: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk police force areas. 2 It is known that for some police force areas, the reporting of court proceedings, in particular those relating to summary motoring offences, may be less than complete. 3 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfrom large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice. Table 3: The number of disqualifications imposed at all courts in England, for selected motoring offences, from 1998 to 20071,2 number of offences Offence type 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 20043 2005 2006 2007

Dangerous 4,570 4,269 4,225 4,116 5,071 6,220 6,177 5,256 4,914 4,675 driving Driving etc. 80,332 77,827 74,697 73,685 79,310 81,139 84,669 81,107 81,461 78,503 after consuming alcohol or taking drugs Careless 1,423 1,445 1,478 1,861 2,026 1,988 2,240 2,164 2,085 2,232 driving Speed limit 11,565 11,551 10,695 10,951 8,739 9,330 9,582 9,875 8,977 7,917 offences 113W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 114W

Table 3: The number of disqualifications imposed at all courts in England, for selected motoring offences, from 1998 to 20071,2 number of offences Offence type 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 20043 2005 2006 2007

Total 97,890 95,092 91,095 90,613 95,146 98,677 102,668 98,402 97,437 93,327 1It is known that for some police force areas, the reporting of court proceedings, in particular those relating to summary motoring offences, may be less than complete. 2Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfromlarge administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 3Figures given include revised figures for Sussex police force area. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice.

Driving Offences: Norwich In addition to court fines, information provided by the Home Office on the number of fixed penalty notices Chloe Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (FPNs) issued by the police for speeding offences, in the how many fines for speeding offences have been (a) Norfolk police force area, for the period 1997 to 2007 issued to and (b) paid by residents of Norwich North (latest available) are provided in table 2. constituency in each year since 1997. [301700] It is not possible to separately identify FPNs issued to residents of Norwich, North constituency as the data Maria Eagle: Information held by the Ministry of reported to the Home Office are broken down by police Justice, on the Court Proceedings Database, on the force area only. Additionally, information on payment number of court imposed fines issued for speed limit rates of fixed penalty notices for speeding offences are offences in the Norfolk police force area, from 1997 to not available as the data reported to the Home Office 2007 (latest available) is given in table 1. Data held are not broken down by offence. Data for 2008 are centrally are not available at parliamentary constituency scheduled to be published in March 2010. level. Her Majesty’s Courts Service advise that it is not Court proceedings data for 2008 are planned for possible, from revenue received, to separately identify publication on 28 January 2010. fines registered by the courts for speeding offences.

Table 1: The number of fines imposed at all courts in the Norfolk police force area for speed limit offences1, from 1997 to 20072,3 Number of offences 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Number of fines 1,215 1,372 1,679 1,374 1,449 1,269 2,372 2,764 2,824 3,453 2,669 1 Offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 ss. 16, 81, 84, 86, 88 and 89; Motor Vehicles (Speed Limit on Motorways) Regs. 1973; Parks Regulation (Amendment) Act 1926 - byelaws made thereunder. 2 It is known that for some police force areas, the reporting of court proceedings in particular those relating to summary motoring offences, may be less than complete. 3 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfrom large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice Table 2: Number of fixed penalty notices issued in Norfolk police force area for speeding offences, 1997 to 20071 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Number of fixed penalty 4,895 5,379 9,267 4,783 5,166 17,116 31,640 26,938 25,117 24,985 24,878 notices issued 1 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extractedfrom large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Home Office Statistics

Drugs: Crime Number of persons found guilty at all courts for the possession and dealing of drugs in the Thames Valley police force area, 20071,2 Offence 2007 Mr. Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people have been convicted of Having possession of a controlled drug 1,310 offences of drug (a) possession and (b) dealing in (i) Having possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply 188 Reading East constituency and (ii) Berkshire in the last Supplying or offering to supply a controlled drug 65 12 months. [303328] 1The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which Claire Ward: Information showing the number of the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or persons found guilty at all courts for drug possession more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory and dealing in the Thames Valley police force area in maximum penalty is the most severe. 2Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and 2007 (latest available) is shown in the following table. complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police Data are not available at constituency or county level; forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection police force area data are given in lieu. processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Data for 2008 are planned for publication on 28 January Source: 2010. Justice Statistics Analytical Services - Ministry of Justice. 115W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 116W

East Sutton Park Prison: Prisoner Escapes for Disorder (PND) scheme. Given the range of other disposals available to the police and courts, we have Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for decided not to extend the scheme to any new offences at Justice what discussions he has had with the Prison this time. On 9 November, my right hon. Friend the Service on the transfer and subsequent absconsion of Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor Jane Andrews from HMP East Sutton; and if he will (Jack Straw) announced a review of the use of out of make a statement. [303207] court disposals including PNDs to look at whether they were being used inappropriately by the police and Crown Mr. Straw: Ministers would not be routinely informed Prosecution Service. about the transfer of a prisoner from one open prison Hollesley Bay Prison to another, and I was not informed in this case. I was informed that this prisoner had absconded, my office was regularly briefed during the time she was unlawfully Mr. Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for at large, and I was informed when she was apprehended Justice (1) whether any prisoners convicted of murder by Kent Police. An investigation into her abscond is are being held at HMP Hollesley Bay; [302251] under way. The interim report should be completed by (2) whether any prisoners serving life sentences are 3 December. being held at HMP Hollesley Bay; [302252] (3) what categories of prisoner are held at HMP Females: Prisoners Hollesley Bay. [302253]

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Maria Eagle: There are currently 17 prisoners convicted what progress he has made in the implementation of the of murder at HMP Hollesley Bay. recommendations of the Corston Report on women There are currently 34 prisoners serving indeterminate with particular vulnerabilities in the criminal justice sentences. Of these 26 have life sentences, seven have system. [300952] imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentences and one has a detention for public protection (DPP) sentence. Maria Eagle: The Government are committed to diverting vulnerable women, who are not serious or All prisoners at Hollesley Bay are category D. dangerous offenders, from custody. Our strategy is to Transfer of any prisoner to open conditions will only strengthen services in the community, tackling the complex take place if continued detention in closed conditions is needs of women who offend and offering viable alternatives no longer necessary for the protection of the public. to custody; and to ensure that those who do go to Open conditions allow prisoners to find work, re-establish prison are treated in ways that are informed by their family ties and reintegrate into the community. All needs and are gender sensitive. these are essential components for successful resettlement In line with this approach this year we have awarded and an important factor in protecting the public. 31 grants to third sector organisations to develop additional Homicide: Prisoners Release services in the community for women offenders or those at risk of offending. The Together Women Projects will also continue to meet the multiple and complex needs Mr. Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice of women in the community. how many people convicted of murder and subsequently released on compassionate grounds since 1993 have Along side this the National Offender Management died (a) within three months of and (b) more than Service implemented new full search arrangements that three months after their date of release. [303545] take a risk based approach reducing the frequency of full searches. In addition, gender specific standards Maria Eagle: We do not hold this information centrally, which ensure an appropriate response to women prisoners to provide this information would require a manual were implemented in all women’s prisons this year. examination of paper records and inquiries with agencies A full progress update will be made to Parliament responsible for the prisoners’ health and welfare following this December. their release at a disproportionate cost. Fixed Penalties: Royal Parks Immobilisation of Vehicles

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer of 10 March 2009, Justice how much his Department and its predecessor Official Report, column 241W, on fixed penalties: have paid in vehicle clamping charges incurred on (a) Richmond Park, what progress has been made on privately-owned and (b) publicly-owned land in each determining a timeframe for implementing regulations of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. to establish fixed penalties for nuisance offences in [302743] Richmond Park. [303017] Mr. Straw: The policy of the Ministry is that the Claire Ward: I refer the hon. Member to the answer vehicle user is personally responsible for any fines incurred given on 10 March 2009, Official Report, column 243W, while the vehicle is allocated to them, including associated by the Minister of State, my hon. Friend the Member administration charges where applicable. This includes for Liverpool, Garston (Maria Eagle), the Government fines incurred by other users to whom the user has have decided not to proceed with proposals to add the authorised use of the car i.e. additional drivers. The regulations which prohibit littering, dog-fouling and Ministry has not therefore incurred any expenditure on illegal cycling in the Royal Parks, to the Penalty Notice vehicle clamping charges. 117W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 118W

Legal Services Commission: Fees and Charges Professor Michael Moss, Professor of Archival Studies at the University of Glasgow Mr. Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of Right hon. the Lord Roper, Formerly Chief Whip for the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords State for Justice what interest rate the Legal Services Commission is allowed to charge when taking Ms. Janet Smith, County Archivist of Hampshire possession of houses; and if he will make a statement. Mr. Ian Soutar, Formerly British Ambassador to Bulgaria and [303552] Ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament, Geneva Ms. Stephanie Williams, Author, Journalist and user of archives Maria Eagle: Members of the public who receive civil legal aid for a money or property dispute, and who National Offender Management Service: Information succeed in obtaining a financial benefit from their case, and Communications Technology are required to repay their legal aid costs, so resources can be recycled to help others. If someone is unable to Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice repay their legal aid costs immediately, these can be what recent assessment his Department has made of the postponed as a statutory charge on their property. adequacy of arrangements for co-ordination of information Where charges are postponed against property, persons and technology systems available to the Probation Service. are not obliged to make any repayments, or to repay the [301253] charge in full until their financial circumstances change, or the property changes hands. The Legal Services Maria Eagle: The assessment of Information Technology Commission will not force anyone to sell their home. (IT) systems available to the National Probation Service However, in order to encourage clients to repay their (NPS) is co-ordinated by the NPS ICT Board, supported postponed charge where they can, the charge accrues by the ICT Business team who consider the systems simple interest, the rate for which is set out in regulations. available. The current rate is 8 per cent. A written ministerial Senior probation managers are regularly consulted statement was made concerning this issue by my right about the adequacy of current IT systems as part of a hon. Friend the Minister of State for Justice (Mr. Wills) wider consultative process intended to support business on 8 June 2009, Official Report, columns 23-24WS. planning. IT system development takes place with the authority Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Council of the NPS ICT Board—once a project has been commissioned, there is a requirement to submit a monthly Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for report, detailing progress to date, the current financial Justice who the members are of the Lord Chancellor’s position and highlighting any significant risks or issues Advisory Council; and what the relevant qualifications facing the project. are of each of them. [304149] A recent example of arrangements for co-ordinated delivery of an IT system within NPS is the NOMIS Mr. Wills: As of December 2009, the members of the Programme, which encompasses five projects, three of Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Council on National Records which will directly benefit the probation service, as and Archives are: follows: Chairman: Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, Master of the Rolls Probation Case Management System (PCMS) will replace a Ms. Else Churchill, Genealogy Officer of the Society of variety of probation systems with a centralised version based on a Genealogists redevelopment of the existing Delius system; Professor Harry Dickinson, Emeritus Professor of British A data sharing system will be developed and implemented, History, University of Edinburgh enabling staff in both probation and in the prisons, to share core Dr. Jeevan Deol, Affiliated Research Associate, Faculty of information required to support Offender Management; and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Cambridge The two existing Offender Assessment Systems (OASys), used Right hon. the Viscount De L’Isle MBE, DL. Owner of the by prisons and probation, will be replaced by an improved, De L’Isle and Sidney family papers at the Centre for Kentish centralised system that will also have an interface with PCMS. Studies and Penshurst Place Sir David Durie KCMG, Retired, formerly Governor and Offenders: Mentally Ill Commander in Chief of Gibraltar Dr. Clive Field OBE, Honorary Research Fellow at the University John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for of Birmingham, formerly Director of Scholarship and Collections Justice whether training is provided to prison service at the British Library staff on working with mentally ill female offenders. Ms. Christine Gifford, Information Rights expert and Founding [302327] Director of Public Partners and Gifford Owen Dr. Jennifer Haynes, Archives and Manuscripts Manager at Maria Eagle: Training for newly recruited prison the Wellcome Library officers provides officers with an understanding of mental Mr. Graeme Herd, Head of Information Technology at Slough health disorders and how to respond effectively to all Borough Council prisoners (including women) experiencing mental ill Professor Arthur Lucas CBE, Emeritus Professor of Science health. Further training is available to prison officers Curriculum Studies at, and was formerly Principal of, Kings throughout their career depending on their role within College London their prison. Training makes specific reference to issues Ms Catherine Maxwell Stuart, Owner of the private family affecting women, where appropriate. All training provides and estate archive at Traquair House, Innerleithen, Peeblesshire prison officers with the knowledge to identify offenders Professor Heidi Mirza, Professor of Equalities Studies in with mental health issues and refer to appropriate health Education at the Institute of Education, University of London care professionals. 119W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 120W

Prison Service Order 4800, published in April 2008 Percentage of places for implementation in all women’s prisons in 2009, Places that are not that are not being provides a set of gender specific standards for women Prison name being used used prisoners. The standards draw from existing best practice and cover all areas of regime provision including reception Downview 6 2 into custody, day to day living in the prison environment Drake Hall2 36 11 and planning for resettlement, as well as discrete groups Durham 36 4 of women. The main thrust of the standards is about East Sutton Park2 10 10 being sensitive and responsive to gender specific needs Eastwood Park2 44 12 and addressing them appropriately, in particular through Edmunds Hill 9 2 the positive engagement of staff. It is largely a case of Elmley 2 0 good staff training and support, and the introduction Erlestoke 7 1 of the Women’s Awareness Staff Programme training Everthorpe 12 2 has therefore been key. Exeter 27 5 Featherstone 5 1 Prison Accommodation Feltham1 119 16 Ford 7 1 Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Forest Bank 7 1 Justice how many and what proportion of cells in each Foston Hall2 60 21 prison in England and Wales were unoccupied on the Frankland 50 6 most recent dates for which figures are available; and Full Sutton 16 3 for what reasons such cells are not in use. [301249] Garth 14 2 Gartree 2 0 Mr. Straw: The following table shows the number Glen Parva 24 3 and proportion of places that constitute each prison’s Gloucester 4 1 operational capacity that are not being used for the Grendon 6 3 ordinary accommodation of prisoners on 30 October Guys Marsh 3 1 2009. Haslar 18 11 Haverigg 2 0 Percentage of places Hewell 49 3 Places that are not that are not being Highdown 4 0 Prison name being used used Highpoint 3 0 Acklington 6 1 Hindleyl 101 23 Albany 0 0 Hollesley Bay 3 1 Altcourse 38 3 Holloway2 59 12 Ashfield1 134 34 Holme House 10 1 Ashwell 4 2 Hull 19 2 Askham Grange 10 8 Huntercombe1 120 33 Aylesbury 7 2 Kennet 3 1 Bedford 17 3 Kingston 3 2 Belmarsh 16 2 Kirkham 1 0 Birmingham 12 1 Kirklevington 10 4 Blantyre House 1 1 Lancaster 11 5 Blundeston 12 2 Lancaster Farms 9 2 Brinsford 37 7 Latchmere House 6 3 Bristol 10 2 Leeds 27 2 Brixton 26 3 Leicester 22 6 Bronzefield2 23 5 Lewes 44 6 Buckley Hall 4 1 Leyhill 15 3 Bullingdon 1 0 Lincoln 53 7 Bullwood Hall 3 1 Lindholme 14 1 Camp Hill 8 1 Littlehey 15 2 Canterbury 6 2 Liverpool 106 7 Cardiff 15 2 Long Lartin 3 0 Castington1 70 17 Low Newton2 53 16 Channings Wood 2 0 Lowdham Grange 6 1 Chelmsford 28 4 Maidstone 0 0 Coldingley 12 2 Manchester 22 2 Cookham Wood1 20 17 Moorland 22 3 Dartmoor 3 0 Moorland Open 4 2 Deerbolt 19 4 Morton Hall 19 5 45 4 Mount 4 1 Dorchester 15 6 New Hall2 82 18 Dovegate 0 0 North Sea Camp 7 2 Dover 7 2 Northallerton1 34 13 121W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 122W

of the prison and therefore it is appropriate to include Percentage of places Places that are not that are not being them in the calculation. Reductions in operational capacity Prison name being used used because accommodation is not available for current use (for example, because of sustained damage, as in the Norwich 24 3 case of HMP Ashwell, or substantial refurbishment Nottingham 1 0 programmes) have been discounted. Onley 14 2 The level of unoccupied cells does not reflect the level Parc 13 1 of free, useable capacity in the estate. Places might be Parkhurst 7 1 temporarily out of use, for example, where a cell has Pentonville 96 8 been damaged or is under going short term maintenance. Peterborough 70 7 Some places cannot be used because they are in double Portland 22 4 cells required for single occupancy following a safety Prescoed 1 1 risk assessment. More generally, the demographics of Preston 116 14 the population mean that it is impossible in practice to Ranby 10 1 make use of every operationally viable place. This is Reading1 32 11 reflected in the operating margin: an allowance of 2,000 Risley 9 1 places that is removed from total operational capacity Rochester 6 1 figures to provide the estate’s useable operational capacity. Rye Hill 12 2 The above table suggests that there is useable headroom Send 10 4 of around 1,000 places in the estate, which is the current Shepton Mallet o 0 difference between useable operational capacity and the Shrewsbury 9 3 population. Spring Hill 16 5 Stafford 2 0 Prison Accommodation: Sussex Standford Hill 4 1 Stocken 5 1 Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for 1 Stoke Heath 69 10 Justice how many prisoner places are available at each 2 Styal 63 14 prison serving the Sussex area when at full capacity; Sudbury 0 0 and how many prisoners were serving sentences at each Swaleside 0 0 such prison on the latest date for which figures are Swansea 0 0 available. [304758] Swinfen Hall 4 1 Thorn Cross 29 9 Mr. Straw: The following table gives the numbers of Usk 1 0 prisoners serving sentences in the two prison establishments Verne 5 1 in Sussex at the end of June 2009, the latest date for Wakefield 8 1 which figures are available: Wandsworth 0 0 Warren Hill1 38 17 Establishment Wayland 8 1 Ford Lewes Wealstun 4 1 Wellingborough 5 1 Operational capacity 557 723 Werrington1 32 20 Sentenced population 529 451 Wetherby1 67 16 Held on remand and civil offenders 0 213 Whatton 5 1 Total held in custody 529 664 Whitemoor 5 1 Places available 28 59 Winchester 4 1 Wolds 2 1 The operational capacity of a prison is the total number of prisoners that an establishment can hold Woodhill 6 1 taking into account control, security and the proper Wormwood Scrubs 0 0 operation of the planned regime. It is determined by Wymott 10 1 area managers on the basis of operational judgment Total 2,944 3 and experience. 1 Identifies those prisons whose predominant function is to hold juveniles or which hold juveniles These figures have been drawn from administrative 2 Identifies those prisons whose predominant function is to hold IT systems which, as with any large scale recording female prisoners system, are subject to possible errors with data entry The total number of unoccupied places according to and processing. the table is approximately 3,000. This represents the difference between the total operational capacity of the Prison Visitors: Drugs estate and the population (at the end of October). In some cases, prisoners will be held in accommodation that does not feature in a prison’s operational capacity Mr. Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (for example, are temporarily located in a segregation how many visitors to prisons were found to be in unit or in the health care centre, units that do not possession of illegal drugs in 2007-08; how many such usually feature in operational capacity) or will be on visitors were referred to the police; and what steps were temporary licence. However, these prisoners would taken in respect of those not referred to the police. ordinarily be accommodated in the general accommodation [302260] 123W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 124W

Maria Eagle: The data are not available in the format Maria Eagle: NOMS’ central reporting systems do requested. not record this type of information. The only way to It is the National Offender Management Service’s obtain this type of information would be to contact all policy for all prison visitors found in possession of Prison Service establishments, requesting a check of illicit drugs to be referred to the police. As a result of their local records. This would incur disproportionate which in 2007-08 the police made 424 arrests of prison cost. Details of prosecutions and convictions, moreover, visitors the majority of which would have been for drug are not directly the responsibility of NOMS. offences. However, from April 2009, indictable and triable-either- Irrespective of the subsequent action taken by the way offences contained in the Offender Management police, prisons will impose visiting bans and/or closed Act have been included in the Home Office Counting visits on the visitor concerned. The precise measures Rules for Recorded Crime. Offences recorded by police imposed will be decided locally, on a case-by-case basis will be published in next year’s annual statistical bulletin, dependant on the precise circumstances of the incident. Crime in England and Wales (July 2010). These measures can also be imposed on the basis of suspicion, without the visitor found to be in possession Prisons: Alcoholic Drinks of drugs. These figures have been drawn from administrative Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice data systems. Although care is taken when processing how many instances of alcohol abuse were reported in and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject each prison in England in each of the last five years. to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording [303546] system. The data are not subject to audit. Maria Eagle: Instances of alcohol use in prisons are Prisoner Escapes treated as a miscellaneous incident and recorded centrally on the Prison Service Incident Reporting System. These Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice incident reports are currently in a format that cannot how many category D prisoners have absconded from readily be interrogated electronically. To provide the prison in each of the last five years. [304756] information requested would involve the manual inspection of more than 100,000 incident records which could only Maria Eagle: Data are shown in the following table of be achieved at disproportionate cost. The National prisoners who have absconded from open prisons in Offender Management Service has in place a strategy to England and Wales in the last five years broken down reduce both the supply and the demand for alcohol with by (a) year (b) number of absconds. a comprehensive range of security measures and searching Number of absconds from all prisons in England and Wales in each of the last techniques to detect items of contraband, including five years alcohol, and prevent smuggling into establishments. It Number of absconds (all prisons— is a criminal offence to convey alcohol into prison and England and Wales) prisoners caught in possession of alcohol within prison 2004-05 877 will face disciplinary action. Alcohol consumption is a 2005-06 709 cause of criminality in society and many prisons have 2006-07 555 programmes in place to assist prisoners to lessen their 2007-08 513 dependence on alcohol. 2008-09 362 Prisons: Drugs The number of absconds has been falling year on year. Last year was the lowest number of absconds on record. Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for All prisoners are assessed for suitability to be categorised Eastleigh of 11 November 2009, Official Report, as category D before allocation to an open prison. Open columns 492-4W, on prisons: drugs, how many prisons monitor prisoners’ attitude and behaviour for prisoners have tested positive for drugs on (a) one, (b) indicators of potential to abscond, however not all two, (c) three and (d) four or more occasions in each incidents of abscond can be predicted. prison in 2008-09. [303464] Following an abscond, the incident is reported to the police. The current rate of arrest and return to custody Maria Eagle: The information is not held centrally. is 96 per cent. To provide the data would require a detailed investigation These figures have been drawn from administrative into each prison’s mandatory drug testing records, which data systems. Although care is taken when processing would be at disproportionate cost. and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice system. how many body orifice security scanners are (a) installed and (b) in use in each prison. [303547] Prisons Maria Eagle: This year NOMS purchased and delivered Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice at least one BOSS chair to every prison that did not with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for already have one, with the exception of immigration Eastleigh of 27 October 2009, Official Report, column removal centres, where the use of mobile phones is not 334W, on prisons: convictions, for what reasons the prohibited. Some chairs have since been moved between information requested is not held. [303463] prisons to better match local risk. 125W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 126W

In a survey of BOSS chair usage between 17 and 25 While the searching of visitors and staff will be September, 115 prisons reported that the BOSS chair carried out in all prisons, the level and frequency of was in use. Reasons for non-operation included awaiting such searching at individual establishments is determined building work to accommodate the chair, and chairs by local security and control needs and this is set out in awaiting repair or return from repairs. The pattern of each prison’s local searching strategy. use will vary over time and it is not possible to say how In the majority of prisons, this will mean a programme many BOSS chairs are operational on any given day. of routine searches of both staff and visitors in addition NOMS Headquarters have not mandated how BOSS to searches based on suspicion or on receipt of intelligence. chairs must be used. As is the case for many searching In some prisons, particularly some open prisons, a technologies and techniques, the decision on how to use better use of resources may be achieved by carrying out the BOSS chairs is for individual Governors to make, only targeted, intelligence-led or random search and will depend on their local circumstances, including programmes. their existing local searching strategies. The relevant Prison Service Instruction (PSI) states: Reoffenders “The frequency of searches using the BOSS and policies for its use are for local discretion”. Prisons deploy a range of activities and equipment, Dr. Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice including hand-held detection wands, as effective alternatives what the recidivism rate is for offenders convicted of to BOSS chairs. (a) drug-related crime and (b) all other crimes. [303036] Mr. Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice in which prisons the searching of (a) visitors and (b) Claire Ward: Table 1 shows the one year adult reoffending staff is not mandatory; and if he will make a statement. rates for offenders in England and Wales released from [303549] custody in the first quarter (1 January to 31 March) of the years 2000 to 2007, who commenced a court order Maria Eagle: The National Offender Management under probation supervision, or who were discharged Service’s (NOMS) policy requires that in all prisons, from a custodial sentence given for a drug-related offence. procedures are in place for the searching of prisoners, The table shows the proportion of offenders who committed staff, domestic, official and professional visitors and at least one further offence and the frequency of offences contractors and that this is set out as part of a written per 100 offenders. It also shows reoffending rates for the local security strategy agreed with the regional manager. whole cohort.

Table 1: One-year reoffending rates, offenders commencing a court order or discharged from a custodial sentence, 2000-07 who were convicted for a drug-related offence Number of offenders Actual reoffending rate (Percentage) Number of offences per 100 offenders

Drug-related offences 2000 Q1 3,045 31.1 92.9 2002 Q1 2,802 32.3 119.7 2003 Q1 2,822 33.2 117.4 2004 Q1 2,793 29.4 102.4 2005 Q1 2,591 31.4 100.5 2006 Q1 3,353 28.7 86.8 2007 Q1 3,390 30.6 93.1

All offences 2000 Q1 42,734 43.0 185.0 2002 Q1 43,247 45.5 212.7 2003 Q1 44,095 45.4 205.3 2004 Q1 46,532 42.9 181.3 2005 Q1 43,429 41.2 165.7 2006 Q1 50,281 38.6 144.0 2007Q1 50,085 39.0 147.3 Notes: 1. Data for 2001 are unavailable due to problems with archived data. 2. Any offences committed in the one-year follow up period are not necessarily of the same offence type as the index.

Please note that drug-related offences includes Further information on the one-year rates of reoffending offences for importing and exporting drugs, for production can be found at: and supply of drugs, and for drugs possession and small scale supply. There may be a range of offences that http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/reoffendingof adults.htm have a drug-related element which are not included in The figures for reoffences include offences of all these data, but are contained within another offence types. An offender whose original offence was drug-related group. and who reoffended, may not have committed any more The table does not show reoffending rates for all drug-related offences. drug-related crime as offenders only enter the cohort when they were convicted for their drug-related offence. 127W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 128W

Sentencing Over six Over weeks and three up months Six including and less Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice weeks or to three than six Six (1) how many prisoners sentenced to a custodial term less months months months Total of three months served (a) three months, (b) six weeks or less and (c) one week or less in each year since 1997; 1999 80 6,400 1,000 10 7,500 [302312] 2000 90 6,500 1,000 10 7,600 2001 80 6,300 1,000 20 7,400 (2) how many prisoners sentenced to a custodial 2002 120 6,400 800 10 7,400 term of six months served (a) six months, (b) three 2003 170 6,200 600 10 7,000 months or less and (c) six weeks or less of their 2004 110 6,200 600 10 6,900 sentence in each year since 1997. [302313] 2005 60 5,500 600 10 6,100 2006 50 4,900 600 10 5,500 2007 70 5,000 600 10 5,700 Claire Ward: Automatic release at the halfway point 2008 60 5,000 590 20 5,700 of sentence was introduced by the Criminal Justice Act 1991. Prisoners who are sentenced to three months Numbers below 1,000 have been rounded to the therefore normally serve six weeks in prison and prisoners nearest 10. Numbers over 1,000 have been rounded to who are sentenced to six months normally serve three the nearest 100. months in prison. Adult prisoners sentenced to less These figures have been drawn from administrative than 12 months are not subject to supervision by the IT systems which, as with any large scale recording probation service on release from custody. However, system, are subject to possible errors with data entry they are ‘at risk’ of return to custody by the courts, to and processing. serve the unexpired portion of the sentence, if they commit an imprisonable offence before the expiry date Young Offenders: Education of the original sentence. Young offenders (those under the age of 22 released from a term of detention in a YOI) are subject to a minimum of three months supervision. Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Juvenile prisoners sentenced to a detention and training how much was spent on the provision of educational order are supervised as part of the conditions of these courses for offenders serving custodial sentences in the sentences. latest 12 month period for which figures are available. [303775] The actual amount of time served in prison, following sentence, will depend on a number of factors, including Maria Eagle: Offender Learning and Skills Service time spent as a remand prisoner or credit for time spent (OLASS) in England on 31 July 2006. OLASS funds the on tagged bail if directed by the court, any added days delivery of skills for offenders (aged 15 and over) held and release on either home detention curfew or end of in English Public Sector prisons for both sentenced custody licence. prisoners and those held on remand. The allocation for the provision of education for Data for 1997 and 1998 are not available. prisoners aged 15 to 17 in public sector young offender For those prisoners discharged between 1999 and institutions in England in the academic year 2008/09 2008 having been sentenced to three months, the amount was £19.4 million. The allocation for adult prisoners of time served is shown in the following table. (post 18) held in English Public Sector prisons for the academic year 2008/09 was £142 million. Over six In Wales, from April 2006, commissioning responsibilities weeks and for offender learning and skills provision became the One Six less than week or weeks three Three responsibility of Director of Offender Management in less or less months1 months Total Wales. The allocation for adult prisoners held in Welsh Public Sector prisons for the academic year 2008/09 was 1999 10 3,600 4,100 20 7,700 £2.3 million. Responsibilities for learning and skills 2000 10 3,700 4,000 10 7,800 provision for those in custody in Wales transferred to 2001 20 3,500 3,700 20 7,200 the Welsh Assembly Government with effect from 1 April 2002 20 3,800 3,200 30 7,000 2009. 2003 20 3,500 3,100 50 6,600 2004 20 3,100 3,300 50 6,500 Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 2005 20 2,100 3,300 50 5,400 what language courses are offered to offenders serving 2006 10 1,200 3,300 70 4,600 custodial sentences. [303776] 2007 10 1,300 3,000 90 4,300 2008 10 700 3,200 80 3,900 Maria Eagle: Courses in French, German, Spanish, 1 Around 90 per cent. of prisoners in the over six weeks and less than British Sign Language and English for speakers of three months category have served within two to three days of exactly other languages are offered through the Learning and six weeks. Skills Council’s Offender Learning and Skills Service to offenders in English Public Sector prisons. During the For those prisoners discharged between 1999 and last 12 months, offenders in custody have studied Open 2008 having been sentenced to six months, the amount University courses in French, German, Spanish and of time served is shown in the following table. Italian. 129W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 130W

In Wales, taught courses are available in English ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE Literature and Language, along with Welsh, French and German in some prisons. Self study and distance Caparo Group learning are also available for a variety of languages as requested. Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for The central aim of the Offenders’ Learning and Skills Energy and Climate Change whether his Department Service (OLASS) is to improve each offender’s chances holds any contracts with any of the companies forming of gaining sustainable employment, thus contributing part of the Caparo Group. [302866] to a reduction in re-offending rates. Having the right skills and qualifications has a positive impact on offenders’ Joan Ruddock: The Department of Energy and Climate well-being and ability to adopt a positive role in society. Change, does not hold any contracts with any of the Learning also has an intrinsic value in its own right—and companies forming part of the Caparo Group. some learning has the effect of stimulating and encouraging participation and further learning. Language teaching Carbon Sequestration and learning has this engaging and progression supporting effect —and in some cases have direct employability impacts. Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what projects to deploy carbon capture and storage technology are taking part Young Offenders: Sentencing in the competition for funding for this technology. [303394]

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Joan Ruddock: There are two projects taking part in Justice how much was spent on (a) custodial and (b) the current competition launched in 2007 to support a community sentences for people under the age of 18 commercial-scale demonstration of carbon capture and years resident in each Youth Offending Team area in storage technology on a coal fired power station. Eon the last five years for which figures are available. and Scottish Power are each leading the project. [303589] Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many projects to Maria Eagle: The Youth Justice Board (YJB) has deploy carbon capture and storage technology have responsibility for purchasing all the places within the expressed an interest to his Department in being part secure estate for children and young people. The requested of the competition for funding for this technology. information is not recorded centrally by YOT area. [303395] Community sentences for those aged under 18 are provided by Youth Offending Teams (YOTs). YOTs are Joan Ruddock: There were nine bids in the pre- funded from a range of central and local sources and qualification stage in the current demonstration competition data are not collected centrally on what proportion of launched in 2007. this funding is spent on community sentences Climate Change

Youth Custody Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what agreements were Ms Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice made at the G8 Summit in L’Aquila on energy and how many children aged 10 to 17 years were given a climate change related matters. [304467] custodial sentence after pleading guilty to a first time offence in each of the last three years. [303452] Joan Ruddock: The energy and climate change agreements made at the G8 summit in L’Aquila can be found in the G8 Communiqué entitled ‘Responsible Maria Eagle: The following table shows the number Leadership For A Sustainable Future’, accessible of offenders under 18, with no previous reprimand, electronically at: warning or conviction, who received an immediate custodial http://www.g8italia2009.it/static/G8_Allegato/ sentence in the three years 2006-07 to 2008-09. Data on G8_Declaration_08_07_09_final,0.pdf guilty pleas in relation to first offenders are not available. The relevant paragraphs are: 39-44, 60-93. These figures have been drawn from the police’s administrative IT system, the police national computer, which, as with any large scale recording system, is Coal Authority: Cap Gemini subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. The figures are provisional and subject to change as Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for more information is recorded by the police. Energy and Climate Change what the monetary value of contracts between the Coal Authority and Cap First-time under-18 offenders Gemini (a) was in each of the last five financial years receiving custodial sentence and (b) is in 2009-10. [303389] 2006-07 374 2007-08 396 Mr. Kidney: Expenditure under the Coal Authority’s 2008-09 377 contract with Capgemini over the last five financial years was as follows: 131W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 132W

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for £ million Energy and Climate Change how many households he 2004-05 2.7 expects to be included in the Pay as You Save pilots in 2005-06 2.6 (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11 and (c) subsequent years. 2006-07 2.9 [303513] 2007-08 2.7 2008-09 2.5 Joan Ruddock: We anticipate up to 500 households being involved in the Home Energy PAYS pilots, the In 2009-10 contractual payments will be an estimated actual number will depend on the level of investment £2.6 million. required for each property. Retrofitting these properties will be undertaken over the financial year 2009-10 and Coal Authority: Information and Communications 2010-11. The capital funding for the pilots ends in April Technology 2011 and therefore no further households will be included after that date.

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to the answer Energy and Climate Change when he expects to to the hon. Member for Tunbridge Wells of 12 October announce the locations at which the first Pay as You 2009, Official Report, columns 459-60W,on departmental Save pilots announced in Low Carbon Transition Plan ICT, which companies tendered to deliver the Coal will take place. [303514] Authority’s Inferis IT project. [303502] Joan Ruddock: The Home Energy Pay As You Save Mr. Kidney: Three companies tendered to deliver the pilot projects will be announced shortly. Coal Authority’s Inferis IT project. They were Capgemini, Mouchel Management Consulting Ltd. and SciSys UK Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Ltd. Energy and Climate Change what role his Department plans for local authorities in the Pay as You Save pilots Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for announced in the Low Carbon Transition Plan. Energy and Climate Change with reference to the [303515] answer to the hon. Member for Tunbridge Wells of 12 October 2009, Official Report, columns 459-60W, on Joan Ruddock: One of the objectives for the Home departmental ICT, if he will place in the Library a copy Energy PAYS pilots is to test consumer attitudes and of the invitation to tender issued in respect of the Coal preferences to elements of the Pay As You Save model. Authority’s Inferis IT project. [303503] We are looking for at least one of the projects to include the local authority as the billing route and the major Mr. Kidney: A copy will be placed in the Libraries of delivery partner. the House. Environment Protection: ICT Departmental Buildings Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Energy and Climate Change with reference to the Department has made of the effect on the environment answer to the hon. Member for Tunbridge Wells of 12 of adopting environmentally-friendly ICT policies October 2009, Official Report, column 456W, on across all Government departments. [304198] departmental buildings, on what date the move of his Department’s staff into 3 Whitehall Place was Ms Butler: I have been asked to reply. completed. [303506] In September 2009 the Government published “Greening Government ICT—Efficient, Sustainable, Responsible” Joan Ruddock: The first phase of the moves of 973 a one year on progress report which assesses the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) Government’s Green ICT strategy. This was committed staff was completed on weekend 6-7 June 2009. 23 to by all Government Departments. DECC staff currently remain in 1 Victoria street for The report is available at: business reasons and are expected to move into 3 Whitehall http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/media270265/1_year_on.pdf Place in April 2010. Fuel Poverty Energy: Housing Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for and Climate Change what requirement the Energy and Climate Change on what date he expects Government puts on energy supply companies to the first Pay as You Save pilot to commence. [303511] include a benefits health check in their fuel poverty reduction programmes. [304497] Joan Ruddock: The Home Energy Pay As You Save pilot projects will be announced shortly. Work on the Mr. Kidney: There is no requirement in the Carbon pilot projects will begin immediately following that Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) or the Community announcement. We expect the first properties to receive Energy Saving Programme (CESP) for energy suppliers measures in the new year. to provide benefit entitlement checks. 133W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 134W

Warm Front is the Government’s flagship programme Local Government: Carbon Emissions for tackling fuel poverty in the private sector. All Warm Front applicants, whether initially eligible for the scheme Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for or not, are offered a benefit entitlement check. Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made In 2008-09 Warm Front completed over 78,000 benefit of the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions entitlement checks. A new or an additional eligible attributable to the Carbon Trust’s local authority benefit was identified in 45 per cent. of cases, resulting carbon management programme in each year of the in an average weekly increase in household income of programme. [303461] £31 per applicant. Equivalent schemes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Joan Ruddock: The Carbon Trust’s public sector Ireland are the responsibility of the devolved carbon management programme began in 2003-04 and Administrations. I am informed by the trust that to date 236 local authorities have participated.

Fuel Poverty: Health CO2 emission reductions to date for each year of the programme are set out in the following table. The Carbon Trust inform me that they expect that implemented Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy savings from the two most recent years, 2007-08 and and Climate Change what recent assessment he has 2008-09, will exceed the carbon savings implemented in made of the effects of fuel poverty on health. [304338] earlier years but that there is a time lag in actual implementation which has resulted in the lower levels of Mr. Kidney: The Government recognise the effects of savings made to date. fuel poverty on health and has a strong package of measures to tackle the three root causes; poor energy Sum of lifetime carbon savings Financial Year implemented to date ( efficiency, high fuel prices and low household income. It tCO2) has not carried out a detailed assessment of the impacts 2004-05 369,896 of fuel poverty on health, 2005-06 271,198 Since 2000, over £20 billion has been spent on a range 2006-07 504,589 of benefits and programmes to tackle fuel poverty. 2007-08 359,649 Improving the energy efficiency of a home is key to 2008-09 107,684 assisting those at risk from the cold and the Government Total 1,613,016 have a number of established and new initiatives such as Warm Front, the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target Renewable Energy: Developing Countries and the Community Energy Savings Programme to help. We improve the income of vulnerable households Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy through winter fuel and cold weather payments alongside and Climate Change what recent discussions he has had the wider tax and benefit system and look at ways to cut with his counterparts in (a) Bangladesh, (b) Ethiopia, the cost of energy that is supplied to them through a (c) India, (d) Kenya and (e) Nepal on technology robust system of regulation aiming to protect all consumers. transfer to enable those countries to harness renewable The recently introduced Energy Bill will set a framework energy and to combat climate change. [304405] for schemes that will require energy suppliers to provide a specified level of social price support (direct Joan Ruddock: The Government are pushing for an assistance with energy bills) to more of the most vulnerable ambitious, effective and fair agreement at the 15th customers. Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Each year the Department of Health launches its Convention on Climate Change, in Copenhagen, that “Keep Warm, Keep Well”campaign, offering important will drive the development of climate technologies and advice to older people on how to stay fit and healthy their deployment in developing countries. through the winter. The Department of Health’s Ministers from the Department of Energy and Climate involvement in four major health related campaigns to Change have met with Ministers from Bangladesh, Ethiopia, target Warm Front grants increased referral numbers India, Kenya and Nepal at international meetings over the previous year by around 8 per cent. In addition, throughout the last year to discuss these and related their seasonal flu vaccination programme is one of the issues. The Secretary of State also visited India and most successful in Europe. Bangladesh in September, to see the impacts of climate change at first hand and meet with counterparts to discuss climate change and renewable energy. KBR

Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Department has entered into any contracts with Kellogg, Brown and Root or its subsidiaries since Afghanistan and Pakistan: Overseas Aid January 2009. [303335] Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for International Joan Ruddock: The Department for Energy and Development pursuant to the Prime Minister’s Statement Climate Change has not entered into any contracts with of 30 November 2009, Official Report, columns 831-54, Kellogg, Brown and Root or its subsidiaries since January on Afghanistan and Pakistan, what programmes funded 2009. by his Department are expected to (a) create 20,000 135W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 136W jobs in 2009 and (b) raise the incomes of 200,000 Mr. Douglas Alexander: Since 2003, the Department people by 2013; on what basis each estimate was arrived for International Development (DFID) has contributed at; and if he will make a statement. [304323] £38.5 million to the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund to support the National Solidarity Programme Mr. Douglas Alexander: The Department for (NSP), which funds projects developed by local communities International Development (DFID) has recently launched themselves. Approximately 17 per cent. of NSP funding a £36 million, four-year programme called Supporting has been used for small-scale energy infrastructure projects. Employment and Enterprise Development (SEED), which aims to create 20,000 jobs and raise the incomes of Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for 200,000 people by 2013. International Development what steps he is taking to SEED expects to create 20,000 jobs as follows: improve public access to reliable electricity in Jobs created from lending to small and medium sized enterprises: Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [304462] 2,000 Jobs created through vocational training: 3,000 Mr. Douglas Alexander: The Department for Jobs created through support to the World Bank’s Afghanistan International Development (DFID) is co-financing the Rural Enterprise Development Programme (AREDP): 10,000 rehabilitation of the Gereshk hydropower plant and Jobs created through the new challenge fund: 5,000 associated transmission and distribution system in Helmand province. On completion, the project is expected to SEED expects to raise the incomes of 200,000 people increase the supply and reliability of electricity to around as follows: 200,000 people. Incomes improved through AREDP interventions: 100,000 Since 2003, DFID has also contributed £38.5 million Individuals who benefit from improved business practices and to the National Solidarity Programme (NSP) which hence increased incomes as a result of challenge fund support: 100,000 funds projects developed by local communities themselves. Approximately 17 per cent. of NSP funding has been used for small-scale energy infrastructure projects. Afghanistan: Overseas Aid Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been International Development what funding the made on the refurbishment of the Gereshk hydropower Government have provided (a) as aid and (b) for plant in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. reconstruction in Afghanistan in each year since 2007. [304463] [304450] Mr. Douglas Alexander: The refurbishment of the Mr. Douglas Alexander: Most Official Development Gereshk hydropower plant is proceeding according to Assistance (ODA) to Afghanistan is managed by the schedule. The detailed design period is now complete. Department for International Development (DFID) Through the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Helmand, and used to support the Afghan Government to deliver a competitive tender for the upgrade of the 2.5 km essential services such as health and education, promote access road to the plant has been won by a local Afghan economic growth, address the humanitarian situation, contractor. We are also designing two police checkpoints and undertake large infrastructure projects in Helmand to be positioned along the access road to improve site province. DFID’s budget was £108.9 million in 2007-8, security. £143 million in 2008-9, and £127.5 million in 2009-10. The next step is to conclude co-financing arrangements In addition, a proportion of DFID’s contributions to with our investment partners, the Asian Development multilateral organisations were spent in Afghanistan. Bank and the Embassy of Denmark. This agreement £33.1 million was spent this way in 2007-8. Figures for will be followed in early 2010 by procurement for civil, later years are not yet available. mechanical and electrical contracts. DFID, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Ministry of Defence(MOD) also have access to Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Stabilisation Aid Fund (SAF), which seeks to promote International Development what progress has been political settlement and undertake reconstruction after made in the provision of electricity networks and conflict, particularly in Helmand province. The SAF supply throughout Afghanistan; and if he will make a budget was £28.4 million in 2007-8, £53 million in statement. [304464] 2008-9, and £68 million this year. Details of Gross Public Expenditure on development Mr. Douglas Alexander: Information relating to progress are published in ″Statistics on International Development″ made in the provision of electricity networks and supply and available online at throughout Afghanistan is published on the website of www.dfid.gov.uk the Afghan Energy Information Center (AIEC) at: http://www.afghaneic.org/index.html Afghanistan: Reconstruction Africa: Overseas Aid Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support he is giving Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for to the Afghan Reconstruction Trust Fund to improve International Development what role his Department the energy infrastructure in Afghanistan; and if he will is playing in the implementation of the Nile Basin make a statement. [304461] Initiative. [303799] 137W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 138W

Mr. Thomas: The Department for International almost 400 providers. The directory has had approximately Development (DFID) plays an active role in support of 29,700 hits between 1 January 2009 and 23 November the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) along with the World 2009. Bank and other development partners. We have contributed The Department has also run trade fairs for alternative £13.7 million. We separately provide finance to help providers across England, giving them the opportunity civil society organisations engage with the initiative to inform potential commissioners of their services. We through the Nile Basin Discourse. have also established pilots to explore a range of innovative Departmental Official Cars ways of delivering alternative provision, supported by up to £26.5 million over 2008-11. Of these 12 pilots, Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for nine involve third sector providers. International Development what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of providing official cars Building Schools for the Future Programme: Asbestos for the use of (a) Ministers and (b) officials in the last 12 months. [301188] Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Douglas Alexander: I refer the hon. Member to Children, Schools and Families how many schools in the written ministerial statement about the cost of the Building Schools for the Future programme have ministerial cars made by the Under-Secretary of State had an asbestos survey as part of their redevelopment; for Transport, the hon. Member for Gillingham (Paul in how many such schools was asbestos found; and Clark) on 16 July 2009, Official Report, columns 79-80WS. from how many such schools asbestos was removed. [304199] For the cost of cars to officials, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, the hon. Member for Gillingham Mr. Coaker: Information on the number of schools (Paul Clark) on 2 December 2009, Official Report, in the Building Schools for the Future programme that column 762W. have had an asbestos survey; whether asbestos was found; and whether it was removed is not held centrally. Departmental Security Local authorities are responsible for managing the process and hold this information. Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many security passes Children: Databases his Department has issued to contractors providing consultancy services in the last 12 months. [303943] Phil Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Douglas Alexander: All consultants who require Children, Schools and Families what estimate has been access to a Department for International Development made of the amount of savings in practitioner time as a (DFID) office, whether they are providing consultancy result of the introduction of ContactPoint. [304728] or other services, are issued with a temporary security pass after security clearance procedures have been Dawn Primarolo: A principal benefit of ContactPoint completed. Those contractors providing services without will be freed up unproductive time, previously spent by a need to work in a DFID office are not issued a frontline staff in trying to identify and then contact security pass. Disaggregating the number of security other practitioners who are involved with a child. We passes issued to contractors providing consultancy services estimate conservatively that ContactPoint will save five in the last 12 months would incur disproportionate million practitioner hours, equivalent to £88 million a costs. year, once all projected users are engaged. This means that practitioners can spend more time working with children and families and less time on administration CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES activities.

Alternative Curriculum Phil Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much is expected Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for to be spent on the ContactPoint directory in each of Children, Schools and Families what steps are being the five years from June 2010. [304729] taken to ensure that local authorities have information about third sector providers of alternative curriculum provision for excluded children or those at risk of Dawn Primarolo: The expected expenditure on ContactPoint in each of the next five years from June exclusion; and if he will make a statement. [301945] 2010 is as follows: Mr. Coaker: Since the Department published the “Back on Track” White Paper in May 2008, we have £ million carried out a determined programme of work to improve Set up Operating Total the quality of alternative provision and access to it. June 2010 to March 2011 21.7 29.2 50.9 In October 2008, we published guidance on April 2011 to March 2012 2.4 40.6 43.0 commissioning alternative provision, covering how local April 2012 to March 2013 0.0 41.0 41.0 authorities and schools can identify providers able to April 2013 to March 2014 0.0 41.0 41.0 meet the needs of pupils who require alternative provision. April 2014 to March 2015 0.0 41.0 41.0 At the same time, we launched an online directory of April 2015 to May 2015 0.0 10.3 10.3 alternative providers across England which gives local Total 24.1 203.1 227.2 authorities and schools ready access to information on 139W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 140W

Citizenship and History: Secondary Education Mr. Coaker: The information required is given in the following table. Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what The figures relate to entries in full GCSE history and proportion of pupils at maintained mainstream schools the GCSE short course in citizenship. A full GCSE in at the end of Key Stage 4 took examinations in (a) citizenship course only started in September 2009 and citizenship but not history, (b) history but not citizenship, information on entries to this course are not yet available. (c) citizenship and history and (d) neither history nor citizenship in each of the last five years. [301040]

Pupils entered into GCSE short Pupils entered into GCSE full course in citizenship only course in history only Pupils entered into both Pupils entered for neither Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage

2005 23,657 4.1 169,164 29.4 11,563 2.0 370,298 64.4 2006 33,332 5.7 167,070 28.6 16,988 2.9 366,979 62.8 2007 44,859 7.6 158,828 26.9 21,347 3.6 365,754 61.9 2008 57,382 9.8 154,189 26.2 26,015 4.4 350,633 59.6 2009 61,981 10.9 145,979 25.7 28,433 5.0 332,394 58.4 Note: Figures for 2009 are provisional. Source: Achievement and Attainment Tables data.

Figures relate to pupils at the end of key stage 4 in Ms Diana R. Johnson: The purpose of legal maintained mainstream schools (includes academies representation is to ensure that the Secretary of State is and CTCs). represented before a court or tribunal where a decision is under challenge. The purpose of legal advice is to Departmental Advertising enable the Department to operate effectively within the law and develop legislation to deliver its policies, minimising Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for legal risk and achieving best legal outcomes. Children, Schools and Families how much his There are no centrally held figures for the costs of Department’s predecessor spent on advertising in legal representation in the Department for Children, 2006-07; how much his Department has so spent in Schools and Families, and its predecessors, the Department 2009-10; and if he will make a statement. [302319] for Education and Employment, and the Department for Education and Skills. Ms Diana R. Johnson: The media total for advertising Departmental Legislation in 2006-07 was £6,573,885. In 2009-10 so far, the spend to date £4,260,609. This information was attained from the Central Office of Information where the information Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for is centrally held. Children, Schools and Families what criminal offences have been (a) abolished and (b) created by primary legislation sponsored by his Department since 1 May Departmental Legal Costs 2008. [303248]

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Ms Diana R. Johnson: Primary legislation sponsored Children, Schools and Families what the (a) cost and by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (b) purpose was of legal (i) representation and (ii) since 1 May 2008 has created and abolished a number of advice sought by his Department and its agencies in criminal offences. These are detailed in the following each year since May 1997. [300371] table:

Legislative reference Offence

(a) Criminal offences abolished Education and Skills Act 2008

Schedule 2 Repeals offence of wilfully obstructing an inspection in section 118 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000. Schedule 2 Repeals offence of disclosing social security information in section 119 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000. Schedules 1 and 2 Abolishes the offence in section 159 of the Education Act 2002 of conducting an unregistered independent school in relation to independent schools in England only. Schedules 1 and 2 Repeals section 162B of the Education Act 2002 (including the offence to intentionally obstruct a person in the exercise of his functions in relation to an inspection under that section). Schedules 1 and 2 Abolishes the offence in section 164 of the Education Act 2002 of obstructing a person in the exercise of his functions in relation to an inspection under that section (in relation to independent schools in England only). Schedules 1 and 2 Abolishes the offence in section 165 of the Education Act 2002 of failing to comply with an order under that section in relation to independent schools in England only. 141W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 142W

Legislative reference Offence

Schedules 1 and 2 Abolishes the offence in section 167 of the Education Act 2002 of failing to comply with an order under that section in relation to independent schools in England only.

Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 Schedule 16 Repeals offence of disclosing social security information in section 15 of the Education and Skills Act 2008.

(b) Criminal offences created Children and Young Persons Act 2008 Section 26 Offence of failing to take the steps specified in a compliance notice within the period so specified under section 22A(4) of the Care Standards Act 2000

Education and Skills Act 2008 Section 15 Offence to disclose social security information otherwise than in the circumstances specified in section 15. Section 51 Offence for a person to fail to comply with the requirements of an attendance notice. Section 75 Offence for anyone to wilfully obstruct a person in carrying out, or participating in, an inspection of connexions services provided under s68 and 74. Section 76 Offence to disclose social security information otherwise than in the circumstances specified in that section. (Offence amended by section 254 of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009). Section 90 Offence for a person to disclose information otherwise than for a purpose within sections 87 or 88 where disclosure reveals identity of a person. Section 96 Offence for a person to conduct an independent educational institution in England unless it is registered. Section 97 Offence to intentionally obstruct a person in the exercise of the person’s functions in relation to an inspection under that section. Section 110 Offence to intentionally obstruct a person in the exercise of the person’s function in relation to an inspection under that section. Section 118 Failure of a proprietor of an independent educational institution to comply with a relevant restriction imposed by the Secretary of State under section 116. Section 121 Failure of a proprietor of an independent educational institution to comply with a relevant restriction imposed by an order of a justice of the peace under section 120. Section 127 Failure of a proprietor of an independent educational institution to comply with a relevant restriction imposed by the Tribunal under sections 124, 125 or 126.

Welfare Reform Act 2009 Schedule 6 Extends section 36 of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953 regarding the failure to answer any question put by the registrar in relation to the particulars required to be registered, or failure to comply with any requirement of the registrar, to include questions and requirements made by regulations under section 2C, 2D, 2E, 10B or 10C of that Act. Schedule 6 Refusal or failure (without reasonable excuse) to do anything within a particular time which is required by regulations under section 2C, 2D, 2E, 10B or 10C of the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953. Schedule 6 Extends section 4 of the Perjury Act 1911 regarding the provision of false statements etc. as to births or deaths.

Apprenticeship, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 Section 199 Inserts Part 3A into the Childcare Act 2006. Offence for a person to intentionally obstruct a person from exercising a power under section 98D. Section 98D provides a power for Chief Inspectors to enter Children’s centres. Section 210 Offence to obstruct a Local Commissioner or those assisting him in the performance of his functions under Chapter 2.

Family and Parent Institute: Finance Families (SFG) Grant programme (2005/06) and The Children, Young People and Families (CYPF) Grant programme (2006/07 to 2009/10). The CYPF is a national programme to fund work by the third sector to improve Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State outcomes for children, young people and families. for Children, Schools and Families how much money his Department and its predecessors have spent on £ supporting the Family and Parent Institute in each year since 2005; and if he will make a statement. [304059] 2005/06 783,000 2006/07 850,000 Dawn Primarolo: Family and Parenting Institute have 2007/08 935,000 a long-standing relationship with the Department. Since 2008/09 1,038,000 2005, Family and Parenting Institute have received funding 2009/10 1,115,000 support through a strategic grant from The Strengthening 143W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 144W

GCSE Some young people in young offender institutions are still registered at schools and colleges in the community and therefore any GCSEs that they achieve while in Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for custody will be reflected in the achievement figures of Children, Schools and Families which secondary their respective school or college. schools are in each decile of the numbers of students achieving five GCSEs at grades A* to C including The female population aged under 18 in HM Prison English and mathematics in the latest period for which Service Young Offender Institutions was on average 65 figures are available. [301635] females under 18 in custody in 2006/07 and an average of 65 in 2007/08. Mr. Coaker: The request is essentially for a list of all HM Prison Service YoungOffender Institutions make English secondary schools ordered into deciles. The up part of the custodial estate for under-18s and main way school level information is published is in the achievements of GCSEs in secure children’s homes, secondary school achievement and attainment tables on secure training centres, or private prisons are not recorded the Department’s website at the following link: centrally. http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/performancetables/schools_08.shtml A user-friendly excel version of school level data, Home Education from which rankings and deciles of all schools can be derived, has also been placed in the House of Commons Library. Mrs. Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for The 2009 secondary school achievement and attainment Children, Schools and Families how many children of tables will be published in January 2010. school age are registered as receiving home education in each education authority in (a) Wales and (b) England. [304661] Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of Ms Diana R. Johnson: There are no registration 16-year-olds did not achieve five GCSEs at grades A* arrangements for children receiving home education in to C in (a) England, (b) the North East and (c) England so we do not hold this information. The total Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency number of electively home educated children known to in the latest period for which figures are available. the 74 local authorities that provided a response to [303141] Graham Badman’s supplementary data request in September can be found at Mr. Coaker: The following table gives the percentage http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/ete/ of pupils, in their last year of compulsory education independentreviewofhomeeducation/irhomeeducation/. who did not gain five or more A*-C at GCSE and equivalent. Home education in Wales is a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government. Percentage of pupils1 not gaining five or more A*-C at GCSE and equivalent, 2007/08 Area Percentage National Curriculum Tests England and Wales2 35.1 2 England 34.7 Dr. Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, North East3 33.6 Schools and Families what the cost to the public purse Middlesbrough and South East 40.8 of standard assessment tests was in each of the last five Cleveland3 years. [303115] 1 In England pupils at the end of key stage 4, in Wales pupils aged 15 at the start of the academic year. 2 All schools. Mr. Coaker: The Qualifications and Curriculum 3 Maintained schools only. Development Agency’s (QCDA) estimates of the costs of delivering the national curriculum tests for Key GCSE: Young Offenders Stage 1, Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 in each of the last five years are as follows:- Mr. Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of £ thousand females of school age in custody gained five GCSEs at Total cost of NCT grade A* to C in each of the last 10 years for which 2008-09 21,755 figures are available. [301632] 2007-08 50,570 2006-07 51,559 Mr. Coaker: No females aged under 18 in HM Prison 2005-06 51,743 Service Young Offender Institutions achieved a GCSE 2004-05 43,828 at grade A* to C while in custody in the 2007/08 academic year. Statutory Key Stage 3 national curriculum tests have The data above refer only to achievements that were been discontinued and were not administered in 2009. secured by young females who took the examination Costs quoted for the 2008-09 financial year are net of while they were in custody. Those who were released the £19,500,000.00 cash settlement received by QCDA, before the examination date may have continued study following termination of the test operations contract and taken examinations in the community. with ETS Global BV (ETS) in 2008. 145W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 146W

Pupil Exclusions My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced on 18 November plans to extend the guarantee to any Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for 16 and 17-year-old who is not in education, employment Children, Schools and Families (1) what steps his or training (NEET) in January. This will give those who Department is taking to reduce the number of children were not ready to engage in learning in September, or who have been excluded or at risk of exclusion from who have since left, a further opportunity to get the school who are subsequently classified as not in skills they need to succeed. education, employment or training; and if he will make The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning a statement; [301872] Act, 2009 introduced tough statutory disciplinary powers to strengthen teachers’ rights to punish bad behaviour (2) what assessment his Department has made of the in and out of the classroom. These include a strong causes of exclusion of children from school; what statutory power to punish pupils in school and en route recent steps his Department has taken as a to and from school; a statutory power to reasonably consequence of that assessment; and if he will make a confiscate mobiles or music players used disruptively; statement. [301873] and reaffirming powers to use physical force to break up fights and restrain pupils. The Act also introduced a Mr. Coaker: We accept that a significant minority of duty for schools to work together in partnership to excluded pupils can go on to be not in education, improve behaviour and reduce absence. employment or training (NEET). We also know that exclusions are now at their lowest ever level since 1997/98, Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for with permanent exclusions dropping 6.4 per cent. between Children, Schools and Families what the average length 2006/07 and 2007/08. of a fixed-period exclusion for pupils from (a) We support heads when taking the tough decision to primary, (b) secondary and (c) all schools was in the exclude. It is right that head teachers should use their last 12 months. [304893] powers to exclude disruptive pupils when this is in the interests of other pupils. However, our focus must be on Ms Diana R. Johnson: The latest available data on the preventing bad behaviour from degenerating to the average length of fixed period exclusions for the 2007/08 point where exclusion—and particularly permanent academic year are published at exclusion—is necessary. http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000860/ Data on school exclusion is collected through the index.shtml school census and published annually. The latest data was published as SFR 18/2009 “Permanent and Fixed Table 5. Data for 2008/09 are expected to be published in Period Exclusions from Schools in England 2007/08” July 2010. which can be accessed at: Pupils: Abuse http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000860/ index.shtml. Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Table 9 gives a breakdown of the reasons for exclusion. Children, Schools and Families what guidelines his Persistent disruptive behaviour was the most common Department provides to teachers who suspect abuse or reason for exclusion, representing 30.9 per cent. of maltreatment of a pupil on action to be taken in such permanent exclusion and 23.2 per cent. of fixed period circumstances. [304404] exclusion. Good behaviour is fundamental to school standards, Dawn Primarolo: Guidelines on the actions that anyone, and Ofsted recently reported (24 November) that 80 per including a teacher, should take if they have concerns cent. of secondary schools are good or outstanding on about abuse or maltreatment of a child are set out in behaviour, up from 72 per cent. in 2007/08. In September “What to do if you are Worried a Child is being my Department launched a Behaviour Challenge with Abused.” This practice guidance tells people about the an ambition that, by 2012, all schools will have a good procedures to follow when passing on concerns and or outstanding Ofsted rating on behaviour or be on what will then happen. Guidance on the wider track to achieve one. Support and challenge will be responsibilities of local authorities and governing bodies provided to schools through local authorities, the National of schools and FE colleges in relation to safeguarding Strategies, and School Improvement Partners. We have and promoting the welfare of children is contained in also asked National Strategies colleagues to support “Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in local authorities with high exclusion rates, and high Education.” rates of multiple fixed period exclusion, to help their schools increase the use of early intervention to improve Pupils: Per Capita Costs behaviour and minimise the need for exclusion. We are making all 16 and 17-year-olds an offer of Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for suitable place in learning through the September Guarantee. Children, Schools and Families what his most recent My Department has asked local authorities to focus in estimate is of the average annual cost of educating a particular on those who are disengaged from education secondary school child in a pupil referral unit in (a) or missing school. The 14-19 curriculum reforms are England and (b) each local authority area. [301871] creating a range of different learning opportunities suit all young people, including those who need help to Mr. Coaker: The Department published the White re-engage in learning. Connexions services provide tailored Paper “Back on Track”in May 2008 setting out proposals support and advice, both on accessing education, to transform the quality of alternative provision, including employment or training, and on personal issues. pupil referral units. At that time, we estimated a cost of 147W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 148W around £15,000 a year for a full-time placement in a In 2007 we gave head teachers the power to search, pupil referral unit. Pupil numbers in pupil referral units without consent, any pupil suspected of carrying a can be volatile and the calculation was based on pupil knife or other offensive weapon. Schools can also screen numbers at a fixed point in time. This may not be fully pupils at random or search with consent. However, we representative of the average number of pupils over a do not require schools to tell us when such an article has year. been found. They should inform the police, to whom We have not made any further estimates since that they must pass the article. time, and the figure has not been broken down by local We have recently extended the power to search without authority area. The figure is likely to vary considerably consent so that schools can search pupils without consent between different local authority areas. for illegal drugs (and for alcohol and stolen property) Pupils: Weapons with effect from September 2010. David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families (1) what record his Schools: Finance Department maintains relating to the number of pupils who, following a search, were found to be in the Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for possession of (a) a knife, (b) another weapon and (c) Children, Schools and Families what the average drugs on school premises; [303561] funding per capita was for (a) urban areas and (b) (2) how many pupils in England were found to be in rural areas under dedicated schools grant in the latest the possession of (a) a weapon and (b) drugs on period for which figures are available. [301516] school premises in each of the last three years. [303562] Mr. Coaker: The Department does not record the Mr. Coaker: The latest figures available are shown in number of pupils found to be in possession of a knife, the following table below (2007-08). Figures for 2008-09 other weapon, or drugs, whether following a search or are still to be collected and validated by the Department otherwise. for Children, Schools and Families.

Combined local authority and school-based expenditure per pupil,1 2007-08: Cash terms figures as reported by local authorities in England as at 23 November 20092,3 Total combined LEA and school-based expenditure1 (£ per pupil)

England 5,050

Predominantly urban local authorities2 5,040 Predominantly rural local authorities2 5,110 1. Combined local authority and school-based expenditure includes all expenditure on the education of children in local authority maintained establishments and pupils educated by the authority other than in maintained establishments. This includes both school-based expenditure and all elements of central LA expenditure except youth and community and capital expenditure from revenue (CERA). Certain elements of central local authority expenditure cannot be attributed to a particular phase of education and consequently a sector breakdown is not available. Pupil figures include all pre-primary pupils, including those under-5s funded by the authority and being educated in private settings, pupils educated in maintained mainstream schools and any other local authority maintained pupils. All pupil numbers are adjusted to be on a financial year basis. 2. The classification of local authorities into those which are predominately urban and predominately rural is based upon The Rural and Urban Area Classification (2004) sponsored by the Countryside Agency (CA), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Office for National Statistics (ONS), the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) and the Welsh Assembly Government. Predominantly rural local authorities are classified as those which consist of more than 50 per cent. rural Output Areas. 3. Figures are rounded to the nearest £10.

Schools: Herefordshire Mr. Coaker: Local authorities are responsible for the distribution of funding (including funding provided Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for through the dedicated schools grant (DSG)) to schools Children, Schools and Families how much funding was in their area. The overall DSG settlement for 2009-10 is provided per child under the dedicated schools grant in £29.6 billion and of this settlement £194.87 million is Herefordshire in 2009-10. [301515] notionally for sparsity. This funding is allocated to rural authorities in recognition that they need small schools Mr. Coaker: The guaranteed funding per pupil for which are more expensive to run. The Department does Herefordshire for 2009-10 is £3,830. The amount of not provide additional education funding outside of the dedicated schools grant that local authorities receive is DSG specifically for rural areas. dependent on the number of pupils on roll. Herefordshire Schools: Standards has received just over £87 million for 2009-10. Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Schools: Rural Areas Children, Schools and Families how many schools were given notices to improve by Ofsted in (a) September, Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for (b) October, (c) November and (d) December 2008. Children, Schools and Families what funding is [304660] provided towards other educational programmes for rural areas other than through the dedicated schools Mr. Coaker: The following table gives the requested grant. [301517] information: 149W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 150W

Schools given a notice to improve by Ofsted during autumn term 2008 Teachers: Pay 2008 Number

September 11 Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, October 16 Schools and Families how many and what proportion November 18 of teachers and teaching staff in maintained schools December 7 earn more than £50,000 per annum. [300811] Total for term 52 Mr. Coaker: In March 2008, an estimated 30,000 Secondary Education: Gloucestershire full-time qualified teachers employed in local authority maintained schools in England and Wales earned £50,000 Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, or more per annum. This is 8 per cent. of the total Schools and Families who is responsible for the number. implementation in Gloucestershire of the The source of the salary information is the Database recommendations made in the report of the Badman of Teacher Records (DTR) and is provisional. Overall review of secondary education. [301350] teacher numbers from the Annual Survey of Teachers in Service and Teacher Vacancies, 618g and the Welsh Ms Diana R. Johnson: It is the responsibility of Stats 3 survey were apportioned by the information Gloucestershire local authority to implement the from the DTR to provide the estimate of the numbers recommendations made in the report of the Badman of teachers receiving these salaries. review of the National Challenge. Teachers: South East Secondary Education: Outdoor Education Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many (a) teachers Children, Schools and Families (1) what research his and (b) classroom assistants were employed in each Department has undertaken into a link between the local education authority area in the South East in uptake of fieldwork in secondary schools and the each year since 1997. [301280] number of post-16 students taking science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects; [301438] Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for (2) what steps he is taking to increase the uptake of Children, Schools and Families how many (a) teachers fieldwork by pupils in secondary schools. [301441] and (b) classroom assistants were employed in maintained schools in each local authority in the South Ms Diana R. Johnson: The Department has not East in each year since 1997. [301353] commissioned research to examine the link between take up of fieldwork in secondary schools and the Mr. Coaker: The information requested for 1997, number of post-16 students taking science, technology, 2001 to 2009 is published in tables 19 and 26 of the engineering and mathematics subjects. Statistical First Release (SFR) “School Workforce in The Government are doing much to increase the take England (including Local Authority level figures) January up of fieldwork by pupils in secondary schools. This 2009 (Revised)” published on 29 September 2009. The includes: SFR is available at the following web link: Contracting with the Association for Science Education to run http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000874/ a support programme to improve the use of practical work in Tables19to27_Vals.xls science across secondary schools. The information requested for 1998 to 2000 is published Sending Practical Work in Science booklets all secondary in tables 18 and 24 of the Statistical First Release (SFR) schools which include good examples of fieldwork activity. “School Workforce in England (including pupil:teacher Continuing to fund the National Network of Science Learning ratios and pupil:adult ratios), January 2006 (Revised)” Centres to provide continuing professional development opportunities published on 28 September 2006. The SFR is available for teachers including those that support the use of fieldwork at the following web link: across all stage of the curriculum. http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000681/ Publishing the STEM directory of science enhancement and index.shtml enrichment activities which lists a vast range of activities, including fieldwork related ones, that schools can access to enliven science Teachers: Training teaching and learning. Developing online resources and guidance through Government funding for the Action Plan for Geography, which is managed by Mr. Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Royal Geographical Society and the Geographical Association Children, Schools and Families what recent estimate he to help teachers with fieldwork. These are available on the Geography has made of the proportion of schools funding which Teaching Today website which includes a virtual fieldwork and is retained by schools for the professional development local learning centre to help teachers make the most of geography of teachers. [301558] in their local areas. This includes expert advice and planning on embedding fieldwork in the curriculum. Mr. Coaker: Funding for the continual professional The Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto which was development (CPD) of teachers is included within school’s launched in November 2006 and aims to provide all young people delegated budgets for the whole work force. It is for with quality learning experiences outside the classroom covering the whole curriculum. This is made explicit in the new secondary schools to determine how to spend this based on individual curriculum which also provides that practical and enquiry skills teacher needs, identified and agreed through the are something that pupils need to learn to make progress in their performance management process, and the school’s own science and geography learning. development/improvement priorities. 151W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 152W

However, Section 52 outturn data—which are the The Education (Outturn Statements) (England) Regulations LA based net expenditure on youth services1 per head of population (aged Department’s source of information on expenditure 2 across all local authority maintained schools—suggests 14-19) in 1999-2000 that in the financial year 2007-08 maintained schools in Average expenditure England spent £180 million from delegated budgets on Net current Net revenue per head of development and training for staff in schools; representing expenditure on expenditure on population around 0.5 per cent. of total expenditure in schools. youth services youth services (aged 14-19) This includes expenditure on: City of 222,581 190,585 727 development and training costs for all staff (directly and not London directly employed) at the school; Hackney 1,660,942 0 0 cost of all in-service training courses and other development opportunities; and Hammersmith 1,519,453 981,300 121 and Fulham cost of equipment and resources to provide in service training. Haringey 1,290,145 1,464,000 96 Teenage Pregnancy Islington 5,302,881 5,260,553 474 Kensington 3,920,969 3,860,332 586 Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for and Chelsea Children, Schools and Families how many girls aged 13 Lambeth 1,835,227 1,521,800 92 to 17 years became pregnant in each local authority Lewisham 2,199,248 2,612,320 152 area in 2007. [304743] Newham 1,768,544 1,748,842 80 Dawn Primarolo: The latest (2007) data for each Southwark 2,517,555 2,064,442 123 top-tier local authority is available on the ‘Every Child Tower 3,607,612 3,615,225 218 Hamlets Matters’ website at the following link: Wandsworth 2,802,407 0 0 http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/everychildmatters/healthandwellbeing/ teenagepregnancy/statistics/ Westminster 1,808,324 1,802,335 187 This provides the number and rate of conceptions and the proportion of conceptions that resulted in an abortion. Outer London The final column also shows the percentage change in Barking and 1,171,925 1,003,385 80 the local conception rate between 1998 (the baseline Dagenham year for the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy) and 2007. Barnet 2,384,896 2,241,366 104 At a national level, there has been a 10.5 per cent. fall Bexley 1,619,046 1,464,000 95 in the teenage conception rate over this period. Within Brent 2,226,000 2,208,000 112 this decline in teenage conceptions overall, there has Bromley 1,165,922 1,133,371 61 been a 23.3 per cent. decline in teenage births. Croydon 2,074,000 2,279,962 94 Although annual data for 2008 are not yet available, Ealing 1,178,544 1,005,747 48 ONS has published quarterly conception data for the Enfield 997,018 943,134 48 first three quarters of 2008. This shows a further reduction Greenwich 2,465,916 2,144,484 133 in the under 18 conception rate in each quarter compared Harrow 768,621 698,363 43 to the corresponding quarters in 2007. Havering 1,348,459 1,284,242 79 Youth Services: Greater London Hillingdon 1,467,117 1,408,104 81 Hounslow 940,142 760,676 48 Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Kingston 633,768 697 0 Schools and Families what the (a) net expenditure on upon Thames youth services, (b) local education authority net expenditure Merton 728,924 550,609 49 on youth services and (c) per pupil average spend on Redbridge 1,502,790 1,382,162 77 youth services or nearest equivalent was in each London Richmond 706,826 702,730 72 borough in 1999-2000. [304523] upon Thames Dawn Primarolo: The Government do not set a budget Sutton 1,134,353 1,326,480 110 for spending on youth services. Local authorities decide Waltham 1,985,532 1,856,734 115 what should be the expenditure, taking into account Forest Government policy and local needs. The following table Notes: shows, for each London borough, the net expenditure 1. Youth service expenditure includes the following items: employees; and the net revenue expenditure on youth services and staff training; premises-related expenditure; transport related expenditure; supplies and services; third party payments; support the revenue expenditure per head of the 14 to 19-year-old services; youth work costs at residential and non-residential youth population in 1999-2000. centres; youth work costs at activity at outdoor and urban studies The Education (Outturn Statements) (England) Regulations LA centres; grant funding to the voluntary sector for youth work. based net expenditure on youth services1 per head of population (aged 2. Population of 14 to 19-year-olds is based on ONS mid-year 14-19)2 in 1999-2000 estimates for each local authority. A weighting of 3/4-1/4 has been given to the 2007 and 2008 figures in order to give an estimate for Average the financial year. expenditure 3. Data are provided as reported by the Las in the 1999-2000 outturn Net current Net revenue per head of exercise. Values of zero for Wandsworth and Hackney LA may be expenditure on expenditure on population because of discrepancies in the data and this should be youth services youth services (aged 14-19) acknowledged in any further use of the data. All data matches that published for the 1999-2000 outturn exercise. Inner London Source: Camden 2,543,041 2,298,352 193 Data are taken from the 1999-2000 outturn exercise 153W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 154W

HEALTH Biofuels: Air Pollution Accident and Emergency Departments Mr. Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 2 November 2009, Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State Official Report, column 672W, on biofuels: air for Health how many days each hospital started at a pollution, if he will estimate the levels of (a) mortality (a) level three, (b) level four and (c) level five bed and (b) morbidity arising from additional emissions of state in accident and emergency in each of the last five (i) between 1.7 and 6.3 kt of fine particles and (ii) years; and how many days each hospital issued a red between 1.3 and 7.6 kt of coarser particles consequent alert concerning accident and emergency in each of the upon achieving the biomass targets set out in the last five years. [304245] renewable energy strategy. [301637]

Mr. Mike O’Brien: This information is not collected Jim Fitzpatrick: I have been asked to reply. centrally. Bed capacity management systems are a matter The health impacts on air quality of the increase in for local trusts. There is no national definition of particular particle emissions referred to in the question were converted bed states nor of particular colour alerts. to monetary values, using advice from the Department Ambulance Services: Crimes of Violence of Health on the health effects of particles and economic methodologies agreed by the Interdepartmental Group on Costs and Benefits. The impacts of fine and coarse Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for particles were not assessed individually. Health how many physical assaults against staff of ambulance trusts serving the South East Region were The impacts on morbidity resulting from the uptake reported in each county in each of the last three years. of biomass as a renewable energy source were also not [304757] assessed during the analyses. The available estimates of the number of life years Ann Keen: The information is not available centrally lost in 2020 from the impact on air quality of the and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. increased biomass combustion was estimated to be 340,000 Since 2004-05, the number of physical assaults against for an uptake of 38 TWh of biomass with appliances staff reported by national health service bodies in England with the very lowest emission on the market emitting has been collected annually by the NHS Security 1.3 kt of coarse particles and 1,300,000 for medium Management Service (SMS). quality units representing what is typical of the currently available units emitting annually 7.6 kt of coarse particles. The numbers of physical assaults against NHS staff reported by the South Central Ambulance Service NHS The results presented above are for the whole of the trust and the South East Coast Ambulance Service UK and are given in their raw output form. The analysis NHS trust in the years 2006-07 to 2008-09 are shown in is subject to considerable uncertainty in the underlying the following table. assumptions.

2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 Care Homes: Patients’ Rights South Central Ambulance 38 50 35 Service NHS trust Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State South East Coast 81 69 107 for Health how much funding under the Dignity in Ambulance Service NHS Care Campaign each local authority has received; trust which care homes in each local authority area were awarded extra funding from this allocation to improve The NHS SMS can assist employers through guidance dignity; how much each such home received; what the on assessing risks and acting to protect staff from funding was proposed to be used for in each case; and assaults and, where incidents do occur, on taking action what monitoring was undertaken to ensure the funding against offenders. The NHS SMS also works with was spent on the objectives of the campaign. [304244] stakeholders, including the Social Partnership Forum, to promote the safety and security of NHS staff. Phil Hope: As part of the Dignity in Care Campaign, Arthritis: Health Services local authorities received a £67.725 million capital grant for improving the care home environment for older people in 2007-08. Local Authority Circular (2006) Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for 16 set out how this one-off capital grant was to be Health what steps he plans to take to ensure that the allocated and provided conditions for its use. A copy NHS Indicators for Quality Improvement include has been placed in the Library. greater reference to the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, with reference to the recommendations of The grant was made available to local authorities, for the National Audit Office report on Service for People distribution to homes with whom they hold a contract, with rheumatoid arthritis. [304420] and in which a majority of patients are over 65 years of age. All arrangements for publicising the grant, deciding Mr. Mike O’Brien: The Department has asked the how to allocate the money and informing applicants of National Quality Board to advise on priorities for quality the outcome were made locally. indicator development across national health service Requests for information on homes benefiting from services and they will be reporting back in 2010. Indicators these grants should be made to the relevant local authorities. for treatment of musculoskeletal conditions will be Detailed information is not held centrally by the considered as part of that process. Department. 155W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 156W

Complementary Medicine: Regulation Dr. Foster

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish his Department’s Health on what dates (a) Ministers and (b) officials of response to its consultation on the statutory regulation his Department have met Dr. Foster Ltd in the last 12 of practitioners of acupuncture, herbal medicine, months. [304702] traditional Chinese medicine and other traditional medicine systems practised in the UK. [304008] Phil Hope: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Ann Keen: The Department has received a large number of responses to the recent consultation on the statutory Eyesight: Testing regulation of practitioners of acupuncture, herbal medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and other traditional medicine David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for systems practised in the United Kingdom. Once these Health how many eye tests were funded by the public have been analysed, the Department will publish its purse in each region in each of the last two years; and response. This is not expected to be before summer what percentage of those who had eye tests 2010. subsequently received (i) spectacles for the first time and (ii) replacement or repairs of spectacles funded by Departmental Official Cars the public purse. [303574]

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Ann Keen: Information on the number of sight tests Health what estimate he has made of the cost to his paid for by the national health service in England, is Department of providing official cars for the use of provided in Table 1 of the ‘General Ophthalmic Services: (a) Ministers and (b) officials in the last 12 months. Activity Statistics for England and Wales—Year ending [301174] 31 March 2009’ report. Information is provided for the years ending 31 March, 2000 to 31 March 2009. Phil Hope: I refer the hon. Member to the written Sight test information by strategic health authority ministerial statement about the cost of ministerial cars (SHA) and by primary care trust (PCT) level for the made by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary years 31 March 1997 to 31 March 2009 is available in of State for Transport (Paul Clark) on 16 July 2009, Table B1 of Annex C of the above report. Official Report, columns 79-80WS. The number of those who receive spectacles for the For the cost of cars to officials, I refer the hon. first time is not collected centrally. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Table 9 of this report shows the number of vouchers Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport for spectacles or contact lenses paid for by the NHS in (Paul Clark) on 2 December 2009, Official Report, England for the years ending 31 March 2000 to 2009. column 762W. Table 15 of the above report shows the number of items for repair or replacement, in England, for the Departmental Scientists years ending 31 March 2000 to 2009. Information on the numbers of vouchers and the Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health numbers of items for repair or replacement by SHA pursuant to the answer of 1 December 2009, Official and by PCT for the years ending 31 March 1997 to 31 Report, column 653W, on departmental scientists, how March 2009 is available in Tables B1 of Annex D and many (a) scientific advisers and (b) civil servants in A1 of Annex E of the above report. scientific posts work at (i) Richmond House, (ii) Quarry This report, published on 19 August 2009, has already House and (iii) other of his Department’s offices. been placed in the Library and is available online at: [304452] www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/primary-care/ eye-care/general-ophthalmic-services:-activity-statistics-for- Phil Hope: Information about the number of scientific england-and-wales-year-ending-31-march-2009 advisers and civil servants in scientific posts is not held centrally, so it is not possible to give an accurate figure All the reports have been published by The NHS by building. Information Centre for health and social care. Forensic Science: Offences Against Children Departmental Security James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Health what clinical and governance standards apply how many security passes his Department has issued to to health facilities used to obtain forensic evidence contractors providing consultancy services in the last from children subject to sexual assault in order to assist 12 months. [303945] in the potential prosecution of criminal offences. [302644] Phil Hope: In the period from 1 December 2008 to 30 November 2009, there were 234 new contractor records Ann Keen: Governance arrangements for health facilities on the Department’s Business Management System. In used to obtain forensic evidence from children subject the same period, there were 115 new consultant records. to sexual assault will be for local determination and A security pass cannot be issued without a suitable should be in keeping with national guidance on safeguarding record on the Department’s Business Management System. children. 157W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 158W

The Department of Health, Home Office and the This report, published on 19 August 2009, has already Association of Chief Police Officers published joint been placed in the Library and is also available on the guidance in October 2009 which sets out the minimum NHS Information Centre website at: elements essential for providing high quality Sexual www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/dentalstats0809 Assault Referral Centres for adults and children who The numbers of optometrists per 100,000 resident are victims of sexual assault. This covers forensic medical population as at 31 December 2007 and 2008 are available examination. for England and by SHA and PCT in Table CI (2007) Clinical standards, ’Physical Signs of Child Sexual and Table C2 (2008) of Annex 4 of the ‘General Ophthalmic Abuse—An Evidence Based Review and Guidance for Services: Workforce Statistics for England and Wales, Best Practice’, was published by the Royal College of 31 December 2008’ report. Paediatrics and Child Health in March 2008. The standards This report, published on 21 May 2009, has already describe physical signs of sexual abuse, the strength of been placed in the Library and is also available on the evidence of those signs being due to sexual abuse and NHS Information Centre website at: issues for clinical practice. Good practice in history taking, obtaining consent, examination technique, photo www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/primary-care/ eye-care/general-ophthalmic-services:-workforce-statistics-for- documentation, forensic sampling and testing for sexually england-and-wales-31-december-2008 transmitted diseases is described. The number of pharmacies per 100,000 resident In addition, the National Institute for Health and population as at 31 March 2008 and 2009 are available Clinical Excellence published clinical guidelines in July for England and by SHA and PCT. 2009 on how to recognise child maltreatment which includes how to recognise signs of sexual abuse. Data as at 31 March 2008 are available in the PCT Level Appendix of the ‘General Pharmaceutical Services in England and Wales 1998-99 to 2007-08’ report. This Health Professions: Manpower report, published on 25 November 2008, has already been placed in the Library and is also available on the David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for NHS Information Centre website at: Health how many (a) GPs, (b) dentists, (c) optometrists www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/primary-care/ and (d) pharmacies there were in each region in each of pharmacies/general-pharmaceutical-services-in-england-and- the last two years; and how many this equated to per wales-1998-99-to-2007-08 100,000 resident population in each category. [303576] Data as at 31 March 2009 are available in the PCT Level Appendix of the ‘General Pharmaceutical Services Ann Keen: The numbers of general practitioners (GPs) in England 1999-00 to 2008-09’ report. This report, per 100,000 resident population are available as at 30 published on 24 November 2009, has already been September 2007 and 2008, for England and by strategic placed in the Library and is also available on the NHS health authority (SHA) and primary care trust (PCT). Information Centre website at: Data as at 30 September 2007 are available in the www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/primary-care/ ‘General and Personal Medical Services. Detailed Results’ pharmacies/general-pharmaceutical-services-in-england-1999- report. This report, published on 14 March 2008, has 2000-to-2008-09 been placed in the Library and is also available on the Data on the numbers of pharmacists working within NHS Information Centre website at: the pharmacies are not collected by the NHS Information www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/workforce/nhs- Centre and therefore is not available centrally. staff-numbers/nhs-staff-1997--2007-general-practice Health Services: Sight Impaired Data are contained in the table ‘Selected Statistics by Primary Care Trusts: England’: www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/nhsstaff2007/gp/ Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for PCT%20Level.xls Health if he will take steps to increase the provision of information to blind or partially-sighted people on Data as at 30 September 2008 are available in the their (a) diagnosis and (b) treatment. [303362] ‘General and Personal Medical Services. Detailed Results’. Data are contained in the table ‘Selected Statistics by Ann Keen: Under the Disability Discrimination Act Primary Care Trusts: England’. This report, published 1995, service providers are required to make reasonable on 25 March 2009, has been placed in the Library and is adjustments for disabled people. This means they must also available on the NHS Information Centre website take reasonable steps to change any practice, policy or at: procedure which makes it unreasonably difficult for a www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/workforce/nhs- disabled person to make use of their services. This may staff-numbers/nhs-staff-1998--2008-general-practice include producing information about the diagnosis and Data are contained in the table ‘Selected Statistics by treatment of medical conditions in different formats, Primary Care Trusts: England’: depending on an assessment of the person’s needs. It is www.ic.nhs.uk/webfiles/publications/nhsstaff2008/gp/ up to individual service providers as to how they make 2008%20Detailed%20Results%20Final.xls any necessary reasonable adjustments. The numbers of dentists with NHS activity per 100,000 resident population during the years ending 31 March HIV Infection: Circumcision 2008 and 2009 are available in Table G1 of Annex 3 of the NHS Dental Statistics for England: 2008-09 report. Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Information is provided for England and by SHA and what research his Department has evaluated on the PCT. This information is based on the new dental effects of male circumcision on the risk of contracting contractual arrangements, introduced on 1 April 2006. HIV. [304406] 159W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 160W

Gillian Merron: The Expert Advisory Group on AIDS, The NHS Security Management Service (NHS SMS) which provides the Department with expert scientific can assist employers through guidance on assessing advice on HIV, keeps the evidence on the effect of male risks and acting to protect staff from assaults and, circumcision on prevention of HIV transmission under where incidents do occur, on taking action against review. offenders. The NHS SMS also works with stakeholders, Male circumcision has been demonstrated to reduce including the Social Partnership Forum, to promote the heterosexual (female-to-male) transmission of HIV by safety and security of NHS staff. around 60 per cent. in randomised controlled trials in Africa. Hospitals: Milton Keynes

HIV Infection: Health Education Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were issued with parking Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health fines following parking in hospital car parks in Milton what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce Keynes in each of the last five years. [304344] HIV-related stigma. [304693] Mr. Mike O’Brien: These data are not collected centrally. Gillian Merron: “The National Strategy for Sexual The management of national health service car parking Health and HIV” (2001) included reducing HIV stigma is the responsibility of the NHS organisations locally. as one of its goals. The Department funded the Medical This includes the use of parking fines if the NHS Foundation for AIDS and Sexual Health (MedFASH) consider it appropriate to reduce congestion and deter who published in October 2009, “Tackling HIV Testing”, misuse of the facilities provided. a resource pack for hospital staff which addresses the impact of stigma on accepting and offering an HIV Hospitals: Standards test. The Department has also contributed to the African Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for HIV Policy Network’s “Changing Perspectives”campaign Health what recent assessment he has made of the and the publication in June 2009 of HIV toolkits for effectiveness of Monitor in assessing clinical African faith leaders which address issues linked to performance at NHS hospitals. [303857] stigma. This is additional to work funded following publication Mr. Mike O’Brien: The National Health Service Act by the Department of “Tackling Stigma” in May 2007, 2006 requires Monitor (the statutory name of which is which included a National AIDS Trust campaign on the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts) improving accurate press coverage of HIV and work to be accountable to Parliament and to exercise its with employers, as well as a booklet produced by NAM functions effectively, efficiently and economically. publications on “HIV Stigma and You” for people living with HIV (second edition published 2009). Influenza: Stockport Hospitals: Crimes of Violence Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doses of seasonal influenza vaccine David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for had been distributed to health centres in the Stockport Health (1) how many hospital staff in England were Primary Care Trust area in the 12 months to 1 physically assaulted while on duty in each of the last December 2009. [304125] three years; [303575] (2) how many hospital staff in England were Gillian Merron: Seasonal influenza vaccine is ordered hospitalised as a result of assault while on duty in each by general practitioner (GP) practices direct from the of the last three years. [303577] manufacturers. The Department is not involved in the ordering process and does not have information about Ann Keen: Information on the number of hospital amounts ordered or distributed. Seasonal influenza vaccine staff in England physically assaulted while on duty is is distributed from mid-September onwards, with most not held centrally and could be obtained only at GP practices starting vaccination from early October. disproportionate cost. Information on the number of hospital staff in England Members: Correspondence hospitalised as a result of assault while on duty is not held centrally and could be obtained only at Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for disproportionate cost. Health (1) what guidance he has issued to strategic Information on the number of reported physical assaults health authorities on the length of time within which against national health service staff in 2006-07 and they should aim to reply to correspondence from hon. 2007-08 is contained in the ‘Tables showing number of Members; [303173] reported physical assaults on NHS staff from 2004-05 (2) if his Department will issue guidance to NHS to 2007-08, broken down by NHS trust/PCT’ which trusts on the length of time within which they should have already been placed in the Library. aim to reply to correspondence from hon. Members; Information on the number of reported physical assaults [303174] against NHS staff in 2008-09 is contained in the ‘Tables (3) what directions the NHS issues to staff of (a) showing number of reported physical assaults on NHS NHS trusts and (b) strategic health authorities on the staff in 2008-09, broken down by NHS trust/PCT’ (i) provision and (ii) timeliness of replies to which have already been placed in the Library. correspondence from hon. Members. [304152] 161W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 162W

Ann Keen: In March 2009, the following guidance for Eddisbury of 4 November 2009, ref MS(CS)500124, was issued to NHS chief executives via the NHS chief if he will place in the Library a copy of the minutes of executive’s monthly bulletin of “key messages”: each meeting of the Nutrition Action Plan Delivery Handling correspondence from MPs Board to date. [304246] “NHS organisations are reminded of the importance of handling correspondence from MPs in the appropriate manner. NHS Phil Hope: All the meeting minutes of the Nutrition organisations will receive letters from MPs on a variety of topics Action Plan Delivery Board have been placed in the and these should receive the personal consideration and response Library. of the Chief Executive or, in some situations, it may be appropriate for the Chair to respond in behalf of their organisations. Some of these letters will be written on behalf of patients and carers and Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State these may need to be handled as part of the complaints system for Health with reference to the letter sent by the but this does not mean that they should not be given the same Minister of State for Care Services to the hon. Member priority as letters from MPs on any topic.” for Eddisbury of 4 November 2009, ref MS(CS)500124, for what reasons Ministers need to consider the NHS: East of England recommendations contained in the final report of the Nutrition Action Plan Delivery Board before the final Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for report is published. [304247] Health what recent representations he has received from the East of England strategic health authority on Phil Hope: The report makes recommendations addressed the performance of NHS trusts in its area. [303814] to Government and other organisations. Ministers are considering how to respond to those recommendations. Mr. Mike O’Brien: The Department holds strategic health authorities to account for the performance of the national health service in its area using the results of the Palliative Care Care Quality Commission Annual health check, the NHS performance framework and other relevant Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State information as a guide in that process. for Health what definition his Department uses of (a) palliative and (b) end of life care. [304942] NHS: Essex Phil Hope: The Department uses the following definitions, Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for based on those used by the World Health Organisation Health when (a) Basildon and Thurrock NHS Foundation and the National Council for Palliative Care: Trust and (b) Colchester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust received visits from (i) the East of England strategic Palliative care is the active holistic care of patients with advanced progressive illness, focusing on the management of pain and other health authority, (ii) the Health Protection Agency, (iii) symptoms and the provision of psychological, social and spiritual the NHS Patient Safety Agency, (iv) the Care Quality care; and Commission, (v) Monitor, (vi) the Health and Safety End of life care is care that helps all those with advanced, Executive and (vii) the NHS Litigation Authority in the progressive, incurable illness to live as well as possible until they last 12 months. [303855] die. It enables the supportive and palliative care needs of both patients and family to be identified and met throughout the last Mr. Mike O’Brien: The chairman of Monitor (the phase of life and into bereavement. It includes management of statutory name of which is the Independent Regulator pain and other symptoms and provision of psychological, social, of NHS Foundation Trusts) will write to the hon. spiritual and practical support. Member with the information you requested, and a copy of this letter will be placed in the Library. Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the (a) Nurses: Graduates median, (b) mean and (c) maximum lifespan of those receiving palliative care. [304945] Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of new entrants to registered nursing Phil Hope: This information is not collected centrally. in the NHS were graduates in each of the last 10 years. [303579] Patient Choice Schemes Ann Keen: The information is not collected centrally. Work force planning, including training, in the national Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for health service is managed and led at a local level by the Health what guidelines his Department has issued on strategic health authorities taking into account the national patient access to treatment by extended choice network policy direction. providers; and what recent assessment he has made of the range of conditions for which patients are being Local NHS organisations are best placed to determine treated by extended choice network providers. [304108] the levels of service and resource required to meet the health needs of the local population. Mr. Mike O’Brien: All approved extended choice Nutrition Action Plan Delivery Board networks (ECN) providers must agree to the ECN rules and sign up to a membership agreement prior to service Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State commencement. for Health with reference to the letter sent by the ECN providers undertake adult elective procedures. Minister of State for Care Services to the hon. Member The range of procedures is listed in the ECN rules. 163W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 164W

As at 30 September 2009, more than 105,000 patients in vitro fertilisation treatment for a patient that exceeds the have been treated under the extended choice and free number of procedures that would in the same circumstances be choice networks. offered to that patient in his/her local NHS area or which is not in compliance with the licensing regulations laid down by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were refused a referral to an extended choice network provider by such a provider in Scientists each of the last three years. [304109] Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Mike O’Brien: The Department does not hold Health on how many occasions he has met (a) the this information as extended choice network providers Government Chief Scientific Adviser and (b) his are not required to submit data on refused patient Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser in the course of referrals to the Department. Patient referral issues will his official duties in the last 12 months. [303969] be monitored locally by the appropriate primary care trust. Phil Hope: In the course of the last 12 months and in their capacity as Secretary of State for Health my right Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, West Health which psychiatric disorders are included in the and Hessle (Alan Johnson) and my right hon. Friend list of conditions in relation to which providers in the the Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham) have met the extended choice network may refuse a patient referral. Government Chief Scientific Adviser on three occasions [304111] and the Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser on four occasions. Mr. Mike O’Brien: To help safeguard patient safety, Extended Choice Network rules state that a facility Selly Oak Hospital providing elective care should not treat a patient who has a current and significantly unstable psychiatric disorder where it cannot reasonably be expected to accommodate Mr. Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health the patient’s needs. how many (a) patients and (b) military personnel have been treated for noise-induced hearing loss at Selly Oak Hospital in the last five years. [304009] Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what criteria providers in the extended choice network are permitted to refuse referrals Phil Hope: No patients or military personnel have relating to (a) patients with psychiatric disorders and been admitted to Selly Oak Hospital with noise effects (b) other patients. [304112] on the inner ear, which includes but is not limited to noise-induced hearing loss, as a primary or secondary Mr. Mike O’Brien: National health service patients diagnosis in the last five years (2004-05 to 2008-09). are assessed to ensure that they are treated in a clinically Data for the number of outpatients treated for noise appropriate setting. effects on the inner ear is not collected centrally. The Extended Choice Network rules list the patient and procedure exclusions. Sickle Cell Diseases The listed exclusions are: Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Patient: Health whether he has visited any sickle cell disorder any person under the age of 18-years-old; support groups in the last 12 months. [302905] any patient with an American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) score of three (who is unstable), unless the appropriate critical care facilities that meet the “Levels of Critical Care for Ann Keen: Ministers have not visited any sickle cell Adult Patients” Standards and Guidelines (Intensive Care disorder support groups in the last 12 months. Society 2002) are available; However I met with representatives from the any patient with an ASA score higher than three (whether Wolverhampton Sickle Cell Care and Social Activity stable or unstable), unless the appropriate critical care facilities Centre on 29 October 2008 and the UK Thalassaemia that meet the “Levels of Critical Care for Adult Patients” Society on 21 April 2009 to discuss respectively, care of Standards and Guidelines (Intensive Care Society 2002) are sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia patients. I also available; and provided a statement of support in July 2009 for the All a patient who has a current and significantly unstable psychiatric Party Parliamentary Group publication ‘Sickle Cell Disease disorder where the approved facility cannot reasonably be and Thalassaemia: A Health Check to raise awareness expected to accommodate the patient’s needs. of these conditions’. Procedure: clinically urgent procedures (being patients that require surgery Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for within 10 days for a clinical reason); Health what recent steps his Department has taken to procedures related to maternity services; improve the standard of services for those diagnosed termination of pregnancy; with sickle cell anaemia. [302909] surgery indicated to be for cosmetic reasons; any procedure that is likely to require critical care, unless the Ann Keen: The planning, delivery and improvements appropriate critical care facilities that meet the “Levels of in services for people diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia Critical Care for Adult Patients” Standards and Guidelines are the responsibility of local commissioners, providers (Intensive Care Society 2002) are available; and and their relevant stakeholders. 165W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 166W

We are working with a range of commissioners and In the vast majority of cases, where people are receiving stakeholders to improve the integration of health and palliative care at the end of their lives, it is likely that social care services for people with sickle cell anaemia such an intervention would be both entirely inappropriate and to ensure that they receive the information and and of no benefit to them. support that they need to manage their condition effectively. Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State Siemens for Health if he will estimate, on the basis of the assumptions in the impact assessment for the Personal Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State Care at Home Bill, the cost to the Exchequer of the for Health whether his Department has entered into free personal care proposed to be provided in each year any contracts with Siemens or its subsidiaries since to 2030. [304941] February 2009. [303761] Phil Hope: The impact assessment estimates the first Phil Hope: Since February 2009, the Department has full year costs of extending free personal care at home entered into one contract with Siemens. to those with the highest needs at £537 million. It also Social Services estimates the costs of providing re-ablement services over the same period at £130 million, bringing the total Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State costs of the proposals to approximately £670 million. for Health (1) with reference to the answer of 12 The impact assessment only covers the period from October 2009, Official Report, column 702W, on October 2010 to the end of 2012-13. Estimating beyond departmental publications, if he will publish each this point is problematic because of the uncertainties detailed model for the proposals outlined in the Green involved. The proposals here are intended as a step Paper, “Shaping the Future of Care Together” apart towards a fully integrated National Care Service, at from that relating to the provision of free personal which point a different set of assumptions may need to homecare to certain users; [304212] be applied. (2) for what reason he did not publish the economic Strokes: Health Education modelling for the “Shaping the Future of Care Together” consultation before the consultation was concluded. [304241] Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the future of his Phil Hope: The Department is working towards Department’s FAST campaign to raise stroke publishing a White Paper on care and support in early awareness. [303447] 2010. We have been working with the Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU) to provide the modelling Ann Keen: The FAST campaign was re-launched on and analysis to underpin our policy development. We television in November and will run until the end of were provided with an interim report from PSSRU in December this year. Further adverts accompanied by a November but that was based on a view of the system national print media campaign are planned to run from when the Green Paper was published. Our core modelling February to March next year. assumptions have changed quite significantly since then The Department’s FAST website has been updated as a result of our stakeholder engagement, responses to and now includes a simple online exercise enabling our consultation and developments such as the Prime people to test their knowledge of FAST. Further work Minister’s announcement on free personal care. The which aims to embed the FAST message in first aid report is therefore only part of the story and we have manuals and training programmes, ensuring sustained come to the conclusion that to publish it now could be delivery of the campaign message, is ongoing. unhelpful to the wider debate on the future of care and In the coming months we will continue to monitor support. the impact of the campaign and plans for future activity The whole methodology of the interim report was in 2010-11 will build on the outcome of this work. published in July on the PSSRU’s website at: http://www.pssru.ac.uk/pdf/dp2644.pdf Swine Flu: Vaccination The top level costs and benefits are in the impact assessment published with the Green Paper and available Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on the Big Care Debate website at: what assessment has been made of the adequacy of http://careandsupport.direct.gov.uk/greenpaper/the-green- supplies of the H1N1 vaccine to GP practices in order paper-and-supporting-documents/ to meet the initial prioritisation of at-risk groups. PSSRU continue to model the costs and benefits of a [304151] new National Care Service based on revised assumptions. Gillian Merron: The Department has been monitoring Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State the supply of swine flu vaccines to the national health for Health with reference to paragraph 4.5 of the service very closely and is in regular contact with the Impact Assessment for the Personal Care at Home Bill, vaccine manufacturers and distributor. for what reasons re-ablement will not be made available As of 2 December 2009, 14.9 million doses of Pandemrix to those receiving palliative care. [304813] had been received in the United Kingdom, which was sufficient for all of the initial high-risk priority groups. Phil Hope: It would be for local councils to assess An initial distribution of 500 doses of Pandemrix to whether or not an individual would benefit from every general practitioner (GP) practice in England was re-ablement. completed by 13 November 2009. From 12 November 167W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 168W

2009 primary care trusts (PCTs) have been able to order Helen Goodman: Under the current rules absentee additional supplies of vaccine for their GPs by using the fathers are obliged to pay £5 a week when they are on Department’s on-line ordering system. benefit and, as they enter work, their child maintenance While the timing of our overall delivery schedule has calculation increases correspondingly as a proportion been reliant on predicted supplies from the manufacturer, of their income. we have taken action to ensure that supplies are pushed Economically Inactive Population out to the national health service as fast as possible.

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for 21. James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State Health when he expects to reach agreement with the for Work and Pensions what proportion of the working age British Medical Association on procedures and policy population in (a) the UK and (b) Rochford and Southend for vaccinating children between the ages of six months East constituency was economically inactive on the and five years against swine influenza. [304230] latest date for which figures are available. [304082]

Gillian Merron: As of 3 December 2009, negotiations Jim Knight: Data from the Annual Population Survey between the British Medical Association General show that from April 2008 to March 2009, the percentage Practitioners Committee and NHS Employers were of the working age population in Rochford and Southend, continuing. The Department is seeking a prompt conclusion East that is inactive was 24.3 per cent. and in the UK it to the negotiations to enable the NHS to begin protecting was 21.3 per cent. children over six months and under five years from the The inactivity rate in the UK is lower today than it H1N1 swine flu virus as soon as possible. was in 1997 and, excluding full-time students, is 2.3 percentage points lower. Long-term Unemployment WORK AND PENSIONS 24. Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for Youth Unemployment Work and Pensions what steps she is taking to reduce levels of long-term unemployment. [304085] 15. Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment she has made of Jim Knight: Since 2008, the Government have made the causes of changes in the level of youth available £5 billion to provide substantial new support unemployment in the last 12 months. [304076] to get all unemployed jobseekers back to work. This Government will not write off any individual Jim Knight: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I and leave them languishing on benefits. That is why, gave the hon. Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell). through the new deal and the flexible new deal, people claiming benefits for 12 months or more will get the 23. Mr. Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work help they need to return to work. and Pensions what assessment she has made of the reasons for changes in the level of youth Christmas unemployment in the last 12 months. [304084] Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Jim Knight: Rising youth unemployment is one Work and Pensions how many Christmas parties his consequence of the global recession. Department plans to host in 2009; what has been budgeted Unemployment is rising because more people are for each such reception; what estimate she has made of becoming unemployed in the recession and not because the proportion of (a) lamb, (b) beef, (c) chicken, (d) fewer people are leaving unemployment. pork, (e) turkey, (f) other meats, (g) vegetables, (h) fruit and (i) alcohol to be served at each such function Long-term youth unemployment remains significantly which is produced in the UK; and if she will make a below levels seen in previous recessions. statement. [300863] New Deal for Lone Parents Jonathan Shaw: Departmental funds are not normally used to fund internal staff parties or recreational events. 19. Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for The cost of staff parties, including Christmas parties, Work and Pensions what progress has been made on are normally met by those staff attending. In an organisation the new deal for lone parents. [304080] of the size of DWP, such events are numerous and are not systematically recorded by the Department or its Yvette Cooper: Since new deal for lone parents was agencies. No information is held centrally on the food introduced in October 1998, it has helped over 635,000 served at these events nor could the plans for such lone parents into work. events in 2009 be made available without incurring disproportionate cost. Maintenance Payments: Absentee Fathers Departmental Domestic Visits 20. Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if she will bring forward proposals to David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for require absentee fathers of the children of teenage Work and Pensions on how many occasions she visited mothers to make maintenance payments when they are (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland in in work; and if she will make a statement. [304081] an official capacity in the last 12 months. [303496] 169W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 170W

Jim Knight: The Secretary of State has visited both Jonathan Shaw: We are fully committed to supporting Scotland and Wales once in her official capacity in the young disabled people, including those diagnosed with last 12 months. She has not visited Northern Ireland. autism, to find suitable and sustainable work. The Department will, following the recent consultation exercise Departmental Taxis on the Autism Bill, work closely with the Department of Health and others across government on the planned Ian Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Autism Strategy. and Pensions what contracts her Department has with The Department offers a number of programmes and private hire taxi companies; and what expenditure her services which help people with autism to find, and stay Department has incurred against each such contract in in employment. each of the last three years. [300841] Disability employment advisers in Jobcentre Plus, for Jim Knight: The Department of Work and Pensions example, can advise a customer about suitable job currently has no contracts with private hire taxi companies opportunities and specialised support available to disabled and has not had any such contracts during the last three people. If necessary they can also advocate on a customer’s years. behalf (by negotiating with employers), refer customers for an occupational health assessment, and use the Departmental Telephone Services professional expertise of work psychologists, who specialise in working with disabled people. Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Work The Department has a number of specialist programmes and Pensions if she will assess the merits of introducing that help disabled people move into paid work, some of an automatic call-back request feature for callers to her which are only accessible through disability employment Department’s telephone helplines to minimise the cost advisers. These programmes include work preparation, to callers. [301086] residential training and Workstep (a programme of supported employment). Jim Knight [holding answer 24 November 2009]: Where a customer calling the Department for Work and Pensions’ Disabled people going into paid work may also be 0800 or 0845 services asks us, or raises concerns over able to benefit from Access to Work, which provides the cost of the call, we will offer to call them back. In practical advice and support to disabled people and addition to this, Jobcentre Plus has recently introduced their employers to help overcome work related obstacles a further improvement in customer service for customers resulting from disability. Access to Work provides a calling their 0800 and 0845 benefit enquiry numbers system of grants which contribute towards the cost of from mobile phones. From October 2009, all customers providing support, such as a job coach for a short calling these numbers from a mobile phone are now period to help settle an autistic customer into work. automatically offered a call-back. Support can also be given to the customer in the form of awareness training on autism which can be delivered The Department has also asked our telephony provider to the customer’s colleagues. to investigate how we might employ automated interventions that allow customers to leave call-back Jobcentre Plus staff are also provided with training in numbers without waiting for connection to an agent. the skills required to manage a range of behaviours Potential solutions may involve either saving a customer’s demonstrated by customers, covering a variety of health place in line or scheduling a call-back time convenient conditions. This approach ensures that they are equipped to each customer. to deal with diverse circumstances whilst treating customers as individuals. Advisers look at the interaction between Departmental Travel the person, the job and an individual’s ability and ensure that job goals relate to the customer’s abilities Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for and that work solutions are sought to overcome any Work and Pensions on what date she last travelled by challenges a customer might face in a particular job. (a) bus and (b) taxi in the course of her official duties. [302720] Incapacity Benefit Jim Knight: The Secretary of State has not travelled by bus or taxi in the course of her official duties. Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Employment Services: Autism and Pensions how many people were in receipt of incapacity benefit in each month since January 2004. Mr. Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Work [302350] and Pensions what recent steps her Department has taken to assist young people with autism find Jonathan Shaw: The available information is in the long-term employment. [304205] table.

Number of people claiming incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance and employment and support allowance in Great Britain and abroad Incapacity benefit Employment and support allowance

February 2004 2,819,160 — May 2004 2,814,710 — August 2004 2,817,010 — November 2004 2,814,410 — 171W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 172W

Number of people claiming incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance and employment and support allowance in Great Britain and abroad Incapacity benefit Employment and support allowance

February 2005 2,799,870 — May 2005 2,783,720 — August 2005 2,767,740 — November 2005 2,752,900 — February 2006 2,747,490 — May 2006 2,730,000 — August 2006 2,724,980 — November 2006 2,714,950 — February 2007 2,704,100 — May 2007 2,685,320 — August 2007 2,683,160 — November 2007 2,683,750 — February 2008 2,659,650 — May 2008 2,637,560 — August 2008 2,632,000 — November 2008 2,593,010 53,770 February 2009 2,468,620 175,810 May 2009 2,374,210 1288,270 1 Provisional data. Notes: 1. Case load figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Employment and support allowance replaced incapacity benefit and income support paid on the grounds of incapacity for new claims from 27 October 2008. 3. The figures relating to employment and support allowance have been thoroughly quality assured to National Statistics standard. However, it should be noted that this is a new benefit using a new data source which may not have reached steady state in terms of operational processing and retrospection. Hence most recent data shown is provisional. Source: Department for Work and Pensions Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.

Jobcentre Plus absence rates. Jobcentre Plus reports its attendance management performance in terms of average working days lost and those are the details we retain to monitor progress. Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work We do not have details of resignations that arose due to stress and Pensions what percentage of days were lost or ill health. However, we do maintain details of numbers of ill through sickness absence of Jobcentre Plus staff in health retirements. These are contained in the following annex for each (a) region and (b) country of the UK in each of each of the last three years. The figures comprise all ill health the last three years; what the rate of (i) early retirement retirement cases that arose in Jobcentre Plus during the period in and (ii) resignation on grounds of stress and ill health question. was amongst Jobcentre Plus staff in each (A) region Details of staff turnover for 2007/08 and 2008/09 are set out in and (B) country of the UK in each of the last three the table in the annex. years; and what the rate of staff turnover was in Annex Jobcentre Plus in each (1) region and (2) country of the Percentage rate of sick absence in jobcentre plus UK in (y) 2007-08 and (z) 2008-09. [302246] Percentage absence rate Region/ 12 months to 12 months to Jim Knight: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a country March 2009 October 2009 matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member East 3.9 4.0 with the information requested. Midlands East of 4.0 3.7 Letter from Darra Singh: England The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question London 4.5 4.0 asking what percentage of days were lost through sickness absence North East 4.1 3.8 of Jobcentre Plus staff in each a) region and b) country of the UK North West 4.4 4.1 in each of the last three years; what the rate of a) early retirement and b) resignation on grounds of stress and ill health was amongst Scotland 4.0 3.6 Jobcentre Plus staff in each a) region and b) country of the UK in South East 4.2 3.9 each of the last three years; and what the rate of staff turnover South West 4.0 3.8 was in Jobcentre Plus in each a) region and b) country of the UK Wales 4.3 4.0 in i) 2007/08 and ii) 2008/09. This is something that falls within West 4.2 4.0 the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Midlands Plus. Yorkshire 3.5 3.3 The table in the following annex provides details by region/country and of the percentage of days lost as a result of sick absence in Humber Jobcentre Plus. This sets out the position for 2008/09 and the Note: latest point we have information for, i.e. the 12 month period from Sickness absence levels are reported on an average working days lost November 2008 to October 2009. Unfortunately, we do not hold basis. any earlier information covering working days available and Source: working days lost for each region/country to calculate percentage BOXI Management Information Portal 173W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 174W

Ill health retirements in jobcentre plus Percentage rate of staff turnover in jobcentre plus Region/country 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 Region/country 2007-08 2008-09

East Midlands 7 3 6 Wales 4.9 4.7 East of England 6 4 6 West Midlands 4.9 4.9 London 13 4 5 Yorkshire and Humber 4.7 5.0 North East 11 12 15 Note: Data relates to the 12 month period to March for each of the years. North West 14 11 13 Source: Scotland 7 6 4 Dataview, extracted from Resource Management South East 12 3 7 Jobcentre Plus: Manpower South West 3 5 11 Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Wales 5 3 7 and Pensions how many additional staff have been West Midlands 15 9 13 recruited by Jobcentre Plus from outside her Department Yorkshire and Humber 14 3 3 in each region in each of the last 12 months; and if she Note: will make a statement. [301719] Data relates to the 12 month period to March for each of the years. Source: Jim Knight: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a Dataview, extracted from Resource Management matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Percentage rate of staff turnover in jobcentre plus Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member Region/country 2007-08 2008-09 with the information requested. East Midlands 5.3 5.7 Letter from Darra Singh: East of England 4.2 4.6 The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question London 3.3 3.6 asking how many additional staff have been recruited by Jobcentre Plus from outside her Department in each region in each of the North East 4.3 4.2 last 12 months. This is something that falls within the responsibilities North West 4.9 4.6 delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. Scotland 4.8 4.9 The table at Annex 1 provides details by region/country of the South East 4.3 4.1 number of external recruits to Jobcentre Plus in the 12 month South West 6.9 7.1 period October 2008 to September 2009.

Annex 1: People recruited by Jobcentre Plus October 2008 to September 2009 2008 2009 Region/ country Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Total

East 54 70 28 171 63 88 85 108 220 268 219 159 1,533 Midlands East of 26 40 32 70 40 94 93 163 324 343 228 135 1,588 England London 8 97 43 74 40 85 143 193 231 307 381 264 1,866 North East 23 15 41 37 28 38 127 95 237 196 117 122 1,076 North West 45 127 79 136 126 191 85 158 276 490 321 321 2,355 Scotland 93 66 67 109 113 131 168 218 332 329 188 68 1,882 South East 37 45 85 142 73 25 186 297 207 324 215 94 1,730 South West 30 81 58 105 36 65 75 132 206 252 228 64 1,332 Wales 38 60 47 134 66 99 56 41 100 232 140 54 1,067 West 28 57 82 69 57 175 95 213 293 318 227 242 1,856 Midlands Yorkshire 51 53 58 93 65 132 121 80 296 465 186 222 1,822 and the Humber Total 433 711 620 1,140 707 1,123 1,234 1,698 2,722 3,524 2,450 1,745 18,107 Source: Department for Work and Pensions Resource Management System

Jobcentre Plus: South East Region Letter from Mel Groves:

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for asking how many Jobcentre Plus staff were employed in a) Sussex and b) the South East in each of the last 10 years. This is Work and Pensions how many Jobcentre Plus staff something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as were employed in (a) Sussex and (b) the South East in Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. each of the last 10 years. [301276] I have set out the information you requested in the following table. However, we do not hold figures for Sussex alone. The Jim Knight: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a Jobcentre Plus District for which figures are provided below is matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Surrey and Sussex. In addition, I am unable to provide information Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. for the period requested. For data capacity reasons the information Member with the information requested. you seek is only available from 2007. 175W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 176W

jobseeker’s agreement, (iii) to sign on and (iv) for other South East Surrey and Sussex purposes. [302262] March 2007 5,292 1,473 March 2008 5,118 1,410 Jim Knight: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a March 2009 5,555 1,522 matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra September 2009 6,727 1,804 Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member Source: with the information requested. Jobcentre Plus Resource Management System. National Insurance Contributions Jobseeker’s Allowance: Interviews Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Work and Pensions how many national insurance and Pensions with reference to the answer of 12 June numbers were issued to (a) non-UK EU nationals and 2009, Official Report, column 1034W, on Jobcentre (b) non-EU nationals in each of the last 12 quarters Plus: interviews, what data her Department collects on for which figures are available. [300391] (a) performance at each Jobcentre Plus office and (b) the average length of a jobseeker’s interview with a Jim Knight: The available information is in the following personal adviser (i) for initial assessment, (ii) to make a table.

National insurance number registrations to adult overseas nationals entering the UK, last 12 quarters of registration EU nationals Non-EU nationals

April 2006 to June 2006 77,390 56,380 July 2006 to September 2006 91,040 60,370 October 2006 to December 2006 98,640 65,940 January 2007 to March 2007 153,180 102,440 April 2007 to June 2007 99,410 66,630 July 2007 to September 2007 121,380 68,460 October 2007 to December 2007 108,290 76,670 January 2008 to March 2008 110,830 80,930 April 2008 to June 2008 100,680 74,650 July 2008 to September 2008 101,930 65,260 October 2008 to December 2008 68,590 66,110 January 2009 to March 2009 105,960 102,420 Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Registration date is derived from the date at which a national insurance number is maintained on the national insurance recording system. 3. World area of origin based on a client’s nationality. The mapping for ‘world areas’ are based on the present day. Bulgaria and Romania are listed as EU accession states for the entire back series. European Union includes the accession states. Source: 100 per cent. extract from national insurance recording system.

New Deal for Young People out in the contract specification for New Deal for Young People , and are subject to contract management Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and monitoring by DWP. and Pensions with reference to the answer of 11 November New Deal Prime Contracts are subject to external 2009, Official Report, column 583W,on work experiences: inspection by Ofsted in England and Estyn in Wales. young people, how Jobcentre Plus secures placements This is to provide independent assurance, through the on each of the (a) work, (b) voluntary sector and (c) Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, that publicly environmental taskforce options for participants in the funded provision is delivering a quality experience to New Deal for Young People. [302240] our individual customers. In addition, providers are expected to follow the Jim Knight: Jobcentre Plus does not directly secure DWP Quality Framework which promotes the commitment placements for the New Deal for Young People options. to quality improvement through continuous self-assessment It is the New Deal providers, as part of their contract and development planning. Areas for improvement with Jobcentre Plus, who source and secure suitable identified through self-assessment and inspection are placements for all three options according to customer addressed through the DWP contract management review demand. process. An external inspection regime will be introduced in Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Scotland by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education and Pensions with reference to the answer of 11 November (HMIE) from January 2010. 2009, Official Report, column 583W,on work experience: young people, what steps Jobcentre Plus is taking to Social Security Benefits: Drugs monitor the efficacy of each option available under the New Deal for Young People in helping the participant Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work into work. [302247] and Pensions what estimate she has made of the number of people on the trial programme to have lost Jim Knight: DWP welfare to work providers are benefit entitlement as a result of testing positive for required to meet the quality and delivery standards set drugs. [301380] 177W Written Answers7 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 178W

Jim Knight: The Department for Work and Pensions Unemployment: Young People is not currently running any trial programme in which people have lost, or indeed could lose, benefit entitlement Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work as a result of testing positive for drugs. and Pensions what steps her Department is taking to Arrangements are included in the Welfare Reform reduce the level of youth unemployment; and if she will Act November 2009 to enable pilots for problem drug make a statement. [304063] users within the benefit system, to take place from autumn 2010 in Central London, Cumbria and Lancashire, Jim Knight: We have launched a number of targeted Merseyside, West Yorkshire, Birmingham and Solihull. initiatives to tackle youth unemployment. These pilots will offer additional support to those problem drug users already in treatment. In return, and From next month, the young person’s guarantee will in order to receive benefit payments, they will also test ensure all 18 to 24-year-olds on JSA will be guaranteed an approach in which claimants with a drug dependency either the offer of a job, work-focused training or that is a barrier to employment, and who are not meaningful activity. They will then be required to take already receiving drug treatment, will be required to up one of these opportunities. sign up to a rehabilitation plan that will outline how The Future Jobs Fund will create 150,000 jobs. Around they will engage with the help that is available to them 95,000 jobs have already been approved and some have to overcome their addiction. That is to say that doing already started. nothing will no longer be an option for this group. But Government can not prevent youth unemployment While these provisions will also allow for people on on our own. That is why we launched backing Young benefits to be required to take drug tests in certain Britain and I am delighted to report that as a result over limited and prescribed circumstances, there will be no 330 employers are already pledging new opportunities loss of entitlement as a result of any positive test. for young people.

ORAL ANSWERS

Monday 7 December 2009

Col. No. Col. No. WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 1 WORK AND PENSIONS—continued Disability Benefits...... 6 Pensioner Poverty...... 12 Disability Living Allowance/Attendance Private Pension Schemes ...... 15 Allowance ...... 16 Topical Questions ...... 16 Gloucester Works Project...... 13 Unemployment ...... 14 Jobseeker’s Allowance ...... 8 Winter Fuel Payments...... 4 Jobseeker’s Allowance ...... 12 Workplace Pension Saving ...... 4 Local Housing Allowance...... 11 Youth Unemployment...... 1 Local Housing Allowance...... 13 Youth Unemployment...... 9 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Monday 7 December 2009

Col. No. Col. No. FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 2WS TREASURY ...... 1WS Cluster Munitions Production (Financing) ...... 2WS “Putting the Frontline First”...... 1WS General Affairs Council and Foreign Affairs Asset Protection Scheme/Asset Protection Council ...... 3WS Agency...... 1WS International War Crimes Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (Serbia) ...... 2WS WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 7WS Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer HEALTH...... 6WS Affairs Council ...... 7WS Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council ...... 6WS New Horizons: A Shared Vision for Mental WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 9WS Health...... 7WS Mental Health and Employment...... 9WS PETITIONS

Monday 7 December 2009

Col. No. Col. No. PRESENTED PETITION PRESENTED PETITION—continued Badman Report (Eastbourne)...... 1P Badman Report (Sittingbourne and Sheppey)...... 2P Badman Report (Elmet)...... 1P Badman Report (Walthamstow)...... 3P Badman Report (Gloucester) ...... 2P Badman Report (Wells)...... 4P Badman Report (Sheffield, Hillsborough)...... 2P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Monday 7 December 2009

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 45W CABINET OFFICE—continued Bingo: Closures...... 45W Political Honours Scrutiny Committee...... 3W Biomedical Research...... 46W Refuges: Enfield...... 3W Digital Broadcasting: Fees and Charges...... 46W Higher Education: Nursing...... 46W CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES ...... 137W Manufacturing Industries: Closures...... 47W Alternative Curriculum ...... 137W Natural Environment Research Council...... 47W Building Schools for the Future Programme: Post Office...... 47W Asbestos...... 138W Prince Madog ...... 48W Children: Databases...... 138W Royal Mail: Industrial Disputes ...... 48W Citizenship and History: Secondary Education...... 139W Royal Mail: Pay...... 48W Departmental Advertising...... 139W RRV James Cook...... 49W Departmental Legal Costs ...... 139W Scientists ...... 49W Departmental Legislation ...... 140W Unsolicited Goods and Services: Telephones ...... 49W Family and Parent Institute: Finance ...... 141W GCSE ...... 143W CABINET OFFICE...... 2W GCSE: Young Offenders ...... 143W Departmental Consultants...... 2W Home Education...... 144W KBR ...... 3W National Curriculum Tests...... 144W Col. No. Col. No. CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES—continued DEFENCE—continued Pupil Exclusions...... 145W Departmental Security ...... 96W Pupils: Abuse ...... 146W Departmental Taxis ...... 96W Pupils: Per Capita Costs...... 146W Departmental Travel ...... 97W Pupils: Weapons...... 147W Devonport Dockyard...... 97W Schools: Finance...... 148W Ex-servicemen: Radiation Exposure...... 97W Schools: Herefordshire...... 147W HMS Endurance...... 98W Schools: Rural Areas...... 147W Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations...... 98W Schools: Standards...... 148W Low Flying...... 98W Secondary Education: Gloucestershire...... 149W Military Bases: Energy...... 99W Secondary Education: Outdoor Education ...... 149W NATO Response Force ...... 99W Teachers: Pay ...... 150W Navy: Discharges ...... 99W Teachers: South East...... 150W Nigeria and Sierra Leone: Peacekeeping Teachers: Training...... 150W Operations ...... 99W Teenage Pregnancy...... 151W Territorial Army ...... 99W Youth Services: Greater London...... 151W Trident Missiles...... 100W USA: Defence ...... 100W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT . 57W Audit Commission: Public Relations ...... 57W ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE ...... 1W Council Tax ...... 60W Electoral Commission: Leave...... 1W Departmental Internet ...... 60W Electoral Commission: Pay ...... 1W Departmental Security ...... 60W EU Law...... 60W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 130W Government Office for London...... 61W Caparo Group...... 130W Homes and Communities Agency: Harlow ...... 63W Carbon Sequestration ...... 130W Leasehold Valuation Tribunal ...... 63W Climate Change ...... 130W Lichfield District Council: Finance...... 63W Coal Authority: Cap Gemini...... 130W Local Government and Public Involvement in Coal Authority: Information and Health Act 2007...... 64W Communications Technology...... 131W Local Government Finance ...... 65W Departmental Buildings...... 131W Local Government: ICT...... 65W Energy: Housing ...... 131W Local Government: Procurement ...... 65W Environment Protection: ICT ...... 132W Non-Domestic Rates...... 65W Fuel Poverty...... 132W Parking: Fees and Charges...... 66W Fuel Poverty: Health ...... 133W Planning Permission: Appeals...... 66W KBR ...... 133W Sheltered Housing...... 66W Local Government: Carbon Emissions ...... 134W Social Rented Housing: Equality ...... 66W Renewable Energy: Developing Countries...... 134W Social Rented Housing: Regulation...... 67W Tenant Services Agency ...... 67W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS...... 4W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT...... 100W Agriculture: Subsidies...... 4W Anti-Semitism...... 100W Agriculture: Wales ...... 6W Departmental Public Relations ...... 101W Animal Welfare ...... 6W Departmental Written Questions ...... 101W Animal Welfare: Circuses...... 6W EU Law...... 101W Badgers ...... 7W Music: Finance ...... 102W Bees: Imports ...... 7W Olympic Games 2012: East Sussex ...... 102W Biodiversity...... 7W Portland PR: Public Relations...... 102W Biofuels...... 8W Scientists ...... 103W Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control...... 8W Sports: East of England...... 103W Bovine Tuberculosis: Vaccination...... 9W Sports: Finance...... 103W Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Stratagem: Public Relations ...... 104W Aquaculture Science: Shipping ...... 10W Tourism...... 104W Dairy Farming: Cooperatives...... 11W Tourism: Yorkshire and Humberside ...... 104W Departmental Fixed Penalties ...... 12W UK School Games ...... 105W Departmental Official Cars...... 11W Departmental Travel ...... 12W DEFENCE...... 87W Drinking Water: Crime ...... 12W Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations ...... 87W Flood Control: Finance ...... 13W Air Force: Military Bases ...... 89W Flood Control: Water Companies ...... 14W Armed Forces: Casualties ...... 89W Food: Procurement ...... 14W Armed Forces: Housing ...... 90W Hill Farming ...... 14W Armed Forces: Pensions...... 91W Horticulture: Research...... 15W Armed Forces: Telephone Services...... 92W Nature Conservation: Crime ...... 16W Climate and Energy Security Envoy ...... 92W Nitrate Vulnerable Zones ...... 15W Cyprus ...... 92W Ports ...... 16W DA Notices ...... 93W Poultry ...... 17W Defence: Procurement...... 93W Primates: Sales ...... 17W Departmental Contracts ...... 94W Sewers ...... 18W Departmental Cost Effectiveness ...... 94W Sheep: Conservation ...... 18W Departmental Domestic Visits ...... 95W Waste Disposal: Hazardous Substances ...... 19W Departmental Drinking Water ...... 96W Waste Management...... 20W Col. No. Col. No. ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS— HOME DEPARTMENT—continued continued Police ...... 80W Water: EU Law ...... 20W Political Activities ...... 83W Radicalism ...... 84W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 24W Radicalism: Crime Prevention...... 85W Colombia ...... 24W Stop and Search: Greater London ...... 85W Departmental Buildings...... 25W Terrorism: Detainees...... 85W Departmental Recruitment ...... 25W Work Permits ...... 86W EC Law: Agriculture...... 25W EU Law...... 26W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 134W European Union: Fines...... 26W Afghanistan and Pakistan: Overseas Aid ...... 134W Fiji ...... 26W Afghanistan: Overseas Aid...... 135W Holidays Abroad: Death...... 27W Afghanistan: Reconstruction ...... 135W Iraq: Prisoners ...... 27W Africa: Overseas Aid ...... 136W Students: Extremism ...... 28W Departmental Official Cars...... 137W Departmental Security ...... 137W HEALTH...... 153W Accident and Emergency Departments ...... 153W JUSTICE...... 106W Ambulance Services: Crimes of Violence ...... 153W Ashwell Prison ...... 106W Arthritis: Health Services...... 153W C-NOMIS Database Project ...... 106W Biofuels: Air Pollution ...... 154W Convictions : Personnel...... 107W Care Homes: Patients’ Rights ...... 154W Courts: Domestic Violence...... 108W Complementary Medicine: Regulation...... 155W Dangerous Driving: Invalid Vehicles...... 108W Departmental Official Cars...... 155W Departmental Domestic Visits ...... 108W Departmental Scientists ...... 155W Departmental Food...... 109W Departmental Security ...... 155W Departmental Travel ...... 109W Dr. Foster...... 156W Departmental Working Hours ...... 110W Eyesight: Testing...... 156W Driving Offences ...... 111W Forensic Science: Offences Against Children...... 156W Driving Offences: Norwich ...... 113W Health Professions: Manpower ...... 157W Drugs: Crime ...... 113W Health Services: Sight Impaired ...... 158W East Sutton Park Prison: Prisoner Escapes ...... 115W HIV Infection: Circumcision...... 158W Females: Prisoners ...... 115W HIV Infection: Health Education...... 159W Fixed Penalties: Royal Parks ...... 115W Hospitals: Crimes of Violence...... 159W Hollesley Bay Prison ...... 116W Hospitals: Milton Keynes ...... 160W Homicide: Prisoners Release ...... 116W Hospitals: Standards...... 160W Immobilisation of Vehicles...... 116W Influenza: Stockport ...... 160W Legal Services Commission: Fees and Charges ...... 117W Members: Correspondence ...... 160W Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Council...... 117W NHS: East of England...... 161W National Offender Management Service: NHS: Essex...... 161W Information and Communications Technology.. 118W Nurses: Graduates ...... 161W Offenders: Mentally Ill...... 118W Nutrition Action Plan Delivery Board ...... 161W Prison Accommodation ...... 119W Palliative Care...... 162W Prison Accommodation: Sussex ...... 122W Patient Choice Schemes ...... 162W Prison Visitors: Drugs...... 122W Scientists ...... 164W Prisoner Escapes ...... 123W Selly Oak Hospital ...... 164W Prisons ...... 123W Sickle Cell Diseases...... 164W Prisons: Alcoholic Drinks ...... 124W Siemens...... 165W Prisons: Drugs ...... 124W Social Services...... 165W Reoffenders...... 126W Strokes: Health Education ...... 166W Sentencing...... 127W Swine Flu: Vaccination ...... 166W Young Offenders: Education ...... 128W Young Offenders: Sentencing ...... 129W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 68W Youth Custody...... 129W Asylum ...... 68W Crimes of Violence...... 70W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 20W Departmental Legislation ...... 71W Capita ...... 20W Deportation ...... 73W Departmental Information Officers ...... 21W DNA: Databases...... 74W Departmental Legislation ...... 21W Entry Clearances...... 74W Departmental Pay ...... 21W Entry Clearances: Overseas Students ...... 75W Departmental Public Expenditure...... 22W Entry Clearances: Skilled Workers ...... 75W Disabled...... 22W Extremism Unit: Finance...... 75W Iraq Committee of Inquiry ...... 22W Fixed Penalties...... 76W Prisoners: Foreign Nationality ...... 23W Foreign Nationals: Convictions...... 76W Sexual Offences...... 23W Identity Cards ...... 77W Identity Cards: Databases ...... 77W PRIME MINISTER ...... 2W Identity Cards: Greater Manchester...... 77W Official Engagements ...... 2W Immigration...... 78W Scientists ...... 2W Immigration Controls: Foreign Workers ...... 78W Members: Correspondence ...... 79W SCOTLAND...... 1W National Policing Improvement Agency...... 79W Departmental Taxis ...... 1W Col. No. Col. No. TRANSPORT ...... 28W TREASURY—continued Arriva: Government Assistance ...... 28W Defence Training College...... 52W Aviation: Greater London...... 28W Departmental Buildings...... 52W Aviation: Noise ...... 28W Departmental Information Officers ...... 52W Bicycles ...... 29W EU Law...... 52W Bicycles: Safety ...... 30W Financial Services ...... 52W Bus Services ...... 30W Government: Assets ...... 52W Bus Services: Lincolnshire...... 31W National Insurance Contributions: Foreign Caparo Group...... 31W Workers...... 53W Cars: Fuels...... 31W Revenue and Customs...... 54W Departmental Consultants...... 32W Scientists ...... 56W Departmental Food...... 32W Taxation: Gaming ...... 56W Departmental Legislation ...... 33W VAT: Northern Ireland...... 57W Departmental Parking ...... 33W Winter Fuel Payments: Income Tax ...... 57W Floods: Cumbria...... 34W Working Tax Credit ...... 57W Invalid Vehicles: Insurance...... 35W Kellogg Brown and Root...... 35W WALES...... 2W London City Airport ...... 35W Welsh Language...... 2W M6: Walsall...... 37W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 167W Public Transport: Crimes of Violence ...... 38W Christmas...... 168W Railway Network ...... 38W Departmental Domestic Visits ...... 168W Railway Stations ...... 39W Departmental Taxis ...... 169W Railway Stations: Greater London...... 40W Departmental Telephone Services ...... 169W Railways...... 42W Departmental Travel ...... 169W Railways: East of England ...... 42W Economically Inactive Population...... 168W Railways: Electrification ...... 42W Employment Services: Autism...... 169W Railways: Kent...... 43W Incapacity Benefit ...... 170W Railways: Liverpool ...... 43W Jobcentre Plus ...... 171W Road Traffic: Tyne and Wear ...... 43W Jobcentre Plus: Manpower ...... 174W Roads: Lincolnshire ...... 44W Jobcentre Plus: South East Region...... 173W Roads: Repair and Maintenance ...... 44W Jobseeker’s Allowance: Interviews...... 175W Rolling Stock ...... 45W Long-term Unemployment ...... 168W Maintenance Payments: Absentee Fathers ...... 167W TREASURY ...... 50W National Insurance Contributions ...... 176W Asset Protection Scheme ...... 50W New Deal for Lone Parents...... 167W Bank of England: Loans...... 50W New Deal for Young People...... 175W Bank Services: Fees and Charges ...... 50W Social Security Benefits: Drugs ...... 176W Banks: Government Assistance...... 50W Unemployment: Young People...... 178W Banks: Loans ...... 51W Youth Unemployment...... 167W Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. 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CONTENTS

Monday 7 December 2009

List of Government and Principal Officers of the House

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 1] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

NHS IT Programme [Col. 21] Answer to urgent question—(Andy Burnham)

Smarter Government [Col. 29] Statement—(Mr. Byrne)

Energy Bill [Col. 41] Motion for Second Reading—(Edward Miliband)—agreed to Programme motion—(Mr. Mudie)—agreed to

Asylum System [Col. 125] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 1WS]

Petitions [Col. 1P]

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 1W] [see index inside back page]