Monday Volume 573 13 January 2014 No. 102

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Monday 13 January 2014

£5·00 © Parliamentary Copyright House of Commons 2014 This publication may be reproduced under the terms of the Open Parliament licence, which is published at www.parliament.uk/site-information/copyright/. 561 13 JANUARY 2014 562

scheme right to help people get back into work and to House of Commons help those who cannot get back into work through the benefits system. Monday 13 January 2014 Helen Jones (Warrington North) (Lab): As the Court of Appeal recently threw out the Government’s appeal The House met at half-past Two o’clock against the decision that the work capability assessment disadvantages those with long-term mental health problems PRAYERS and learning disabilities such as autism, will the Minister accept that the test is simply not designed to deal with such people? What will he do about that? [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] : The Harrington report referred to that matter specifically. Ensuring that people with hidden disabilities get all the help we can give them is is close to Oral Answers to Questions my heart, but the Harrington pilot is on hold because of the judicial review.

WORK AND PENSIONS Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome) (LD): In my part of the world, the work capability assessment and the personal independence payment are administered The Secretary of State was asked— by Atos. When my constituents finally get an assessment, they find an organisation that is as insensitive as it is Work Capability Assessment incompetent. Would not the best way of improving the work capability assessment be to remove the incapable 1. Ian Mearns (Gateshead) (Lab): What plans he has Atos? to improve the work capability assessment. [901893] Mike Penning: We inherited the contract with Atos as The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions the company running the WCA. We were not happy (Mike Penning): We remain committed to reviewing with the quality of its work, which is why we brought in continually and further improving the assessment. measures. We accept that that is causing delays to the Dr Litchfield’s independent review was published in system, but it is better to have the necessary quality December, and the Government will publish their response than to get it wrong. in the first quarter of this year.

Ian Mearns: It has come to my attention through Mr Dennis Skinner (Bolsover) (Lab): How many people research conducted by several disability campaign groups have to lose their appeal after 12 months of trying to get that as many as four people a day are dying within six justice done? How many more people—including the weeks of being declared fit for work under the Department’s four a day referred to by my hon. Friend the Member work capability assessment. Will the Secretary of State for Gateshead (Ian Mearns)—have to die before they reflect on those figures? When he finds them to be true, get an appeal? Surely it is time for even this insensitive as they are based on his Department’s data, will he Government to understand that Atos is not fit for come back to the House and apologise to the families of purpose and should be abandoned, and that we should the deceased, who suffered unnecessarily in their last start all over again. precious days? We can recuperate benefits that are awarded incorrectly, but we cannot recuperate a person’s Mike Penning: I am sure that the hon. Gentleman life. said that all the way through to his own Government when they brought in Atos. What the Opposition put in Mike Penning: Our thoughts and prayers are with the place when they were in government was a complete people and families who have lost their loved ones. mess. We are determined to get it right. We are listening There is a system in place for people with life-threatening to why the tribunal judges make their decisions so that illnesses, and particularly for those who are likely to die. we get the decisions right earlier on. As I said to the Work and Pensions Committee, the Chairman of which is in the Chamber, we are trying to Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) (Con): Will my get the decision making down to seven days, which we hon. Friend confirm that that the Department has would all welcome. service level agreements with Atos and Capita that include claimant satisfaction and timeliness? Sir Tony Baldry (Banbury) (Con): Am I right in thinking that we spend more than £13 billion on sickness Mike Penning: Yes, we do. There is a financial penalty and incapacity benefit for almost 2.5 million people of regime that I have every intention of implementing. working age? Is it not right to ensure that the support goes to those who need it most? Personal Independence Payments Mike Penning: I completely agree with my right hon. Friend. Of course, the scheme was brought in by the 2. John Robertson ( North West) (Lab): How previous Administration—the Opposition have selective many claimants have received the personal independence memory loss about that. We are determined to get the payment since April 2013. [901894] 563 Oral Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Oral Answers 564

The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions I have received letters in writing from the DWP saying (Mike Penning): The Department intends to publish that it cannot speed it up. What can the DWP do to official statistics in the spring. In the meantime, we are speed up the process? looking to see whether we can publish interim information as soon as it becomes available. Mike Penning: That would depend on where the claim is within the system and whether it is with Capita, John Robertson: I thank the Minister for that answer, Atos or DWP.I will look into the individual complaints. which is good news for a lot of people. He will appreciate Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would like to come and see that a lot of people are suffering while Capita takes so me and I will make sure we get on with it. long to get that information out; they have the anxiety of not knowing whether their appeals, or even their Discretionary Housing Payments applications for assessment, have been agreed. What kind of monitoring of Capita is he doing, and does it 3. Bill Wiggin (North Herefordshire) (Con): What have enough people to do the job? assessment he has made of recent trends in the award of discretionary housing payments. [901895] Mike Penning: We are monitoring the work of both Capita and Atos, and we will have the figures as soon as 9. Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry) (Con): What we can. Under the previous Administration’s scheme, assessment he has made of recent trends in the award fewer than 6% of people claiming this or a similar of discretionary housing payments. [901901] benefit were ever assessed. It must be right and proper that there is not self-assessment; it is done by the 13. Dr Thérèse Coffey (Suffolk Coastal) (Con): What experts. assessment he has made of recent trends in the award Mrs Anne Main (St Albans) (Con): Will the Minister of discretionary housing payments. [901905] look into the fact that personal independence payments seem to get stuck in the system and are not passed on to The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Iain the Department for Work and Pensions? My constituent Duncan Smith): Figures published in December show waited three months for an assessment. Three more that in the first half of the financial year 2013-14 the months later, it is still stuck in the system. The Department average committed spend by local authorities was wants to sort it out. What more can he do to ensure that 40% of their allocated budget. Against those who had they liaise with each other? said that they were overspending, in fact it turns out that the vast majority are not. Mike Penning: The Department’s officials and the contractors, Atos and Capita, are working closely every Bill Wiggin: Will the Secretary of State explain the single day. We need to ensure that we get the decisions particular circumstances for people who have been on right. In such situations as the one brought to the housing benefit constantly since 1996 in relation to House’s attention by my hon. Friend, we will work discretionary housing payments? closely. If my hon. Friend contacts me later, we will look exactly at that point. Mr Duncan Smith: Yes, this is a narrow but complicated area dating back to 1996 with the introduction of local Dame Anne Begg (Aberdeen South) (Lab): When the reference rent rules. They were intended to offer transitional Minister appeared in front of the Select Committee, he protection at that time for existing claimants, but they admitted that there had been very long delays in getting were not in any way time limited. There was another PIP assessment determinations. People had applied in opportunity, in 2008, to change the regulations when the summer and still did not have a determination by the previous Government brought in local housing December. We are a month further on and they still allowance. They were not adjusted then. This protection have not yet heard anything. I am now receiving e-mails had been dormant for 17 years and not used. This is a from people across the whole country, as well as from complex area that we are now resolving, but I have to my own constituents, who have been waiting for more say that in three different Governments it has missed than six months since they had their face-to-face assessment. the attention of Ministers. They still have not heard whether they will get the benefit or not. What is the Minister doing to ensure that Chris Heaton-Harris: Some would have had us believe people find out whether they qualify? that the discretionary housing payment will run out very quickly and that people will be forced out of Mike Penning: The evidence I gave to the Select to live elsewhere. Will the Secretary of State Committee—the Committee’s questions were useful to confirm that there was an underspend in discretionary me and I hope the evidence I gave was useful—is that housing payments of nearly £11 million, and that the the key to this is that we roll it out until we get the claims of social cleansing from the Opposition were decisions right. The next part of the roll-out is taking complete rubbish? place today in south Scotland. If we get it right, it will be a much better benefit for everybody. As we know, Mr Duncan Smith: Yes, I can. The reality, as my hon. there are delays, but they are based on getting the Friend says, is that last year about £11 million in quality and the decisions right. We are working very underspends was returned to the Department. It is closely and very hard to make sure that decisions are interesting to note the claims made by some in this correct when they are put out. House. The hon. Member for Central (Lucy Powell) said that the money in her area was fast running Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) (LD): I, too, out. It turns out that, at the six-month cut, only 28% of have constituents who have been waiting since September. discretionary housing payment has actually been used. 565 Oral Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Oral Answers 566

In Nottingham South, only 33% has been used. The with a housing benefit bill that has been rising and that hon. Member for , Erdington (Jack Dromey) doubled in 10 years on the right hon. Gentleman’s said that too much had been spent in Birmingham, watch. Erdington, but only 47% has been used. Discretionary housing payments are there to be used to help those in Dr Eilidh Whiteford (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): the most difficult circumstances. Councils should get on Discretionary housing payments simply will not plug and use them. the gap for disadvantaged tenants in Scotland. Given that last week the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities Dr Thérèse Coffey: My right hon. Friend may not be published clear evidence showing that the policy is aware that Suffolk Coastal has used 60% of its budget costing more to implement than it saves, will the Secretary after nine months and Waveney has used half its budget. of State finally accept that it has been a disaster and Does he agree that that shows that discretionary abandon it? budgets are working and that it is wrong to try to make political capital out of potentially very difficult human Mr Duncan Smith: What I never hear about from the circumstances? other side of the House, including from the hon. Lady, is what was left to us, which is 250,000 people living in Mr Duncan Smith: It does. The reality is that about overcrowded accommodation. Nobody on the Opposition 71% have spent less than half of their discretionary Benches ever speaks for them or for the 1 million people budgets by the half-way cut of the year, and politicians they left on waiting lists who cannot get into homes should always be careful about using individual cases while the taxpayer subsidises people to live in homes and making political capital out of what are often that they do not fully occupy. I simply put it back to the human tragedies. hon. Lady: I wonder when she or Opposition Front Benchers will ever speak for those they left in terrible Lucy Powell (Manchester Central) (Lab/Co-op): The conditions in overcrowded accommodation. Secretary of State should be careful about throwing around accusations of incompetence in local authorities. 24. [901917]Heather Wheeler (South Derbyshire) (Con): I was going to ask a different question, but I want to put As always when I talk about my wonderful South it on record, and reassure the Secretary of State, that Derbyshire district council, I declare an interest: its Manchester city council will be spending all its discretionary leader is my husband. Does my right hon. Friend agree housing payments and has recently applied for more. that good councils are spending the appropriate Will he accept that application for more funding? amount of money on this issue and that councils need to look at the systems they have to look after the most vulnerable people in our society? Mr Duncan Smith: The answer I gave previously was based on what the hon. Lady actually said previously, Mr Duncan Smith: That is exactly the point. I am sure which was: that the leader of South Derbyshire district council is “The money is fast running out, if it has not already run doing almost as good a job as my hon. Friend did out”.—[Official Report, 12 November 2013; Vol. 570, c. 838.] previously, although I leave her to sort that out with At the six-month cut, Manchester city council had him later. The key thing is that discretionary housing spent 28% of the discretionary payments. I suspect that, payments are there to help the most vulnerable. Councils in reality, the hon. Lady was about to ask me about should use them. We have allocated an extra pot for that, but realised that she could not because she had got those that think they might run over, so there is extra it wrong. money to bid for, and we are happy to entertain those bids. John Healey (Wentworth and Dearne) (Lab): What a lot of waffle in response to that planted question from Benefit Cap the hon. Member for North Herefordshire (Bill Wiggin). The bulletin that the Secretary of State issued last week 4. Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): is a clear admission that he has been hitting thousands What recent estimate he has made of potential savings of people illegally with the bedroom tax since April. Is to the public purse arising from implementation of the he aware of the latest survey from the Northern Housing benefit cap. [901896] Consortium, which says that nearly half of all front-line housing workers have dealt with someone who has The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Iain threatened to commit suicide, largely because of the Duncan Smith): Capping benefit at average earnings is Government’s welfare changes? Will he apologise this forecast, by reducing the large benefit amounts previously afternoon to those people for the concern and chaos paid to households, to save £85 million this year and around that he is causing? £140 million next year. What is more, some 19,000 potentially capped claimants have moved into work, Mr Duncan Smith: I said it all right, and I say it again: where paying tax and national insurance contributions the Department is, and I am, absolutely sorry that brings a further benefit to the Exchequer. anybody may have been caught up in this who should not have been. However, what we were left by the last Andrew Bridgen: Residents in my North-West Government was this: 1,000 pages of complex housing Leicestershire constituency are doubly astonished, first, benefit regulations. Under universal credit, they will be that more than 30,000 households were claiming more reduced to 300 pages and we will simplify them. The than £26,000 in benefits prior to the introduction of the reality is that this is a problem of the massive complexity cap and, secondly, that the Labour party completely of housing benefit that the last Government left us, failed to support the introduction of a cap at all. Will 567 Oral Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Oral Answers 568 my right hon. Friend assure us that this Government Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): Is it will persevere with its benefits cap policy and review the not the appeals process against the initial decision that level at which the cap is set—currently at considerably is slowing the process down? Will my hon. Friend use more than the average post-tax income in my constituency? his good offices and those of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to raise this issue as a matter of Mr Duncan Smith: My hon. Friend is not alone, when urgency with the Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor? 73% of the public support the cap as it stands, as did nine out of 10 Londoners in a recent poll. It appears Mike Penning: My hon. Friend raises an important that the only people who do not support the cap are point. What often happens is that evidence is produced Labour Members. We will keep the policy under review, on the day of the tribunal that the Department’s officials but the one thing we should celebrate is that we are have never seen before. In some cases, evidence has reforming welfare to ensure that those who need the understandably come forward at that stage when we money get it, and those who do not get back to work. might not have known anything about it. We are looking closely at that as well as at getting more information Mr Frank Field () (Lab): When previous from the judges. Governments changed benefits, they commissioned research to find out about the consequences. Given that we are Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): Since June, I have had talking about a benefit cut, is the Secretary of State in a five cases brought to my attention at my constituency position to tell us who is doing the research? surgery where applications for PIPs have been made yet not one of them has been paid. The assessments have been carried out, yet DWP employees are telling people Mr Duncan Smith: I am not sure from that whether being treated for cancer to phone up and chase Capita. the right hon. Gentleman supports the change or not. Will the Minister do something about it because this [Interruption.] He supports it—yet again a lone figure system is collapsing? on his side, on which I congratulate him. We have carried out a whole load of revisions and changes, Mike Penning: People suffering from terminal illnesses making sure that we watch implementation carefully. are being dealt with very quickly in most cases— We carry out research constantly when it comes to the effects of all of our benefit changes. This one is an overall positive rather than a negative. Ian Lucas: They are not. Mike Penning: Those with terminal illnesses are; cancer Personal Independence Payments is not always terminal. I know this is an emotive subject, but fortunately plenty of people in this country live 5. Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): What through their cancer. I will look carefully into what the recent assessment he has made of Capita’s timescales for hon. Gentleman says, but it is not the case that no processing medical assessments for personal independence benefits are getting through. The vast majority are. I see payments and providing them to his Department. cases at my surgery the same as others do, but the vast [901897] majority are getting their benefits. We will, however, work on the quality. The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Mike Penning): As I said earlier, the end to end journey Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): A GP whose patient has time for people claiming PIP is too long—within the particularly complex medical and learning disability DWP as well as with Capita and Atos in the hon. Lady’s needs is still waiting for an assessment and a decision constituency. More than anything else, this is to do with many months after making his application. Why are quality issues that we want to get right. There is no doctors’ letters not accepted? point in having a very quick journey if we get the wrong decision. Mike Penning: Even the last Administration had the sense to recognise that GPs were very close to their Mrs Moon: I thank the Minister for that reply. My patients, and that it was therefore necessary to obtain constituent Mr Weaver applied for PIP in June, and evidence from other health experts as well, especially Mrs Curran did so in July.They both had their assessments consultants. However, the assessment relates not to an with Capita in August. The assessments have still not illness or other condition, but to a person’s capacity to reached the DWP,which is totally unacceptable. Legitimate work. That is what is important. claims are being denied, which cannot be good money for the Government and cannot be a quality service. OECD Disability Spend This company is inept, inefficient and not fit to carry out the work it is asked to do. 6. Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con): What recent assessment he has made of the OECD disability spend. Mike Penning: I thank the hon. Lady and we will [901898] obviously look into the individual cases she mentioned. It is absolutely crucial to get it right and to get the The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions quality right so that when benefits are claimed, those (Mike Penning): The most recent OECD figures, from who deserve them get them and those who do not 2009, show that the spent 2.4% of its deserve them do not. Face-to-face assessment is a crucial gross domestic product on benefits for people with part of this and I have said previously, that fewer than disabilities. According to UK figures for 2012-13, we 6% of those who claimed benefit were ever assessed. are spending about £50 billion a year on such benefits. 569 Oral Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Oral Answers 570

Fiona Bruce: Can the Minister explain how that money Michael Ellis: Youthunemployment in my constituency is being used to help disabled people in my constituency has fallen by 25.6% in the last 12 months alone thanks to lead full and independent lives? to this Government. I organise a job fair every year, and last year more than 2,000 people came through the Mike Penning: The reason we are spending so much doors, many of them wanting to swap jobs. Thanks to money is that we want to ensure that people with the Government, things are moving very much in the disabilities or other long-term conditions can lead lives right direction. Meanwhile, the Government are expanding that are as fulfilling as possible, and, if they are able to the new enterprise allowance scheme, which is designed do so, enter the workplace. Much of the money is spent to improve young people’s entrepreneurial skills. What on the Access to Work scheme, which has proved very is the Minister’s assessment of how that is going? successful. It is interesting that not many Opposition Members seem to approve of the £50 billion that the Esther McVey: My hon. Friend is another Conservative Government are spending. Member who is doing a great deal in his area. He has got together 2,000 people from his local community—job seekers and businesses—and has found everyone work. Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): Ministers He is right: youth unemployment has fallen by 28% have been taking a pick-and-mix approach to the OECD over the year, and long-term youth unemployment in figures, claiming that the United Kingdom is a top his area has fallen by 26%. The new enterprise allowance spender on disability-related benefits while referring to scheme is expanding—2,000 young people have already only one indicator rather than to total incapacity-related set up businesses in that way—and we are investing benefit spending. Is it not time that they came clean? more money by extending the scheme until December Will the Minister now admit that disabled people are 2015. bearing the brunt of the Government’s welfare reforms? Sheila Gilmore ( East) (Lab): The December Mike Penning: We do not “pick and mix” at all. report of the Office for Budget Responsibility increased Those who look carefully at the figures will see that its projection for increased spend on housing benefit by Germany spends roughly half the amount that we spend £1.8 billion between March and December and attributes in relation to GDP. If the hon. Lady thinks that we half of that to people in employment who will have to should spend more, that will mean another spending claim housing benefit. Is not the truth that because of commitment from the Opposition. low hours and wages, savings in one respect are simply popping out as increased spending in another? Employment Statistics Esther McVey: That is not the case. We want to look at the numbers. If we look at the spend on housing 7. Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con): What assessment benefit, we see that it doubled under Labour from he has made of the implications for his Department’s £12 billion to £24 billion. What we have got to do is policies of the most recent employment statistics. look in the round at those people who are in overcrowded [901899] housing and those on waiting lists as well as those who have got houses that are bigger than they necessarily 14. Michael Ellis (Northampton North) (Con): What need and yet the taxpayer is funding all of it. The assessment he has made of the implications for his figures are right: the cost doubled under Labour’s watch. Department’s policies of the most recent employment statistics. [901906] Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab): What plans does the Minister have to tackle the new record level of The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions people wanting full-time work but only able to get (Esther McVey): The latest employment statistics, which part-time work? That went up in the most recent statistics show a record number of people in work and falling to 1.47 million. It is the highest level it has ever been. unemployment, demonstrate that our policies are working. What is the Minister going to do about it? Esther McVey: Actually, in the last three months the Bob Blackman: Will my hon. Friend tell the House by vast majority of people who got jobs were getting not how much the number of claimants has fallen since the only full-time jobs but also permanent full-time jobs, Government were elected in 2010, and what has been and three out of every four jobs have been full-time. the consequent saving to the public purse? 22. [901915] Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) Esther McVey: I know that my hon. Friend is very (Con): For the past three years running I have had an interested in this subject. I understand that he runs apprentice caseworker in my office who has been an business breakfast clubs to help people to obtain work, A-level school-leaver. Does my hon. Friend agree that and to secure growth in his constituency. I can tell him having apprenticeships perhaps before university is an that 525,000 fewer people have claimed the three main opportunity for young people to get on to the road to out-of-work benefits since the election, that both work by getting some work experience and that that is unemployment and the claimant count are lower, and an incredibly valuable experience for young people that that in his constituency the claimant count has fallen by more and more of them are taking advantage of? 23% in the last year, long-term unemployment has fallen by 16%, and youth unemployment has fallen by Esther McVey: I totally agree with my hon. Friend 28%. Obviously, all that is saving the Government a who set up one of the biggest and best job clubs in her considerable amount of money. area, supporting people into work. Work experience is 571 Oral Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Oral Answers 572 key and it does not matter whether people are on their The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions way to university or just wanting to get into a job (Steve Webb): I am pleased to update the House and say because this helps in understanding what jobs they that more than 2.5 million workers have now been want to do and what jobs they do not want to do. automatically enrolled into a workplace pension. That Around 113,000 people have gone through work experience puts us roughly a quarter of the way through the entire and over 50% of them have ended up in a job. My hon. programme of automatic enrolment. Friend is right to sing the praises of work experience. Andrew Jones: What have the Government done to Employment and Support Allowance ease the burdens on employers, particularly the small and medium-sized enterprises that play such a dominant 8. Ann McKechin (Glasgow North) (Lab): What steps role in the business mix in my constituency? he is taking to increase the ability of employment and support allowance claimants in the work-related Steve Webb: My hon. Friend is quite right. Every activity group to gain paid employment. [901900] change that we have made to the administration of automatic enrolment has been designed to reduce the The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions burden on firms. For example, we have raised the wage (Esther McVey): ESA claimants in the work-related threshold at which people are automatically enrolled, activity group have access to a wide range of employment and we have delayed the staging for the smallest firms support, including the Work programme where claimants so that no one who employs fewer than 50 people will receive tailored support for two years, and a flexible have to stage before April 2015. menu of support through their Jobcentre Plus. Specialist Basic State Pension Inheritance support is also available through Work Choice. 11. Dr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con): What Ann McKechin: The Minister will be aware that the transitional arrangements his Department will make in Lichfield review analysing the system said that it was respect of the ending of basic state pension inheritance. beset by delays beyond the stipulated regulatory period and that Work programme providers consistently reported [901903] that they had very little information about the people The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions referred to the scheme. Can the Minister explain to the (Steve Webb): The ability to access or increase a state House what specific steps she has taken to address those pension based on the national insurance record of a concerns? partner or former partner was introduced in the 1940s, but less than 5% of people reaching pension age after Esther McVey: First, let us talk about the Work the single tier is introduced will be affected by the programme, which is the first time we have ever had a removal of this facility. We are putting in place transitional coherent way to address and support these people back arrangements for certain women who paid the married into work. We know through industry statistics that woman’s stamp, but to go beyond that and make transitional over 440,000 people have got a job from that programme arrangements for a broader group would severely damage and that over 100,000 have found a long-term job. We the simplicity of the scheme. are supporting people as best we can—the first time we have ever done this. We are taking specific steps, too: we Dr Offord: Can my hon. Friend confirm that protection are analysing everything, watching what works, conducting will be put in place for those women who have paid the a best-practice group and implementing the findings. So married woman’s stamp, to ensure that they receive a this is new, it has started and we are getting it better. decent state pension?

Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con): Can the Minister Steve Webb: Yes, I can. Women who paid the married confirm that the pilot is the first time that ESA has been woman’s stamp at any point in the 35 years before the looked at in a co-ordinated way to try and get people to scheme comes in will get the pension that they expected— fulfil their potential? Will she also confirm that it is namely, the 60% for married women and the 100% widow’s innovative policies such as this that mean our pension. unemployment is so much lower than that in countries such as France where the Labour party’s policies are Gregg McClymont (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and being pursued to economic catastrophe? Kirkintilloch East) (Lab): When the Minister announced his flat-rate state pension reform, the key argument was Esther McVey: My hon. Friend is right. Most of that the public would henceforth have clarity about Europe is looking to us to see how we get people into what they could expect from the state in retirement. work, whereas the Opposition are looking to France Now we find, via a parliamentary question tabled by where the exact opposite is happening. This is a very my hon. Friend the Member for Erith and Thamesmead complicated journey for people who are in the ESA (Teresa Pearce), that the Government have no intention group and for most of them it is about understanding of writing to individuals to communicate what the state their lifestyles and getting them closer to the workplace pension changes will mean for them and their families. and then into a job. Why did the Minister give the impression that the Government would write to people about their state Auto-enrolment pension entitlement if he has no intention of doing so?

10. Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) Steve Webb: I am slightly baffled by that question, (Con): What recent assessment he has made of trends because our reforms to the state pension will affect in auto-enrolment. [901902] everyone who reaches state pension age after 2016. That 573 Oral Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Oral Answers 574 is almost the entire working age population. Is the hon. James Morris (Halesowen and Rowley Regis) (Con): Gentleman really suggesting that we should write 40 million Does my hon. Friend agree that it is financially letters? unsustainable for the housing benefit bill to continue rising at the level that it has historically without the type Funeral Payments of fundamental reform to housing benefit that this Government are introducing? 12. Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab): What assessment he has made of the appropriateness of the eligibility criteria for funeral payments allocated Esther McVey: I completely agree with my hon. Friend. from the social fund. [901904] There are many dimensions to this, because it is not just about a housing benefit bill that doubled under Labour’s The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions watch; it is also about the lack of houses that were built, (Steve Webb): It is important that help is targeted at fairness in the system, getting housing right and building those who are least well off at the time the need arises. right for the future. The Government therefore firmly believe that the qualifying criteria for the funeral payments should be linked to the (Rhondda) (Lab): This might be all receipt of one of a number of income-related benefits. right if there were smaller properties for people to go to, but there are not. It might be all right if £14.50 was a Mrs Lewell-Buck: I thank the Minister for his response, tiny sum, which it may be to the hon. Lady or to any of but the reality is that almost one in five people struggles us in the Chamber, but it is not to the carers who do an to pay the cost of a funeral service for a member of invaluable job, not only on behalf of the person they their family, and more and more are taking on debts so care for, but for the whole of society. So how can it that they can afford to pay for a service for their loved possibly be right that 60,000 carers are paying, on one. Will the Minister therefore consider adjusting the average, as the Minister has just admitted, an extra criteria so that families suffering emotional hardship £14.50 a week? Are this Government dim-witted, short- need not experience financial hardship as well? sighted or just plain cruel? Steve Webb: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for her question. We have expanded the scope of the budgeting Esther McVey: I am afraid none of those are true. I loans scheme to include funeral costs, which were not see that the hon. Gentleman gathered much information previously eligible. If someone is short of cash to meet together, but let us see what happens; as I said, we have funeral costs, they can borrow money through the social got to get this right. We have to get the housing right. fund if they are eligible for a budgeting loan, as well We have got to have more smaller buildings. He wrote to as applying for the grant that we pay, which averages me as he did not understand about conversions and I £1,200. had to lay it out clearly in the letter; the National Housing Federation agreed with me. Despite not knowing Under-occupancy Penalty the facts, he did produce a press release for the papers. We are getting conversions right, sorting out the problem 16. Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab): What assessment and helping as many people as possible. he has made of the effect of the under-occupancy penalty on household incomes. [901909] 17. Teresa Pearce (Erith and Thamesmead) (Lab): The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions What assessment he has made of the effect of the (Esther McVey): The average weekly reduction in housing under-occupancy penalty on carers. [901910] benefit resulting from this measure is £14.50. However, two thirds of those affected experience weekly reductions The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions of less than that, and the average weekly loss for those (Esther McVey): Live-in carers are provided for as part who have moved off benefit as a result of this policy of the assessment of household need. An additional is £8. room for non-resident overnight carers is allowed in certain circumstances. Discretionary housing payment Nic Dakin: When I visited the Scunthorpe food bank funding has been increased to £180 million for 2013-14 recently, the excellent volunteers there reported a significant to help support vulnerable claimants to adjust to the increase in the numbers of people using the food bank. reforms. When I asked them why that was, they chorused in unison: “The bedroom tax.” When are this Government Teresa Pearce: Many children grow up with separated going to do a proper evaluation of the damage the parents, but I think we would all agree that joint parenting bedroom tax is doing to hard-working families? is in the best interests of the child. One of my constituents Esther McVey: I, too, praise the local community, the is a devoted father whose small son lives with him 50% voluntary groups, the Trussell Trust and the Churches of the time, but he now has to lose his son’s bedroom that are helping people through the food banks, but I do because the benefits system will accept only one parent not agree that we can draw an analogy between what is as the “main carer”. Will the Minister re-examine that happening there and our attempt to get fairness through rule and consider an exemption? changes to the spare room subsidy. What about those people who are in overcrowded homes? What about Esther McVey: The hon. Lady is right to bring this those people who are on a waiting list? How do we matter to the House, and such situations are always support everybody in this way? Labour shirked dealing difficult, but the room would be allocated to whoever with this problem, and it is a very difficult issue to get was the main carer of the child. In this instance, that is right. Labour shirked it but we are dealing with it. the mother and that is who we would be looking to. We 575 Oral Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Oral Answers 576 would not be supporting two sets of rooms in two The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Iain separate houses, as we are trying to get this housing Duncan Smith): Based on caseload projections, we expect policy right. more than 6,000 claimants from the pathfinders to be on universal credit in January. Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South) (Lab): Beyond the pathfinder scheme and in the live running May I bring the Minister back to the issue of unpaid of universal credit, we are also rolling out other components, family carers of sick and disabled people? She recently such as the claimant commitment. Jobcentre Plus advisers admitted in a response to my question that 50,000 or have agreed around 120,000 JSA claimant commitments, 60,000 of those carers were affected by the bedroom rising by some 30,000 each week. That continues our tax. More than 1 million of those carers have given up progressive approach to date, enabling a safe and successful work to care, and they have nowhere to go to find the delivery. money. She has talked about live-in carers, but it is not about that. Will she answer about the 50,000 or 60,000 Steve Rotheram: The Secretary of State has made a carers? Will she admit that it was a mistake not to pig’s ear of the roll-out of universal credit. Does he exempt them from the bedroom tax? agree with his colleague, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who claimed that the mess was all his fault? Esther McVey: What we did is not name absolutely everybody who could have part of the discretionary housing payment. We have allowed discretion for those Mr Duncan Smith: Actually my right hon. Friend did people who might need it the most, hence it is called not make that claim. If the hon. Gentleman had gone “discretionary”, hence it has been trebled and hence we on with the quote, we would hear that he said: are supporting these people. Obviously, if somebody on “I’m a very strong supporter of what he is doing…and I’m housing benefit, or their partner, needs an overnight absolutely confident that” carer on a regular basis, they would have their spare he is capable of implementing it. room subsidy; they would be exempt from this. Kettering Jobcentre Plus Habitual Residence Test

18. Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con): What plans he 20. Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): How has for the habitual residence test. [901911] many adults and young people have been helped to find employment by Kettering Jobcentre Plus in each of the The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Iain last three years. [901913] Duncan Smith): Migrants must now meet a much tougher habitual residence test than before, showing the efforts The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions they have made to find work before coming to the UK (Esther McVey): In the last three years, the number of and that their English language skills are not a barrier young people and adults claiming jobseeker’s allowance to getting a job. They must also have been resident in in Kettering has fallen by 26%, long-term unemployment the UK for three months before being able to access is down 8%, youth employment is down 35% and long-term out-of-work benefits. We have plans to make it even youth unemployment is down 31%. Claimants are not stronger, by introducing a minimum earnings threshold, required to tell us their reason for leaving JSA, but with tougher questions on whether work is genuine, and surveys suggest that it is that 77% of people move into job seekers from the European economic area will not work. receive housing benefit. Mr Hollobone: I thank the Minister for that extremely Nigel Mills: I am grateful to the Secretary of State for good news for Kettering. Will she say what assistance is that detailed answer. I urge him to go a bit further and being provided to help young people find employment? listen to the representations he has received to extend the qualifying period for the habitual residence test, and Esther McVey: I will indeed. I was planning to give make people have to be here for a year before they can my hon. Friend some information for those young get those benefits. people in Kettering. There is a growth hub, Brackley job club, Christ Church work club, the graduate boost Mr Duncan Smith: As has been made clear beyond work club, Kettering library work club and a whole this Chamber, we are looking at that matter at the host of extra support. Across the country, we have put moment, and we have been discussing it with a number £1 billion in the Youth Contract to help young people of other European nations, the vast majority of which get into work. are clear and with us on the idea that freedom of movement should not result in an opportunity for people Topical Questions to take benefits from wherever they want and to pick and choose their benefit areas. We are looking at how we can come to an agreement on those time scales and T1. [901883] Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): If he will limits. make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. Universal Credit The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr ): I welcome industry figures that suggest 19. Steve Rotheram (, Walton) (Lab): What that business hiring intentions are at their highest for his most recent estimate is of the number of people two and a half years and that even more UK businesses who will be claiming universal credit by April 2014. are reporting that they intend to recruit in 2014. Those [901912] positive signs are backed up by the latest labour market 577 Oral Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Oral Answers 578 statistics that show that more people are in private T3. [901885] Mr David Crausby (Bolton North East) sector employment than ever before—up by more than (Lab): In response to an inquiry, the Department for 1.6 million since the general election. Work and Pensions has confirmed to me that employers advertising vacancies on the Government’s jobmatch Neil Carmichael: With the popularity of the Post service must provide a full, clear and accurate job Office in mind, does the Minister agree that the value of description. Does the Secretary of State agree that they the Post Office card account is immense, benefiting should also make it clear when they are offering zero-hours some 2.9 million people? Will he think about extending contracts, rather than simply listing them as part time? it? Mr Duncan Smith: Of course, the key point is that all The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions contracts must be clear from the beginning and every (Steve Webb): I indeed agree with my hon. Friend that employee must know what contract they are on. A very the Post Office card account has played an important small percentage of the population are on zero hours part in supporting the post office network and enabling and great care is needed, as some jobs and some individuals pensioners and benefit recipients to receive their money prefer such contracts—as the hon. Gentleman’s at a local post office. All of the options under consideration Government found out when they were in power. conclude that access to pensions and benefits via the post office will continue beyond March 2015. T8. [901891] Mr Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) (Con): Will the Minister update the House on the progress in Rachel Reeves (Leeds West) (Lab): We already know providing support for mesothelioma sufferers? that 600,000 people are affected by the bedroom tax, two thirds of them are disabled and 60,000 are carers. The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions Will the Secretary of State now tell the House exactly (Mike Penning): Legislation on compensation for how many long-term residents have been wrongly paying mesothelioma sufferers went through the House last the bedroom tax since April because the Government week, and I was pleased to see the Bill receive its Third failed to spot a loophole in the legislation? Reading. As I said at the time, it is not perfect but it will help as a fund of last resort for those who have had Mr Duncan Smith: We have already made it clear that nothing from the system because they could not trace the number is likely to be between 3,000 and 5,000, but their employers or insurers. I hope that Her Majesty we will be clearer about that when the local authorities, will grant it Royal Assent at the earliest opportunity. which are responsible for collecting the data, come forward with the final facts. T4. [901886] Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North) (Lab): The Government’s auto-enrolment pension scheme will Rachel Reeves: The fact is that the Secretary of State provide relatively poor and insecure returns, based as it has not got a clue. It could be 5,000 or it could be as is on the private pensions industry and subject to stock many as 40,000 people, as reported by the experts. What market vagaries. Is not the only long-term solution a a total shambles! Will the Secretary of State now guarantee comprehensive and compulsory state scheme for all, that everybody who has been wrongly paying the bedroom with defined and guaranteed returns, in line with tax will be reimbursed, and instead of closing the loophole, schemes overseas? will the Government now do the right thing and scrap Steve Webb: I pay tribute to the hon. Gentleman for the bedroom tax? his consistency on the issue. His view is that he wants his income in retirement to be wholly dependent on a Mr Duncan Smith: Yet again, what we have from the promise that future taxpayers would fund it. I must say hon. Lady is a moan about a policy that helps people in that I would prefer to spread my risks by having a difficult circumstances. I said earlier that not once has decent, simple state pension, such as the single-tier she come to the Dispatch Box and said that she was pension that we are introducing, and a stock market-linked concerned about those her party left behind living in investment that will benefit in the long run as the overcrowded accommodation. Not once has she mentioned economy grows and, crucially, will benefit from a the 1 million on the waiting list or apologised for the contribution from the employer, too, which is not the fact that building levels for social housing fell to their case in the state scheme. lowest point since the ’20s. Of course we will look after those affected by the policy, but she must make it clear T9. [901892] Bill Wiggin (North Herefordshire) (Con): that she supports one of these policies; otherwise, there Will the Secretary of State say how many fewer will be a total cost to the Exchequer. The shambles is on children there are in workless families since 2010? the Opposition’s part. Mr Duncan Smith: The total figure for the fall in the T7. [901889] Dr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con): Will number of workless households has been in the order of the Minister confirm that under the new system, 17%. The position we inherited was that it had not 80% of individuals will be entitled to a full single-tier fallen for 30 years and approximately 2.5 million children pension in their own right by 2030? were living in such households. That number has fallen by several hundred thousand—a clear change and a Steve Webb: I am encouraged by the close interest my clear improvement for the public and those going back hon. Friend is taking in the single-tier pension, and I to work. feel he is a kindred spirit. He is right that, as the 35-year qualifying rule includes not just earned contributions T5. [901887] Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab): Can but credits for caring and so on, the vast majority of the Secretary of State guarantee that there will be no people will qualify for the full single-tier pension. further delays to his roll-out of universal credit? 579 Oral Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Oral Answers 580

Mr Duncan Smith: Universal credit is set to roll out as G4S, Capita and Atos? Are not many of those according to the timetable I laid out the other day. We private sector providers deeply ineffective and inefficient? have been round this—[Interruption.] With respect, They cause many of my constituents great grief. Mr Speaker, I know that Christmas is over but I think one of the pantomimes left its dame behind on the Mike Penning: While I accept some of the things that Opposition Front Bench. Universal credit will roll out the hon. Gentleman says—in particular, I accept that in the time scales available and will be a major benefit to Atos’ contract for the work capability assessment was all those who come under it, including the constituents brought in by the previous Administration—there can of the hon. Member for Blaenau Gwent (Nick Smith). be benefits, and savings can be made, if assessments are done correctly. To look after our constituents, we have Sir Andrew Stunell (Hazel Grove) (LD): Constituents to make sure that companies do them properly. of mine who face mandatory reconsideration are stuck with the possibility of a gap in their benefits until their tribunal hearing. I know that the Secretary of State is Richard Fuller (Bedford) (Con): In the Minister’s very keen to deal with that problem. Will he tell the reply to my written question of 5 December, we learned House what further steps can be taken to protect my that there was a prosecution in fewer than one in four of constituents? 45,000 cases of benefit fraud. Only 400 cases resulted in a prison sentence; the vast majority were handled through Mike Penning: One of the things we have done in the informal recovery processes. What proportion of the past couple of weeks, since I came to this post, is get informal repayment arrangements are up to date, and information back from tribunal judges. Previously, we does the Minister believe that increasing the incidence did not have that information. We are studying why of prosecution would be helpful in reducing the incidence judges are making those decisions, so we can make sure of benefit fraud? that we get decisions right before they go to tribunal. Mr Duncan Smith: We have made great progress in T6. [901888] Steve Rotheram (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab): pursuing more people than have ever been pursued Given the praise for the Health and Safety Executive before. The reality is that the amount got back from from respondents to the recent triennial review, those who have been defrauding the state is better than including positive feedback from the business sector, it has been, but in the answer to which my hon. Friend will the Minister support its regulatory function of refers, we made it clear that we have much more to do. It saving British workers’ lives, instead of repeating the is the nature of many benefits that they are open to tired old Tory mantra about work-based dangers: “It’s abuse; changes such as universal credit will simplify the health and safety gone mad”? process and give far less opportunity to those who would defraud the system. That is the right way to deal Mike Penning: I am slightly disappointed in my hon. with the issue. Friend for asking that sort of question, because it is very important that health and safety is taken seriously in the workplace and in public areas. Right across the Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP): In Northern Christmas period, I went public about the need to Ireland, 300,000 pensioners enjoy the winter fuel allowance. ensure that Christmas was not spoiled by stupid comments, Will the Secretary of State confirm whether, if he is and stupid local authorities saying, “We shouldn’t do returned to office after the next election, that benefit this or that”—throw snowballs, or have Christmas trees will remain in place? in certain areas—“because of health and safety.” That is wrong, and it has nothing to do with health and Mr Duncan Smith: It is this Government who have safety; it is an insurance risk. stood by that. The Prime Minister gave a pledge before the last election, and we intended to, and will, see that Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): Has the Secretary of all the way to the election. As always, all further State managed to watch programmes such as “Benefits commitments will be made and published in the manifesto. Street” and “On Benefits & Proud”? If so, has he, like me, been struck by the number of people on them who Simon Kirby (Brighton, Kemptown) (Con): Can the manage to combine complaining about welfare reform Secretary of State confirm that universal credit will with being able to afford to buy copious amounts of improve the lives of those in our poorest communities, cigarettes, have lots of tattoos, and watch Sky TV on including those of many people in Brighton, Kemptown? the obligatory widescreen television? Does he understand the concerns and irritation of many people who go to work every day and pay their taxes but cannot afford Mr Duncan Smith: I can indeed. Universal credit those kinds of luxuries? replaces the benefits that are most open to fraud, in many cases. Also, housing benefit doubled in value Mr Duncan Smith: My hon. Friend is right: many under the last Government; universal credit will deal people are shocked by what they see. That is why the with those problems, get things back into order, and public back our welfare reform package, which will get provide an incentive to go back to work; that is the key more people back to work and end these abuses. All thing. Getting people back to work, which the Opposition these abuses date back to the last Government, who had are not interested in, is the key element of welfare massive spending and trapped people in benefit dependency. reform.

Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): May Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab): Given I ask the Secretary of State to look carefully at his many this latest bedroom tax shambles, can the Secretary of policies that are delivered through intermediaries such State clarify whether he will write off, or seek repayment 581 Oral Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Oral Answers 582 for, discretionary housing payments that have been not time that the Government did the right and made to those people who will now receive back payment compassionate thing in the remainder of this Parliament of housing benefit? by backing the Change Bereavement Leave campaign and introducing a statutory right to bereavement leave Mr Duncan Smith: I made it clear in my previous for all parents who lose a child? answer that I will be coming forward with full details about that, including the number of people affected. Steve Webb: As my hon. Friend knows, the Government Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con): I urge the Secretary are reforming bereavement benefits. The intention, having of State to promote fairness for people on housing talked with bereaved families, is to focus the funding on waiting lists, fairness for people in overcrowded the point of bereavement and the immediate year thereafter, accommodation, where children have to do their homework but obviously ongoing support for bereaved families in the hallways, and fairness for hard-working people will be available through universal credit. I will be and their families when it comes to welfare tourism. happy to discuss the matter with him further.

Mr Duncan Smith: That is exactly right. The reality Jonathan Ashworth (Leicester South) (Lab): A few that my hon. Friend has spotted is that the Opposition moments ago the Secretary of State quoted the Minister have voted against every single one of our welfare for the Cabinet Office on universal credit, but he forgot reforms. Not only would the welfare bill have been to mention the part where the Minister called its £45 billion higher under them, but more people would implementation “lamentable” and said that a lot of be out of work and they would have failed the British money has been wasted. We also learned last week that people. the Cabinet Office withdrew the Government Digital Service from universal credit, a decision described as Jim McGovern ( West) (Lab): On the Work “disappointing” by the lead official. Why did the official programme, can the Minister explain why Dundee is describe it in such terms? once again the least supported city in Scotland, with only 9.79% of people being helped back into work by the programme? Will she apologise to the people of Mr Duncan Smith: Yet again the Opposition are Dundee and explain why 90% are still not being helped? farming in and around old e-mails. The truth is that universal credit and the Cabinet Office are working The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions together, with the Cabinet Office supporting us on the (Esther McVey): The majority of people are being helped digital ask. The Minister for the Cabinet Office made it by the Work programme. As I said earlier, this is the absolutely clear that that is where we are going. I know first time we have had a co-ordinated approach to that in reality the Opposition do not support universal support, and it has supported 2.5 million people so far. credit, but it would be better if they came clean: it will Of course we have to make it better and support more be delivered and they will be thankful in the end. people, but 444,000—that figure is from industry statistics—have actually got a job. Several hon. Members rose— Greg Mulholland (Leeds North West) (LD): Tragically, nearly 10,000 families suffer the death of a child each Mr Speaker: I am sorry to disappoint colleagues, but year, including 7,800 babies under the age of one. Is it we must move on. 583 13 JANUARY 2014 Syria 584

Syria The deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid to the Syrian people is also utterly unacceptable. The UN 3.33 pm Security Council presidential statement in October last The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth year demanded that aid must be able to reach all Affairs (Mr William Hague): With permission, Mr Speaker, Syrians. However, the UN estimates that 2.5 million I wish to make a statement on Syria. I would first like to people inside Syria are currently not receiving assistance, inform the House that we have reached E3 plus 3 including 250,000 people trapped in besieged or hard- agreement with Iran on implementing, from 20 January, to-access areas. Countless numbers of people are being the first stage nuclear agreement reached in Geneva, as denied access to food and medicines, and there are now set out in my statement on 25 November. We will now sickening reports of innocent people dying from move to seek a comprehensive settlement on the nuclear malnutrition. Last week at the Security Council we issue with Iran. proposed a new statement calling for immediate and Yesterday I attended the meeting of the core group of unfettered access for aid. This was blocked by Russia, the Friends of Syria in Paris to prepare the ground for but we will continue to seek action at the UN Security the Geneva II peace negotiations beginning in Montreux Council and to work with Russia to try to bring about on 22 January. In his letter of invitation, the UN progress at Geneva and in the humanitarian situation. Secretary-General makes it clear that the aim is to More than half the Syrian population is now in need of “assist the Syrian parties in ending the violence and achieving a humanitarian assistance: 9.3 million people within Syria, comprehensive agreement for a political settlement, implementing and 2.3 million refugees in the region, who are facing fully the Geneva Communiqué, while preserving the sovereignty, bitter winter conditions. independence and territorial integrity of Syria.” The UK has now provided half a billion pounds in That means agreeing a transitional governing body in aid—the largest sum our country has ever committed to Syria with full executive powers, formed by mutual a single crisis. Today my right hon. Friend the Secretary consent, to meet the aspirations of the Syrian people. of State for International Development announced that Our united message in Paris yesterday, from all we have now allocated or delivered on all our funding 11 countries represented, was the vital necessity of this promises. On Wednesday she will attend a pledging process, the great importance of both the regime and conference in Kuwait where the UK will make a major the opposition being prepared to attend, and our further donation, in response to the new UN appeal, of determination to support a political settlement and end $6.5 billion for Syria in 2014, and we will urge other the humanitarian suffering of the Syrian people. No countries to be equally generous. We will also press for one should underestimate the difficulty of the negotiations the lifting of sieges and access for humanitarian ahead, but we will not give up on diplomacy as the organisations, the immediate end to attacks on civilian route to stopping the appalling bloodshed, nor will we areas and medical facilities, and respect for international waver in supporting the moderate Syrian opposition, humanitarian law. for if there is only a murderous regime on the one side In this House and this country we are very conscious and extremists on the other, there can be no peaceful of the importance of a greater role for women in ending settlement in Syria. conflicts and building peace. The UK has led the way in President Jarba of the Syrian National Coalition has advocating a direct role for women in the Geneva always said that he is ready to attend the Geneva negotiations. We have put forward proposals to ensure negotiations. His task is to persuade the rest of the that both sides include women in their delegations, we moderate opposition to agree to that at a time when have urged the UN to facilitate a clear role for women’s their towns, villages and homes are under relentless groups and civil society in the form of a consultative attack. The National Coalition is expected to make a body present at the negotiations, and we are providing final decision at its general assembly this Friday. We £200,000 in funding to enable Syrian women’s groups to urge it to attend and to put the spotlight on the Assad take part. regime’s responsibility to end this terrible conflict. Today On top of our humanitarian assistance to the Syrian Secretary Kerry and Foreign Minister Lavrov met UN people, we have given more than £20 million in support and Arab League envoy Brahimi for further discussions for opposition groups, civil society, human rights defenders ahead of the talks. There is a pressing need for measures and media activists. This includes training and equipping that can build confidence ahead of the negotiations search and rescue teams, providing power generators such as prisoner releases and progress on humanitarian and communications equipment, supporting and training access, including through local ceasefires. We call on all civil administrations, and helping survivors of sexual parties in Syria to work towards such actions. violence. Since my last statement to the House, the violence has remained intense. The Syrian Observatory for Human In November last year, we announced an increase in Rights now puts the death toll at over 125,000 people. non-lethal support to the supreme military council of The regime continues to bombard Aleppo and other General Idris, including communications assistance and towns and cities, including through the repeated use of medical and logistics equipment. In December, we took barrel bombs. These huge canisters, filled with explosives the decision to impose a temporary halt to deliveries of and shards of metal and dropped from helicopters on those supplies, following fighting over control of the to civilian areas, have killed 600 people in Aleppo alone border crossing at Bab al-Hawa. We are ready to resume— since mid-December, including 172 children, and injured and to consider increasing—this assistance as soon as 3,000 people. The use of this deliberately indiscriminate we are satisfied that conditions on the ground allow the weapon is yet another war crime and is clearly designed military council to take safe delivery of our equipment. to sow terror and weaken the will of the civilian population. Since 3 January, Syrian opposition groups have been Assad and those around him should be in no doubt that battling an al-Qaeda-affiliated extremist group—the the world will hold them to account. so-called “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant”—in 585 Syria13 JANUARY 2014 Syria 586 dozens of locations across northern Syria. Opposition It is only through a political resolution that the conflict groups are reported to have driven the al-Qaeda-affiliated can be brought to an end. The start of the Geneva II group back in Aleppo, Idlib, Hama and al-Raqqah peace conference on 22 January is an important step, governorates. The fighting has been accompanied by and, while we have no illusions about how difficult widespread public demonstrations against the torture and challenging a process this is likely to be, we will and summary executions carried out by the extremists. do everything possible, with other nations, to help it The fact that the moderate opposition is prepared to succeed. fight against these groups is a demonstration to the world that they reject extremism, just as they reject the 3.44 pm Assad regime. It gives the lie to Assad’s claim that that Mr Douglas Alexander (Paisley and Renfrewshire South) there is no choice other than his regime or extremist (Lab): I thank the Foreign Secretary for his statement, terrorists. And it underlines the importance of supporting and for giving me advance sight of it. the moderate opposition forces to help them counter the extremists—which is vital for security in the region On Iran, agreeing the terms of the deal in Geneva and in the UK. Assad’s brutality is the best recruiting back in November was indeed an important first step, tool the extremists have. Ultimately, the only long-term but the real test remains how it is implemented on the way to deal with the extremist threat is to reach an ground. Given the past conduct of the Iranian regime, inclusive political settlement. it is now vital that the international community remains vigilant and stringently monitors the implementation of We have always warned that the longer the conflict the first stage nuclear agreement in the months ahead. continues, the greater the consequences will be for regional peace and security. There have been further car bombings Turning to Syria, a conflict that began nearly three in Lebanon, as well as clashes on the Lebanese border. years ago as an uprising against the Assad regime has There has also been fierce fighting in western Iraq since inflamed sectarian fault lines within the country involving al-Qaeda extremists—at least in part the result and mutated into a proxy regional conflict, so delivering of the conflict in Syria. And both Jordan and Lebanon, support to those most affected by the ongoing violence as well as Turkey, are generously coping with the strain remains urgent and vital. Ahead of this week’s long-awaited of the ever-increasing burden of Syrian refugees, hosting second pledging conference in Kuwait, Baroness Amos more than 575,000 and more than 860,000 refugees has already stressed that the conference will need to respectively. We have given more than £111 million in raise much more than the $1.5 billion raised last year if humanitarian support to Jordan, more than £109 million it is to meet the scale of the humanitarian need. to Lebanon, and more than £15 million to the Lebanese The Opposition of course welcome the Foreign and Jordanian armed forces to help protect their borders. Secretary’s statement that the UK Government have now allocated or delivered all our funding promises, but One area in which progress is being made is the earlier today the Secretary of State for International destruction of Syria’s chemical stocks. The first consignment Development confirmed that contributions from others of the most dangerous chemicals has now left Syria, have so far fallen well short. Will he therefore tell the after a short delay caused by intense fighting and poor House what action the Government are taking to encourage weather. The Syrian regime must ensure that the remaining other nations to meet their obligations on past pledges, material is transported to the port as quickly as possible, before further pledges are made in the coming days? We to ensure that all chemicals can be eliminated by the end also welcome the Foreign Secretary’s efforts, along with of June. The disposal of Syria’s chemical stockpile is the Friends of Syria group, to encourage the Syrian a strong example of international co-operation. Italy, National Coalition to commit to attending the Geneva the United States, Russia, Germany, Denmark, Norway, talks. Finland and China are all making important contributions. In the light of experience of such conflicts, such as In addition to the support worth £2.4 million that the the 15-year Lebanese civil war, and the apparent UK has provided to the Organisation for the Prohibition intractability of the factions fighting within Syria today, of Chemical Weapons destruction effort, we announced we all recognise the scale of the challenge, of which on 19 December that we would accept some of the the Foreign Secretary spoke, involved in securing a full chemicals for destruction in commercial facilities here. transitional deal in Geneva in the coming days. Yet These chemicals are similar to many other industrial surely the first goal at Geneva II, between the main chemicals routinely handled in the UK and we are international and regional players, could and should be working to ensure the safe management of this operation. to aim to secure a stop to the escalation and fuelling of A Royal Navy ship, HMS Montrose, is about to the conflict. join the escort of the Danish and Norwegian vessels That is why the role of Iran in particular may yet be transporting the chemical stocks from Syria. My right crucial. Last week, Iranian Foreign Minister Zarif said hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has also that Iran would take part in the Geneva II peace conference informed the House today that we will provide specialist if invited without preconditions. He added: equipment for use on board the US vessel where material “We support any initiative aimed at finding a political solution of greatest proliferation concern will be neutralised. to the Syrian crisis.” The situation on the ground in Syria is appalling and It is of course right to acknowledge the role that Iran getting worse, as I have described. The threat to regional has so far played in deepening and inflaming this conflict. and international security continues to grow, as the Yet with the need for resolution now so urgent, does the conflict increasingly cannot be contained within Syrian Foreign Secretary agree that Iran’s claimed resolve to be borders. We will continue to intensify our efforts to part of the solution should now be tested, and if so, reach a political settlement, to save lives and to protect does he agree that one way of doing so is to bring Iran our own security. to the table at Geneva to participate in the conference? 587 Syria13 JANUARY 2014 Syria 588

[Mr Douglas Alexander] On the questions about Jordan and Lebanon, a great deal of the help that I have described is humanitarian A key priority for the international community at assistance. In the case of Lebanon, where there has that conference must surely be to minimise the problems been violence, we use our diplomatic presence in every of overspill across the region by working with allies in possible way to help the authorities to calm the situation. Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon and Iraq. Will the Foreign We also give direct support to the Lebanese armed Secretary set out what other steps, beyond humanitarian forces. We help to finance some of their border posts. I support, the UK Government are taking to help the welcome the recently announced support from Saudi Governments of Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon to respond Arabia for the Lebanese armed forces. It is providing to the growing internal political and economic pressure $3 billion of assistance to build up the Lebanese armed that the Syrian conflict is placing on them? forces. We have assisted Jordan with a good deal of The rise of al-Qaeda affiliated groups in Syria, such equipment, as well as with the support that I have as those the Foreign Secretary mentioned, is not of mentioned. course simply a concern for Syria; they form but part of It is clear that the number of British nationals who a crescent of crisis that stretches from Iraq to Lebanon. have travelled to the region to fight is into the hundreds. Will the Foreign Secretary set out his assessment of the We are vigilant about that and all our security agencies extent to which British citizens are playing a role in are focused on it. It is important to make it clear that we these conflicts, and will he assure the House today that are prepared to act to obstruct people from doing that. our agencies are sufficiently focused on these deeply The Government have the right and the power to confiscate troubling developments? passports. When people are resident in the UK but are The challenges to be addressed by the Geneva II not British nationals, we can cancel their leave to remain conference are of course considerable, but the process in the UK on the basis of such activity. I stress, as I have under way to secure the peaceful destruction of Assad’s stressed since April 2011, that we advise against all chemical weapons stockpile offers us a point of hope travel to Syria. We of course advise people against amid the death and destruction still being witnessed in going to fight in Syria, but we advise against all travel to the country. The Government will therefore have our Syria even for those who go there for more laudable support in the coming days in their effort to secure real motives. We are very limited in what we can do to assist and substantial progress in Geneva next week towards a people once they have gone there. political settlement that ends the humanitarian suffering Our work on the destruction of chemical weapons of the Syrian people. will, of course, continue. Mr Hague: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman, including for the strong support across the House for Sir Malcolm Rifkind (Kensington) (Con): Although I our trying to do everything we can to make a success of welcome unreservedly the Foreign Secretary’s diplomatic the start of the Geneva II process. He is of course efforts, does he acknowledge that neither he nor his absolutely right to say that a beneficial early product of American counterparts have any real clout on the Syrian that could be measures that stop the fuelling and escalation moderate opposition because of our collective inability of the conflict. That is why I have talked, as have to provide them with any of the material help that they Secretary Kerry and Foreign Minister Lavrov at their need to press home their objectives? Does that not press conference today, about the great desirability of contrast with the Russian Government’s ability to influence local ceasefires and improved access for humanitarian the Assad regime, as was demonstrated by their ability aid even before we all get to Geneva next week. These to deliver the sacrifice of all the chemical weapons are of course things that could also be beneficial products within days, once the Kremlin had decided that it was of the process. necessary? If the west cannot give material help to the Syrian moderate opposition, must we not swallow our The right hon. Gentleman asked about the role of pride and work with the Russians to find the minimum Iran. He said correctly that Iran has done quite a bit that is required to bring this ghastly conflict to an end to deepen and inflame the crisis, including through and to enable the international community to help the much direct support for the Assad regime and its brutal Syrians get rid of the jihadi terrorists who are threatening treatment of its people. Our position on Iran depends the whole of the middle east? very much on its readiness to work with the outcome of Geneva I. The invitation letter of the UN Secretary-General is clear about the purpose of our invitation to Montreux Mr Hague: Of course we work with the Russians. We and then to Geneva, where we will carry on next week, discuss endlessly with the Russians, in any case, if there which is to implement the original Geneva communiqué is any way in which we can together resolve the crisis. of 30 June 2012. Iran was not present at that conference, On chemical weapons, the permanent members of the but all the other nations are united behind that communiqué. UN Security Council, working together, have made the That includes Russia, which was represented there. progress that we have described. That is the basis of Geneva II. It is about bringing I think that my right hon. and learned Friend goes about a transitional governing body with full executive too far in saying that we have no clout with the Syrian authority that is formed by mutual consent. A signal of opposition. What he says is not true, in that stark support for that being our united purpose would be form, of the United States and the United Kingdom. very helpful in getting Iran to Geneva II. There is no I have many extensive discussions with the Syrian problem in principle in any quarter, and certainly not opposition. I was with the leadership of the Syrian among western nations, with Iran coming, but there is National Coalition in Paris yesterday and they do listen the practical problem of whether it is prepared to play a carefully to what we say. They know, of course, that we constructive role if it gets there. We would welcome have sent them assistance in the past. It is not the lethal stronger signals of that from the Iranians. assistance that my right hon. and learned Friend has 589 Syria13 JANUARY 2014 Syria 590 consistently called for, but we have sent a great deal of al-Qaeda-backed Islamists and the regime. Given that other assistance to help to deal with chemical attacks both are backed by Russia and Iran, however, is that not and to save lives. a false choice? The Islamists are happy to support the We have had to put on hold the delivery of that regime, which is why the regime is not attacking them. If assistance because of what happened at the Bab al-Hawa the people of Syria are to get their country back, we border depot in December. To deliver assistance to the should do all we can to support the moderate opposition opposition we have to have confidence, and this House in Syria and, if necessary, revisit the decision to supply would expect us to have confidence, in its destination only non-lethal weapons. and in who will have control of it. We can resume and increase such assistance when we are satisfied on that Mr Hague: There is a three-way contest; my right point. That is of value to the opposition, and they are hon. Friend is right. Of course, in reality it is even more conscious of what the UK can do to provide that complex, because many different groups make up the support. Free Syrian Army and the groups that are affiliated to al-Qaeda. I would never accuse Russia—or, indeed, Mr Jack Straw (Blackburn) (Lab): I draw to the Iran—of supporting the al-Qaeda-affiliated groups. They attention of the House the fact that, as co-chairman of draw their support in other ways. Nevertheless, he makes the all-party group on Iran, I visited Tehran as a member the case for giving more support to the moderate opposition. of an all-party delegation last week at the invitation of I say again: we are ready to resume and increase our the Iranian Parliament. support through important but non-lethal supplies, provided we are confident about what will happen to those supplies. May I press the Foreign Secretary on the issue of That is a condition on which this House would always Iran’s attendance at Geneva II? Iran was not present in insist. June 2012, but the circumstances were very different, not least of which was that President Ahmadinejad was Meg Munn (, Heeley) (Lab/Co-op): The situation President of Iran at the time and not the much more in Syria is an indictment of the international community moderate President, President Rouhani. Lakhdar Brahimi, and our failure to take seriously the doctrine of the the distinguished UN diplomat, has himself called for responsibility to protect. Is it not time for this Government Iran to be allowed to attend Geneva II unconditionally. and, indeed, the international community together, I plead with the Foreign Secretary to back Mr Brahimi, alongside the process in Geneva, to look seriously again and to have a conversation with Mr Kerry who seems to at all options of intervention to bring this horror to an be saying, according to news reports today, that the end? current Government in Iran have to sign up to a communiqué that is now 18 months old, Geneva I, and Mr Hague: It is an indictment of the international to which they were not a party and had no decision community—I will readily agree with that—and I have on whether to attend because they were not in that often spoken myself of the failure of the UN Security Government. Council and the international community. Nevertheless, that is a failure with which we have to work, because as Mr Hague: The 30 June 2012 communiqué is 18 months we have found before, with the vetoing of resolutions at old, but it is also the basis of the Secretary-General’s the UN Security Council, we are not able to win agreement invitation letter to the participants in Geneva II issued in the UN Security Council for far less radical or on 6 January—last week. That is the basis on which we interventionist measures than what the hon. Lady is are going to Geneva II. The Geneva I communiqué is calling for. Therefore, we have to tackle the situation in the basis of that letter: that is what we will be there to other ways: to relieve humanitarian suffering in all the implement. Geneva I is not, therefore, just an old thing ways I have described; to promote a political settlement, from some time ago when not everybody was there; it working with Russia wherever we can; and to ensure is the Secretary-General’s basis for the conference. It is that the chemical weapons are disposed of. Yes, there therefore not asking too much to ask those who participate would have been earlier solutions, but they were not to express their support for that and their readiness to practical at the Security Council, so they would not engage in a conference on that basis. have been legal and would not have commanded The right hon. Gentleman is right to say that the international support. Government have changed in Iran, and what we have been able to do on the nuclear issue has changed in that Mr John Redwood (Wokingham) (Con): If we cannot time. Nevertheless, from everything we can see, the guarantee safe delivery of non-lethal supplies, would it active support of the Iranians for the Assad regime, not be particularly unwise and foolish to start delivering which is now carrying out some of the terrible crimes weapons into this cauldron? Is it not right to concentrate I have described, continues today, even with a change of on diplomacy, which is not compatible with war? Government in Iran. That is the background and we must not forget that. That is why we are putting the Mr Hague: As my right hon. Friend knows, we are pressure on Iran to say, “If you want to come, show very much concentrating on the diplomacy. As my very clearly that you are going to engage on the same statement reflects, I am not proposing lethal supplies—I basis as the rest of us.” have always been clear that we would come to this House and have a vote if we were going to do that—but Sir Richard Ottaway (Croydon South) (Con): Of the there is a role for non-lethal supplies, if they can be three groups in Syria—the regime, the Islamists and the safely delivered and controlled, that save lives and help Free Syrian Army—the weakest is the Free Syrian a moderate opposition to function, because without Army. As my right hon. Friend said, many have concluded them diplomacy will not work. If it is only extremists that the choice is now coming down to one between the and the Assad regime, diplomacy will never succeed, so 591 Syria13 JANUARY 2014 Syria 592

[Mr Hague] are still opposed to Iran being part of the process, which can bring about a permanent peace and save a lot there is a role for our support for the moderate opposition of lives? in that regard, but we must have confidence in how such supplies will be used. Mr Hague: I can only reiterate what I said to the right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw)who asked about Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP): All diplomatic progress the same point: it is not a dogmatic opposition in involving Iran and Syria is welcome, but the Foreign principle; we simply want those who attend Geneva II Secretary is right to highlight the fact that the situation to be there on the same basis. Let me put the argument involving refugees in Syria is calamitous. It is also right another way.If we think back to the Geneva I communiqué, to support refugees in situ in neighbouring countries, which is now the basis of the peace talks to come, I do but there are thousands of refugees who have made it to not believe that, had Iran been present at that time, we Europe. Germany has accepted 80% of pledged places would have been able to arrive at that agreement on among Syrian refugees. Amnesty International has creating a transitional governing body in Syria. We all described the attitude of countries, including the UK, hope, as the right hon. Member for Blackburn said, that towards Syrian refugees as “shameful”. Why does the there will be a change of policy, but it is necessary to UK have such a poor record in not accepting Syrian have a little more evidence of such a change than we refugees? have seen so far in order for Iran to play a constructive role at Geneva II. We would be very pleased to see in the Mr Hague: It is clear from what I have said that the coming days further signals of a readiness to play such UK has a strong record on the humanitarian side. Our a constructive role. donation, of £500 million so far, is the biggest ever in our history and one of the biggest in the world. We are Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire) (Con): The the second most generous nation in the world in this House will welcome later today the spokesman for the regard, and we are trying to help people, as the hon. president of the Syrian opposition coalition, and the Gentleman says, in situ. On the question of refugees, moderate opposition could have had no more staunch last year between January and September, we accepted supporter than my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. 1,100 Syrian refugees into the United Kingdom for If the negotiations in Geneva are to succeed, and if the asylum, treating them on their individual merits, as we imbalance of forces that my right hon. Friend described do people from other nations. That fact is sometimes so graphically in his statement is not to be addressed by neglected and overlooked.1 the Geneva process, how can some balance be made that will give the regime an incentive to negotiate as Martin Horwood (Cheltenham) (LD): I support the opposed to feeling that its position is particularly strong? Foreign Secretary’s plea to the Syrian moderate and peaceful opposition to vote on Friday to take part in the Mr Hague: I join my right hon. Friend in paying Geneva II talks. However, if they show that willingness tribute to what some of the leading members of the to overcome their genuine qualms and participate, can National Coalition have achieved, in the most difficult we reward them by stepping up support, in practical circumstances imaginable, in helping to bring together, and operational ways, for the peaceful opposition, as in a country without any free political institutions, a called for in the letter by many honourable colleagues in coalition of people committed to a democratic and The Times today? pluralist future for Syria. For the reasons my right hon. Friend described, it is important for people in other Mr Hague: Yes, we can. I hope we can, and my hon. countries to help keep a moderate opposition in being Friend will understand from what I am saying that I and in business. We have contributed to that in various would like to be able to do so. I stress, however, that ways and, as I mentioned, we are ready to do so again, because of the difficulties that arose and the loss of but we need assurances about how our assistance will be control at the main depot in Bab al-Hawa, we had used. If the opposition go to Geneva II and the regime temporarily to put on hold the supplies of communications is not prepared to work on the basis of creating a and logistics equipment we were sending in December. transitional governing body drawn from regime and We will need to be assured that the restructuring of the opposition, I think many people across the world will supreme military council that is meant to be taking draw the conclusion that they should give increased place over the coming days has satisfactorily addressed support to that moderate opposition in the face of those problems, so that we can receive a high level of diplomatic blockage from the Assad regime. assurance in respect of the equipment we send. Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab): I Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): Along with am grateful for the update but so far I am still searching my right hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn(Mr Straw), for a coherent British policy on Syria. If we want to be I was part of the all-party delegation to Iran last week, anything other than willing participants in the failure which I put on the record. I welcome the Foreign of the international community, would it not be a good Secretary’s statement about the tentative nuclear agreement start simply to say that the future of Syria will not with Iran. If there is to be a successful Geneva II include Assad? process, however, I agree with the former Foreign Secretary that it must involve Iran. If other countries are involved Mr Hague: We have been saying for a couple of years in the Syria talks and themselves support jihadist forces that Assad has no role in the future of Syria. After all, in the country, questions need to be asked about the the proposition that will be before us at Geneva II is the amount of resources they are putting in. Why is it that establishment of a transitional governing body formed the Foreign Secretary and, apparently, the United States by mutual consent from regime and opposition. It is 1.[Official Report, 16 January 2014, Vol. 573, c. 14MC.] 593 Syria13 JANUARY 2014 Syria 594 inconceivable that any opposition group, however moderate Sarah Teather (Brent Central) (LD): May I press the or extreme, would give its consent to Assad’s being part Foreign Secretary on his answer to the question about of that transitional governing body. Nor is it realistic, refugees? The 1,500 figure that he gave referred to those after the death of 125,000 people and years of torture, who had been accepted for asylum, rather than those abuse and murder, to think that Assad could ever again who had been accepted as part of a co-ordinated unite the people of Syria. I think it is clear to us and to resettlement programme. Just before Christmas I visited most observers that he has no role in the country’s the Zaatari refugee camp, and saw a project run by the future. Jesuit Refugee Service to support refugees living in host Our policy is very clear: to promote the political communities in Jordan. The situation is dire, particularly solution, to help keep a moderate opposition in being, for those who are very vulnerable, which is why I want to deliver humanitarian assistance, and to assist with to urge the Foreign Secretary to think again. We could the destruction of chemical weapons stocks. On those make a real contribution to a co-ordinated programme things I think we are fairly united across the House. of resettlement for the most vulnerable refugees, who could benefit greatly from coming here.

Sir Roger Gale (North Thanet) (Con): My right hon. Friend has referred to a murderous regime on the one Mr Hague: There will of course be a variety of views hand and extremists on the other, and to the 2.5 million about this, but I hope no one will think the United displaced people in Syria who are receiving no aid Kingdom has anything other than a strong record in whatsoever in terms of food or assistance. Within that trying to look after vulnerable people caught up in this 2.5 million, the Christian community is probably suffering conflict. We are currently providing food for 320,000 a disproportionately. Will my right hon. Friend seek to month, medical consultations for 300,000 a month, and ensure through the United Nations at Geneva II that cooking sets and mattresses and blankets for 385,000 that community is not dismissed as a sideline? people. The United Kingdom is one of the most generous countries in the world in looking after vulnerable people affected by the conflict in Syria. Mr Hague: My hon. Friend has made a very good point. This conflict has affected minorities in Syria, including Christians, particularly sharply and horribly. Mike Gapes (Ilford South) (Lab/Co-op): Will the It is important for that point to be made, and it will be Foreign Secretary tell the House who he thinks is arming made strongly at Geneva II. It reinforces the case for the jihadist al-Qaeda-linked groups in Syria and what seeking the political solution which alone can protect discussions has he had with the Governments of Saudi those minorities, including Christians, and for the National Arabia and Qatar about shifting their emphasis towards Coalition—the opposition—to be as broadly based as humanitarian assistance rather than arming al-Qaeda-linked possible. I am pleased to say that there are leading groups? Christians in the opposition ranks, and it is important for them to retain that broad support so that they do Mr Hague: Gulf states also provide humanitarian not fall into the trap of sectarianism into which so assistance. For instance, Saudi Arabia has provided many have already fallen. $373 million to the UN appeals, and of course in Kuwait on Wednesday we will be looking to some of the Gulf states to make huge contributions to the humanitarian Mr George Howarth (Knowsley) (Lab): The right appeal so we will be reinforcing this point. At the hon. Gentleman will be aware that in recent weeks the meeting we had in Paris yesterday, those states—including jihadists—some of whom, as he conceded, are from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—were these shores—have been promoting sectarian division very clear about channelling their support through the between Sunni and Shi’a. Does he agree that any way National Coalition and making sure it is fighting for forward must involve protecting not just the rights of people who want a democratic and pluralist Syria, and Christians, but the rights of all people—of whatever that is what we always look to it to do. faith—including their human rights? What guarantees does he think can be provided to ensure that that happens? Mark Field (Cities of London and Westminster) (Con): I welcome the Foreign Secretary’s confirmation that the UK has made a substantial contribution to Mr Hague: The right hon. Gentleman has made an humanitarian aid and also in relation to chemical weapons important point, which adds to the point made by my decommissioning, but notwithstanding the strength of hon. Friend the Member for North Thanet (Sir Roger feeling we have heard across the House today, will he Gale). It must be stressed that the people of Syria, in accept that it is the settled will of this House that there the main, are not extreme, and have not been sectarian should be no military intervention by the UK in Syria? in their history. This is a country which, for a long time, has been able to combine happily alongside each other people of many different cultures and religions. Extremists Mr Hague: As my hon. Friend can gather from what are taking advantage of the conflict in Syria, rather I have said, I am not proposing that. There was no than the conflict’s being a reflection of the true nature mention in my statement of military intervention in of the Syrian people, and we need a political solution to Syria. We are addressing this crisis in many other ways. be arrived at as soon as possible so that they can return I do not want to anticipate what the settled will of the to their true nature. That is not for the benefit of any House will be months and years into the future, but the outside power; it is for them, so that they can go back to Government are not planning for, and are not proposing, the happier solutions at which they had arrived together, any military intervention of our own in Syria; he can be living alongside each other. assured of that. 595 Syria13 JANUARY 2014 Syria 596

Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): Did not this House conflict, even localised ceasefires are difficult to bring on 29 August beneficially influence world opinion and about. However, it is important to pursue discussions reduce substantially the threat to the world from both about that matter with Russia, and it could well be an chemical and nuclear weapons? Will the Foreign Secretary important track to discuss at Geneva II. continue to resist the cries to give war a chance, and insist on the most likely path to peace which is through Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate) (Con): Does my right diplomacy, not through military intervention? hon. Friend agree that the one area of progress, on chemical weapons, has been instructive? On that issue, Mr Hague: I hope the hon. Gentleman heard the western nations were able to agree to co-operate with statement I gave a moment ago because I do not know Russia on a strategy. Until the parties to this conflict are how he could have got any impression that it was about no longer able to look to their respective international anything other than diplomatic success and, through patrons for support because those patrons have agreed diplomacy, making sure the crisis is addressed as best on a way forward, they will be pretty unlikely to come we can. On the chemical weapons, I think we have had to an agreement in circumstances that Eugene Rogan this disagreement before. There was a very important has described not as “winner takes all” but as “loser change of policy by Russia and by Damascus on chemical must die”. weapons in September, but I believe the origin of that was the fact that military action was being considered Mr Hague: Yes, I think there is a lot in that as well. It and debated in the United States, so sometimes diplomacy is generally true to say that there is now a greater benefits from the soft power having some hard power appetite among some of the outside powers for a political behind it. settlement in Syria than there might be among some of the people who are fighting each other in Syria. It was Rory Stewart (Penrith and The Border) (Con): As the clear in our discussions yesterday that all 11 members Foreign Secretary knows well, the reason the moderate of the core group of the Friends of Syria supported a opposition are weak is unfortunately not only that they political settlement and wanted the opposition to go to lack weapons. It would be extremely difficult and very Geneva II. That included Saudi Arabia, Qatar and dangerous for the west to try to micro-manage the other Gulf states, which have been mentioned in these balance of forces on the ground. Will the Foreign questions. We also need Russia to assist in bringing the Secretary therefore please concentrate on ensuring that regime to Geneva II in the same spirit, and that is what our humanitarian assistance is more focused, in particular Secretary Kerry has been pursuing with the Russians in relation to Jordan? Refugees in Jordan are currently today. We will all be pursuing it with them over the unable to work. Could we work with the Jordanian coming days. Government to ensure employment and livelihoods for refugees in Jordan? Mr Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South) (Lab): I very Mr Hague: This is also a very good point because we much welcome the Foreign Secretary’s acknowledgement are now seeing people who have been displaced for the of the impact on Christian and other religious minorities long term: children who have been away from their of the al-Qaeda depredations in northern Syria. I also schools for two or three years; people who have been welcome his assurances of focus in that respect. May I without work for that amount of time. That is reflected press him further and say that one of the key issues is in our redefinition of some of our aid priorities, so we humanitarian aid? Many of the people affected will are trying to help in more ways than just feeding people require resettlement in areas in which their families have when they are in refugee camps. We will have to shift lived for hundreds of years. It will also be important to increasingly in that direction and my right hon. Friend extend diplomatic assurances to those people so that the International Development Secretary can speak President Assad does not try to recruit them as proxies about this in greater detail and with greater authority to shore up his own power in Syria. when she returns from Kuwait, but I very much take on board the point my hon. Friend makes. Mr Hague: Yes, that is also true. The hon. Gentleman is looking ahead a bit, however. We are not yet in a Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ situation where people can go back to their homes or be Co-op): The news today that there have been serious resettled, or where assurances can be given about the discussions about localised ceasefires—particularly in position of different communities in Syria. In a way, places such as Aleppo, which has suffered badly over that would be a good problem to have. It is the next the past year—is obviously welcome. Does the Secretary stage that we will need to move on to. Our overwhelming of State accept that it must be a top priority for this emphasis now is on staunching the bloodshed, but we Government and the international community to try to will have to move on to those issues and he is quite right roll out those localised ceasefires as quickly and widely to raise them. as possible? That would help to bring support to those who are suffering in the humanitarian crisis throughout Mrs Anne Main (St Albans) (Con): I welcome my Syria, and it would also provide a good foundation for right hon. Friend’s commitment not to provide any the Geneva talks and for any settlement reached thereafter. lethal support to the so-called moderate rebels. When thinking about a transitional Government, may I also Mr Hague: Yes, I agree with the hon. Gentleman. I urge him to learn the lessons from places such as was discussing that matter with the other delegations at Bangladesh? It had a transitional Government put in the Paris meeting yesterday. These are very difficult place but they did not consider the outcomes in regard things to bring about, and I do not want to heighten to the delivery of democracy for those people who were expectations too early. In such a complex and brutal not part of that Government. 597 Syria13 JANUARY 2014 Syria 598

Mr Hague: A transitional governing body is no easy then renewable for further periods of six months while thing to bring about in any country, and, as I said in my we work on a comprehensive solution. So a limited statement, we must not underestimate the difficulty of measure of sanctions relief is available to Iran from doing that in a war-torn, divided country such as Syria. 20 January. The provision to do so by mutual consent is very important, because through that a transitional governing Mr Julian Brazier (Canterbury) (Con): My right hon. body could just work, mutual consent being required Friend, with his command of history, will know that for the membership on both sides. It is very important Britain, America and Russia have all had embassies to uphold that commitment of our Geneva communiqué sacked by mobs in Tehran, although in the Russian case of 2012 as we go into the talks next week. that happened rather longer ago. Following the question from my hon. Friend the Member for Reigate (Mr Blunt), Graham Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab): Will any democratic does my right hon. Friend agree that the key to a change settlement at Geneva II include or preclude Assad? Will in attitude by the slightly more moderate regime in Iran, it include or preclude those around him—those who are and indeed in Damascus, lies in persuading the Russians culpable in what has gone on? In particular, will it that they share the same interest in this as we do in the include or preclude the jihadists and the fundamentalists? long run? Mr Hague: That is a very important factor. I have Mr Hague: I go back to what I have referred to often discussed it with Foreign Minister Lavrov and the before. What we are seeking—the basis of the invitation Prime Minister has discussed it with President Putin, letter from the UN Secretary-General—is a transitional and the American leaders continue to do the same. governing body formed by mutual consent. Such a After all, it is in the interests of Russia, as with all of us, thing, drawn from regime and opposition, would naturally to make sure that extremism does not take hold, in guard against the extremes, as each side would have to Syria and in the wider region. That means that we all agree to the representatives of the other. That would have to work together on bringing about a political not be a recipe for Assad to continue, as I mentioned solution. So we hope that, just as we have done that on earlier, or for the al-Qaeda-affiliated extremists to have chemical weapons, we will be able to do it during and a role. Again, that shows the importance of our sticking around the Geneva II process to make a political process to this principle and this formula in the forthcoming viable. We will spare no effort to work with Russia in negotiations. bringing that about. Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North) (Con): Will my Mark Hendrick (Preston) (Lab/Co-op): I had a meeting right hon. Friend update the House on what support his earlier today with the chief of staff of the Syrian Department is providing to individuals working for aid National Coalition, who claimed he had evidence that agencies, and their families, to ensure that they are the Iranian and the Assad regimes are providing covert getting all the information and support they need to support for ISIS—the Islamic State in Iraq and the keep as safe as possible while carrying out their vital Levant—and Islamists operating in Syria. He said that work, for which I am sure the whole House will wish to the target of ISIS is not the Assad regime but the Free thank them? Syrian Army. Is the Foreign Secretary aware that all attacks are taking place on the Free Syrian Army with Mr Hague: My hon. Friend is right to say that the the support of Assad? If he is and believes it to be true, people working for the aid agencies do an extraordinary does it not put a totally different complexion on the war job. They are often in danger, and quite a number have in Syria in that the Free Syrian Army is on its own? We lost their lives in the Syria conflict. They are the unsung should look at more ways to support it and not just heroes, and she is right to refer to them in the House. Of provide humanitarian assistance. course we do everything possible to provide the information and equipment they need, but if at any stage she or any Mr Hague: I am aware of that suggestion. Whatever other hon. Member thinks there is more we need to do the truth of it, it is the case that the Assad regime has on that, we are always open to ideas. fed the growth of extremism. I cannot corroborate statements of it giving direct support to such groups, Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP): I thank the Secretary but if there were such evidence I would be interested to of State for his statement and for the advance copy of see it. None the less, it is its position, its politics and its it. He mentions the E3 plus 3 agreement with Iran. brutality to the people of Syrian that have fed the What impact will that have on the sanctions against that growth of extremism. Assad is not the alternative to the country? Will there be an early release of them? extremists; he is producing them. Although I cannot confirm exactly what he says, I think it supports the same analysis, which means that we must do what we Mr Hague: As I mentioned to the House, we were can to keep a moderate opposition in business, with all able to announce in the past 24 hours that this agreement the constraints that we have discussed in our questions will come into force next week, on 20 January. That today. means that the sanctions relief we have offered Iran starts from then. That will involve the amendment of Steve Baker (Wycombe) (Con): What is the Government’s some European Union sanctions and United States assessment of the flow of arms into Syria from the arms sanctions, and it means that the US will unfreeze a markets that emerged in Libya after our action there? certain amount of Iranian assets—that will be spread over the six-month period of this agreement. It is anticipated Mr Hague: It is not possible to be precise about such that this amounts to about $7 billion of sanctions relief things. Clearly, arms flow in from many different sources for Iran, provided the Iranians are sticking to their part and in many different ways. Funnily enough our concerns of the agreement on the nuclear issue. That agreement is about arms in Libya are more about the ones that 599 Syria13 JANUARY 2014 Syria 600

[Mr Hague] Mr Hague: We must continue to discuss that with Russia. I mentioned in my statement the discussions remain there. There is more evidence of those arms today between Secretary Kerry and Foreign Minister remaining in Libya. We are working on a UN Lavrov. They covered some of these issues, such as how decommissioning programme to be able to take arms humanitarian access can be improved ahead of next out of Libya and out of commission in Libya. Of week’s talks and the possibility of localised ceasefires. course we cannot be precise about those flows of arms, Of course, we are disappointed that Russia is not readier but my hon. Friend can be sure that a high proportion to agree international statements or resolutions at the of them that flowed into Libya in 2011 are still in the UN that we ought to be able to pass and that it would country. However, there would have been more of them be wholly appropriate to pass and enforce. The Russians had we not taken the action that we did, which helped are not prepared to do that, so we try to work with them to bring the conflict in Libya to an end. in other ways to relieve humanitarian suffering and we will spare no effort in doing so. Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): The Assad regime and the al-Qaeda affiliates have been targeting Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): President Putin has medical teams. It is extremely difficult for the people in made some small conciliatory steps in connection with Syria and in the refugee camps around the region to the forthcoming winter Olympics. Is there any sign that access complex medical care. Is it not time now for the the same logic and approach apply to his thoughts on UK to respond to the United Nations High Commissioner Syria? for Refugees’ urgent request for countries to open their doors to cases of complex medical need, particularly to Mr Hague: We will see. The subject is very different those who have also been victims of torture? and, of course, Russia has played an important role in the work on chemical weapons—it has been and remains Mr Hague: A number of views have been expressed in indispensable in that regard. I hope that, following the the House about that. I reiterate our very strong work discussions today between the US, Russia and the UN, and commitment to help people in such countries. I Russia will demonstrate its readiness to deal with the know she is making a slightly different point, but that is Syrian regime. The Syrian Foreign Minister is going to where we are concentrating our help. That includes Moscow this week and I hope that the Russians will say providing 250,000 medical consultations within Syria as to him, “There are now certain things you have to do to well as tens of thousands outside it. The UK is playing relieve the suffering and to give humanitarian access, as a very big part in trying to provide medical care to the well as to go to the Geneva talks, fully in the spirit of most vulnerable people. I am afraid that I cannot offer the Geneva communiqué, to bring about a transitional her more than that at the moment. governing body.” We look to Russia to make those things plain to Damascus.

Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): As we were Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con): It responsible, almost 100 years ago, for drawing up the has been said that that Mr Jarba attended the Friends of borders in this part of the world, it would perhaps seem Syria meeting in Paris and asked for certain guarantees most appropriate that we now play our part in helping and commitments before the Geneva II conference. to contain the Syrian crisis within those borders. I know What requests were made by Mr Jarba and what was the that in his statement the Foreign Secretary said that we response of the Friends of Syria group? On Iran and are giving £15 million to Lebanon and Jordan. Compared the E3 plus 3 agreement, does the Secretary of State with our generous humanitarian assistance, that does understand the concern raised by many countries in the not strike me as a huge amount of revenue for those middle east about the agreement? What steps have been countries. Will he assure the House that we are doing all taken to get those countries to have confidence in it? we can to ensure that the conflict stays within Syria itself? Mr Hague: Of course we understand the concerns about the agreement with Iran. People will inevitably be Mr Hague: Yes, but I am not in any way excluding the sceptical about that and we have given extensive briefings possibility that we will need to do more on that. That is about the detail, which has greatly reassured many what we have given so far and it is hugely appreciated by countries. Those countries will want to know that we Lebanon and Jordan. Some countries are in a position are monitoring it very carefully and that the International to do much more; I mentioned briefly that Saudi Arabia Atomic Energy Agency is playing the full role it needs has announced a $3 billion donation to build up the to. We want to know that, too. They will want to see the Lebanese armed forces, largely to be delivered and evidence over the coming months that the agreement is implemented by France. I hope that my hon. Friend will working, which is completely understandable. In the also bear it in mind that those countries are rightly meeting yesterday, President Jarba of the National Coalition receiving assistance from other quarters as they try to asked for more support for the National Coalition, in contain the crisis. whatever way any country around the table could provide it. I made it plain, as I did just now, that we can resume Gavin Shuker (Luton South) (Lab/Co-op): I am grateful and increase the support we give through non-lethal to the Foreign Secretary for giving the House this supplies provided we can be confident about where it update. Will he talk about Russia’s blocking of a statement will be delivered to and who will be using it. condemning the atrocities in Aleppo as well as a statement calling for immediate unfettered access for aid agencies? Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con): I welcome the What more can be done to ensure that Russia lives up to measures that have been taken on the agreement with its responsibility to the most vulnerable in this conflict, Iran on nuclear arrangements, but the key is to monitor regardless of the politics? compliance with the terms. Reports suggest that Iran is 601 Syria 13 JANUARY 2014 602 still pursuing the use of advanced centrifuges, which Point of Order would give it nuclear weapons capability. Will my right hon. Friend confirm what additional arrangements are being made to monitor Iran’s compliance with its agreement 4.43 pm with the United Nations? Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP): On a point of order, Mr Speaker. At Prime Minister’s questions last week, Mr Hague: That is an absolutely crucial point. Our the Prime Minister said, in relation to the Scottish monitoring of the agreement involves the formation of independence referendum, that the subject was one for a joint commission by the E3 plus 3 and Iran, and there is a very active role for the IAEA. It is important that all “debate among the people in Scotland.”—[Official Report, the agreements that Iran has made with the E3 plus 3 8 January 2014; Vol. 573, c. 307.] and the IAEA are enforced and monitored. The IAEA is However, we have learned that a Cabinet Office official determined to do that; it was agreed, in the implementation working on Scottish constitutional issues and Andrew plan, that that would happen. We, and the IAEA, will Dunlop, who is Downing street’s Scotland adviser, have monitor this very carefully indeed. been co-ordinating in Madrid with the Spanish Government in opposition to independence. Meanwhile, the official Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con): Last night, I returned ITAR-TASS News Agency has cited a source in the from a four-day trip with the Alliance of European Prime Minister’s office as confirming a desire in Whitehall Conservatives and Reformists to the Nizip 2 refugee for Russian support in opposition to Scottish independence. camp, just inside the Turkish border. Turkey’s amazing What options are open to Members to scrutinise UK humanitarian action and our aid programme—its provision Government special advisers, given the Prime Minister’s of food, in particular—should be complimented. While assurances that the issue is one for debate among the I was there, I met representatives of UNICEF, the people in Scotland? Foreign and Commonwealth Office and AFAD and, separately, Syrian opposition leaders and military Mr Speaker: Order. First, Ministers are of course commanders, as well as dozens of refugees, whom we responsible for the accuracy of what they say in the are helping with winter clothing and a social action House, in common with all other Members. Secondly, project. All the Syrians I met want their country back the hon. Gentleman asks what avenues are open to and are desperate to return home. I urge the Foreign Members to enable them to scrutinise special advisers Secretary to take all steps necessary to enable Syrian and undertake scrutiny more widely. The answer is that refugees to return to their homeland, both diplomatically there are manifold mechanisms available to them, including through Geneva II, and ultimately through the provision the use of the Order Paper and, dare I say it, the of safe havens. ingenious, and some might think occasionally outrageous, Mr Hague: I applaud what my hon. Friend and other deployment of bogus points of order. colleagues have done in going to assist the people in that region, and I do not doubt at all the sincerity of the message that he brings back, which is that people want to be able to go to their homes in peace. That again underlines the urgency of the political process that we are beginning next week. It is a formidably difficult process, but it is right to start and to try a political process; that is the only sustainable hope of peace. He can be assured that we will give every effort to that. Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): There have been calls—some from unexpected quarters, and some from the Chamber today—for the UK to take a small number of refugees in this crisis. Does my right hon. Friend agree that that is pure tokenism? If the UK were to take 500 refugees from a pool of more than 2.5 million people who have been displaced from their country, it would have very little effect. The answer really is for the UK to stick with its policy of supporting the refugees in situ, so that they can return to their country when the conflict is over. Mr Hague: Ours is a generous policy, as I say. Whatever views people across the House hold on the subject, I hope that no one will say anything other than that the United Kingdom is among the most generous and big-hearted nations on earth on this. We are by some distance the second largest donor country in the world, helping hundreds of thousands of people with medical consultations in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. That is the right policy for the United Kingdom, and it is making a very positive impact. 603 13 JANUARY 2014 European Union (Approvals) Bill 604 [Lords] European Union (Approvals) Bill [Lords] focused on older people in the European Union, not European federalism. I will address the Europe for [Relevant documents: 23rd Report from the European Citizens programme, to which he refers. It is one of two Scrutiny Committee, Session 2012-13, HC 86-xxiii, regulations—I say this for the benefit of all hon. Members Chapter 11; and 25th Report from the European Scrutiny taking part in the debate—that will be approved by Committee, HC 83-xxii, Chapter 1.] the Bill. Second Reading Jacob Rees-Mogg (North East Somerset) (Con): Will Mr Speaker: I call the Minister for—well, for a number the Minister give way? of different matters. Mr Edward Vaizey. Mr Vaizey: I will now take my second intervention. 4.45 pm The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Jacob Rees-Mogg: How does the Minister’s earlier Media and Sport (Mr Edward Vaizey): I beg to move, example meet the test of subsidiarity? That the Bill be now read a Second time. Mr Vaizey: It is not a question of subsidiarity. The Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am, in fact, the Minister question of subsidiarity applies to the whole programme, responsible for culture, communications and the creative which has been in place since 2007 and supports a industries. They are a number of different matters, but number of measures. I will come to examples of the they are all linked. programme shortly. The sole purpose of the Bill is to support two draft Following my hon. Friend’s perceptive intervention, regulations of the Council of the European Union. I hope he will indulge me for a few minutes while I deal They both rely on article 352 of the treaty on the with the first measure and see what interventions we functioning of the European Union, which permits the have on that. The measure establishes a legal obligation adoption of a measure to attain one of the objectives on the European institutions to deposit their paper set out in the European Union treaties but for which no historical records at the European University Institute, specific power is given in the treaties, provided that it which is based in Florence. Previously, European institutions has the unanimous support of all member states. have voluntarily deposited their archives at the EUI Thanks to this Government, who passed the European under contractual agreement, and the proposal is to Union Act 2011 to ensure that no treaty could be make this obligatory. It is designed to provide long-term passed without a referendum, such measures must be certainty that the archives will be preserved in accordance approved by Parliament. Parliamentary scrutiny of with recognised international standards at a single accessible European measures is a matter of lively debate at the location. moment, and I am delighted to see so many of my colleagues who are experts on European matters present Richard Drax (South Dorset) (Con): Will my hon. in the Chamber this afternoon. I am also delighted that Friend give way? it is this Government who have given Members of both Houses the chance to decide whether to approve such Mr Vaizey: I will take my third intervention. measures. I note that the Bill was debated in the other place, which is renowned for its scrutinising abilities, for Richard Drax: Does my hon. Friend agree that it precisely 37 minutes. The German Parliament carried would be wonderful news if the EU were not archived? out similar scrutiny before approving the measure—its measures are similar to ours—although I am not sure Mr Vaizey: Speaking on a measure on archiving how long that debate lasted. documents of European Union institutions gives rise to the possibility of many light-hearted comments. I have Mr William Cash (Stone) (Con): Will the Minister resisted making such comments, but that is in no way an give way? indication that I would resist those of other Members about the interest, or otherwise, that these documents Mr Vaizey: I will now take my first intervention. could engender when being read by future generations. Mr Cash: Is my hon. Friend aware that the Europe A 1983 Council regulation already obliges the European for Citizens programme could be construed as no more institutions to preserve and provide access to the historical than a provision to enable grant-making for organisations papers once the records are 30 years old, when they that tend to be of a Europhile capacity? Hopefully it would no longer be in business use. Europe’s Council, would be resisted by the Government on the grounds Parliament, Commission, Court of Auditors and Economic that it would be likely to induce propaganda for the and Social Committee, and the European Investment purposes of European elections and the like. Bank, currently meet that obligation by depositing their paper archives with the EUI on a contractual basis. Mr Vaizey: I do not want to get ahead of myself, The proposed legal obligation reflects those existing because I must first cover the specific regulations. My arrangements and will not change the point in time at hon. Friend is a lawyer and an expert on European which the public can access historical records or the matters. I am not here to defend every measure. For place at which they can be accessed. example, I note that one of the measures audited in Making this practice a legal obligation will help to 2013 related to supporting the “European Network on ensure transparency and scrutiny of the European forward policies and actions for seniors in Europe”. institutions’ work, and it fits alongside this Government’s With one in five Europeans already in their 60s, our drive for greater transparency both at home and in take on old age needs reconsidering. That programme Europe. We should all welcome a measure that allows 605 European Union (Approvals) Bill 13 JANUARY 2014 European Union (Approvals) Bill 606 [Lords] [Lords] for greater accountability around EU decision making, Jacob Rees-Mogg: Will my hon. Friend give way? the more so because it will have no impact, financial or otherwise, on the UK’s own archives. Mr Vaizey: I can hear my hon. Friend making an As the European Union moves towards digital record- attempt at a third intervention. keeping, the measure also provides that the European institutions should, where possible, make their records Jacob Rees-Mogg: Fourth. available to the public in digital format. In addition, the EUI is to be given permanent access to each institution’s digital archives to fulfil its obligation to make historical Mr Vaizey: It is my hon. Friend’s fourth attempt and records accessible to the public from a single location I think it would have been his third intervention, had I once they are 30 years old. accepted it. I expect him to make several interventions during my remarks and I will take them at the appropriate The European Court of Justice and the European moment. I also expect him to make one of his formidable Central Bank will be exempt from the obligations under speeches, for which he has become legendary in this the proposed regulation, although they can deposit House. With his indulgence, however, I will elaborate on their records on a voluntary basis. The Court is exempt the point I was making. because of the large volume of records, most of which are case files often containing sensitive personal data As well as highlighting the improvements in transparency that need to be quickly accessed to support its functions. and evaluation, I want to make the point that the The exemption of the ECB is due to its organisational commemoration element of the programme has been autonomy and the fact that its historical records are significantly increased. In the previous programme, subject to a separate 2004 regulation. commemoration was just 4% of the budget, but it now amounts to 20%. This is a serious point, because, of The measure will be financed by the depositing European course, 2014 is the year in which we begin our institutions from within their existing budgets and so commemorations of the great war, so I for one am will have no financial impact on the UK. Hon. Members pleased that the commemoration element of the programme will be delighted to learn that the Italian Government will increase. have made suitable premises permanently and freely available to the EUI to ensure that the deposited archives It is also very important—this is also serious—to of the European institutions are preserved and protected point out that the commemoration element of the in accordance with recognised international standards. programme goes beyond simply commemorating the The European Council has published the text of this great war. It will include funding to commemorate measure and has received consent from the European the second world war—that is particularly relevant given Parliament. It is therefore ready for adoption, subject to the 70th anniversary of D-day this year—as well as the the agreement of hon. Members. victims of totalitarian regimes such as Nazism and Stalinism, and, of course, the holocaust. Let me move on to the second measure, on which I do not anticipate a great many interventions. It provides for the continuation of the Europe for Citizens programme Jacob Rees-Mogg: On my hon. Friend’s earlier point for the period January 2014 to December 2020, building about ever closer union and what it means, is he saying, on the previous programme that covered the period as has been said to this House before, that we should 2007 to 2013. It is important to point out that there not pay attention to the detail of the document and that have been some crucial improvements to the programme. we should accept bland assurances that it does not More effort will be put into monitoring and evaluating mean what it says? funded projects against published performance indicators and boosting the transferability of results to give a Mr Vaizey: What I am saying is that one should look better return on investment. at the kinds of projects that have been funded in the past and the kinds of projects we expect the programme Jacob Rees-Mogg: I am sorry to disappoint my hon. to fund in the future. Hon. Friends may well disagree Friend in his hope that there would not be too many with the funding of some events, both past and future, interventions, but before he gets into how this will be while other hon. Members of a different political persuasion improved, may I ask him to look at paragraph 4 of the may disagree with the funding of others. That is the document? It says that this is being introduced in order nature of a programme that funds a huge range of to projects. “bring Europe closer to its citizens and to enable them to participate fully in the construction of an ever closer Union”. Mr Lee Scott (Ilford North) (Con): Does my hon. The Prime Minister said a year ago that he did not want Friend agree that, during these times of a rise in anti- ever closer union. Will my hon. Friend square the Semitism in Europe, anything that remembers what circle? happened in the holocaust can only be a good thing?

Mr Vaizey: It is important to look at the kinds of Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): Good point. programmes that will be supported by this measure. It is also important to note that when one uses the phrase, Mr Vaizey: My hon. Friend quite rightly achieves “Ever closer union”, it can mean many things to many approbation from all corners of the House for his different people. Perhaps if I spend some time giving intervention. I know that the hard work he undertakes examples of the programmes that have been funded and on these issues as a Member of Parliament is well those that might be funded, we can have a wider, almost recognised. It is a serious point that much of the philosophical debate on the issue. programme’s funding supports issues relating to 607 European Union (Approvals) Bill 13 JANUARY 2014 European Union (Approvals) Bill 608 [Lords] [Lords] [Mr Vaizey] Mr Turner: Does my hon. Friend accept that many twinnings, which are jolly good, are done at no cost to commemoration, which covers the holocaust, and some the taxpayer? British organisations that commemorate the holocaust have received funding. Mr Vaizey: I accept that point, and as a good Conservative, I am always in favour of anything that Sir Roger Gale (North Thanet) (Con): I suspect that has no cost to the taxpayer. I also think that we all, as the House probably feels that the United Kingdom is constituency MPs, know that when there is an opportunity quite capable of providing its own recognition of the for support, whether from the Big Lottery Fund or any holocaust and the great war and that we do not need other grants programme, we would encourage our any help from Europe. At the start of his remarks, my constituents to apply for it, where appropriate. hon. Friend said that the Bill had been debated in Another example of the kind of programmes that are another place. I suggest to him that the bill that matters likely to be supported is shown by the recent grant of is that to the British taxpayer. Could he tell us how ¤100,000 to the National Council for Voluntary much cultural citizenship costs the UK taxpayer? Organisations, which is a British organisation. It received the money last year to help European bodies understand Mr Vaizey: In this debate, we will find that many hon. how to run voluntary organisations. The rest of the Members are incredibly well informed and know a lot budget will be spent on programme administration and about the issue. My hon. Friend’s intervention is the the evaluation and dissemination of best practice between second that tempts me to jump ahead in my speech. It is participating organisations. important, however, to answer a direct question directly: Like its predecessor, the programme will be implemented the budget is ¤185 million. I will come on to the budget, through grants based on open calls for proposals and because there are certain things to say about it at the through service contracts based on calls for tender. To right moment. provide for the analysis and dissemination of the results, these activities will be supported by regular external Richard Drax: Will the Minister give way? and independent evaluation. Priority will be given to projects using new working methods or proposing innovative activities. An interim evaluation report on Mr Vaizey: I can hear another hon. Friend wanting the implementation of the programme will be drawn up to intervene, but I do not know whether or not the by the European Commission no later than the end of intervention is about the budget. 2017, and a final evaluation report will be drawn up no later than 2023. The programme has no new impact on Richard Drax: On questions of percentages and budgets, UK domestic policy. Such activities have been supported I understand that 20% will go towards commemorations, since the programme first began. but will my hon. Friend comment on the 60% for projects linked to the Union political agenda? Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): Will the Minister update the House on the size of the budget of the Mr Vaizey: My hon. Friend neatly takes us on to the programme compared with the size of the budget of its next element of the budget. Some 60% of the budget predecessor, and on whether the budget reflects the will support other measures to encourage greater friendship search across the European Union—supposedly—for between people living in Europe. One example of something savings for the taxpayer in these straitened times? that will be financed is twinning. Mr Vaizey: I will certainly do so, but to put the answer to my hon. Friend’s question in context, it is Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight) (Con): Oh no. important to stress that the Bill will have no financial effect on the UK Budget. Some might say, for the sake Mr Vaizey: I was about to say that I did not know of argument, that the money could be better spent in hon. Members’ views on the European Union, but I the UK, but the fact is that it forms part of the European should perhaps say that I do not know their views on Union budget that has been agreed, so money not spent twinning, apart from that of my hon. Friend the Member on this European project would be spent on a different for Isle of Wight (Mr Turner), who has just made his one. I therefore take my hon. Friend’s intervention as an view quite clear. opportunity to remind the House that the Prime Minister As a constituency MP, I for one see that twinning secured a significant reduction in the European Union’s brings great joy to my constituents. If you will indulge overall budget. In fact, I think it is the first time the EU me for a minute, Madam Deputy Speaker, the market has ever reduced its budget. town of Faringdon in my constituency is twinned with The original budget proposed for the programme was Le Mêle-sur-Sarthe in France, and it intends to twin ¤229 million, which would have been a 7% increase on with Lipcany in the Czech Republic. The market town the budget for the 2007-2013 programme, which was of Wantage is twinned with Mably in France—in fact, ¤215 million, but I am pleased to say that, following the we even have a Mably way—and Seesen in Germany, budget negotiations—otherwise known as the multi-annual and Didcot is twinned with Planegg in Germany and financial framework—that figure came down to just Meylan in France. May I use this opportunity to pay over ¤185 million, which was a reduction of ¤44 million. tribute to the late Terry Joslin, a Labour councillor in It is also important to stress that the ¤185 million is Didcot—he sadly died at the end of last year—who was spread over seven years and that we estimate the UK very much at the forefront of Didcot’s twinning contribution to be about £2 million to £3 million a year. arrangements? With that, I commend the Bill to the House. 609 European Union (Approvals) Bill 13 JANUARY 2014 European Union (Approvals) Bill 610 [Lords] [Lords] 5.5 pm As the Minister said, 20% of the money will go towards commemorating the world wars and victims of Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): As the totalitarianism. The Government are spending some Minister set out, the two purposes of the Bill are to £50 million on commemorating world war one. If the provide proper archiving arrangements for European remarks of the Secretary of State for Education and the documents and to establish a programme for a citizens’ decision to put Lord Kitchener on the £2 coin are Europe. At first sight, they seem rather disparate, but anything to go by, the Government are embarking on they have a shared theme—history. The first is about an unnecessarily jingoistic approach, which this EU preserving documents for future historians and the programme might usefully counterbalance. second is about looking back at the European events that catalysed the foundation of the EU. I want to ask the Minister how the funds will be distributed. It is unfortunate that world war one appears I hope the programme can be used to strengthen only fleetingly for children in key stage 3, so a little people’s understanding of the EU, although I am not more understanding can only be a good thing. Will the wholly convinced that more knowledge will mean a less money for the commemoration of the world wars be critical view of the current institutional arrangements. distributed in its own channel, or will it be bundled up with the money the Government are spending directly Richard Drax: Would the hon. Lady agree that the and through the Heritage Lottery Fund? more people know about how the EU works, the less likely it is to continue to exist? As the Minister said, the major part of the moneys will be used on EU citizenship projects for learning and twinning. Since the major wave of twinning took place Mr Vaizey: That should be a reason for some people in the late-1970s, just after we joined the Common to support the proposals. Market, and given that the EU now has 22 member states, it seems a good idea to give this initiative fresh Helen Goodman: As the Minister points out, that impetus so that new relationships can be built across the should be a reason for some people to support the Union. programme, but actually I do not necessarily agree with the hon. Member for South Dorset (Richard Drax), for Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry) (Con): I do not want reasons I shall explain. to jump in on the hon. Lady, but there are 28 member I have some observations and questions for the Minister states if Croatia is included. about these two major themes in the Bill. As he has explained, EU documents will be archived at the European Helen Goodman: I am happy to be corrected by the University Institute in Florence so that future historians hon. Gentleman. His arithmetic is better than mine. can benefit from complete records. The Clerk of the I wonder whether some towns will choose to be House has explained to me that our own material is twinned with places in Bulgaria or Romania. I do not archived in Victoria Tower. Will the Minister tell the know whether the Minister has heard anything about House—[Interruption.] Could he stop talking to his that. Parliamentary Private Secretary and listen to me? Would the EU institutions be able to make duplicates in vellum Projects for young people to learn about EU citizenship as we do in this Parliament? are particularly good, especially given the Government’s foolish decision to take personal, social, health and The Minister said that the Bill does not cover the economic education, which included citizenship, out of documents of the European Court of Justice and the the core curriculum. Young people are the most likely European Central Bank. The ECB position is rather to self-identify as European. I hope that more information controversial, given our own decision, in 1997, to publish, and education on, and more understanding of, Europe after only six weeks, the meetings of the Monetary will mean that people will not be misled by the wilder Policy Committee. Expectation management is an important claims about the European Union made by people who part of monetary policy, so I wonder why we are not are Eurosceptic. However, I am not convinced that, seeing the ECB papers in the same way. The whole once people know how the European institutions operate, exercise cannot be described as a measure to improve their views towards them will be flattering. transparency, given the decision to keep everything secret for 30 years. Who decided that these documents I have received some interesting information from the should be kept secret for 30 years and why? My hon. National Council for Voluntary Organisations about Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr Skinner), who how the Europe for Citizens programme is operating. I sadly is not in his place, has commented on Mrs Thatcher’s hope that it will reassure the hon. Member for Stone approach to the miners’ strike, demonstrating how few (Mr Cash) that the money will not just be taken up by people can fully understand the significance of papers Europhile institutions. It states that the grants have when they are kept locked up for 30 years. enabled The aim of the citizen programme is to improve how “support for participation and democratic engagement”, citizens participate in and contribute to the EU by which is surely a good thing; projects on the strengthening remembrance and common values and “impact of EU policies in societies”; encouraging a broader engagement and debate. The and the budget is ¤185 million, so by my calculation about £7 million will be spent in this country—not, I would “exchange of expertise between members in different countries”. suggest, a vast amount. The Minister has said what he When I was thinking about who might benefit from thinks we will contribute to the budget, but I wonder taking part in such programmes, I thought of the whether he can say how much of it he thinks will be Minister. Many parts of his brief could benefit from a spent in the UK. more collaborative approach with our European colleagues. 611 European Union (Approvals) Bill 13 JANUARY 2014 European Union (Approvals) Bill 612 [Lords] [Lords] [Helen Goodman] elections could have an improper influence on them. It would be unlikely to give money to the UK Independence For example, there could be collaboration on child party, for example. protection on the internet, tackling the uncompetitive behaviour of the internet giants, and providing a proper Helen Goodman: The money will not be given to copyright and intellectual property protection system. political parties in any case, so the hon. Gentleman’s On the point about expertise, it might be worth looking concern about unfairness is somewhat misplaced. The at what some of our European colleagues do to prevent fact is that the money will not be spent before the the export of heritage items, which is far more effective European elections. than what he is doing. How will the money be publicised, so that we in Durham might benefit from it as much as people in Oxfordshire evidently have? How will people apply? It is crucial to Mr Cash: On the hon. Lady’s comments about my the success of the project as a lever in raising people’s intervention, does she agree that grants that might be participation that it involves not just the same group of made to organisations to promote European values, as organisations that have a long-standing interest and they are called, should be evaluated against what is in involvement in European projects, but goes wider than the interests of all citizens? Should they be confined that. only to political organisations or to charities? I hope the evaluation is not too onerous, because as much could be spent on the evaluation as the sums of Helen Goodman: The hon. Gentleman makes a good money that are being given out, which would not be point. I was going to come on to the question of efficient. What steps has the Minister taken to ensure whether they should be purely political, but he will that the arrangements are open and straightforward? surely agree that there is a shared commitment in Europe to democracy and liberty, and that is fruitful for people Richard Drax: Given that the EU accounts, as I to understand how they can exercise their rights within understand it, have not been signed off for the past the European context and in the European institutions. 15 years, how can anyone be confident that this money It would have been better for these projects to be up will go where it is meant to go? and running before the EU elections in May. Why has it Helen Goodman: The hon. Gentleman needs to look taken the Government so long to bring the Bill to this at the areas that have caused the European Union’s House? The Lords dealt with it at the end of July, when auditors to qualify the EU’s accounts. My understanding the Minister in the other place stated that his intention is that they do not include the citizens programmes of was for the Bill to receive Royal Assent by the end of education and learning for young people. 2013. Will the Minister say why the timetable has slipped? I am content with the arrangements on the Order That is particularly unfortunate, as we are only four Paper for further scrutiny of the Bill. I do not intend to months away from the EU elections. divide the House tonight, but I agree with the suggestion made by other Members that it is important that we Chris Heaton-Harris: I am slightly concerned that the encourage and facilitate non-political cultural exchange, hon. Lady ties the Europe for Citizens programme with for which the Minister has responsibility. Over the the European elections, because to gain funding from it Christmas holiday I was looking at the BBC’s collection people have to sign up and put in their contract bid that of the nation’s favourite poems. Hon. Members will be they will support the European Union’s initiatives and pleased to know that the nation’s No. 1 choice is Kipling’s be pro-European. It would have been useful if the hon. “If—”. I think that reveals something about the British, Lady had bothered to read any background information while the collection taken as a whole tells us something on this before she stood up at the Dispatch Box. Surely about our imaginary life and the value we place on our it is not necessarily in the interests of democratic debate countryside. It would be fascinating if we knew more to have only one side of the argument funded by this about the cultural life, views, experience and perspectives programme? of the other member states, so I wonder whether the Minister has paid any attention to what we might do to facilitate more cultural exchange as well. Helen Goodman: The hon. Gentleman’s remarks are rather ungenerous. It is obviously important for people Mr Cash: Will the hon. Lady give way? to understand what it is they are voting for. They are being asked to elect candidates and they need to know Helen Goodman: No, I have finished. what powers the institutions have. I would have thought that could be shared across the House. I was struck by 5.21 pm the energetic twinning arrangements in Oxfordshire. Mr William Cash (Stone) (Con): I am most grateful to you for calling me at this opportune moment, Madam Jacob Rees-Mogg: I am extremely grateful to the hon. Deputy Speaker, because I was going to ask a rather Lady for giving way. Following on from the point made pertinent question about the BBC. There has been a lot by my hon. Friend the Member for Daventry (Chris of publicity recently about what I think is called the Heaton-Harris), the programme says that strand 2 will media action trust. This is an organisation within the spend 60% of the money and that BBC that apparently also has its own premises there and has, so we are informed, been provided with substantial “It will give preference to initiatives and projects with a link to funds from the EU for training journalists and activities the Union political agenda”, of that kind. I have raised this issue in the House in the so there is an underlying political agenda. I agree with past, but that is typical of the kind of thing that is going my hon. Friend that to spend the money before the on in the run-up to the European elections. 613 European Union (Approvals) Bill 13 JANUARY 2014 European Union (Approvals) Bill 614 [Lords] [Lords] Let me say straight away that I do not have any I heard what the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland particular concern about the first part of the Bill, which (Helen Goodman) said in her reasonable speech about concerns the archives. There might well be some hidden the whole question of European elections, and I alluded problems buried in the archives in Florence that turn to the same point in my intervention on the Minister. I out to be a concern, but that is not what I am concerned believe that although not much money is involved, this about today. What I am profoundly concerned about, will benefit organisations—I mentioned the word “charities”, however—I shall vote against the Bill for this reason—is but this measure will not relate solely to charities—that the question of European citizenship, which goes back are politically motivated for the purposes of promoting to the treaties and the objectives of political union. One the objectives under article 352, which amount to the of the things that I well remember and that deeply whole integrationist process. I have in mind statements concerned me in the very first part of the Maastricht of the kind recently made by Mr Barroso, who said in debates, all those years ago, was the reference in the the so-called blueprint for the future of Europe that Maastricht treaty to conferring rights of citizenship on “the European Parliament and only the European Parliament is the people of the United Kingdom. the Parliament for the European Union.” There was a good deal of debate about that in this That shows the sort of propaganda whose mechanism House at that time. Although that reference did not say and funding will drive the argument further and further specifically what “European citizenship” would mean, in that direction. As many argued in the documents we now know where it has been intended to lead. We relating to the Bill, this could be extended towards only have to look at what Viviane Reding, the senior schools, for example. Some in the House of Lords vice-president of the European Commission, said last spoke of greater engagement with schools, educational week to know that it is based on an absolute determination colleges and the rest. Then there is the BBC and the to go pell-mell for a full united states of Europe. The training of journalists, and so it goes on. proposals in this Bill, which, if it were possible, I would If the money, albeit only £2 million, is to be tied prefer to describe as a disapprovals Bill rather than an under the contract and the tender by these arrangements, approvals Bill, aim to provide money for the purposes many of the organisations concerned will have a very of generating information about and supporting the significant impact because what they write will be study and promotion—that is the key word—of political reproduced in much of the press. There might then be, union. shall we say, £150,000 or £250,000-worth of grants, I have with me the full documentation from the providing a very substantial opportunity to disseminate Council of the European Union dated 17 September propaganda for the European Union. 2013. My hon. Friend the Member for North East In the present situation, however, 95 Conservative Somerset (Jacob Rees-Mogg) has already rightly referred Members—I believe it is really well over 100—have said to the passage that says that preference will be given that we should veto European legislation if it is not in our interests. I would be interested to know whether I “to initiatives and projects with a link to the Union political am right—I believe I am—that this is mainly aimed at agenda.” providing money for foundations, organisations and, as However—no doubt when he rises to speak he will also it specifically mentions, think-tanks to promote European refer to this; I hope I am not pre-empting him too policies and European integration, and not the other much—under the heading “Programme Management”, way round. that document also says: At the same time a serious debate is taking place “In general, preference will be given to grants for projects between those who are in favour of more integration irrespective of their size but with a high impact, in particular and those who are against it. The Prime Minister is those which are directly linked to Union policies with a view to trying to find some middle ground, but it is crystal clear participate in the shaping of the Union political agenda.” that what is also happening is the promotion of European These provisions are said to be done under article 352. integration, and this programme will assist that process. Those of us who have been involved in the whole If we are to have an in-or-out referendum, albeit far too process—I have the honour to be Chairman of the late in my opinion, I think it very important for the European Scrutiny Committee, and I have been a member Bill’s immediate objectives to be confined to ensuring of it for the best part of 30 years—may remember the that no money is provided under the aegis of the United old article 308, now replaced by article 352. Those Kingdom, or with its encouragement, for the purpose associated with administrative law will know that where of promoting activities in which we in this country have there is a statute, there is often a supplementary provision effectively said that we do not want to engage. that allows one to do all such things as are reasonably incidental to the carrying on of the main functions. Jacob Rees-Mogg: Does my hon. Friend fear that That is precisely what article 352 achieves. money from this pot could be used at any point to promote the European Union prior to a referendum in Although I deeply disapproved of the provisions of this country? the Referendum Bill in most respects, which is why I voted against most of them, it is quite right that—and Mr Cash: I sense that you, Madam Deputy Speaker, I am glad that the coalition Government have provided would not wish me to go too far down that route, but for this—for matters of this kind to be dealt with by Act the short answer to my hon. Friend’s question is yes. of Parliament. This regulation and these arrangements That is a good illustration of why we need a provision— are dictated by unanimity, which means that we could under the aegis of the European Scrutiny Committee’s say no. I shall now provide a number of reasons to report, which has been supported by numerous Conservative explain why I believe that this grant-making exercise is Members of Parliament—to ensure that we do not end aimed at providing propaganda, as I see it, for purposes up paying for the promotion of integrationist policies of political union. That is why we should say no. that are contrary to what we believe in. 615 European Union (Approvals) Bill 13 JANUARY 2014 European Union (Approvals) Bill 616 [Lords] [Lords] Zac Goldsmith (Richmond Park) (Con): My hon. as we approach the centenary of the first world war it is Friend is making some excellent points. Does the Bill being referred to by the European Union as the European contain any provisions or mechanisms that would prevent civil war? the use of money from this pot for propaganda purposes before a referendum in this country? Mr Cash: I am extremely interested in that because I Mr Cash: That is an extremely important question, to recall that a serious dispute arose only a few days ago, which the answer is zero: none at all. Perhaps the when the distinguished Secretary of State for Education Minister would like to intervene in order to repudiate made remarks regarding the manner in which world what I am saying, and to assure me that none of this war one was being addressed. The debate ultimately money will be used for any propaganda exercises—that turned on the question of whether or not it was Germany none of it will be given to think-tanks that are promoting that started the first world war, and I have no doubt at the idea of the European Union—and to make absolutely all, and nor did A. J. P. Taylor. clear that we are not, as a Government, supporting the promotion of propaganda for the purposes of political Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): Order. union in advance of European elections. The Minister The hon. Gentleman rightly said earlier that the Chair is sitting with a Sphinx-like expression on his face. I would be keeping a watchful eye to ensure that this suspect that he knows the answer, but is not terribly debate sticks to the purpose of discussing this very keen to give it to me. short Bill. At the moment the hon. Gentleman is just within the bounds of discussing Europe for citizens. He Mr Vaizey: It is a poker face, actually, not a Sphinx-like may be straying somewhat, however, and I am sure he expression. I will respond to my hon. Friend when I will bring his remarks back to the subject under discussion. sum up the debate. There are so many Members in the Chamber this afternoon who are experts on this subject and who will want to make lengthy interventions to Mr Cash: I certainly will, and precisely because of educate the House about the Bill that I do not want to that reference to world war one. I took part in the stand in their way, given that I know I have a slot. debate on the Floor of the House about the idea of our helping to commemorate world war one, and I believe Mr Cash: There is another point, too. A very interesting we can do it, as my hon. Friend the Member for North statement, which I happen to know is true, was made Thanet (Sir Roger Gale) said, on our terms without under the aegis of the European Scrutiny Committee. European money. It is about remembrance, and that is In his letter of 19 November 2013, the Minister said most emphatically in this Bill, as I am sure all Members that an agreement on the substance of the draft regulation of this House will recognise, so when I referred to the had been reached by COREPER in March 2013. I need question of world war one, I was referring to the not spend too much time on that, because the COREPER remembrance aspect of this strand of the programme. I problems are contained in our report, but the point is would like to make it clear that I am very much in that the agreement to which the letter referred was favour of that and in no way would want to prevent ticked off by officials. substantial remembrance events from taking place. Indeed, I am not denying that the Minister has come to the I shall be going to Normandy next year, where my House and said that he endorses this, and the same father was killed in the second world war, and won the situation arose in the House of Lords. However, I want military cross, at Maltot near Caen. I shall be going to emphasise that our report, which has been supported there to commemorate all the brave men and women by all those Members of Parliament, identified that who died in the second world war and also to pay process as a matter of concern, because it had been tribute to those who took part in the first world war. I dealt with by officials in the first place and ticked off by am not against the principle of this, therefore, and I am them, and then along came the Government and agreed very much in favour of moneys being provided for it, to it. We had recommended that the whole matter be although I think we can do it on our own terms and we dealt with in a European Standing Committee. Our do not need this Bill to do it. recommendation has understandably been overtaken There is one final point I wish to make. I think the by events, in the shape of the Bill, but we remain deeply entire debate that we have had in the last few days about concerned about the way in which the money could be whether or not there should be vetoes and whether or used. not there should be disapplication of legislation is very I am always pleased to be able to be constructive, and important. For the reasons I have given, and because of to offer a tribute when it is required. I was glad to hear the way in which the money, which is our money, is the Minister tell us—and I happen to know that this is being spent by the European Union on projects that are true—that the amount of money in question started out not consistent with the voters’ wishes in general, this is as £229 million, and has been reduced to £185 million. I not the kind of thing I would want to support. Furthermore, am glad he linked that to the reduction in the budget that is why I shall be voting against this Bill. I am also generally under the multiannual arrangements he described, extremely surprised because I do not think the Minister but I would only make this point, especially on behalf is in any way disagreeing with my general proposition of some on this side of the House: I put down the that, for the reasons set out clearly in the programme amendment that helped the Government to arrive at the itself, this money is going to be made available to those decision that reducing the budget would be a good idea, who promote the political objectives of the European because that was a unanimous decision that had been Union and the citizenship that goes with it and will agreed to on both sides of the House. provide substantial grants for that purpose. Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con): All of these points are reasons why we should exercise My hon. Friend talks about propaganda and UK taxpayers’ a veto. Indeed, this proposal would provide a perfect money being used to fund it. Is he aware that, anecdotally, example under my parliamentary sovereignty Bill, which 617 European Union (Approvals) Bill 13 JANUARY 2014 European Union (Approvals) Bill 618 [Lords] [Lords] I introduced a few months ago. If 100 Members were to rhetoric on Europe and the reality. The Bill is interesting decide they did not want something like this, I hope that because, on this occasion, the rhetoric and the reality would lead to its being vetoed. are as one. The hon. Member for Stone is correct—I In summary, I do not approve of this approvals Bill. have read the correspondence—to say that the Minister This is all about democratic decision making. Let us pointed out in the early stages of this measure that the bear in mind that the draft regulation is indeed a Government were not pleased about what was then a regulation, which is of a higher order even than a projected percentage increase in the available budget, directive. We have to comply with every aspect of a and that they would seek, through negotiation, to push regulation. I have great affection for the Minister, and I that sum in the opposite direction. I congratulate the have heard what he has said. I greatly approve of almost Government on their act of positive engagement at everything he does, but not this measure. This should be European level, which has achieved exactly that. Those a European Union disapprovals Bill. cost reductions are to be welcomed, and the rhetoric of the Government has matched the delivery. That makes 5.40 pm it all the more easy for people such as me to support the Government in the Lobby on this issue. We have also Mr Charles Kennedy (Ross, Skye and Lochaber) (LD): supported the Bill in the Lords, as my noble Friend, Although we have just passed the auld Scots new year, Baroness Falkner, made clear. this is the first chance I have had to congratulate you on I do not wish to dwell at all on the established your new appointment, Madam Deputy Speaker. In the practice of the European University Institute being based, context of another debate that is going on outside this located and accessed in Florence and that now being place, which is not unrelated to Europe in some respects, given legal status as a result of this measure. However, I it is good that a Scot has been elected by her colleagues want to say a word or two about the second half of the to such a prominent and important UK constitutional Bill, which deals with the Europe for Citizens programme, position. Long may that capacity continue in the United where I wish to make a contribution not on behalf of Kingdom. the Liberal Democrats, but in a personal capacity on behalf We are talking about another Union today, however. of the European Movement, with which I have been The matter of the United Kingdom draws the hon. associated for a number of years—I have had the privilege Member for Stone (Mr Cash) and me together, but that and pleasure to be its UK president. As the Minister other Union has forced us apart for 30 years. I shall not knows, the European Movement is all-party and, most echo his concluding remarks about the question of a significantly, as I always say, non-party in its composition. veto. Were that to be established as governmental and It has been with us, in this country and elsewhere on the Commons practice, he would want to apply it even to continent, since the formation of Europe itself—the something as gentle, timorous, limited and constrained political Europe in the aftermath of the second world as this European Union (Approvals) Bill. That would war. Over the decades it has made a notable and certainly vindicate my view that his election to the distinguished contribution to the dissemination of chairmanship of the European Scrutiny Committee knowledge—genuine knowledge, not propaganda—through was akin to putting King Herod in charge of a maternity schools, local voluntary organisations and so on. ward. Indeed, he has proved that in his attitude to this The European Movement suffered in the era of the generally meek, mild and inoffensive measure that the Blair Government through the launch of Britain in Minister has put before the House tonight. Europe. As we all know, Britain in Europe was not so much a case of “Waiting for Godot” as of waiting for Chris Heaton-Harris: Actually, such a veto already Gordon; it was a two-act play in which nothing happened, exists. The measure that I like to call “Bill’s Bill” would twice. The Prime Minister assembled his pro-European not even apply to this. I think the right hon. Gentleman forces and marched them to the top of the hill on more followed us through the Lobby on the EU legislation than one occasion, and absolutely nothing came of it. that gave us a veto on the Bill we are discussing today. The group that suffered most during that period of So, timorous though it might be, we already have the raised expectation followed by zero was the long-standing ability to veto it. European Movement, which was rather eclipsed by Britain in Europe and has been clawing its way back Mr Kennedy: I gather from the hon. Member for ever since. Stone’s speech that we are going to face a Division on The European Movement is central to the second the Bill’s Second Reading, so the House will have an part of the Bill, because its entire raison d’être fits opportunity to decide. The Minister will be aware of the ideally with precisely what the Bill talks about. The presence of some notable evergreens who remember the characteristically excellent Library research paper states days, and particularly the nights, of the Maastricht saga that in an explanatory memorandum of 26 January 2012, in this House. He will know that, on this Bill, he has the so just under a year ago, backing of the Government and, I would imagine, of a “the Government approved of the proposed simplifications to the swath of the parliamentary Conservative party. He also programme’s administration”— has the backing of Labour, as the official Opposition, the Europe for Citizens programme— and I think I am correct in saying that he has the “and observed that the programme reflected, and could potentially unanimous backing of the Liberal Democrats, although support, the UK Government’s aims and programmes, in particular I never seek or aspire to speak for them in any leadership the Big Society agenda and Positive for Youth. There were also capacity or in an ex cathedra manner. potential benefits to UK civil society organisations, local authorities Before the Christmas recess, I raised a question with and organisations, and grassroots sports and culture projects.” the Deputy Prime Minister, my party leader, who was The constitution and raison d’être of the European standing in for the Prime Minister. I pointed out that Movement fit ideally within what the Government have there could be quite a difference between Government pointed out, but here comes the rub: the European 619 European Union (Approvals) Bill 13 JANUARY 2014 European Union (Approvals) Bill 620 [Lords] [Lords] [Mr Kennedy] part of this Bill create a climate of more accessibility and greater, ever-closer understanding, the better it Movement used to enjoy a direct subvention from the will be. Foreign and Commonwealth Office. That came to an end in Mrs Thatcher’s days, and perhaps that is no great 5.52 pm surprise. What is perhaps a wee bit more surprising is Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): There is a huge that nothing was ever restored in the long years of the amount about the European Union that I would like to Labour Government that occurred later. I raised the change. Indeed, all organisations of that type need to be issue with both Prime Minister Blair and Prime Minister reformed, and there is a huge opportunity coming up. Brown but to no avail. It is not a matter for the Department The Prime Minister’s commitment to a referendum in for Culture, Media and Sport. It has, in the past, been a 2017 is predicated on the fact that we will also see matter for the FCO, although if DCMS wished to enter substantial changes. I would like to see a lot of changes, and make good the breach, I can assure the Minister particularly the deepening and widening of the single that it would be welcome to do so. I hope that he will market to include energy. I want to see more emphasis take this opportunity to point out that there is a bit of on productivity across Europe, and more capacity for an irony that the European Movement is often offered European countries to trade with each other and, above practical support, through the use of facilities, by many all, strike a bigger punch in the global economy as well. European consulates and embassies within the UK yet That is all about ensuring that the European Union is receives nothing by way of practical support from our fit for purpose. I am, therefore, by no means immune to own FCO. the idea that the European Union needs to be reformed When we are passing a Bill such as this, with the very and changed. However, let me first celebrate the fact things that the Government are highlighting approvingly that we are today debating this issue, which is down to and the potential that this Bill can bring, it does seem a the coalition Government who passed the European bit ironic, if not perverse in the extreme, that the European Union Act 2011. Movement is getting overlooked in this way. Wearing that hat, I make a plea to the Minister to draw the This is a fabulous opportunity for us to demonstrate matter to the attention of his colleagues at the Foreign the value of that Act, because it is through that Act that and Commonwealth Office and to look for a little bit of we are making this decision. It is proof that Parliament—I largesse as we reach the closing stages of this coalition am talking about this Parliament, but other Parliaments Parliament. could pass similar legislation—can indeed exercise some authority over the decision making of the European Mr Cash: I am listening with great interest to the Union. The Government should be congratulated not right hon. Gentleman, not least because, from his just on being bold enough to pass that Act but on being perspective, the European Movement does its job. However, so easily able to use it in a situation such as this. is he not over-concerned about this matter? Surely, Importantly, this legislation is founded on the treaties under these arrangements, he should expect the European to which we have signed up. Those treaties require, in Movement to get the moneys, because that is made this particular case, unanimity, which gives the decision clear under the Bill. I may not believe that we should we are making even more force, which is useful. That pass the Bill, but if it does go through, as seems likely, does not mean that we should be handing out red cards I believe that the European Movement will benefit. Is he every time we think about an issue, because we also not being a bit over-anxious? must ensure that the European Union works. A single market is one example where we need a more considered Mr Kennedy: I am less anxious now than I was just and conciliatory approach to ensure that it operates not before I accepted that intervention. If the European just for our benefit but for that of everybody else in the Movement makes an application to such funds, I will be European Union, particularly when we are negotiating able to quote an opponent of the very measure that a free trade agreement with the United States. gives rise to such access as well as supporters such as the Such decisions require unanimity in the Council of Minister and me. I hope that that might help its prospects Ministers, and our Minister will not be able to nod the as and when it makes an application. For the first time matter through unless or until we vote accordingly ever in nearly 30 years in a European debate, I can look tonight. That is a clear statement that this Parliament at the hon. Gentleman, regard him as my hon. Friend has more power than it did before, and that is down to and say, “D’accord”. I am most grateful to him. the European Union Act 2011. When we confront In conclusion, one thing that always bedevils the either the next general election or the referendum, we European debate is the meaning of vocabulary. The will be able to say that we have delivered for Parliament classic is “federalism”, which has a very different meaning more capacity to influence the situation in the European the minute we cross the English channel to what it has Union. come to mean not least in the tabloid press in this Having talked about the Bill in a constitutional context, country. Another example is the term “ever-closer union” I now want to move on to the measures it contains. It is on which we have touched. Of course it has its antecedents a good idea to move all the archives to Florence, particularly with the initials ECU, which was used in a slightly to the European University Institute, which I have different context several decades ago. visited. It is obviously logical to have everything in the As we are seeing in the Scottish debate, and as I think same building. None the less, I cannot imagine that we can see in the European debate—these measures can many people would want to visit Florence just to look assist in this process—the words “ever-closer union” at the archives. If that is the case, they are indeed could be more appropriately replaced with the words committed to something that is not as exciting as other “ever-closer understanding”. The more that the practical things they might like to find. The fact is it is right implications, particularly for citizens’ rights, in the second to have archives for the European Union. Historians 621 European Union (Approvals) Bill 13 JANUARY 2014 European Union (Approvals) Bill 622 [Lords] [Lords] will want to know how things unfolded, and will want As we have heard, the Bill has already been approved to be able to access such findings, so I am happy with by the House of Lords with minimal debate, but unless that measure. the House of Commons approves it the Europe for On citizens and, effectively, promoting the European Citizens programme, for example, will simply fall. The Union through the fund, it is sensible to take into UK will have to block that programme in the Council of account the Minister’s remarks on twinnings. In my Ministers and it will not be able to go ahead. To put it constituency, a large number of towns and villages are simply, voting against the measure means that Parliament twinned. They enjoy the experience and get a huge is telling the Government to veto this element of EU amount of cultural advantage from it, as they meet spending. It is a welcome development for Parliament many people from different regions. Stroud itself is to be able to scrutinise such spending in such detail. I twinned with Saint-Ismier near Grenoble, and I find the was pleased to hear that the Minister has done some of linkage with the people there extraordinarily valuable, his homework and he has done very well at getting up to but it is neither overtly political nor party political speed on the matter. in any sense. The people in the twinning organisation As a number of Members have mentioned, the Bill will are Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Labour party also approve a pretty uncontroversial proposal, which supporters—there are some—independents and those is also subject to section 8 of the 2011 Act, that will who are not interested in politics at all. The linkage is require most European bodies to deposit their historical first and foremost cultural. archives with the European university institute in Florence. I will not go into detail about all the things that will I have a “Boring but important”box in which to file things be supported by the money, because Members might in my office and also a “I don’t give a toss” box; this raise an eyebrow about some of them. In broad terms, measure would certainly be flung into the latter. There however, this is a reasonable amount of money spent in is no reason to talk or get excited about that measure. a reasonable way, especially as it has already been There is good reason, however, to talk about the allocated through the budget. Europe for Citizens measure. I first came across My last point is a territorial one. In the explanatory the measure during my work not as a member of the notes, we are reminded that the Bill applies to the whole European Scrutiny Committee of this Parliament but of the United Kingdom. Scotland might make the as a Member of the European Parliament for the East foolish decision to leave the UK, in which case it will Midlands, which I was for 10 years, when I sat on both effectively leave the European Union, and that may well the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on raise an issue for this measure. I remind the House that Budgetary Control. When, as a Member of the European we should be absolutely emphatic in our view that Scrutiny Committee of this Parliament, I saw that the Scotland should remain a member of the United Kingdom Government were proposing to support a draft EU and, therefore, a member of the European Union. These regulation re-establishing the Europe for Citizens matters should be discussed in 2017 when we have had programme for the period from 2014 to 2020 it caused an opportunity to recalibrate some of our policies and me to raise an eyebrow. I have many concerns about the reassess where we stand, and—fundamentally, in my programme—I have harboured them for a long time—and view—we should then ensure that Britain’s membership I want the Government to alter their position so that of the European Union continues through a reformed, the UK and other EU countries are not saddled with modernised and, in many cases, vastly reduced EU, but funding what is likely to be wasteful pro-European one in which business can thrive, trade is developed and propaganda, political in its very nature. our punch as a country and as a continent are enhanced. Ages ago, when I was a Member of the European Parliament, I asked questions of the European Commission It is absolutely right that the 2011 Act was passed. about what organisations would get funding from the The Bill is an example of the value of that Act, and I programme. I will talk about some of them, but let me hope to see more opportunities to show that in the say first that we are not talking about one or two months and years to come. organisations. I have in my hand a list of all the organisations that received funding from that budget—I 6pm will not read it out, as it has seven or eight pages of Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry) (Con): It is a privilege closely typed words. The copy I have brought with me is to follow my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Neil just for 2007. Carmichael), because I am going to start my speech I was concerned then about the level of transparency with a similar point to that with which he finished his. It with which those organisations spent their money, with is interesting to see how we got to the point of having the European Commission’s evaluation of that programme this debate. As the House knows, the legal position is and with how the moneys were spent. I am pleased that the UK now holds a veto over these proposals to hear that the European Commission has decided under the EU treaties and section 8 of the European at least to say that it has decided to up its game in Union Act 2011. The Government are not permitted to evaluating the programme. Will the Minister tell us support the proposals or abstain unless they are approved whether that is an admission by the European Commission by Parliament. of its failure to do things properly in the course of the The European Union Act is the much-heralded Act previous programme? Lots of money was wasted on a that means that we, as the UK Parliament, are scrutinising number of projects, some of which I will detail later. some aspects of European business that have never I would like to hear confirmation from the Minister been properly examined before by nation state Parliaments. of whether any official or Minister of a UK Government— Our Government should be congratulated on that and I either this Government or the previous Government—has thank them for the opportunity. To provide such raised any concerns about how money is prioritised and parliamentary approval, the Government have introduced spent in the Europe for Citizens programme. I doubt this Bill, and hence we have the debate today. that has ever happened. 623 European Union (Approvals) Bill 13 JANUARY 2014 European Union (Approvals) Bill 624 [Lords] [Lords] [Chris Heaton-Harris] “to foster European citizenship and to improve conditions for civic and democratic participation at Union level.” The preamble to the draft regulations introduces the I am pretty sure that that is a reference to the European Europe for Citizens programme with the following words: elections, which is slightly concerning. That, together “While there is objectively an added value in being a Union with the preamble, suggests that the programme is citizen with established rights, the Union does not always highlight aimed at lauding the European Union as a political in an effective way the link between the solution to a broad range project with, as I will demonstrate, many a federalist of economic and social problems and the Union’s policies.” overtone. That is reinforced by the fact that article 6 of If one was Greek, one would probably say that those the proposal states that the programme is open to policies were the cause of the problem, not the solution. “stakeholders promoting European citizenship and integration”. The preamble continues: In other words, one can apply for money from the “Hence, the impressive achievements in terms of peace and programme only if one believes in one side of the stability in Europe, long-term sustainable growth”— political argument. interesting— I heard what the Minister said about the collaboration “stable prices, an efficient protection of consumers and the element of the project. Like everyone else in the House, environment and the promotion of fundamental rights, have not I support any attempt realistically to encourage the always led to a…feeling among citizens of belonging to the commemoration and remembrance of important events Union.” in the history of Europe, volunteering, or participation in the democratic process, where there is genuine enthusiasm Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North) (Lab): I apologise for for it, but I am greatly concerned about trying to force arriving late to the debate. The hon. Gentleman talks one particular political viewpoint down peoples’ throats. about stable prices, but prices have started to fall in Greece and deflation is a much more serious concern Mr Cash: Does my hon. Friend agree that the idea for anybody who understands economics than inflation. that the Bruges Group, or the European Foundation, Greece faces a serious problem and prices are hardly of which I have long been the chairman, could, if stable. we wanted to—I do not think that we would want to—successfully apply for any of this financial support Chris Heaton-Harris: I understand the statistics that is simply pie in the sky? the hon. Gentleman has just relayed. That just goes to prove that what the European Commission believes to Chris Heaton-Harris: I am sure that my right hon. be happening and what is happening are two completely Friend—is he right hon. yet? different things. Indeed, the Commission is quite Orwellian in its interpretation of what goes on around it. Mr Cash: No. Richard Drax: Surely the evidence that it is not working is there for all to see. My hon. Friend the Member for Chris Heaton-Harris: My soon-to-be right hon. Friend’s Stone (Mr Cash) is an expert on such matters, as the organisation could benefit from funding, if it changed Minister recognised, so why are the Government not its basic principle on belief in the European project, but listening to the experts and looking to act on the he is a very principled gentleman and would not do evidence? that, so no is the simple answer; there would be no access to EU funding for those groups. Chris Heaton-Harris: Fortunately, that is one for the I am supportive of trying to encourage the things I Minister to answer. There are plenty of experts on both mentioned, but I do not believe that that is best achieved sides of this very political argument and one point that by a European Union spending programme that has its I shall continue to make during my speech is that this is decision making centralised in the European Commission, a very political matter that should therefore not be and in which everything is tied to a supportive view of funded by taxpayers’ money. European Union political integration. The draft regulation’s preamble even asserts that there is a link between It is interesting to see that the European Commission remembrance and European identity; I struggle to see recognises some of the issues it faces. The preamble that link. continues: “In order to bring Europe closer to its citizens and to enable The Government’s support for the regulation calls a them to participate fully in the construction of an ever closer number of points into question. It sits uneasily—does it Union, a variety of actions and coordinated efforts through not?—with the Prime Minister’s speech on Europe on transnational and Union level activities are required.” 23 January last year, which made it clear that Britain In other words, the solution to some of the issues we has no desire for ever closer union with other EU face today is not less Europe but, according to the countries in any political sense. The Prime Minister European Commission, more Europe, and to ensure also said: that people think that way the Commission will pay for “There is not, in my view, a single European demos. a bunch of projects to try to tell them that that is the It is national parliaments”— case. not EU institutions— Article 1 of the draft regulation states that the general “which are, and…remain, the true source of real democratic objectives of the programme are legitimacy and accountability in the EU.” “to contribute to citizens’ understanding of the Union, its history The regulation, which we might be asked to vote for, and diversity” would establish a political programme, which we would and fund, with exactly the opposite ethos. How can that be? 625 European Union (Approvals) Bill 13 JANUARY 2014 European Union (Approvals) Bill 626 [Lords] [Lords] Moreover, the regulation states that the programme in a Europe facing the financial crisis, as well as themes of would have a budget of ¤185.5 million, which, according common goods, media pluralism, migrants and Roma rights and to the Google currency converter last night, is about the fundamental rights given by Europe.” £156.5 million over the multi-annual financial framework Obviously, to be involved in this scheme, one has to period. The Government have estimated that the UK approve wholeheartedly of the application of the EU will meet about 11.5% of the cost of the multi-annual charter of fundamental rights by the European Court financial framework, after the rebate is applied. That means of Justice. Those interested in Roma migration should that the UK may end up paying roughly £18 million for note that the festival was held in London, as well as the programme, over its course. The shadow Minister many other European cities, to promote that sort of said that we expect to receive about £7 million back. thing. That is not a bad return on European money—normally, Last year, the festival was awarded ¤149,000 from the we pay in a fiver and get £2 back—but the money comes Europe for Citizens budget. It appears that the 2011 back to us with caveats on how it should be spent, and festival was awarded ¤150,000. In 2010, European who it should be spent on. I understand the Minister’s Alternatives Ltd was awarded ¤40,000 for a project point about the general budget envelope, but there are called “Transeuropa citizens”. In 2009, the same company better ways that we could spend the money; we could was awarded ¤36,300 for a project called “active and spend it on much more worthy projects in the UK, transnational citizens in dialogue”. In 2008, the company without the involvement of a middleman with sticky was awarded ¤24,800 for a project called the “active and fingers in Brussels. transnational citizenship programme”. I wonder what The House might be interested to know how much all these programmes did, or do; from the preamble, money was spent on the previous Europe for Citizens one can probably guess exactly what they did. programme, which ran from 2007 to 2013. Most of this In addition, European Alternatives Ltd has been information comes from budget questions relating to awarded grants to fund its existence, which the Commission 2013, because it is best to have the most up-to-date said it would cut out; no longer could organisations bid information, and from a compendium of summaries of for money simply to run themselves, so that they could reports submitted last year under strand 1 of the bid for more European money to run projects for the programme, produced by the European Commission Commission, so that they could bid for more money agency responsible for selecting projects, the Education, from the Commission, so that they could run more Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency.As I mentioned, projects for the Commission. That was not the case I have followed this issue for quite some time. here. In 2012, 2011 and 2010, it was awarded a ¤100,000 Let us start with a nice, friendly organisation, the annual operating grant. In 2009, it did a bit worse: it got Transeuropa citizens festival, an annual festival that, in only ¤60,000. This one organisation was awarded, all in 2013, took place in October in various cities simultaneously. all, approximately ¤760,000 from one section of the Page 4 of the Commission’s compendium says that it Europe for Citizens programme budget over the period took place in nine cities, but the festival’s website claims from 2007 to 2013. Bear that figure in mind when I that it took place in 13: London, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona, come on to the sort of grants that have been issued to Amsterdam, Bologna, Prague, Bratislava, Belgrade, Warsaw, projects in the United Kingdom. Lublin, Sofia, and Cluj-Napoca in Romania. The Let us look at another example of an organisation compendium’s summary says: that has received money from the Europe for Citizens “Transeuropa Citizens Festival is an annual festival of citizenship programme. The grants were intended to support the happening across Europe. For the European Year of Citizens it running of the organisation itself, so I am pretty sure will take place in 9 cities simultaneously in October 2013 and will that it would not exist were it not for this funding. It is celebrate free movement. The festival promotes active citizenship: the French think-tank called—perhaps Members will it is made by and for citizens from throughout Europe (particularly central and eastern Europe). About 300 active citizens”— be able to work out why it has been awarded funding— Notre Europe, the Jacques Delors Institute. It was set I have no idea what they are— up by Jacques Delors in 1996 after he stepped down as “will meet and work together to make events which promote their European Commission President. It aims to contribute vision of Europe to a wider public”, to the debate on the future of Europe and to influence so it is an interesting festival. decision makers. We are paying for an organisation to try to influence decision makers in a highly political Richard Drax: My hon. Friend is making an excellent way on the future of Europe and other European speech, and I am most grateful to him for giving way a integration matters. second time. If this nightmare continues, can he foresee a time—say, in 10 or 20 years—when countries that do Kelvin Hopkins: I strongly sympathise with what the not participate in these awful affairs will be fined for not hon. Gentleman is saying, but he keeps referring to doing so? Europe, as so many people do, when he really means the European Union. They are two different concepts. Chris Heaton-Harris: The few times in my political career when I have not relied exactly on facts, I have Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): He should have learnt always stumbled and fallen over, so I will keep to what thatbynow. has happened and is happening, rather than having a guess at what might happen in future. Chris Heaton-Harris: The hon. Member for Rhondda The 300 individuals, and the people they then talk to, (Chris Bryant) is quite right. I will try to remember to will say “European Union”, but if I slip up and say “Europe” “act as European Citizens of the future and peer-leaders. The by mistake, please add “ean Union” for me. festival will focus on the issues of precarity, poverty and solidarity Notre Europe’s handy charter states: 627 European Union (Approvals) Bill 13 JANUARY 2014 European Union (Approvals) Bill 628 [Lords] [Lords] [Chris Heaton-Harris] It is notable that that phrase was later propounded by the current Commission President, Mr Barroso, in his ‘When reflecting on its mission, Notre Europe continues to state of the Union address in 2012. take its cue from its founding president, Jacques Delors. Besides the masterstrokes the Single European Act and the Maastricht Mr Bernard Jenkin (Harwich and North Essex) (Con): Treaty represent, and their two great attending projects, namely the single market and the economic and monetary Union, European Does not that episode underline the point of our signing integration owes him one of the most dynamic and inspired a letter to the Prime Minister at the weekend, because it periods of its history. A virtuoso in the art of working the is not the lack of a power of veto that seems to matter in Community method and its famous “institutional triangle”, he this case, but the reluctance to exercise a veto even when can rightly join the ranks of Europe’s founding fathers. It is his we have one? vision, which Notre Europe aims to grow and perpetuate.’ Let us examine what Notre Europe does and its Chris Heaton-Harris: The latter part of my hon. principles: Friend’s intervention is exactly right. We have a veto on “The end goal of European integration, for Notre Europe, is the matter, so it is up to Parliament to choose whether it the creation of a political community, beyond market and economic wants to exercise it. That is the point of this debate. trading. What brings the Europeans together within the Union is Finally—this bit I find particularly galling—Notre therefore, beyond lifestyles, a set of founding political values. The Europe’s charter states: which—freedom, democracy, rule of law, human rights—are enshrined in the treaties and itemised in the Charter of Fundamental ‘The 21st century EU must also have at its command a budget Rights in a corpus of human rights which are at the core of in keeping with its ambitions. It will not be possible… to settle for integration. These values are not merely declaratory: the European a ceiling at 1.27% of Member States’ gross national product Court of Justice is their ultimate guarantor”. without abandoning stated goals. It must establish new own resources levied through genuine European taxation, proof perfect That last bit is the problem. of European solidarity beyond the States’ calculations in terms of “return” on their contribution, calculations the philosophical, political and economic basis of which Notre Europe disputes.’ Mr Cash: In the light of that last point, does my hon. Friend recall that the European Court of Justice has In other words, the funding that Notre Europe receives effectively stated that the provisions in the treaty that from that budget line goes to try to get a European tax introduced the Lisbon treaty, which were meant to to fund even more Europe. exempt the charter of fundamental rights, apply in the Mr Deputy Speaker, I am sure that you, as Chairman United Kingdom and that therefore the objectives he of Ways and Means, will be pleased to know that we has just described would promote the striking down of were fairly generous in 2013, because Notre Europe was UK Acts of Parliament? awarded ¤435,500 from the Europe for Citizens budget line. It was awarded ¤500,000 in 2012, ¤550,000 in 2011 Chris Heaton-Harris: I absolutely agree. It is the and ¤605,000 in 2010. That means that under the last guarantor bit that causes the real problem in this matter. Europe for Citizens programme that organisation was awarded a total of almost ¤2.1 million. Notre Europe also calls for It also turns out that Notre Europe has been awarded “substantial improvement to the coordination of economic policies” grants for particular projects under the last Europe for as part of building a European “social market economy”. Citizens programme—the European Commission likes Notre Europe not only to fund an organisation, but to give it things to do. In 2009 it received ¤46,400 for a project called “insists on the pressing necessity for the Union to become a global and influential actor... It must, in due course have summoned “Think Global—Act European”. In 2011 it received up a defence policy and the joint forces to go with it.” ¤102,500 for a project of the same name. A cursory examination of the European Union’s budgets online The charter also states: shows that that programme received about ¤2.24 million. “Though healthy emulation may be conceivable, nay desirable, The right hon. Member for Ross, Skye and Lochaber competition between nations is the harbinger of all sorts of conflicts and the very negation of all concepts of political community, (Mr Kennedy), who has just left the Chamber, would not to mention being a brake on the coherence and might of a have been pleased to hear my next point. Also benefiting large integrated economic block. Some types of fiscal and social handsomely under the previous Europe for Citizens competition are destructive and must be resisted.” programme is our old friend the European Movement. In other words, the European Union should set tax Hon. Members might have noticed that we all receive a rates and social and employment law. regular e-mail commenting on British and European political matters from the UK chapter of the European Notre Europe, which is funded from the Europe for Movement. It claims that it raises its own moneys and Citizens budget line, also believes that that its objective is to “there are domains where Union action is of the essence and “contribute to the establishment of a united, federal Europe”, where it will have to be increased. The issue of mobility”— which is a fairly political objective. currently a pertinent subject in the UK— Seemingly, however, the European Movement does “comes in that scope: a European labour market is needed for receive EU moneys. The grants that I am about to list those who go from one country to the next, including common were all given to help the running of European Movement rules and protections. Member States must further come to an International, which is based in Brussels, rather than for agreement on a minimum package of social rights to be observed any one specific project. The European Movement received everywhere and at all times.” ¤432,500 in 2013, ¤430,000 in 2012, and ¤430,000 in Notre Europe also 2010. A little more delving shows that in 2007 it was “champions Jacques Delors’ groundbreaking vision of a Federation also awarded ¤56,360 for a project that is not identified of Nation-States.” on the relevant list of selected projects but it still got the 629 European Union (Approvals) Bill 13 JANUARY 2014 European Union (Approvals) Bill 630 [Lords] [Lords] money. The total receipts for this organisation under If we were really serious about this, we could ask the the previous programme, the latest version of which the European Commission to rebalance the Europe for Government want us to recommend to go through, Citizens programme in negotiations. I understand that were almost ¤1.78 million—the best part of £1.5 million. it is a complex package; indeed, I have been in trialogues My final example of egregious spending under the between the Commission, the Parliament and the Council Europe for Citizens programme is the money doled out where such a complex package has been rebalanced to the Union of European Federalists. As its name before. Then we could talk about funding worthwhile suggests, this organisation is “dedicated to the promotion” commemorative projects such as the Holocaust Centre of a “federal Europe”. Over the course of the previous in Newark above and beyond anything we give to programme, the UEF was awarded grants totalling political organisations that should be raising their own ¤671,000 to support its existence—again, not to support money and not suckling on the teat of the taxpayer. projects that it runs. It received ¤121,000 in 2013, ¤110,000 Surely our Government are also capable of funding in 2012, ¤110,000 in 2011, ¤110,000 in 2010, ¤110,000 in worthy remembrance and town-twinning projects. As 2009, and ¤110,000 in 2008. It was also awarded grants the whole House will know, town-twinning projects do for particular projects. In 2010—this money was given not just involve European Union countries; UK towns to the Belgian member organisation of the UEF, the and cities are twinned with towns and cities across the Union of European Federalists Belgium, which is based world. EU funding is not needed for this, and so we do somewhere in the same location—it was awarded ¤15,214 not need the associated EU federalist propaganda that for a project called “European issues and citizenship”. goes with it, which, as I have proved, is a significant part We can see a theme running through many of the sums of the programme. that are given. In 2007, it too received money—¤27,670—for The UK wields a veto over this draft regulation. I an unspecified project. The UEF got so much money realise that the Government are planning to submit during the course of the previous programme that it their support for the proposal to the approval of the raised ¤714,000. House of Commons under the terms of the European Union Act 2011; the Minister has confirmed as much. However, I would be delighted if they went back to the Mr Cash: This money is paid by way of grant, out of Council and insisted on a radical rethink of the matter taxpayers’ money, direct to these organisations. Does so that British taxpayers do not end up paying for my hon. Friend accept that these organisations, including schemes aimed at furthering a political project with many Eurosceptic organisations, can receive money only which most of them disagree. out of donations after the tax has been paid on them? The taxpayer is funding all this. It was fairly obvious that the shadow Minister did not know what was included within these programmes. Nevertheless, as the Labour leadership is trying to Chris Heaton-Harris: Absolutely. In fact, the United engage more sensibly with the British people on European Kingdom taxpayer is funding all this. That is why I am matters and has given a commitment to European worried about allowing this measure to progress much Union budgetary restraint, I would like Labour Members further without having the opportunity to amend it to to see this as a matter where they could help the strike out the Europe for Citizens programme completely. Government to take the right course and have UK As I said, we have the ability, as a Parliament, to do taxpayers’ money spent in a better way. exactly that. The Minister will be relieved to know that I do not I have written to the Minister regarding my concerns intend to push for a vote on Second Reading, although about these moneys being spent in this fashion. At the others might do so. However, I will seek at a later stage end of last week I received a reply that is a close-to-desperate to remove clause 1(2)(b), which approves the Europe for attempt to justify such spending, in which he said: Citizens programme for the period 2014 to 2020. The “In negotiating the regulation my officials ensured that the Government’s programme motion provides that the overall bill was cut from ¤229m in the Commission’s proposal to Bill’s next stage will be taken in Committee of the whole ¤185m, as part of the PM’s historic cut to the European budget.” House, and I look forward to that debate. I am very pleased about that. He continued: “The programme would cost the UK around ¤2-3m annually, and we will of course get some of that back in funding to projects 6.37 pm in the UK. A recent example is a project called ‘History Speaks’ at Jacob Rees-Mogg (North East Somerset) (Con): It is the Holocaust Centre in Newark.” a particular pleasure to follow my hon. Friend the I thought I would have a look at that project because it Member for Daventry (Chris Heaton-Harris) because sounds like a really worthy project that I would want he has gone through so much of the rather painful money to be spent on, and it absolutely is—it is fantastic. detail of what this money goes towards. I congratulate However, since the financial crash the Holocaust Centre my hon. Friend the Minister on putting his case as he in Newark, like every other organisation that does good did. I could not quite decide whether he was modelling work, has struggled financially. In 2007, this memorial himself on Horatius at the bridge or the boy who stood and educational trust, founded 14 years ago by non-Jewish on the burning deck, because I noticed that he was not brothers Stephen and James Smith, needed to slash its supported not only by his Secretary of State but by any annual budget from £800,000 to £500,000, and its activities Secretary of State. He had the occasional support of such as professional training to spread the word about the Lord Privy Seal, and I am glad that he now has the what the holocaust meant had to be axed so that it support of the Minister for Europe, but I think he could focus its resources on educating the young. The should feel rather let down by Ministers who have not centre deals with over 22,000 primary and secondary turned out in greater numbers to rally to this particularly school pupils who visit it each year. disagreeable cause. 631 European Union (Approvals) Bill 13 JANUARY 2014 European Union (Approvals) Bill 632 [Lords] [Lords] [Jacob Rees-Mogg] It occurs to me that the achievements in terms of peace may have had something to do with the North Atlantic I will mention in passing the first part of the Bill, on Treaty Organisation and the willingness of the United archives and the value—or the vanity—of archives. States of America to spend billions of dollars on putting When I was doing my A-levels, I was told that if ever we a defensive shield around western Europe to protect us ran out of something to say when discussing 16th-century from the USSR, the evil empire. This is a document of history, we should always refer to a report sent by the ipsedixitrists: people who believe that, because they say Venetian ambassador. That is because the archives in it themselves, it must be true, but, by and large, it is not Venice were so great—so large and comprehensive—that true. nobody ever went through them all, and therefore if we The paragraph goes on to tell the great joke—I doubt attributed a view to the Venetian ambassador nobody you ever thought, Mr Deputy Speaker, there would be could tell us that we were wrong. In the same way, if we such humour in a European Union document—about were to visit the Escorial we would find that some of the long-term stable growth. Tell that to the Greeks, the documents of Philip II of Spain still have on them the Italians, the Cypriots, the Spanish, the Portuguese and sand used to blot the ink, because nobody has looked at the Irish. Are there any other offers from hon. Members? them in the many hundreds of years that have passed. I [HON.MEMBERS: “The French!”] The French and Monsieur have a feeling that the institute in Florence—this wonderful, Hollande would like to hear about the stable growth glorious, illustrious European institute that is going to provided by their kind brethren in the European Union. educate us so much about the virtues and kindness of The paragraph goes on to tell us about the “promotion the European Union—will find that the sand remains of fundamental rights”. How splendid that is. I am all on these documents until scholars yet unborn finally get in favour of fundamental rights—we have had them in round to sweeping it off. this country for quite a long time—but what is the one I want to deal most particularly with the idea of fundamental right that the European Union disapproves “Europe for Citizens”. Let me start by saying that I of? Why, it is democracy of course. They do not like object to the idea that I am a citizen of Europe in the that a bit, because we might vote against them. I am first place. I do not believe that it is, was or ever could sorry to say that even our own Foreign Secretary does be legitimate to foist a citizenship on people who have not much like democracy any more, because he thinks not asked for it or were not born into it. To say in about this Parliament may have the discourtesy to vote against 1990, as the Maastricht treaty came through, that those rules and regulations and instructions sent down from of us who were proud to be subjects of Her Majesty on high by the European Union. were suddenly also citizens of some foreign multinational The paragraph notes that the situation has, sadly, organisation seems to me an affront. Therefore, I deny— “not always led to a strong feeling among citizens of belonging to I repudiate—my citizenship of this body. the Union.” My infant children blow raspberries sometimes. In this Chris Bryant: What about the Catholic Church? House of Commons it may not be appropriate to blow a raspberry literally, but let me metaphorically blow a Jacob Rees-Mogg: The hon. Gentleman says from a raspberry at the idea of having a strong feeling about sedentary position, “What about the Catholic Church?” belonging to the Union. I will come back to the next page later, because it ties Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. I do in with a comment made by the Prime Minister that, not think we are going to go down that route. We are importantly, needs to be examined. The sixth paragraph going to stick with what is before us. looks at the “interim evaluation report of the Europe for Citizens programme”, Jacob Rees-Mogg: I will just say, briefly, that a previous which says that the last programme was a great success Leader of the House stood godparent for me when and worked very well. The European Commission has I was baptised into the Catholic Church, so I think I produced a report to say that what it has just done was consented through him. enormously successful. That strikes me as, to coin a phrase, marking one’s own homework. I will turn to the text of the document, because we need to look at the detail of what the Government are I will move on, if I may, to paragraph 7. Where are signing us up to. My hon. Friend the Member for they going to do all this wonderful stuff? They are Daventry has mentioned paragraph 3 of the “Europe going to do it for Citizens” document, but I should like to construe it “in the areas of education, vocational training and youth, sport, in some detail. It says: culture and the audiovisual sector, fundamental rights and freedoms, social inclusion, gender equality, combating discrimination, research “While there is objectively an added value in being a Union and innovation, information society, enlargement and the external citizen with established rights, the Union does not always highlight action of the Union.” in an effective way the link between the solution to a broad range Not all of those are, in fact, competences of the European of economic and social problems and the Union’s policies.” Union, so in this article 352 extension to the powers of But that is not true. The very fourth word of that the EU we see an attempt to push those powers even paragraph is a falsehood. Objectively, there is no added further by spending money in areas that are not actually value in being a European citizen—that is a subjective competences of the EU. The Government are agreeing—in view of being a European citizen. The document is a breach of the coalition agreement—to an extension of dishonest document and we are only on the third paragraph. the power and competence of the European Union. The paragraph continues: I quite like paragraph 8, because it wants to promote “Hence, the impressive achievements in terms of peace and reflection on defining moments in European history. If stability in Europe”. we do have to have this Bill, I hope it will get through 633 European Union (Approvals) Bill 13 JANUARY 2014 European Union (Approvals) Bill 634 [Lords] [Lords] by 2015, because there are four defining moments in “A horizontal dimension of the Programme should ensure the European history that I am looking forward to celebrating valorisation and transferability of results for enhanced impact in 2015. It will, of course, be the 800th anniversary of and long-term sustainability.” Magna Carta; the 750th anniversary of the meeting of Ain’t that just fine and dandy? the House of Commons with Members from boroughs; I want to—[Interruption.] I am scattering my papers— the 600th anniversary of Agincourt; and the 200th this is how European documents should be treated: anniversary of Waterloo. We can have a jolly time in tossed in pieces around and about—but I want to 2015 celebrating the defining moments in European address a point that has already been raised. The nub of history, which I am glad to say mainly involve the this is that 60% of the money spent will be spent on success of the English and, more latterly, the British. giving preference to initiatives and projects with a link to the political agenda of the European Union. This is Richard Drax: Given that my hon. Friend is giving all about promoting what it thinks of as being the such an excellent speech and talking about anniversaries, advantage of the EU. It is about advancing the superstate I would be failing in my duty if I did not point out that and using British taxpayers’ money to do so. it is his wedding anniversary today and that his other half is not too far away. Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): To give my hon. Friend a moment to relocate his script, may I ask Jacob Rees-Mogg: My hon. Friend is spot on. He has him whether we are perhaps in danger of being unfair discovered the secret of the Rees-Mogg household: we to the Government? Could not the reason our Government celebrate our anniversary by speaking about the European are so keen to suggest that we sign up to this nonsense, Union. I have a feeling that that is probably true of garbage and propaganda be that they want to impress Members on both sides of the House. Could there be a on the House and the British people how important it is nicer way to spend one’s seventh anniversary? to have an in/out referendum on our membership of the Reflecting on the history of Europe is important, European Union? because we as Britons can take some pride in the fact that we have on four occasions—arguably five—destroyed Jacob Rees-Mogg: My hon. Friend makes a wonderfully an attempt to have a single European superstate: Louis XIV ingenious point. I am not sure that a coalition Government was unquestionably one, followed by Bonaparte, the could be quite that clever, though that may be uncharitable. Kaiser and Hitler. It may be that the fifth attempt to I want to move on to the real problem about the create— programme. In not only mine but a succession of speeches this afternoon and early evening, we have established Mr Deputy Speaker: Order. I do like the hon. Gentleman’s that it is about propaganda for the European Union, history lessons, but I am bothered because this is the but why have Her Majesty’s Government brought it Second Reading debate on a Bill that is quite tight and before the House in a Bill when they have a veto? That narrow. As much as the hon. Gentleman’s history may question takes us to the heart of the matter—it is about add up, I know that he wants to actually concentrate on trust. We are told by the Government very regularly, or the Bill before us. at least by the Conservative part of the Government, that they are Eurosceptics and do not want to see Jacob Rees-Mogg: I am actually referring to the further integration, but believe we should restore powers eighth paragraph of the document we are being asked to the United Kingdom. Then, when they have the to approve, which wishes us to define defining moments chance to veto something, what do they do? They bring of history. it forward with further expenditure and adopt, or wish to adopt, a European regulation, irrespective of their previous propaganda. It seems to me that people will Mr Deputy Speaker: Order. I think I might be able to notice the disjunction between what is said and what is help. As much as I welcome the history lesson, it is the done. length of the history lesson that I do not quite need. I am sure the hon. Gentleman wishes to shorten it. Like my hon. Friend the Member for Daventry, I want to quote the Prime Minister, who said about a Jacob Rees-Mogg: I apologise, Mr Deputy Speaker. year ago: I was taking the Secretary of State for Education too “Let me make a further heretical proposition. The European literally with regard to the thought that a chronological Treaty commits the Member States to ‘lay the foundations of an history should be taught in all aspects of life. ever closer union among the peoples of Europe’. This has been consistently interpreted as applying not to the peoples but rather We should be proud of our influence on European to the states and institutions compounded by a European Court history. The document goes on to say that it wants to of Justice that has consistently supported greater centralisation. remember the existence of European identity. I am not We understand and respect the right of others to maintain their too sure what European identity it is talking about. I commitment to this goal. But for Britain—and perhaps for others—it think we have an identity as people belonging to the is not the objective.” individual nations that make up the European Union, However, paragraph 4 of the document we are asked to not as people belonging to a supranational state. approve this afternoon mentions bringing We must not forget that this is a European document “Europe closer to its citizens and to enable them to participate and no European document would be complete without fully in the construction of an ever closer Union”. at least one sentence—probably many more—of complete We are therefore being asked to vote on the Second gobbledegook, so I shall quote one. It may be that a Reading of a Bill that directly contradicts a promise cleverer hon. Member present will be able to translate given to the British people by the Prime Minister a year it. It states: ago. 635 European Union (Approvals) Bill 13 JANUARY 2014 European Union (Approvals) Bill 636 [Lords] [Lords] [Jacob Rees-Mogg] deposit its archives at the National Archives. To be frank, the hon. Lady’s point was more to do with the What will people in the country say when they read in general issue of whether the European Central Bank is the newspapers that politicians do not stick to their transparent enough, which is nothing to do with today’s promises, and when they are told by UKIP that the debate. Tories may say they are Eurosceptic, but they are in fact The hon. Lady asked how much money will be spent little more than sheep in sheep’s clothing? They will in the UK. Many hon. Members debated the issue of look at us and think that we are playing ducks and how much is likely to be spent. Normally, we would drakes with them. We ought to be honest with the expect to see a return on our investment of about 5% to British people. We should make sure that our promises, 10%. Any money to support commemorations for words and actions go together. world war one, for example, would not be part of the When we have the power of veto, the right to stop Government’s main programme of commemoration, this further piece of European integration, we should but to support programmes involving different countries without question exercise it. The Government deserve across Europe. praise for the fact that under the 2011 Act we at least The hon. Lady said that I am not doing well enough have a vote, but they should never have allowed the on stopping the export of objects that have been legitimately Minister to come to the Dispatch Box with this odious purchased. I remind her that our export ban system has piece of further pro-European integration. It is against been in place for 60 years. The delay to the Bill was what the Conservative party stands for, and as that simply to do with finding parliamentary time. party forms the majority of the coalition, it ought to be We heard excellent speeches from my hon. Friend the against Government policy. Member for Stone (Mr Cash), my right hon. Friend the Member for Ross, Skye and Lochaber (Mr Kennedy), 6.53 pm and my hon. Friends the Members for Stroud (Neil Mr Vaizey: I am grateful to have the opportunity, Carmichael), for Daventry (Chris Heaton-Harris) and, with the leave of the House, to respond to the debate, of course, for North East Somerset. which has been wrapped up by my hon. Friend the I must say that my hon. Friend the Member for Stone Member for North East Somerset (Jacob Rees-Mogg). made a fantastic contribution. It was generous to me, There was an element of disloyalty from my acting and it showed off his remarkable knowledge of the Parliamentary Private Secretary, my hon. Friend the subject from his 30 years of looking at European issues. Member for Brighton, Kemptown (Simon Kirby), who My right hon. Friend the Member for Ross, Skye and said to me during the debate, “You’d better hope that Lochaber described the Bill as “gentle”, “timorous” you don’t follow him.” I think that that was a reference and “meek, mild and inoffensive”. I think he was making to the rhetorical qualities of my hon. Friend the Member a plea to hon. Members not to be cruel to the Bill, but for North East Somerset, who certainly did not disappoint. to shepherd it through with the utmost care and attention. It is my sad lot to have to follow his excellent and He mentioned that the funds in one of the regulations perspicacious speech. supported the European Movement, of which he is the My hon. Friend pointed out that I have been without UK president and which, of course, was started by friends on the Front Bench for most of the debate. It is Sir Winston Churchill. true that we invited Justice Ministers to wind up the My hon. Friend the Member for Stroud made a very debate, because archives are obviously an important good point when he reminded us that this debate was element of their portfolio, but for some reason we happening because of the Conservative party and the found that none was available. It is therefore down to Bill we passed, in the teeth of opposition from Labour, me, with the leave of the House, to wind up the debate. to give the House the opportunity to scrutinise European It is very rare for a Minister to open and close a legislation. It is shocking, when we see the House filled Second Reading debate—[Interruption.] Apart from up with people ready to scrutinise European legislation, two weeks ago, it is a very rare event. [Interruption.] It that Labour still refuses to give the British people a say happens all the time, according to the hon. Member for on their membership of Europe. It is only by voting Rhondda (Chris Bryant). Here I am, however, closing a Conservative that the British people will get a say, in a debate that I opened. Let me begin by asking the hon. referendum, on whether we should remain a member of Gentleman not to intervene from a sedentary position. the EU. Frankly, if he has something to say, he should come to My hon. Friend the Member for Daventry welcomed the Dispatch Box and say it. [Interruption.] He is trying the scrutiny, but asked for a rebalancing of the project. it again, but let me move on. He is the chairman of the Royal and Derngate theatre, I congratulate the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland and it is welcome to see him in that position. We will (Helen Goodman) on her response to my opening remarks. always find examples, as he did, of funded projects with She raised several points that I want to address. In which we disagree, but I know, as someone responsible relation to archives, she asked whether European institutions for funding the Arts Council—I do not want to start can deposit their documents written on vellum. That is another debate—and looking at the distribution of not part of the regulations that we are debating and lottery funds, that we will always find funded projects approving. It is of course welcome that she takes a with which we disagree and many projects we think traditionalist view of how documents should be written should be funded that are not. That is in the nature of and archived, but it is rather sad that when any spending it. The process for getting funding will involve an open opportunity presents itself, she seizes the moment. application system, and we should encourage people to It is true that the European Central Bank will not make applications, should the House support the regulation, deposit its documents in the archive. Its situation is as there is no reason, in principle, why they should not similar to that of the Bank of England, which does not receive funding. 637 European Union (Approvals) Bill 13 JANUARY 2014 European Union (Approvals) Bill 638 [Lords] [Lords] This has been a lively, enjoyable and informative Ellis, Michael Howell, John debate. It remains for me to conclude on the most Ellison, Jane Hughes, rh Simon important issue, which is of course the wedding anniversary Elphicke, Charlie Hunt, rh Mr Jeremy of the hon. Member for North East Somerset. It falls Esterson, Bill Hunt, Tristram on St Canute’s day. It is said in Scandinavia that good Eustice, George Huppert, Dr Julian St Thomas brought Christmas and the evil Canute took Evans, Chris Hurd, Mr Nick Evans, Graham Irranca-Davies, Huw it away. The death of Canute started a minor European Evans, Jonathan James, Margot civil war, and it is important to remember that this fund Evans, Mr Nigel Jamieson, Cathy will commemorate some horrific events in Europe that Evennett, Mr David Jarvis, Dan are worth commemorating—the totalitarian nature of Fabricant, Michael Javid, Sajid Stalinism and Nazism and the holocaust, as well as the Farron, Tim Johnson, Gareth carnage of the great war. Featherstone, Lynne Johnson, Joseph But I am running out of things to say. I will not refer Field, Mark Jones, Andrew to the Venetian ambassador. I simply commend the Bill Flello, Robert Jones, rh Mr David to the House. Foster, rh Mr Don Jones, Graham Fox,rhDrLiam Jones, Mr Marcus Question put, That the Bill be now read a Second Francis, Dr Hywel Jones, Susan Elan time. Francois, rh Mr Mark Joyce, Eric The House divided: Ayes 366, Noes 30. Freeman, George Kawczynski, Daniel Freer, Mike Kennedy, rh Mr Charles Division No. 174] [7.1 pm Fuller, Richard Kirby, Simon Gardiner, Barry Knight, rh Sir Greg AYES Garnier, Sir Edward Kwarteng, Kwasi Abbott, Ms Diane Buckland, Mr Robert Garnier, Mark Lamb, Norman Abrahams, Debbie Burden, Richard Gauke, Mr David Lancaster, Mark Adams, Nigel Burns, rh Mr Simon George, Andrew Lansley, rh Mr Andrew Ainsworth, rh Mr Bob Burrowes, Mr David Gibb, Mr Nick Latham, Pauline Aldous, Peter Burstow, rh Paul Gilbert, Stephen Laws, rh Mr David Alexander, Heidi Burt, rh Alistair Gillan, rh Mrs Cheryl Lazarowicz, Mark Allen, Mr Graham Byles, Dan Gilmore, Sheila Leadsom, Andrea Amess, Mr David Byrne, rh Mr Liam Glen, John Lee, Jessica Andrew, Stuart Cairns, Alun Glindon, Mrs Mary Lee, Dr Phillip Arbuthnot, rh Mr James Campbell, Mr Alan Goodman, Helen Leech, Mr John Ashworth, Jonathan Carmichael, rh Mr Alistair Goodwill, Mr Robert Lefroy, Jeremy Bailey, Mr Adrian Carmichael, Neil Grant, Mrs Helen Letwin, rh Mr Oliver Baker, Norman Champion, Sarah Grayling, rh Chris Lewell-Buck, Mrs Emma Baldry, rh Sir Tony Chishti, Rehman Green, rh Damian Lewis, Brandon Baldwin, Harriett Clark, Katy Green, Kate Lewis, Mr Ivan Barclay, Stephen Clarke, rh Mr Tom Greenwood, Lilian Lidington, rh Mr David Barker, rh Gregory Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey Grieve, rh Mr Dominic Lilley, rh Mr Peter Barwell, Gavin Coaker, Vernon Griffith, Nia Lloyd, Stephen Bayley, Hugh Coffey, Dr Thérèse Griffiths, Andrew Lord, Jonathan Bebb, Guto Collins, Damian Gummer, Ben Loughton, Tim Begg, Dame Anne Colvile, Oliver Gyimah, Mr Sam Lucas, Ian Beith, rh Sir Alan Connarty, Michael Halfon, Robert Lumley, Karen Benn, rh Hilary Cox, Mr Geoffrey Hamilton, Mr David MacNeil, Mr Angus Brendan Benyon, Richard Creagh, Mary Hamilton, Fabian Malhotra, Seema Beresford, Sir Paul Crockart, Mike Hammond, Stephen Marsden, Mr Gordon Berry, Jake Crouch, Tracey Hands, Greg Maynard, Paul Betts, Mr Clive Cunningham, Mr Jim Hanson, rh Mr David McCann, Mr Michael Bingham, Andrew Cunningham, Sir Tony Harper, Mr Mark McCarthy, Kerry Birtwistle, Gordon Dakin, Nic Harris, Rebecca McCartney, Karl Blackman, Bob Danczuk, Simon Hart, Simon McClymont, Gregg Blackwood, Nicola Davey, rh Mr Edward Harvey, Sir Nick McDonald, Andy Blenkinsop, Tom Davies, David T. C. Haselhurst, rh Sir Alan McDonnell, John Blomfield, Paul (Monmouth) Hayes, rh Mr John McGovern, Alison Blunkett, rh Mr David Davies, Glyn Heald, Oliver McIntosh, Miss Anne Blunt, Mr Crispin de Bois, Nick Healey, rh John McKechin, Ann Boles, Nick Denham, rh Mr John Heath, Mr David McLoughlin, rh Mr Patrick Bottomley, Sir Peter Dinenage, Caroline Hemming, John Meacher, rh Mr Michael Bradley, Karen Djanogly, Mr Jonathan Hendry, Charles Menzies, Mark Brake, rh Tom Docherty, Thomas Hepburn, Mr Stephen Metcalfe, Stephen Brazier, Mr Julian Donohoe, Mr Brian H. Herbert, rh Nick Mitchell, rh Mr Andrew Brennan, Kevin Dorries, Nadine Hermon, Lady Moore, rh Michael Brine, Steve Doyle-Price, Jackie Heyes, David Mordaunt, Penny Brokenshire, James Duddridge, James Hinds, Damian Morgan, Nicky Brooke, Annette Duncan Smith, rh Mr Iain Hoban, Mr Mark Morris, David Brown, Lyn Dunne, Mr Philip Hodgson, Mrs Sharon Morris, Grahame M. Bruce, Fiona Durkan, Mark Hollingbery, George (Easington) Bruce, rh Sir Malcolm Eagle, Ms Angela Hopkins, Kris Morris, James Bryant, Chris Elliott, Julie Horwood, Martin Mosley, Stephen 639 European Union (Approvals) Bill 13 JANUARY 2014 European Union (Approvals) Bill 640 [Lords] [Lords] Mowat, David Spellar, rh Mr John NOES Mundell, rh David Spencer, Mr Mark Burns, Conor McCartney, Jason Munn, Meg Stanley, rh Sir John Campbell, Mr Ronnie Mills, Nigel Munt, Tessa Stephenson, Andrew Carswell, Mr Douglas Mitchell, Austin Murray, Ian Stevenson, John Cash, Mr William Norman, Jesse Murray, Sheryll Stewart, Iain Chope, Mr Christopher Nuttall, Mr David Murrison, Dr Andrew Stewart, Rory Cooper, Rosie Robertson, Mr Laurence Nash, Pamela Straw, rh Mr Jack Davidson, Mr Ian Ruffley, Mr David Neill, Robert Streeter, Mr Gary Davies, Philip Newmark, Mr Brooks Stride, Mel Skinner, Mr Dennis Davis, rh Mr David Smith, Henry Newton, Sarah Stuart, Mr Graham Goldsmith, Zac Nokes, Caroline Stunell, rh Sir Andrew Stringer, Graham Henderson, Gordon Tapsell, rh Sir Peter Norman, Jesse Sturdy, Julian Hoey, Kate Vickers, Martin O’Brien, rh Mr Stephen Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry Hollobone, Mr Philip Whittingdale, Mr John Offord, Dr Matthew Swales, Ian Hopkins, Kelvin Ollerenshaw, Eric Swayne, rh Mr Desmond Jackson, Mr Stewart Tellers for the Noes: Onwurah, Chi Syms, Mr Robert Jenkin, Mr Bernard Richard Drax and Opperman, Guy Tami, Mark Lewis, Dr Julian Jacob Rees-Mogg Ottaway, rh Sir Richard Teather, Sarah Paice, rh Sir James Thornton, Mike Parish, Neil Thurso, John Question accordingly agreed to. Patel, Priti Timms, rh Stephen Pawsey, Mark Timpson, Mr Edward Penning, Mike Tomlinson, Justin EUROPEAN UNION (APPROVALS) BILL Penrose, John Truss, Elizabeth [LORDS] (PROGRAMME) Perkins, Toby Turner, Karl Motion made, and Question put forthwith, (Standing Perry, Claire Twigg, Stephen Order No. 83A(7)), Phillips, Stephen Tyrie, Mr Andrew That the following provisions shall apply to the European Pickles, rh Mr Eric Uppal, Paul Union (Approvals) Bill [Lords]: Pincher, Christopher Vaizey, Mr Edward Poulter, Dr Daniel Vara, Mr Shailesh Pound, Stephen Vaz, rh Keith Committal Prisk, Mr Mark Vaz, Valerie (1) The Bill shall be committed to a Committee of the whole Pugh, John Villiers, rh Mrs Theresa House. Raab, Mr Dominic Walker, Mr Robin Randall, rh Sir John Wallace, Mr Ben Raynsford, rh Mr Nick Walley, Joan Proceedings in Committee, on Consideration and Third Reed, Mr Steve Ward, Mr David Reading Reeves, Rachel Watkinson, Dame Angela (2) Proceedings in Committee, any proceedings on Consideration Reid, Mr Alan Weatherley, Mike and proceedings on Third Reading shall be taken in one day in Reynolds, Emma Wharton, James accordance with the following provisions of this Order. Rifkind, rh Sir Malcolm Wheeler, Heather (3) Proceedings in Committee and any proceedings on Robathan, rh Mr Andrew White, Chris Consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought Rogerson, Dan Whiteford, Dr Eilidh to a conclusion one hour before the moment of interruption on Rosindell, Andrew Williams, Mr Mark the day on which those proceedings are commenced. Rotheram, Steve Williams, Roger (4) Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously Rudd, Amber Williams, Stephen concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption Russell, Sir Bob Williamson, Chris on that day. Rutley, David Williamson, Gavin Sanders, Mr Adrian Wilson, Phil Sawford, Andy Wilson, Mr Rob Programming committee Scott, Mr Lee Winnick, Mr David (5) Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall Seabeck, Alison Winterton, rh Ms Rosie not apply to the proceedings on the Bill in Committee of the Selous, Andrew Wollaston, Dr Sarah whole House, to any proceedings on Consideration or to proceedings Shapps, rh Grant Woodcock, John on Third Reading. Sharma, Alok Wright, David Sharma, Mr Virendra Wright, Mr Iain Other proceedings Sheerman, Mr Barry Wright, Jeremy Shelbrooke, Alec Wright, Simon (6) Any other proceedings on the Bill (including any proceedings Shuker, Gavin Yeo, Mr Tim on consideration of any message from the Lords) may be Simpson, Mr Keith programmed.—(Mark Lancaster.) Young, rh Sir George Skidmore, Chris Zahawi, Nadhim Question agreed to. Slaughter, Mr Andy Smith, Angela Tellers for the Ayes: Smith, Chloe Mark Hunter and Smith, Julian Anne Milton 641 13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 642

before that. The proportion of households that had to Backbench Business make debt repayments of more than £40 a week had doubled and the average level of debt was £2,250. That Welfare Reforms and Poverty might not sound a lot to us, but to people with that standard of living it is an enormous and daunting sum. A third of families had council tax debt, and households 7.14 pm were having to spend 16% more on gas and electricity. Those are deplorable figures of profound impoverishment Mr Michael Meacher (Oldham West and Royton) in an economy that is still the sixth largest in the world. (Lab): I beg to move, That this House believes that a commission of inquiry should Andy Sawford (Corby) (Lab/Co-op): I congratulate be established to investigate the impact of the Government’s my right hon. Friend on securing this incredibly important welfare reforms on the incidence of poverty. debate. Does he also recognise the impact of 2.7 million I am very grateful to the Backbench Business Committee people losing out through the Government’s changes for giving the House the opportunity to debate this to council tax benefit, many of them disabled people, issue, which has been seriously neglected over the past veterans and some of the most vulnerable in our three years. I am pleased to move the motion, which communities? appears in my name and the names of Members from other parties. Mr Meacher: I have already made slight reference to It is clear that something terrible is happening across that, but my hon. Friend is entirely right. The change is the face of Britain. We are seeing the return of absolute quite small, but its impact can push very poor families poverty, which has not existed in this country since the into deep poverty. Victorian age, more than a century ago. Absolute poverty What are the causes of the emergence of absolute is when people do not have the money to pay for even poverty? The biggest cause is the huge rise in sanctioning: their most basic needs. The evidence of that is all depriving someone of all their benefit entitlement for a around us. There are at least 345 food banks and, month in the first instance, for three months in the according to the Trussell Trust, emergency food aid was second instance and, on a third infringement, for three given to 350,000 households for at least three days in years! the last year. The Red Cross is setting up centres to help the destitute, just as it does in developing countries. A David T. C. Davies (Monmouth) (Con): Will the right study that was published two months ago shows that hon. Gentleman give way? even in prosperous areas of the country, such as London, more than a quarter of the population is living in Mr Meacher: I will not give way to too many Members, poverty. This point is really scary: according to the for the simple reason that many want to speak, but I Joseph Rowntree Foundation, for the first time, the will give way to the hon. Gentleman. number of people in working families who are living in poverty, at 6.7 million, is greater than the number of David T. C. Davies: I am grateful to the right hon. people in workless and retired families who are living in Gentleman for giving way. Does he not agree that it is poverty, at 6.3 million. vital that those who are not looking for work are made The Department for Work and Pensions published to realise that there will be consequences to those actions, new data two months ago—it was pretty reluctant to do particularly at a time when 1 million people have been this, and one can see why—showing that the use of able to come into this country from eastern Europe and sanctions, which means depriving people of all their find work here? benefits for several weeks at a time, had increased by 126% since 2010 and, most strikingly of all, that 120 Mr Meacher: Those who come to this country are disabled people who had been receiving jobseeker’s more likely to be employed and take out less in benefits allowance had been given a three-year fixed duration than many of the indigenous population. The real point sanction in the previous year. Figures from the Department is that these people want work. Of course the hon. for Communities and Local Government—these are the Gentleman is right that people should get work if they last that I will quote, although there are many more that can, but there are 2.5 million people who have been I could quote—show that there are now more than unemployed for the best part of two years, and there are 2,000 families who have been placed in emergency bed- 562,000 vacancies—I checked that figure today. So four and-breakfast accommodation after losing their homes. out of five of those who are unemployed simply cannot The 5% rise in the overall homelessness figures last year get a job whatever they do. included nearly 9,000 families with children, which is the equivalent of one family losing their home every Hugh Bayley ( Central) (Lab): The hon. Member 15 minutes. for Monmouth (David T. C. Davies) does not seem to What impact have the so-called welfare reforms, which realise that many of the people who claim benefits, would more accurately be described as social security including jobseeker’s allowance, are people who work. I knock-backs, had on the families who have been affected? have a constituent on a very low income. He delivers The best evidence comes from the Northern Housing newspapers to my constituency office. He has dyslexia, Consortium, which carried out a survey three months but he works because he wants the pride of keeping ago of a representative sample of people living in social himself. He still needs to claim JSA, but he lost his housing. It found that a third of families spent less than allowance because his dyslexia meant that in one fortnightly £20 a week on food and that the average spend on food period he applied for nine jobs, not 10. Can that possibly per person per day was precisely £2.10. That is a third be right, when this man is already working and trying to less than those families were able to afford three months pay his way? 643 Welfare Reforms and Poverty13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 644

Mr Meacher: My hon. Friend is entirely right. I have rent upfront, £197, before getting any housing benefit. already made the point that the greatest number of He cannot do that, of course, and he is stuck in an people in poverty are actually in working families. That impossible situation. is a real indictment of economic and social policy. Another reason for the rise in absolute poverty is the The sanctions are very harsh. I accept that there must impact of the bedroom tax, which applies to two thirds be some sanctions, but the scale is out of all proportion of a million households. I think everyone, probably and remarkably harsh. They are often applied for trivial even Government Members, will admit that it is Dickensian reasons, such as turning up five minutes late for a job in its sheer social divisiveness. The housing benefit cap interview or a Work programme. Of course, people has now been imposed on a further 33,000 households. should not turn up five minutes late, but to deny them Both of those measures have forced tens of thousands benefits for a whole month for that reason is totally of people out of their homes—we need to take into disproportionate. There are other examples from my consideration what that means—even though two thirds own experience in my surgery or from Citizens Advice of those affected by the bedroom tax are disabled. It is interviews. I will quote, very quickly, just a few of them: reckoned that more than 90% do not have smaller social “The jobcentre didn’t record that I had informed them that I housing to move into. was in hospital when I was due to attend an appointment and Another not insignificant cause of destitution—I will I was sanctioned.” be very brief on this—is mistakes made by the authorities “I went to a job interview instead of signing on at the jobcentre themselves. Last week, one of my constituents who had because the appointments clashed.” been sanctioned for a month was suddenly told that his Presumably, that was the right thing to do, but he was sanction had been extended to a year. It was only still sanctioned. intervention with the local DWP office that uncovered that it was actually its mistake. What happens for others “I had to look after my mum who was severely disabled and who do not have the advantage of such an intervention? very ill, but I was still sanctioned.” It now seems that up to 40,000 working-age tenants in “I didn’t know about the interview because they sent the letter social housing have been improperly subjected to the to my previous address. I’d told them my new address but I was bedroom tax because of DWP error. still sanctioned.” I will cite just one more reason for the unnecessary “I was refused a job because I was in a women’s refuge, fleeing and cruel imposition of poverty, and I say that advisedly: domestic violence and in the process of relocating, but I was still the way in which tens of thousands of severely disabled sanctioned.” persons have been judged by Atos, the French IT company, This is a classic: as fit for work—and therefore forced on to JSA at just “I didn’t do enough to find work in between finding work and £71 a week—when they are patently unfit for work. starting the job.” Very often, their GP has not been consulted to inquire The latest DWP figures are from two months ago—it whether there are other factors that need to be taken would be handy if we had more up-to-date figures—and into account. The Chancellor’s policy of keeping 2.5 million show no fewer than 580,000 persons sanctioned in the people unemployed makes it impossible for them to find eight months to June last year. If the same rate has work, even if there were employers who would be willing continued since then—it has probably increased—that to take them, and the 40% success rate of appeals shows means that more than 1 million have been sanctioned in how unfair the whole process is. the past 15 months and deprived of all benefit and all I conclude by asking just one simple question: is all income. Given that the penalties are out of all proportion this brutality towards the poor really necessary? Is there to the triviality of many of the infringements, and given any justification in intensifying the misery, as the Chancellor that, as I have said, four out of five people cannot get a clearly intends, by winding up the social fund and, job whatever they do, the use of sanctioning on this particularly, by imposing another £25 billion of cuts scale, with the result of utter destitution, is—one struggles in the next Parliament, half of that from working-age for words—brutalising and profoundly unjust. benefits? The whole objective of the massive cuts programme—to reduce the deficit—is one that I think There are other reasons for this deeply worrying rise we would all support. There is no disagreement about in absolute poverty. One is the delays in benefit payments, that across the House, yet after £80 billion of public which have increased substantially—the delays, not the spending cuts, with about £23 billion of cuts in this benefit payments, unfortunately. Another reason is the Parliament so far, the deficit has been reduced only at a impossibility for many poor and vulnerable people to glacial pace, from £118 billion in 2011 to £115 billion in comply with the new rules, even though they want to, 2012 and £111 billion in 2013. Frankly, the Chancellor that are being imposed. I will quote just one case from is like one of those first world war generals who urged my surgery a few weeks ago. He is a disabled man who his men forward, over the top, in order to recover had his benefits reduced due to the one-year employment 300 yards of bombed-out ground, but lost 20,000 men and support allowance rule, so his income is now £71 a in the process. How can it be justified to carry on week. He has been left in a three-bedroom house because imposing abject and unnecessary destitution on such a his mother and other people looking after him have huge scale when the benefits in terms of deficit reduction died and so has to pay £23 in bedroom tax, plus £6 a are so small as to be almost derisory? week—this is the point that my hon. Friend the Member for Corby (Andy Sawford) was making—in council tax Mr Ronnie Campbell (Blyth Valley) (Lab): Does my due to the new council tax rules, leaving him with £42 a right hon. Friend agree that the Government might save week. He asked to downsize to a smaller property, a lot more if they showed the same energy and enthusiasm which is what the Government would expect him to do, for getting those who evade their taxes and run to tax but the local housing association, ironically called First havens as they do for going after the poor, the sick and Choice Homes, demanded that he pay two weeks’ full people on the dole? 645 Welfare Reforms and Poverty13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 646

Mr Meacher: I will come to that in just a moment. It is worth reminding ourselves just what we were People say that to carry on doing the same thing over looking at in 2010. We took office with a deficit of £160 and over again, but expecting a different result, is the billion and a debt that was rising rapidly to £1 trillion. first sign of insanity. The Chancellor is not insane, of That was after years of overspending in good times, as course, but he is deeply punitive and sectarian. Frankly, well as in bad, by Labour, a cheap money supply and I want to help him. There is another way. lax banking regulation under the former Government. We had disastrous economic decisions, such as that to Stephen Mosley (City of Chester) (Con): I have listened sell gold at a fraction of its real rate. Worst of all and to the right hon. Gentleman with great interest. What most seriously—this is what we are dealing with today—we does he think about the assertion by those on his own had a welfare system that allowed people to get into a Front Bench that they would be tougher on welfare trap of welfare dependency, leaving them on the dole than the Tories? for many years, but at the same time filling the consequent gap in employment by allowing mass and uncontrolled Mr Meacher: The thrust of what those on our Front immigration into this country, which completely undercut Bench have said, as the shadow Chancellor has made British workers. clear on many occasions, is that we need public investment. That was the disastrous legacy that this coalition We need to get jobs and growth. That is the alternative Government faced in 2010. I am proud of the fact that, way: public investment in jobs, industry, infrastructure instead of shirking their responsibilities, Ministers in and exports to grow the real economy, not the financial this coalition Government took difficult economic decisions. froth, because that would cut the deficit far faster—that Of course we had to make cuts and reduce public is the key point—than the Chancellor’s beloved austerity. spending. It would have been grossly irresponsible not If the Chancellor is obsessed with fiscal consolidation, to do so, and in the longer term it would have led to far as I think he is, how about the ultra-rich—Britain’s greater poverty than we face now. The reality is that we 1,000 richest citizens—contributing just a bit? Their are a nation in debt. We are having to borrow about current remuneration—I am talking about a fraction of £10 billion every month. We are also having to roll over the top 1%—is £86,000 a week, which is 185 times the existing debts that previous Governments left us. If for average wage. They received a windfall of more than any reason the international money lending organisations £2,000 a week from the 5% cut in the higher rate of that give us that £10 billion a month ever decided that income tax, and their wealth was recently estimated by we were not in a position to pay either the interest or the The Sunday Times—not ,butThe Sunday original sum, they would simply stop lending to us, and Times—at nearly half a trillion pounds. Let us remember there would be no European bank or International that we are talking about 1,000 people. Their asset gains Monetary Fund waiting to bail us out with the sums we since the 2009 crash have been calculated by the same would need. source at about £190 billion. We would face an economic catastrophe on a far My question, therefore, is: does the Chancellor believe greater scale than the one we face now, and it would that these persons, loaded with the riches of Midas, lead to real poverty. Indeed, it could lead to even might be prevailed upon to contribute a minute fraction third-world levels of poverty, because we would simply of their wealth in an acute national emergency, when run out of cash. That is the catastrophe that keeps me one sixth of the work force earns less than the living awake at night—far more so than the bogus claims wage and when 1 million people who cannot get a job about global warming, when we have seen no rise in are being deprived of all income by sanctioning and temperature for 16 years, or than terrorism, which is a thereby being left utterly destitute? This is just a thought: much more serious matter but which the security services charging the ultra-rich’s asset gains since 2009 to capital have thus far been able to contain. gains tax would raise more than the £25 billion that the Chancellor purports to need. I submit that it would Hugh Bayley: Will the hon. Gentleman not acknowledge introduce some semblance of democracy and social the truth that the amount spent on welfare by the last justice in this country if the Chancellor paid attention Labour Government decreased over time because we to this debate and thought deeply about what he is were effective in creating more jobs and getting people doing to our country and its people. off welfare and into work? The national debt was some £800 billion when his party came to power, but is it not Several hon. Members rose— now well over £1 trillion and rising?

Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Order. There David T. C. Davies: Indeed, the hon. Gentleman is will be a 10-minute time limit in this debate. quite correct in his last point. He makes an important point, but I would like to find out where it was going. Is 7.35 pm he suggesting that we are not doing enough to pay David T. C. Davies (Monmouth) (Con): Members of down the national debt? Is he suggesting that we should the shadow Cabinet might need a boxing referee to sort cut further and faster? If so, and if we had the support out their disputes at the moment, as we read today in of other Opposition Members, that is exactly what the the Daily Mail, but I can assure hon. Members that I Government could do and, indeed, possibly should do. believe that the Conservative party is absolutely united I look forward to seeing that support for getting the in supporting the coalition Government and coalition deficit down. Ministers in what they are trying to achieve. We do so against the backdrop of one of the most disastrous Hugh Bayley: The point I am making is simply that economic situations that this country has faced outside the Labour Government reduced the amount that taxpayers of a war. had to spend on welfare because we were effective at 647 Welfare Reforms and Poverty13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 648

[Hugh Bayley] Stephen Mosley: Had my hon. Friend attended Work and Pensions questions this morning, he would have investing in the economy, creating jobs and thereby heard Labour Members going on about the work capability getting people off welfare and into work. assessment. Which Government introduced it? It was, of course, the previous Labour Government. David T.C. Davies: I do not accept that point, but I do accept that when the last Labour Government came David T. C. Davies: My hon. Friend makes a good into office in 1997, they spent the first couple of years point. I believe we would all like to see some consistency paying down the national debt, which is exactly what from the Opposition—both on the economy and on they should have done. what they are really planning to do to benefits. In the meantime, let me commend both the Liberal Democrat Hugh Bayley: It was the first 10 years. and Conservative Front-Bench teams, who have been prepared to put aside their personal poll ratings—frankly, David T.C. Davies: No, from 2001 onwards they these are unpopular decisions—and do what is right for started overspending by an average of about £30 billion. this country rather than what is right for winning elections: That is an absolute fact; I have checked the figures on namely, getting the deficit down and solving the long-term the national debt very carefully. From 2001 onwards, problem of worklessness. That will do far more to they started overspending by an average of about £30 billion tackle poverty than anything we hear from Labour a year. That is a fact. I can tell hon. Members that I have Members tonight. checked the figures on the national debt very carefully. As I say, from about 2001 onwards, the Labour Government 7.43 pm decided to start overspending by approximately £30 billion a year, and they were overspending long before the Mr David Winnick (Walsall North) (Lab): Ministers— financial crash happened in 2008—a crash that they, and certainly some Tory Back Benchers, as we have just incidentally, had helped to cause. heard—are in a state of denial about the increasing Ministers in the coalition Government are absolute poverty in this country resulting from Government right to make cuts, and if Labour Members feel that the policies. They want us to believe—the hon. Member for deficit is still too high and that further cuts should be Monmouth (David T. C. Davies) is as good an example made, I am sure we would all welcome their support. as any—that we are dealing with the work-shy and The Government are right to do this for another reason: scroungers, with people who have no justification for the welfare system, which we are reforming, traps people receiving benefits in the first place. It is to a large extent in worklessness. Many members of my family— through a repeat of what I witnessed during the Thatcher years. marriage—are from eastern Europe, and some of them My right hon. Friend the Member for Oldham West came to this country barely able to speak English and and Royton (Mr Meacher), whom I congratulate on had no qualifications that would be recognised here. initiating this motion, will recall how we repeatedly They were, however, able to get into work. They started used to point out what was happening in the country at in low-paid jobs and worked their way up. large under Thatcher—increasing poverty and deprivation. Ministers and Tory Back Benchers back in the 1980s I spent many years in low-paid jobs, and I am not simply denied it: poverty did not exist; it was a figment talking about holiday jobs or a gap year, as I never even of our imaginations. It was not then and it is not now. went to university. I happened to believe that, rather than wait around for whatever job people think they The Child Poverty Action Group has estimated that deserve, they should take any job available to them and 60% of the current benefit cuts fall on those who are in use work to get better work. That is the way forward, work. I totally reject, as do my right hon. and hon. and that is what the Government are trying to encourage Friends, that those who are not in employment are through the use of sanctions and, frankly, through scroungers or not justified in receiving social security making it difficult for people to sit around watching the benefits. The severely disabled are among those being television all day. I am not suggesting that that applies hit by the cuts. to everyone who is out of work or even a majority of The Institute for Fiscal Studies has said that child them, but it certainly applies to a percentage of people poverty will rise during this Parliament from 2.5 million who are out of work. It is high time that it was tackled to 3.2 million—an interesting figure, and I would argue and stopped. I am glad that some people have the that this debate is justified by that alone, and it explains courage to do that. why my right hon. Friend the Member for Oldham West We hear nothing from Labour Members except a and Royton and I urge taking action. The figures I have mass of contradictions. They say that they want to be quoted mean, according to the IFS, that almost 24% of tough on welfare—tougher than the Tories, as the shadow children in the UK are likely to live in poverty by 2015 Work and Pensions Secretary said in October 2013—and next year. What sort of country are we—supposedly then to a different audience they complain about every one of the most advanced industrialised countries in the single cut to the welfare budget. They complain that the world, yet 24% of our children will be living in poverty Government are making cuts and then they complain, by next year? This compares with just over 19% in as the right hon. Member for Oldham West and Royton 2011—and that figure was far too high. The IFS goes (Mr Meacher) did, that the deficit is too high. It is further, projecting that, unless there are changes, current ludicrous. They say that they are against the bedroom policies will impoverish a further 700,000 children between tax, but they brought the bedroom tax in, albeit in the 2015 and 2020. That means some 4 million children private sector. What they say is a mass of contractions, growing up in poverty in the UK. so I cannot understand how anyone could feel that I had thought that Parliament in previous times, such Labour Members were fit to be put in charge of welfare as from 1945—I cannot claim to have been here at the benefits or indeed the economy ever again. time—was determined that poverty should largely be 649 Welfare Reforms and Poverty13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 650 abolished, that full employment should occur and that such visits. Why is that? In the main, it is not because any no one should ever be in need again to the extent that of them—including Conservative councils—are insensitive, people were before the second world war, yet we seem to but because, given the impact of the cuts, they see no be returning to that situation, which we hoped would be alternative. abolished for ever. The policies being pursued—only 1% uprating of so Andy Sawford: My hon. Friend has made an important many benefits, including child benefit; the change from point about the impact of the social care cuts. Is he the retail prices index to the consumer prices index as a aware that the 10% of local authorities that are the most basis for calculating benefits; the reductions in working deprived in the country face cuts six times higher than tax credits and the rest—all add up to explain why we those faced by the 10% that are the most affluent? need this debate on poverty. All this, of course, is Mr Winnick: That too is an important point, which I without what the Chancellor has threatened—a further hope the Minister will bear in mind when he winds up £12 billion-worth of benefit cuts that he would like to the debate. see introduced after 2015. For those who have limited means, for those who Is it surprising that so many people in need are cannot find work and for the disabled, the last few turning to food banks, which my right hon. Friend the years—especially the last three—have become a desperate Member for Oldham West and Royton mentioned? struggle for survival. I repeat what I said earlier. We During Education questions in September last year, the should be ashamed, deeply ashamed, that so many of Education Secretary said that when people used such our fellow citizens—and let us not forget for one moment facilities as food banks, it was that they are our fellow citizens—are having to live in “often the result of decisions that they have taken which mean such circumstances. I only hope that there will be a they are not best able to manage their finances.” —[Official Report, 9 September 2013; Vol. 567, c. 681.] change of Government, and that the new Government That was his explanation—a leading member of the will do what I have every confidence that they will do. I Cabinet—for food banks. The Trussell Trust described hope that they will develop policies that will make life those comments as “not just insensitive”, as they obviously easier for those in need, as a Labour Government did were to say the least, but “completely inappropriate”. previously. I was a bit of a critic of the last Labour Government on occasion, but there is no doubt that, As anyone would know, people do not just go to a overwhelmingly, my constituents were greatly assisted food bank for fun to ask for this, that or the other. It has by their policies. I said so at the time, and I have said so to be authorised; people need vouchers and authorisation many times since then. before food can be given. Does anyone in this House believe that people go along to food banks for the fun of This debate is essential, and I congratulate my right it and to get a bit of free food? They go because they hon. Friend the Member for Oldham West and Royton have no alternative. They have such limited incomes for on introducing it. I hope that, as a result, Ministers and bringing up their children, and I thought many of them Conservative Back Benchers will recognise how vital it feel humiliated by having to attend food banks. I would is that change should come. feel humiliated, and I am not alone. I would imagine 7.53 pm that virtually every Member would feel humiliated if, as a result of limited income, poverty and so forth, they Jeremy Lefroy () (Con): I congratulate the had to go to a food bank. How easy is it to justify that right hon. Member for Oldham West and Royton to the children? “Why are you going to a food bank, (Mr Meacher) and my hon. Friends the Members for dad? Why do we not go to Tesco’s like everyone else?” Worthing West (Sir Peter Bottomley) and for Birmingham, Many children would ask such questions. We know why Yardley (John Hemming) on securing the debate. I people go to food banks. welcome the opportunity to discuss the impact of the What about the figures? In 2009-10, about 41,000 people Government’s welfare reforms on poverty. used food banks. By 2011-12, it had gone up to 128,000. Evidence from my constituency certainly suggests As I think my right hon. Friend the Member for Oldham that an increasing number of people are finding it very West and Royton mentioned, the latest figures from the difficult, or impossible, to make ends meet. That applies Trussell Trust suggest that some 350,000 people are particularly to those who are out of work, but, as other using them. Given that—fortunately—other organisations Members have said, it also applies to those who are in provide such facilities, the total number is about half a work. However, I think it important for us not to million. Half a million people in this country are using restrict our review to welfare reforms. More and more food banks! Are we proud of that? Do we feel that the people in my constituency, and indeed throughout the House of Commons is doing its duty, and carrying out country, are entering work and finding a way out of its obligation to deal with poverty and deprivation? Let poverty as a result of the Government’s focus on job me say it again: at the beginning of this year, 2014, half creation and apprenticeships. a million people are resorting to food banks because We also need to consider the overall effect of the they have no alternative. work that is being done to cut the deficit. As was Other problems are being caused by cuts. For example, pointed out by my hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth as a result of the impact of the cuts on local authorities, (David T. C. Davies), the purpose of that work is to many home care visits are limited to 15 minutes. Those maintain confidence in the United Kingdom as a borrower, visits would not have been authorised in the first place to keep interest rates down—let us not forget that we unless they were necessary. Most of them involve disabled are currently spending nearly £50 billion a year in people and, in many cases, elderly people—in my age interest, and that the figure is rising—and to ensure that group or older—who cannot look after themselves. The we as a country can maintain a proper welfare safety number of 15-minute visits has increased by 15% over net for our people, not just in the short term but in the the last few years, and 60% of local authorities commission long term. A country that continues to run a 6.8% annual 651 Welfare Reforms and Poverty13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 652

[Jeremy Lefroy] education, training and work. It is clearly important for people to see benefits as a safety net rather than a way budget deficit will eventually be unable to afford not only of life, but removal of, for instance, housing benefit a welfare safety net, but the other vital safety nets that from under-25s across the board would have a drastic we provide. impact on young people who need to live away from home and who have no support from their families. The Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth) YMCA in Stoke-on-Trent is an excellent organisation. (Lab): The hon. Gentleman makes many very measured Its managing director, who is a friend of mine, drew my speeches, and I know that this will be no exception. attention to the consequences that such action would Does he agree with my right hon. Friend the Member have on its excellent provision for young people, most of for Oldham West and Royton (Mr Meacher) that the whom it is trying to get into work. This is a case of number of working people who live in poverty is now supporting people during transition. For younger people, greater than the number in workless households? we need to recast this support almost as income for productive work for all those who are able, so they get Jeremy Lefroy: I do agree, and I shall say more about used to the idea of work, which almost all of them want that in a moment. It is a matter that should concern all to take up; but that support must remain. Members on both sides of the House, and I do not We need to do more to help councils deliver more believe that the Government are immune to that concern. homes, perhaps by relaxing the existing borrowing rules A universal free health service and a universal free for local councils, particularly on affordable and social education service are also vital safety nets, but it is homes. We also need to look at the possibility of localising essential for the Government, on behalf of the nation employment schemes. The Work programme is doing as a whole, to keep a close eye on both open and hidden some very important work around the country, but I poverty. Poverty is often more hidden than open: many would like it to become more local, so local councils can people do not complain and do not come to our surgeries, take more responsibility for running it in their own but get on with it, day in, day out. However, those areas. The universal credit is incredibly important and people are really struggling, and it is incumbent on the I wholeheartedly support it. When it is introduced in Government to keep an eye on them. Governments each area, we should look at localising support and exist for all their citizens, just as we as Members of giving responsibility for managing finances as much as Parliament represent all our constituents, whether they possible to local councils. voted for us or not. Certainly, they do not exist only for Finally, let me return to the question of the £25 billion the 20% or 25%—or fewer, if we count those below hole. This is a fact and it is something a future Government, the voting age—who cast a vote for them. I know that of whichever party, will have to face. There are so many Ministers in the Department have always taken that very ways we can reduce it. We can raise taxes, we can cut seriously—especially the Secretary of State, not least departmental spending and we can cut benefit and pension when he established the Centre for Social Justice, of spending, or we can increase growth, which clearly is which I have been a supporter for some time. the preferable option we would all like to see. However It is also vital for Governments to consider both the much growth is increasing by at the moment, however, short-term and the long-term effects of their policies. it is not going to fill that gap in the coming years. Can As I have said in the House before, I believe that in the we raise more in taxes? I would rather see whether we short term we need to look again at the way in which the can remove some of the concessions, and I have mentioned spare room rent subsidy is being implemented. Increasingly, before the high rate of pension tax allowance, which is arrears are accumulating. One social housing provider not a tax rise but is reducing the allowances people on in my constituency already has arrears of 37%, and it is higher incomes can claim when making pension payments. a good provider. Many others have far lower collection That costs us several billion pounds a year. rates. That will eventually lead to evictions or write-offs, I do not believe there is much room to cut departmental both of which are costly in human and financial terms. spending in certain areas. I would certainly not want to A suggestion I have made before is that the rate for the see any more cuts in defence and security and schools spare room rent should be substantially lowered from and education, but we do need to have a look at one or its current percentage levels to a fairly nominal amount two of the existing ring fences, although perhaps over initially if we are to maintain the principle, which I the coming few years and not immediately. For instance, believe we should, and therefore make it affordable. I would look at different ways of maintaining the It should be increased only as the supply of suitable free-at-the-point-of-delivery national health service—more accommodation approaches demand. through a progressive contributory national insurance The right hon. Member for Oldham West and Royton system than out of tax. That would be one way of mentioned sanctions, which are applied to some of my raising the income required to pay for our free-at-the- constituents in a rather arbitrary manner. I ask the point-of-delivery health service and giving the Chancellor Minister to consider the way in which the Department a little more wriggle-room on the £25 billion. sanctions jobseekers. I think it important for sanctions In conclusion, I think it is vital to look at poverty not to exist, because we cannot be taken for a ride, but those just in terms of welfare reforms—important though who are genuinely seeking work should not be sanctioned those are and though their impact is—but in the round as a result of mere technicalities, as has happened in my at all the things the Government are doing, whether in constituency. the field of job creation or protecting the vital national The Chancellor recently talked of removing benefits health service and the vital schools budget. Therefore, from those aged under 25. I shall say more in a moment although I support this motion, if this inquiry is to go about the £25 billion hole that needs to be filled. Certainly, ahead it should look at all those things in the round, everything possible should be done to ensure that the rather than just focusing on one or two of the points under-25s have all the support they need in the form of that have been raised. 653 Welfare Reforms and Poverty13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 654

8.3 pm Stephen Twigg (Liverpool, West Derby) (Lab/Co-op): May I reinforce the point my hon. Friend is making Steve Rotheram (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab): I add my about people wanting to work? I held a jobs fair in congratulations to my right hon. Friend the Member Liverpool in October last year, to which more than for Oldham West and Royton (Mr Meacher) and join 3,000 people desperate for jobs or apprenticeships came. him in thanking the Backbench Business Committee I want to support what my hon. Friend said about the for finding time to accommodate today’s important overwhelming majority of the people who are unemployed debate. in his constituency and mine desperately wanting work. It is crucial when the Chancellor complacently talks of a recovery that Opposition Members articulate the Steve Rotheram: I agree, and I support the sentiments more accurate reality for the hard-pressed and hard-working behind my hon. Friend’s holding of that fantastically families of Britain, but I will concentrate on the effects successful jobs fair and the sentiments of the ordinary of the reforms on my city, and I make no apology for people we speak to. Sometimes we in this place see doing that. everything through the prism of what happens in London, According to a study by Sheffield Hallam university and that is wrong. Out in our constituencies the reality and the Financial Times more than 64% of neighbourhoods is very different from the growth we sometimes see not in the Liverpool city region can be categorised as being across the board in London and the south-east, but in in economic deprivation. The average for a local authority certain parts of this end of the country. is just 15%. Such a stark statistic should in itself explain why Liverpool’s five MPs—I am delighted that my hon. The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions Friend the Member for Liverpool, West Derby (Stephen (Mike Penning): One of the reasons I brought the cruise Twigg) is present—have been so steadfast and vocal in terminal to Liverpool in my previous job as a Transport this place in our opposition to the Government’s welfare Minister was to create jobs, that proposal was refused reforms and cuts across the spectrum. by the previous Labour Government. A lot of Government Members have exactly the same aspirations as the hon. Let us look at the abolition of council tax benefit. Gentleman has for his constituency—to bring jobs to While Liverpool opted to reduce rebates by no more the area, which is why I made that decision. than 8.5%, a further 44,000 Liverpool households of working age have had to start paying additional council Steve Rotheram: I thank the Minister for that intervention tax as a result of the Government change, at an average and I have previously put on record my thanks to him of £1.70 per week. I know some Government Members for making that decision. It was a brave decision, but it will scoff at that, and I know it works out as roughly the was also the right decision for Liverpool and for this same amount per year as the Prime Minister pays for a country. I might be playing into the hands of Conservative haircut, but when just a few pounds a week makes all Members by saying this, but when we joined the EU—the the difference the loss of £1.70 a week hits low-income Common Market, as it then was—Liverpool found households hard. itself on the wrong side of the country and business There is not only the council tax benefit issue, of transferred to the east. However, Liverpool is once course. There is also the Government’s beleaguered again an international destination of choice, and it now bedroom tax, as we have heard, which does not just finds itself on the right side of the country for the affect the disabled; it actively targets disabled people. increasing transatlantic trade. We are hoping to open This has detrimentally impacted on 11,600 working-age the first Panamax facility in the UK there in the near households in Liverpool with an average reduction in future, which will create jobs. Perhaps the Minister can housing benefit of £14 per week. In Liverpool, despite therefore claim some credit as a catalyst for the regeneration the largest budgetary cut in the country and with the of our waterfront. council being asked to do even more but with 52% less in budget, council officers have had to deal with a 34.2% Mike Penning: I want some more credit, actually, because increase in benefit appeals, which in real terms equates Peel Ports will do that, and I also granted permission to 6,768 individual cases with the resulting costs to the for that. The commercialisation of the Manchester ship staffing budget. canal will really open up that part of the world to In 2013 Liverpool city council saw 7,360 people apply international trade. for discretionary housing payments, which amounts to a staggering 610% increase on 2012. More than four out Steve Rotheram: I am not going to say quite so of five of these applicants were social sector tenants many nice things about the other end of the M62, but affected by the bedroom tax. Liverpool city region is I understand the Minister’s point. one of the five most indebted areas in the UK and the The massive increase in apprenticeships has been national, regional and local figure for individual and mentioned, and we welcome any genuine increase in household accumulated debt is rising. That is why their numbers. I used to work for the Learning and unemployment is never a price worth paying and why Skills Council, however, and I know that a large percentage exploitative zero-hours contracts and the proliferation of the increase in apprenticeships that the Government of part-time temporary jobs are never the answer. are claiming consists of rebranded training programmes My constituency of Liverpool, Walton is in the top for over-25s who are already in employment. What we 10 constituencies for the highest levels of unemployment really want is for the Government to tackle youth and, as I am certain other Members would agree, the unemployment in those aged under 25 and to introduce vast majority of the unemployed people who come to real apprenticeships to bring those people job opportunities. see us are desperate to find work. They want a job—they Lots of people in my city are on benefits for the very want to find employment—but unfortunately opportunities first time. Far from being in clover—it beggars belief are limited. what we read in the right-wing press—they are struggling 655 Welfare Reforms and Poverty13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 656

[Steve Rotheram] appropriate advice. One of the advice centres in my constituency has had to close. In quarter 2 of this to make ends meet, and the problem that thousands of financial year—I am going to run out of time unless Liverpudlians are facing is new to them. For many, the somebody intervenes on my to allow me an extension. idea that they might miss a rent payment is totally alien. [HON.MEMBERS: “We can’t.”] All right. In that case, They have not done that in the past 20 years, but since I have run out of time, Madam Deputy Speaker. May 2010 their individual household incomes have been on such a downward trajectory that they now find Several hon. Members rose— themselves in rent arrears, seeking advice on debt management and unable to afford the daily cost of Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. travel, food and energy. To try to ensure that every Member who has indicated The Government now admit that, thanks to their that they want to participate in the debate may do so, I flawed economic plan, they will miss their own economic am going to reduce the time limit to seven minutes. targets by more than half, yet they still try to pass it off I hope that that will mean that everyone will be able to as a great achievement. That plan has meant that growth contribute, although I cannot guarantee it. It might be has been non-existent for three years, that small and necessary to reduce the time limit further. medium-sized businesses have gone bankrupt at a rate we have not seen before, and that people’s money no longer goes as far on payday. The Money Advice Service 8.17 pm estimates that 8.8 million people in the UK now have John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley) (LD): These serious debt problems, but only 17% of that group have debates are important in highlighting matters of detail. access to the debt advice that they need. That shows the I am pleased to have signed the motion for this one, depth of the problem. which calls for an inquiry into the effects of the benefit Figures suggest that 40% of the adult population in system. The biggest detail involved in all this is of Liverpool are struggling with serious debt problems. course the deficit. When this Government took over, the Let us stop and consider that for a moment. More than country was borrowing £150 billion a year, which was a third of all working-age people are in serious debt. added on to the debt each year. If we reduce that too Their wages are simply not enough to pay off what they quickly, however, it will cause economic dislocation, so owe, let alone pay their monthly bills. That is central to it will have to be reduced relatively gradually. That is my party’s reason for highlighting the cost of living why it is surprising that the Opposition are criticising crisis. The findings of the New Policy Institute prove the Government for not reducing it to zero straight that, for the first time, more than half of the 13 million away. Obviously, we cannot do that sort of thing. people living in poverty in the UK are in working Another important detail is universal credit. I am families. That really exposes the folly of the Government’s very supportive of universal credit because it goes down rhetoric about strivers and skivers, workers and shirkers. the route of creating an environment in which people With the cost of living rising faster than wages in can benefit by being in work. There are people who virtually every month since this Government came abuse the benefit system, but the majority of people to office, it is a betrayal of the Britain we live in not to who receive benefits need support from the state in recognise that recovery is a hell of a long way off. The order to live. It is important, when we are dealing with fact is that, out there in the real world, people are the people who are abusing the system, that we do not hurting. throw out the baby with the bathwater. Just under 11,000 people were fed by the South I have been doing some work with the 6 Towns credit Central and North Liverpool food banks between April union. One issue with universal credit is that people will and October 2013. I took the opportunity to visit the receive a sum of money each month then have to pay food bank in my area on Friday, and the work that it is their costs out of it. The reason for doing that is to doing is unbelievable. It has never been so busy. Instead ensure that people who go back into work and are paid of listening to the absolute nonsense peddled by the monthly do not suddenly find themselves unable to Secretary of State for Education about life choices, we cope financially. There is no doubt that that prospect should be congratulating those volunteers and the people often makes people frightened of taking a job. The who donate to food banks so that our constituents and motivation of paying universal credit on a cash-flow citizens can have a decent meal of a night. Forget the basis is a good one, because it is designed to create an Government’s flawed line about the rise of food banks environment in which it is easier for people to get into over a 10-year period while Labour was in office; that work. figure of 11,000 is double what it was just 12 months ago, and 35.3% of those who have been fed by the To achieve that, however, there must be ways for them Liverpool food banks are children. to manage their cash flow, because not everybody is The poverty inflicted by this Government has wider good at that. That is why I am pleased that the 6 Towns implications. In a letter to the British Medical Journal, credit union has expanded its modus operandi and its David Taylor-Robinson of the university of Liverpool common bond to include a lot of Birmingham, including and his fellow academics have highlighted the doubling my constituency. When universal credit comes in, my of malnutrition-related hospital admissions nationally constituents will now have a service towards which the since 2008. I am sure that many Members will also have Government have put some money, because they have seen the recent briefing from the charity Shelter, encouraging put money towards credit unions generally. those with rent or mortgage repayment problems to Specific issues need to be looked at. I always worry seek early advice rather than allowing the problems about the debate on food banks, for example. If we do to build up. Unfortunately, the cuts to citizens advice not look at individual cases and work out why people bureaux and legal aid make it more difficult to get are depending on food banks for three days, we cannot 657 Welfare Reforms and Poverty13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 658 identify the problems in the system. The Trussell Trust that Bromford Housing Group has difficulty renting was created in 2000, so in 1999 there was no Trussell out single-bedroom properties, as it has said that to me. Trust and no food banks. There were schemes then—people The details matter on this, and I am trying to get those would go to supermarkets and get stuff that was out of details from my local authority in order to look at these date; there were all sorts of ways in which people found things. emergency food support. The fact that we have good I am unhappy with my local authority cutting the organisations with good volunteers offering a good amount of money it is putting into council tax benefit service does not mean that suddenly everybody who is and therefore increasing the amount of council tax paid using that service is doing so as a result of changes in by people on JSA. We also have to examine the issue of Government policy. We have to review this in detail and habitual residency for in-work benefits, because a situation look at the individual cases. where people are encouraged to come here to be self- One of the general sorts of cases I am concerned employed so that they can get a large amount of benefits about involves people transferring off employment and even if they are not earning any money being self- support allowance and then not being informed enough employed—this is case—is not a good to claim jobseeker’s allowance. I believe that the Government way of doing things. Debt issues are critical, and I am are working on dealing with that. A number of constituents pleased that the Government are making some moves have come to me with those cases when they are destitute. on payday loans, because when people get into a mess it My top priority is to ensure that people are not destitute. is difficult to get out of it. We see that happening from time to time and we need to identify those cases. Sometimes when I tell people that Dame Angela Watkinson (Hornchurch and Upminster) we can give them a voucher for the food bank they tell (Con): Does my hon. Friend agree that fiscal education me, “I cannot afford to cook the food, so there is no in schools is playing a vital role in helping the next sense in me having anything from the food bank.” It is generation of adults to be able to manage their personal important to prevent people from being destitute, and I finances, however modest, and to understand how to have raised this issue directly with the Minister and in a stay out of debt? ten-minute rule Bill. John Hemming: That is very important. The essence Jeremy Lefroy: I wonder whether the hon. Gentleman of what we are trying to do with the universal credit is agrees with me about one problem with the transfer get people to be able to manage their accounts. Again, from ESA to JSA. A lady in my constituency says, “I people such as those at 6 Towns credit union offer am simply not fit for work, but by signing on for JSA services that facilitate that. That is definitely the way to I have to say that I am available and fit for work.” She go, but we need government action—regulatory action—on does not want to tell a lie. payday loans because people are not necessarily that numerate and they see these things as a short-term John Hemming: This is where the difficulties lie. I do solution without being aware that they create a long-term not think that those are the details of the situation, but problem. That is clearly part of the issue. people misunderstand the situation and end up suffering As I said at the start, the details are crucial. The as a result. I have never liked any of the cuts, but we motion calls for an inquiry to be set up that is independent have to make cuts because of the deficit. The one I of Parliament. I would prefer a parliamentary inquiry, would be most uncomfortable about is restraining the but I am pleased to have my name down in support of a inflation increase to 1%, and if things get better I would motion asking for these issues to be examined. The at least like to examine the situation of the people right details are critical and they need to be kept under at the bottom of the pile—those on £71.70 a week or continuous review. some £52.35 if they are under 25. They may only be losing out by £1.40 a week, but that is a lot for someone 8.25 pm in that situation. I would like the Government to consider that issue. Chris Williamson (Derby North) (Lab): I congratulate my right hon. Friend the Member for Oldham West and I am also worried about the interrelationship between Royton (Mr Meacher) on securing this incredibly important the welfare cap and victims of domestic violence, and debate on the need for a commission of inquiry into the whether there are situations that need more attention. I impact of this cruel, callous coalition’s policies on poverty believe that people can get discretionary housing payment in the United Kingdom. I wish to focus in large measure to leave a violent home, but it is important that we on the impact of housing and the welfare reforms that ensure that there is a route out of domestic violence for have been put in place, but I wish to start by addressing women. I am worried about that issue, just as I am the intervention made by my hon. Friend the Member about some wrongful sanctioning that I have seen. That for Corby (Andy Sawford), who referred to the pernicious does not help at all, because it undermines the whole reforms that have been made to the council tax benefit process. system. We hear a lot from the Government about I would also like to see a substantial increase in the freezing council tax. That is fine and dandy for the minimum wage, because as the economy is improving people who have the resources not to need council tax the Government should look at that, rather than maintain benefit, but the very poorest people, even in those local things as they are. I might be the first person to mention authority areas that had a freeze on their council tax, that. As colleagues are aware, I am not so uncomfortable are seeing an increase in the amount of council tax they about the spare room rent. On Saturday, a constituent are expected to pay. That is absolutely disgraceful, and I came to see me because they were living in a one-bedroom do not know how Ministers can sleep in their beds at council flat with a family of four. If that is happening, night when they are inflicting such penalties on the clearly there is space for people to downsize; I know poorest people in our country. 659 Welfare Reforms and Poverty13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 660

[Chris Williamson] the jobs that could be created. If we just used the amount that is going to private landlords, we would be As I have said, housing is a key area in addressing able to build 600,000 homes a year. We are building poverty in our country. The hon. Member for Stafford nowhere near that. We have a massive housing crisis in (Jeremy Lefroy) said that the commission we are talking our country. There is a crazy housing subsidy system, about should have a slightly wider remit, and that is which needs to be reformed. There are 1.7 important, as it should incorporate housing, too. What million households on the housing waiting list across we saw when this Government came to power was a our country, 4,000 of which are in Derby. More and massive reduction in investment in affordable housing more people are reliant on the vagaries of the private in our country. One of the first things they did was to rented sector. That cannot go on. What we need is a cut it by 60%—that is what they did when they first change in emphasis. We need a bricks and mortar came to power. Their housing policy is shambolic. They subsidy to build the homes that people need. We need a are not building anywhere near enough houses for the council house, renaissance, to regulate the private rented people in our country, and the houses they are building sector and to ensure that land is released to build homes are too expensive—to buy or to rent. People are caught that people can afford. in a Catch-22 situation. Youthunemployment is growing, with about 1 million young people on the dole, and low Steve Rotheram: Does my hon. Friend also agree that pay is endemic. As my right hon. Friend the Member Labour’s pledge, if we were to be the next Government, for Oldham West and Royton pointed out, some 6.7 million would mean an additional apprentice for every £1 million people living in poverty in our country are in employment of public sector contracts? —that is disgraceful. Chris Williamson: That is a really important commitment. Let me briefly touch on my personal story, and how Let me refer if I may to some other statistics. I have things have changed from the 1970s in terms of what talked about a massive investment in council housing. ordinary working-class people were able to do and the It is important to recognise that for every £1 of public sorts of lifestyles they were able to afford, particularly sector investment in infrastructure, the Exchequer gets the housing. I was a 19-year-old apprentice bricklayer back 56p. As the net expenditure is somewhat less, it is when I was able to buy my first house, with the benefit well worth making that investment to generate the of the option mortgage scheme brought in by the 1974 apprenticeships to which my hon. Friend referred and to 1979 Labour Government. I was earning £60 a week the jobs across the piece that are required, and to build and I was able to buy a brand new three-bedroom house the homes that people need. We need this commission. that backed on to a canal for £10,000. That was three Its terms of reference should be somewhat wider than times my salary then, but it would be impossible to do has been set out in the motion. If we can invest in the the same today because the average price paid by a housing that we need, it will help to create stable first-time buyer is £185,000. I have checked on the communities, generate jobs and promote economic growth. internet what a bricklayer can earn these days. On Yes, we need a commission, but we also need a Labour average, they earn £10.28 an hour, or £21,382 a year, so Government in 2015 with the radical commitment that the average price for a first-time buyer would be a we saw in 1945 to deliver what Beveridge achieved. We multiple of 8.6 times their salary. In this day and age, an need to deliver on the recommendations of the commission, apprentice bricklayer earns around £170 a week, or which has been called for by my right hon. Friend the £8,840 a year, so a multiple of 21 times their salary Member for Oldham West and Royton. would be required. People can no longer put down roots in the way that they did, because they have been 8.33 pm priced out of the market. I am talking not just about buying but renting as well. Sir Peter Bottomley (Worthing West) (Con): That was an interesting speech. I am glad to support the right It is vital that we build the houses that people need. hon. Member for Oldham West and Royton (Mr Meacher) Labour is committed to building 200,000 homes per in his suggestion that we have a commission to provide annum, which is vital in not just delivering a social need comprehensive, unbiased measures of how action changes but putting thousands and thousands of people back levels of poverty—absolute and relative poverty. That into work. We need a renaissance in council housing, should include what people spend their money on and because the private rented sector is ill-suited to social what makes people more likely to find themselves in housing, which has led to the obscene housing benefit poverty. We know about disability and the dependency subsidy system that was set up by the right hon. Member of people before they get a job. We know about people for North West Hampshire (Sir George Young)when he in retirement, family deformation and mental health was the Housing Minister. On 30 January 1991 he said: issues. A whole range of considerations should be taken “If people cannot afford to pay that market rent, housing into account. benefit will take the strain.”—[Official Report, 30 January 1991; The hon. Member for York Central (Hugh Bayley) is Vol.184, c. 940.] no longer in the Chamber, but he made some comments Well, take the strain it most certainly has. Some £24 billion about the national debt. Most of us know the difference a year is being paid out in housing benefit. According between a deficit and a debt and could talk for ages to the House of Commons Library, £9.3 billion is going about gross Government debt, public sector net debt, into the back pockets of private landlords. Compare unadjusted measures of public sector net debt and UK that with the £1.1 billion this Government are putting net borrowing, whether as a percentage of gross national into building affordable homes for people. The affordable product or not. homes programme summary said that will result in just It is better to understand that the previous Labour over 67,000 homes per annum. Imagine if we put all Government had some merits. In their first three years, that money into building homes for people. Think of all they stuck to the Conservative spending plans, net debt 661 Welfare Reforms and Poverty13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 662 did not go up and we all benefited. From 2001, there Jeremy Lefroy: Does my hon. Friend recognise that was a massive expansion in public sector employment that is also a problem for agency workers? As they do of 30% that was, I think, associated with the structural not have a long-term guaranteed income, they are unable deficit exposed by the recession and the bank crisis. to get mortgages.

I started in public policy in the early 1970s when I ran Sir Peter Bottomley: I am grateful to my hon. Friend a thing called the Family Allowance Movement, trying for that intervention and I appreciated his speech, too. to introduce family allowances for the first child. A We ought to try to ensure that we have sources of Labour Chancellor asked, “What is the point of having lending in which people understand the industries in a family allowance? I am going to increase the married which people are working. That is where the building man’s tax allowance.” Those are the arguments we come society movement came from—originally, it was about back to 30 years later in a rather different sense. Balancing building homes. If we could get some mutuality back people’s resources and needs at any one time and over a into the agency area, people would be able to decide life circle is how I prefer to look at it. who could be lent money and who should be deferred. Let us not make any comments about any individual, The last point in my mind concerns how we can go on as my hope is that many of the people who follow us preparing people for the jobs and occupations of the will make fewer mistakes than we did, but if, for example, future. Many people’s futures will be as entrepreneurs, the time of family formation comes later on average and as they set up their own businesses; others will be in more children are born into households that can make employment. I remember with pleasure Peter Thurnham, some reasonable provision for them, we will be better one of our former colleagues. When he was made off. At one stage, I looked to see who was most likely to redundant, he used his redundancy money to buy two smoke, a habit that takes £60 or £70 out of post-tax machine tools, set up an engineering business and eventually income. The answer was lone parents on income support. employed 150 to 200 people. People sometimes say to We would be able to give a lone-parent family an extra me, “MPs shouldn’t have outside interests.” I would far £50 or £60 of disposable income if a third of our prefer to have in Parliament people such as Peter Thurnham, teenagers did not take up smoking. As those who are who can tell us how business and employment work and most likely to take up smoking are those who were most how to get more people off welfare and into the kind of likely to be deprived in their early lives, we could make a jobs that make them pretty independent for most of difference to people’s lives. their life. I am not absolutely certain that we should be too Many of us will require some support at some stage keen on a welfare system that guarantees independent in our life; relatively few of us need support all the way housing to young people. My mother used to say that if through our lives. Before this Government came to someone was a lone parent, setting her up—it is normally office, we were getting to a stage at which too many a her rather than a him—in independent housing at the families were in dependency from generation to generation; age of about 18 with a child, alone, is not the best thing Keith Joseph told us quite a lot about that. Statistics as parents need to learn parenting from those who are show that only 10% of people who were in the bottom around them. decile—the bottom 10%—10 years ago are in the bottom 10% this year. There is a great deal more movement What makes a difference to me is how we can reduce among those who are poor or very poor than most the cost of borrowing by households or individuals, people understand. which is why I strongly support the mentions of credit unions. I look forward to hearing from the Minister Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab) indicated dissent. when credit unions will be able to charge a rate of interest per month that might look high to most of us Sir Peter Bottomley: The hon. Gentleman shakes his but that is dramatically lower than the cost of door-to-door head; when he speaks, perhaps he can give his statistics. lending or some of the other sources of credit available We need a commission, with statistics that we can all to those who do not have assets or reliable incomes and rely on from the Office for National Statistics, the who are in difficulty. Institute for Fiscal Studies and the Office for Budget I recognise the point made by the hon. Member for Responsibility. Derby North (Chris Williamson) about how it was possible in his day for someone with ordinary earnings 8.40 pm to buy an ordinary home. I first got a home in Worthing, Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) (Lab): It my present constituency, in 1966. Almost anybody there is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Worthing who had a job could afford to buy a home. That has West (Sir Peter Bottomley). I congratulate all those who changed and it is crazy that we have an economic signed the motion and did the work to secure this system in which half the value of a home is the site debate, because I think that a commission of inquiry value. We must find some way of ensuring that ordinary should be established to investigate the impact of the people in ordinary jobs can afford to buy homes. Government’s welfare reforms on the incidence of poverty. We can also make a difference, as I did when I was I say that because of my experience as a constituency involved in a small electrical contracting business before MP, and my knowledge, from this place and other I came into Parliament. Most people’s earnings were places, of what is happening nationally. twice their guaranteed earnings and by putting people The reality is that all of us are inundated in our almost on salaries I made sure that they could have constituency surgery by constituents who are experiencing guaranteed income for the year. Three quarters of my the impact of the Government’s welfare reforms. Mr Scott, colleagues were able to buy their own homes for the first a constituent, came to see me last week; he was diagnosed time. There are some mechanical things that matter. with bowel cancer last summer, and had applied for the 663 Welfare Reforms and Poverty13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 664

[Katy Clark] have claimed that those in the ESA support groups are exempt from that, but of course that benefit is both a personal independence payment. He has worked all his basic payment and an additional payment. Although life; it was the first time that he had had contact with the one is exempt from the 1% cap, the other is not. The welfare benefit system. He is still awaiting receipt of any reality is that for almost every benefit we look at, we are money. Many other constituents who come to see me, seeing our constituents receive less money every week, including carers and those who are disabled, are suffering every month and every year. as a result of the bedroom tax. Chris Williamson: Does my hon. Friend agree that There has been a massive increase in poverty in this cutting benefits for the poorest people in our communities country since 2010. Some of that is associated with has a knock-on impact on economic growth, because welfare reforms; some is related to other aspects of they inevitably spend the money in their pockets in the Government policy, and what is going on in the country communities in which they live? with low pay, wage freezes, wage cuts, and less secure forms of employment, and all the other issues that we Katy Clark: I agree with my hon. Friend. I am sure spend time talking about in this place. that that is the case in his constituency, as it is in mine. We particularly need to focus clearly on welfare reforms, In areas that are disproportionately reliant on the public both for those in work and those who are not working. sector and the welfare state, cutting benefits is taking Since 1997-98, there has been a decrease in poverty for millions of pounds out of the economy every year, most of the time. Some 28% of the population lived in which is simply putting us in a worse situation. absolute poverty in 1997, but by 2010, that had dropped We have also seen a massive increase in the impact of to 15%—still a scandalously high figure that is unacceptable benefit sanctions, as I am sure many Members are only in any civilised country, but the reality was that 2.3 million too aware from their constituencies. It is often the same children and 2 million pensioners were lifted out of people receiving those benefit sanctions again and again, poverty in that time. The country can be proud of that, and each time it is for a longer period. Many of those even though, as I say, a huge amount more needed to be people have nowhere to go, because they can go to a done. Since 2010, absolute poverty has increased by food bank only three times. 1.4 million people, including 300,000 children and 200,000 The other major concern is the bedroom tax, which pensioners. There can be absolutely no doubt that much constituents come to see me about all the time. In North of that increase in poverty has been a direct result of the Ayrshire we have seen a 756% increase in discretionary coalition Government’s policies. housing payment applications. Only 66% are accepted, I will talk about some of those policies. We have had which means that a third of those people do not get the these debates already in this place, and we have divided payment. Indeed, when people go back to apply the on many of these issues. One of the impacts that will next time, because it is a time-limited payment, they are have the biggest cumulative effect over time is the uprating often refused. That is having an impact on council rent of benefits in line with the consumer prices index instead arrears. Rent arrears in North Ayrshire, for example, of the retail prices index. Of course, we already see the have increased from 3.6% of annual rent to 5.5%. impact of that change. In 2010, when the Government Those are just a few examples from my constituency, changed the indexation, the difference between RPI and but we all have many others. This is having a massive CPI was the difference between 4.6% and 3.1%. In every impact on our country. We are seeing a massive shift in year since, RPI has been higher than CPI. Of course, wealth. We need someone to look at that seriously, the impact on our pensions and benefits affects which is why I think that the motion before us— disproportionately those on the lowest incomes. Let us look at those in receipt of carer’s allowance. In Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. April 2010 they received £53.90 a week. If that had Simon Danczuk. increased under the old system, using RPI, they would now be receiving £61.08 a week, rather than £59.75. 8.48 pm They are therefore £167.96 worse off each year as a Simon Danczuk (Rochdale) (Lab): Let me start by result of the switch from RPI to CPI. thanking those Members who pressed for this important We see a similar situation with disability living allowance. debate, particularly my right hon. Friend the Member Someone in receipt of the higher care component is for Oldham West and Royton (Mr Meacher) and the now £221 worse off as a result of the switch. People hon. Member for Worthing West (Sir Peter Bottomley). with more serious disabilities who are on the higher rate I believe that we should be proud of our welfare system mobility component are now £155.48 worse off a year. in this country. It provides a vital safety net, and not Those who receive both the higher rate mobility component just for people who have fallen into poverty, but for the and the higher care component are now £376.48 worse disabled, older people and those who need to get back off a year. Those might sound like relatively small into employment. amounts to some people, but the reality is that those However, we should not fall into supporting an argument benefits are received by some of the poorest and most that suggests that the system is perfect. Too many vulnerable people in the country, who were already people take the view that the welfare system is a sacred struggling and finding it difficult to cope. cow that should be left alone. I do not share that view; People in receipt of employment and support on the contrary, I believe that self-reliance and making allowance—another form of benefit that many constituents the welfare state much more accountable and appropriate come to see us about—are now £342.68 worse off a year to people are extremely important. I certainly believe as a result of the shift from RPI to CPI. It is not just that reforms can be made, especially to the way in which that shift, but the impact of other policies, such as the the system supports and challenges people—and, yes, 1% cap on benefits, that is having an effect. Ministers pushes them back into employment. However, when 665 Welfare Reforms and Poverty13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 666 reform of the welfare system is undertaken we must be self-reliance because it was a loan that the recipient certain that we do not abandon the most vulnerable could pass back, but since responsibility was given to people and push them into poverty. local authorities it has not done so because it is now a I will give two examples of the Government’s welfare grant that cannot be passed back. reforms having left vulnerable people without the safety The best bit came just before last Christmas, when net they need. First, I want to talk about one of my the Government announced that the fund will be scrapped constituents, Sheila Holt. On Friday I met her father, completely from 2015. It will not exist at all and there Mr Kenneth Holt, and other members of her family. will be no safety net for those people who really need it. Sheila is 47 years old. She had an exceptionally traumatic They will be pushed towards loan sharks and money childhood that I will not detail here, but needless to say lenders. That will certainly happen in Rochdale and, it was a period of her life that scarred her mentally. She I have no doubt, in other places as well. has not worked for 27 years because she has a severe psychiatric condition; she is unable to work. Because of Chris Williamson: Does my hon. Friend agree that cuts, I suspect, Sheila was relatively recently persuaded this is tantamount to the reintroduction of the Poor to sign off her psychiatric treatment. Soon after that, Law, which was abolished by the 1945 Labour Government? she was being pushed by the DWP towards the back-to- work scheme. Her family advocated for her, explaining Simon Danczuk: I certainly take on board the point that she had had trauma in early life and had a psychiatric that we are moving that way in some respects. I am condition. They made those points strongly, but to no wholly in favour of reform of the welfare state, as I avail. Sheila had to start attending back-to-work classes pointed out at the beginning of my speech, but it has to in another town. She struggled with meeting other be done compassionately and it has to retain the safety people. Most importantly, no mental health support or net. If we do not do that, we will see, as my hon. Friend service was offered to her. The safety net was not there suggests, a return to Victorian values in the way that we for her. She also had to start paying the bedroom tax. administer our welfare state. Needless to say, she was falling into poverty and beginning I call on the Government to reverse their decision on to worry about becoming increasingly poor. She started the discretionary crisis fund. I believe that the purpose to become agitated and her medication could not keep of the welfare system is to provide a safety net for the up with her condition. On 6 December she was admitted vulnerable, but it is clear that some of the Government’s to Birch Hill hospital under section 3 of the Mental reforms are destroying parts of that safety net and Health Act 1983. A few days later, she suffered a heart leaving people much more vulnerable to poverty. As my attack—at the age of 47, which is my age—and she is hon. Friends have said, we need an inquiry into how the now in a coma. reforms are impacting on people so that they are not The reason I tell this story is that Sheila’s family want abandoned and left to poverty. people to be aware that she was pushed into this situation. Soon after Sheila started her life, she experienced terrible 8.56 pm trauma that mentally crippled her. The truth is that she Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth) is trying to live through the welfare system as best she (Lab): May I start by congratulating my parliamentary can, but the unsophisticated and haphazard way in neighbour, my hon. Friend the Member for Rochdale which it has been changed has forced a very vulnerable (Simon Danczuk)? I agree with him that we must reform woman into a terrible predicament. She had a very the welfare system and make it sensitive to the needs difficult early upbringing and now finds herself in the of the 21st century. I also congratulate my right hon. situation she is in today. Friend the Member for Oldham West and Royton My second point is about the discretionary social (Mr Meacher), who is another constituency neighbour fund, which has provided crisis loans to people in need. of mine—I am in total agreement with the points he Hon. Members will be aware that in April this year the raised—and the other hon. Members responsible for DWP passed that responsibility on to local authorities. securing this debate. They will also be aware that the fund is not ring-fenced, and it has been open to local authorities to spend it I want to spend the next few minutes discussing a few however they wish. For me, this came to light because a points, particularly those that constituents have raised number of constituents were presenting to me with with me in my surgeries and elsewhere. The Joseph difficulty in being able to claim any sort of crisis loan Rowntree Foundation annually monitors social exclusion from any sort of crisis fund. One woman who came to and poverty and produces data on them. Its most recent see me was heavily pregnant and was being told by report, which was published last month, shows that Rochdale council’s social services that unless she provided 3.5 million children, or 27%, live in poverty. In some a carpet in her property she would lose the child, who parts of my constituency, the figure is nearly one in two. would be taken into care. Ironically, the local authority The Institute for Fiscal Studies has said that it expects was not administering the local discretionary social an increase of 1.1 million children living in poverty by fund in a way that would enable her to claim money to 2020 as a result of tax and benefit changes. be able to get the carpet. Three million parents also live in poverty. The number Rochdale is not an exception to the rule. I carried out of pensioners living in poverty has fallen to 1.5 million, some research looking at local authorities right across or 14%, which is the lowest level in 30 years, but the the country, and it shows that the passing down to them number of working-age adults without children living of this responsibility has meant that they have set in poverty has risen to 4.5 million, which is the highest criteria far too strongly, to the point where one local level in 30 years. authority has spent only 1% of its budget for helping That is only half the story, because those relative people through crisis loans or grants. The irony is that, levels of poverty relate to median incomes. The average when the fund was administered nationally, it encouraged income has gone down by 8% since 2008, which means 667 Welfare Reforms and Poverty13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 668

[Debbie Abrahams] Sanctions have been mentioned. One person who came to see me had been a Jobcentre Plus adviser until that 2 million people who would have been deemed to relatively recently, and he told me that there is a deliberate be in poverty in 2008 are not classified as such now, culture to develop a sanctions target mentality. Even if because incomes have dropped. Incomes are going down, people have followed everything they are meant to do, but prices are rising. The energy prices of the big six they are still sanctioned, with bogus appointments being have gone up by 37% since 2010 and food prices went made to set them up to fail. That is not just, and it is not up by 32% between 2007 and 2012. what we expect of our welfare system. The implications The most worrying thing—this point has already for health and the social effects on our communities are been made—is that we are seeing an increase in the dire. I commend the commission— working poor. For the first time since the data series Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. started back in the 1980s, poverty in working households is higher than that in workless and retired families 9.3 pm combined. Therefore, work is clearly not paying. In Lyn Brown (West Ham) (Lab): There is no doubt in spite of a shared objective of wanting our welfare my mind that poverty is increasing, and that a major system to make work pay, it is not. I was very interested factor in that increase is the vicious and misguided in what the hon. Member for Stafford (Jeremy Lefroy) welfare reforms that are beginning to bite in my community. said about phasing in the introduction of some of the The scale of the impact of changes to the social security welfare measures. They have been brought in too soon, system is really quite staggering. As of September last and they are having a huge impact on families. year, 598 households in Newham are affected by the Related to the increase in the number of working benefit cap, of which 75% are in the private rented households living in poverty is the increase of the sector, with all the vulnerability that goes with that. number of people in low-paid work. For 46% of working Larger households are the worst hit: 80% of them have families in poverty, one or more of the adults is paid less three or more children. Three quarters of main claimants than the living wage. In total, about 5 million people are are women and more than half come from lone parent being paid below that level, which disproportionately households. With an average loss of £90 a week, it is affects women, 27% of whom are paid less than £7.40 clearly families—that means children—who are suffering an hour. at the sharp end of these reforms. If we look at the effects of welfare reforms on poverty, Some 2,113 households in Newham have been hit by we find that instead of alleviating poverty, it is exacerbating the bedroom tax, with many choosing to pay and stay in it. Our social welfare model is based on principles of order to hang on to the family, social, school and other inclusion, support and security for all—protecting any community networks they desperately rely on. The average one of us should we fall on hard times, or become ill or loss is £16 a week. A further 25,227 households are disabled. Welfare is there to assure us of our dignity, as caught up in the council tax benefit localisation and the well as the basics of life, and to give us a hand up, not a cut to the overall amount available. The average loss handout; the current welfare reforms are doing anything here is £3.50 a week. Taking all the losses across the but that. three categories—the benefits cap, the bedroom tax and I want to mention Rebecca, who came to see me at the council tax—the loss to households in Newham my surgery on Saturday. She is blind, and not only has each year is £8.9 million. It is obvious from these figures she had her care package reduced from 13 hours to that such losses cannot be experienced without a serious eight hours, but she is absolutely terrified about what impact on families, children and the local economy. the migration from disability living allowance to personal The danger for policy makers and politicians is that independence payments will mean to her. She said, “I we assess the impact of these changes serially and will not see anybody from when I see you”—her personal separately, whereas families experience them collectively adviser was with her—“until Monday, because of the and cumulatively. In our debates in this Chamber over lack of support that I am getting.” She is not alone. A the past months, we have looked in detail at issues raft of measures is affecting the ability of disabled relating directly to this subject and to the incidence of people to live as normal a life as possible. poverty, its causes and its consequences. Food banks, We have heard about people on employment and zero-hours contracts, payday loans and high-cost credit support allowance, and the trials and tribulations of are just a few, and it is worth reminding ourselves that going through the work capability assessment. One each of these is not a stand-alone issue; they are interlinked constituent on ESA, who has a heart condition, had a and have a cumulative and often devastating impact on heart attack in the middle of going through the WCA the lives of many of my constituents. Running through process. He was advised to leave and he went to hospital, them all is the imminent threat of poverty, and underpinning but a week later he got a letter saying that he had been them all is the spectre of the Government’s welfare sanctioned because he had left the work capability reforms. assessment. That is not atypical. We have also heard In 2009, there was just one food bank in Newham; about the bedroom tax, with 500,000 people affected now there are at least six, and at least four places where nationally. In Oldham, where 2,048 people are affected, the hungry can get a free meal. The scale of provision is there are only 500 properties for them to move into, indicative of the scale of the problem. Newham is a which is absolutely absurd. place of widespread deprivation, yet it is from this We still do not know the cumulative effects of all community that food is collected and donated—by these measures. Despite the valiant efforts of the people schools and faith groups and individuals paying a little behind the WOW—War on Welfare—petition, which extra as part of their weekly shop. These donations are has got 100,000 signatures, we still do not have an from people who absolutely understand how difficult agreement on a cumulative assessment of all the different life is for those who have even less than they do. The measures. poor are giving to the even poorer. 669 Welfare Reforms and Poverty13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 670

I will give an example of where a food bank stepped susceptible to disease. We make payments to prevent in to help when a failure of social security tipped Mr K malnutrition and the diseases that go with it. That is into crisis. A single man in his thirties with learning particularly important for children. Malnutrition in difficulties and physical disabilities, his employment childhood not only affects those children in adulthood, support allowance was suspended when he attended a but can affect their children. The difference in longevity medical. He had no money to live on for three months between well-off areas and poor areas is well documented. and could not afford to heat his home or pay his bills. As my right hon. Friend the Member for Oldham The food bank supported him for a month with food and West and Royton (Mr Meacher) has explained clearly, advice, and assured a successful ESA appeal. Mrs Y we are one of the richest countries in the world and was supported after her husband disappeared, leaving there are other ways in which we could get the deficit her and the children alone. The police suspected suicide, down. I will not spend time talking about food banks, but her benefits were stopped, as they were claimed by other than to say that 50% of the people who are going her husband. Community Links, a fabulous voluntary to food banks are doing so because of mistakes, changes sector organisation in my constituency, supported or delays in their benefits. Mrs Y with food until she could get her benefits transferred and reinstated. Although food banks have done well I want to focus on benefit rates, the Government’s supporting people through crises, that shows how “on policy on them and the effect that is having on people the edge” people actually are—just about keeping their in Britain. To go back to the beginning, it is a bit of a heads above water, for ever vulnerable to the slide into misconception that UK benefit rates are based on a hunger because of job loss, pay or hours cuts, reduced systematic estimate of minimum needs. Even from the social security payments, or, as I have seen far too often start, back in 1948, benefit rates were a bit of a compromise at my surgeries, a blunder by the Department for Work between the actual needs and what was deemed to be and Pensions that stops essential support, regardless of affordable. Even by the time they were introduced, the consequences. Rowntree had researched the fact that social need was an additional need to physical need. However, that was It is so wrong that in the 21st century, people are not recognised from the beginning. Although things forced to rely on the good will of neighbours to ensure were rather patchy until April 1975, in general, benefits their well-being. The community in which I live is poor increased in line with inflation. Since then, successive but always generous. The plight of those reliant on food Governments have uprated benefits in line with inflation, banks is something the commission of inquiry should mostly using the retail prices index until 2011. It is only investigate. I am grateful again to Community Links, from then onwards that we have seen the breaking of which, in order to understand better how these changes the link between inflation and the rates at which benefits are rolling out in our communities, carried out in-depth rise. quality research into the circumstances of local people. The localisation of council tax, the benefits cap and the Universal credit will be subject to annual review, but bedroom tax are hitting poor people indiscriminately, not to mandatory uprating. There is a huge danger that regardless of their needs or situation, and the people it will fall behind inflation. However, well before we get who responded to the survey felt they were being stigmatised to universal credit, with its myriad problems, which are for situations over which they had no control. There is not helped by the sheer incompetence with which it is no support to help people manage or cope with the being introduced, the Government should be looking at transition, while the survey tells us categorically that the impact of the Welfare Benefits Up-rating Act 2013. people are struggling to make ends meet, cutting back Most working-age benefits have been limited to rises of on essential items—heating or eating—and prioritising 1% a year, and yet the costs of basic items such as food paying rent, thereby exacerbating the choice between and energy—the very basics of life—are rising by food and comfort and safety. significantly more. Even Government estimates suggest that there may be 200,000 more children in poverty, and When we have the commission of inquiry, it must not the Child Poverty Action Group estimates that there just concern itself with the economics of the poverty could be 1 million more children in poverty by 2020. figures. It must hear the human stories of the people who stand behind the Community Links research and Which benefits have been affected? Let us look at the who go to our food banks. It must consider and respond list. The first is tax credits, which have a huge impact. to the reality of their lives, as we in this House must We called the cut to tax credits the strivers’ tax, because address the sorry and devastating impact of the changes it affects people who are desperately trying to make that are agreed to here, but that are felt acutely in the ends meet. Such people are often doing two or three world outside. jobs and patching together a few hours here and a few hours there. They are then told that they have to find 9.10 pm more hours. Those hours simply are not available; otherwise Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): The first question that they would be doing them. we must ask ourselves is why we make social security I heard the most extraordinary statement from the payments to people. We make them because people Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions, have lost their jobs, which is a traumatic event in itself. the hon. Member for Thornbury and Yate (Steve Webb) We make them because of sickness or disability. We when we were talking about housing benefit and the make them to people who are in work, but are on low bedroom tax. He came out with the absurd nonsense incomes. Some 68% of those who are affected by the that two or three hours on the minimum wage would Government’s welfare cuts are in work, according to the make up the £15 shortfall. Does he not understand Resolution Foundation. I will come back to those people how the system works? It is very complex and there in a moment. We make payments to prevent homelessness are enormous differences depending on the family and to protect people from living in squalid, cold and circumstances and who lives in the household, but damp conditions—conditions that will make them more essentially, if somebody who is getting housing benefit 671 Welfare Reforms and Poverty13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 672

[Nia Griffith] The reality, as has been said time and time again, is that some of the people suffering hardest are those who gets additional income, roughly 65% of it will go straight are in work. In two weeks time in this city, the BAFTAs into a cut in their housing benefit. So in order to get an will be hosted again at the Royal Opera House. That extra £15 a person effectively has to earn £45, and to get weekend, the cleaners will be on strike and picketing an extra £25 they effectively have to earn about £75. outside. I will be joining them, because they are on just That does not take into account the transport costs to above the minimum wage, not on a living wage, and get to work and so on. That is a couple of days’ work at cannot afford to live in the city in which they work. A minimum wage at the absolute minimum, on top of the whole range of constituencies outside London have other work people are already doing—these are people been mentioned. London and the south-east have an who are in work. image of wealth, with gold pavements and so on, but The effect of the changes is catastrophic. What have there is a growing underclass in London of people in we seen cut? Tax credits, pension credits, savings credits, dire poverty. the health and pregnancy grant, lone parent benefits, The anxiety and anger we have is that in two weeks contributory employment and support allowance, disability the cleaners will go on strike because they have no other living allowance and council tax benefit have all been option. They are trying to get their employers to negotiate cut, and there is the switch to CPI instead of RPI. a London living wage, while this week the bank bonuses Luckily, in Wales people have been cushioned for one will be announced. Goldman Sachs has already explained year by the Welsh Government, but whether that can that it looks like it will have a bumper year. We are back continue and is affordable is another matter. The impact to pre-crisis bonus levels. I raised this with the Chancellor of all those cuts together is absolutely catastrophic. and, to give him his due, he actually said that there is an The other myth we often hear peddled is the fantastically issue that we have to address. We have been told that in high figures that, somewhere or other, a tabloid newspaper one company the average bonus payment is £2.7 million manages to find for housing benefit. That is because per member of staff. This is the contrast we have: they take the example of one large family in a very people in work are struggling just to maintain a roof expensive area of London, completely forgetting that over their heads, feed and clothe their children and have the family does not receive that money—it goes straight a decent standard of income. At the same time, we have into the pockets of a greedy landlord. That is one of the the profligacy and obscene levels of bonuses returning. significant contributors to a high housing benefit bill. I think the choice was made under this Government that the poor would pay for the crisis, not the rich who As our shadow Secretary of State for Work and caused it. Pensions has said clearly, and has been quoted today as Examples have been given of the range of cuts that saying, we will get the benefit bill down. How will we do have been made. I will be frank: I do not know how that? We will put people back to work, we will ensure people in my constituency survive on the income they that the national minimum wage keeps up with inflation are getting. I have no idea how they can afford to live on and we will bring in measures to encourage employers the minimal income that they are getting. We will have a to introduce the living wage, through tax breaks in the debate in a few weeks’ time about the WOW petition first year of its introduction. Frankly, we could make and people with disabilities, who are among some of the £3 billion of savings simply by helping people to earn hardest hit. However, the latest statistics show that we more and pay more tax. They would then not need as have 13,000 children in my borough living in poverty, much in the way of tax credits. We will have a house and it is a relatively wealthy borough. We are a working-class building programme that will put people into social area with high levels of employment and, usually, not housing at more sensible rents, thereby reducing the bad levels of income, but even in my constituency we housing benefit bill. We have already seen how a two- are seeing child poverty on a scale that we have not seen bedroom house in the private sector can be far more since the second world war, with all the problems associated expensive than a three-bedroom house in the social with that. sector. One of the main problems has been touched on by There is so much we could be doing. In this motion, others: the fact that people cannot afford a roof over we ask for a commission to look at the impact of their heads. House prices have gone through the roof. poverty because we are very concerned that not just this People cannot afford them on the incomes they are generation but generations to come will be affected by getting, but what do the Government do? They increase the dreadful conditions and poverty we now see spreading rents in the social sector—in council housing and social across the UK. housing—and at the same time cut benefits. The argument put forward by the Government—it has some logic to 9.17 pm it—was that if they cut benefits, somehow the landlords John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab): The would stop charging higher rents, but the reverse has question was asked earlier about how we pay off the happened. Rents have gone up in my area. Getting a deficit. There was a choice when the economic crisis hit: three-bedroom property in the private rented sector should those who created the economic crisis pay for it, means spending between £1,200 and £1,600 a month, or should the others? This Government decided that the and we are not talking about high standards of property. poorest in our society would pay. To enable that to We are just talking about the roof over people’s heads. happen there had to be some form of ideological attack When people go to the council, the discretionary on the poorest—the latest example is the programme money that has been awarded does not meet the difference “Benefits Street”—that identifies a group of people and between the loss of benefits and the rents they are now demonstrates that they somehow stand for all those being charged. What is happening, therefore—this is people who are dependent on benefits. That is then used the irony of it—is homelessness on a scale that we have as a justification to cut benefits overall. not seen for perhaps two decades and children living in 673 Welfare Reforms and Poverty13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 674 bed and breakfasts again. We were promised that that work capability assessment. The last Government would never happen again, and it is happening. Children commissioned research into what happened to people are living in appalling conditions in bed and breakfasts, who had been found fit for work. After three months, and then they are farmed out round the country, which 22% were back in employment and 41% were on another completely disrupts their education and breaks down benefit. There were still some missing people, but there the connections with their wider family. That destabilises was no explanation of where they were. After a year, whole families as well, because people under that pressure only 23%—there was hardly any increase—were back in begin to implode. It is therefore no wonder that we have employment. However, 43% of those people were neither family breakdown increasing in many of our areas as a in employment nor on any other out-of-work benefits. result of the financial pressures that people are under. Now 43% is an awful lot of individuals, but this research That is the result of a whole series of reforms that stopped so we do not know what has been going on have been introduced as part of an incremental development since; we do not know whether the pattern has been to attack the poor. Those of us on the Labour Benches consistent over the last few years. If it has been, there should say: “No more. That’s enough now.” We are the are a lot of unexplained outcomes in respect of people people who invented the welfare state. We introduced living in great poverty. it—working, yes, with Beveridge, the Liberals and others. This issue is not just about people who have somehow It was not just to provide a safety net; it was to give been benefit dependent for all their lives. Professor people the opportunity to achieve their life chances. Fothergill of Sheffield Hallam university recently gave This Government are destroying that opportunity for evidence to the Work and Pensions Committee, and he people to thrive and enjoy the life chances that we pointed out that some of those most affected are couples wanted to give them. in their 50s. Typically, people will be affected most by becoming ill at that stage in their lives, when illness David T. C. Davies: Given what the hon. Gentleman really does begin to rack up and benefits for illness are has just said, does he agree or disagree with his shadow most likely to be received. What happens if, say, a Work and Pensions Secretary, who wants to be tougher couple has one and a half incomes and has been than the Tories on benefits? comfortably off with the children grown up and a reasonable income coming in, but the main earner falls John McDonnell: I am not sure whether the hon. ill? There will be an immediate big loss of income Gentleman was here under the last Government, but I because of the illness in itself. After a year, if that was one of those who argued for a massive redistribution individual goes into the workplace activities group, of wealth to tackle poverty in this country, and I will which many do, they will lose even their employment continue to argue that point. I do not think that any of and support allowance. At that stage, another £91 is the parties should get into this Dutch auction about lopped off their household income—and all this at a who can be more brutal towards the poor, but from the time when the costs are probably increasing because detail of the policy being advocated by the Opposition they are likely to be at home longer and have more that I have heard, it is about achieving growth, getting heating bills to pay. people back into employment, ensuring a fair system of If this couple are council or housing association redistribution of wealth in this country and—this is the tenants, they might well have a spare room and will also point my right hon. Friend the Member for Oldham be hit by the bedroom tax. The second means test West and Royton (Mr Meacher) made—ensuring that applied by many councils for discretionary housing people pay their taxes. At the moment we are living in a payments will probably mean that, because there is still corporate kleptocracy, where corporations steal and an earner in the household—albeit probably a part-time rob from us through tax avoidance and tax evasion. If earner—they will not qualify for discretionary housing we could have some of that back, not only could we payment. They will be deemed to have sufficient income tackle the deficit, but that redistribution of wealth over the absolute basic amount for them to have this could take place and we could lift people out of poverty, extra payment. After working for 35, 40 or perhaps even provide the homes they need and give them back the life more years, this couple will have experienced a huge chances that this Government are stealing from them. tumble from being comfortable to being in really straitened circumstances. If they have made any savings over their Several hon. Members rose— working period towards their retirement, the chances are that when they reach pension age, they will have Madam Deputy Speaker (Dawn Primarolo): Order. In been entirely eroded, creating further problems for the order to fit the last two speakers in before the Minister future. and the shadow Minister speak, I am reducing the time The irony in all this is that many of the measures limit on speeches to five minutes. introduced—I would hope that the research covered this issue—are not actually making any great savings. 9.24 pm We have heard a lot about the bedroom tax not making much in savings, but it is not the only thing. Housing Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): Like all other benefit payments are due to increase, which the Office speakers, I am grateful to those who lobbied for this for Budget Responsibility has factored into its assessment. debate. Why? Half the expected increase—a substantial increase—is There is a need for some good research into what is due to people in employment who will qualify for the going on—research that would very much form part of benefit. Fewer people may be receiving jobseeker’s allowance a commission. I want to give an example of research at one end of the system, but further along the system, started by the previous Government that is not being more will receive housing benefit. For one set of savings, conducted by this Government—in this case, research there is a comparable set of costs. We have to look at into the employment and support allowance and the that. 675 Welfare Reforms and Poverty13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 676

[Sheila Gilmore] In that week, only 24 one-bedroom homes were available in any part of the council or the social housing sector. A We are not making the savings we think we are, and I commission of inquiry might at least get some awareness believe the same is true of the employment and support of the reality of the situation into the minds of Ministers allowance. There is a big mystery here. The number of and Government Back Benchers. people in receipt of that benefit has gone down by far I suspect that when the House votes on the motion, fewer than the number of people who have been found Government Members who have not been in the Chamber fit for work. What on earth is going on? I suspect that for the debate will come flooding in to defeat it. Perhaps many people have simply come around through the the Minister will surprise us and tell us that the Government system again. They were not well; they had to apply for will allow the motion to be passed, but I suspect that benefit again. We are putting people through a lot of that will not happen. However, given that this is a trauma and stress for very little saving. Back-Bench rather than a Government or an Opposition motion, I hope that at least some members of the 9.29 pm coalition parties will show the humanity that others Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ have shown today. I hope that they will recognise that Co-op): I am glad to have the opportunity to say a few there is a problem whose extent needs to be assessed, words. I wanted to speak in the debate to make the and will stand along with those in the Chamber and point that the crisis caused by the Government’s welfare outside who are prepared to speak up for the people reform policies is affecting constituencies up and down who are suffering as a result of the inhumane policies of the length of the country and is affecting all types this Government. of constituency. My constituency comes out about average on the statistical lists of poverty, employment, 9.33 pm unemployment and wealth in the UK. We have some Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab): I warmly congratulate areas of high wealth with wealthy individuals, but other my right hon. Friend the Member for Oldham West and areas, and some individuals living in the generally richer Royton (Mr Meacher) and the Government Members areas of the constituency, are suffering from the effects who signed the motion, not least because they have of Government policy in a way that has not been seen given us an opportunity to hear some of the most for a generation. That experience is evidenced by the insightful and moving speeches that I have heard for a growing demand for and reliance on food banks, soup long time in the House. It is a shame that nearly all of kitchens and other outlets that provide free food. One them had to be made by Opposition Members because such food bank was opened in my constituency last so few Government Members turned up to speak, but I year, and another is under way. Another six, seven or am sure that Government Members had other interesting eight organisations provide support of various kinds things to do. I should add that I thought that the speech which enables people to survive from day to day, but, of the hon. Member for Stafford (Jeremy Lefroy) was given the shortage of time, I shall not list them all. insightful as well. It had barely a partisan bone in it, As many other Members have pointed out today, and I commend the hon. Gentleman for the views that food banks are a symptom of a wider problem. People he espoused tonight. depend on them for a host of reasons. Sanctions are one Let me begin by listing some facts on which I hope we of the most important, but others are the delays and can all agree. We all believe that the best route out of mistakes caused by all the changes and complications poverty is work, that those who can work should work, that the Government are increasingly imposing on those that those who need help to work should receive that who rely on benefits, and the effects of their economic help, that a civilised nation cares for the vulnerable, that policies, such as the need for people to rely on part-time at times we may all need the support of the state to get work when they want to work full-time. back on our feet, that a strong national health service, Another reason is the bedroom tax. I want to say a free at the point of delivery, is a key part of getting little about what is happening in my city of Edinburgh, people back into work, and that education cannot stop and also to explain why I think that a commission of at 16 or at 18 or, for that matter, at 21 if people are to inquiry would be a good way of at least trying to inject acquire the skills that they need in order to prosper in a some sense into the attitudes that were expressed during fiercely competitive world. DWP questions earlier today. It appears that most As Labour colleagues have been referring to what we members of the coalition believe that numerous people will do when we form the Government in 2015, the living in large houses are desperately avoiding moving Minister has, on several occasions, been heard chuntering, to smaller houses, and fighting off all the people who “Oh yes, the shadow Secretary of State says you’re are trying to move into the larger houses. In fact, that is going to be tougher on welfare.” We are, because we happening almost nowhere in the country. In my know that the best way to be tough on the welfare constituency, many people who live in under-occupied budget is to get people into work. We are absolutely houses are in houses for which there would not be a determined that we will not do what this Government great demand if they became vacant. did immediately on coming into power in 2010, which Above all, in Edinburgh and elsewhere, the number was, without a shred of evidence, to abolish the future of people who could possibly qualify for smaller, one- jobs fund that was giving young people an opportunity. bedroom accommodation is vastly greater than the We will do exactly the opposite. We will bring in a jobs number of such homes that are available. According to guarantee for every under 24-year-old, because we have a figure that I saw a few weeks ago—and I have no seen what is happening in Wales where a new scheme reason to believe that it has changed since then—more has been brought in to replace what this Government than 3,000 people were living in under-occupied housing, have been doing and that has put 7,748 young people according to the Government’s definition, and a further into work. Some 80% of those jobs are in the private 14,000 were on the waiting list for one-bedroom houses. sector and 96% of those who have gone into those jobs 677 Welfare Reforms and Poverty13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 678 have then gone into full-time employment. That is being between April and September, more than 350,000 people— tough on the welfare budget—not being tough on the 150,000 of whom were children—received at least three recipients of welfare, but being tough on the welfare days of emergency food from Trussell Trust food banks. budget—and that is exactly what we intend to do. That represents a threefold increase on the same period We all know that there are areas of the country that last year and a dramatic rise from 2009-10, when just have suffered deprivation for decades. Those are the 41,000 people received food aid. Contrary to what the places—in particular, the mining, shipbuilding and iron hon. Member for Birmingham, Yardley (John Hemming) and steel cities and towns of this country—where one said, the Trussell Trust has stated that industry flourished, dominated and then died. That is “rising living costs and stagnant wages are forcing more people to what many of the speeches this afternoon have been live on a financial knife edge where any change in circumstance about. However, the indices of deprivation come not can plunge them into poverty.” single spies, but in battalions. All too often, with poverty That is precisely what the Government’s welfare changes comes poor housing, poor educational attainment and have done. poor diet, as well as high levels of long-term unemployment, In March last year, Ministers in the Department for disability, mental health problems, obesity, malnutrition, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs commissioned teenage pregnancy, ischaemic heart disease, type 1 and research into food banks and promised to publish the type 2 diabetes and also, therefore, blindness. The poor results last summer. The Government have had the die younger and are more likely to die of their first results of the review since last June and, bizarrely, have coronary or their first stroke. They are more likely to be now been reviewing them for far longer than it took to the victims of crime, especially violent crime. Each of write them. I do not know whether they need educational those problems exacerbates the other, so we have a assistance to read the report and present it to the public, vicious circle of poverty with children trapped by their but it is about time we all saw the findings that they have parents’ opportunities or lack of ambitions. In short, all had in their pocket since last June. too often poverty is hereditary in Britain—as hereditary The Trussell Trust has reported rising food bank use as the monarchy or, for that matter, a place at Eton. due to the bedroom tax, and states that 35% of its The image that those on the right would have us all clients were referred due to delays in receiving benefits. subscribe to of those living in poverty is far from the There is no way out of this; the Government cannot truth. Often the poor work the hardest, at the least avoid responsibility. Yes, charities are picking up the hospitable hours, with poor protection and for paltry difference, but that is not the kind of society we should pay. Frequently, as many Members have said, they take be living in. On top of that, the National Housing several jobs to be able to pay to put food on the table. Federation, which represents housing associations, said They travel for hours to work because they cannot that a survey of 51 of its biggest members found that afford properties in expensive places where there are more than half their residents affected by the bedroom more jobs. They take pride in the ability to stand on tax—32,432 people—were unable to pay their rent between their own two feet, so they often refuse to claim all they April and June last year. Contrary to all the rumours are entitled to or to accept charity. We should applaud put out by The Sun, the Daily Mail and The Daily them, not denigrate them. Telegraph, the survey shows that a quarter of those When the Secretary of State came to Merthyr Tydfil affected by the tax had fallen behind with their rent for and told everybody that the answer to their problems if the first time in their lives. That is not their fault; it is the they were out of work was to get on a bus down to Government’s fault. , he simply did not know the facts. First, there One report, the Real Life Reform report, interviewed are not buses that will get people to Cardiff in time for 74 households in the north of England last July, three most jobs on low pay that start very early in the morning. months after the changes came in, then again three Secondly, if they are going to be doing shift work, they months later. In September, it found that over a quarter cannot possibly rely on buses to get them to work. of the people in the survey reported having less than Thirdly, there are eight people applying for every job £10 a week to live on once rent, food and bills were that is available in Cardiff so the situation is not much accounted for. The report also found that 37% said they better than in Merthyr Tydfil. Most importantly, if had no spare cash at all, and that families were spending people are spending half of their daily wage every day an average of just £23 per person a week—or £3.30 a on getting on the bus to work and getting back home, day—on food. Those were people in work, and for the likelihood is that they are not going to be able to those with school-age children, £1.80 of that daily make work pay. That is what we need to change: we allowance was going towards a school dinner. Households need to make work pay. were spending an average of £26 a week on gas and There have been massive changes in welfare in this electricity, which equated to 10% of gross income. That country since 2010, especially since the Government was in July, not during the winter months when the changes to welfare came in last summer. Food prices costs would be much higher. have risen far more on average than those of other Three months later, that same survey found that the goods, and that has hit many poor families. According number of households spending less than £20 a week on to Which? over the last six years food prices have risen food had increased from a quarter to a third, that the over and above general inflation by 12.6% and nearly number of people having no money left each week had half of consumers now say they are spending a larger risen to 51%—more than half—and that the average proportion of their available income on food than just spend on food per person per day had gone down from 12 months ago. Six in 10—60%—are worried about £3 to £2.10. It also found that households were spending how they will manage their future spending on groceries 16% more on gas and electricity, taking them into fuel if prices continue to rise, and it looks as though they poverty. In addition, 33% of respondents now had will. It must surely be shaming for this country that, council tax debt as well. 679 Welfare Reforms and Poverty13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 680

[Chris Bryant] coalition Government, not least because he was aware that the work capability assessments were introduced by The loan sharks are flourishing, the number of those the previous Administration, as was the Atos contract, in fuel poverty is rising and the number of homeless which we discussed at Work and Pensions questions. So people is rising. The number of those relying on charity we inherited the assessments that are being complained to feed their children is also rising, and the number of about by hon. Members from across the House today, those wanting to work more hours is at a record high. particularly those being carried out by Atos. We are And for the first time ever, the number of those in work working hard to improve the situation and deal with the and in poverty is higher than the number out of work. mess we inherited. [Interruption.] I would like to know The number of those in debt, in arrears and in despair how it is possible that we are making it worse, as the about their finances is rising. Even Sir John Major contract we are working to is exactly the one we inherited. knows that more and more people this winter have been The hon. Member for Derby North, from a sedentary choosing between heating and eating. It feels as though position, asks why. We were trapped in this because the a worldwide economic crunch, manufactured in the previous Administration signed the contract. We need boardrooms of Wall Street, on the executive floors of to make sure that the work capability assessment works international banks and on the trading floors of the as we go forward. , has been visited on the most vulnerable in our society. Those who struggle to buy shoes for their Sheila Gilmore rose— children have paid the price of austerity, not the well-heeled. We should be ashamed; the Government should certainly Mike Penning: I will not give way, because I do not be ashamed. This is why we need a commission of inquiry. have time. My hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth raised 9.44 pm the most important issue, and I am pleased that the The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions shadow Secretary of State is here now. The shadow (Mike Penning): Apart from a short comfort break, I Minister engaged in a rewriting of history. My hon. have sat through the whole debate, finding it very interesting. Friend and several others alluded to the fact that the I found the tone and manner of most of it to be shadow Secretary of State said that Labour would be exemplary, and a credit to the House and the Backbench tougher than the Tories on welfare and on welfare Business Committee. I will take exception with the reforms. There was no nuance about helping more Opposition Front-Bench team, because if they were so people. Labour said it would be tougher than the Tories determined that they wanted this they could have had on welfare. We have saved £83 billion on welfare this debate and pushed for this inquiry during Opposition spending—that is the predicted saving. I would like to day debates last week or later in this week. They could know where those cuts would take place if not through even have signed the motion tabled by the right hon. welfare reform. [Interruption.] The hon. Member for Member for Oldham West and Royton (Mr Meacher), Gateshead (Ian Mearns) says from a sedentary position but they did not; there are three names on the Order that the cuts would come through jobs, but more than Paper, but none from the Front Bench. They have 1 million people have been placed into jobs since this suddenly decided—[HON.MEMBERS: “It is a Back-Bench Government took office. That is most important. debate.] So why did we have the debate last week? What rose— about the business next week? They have not done it. Lady Hermon (North Down) (Ind) Let us not get into the semantics of what went on but Mike Penning: I will give way to the hon. Lady because look at what happened during the debate. [Interruption.] she has sat through the whole debate without having an For someone who sits there and complains about other opportunity to speak, and it is a credit to her. people chuntering from a sedentary position, I must say that the hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) is Lady Hermon: Before the Minister came into his the leading expert in it. We heard contributions from: current job, he was a very effective Minister in Northern the right hon. Member for Oldham West and Royton; Ireland. He will know, therefore, that in Northern Ireland my hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (David T. we have had an increased threat from dissident republicans, C. Davies); the hon. Member for Walsall North who are deeply and utterly ruthless. Would it not be (Mr Winnick); my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford worth while to extend this proposed commission to (Jeremy Lefroy); the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton Northern Ireland? I hope that those who have proposed (Steve Rotheram); my hon. Friend the Member for it would support that, but that is a point that could be Birmingham, Yardley (John Hemming); the hon. Member clarified later. If the commission were to be granted, we for Derby North (Chris Williamson); my hon. Friend could have a worthwhile review of and inquiry into the Member for Worthing West (Sir Peter Bottomley); whether deprivation and poverty in Northern Ireland and the hon. Members for North Ayrshire and Arran have fed into the increase in dissident violence. Would (Katy Clark), for Rochdale (Simon Danczuk), for Oldham that not be worth while? East and Saddleworth (Debbie Abrahams), for West Ham (Lyn Brown), for Llanelli (Nia Griffith), for Hayes Mike Penning: I thank the hon. Lady for her intervention and Harlington (John McDonnell), for Edinburgh East and for her comments about my time as a Minister in (Sheila Gilmore) and for Edinburgh North and Leith Northern Ireland. That means an awful lot to me. Most (Mark Lazarowicz). As I say, it is a credit to the Backbench of the welfare reforms have not been implemented in Business Committee that it listened to the Back Benchers Northern Ireland yet because they are being blocked by and tabled this debate. one particular party, so it is difficult to see how we The contribution from the right hon. Member for could appraise what was going to happen in Northern Oldham West and Royton was wide ranging. I am Ireland compared with the rest of the United Kingdom pleased that he did not place all the blame on the because the welfare reforms have not been introduced 681 Welfare Reforms and Poverty13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 682 there in the way that they have in the rest of the country. hear what review says. It is an important I do not think that the answer at this stage is to have an debate for people who are in work but require help from independent review. The Government issue huge amounts other benefits. of research—very expensive research—and we need to My hon. Friend the Member for Worthing West gave look carefully at what is going on. a wide-ranging speech. I will have to write to him about We have of course brought in the benefit cap and when the credit unions will be able to charge monthly reformed housing benefit. My constituency has one of interest. I have been a member for more than 12 years, the largest council-run social housing stocks in the and believe that the credit unions make a very important country—nearly 16,000 council properties—as well as contribution to our communities. In particular, they quite a large housing association stock. I get family stop that man with a threatening look from knocking at after family saying to me, “Why do my children have to the door on a Friday night, just after pay day. All of us do their homework in the corridor? Why can’t we move who have grown up on such estates have had that into a larger property.” frightening experience. In many ways, the credit union can really help with that problem. Chris Williamson: Build more houses. The hon. Member for North Ayrshire and Arran talked about discretionary payments and the fact that people have to apply again and again. There is nothing Mike Penning: Absolutely. The hon. Gentleman’s party in the rules that says it should be for three months or for had 13 years to do so. The housing situation has not any other time scale. It is plainly obvious in many cases suddenly occurred in the last five minutes. Labour did that an individual will be able to receive the payment for not do it when it was in government, and yet it wants to the long term and that the local authority should be rewrite history this evening. That is not possible and it able to rule on that. As we said at Question Time today, will not happen. We need to ensure that we have fairness most local authorities are not using all their discretionary in the system. I have listened carefully to Members payments, and those that have can apply for extra throughout the debate. The system has to be fair for payments under the scheme. We are looking forward to both sides. It has to be fair to the people who are seeing how we can take that forward to ensure that working and to those who are on benefit. we can give those assurances to local authorities. It Earlier in the debate someone mentioned the Channel is important that when Members go back to their 4 programme. The idea of being supportive constituencies they speak to their local authorities about of this Government would be a shock to the system and what they should be doing, because there is no rule on to Channel 4. I was brought up in a working class area the matter. My own local authority is using the three-month in north London, and, as I have said, I have two estates rule and there is no need for that in many cases. Local in the top 10% of the most socially deprived areas, but I authorities should look at individuals rather than the was shocked by what I saw. numbers. The hon. Member for Rochdale made an important Chris Williamson: It was not a fair representation. speech and a good contribution to the debate, not least because he accepted from the outset that welfare reform Mike Penning: Whether or not it is a fair representation is imperative. I was slightly concerned during his speech is a matter for Channel 4. Like the rest of the country, I by the idea that if we are not careful, we might start sat and watched the programme. I have not said anything thinking that all welfare reform will have a massive about it, because I do not know the facts. I will go and effect. In many ways, welfare reform can have a beneficial see what is happening on the ground rather than speaking effect on people, particularly those who have been out in generalisations. Channel 4 is not in any way a mouthpiece of work for a considerable time and, thinking of my for this Government. It has been hugely critical of what portfolio, those who have disabilities or long-term illnesses we have been doing. and have not been able to get back into work. For instance, the Access to Work programme is often the key to getting those people back in to work. It is Chris Bryant rose— important that we understand how the different schemes work and that hon. Members ensure that there is Mike Penning: I will not give way, because I want to understanding in their constituencies. make some progress. I did not intervene on the hon. The hon. Member for Oldham East and Saddleworth Gentleman, so he will have to understand. talked about bogus appointments. I would love to know The hon. Member for Birmingham, Yardley made an about that and how it happened, so perhaps we can important point about people who have moved from meet after the debate. It is obviously fundamentally employment and support allowance to jobseeker’s wrong for bogus appointments to be made and for allowance. It is enormously important that they know people to then be sanctioned. It would be much appreciated what benefits they are entitled to. As I said to the Work if she or any other hon. Member could help us with and Pensions Committee the other week, I will look such issues. carefully at the decision letter they get when they are Mr Deputy Speaker—[Interruption.] I am sorry, told that their ESA has been stopped and what they are Mr Speaker. I apologise. I think you have known me able to claim. That is a simple way to ensure that they long enough to accept that that was a genuine mistake. understand the benefits they are entitled to and that The whole debate has been sensible, apart from the families are not short of money. contribution of the shadow Minister, who is chuntering The hon. Gentleman was the only Member to raise away again, ruining the quality of the debate as usual. It the issue of the minimum wage. The debate about what is important that the Backbench Business Committee it will be raised to is taking place now. We will wait to can introduce such a debate. If the Opposition Front 683 Welfare Reforms and Poverty13 JANUARY 2014 Welfare Reforms and Poverty 684

[Mike Penning] Cooper, Rosie Meacher, rh Mr Michael Creasy, Stella Meale, Sir Alan Benchers had wanted it so much, they could have introduced Crockart, Mike Mearns, Ian it in their own time. We should let the House decide this Cunningham, Alex Morden, Jessica evening. Cunningham, Sir Tony Morris, Grahame M. Danczuk, Simon (Easington) Davidson, Mr Ian Mulholland, Greg 9.56 pm Davies, Geraint Munn, Meg Mr Meacher: This has been an excellent debate, one Docherty, Thomas Murphy, rh Mr Jim of the best that I have attended. The evidence from all Dodds, rh Mr Nigel Murray, Ian parts of the House about the impact of the Government’s Donohoe, Mr Brian H. Nash, Pamela welfare reforms on poverty was both compelling and Durkan, Mark Nuttall, Mr David systematic. With the exception of the Minister, at the Elliott, Julie Onwurah, Chi Esterson, Bill Osborne, Sandra end, it was relatively free of tribalism. Farrelly, Paul Owen, Albert There was little disagreement about the need for a Flello, Robert Perkins, Toby commission of inquiry, with an emphasis on the 4 million Flynn, Paul Phillipson, Bridget children growing up in poverty. The hon. Member for Gardiner, Barry Pound, Stephen Stafford (Jeremy Lefroy), in a considered speech, said Gilmore, Sheila Raynsford, rh Mr Nick that the bedroom tax should be, if not abolished, at Glindon, Mrs Mary Reeves, Rachel least conditional on enough social housing being built Green, Kate Reid, Mr Alan and that sanctions for technicalities are totally intolerable. Greenwood, Lilian Ritchie, Ms Margaret I am grateful to him for saying that. We heard about the Griffith, Nia Rotheram, Steve Hain, rh Mr Peter Roy, Mr Frank level of debt standing at 40% in Liverpool, and I am Hamilton, Mr David Roy, Lindsay sure that the same applies in many other cities. We also Hanson, rh Mr David Sanders, Mr Adrian heard evidence from the hon. Member for Birmingham, Healey, rh John Sawford, Andy Yardley (John Hemming) about a range of issues that Hemming, John Seabeck, Alison must be considered in detail, not just in terms of the Hepburn, Mr Stephen Sharma, Mr Virendra framework of policy. I agree with that. Hermon, Lady Shuker, Gavin We heard a passionate speech about the housing Hilling, Julie Simpson, David crisis, the catastrophic drop in Government investment Hoey, Kate Skinner, Mr Dennis in housing and the price-to-income ratio that puts housing Hollobone, Mr Philip Straw, rh Mr Jack totally out of the reach of poorer people. We heard Hopkins, Kelvin Stringer, Graham Howarth, rh Mr George Stunell, rh Sir Andrew about the damaging effects of the Government’s switch— Irranca-Davies, Huw Sutcliffe, Mr Gerry convenient to the Chancellor, of course—from RPI to Jamieson, Cathy Tami, Mark CPI and that the loss of a discretionary social fund was Jarvis, Dan Timms, rh Stephen forcing people back into the hands of loan sharks. We Jones, Susan Elan Turner, Karl also heard about the DWP staff culture of looking for Lavery, Ian Twigg, Stephen targets to achieve sanctions. Those are all important Lazarowicz, Mark Vaz, Valerie points. Leech, Mr John Walley, Joan There were significant disagreements. The hon. Member Lefroy, Jeremy Whiteford, Dr Eilidh for Monmouth (David T. C. Davies) gave, I think, the Lewell-Buck, Mrs Emma Williamson, Chris traditional Conservative response, as one might expect, Lewis, Mr Ivan Wilson, Phil MacNeil, Mr Angus Brendan Winnick, Mr David giving the Chancellor the overriding right to pursue an Malhotra, Seema austerity policy irrespective of the impact on ordinary Winterton, rh Ms Rosie McCann, Mr Michael Woodcock, John people. My hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and McClymont, Gregg Wright, David Harlington (John McDonnell) strongly opposed that McCrea, Dr William Wright, Mr Iain because of the Government’s choice to put the burden McDonnell, John on the poor. McGovern, Alison Tellers for the Ayes: I hope that all Members of the House will support McKechin, Ann Heidi Alexander and the motion, because we need a commission of inquiry. McKinnell, Catherine Tom Blenkinsop Question put. NOES The House divided: Ayes 125, Noes 2. Nuttall, Mr David Tellers for the Noes: Division No. 175] [9.59 pm Rees-Mogg, Jacob Graham Jones and Nic Dakin AYES Abrahams, Debbie Brown, Lyn Ashworth, Jonathan Bryant, Chris Question accordingly agreed to. Bailey, Mr Adrian Burden, Richard Resolved, Bain, Mr William Byrne, rh Mr Liam Bayley, Hugh Campbell, Mr Alan That this House believes that a commission of inquiry should Begg, Dame Anne Campbell, Mr Ronnie be established to investigate the impact of the Government’s Benn, rh Hilary Champion, Sarah welfare reforms on the incidence of poverty. Benton, Mr Joe Clark, Katy Blackman-Woods, Roberta Clarke, rh Mr Tom Mr Michael Meacher (Oldham West and Royton) Blomfield, Paul Coaker, Vernon (Lab): On a point of order, Mr Speaker. We have just Brennan, Kevin Connarty, Michael had a very important debate and a very decisive result—the 685 13 JANUARY 2014 686

House has spoken strongly, by 125 to two. I do not Oral Cancer think that anyone could deny that this is a critically Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House important issue. Can we therefore be assured that the do now adjourn.—(Claire Perry.) Minister will respond, either now or tomorrow, in order to answer the fact that Parliament has decided and the 10.11 pm Government should take note? Sir Paul Beresford (Mole Valley) (Con): I am particularly delighted to see my hon. Friend the Minister on the Mr Speaker: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman Front Bench because she understands my unusual form for his point of order, but it is not a matter for the of English, which is really quite helpful. Chair. If the Minister of State wants to respond, he can, I must first declare a double interest as chairman of but he is under no obligation to do so. [Interruption.] the all-party parliamentary group on dentistry and as a No, the Minister does not wish to respond. The right very part-time practising dentist. This means that I am hon. Gentleman’s point stands on the record. a member of the profession that faces the detection and treatment of the appalling disease of oral cancer. Over Business without Debate the years I have detected perhaps seven cases among my patients. We picked them up at a very early stage, and I believe that as a result those involved were all successfully SPEAKER’S COMMITTEE FOR THE operated on and treated without disfigurement, and INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY survived. STANDARDS AUTHORITY I recall being called in by a colleague for a second Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing opinion on a patient who was very well known in the Order No. 118(6) and Order of 16 December 2013), media. I confirmed my colleague’s opinion that the That in pursuance of paragraph 2A of Schedule 3 to the small growth behind the lower right wisdom tooth was Parliamentary Standards Act 2009, as amended, Professor Monojit cancer. My colleague referred him to a specialist oral Chatterji be appointed as lay member of the Speaker’s Committee surgeon. The patient then disappeared off our horizon. for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, for a He did not return for regular check-ups or go to the oral period of three years from 26 January 2014.—(Claire Perry.) surgeon. As I said, he was a famous media personality. Question agreed to. About two years later, news reports stated that he had died in spite of late treatment involving massive oral surgery disfigurement. As we later discovered, he had not wanted to hear my advice or my colleague’s. He went to see his GP, who gave him a bottle of some green fluid to paint on the ulcer, thus allowing the cancer to grow. This sad example indicates the first problem of oral cancer—that there is insufficient awareness among the public, among general medical practitioners, and even, regrettably, within the dental profession. Last November, there were two cancer campaigns. The campaign on prostate cancer—Movember—caught the public imagination thanks to the proliferation of sometimes quite hideous hairy growths just under the nose on predominately male faces. The other campaign was an oral cancer awareness campaign. It was very successful within the dental profession but did not catch the public awareness. This is deeply disturbing, first, because prevention and cure is possible if the disease is found easily and early, and secondly, because of the increasing prevalence of the disease. The latest available reports and figures relating to oral cancer do not make encouraging reading. In short, the problem is worsening each year and is set to continue to do so unless decisive action is taken on a national level. Across the globe, oral cancer is now one of the 10 most common neoplasms. About 6,000 new cases of oral cancer are reported annually in the UK, with 1,800 deaths related to the disease each year. The total number of new cases per annum has been steadily rising for the past three decades, to the extent that there are now 35% more new cases a year than 30 years ago. The problem has become so acute that oropharyngeal cancer is the fastest growing cancer in Scotland and is a similar, significant problem in the rest of the UK. To quote the British Dental Association: “No other cancers have shown such a significant increase in their incidence. Furthermore, treatment of many cancers is showing impressive improvement in survival, but oral cancer continues to have high death rates.” 687 Oral Cancer13 JANUARY 2014 Oral Cancer 688

[Sir Paul Beresford] policy that leaves 50% of the population vulnerable to infection. Such vaccination, combined with early detection As I alluded to earlier, a key factor is late diagnosis, and action on smoking and heavy drinking of alcohol, which brings me to my first point. Public awareness could save a huge number of lives just as we face a would be a huge help. Yawning is really dangerous, dramatic increase in oral cancer. I repeat that the next Mr Speaker, from a dentist’s point of view. That lump—that procurement round is in the offing: the moment and the ulcer—in the mouth, particularly if it is painless, needs opportunity is here now. to be seen by a dentist. More dentists should be aware and look at the soft tissue, not just the teeth. 10.20 pm The second and third factors are tobacco and excess The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health alcohol, particularly when the two are combined. I will (Jane Ellison): I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member not dwell on them, because the Minister, the Government for Mole Valley (Sir Paul Beresford) on securing a and previous Governments are well aware of the detrimental debate on this important issue. It is a very current one, health factors relating to both. Dentists have a role to as I responded to a debate in Westminster Hall on HPV play, particularly in persuading their patients to give up only last week. I will return to that point. tobacco smoking. I suspect that the Minister will enlighten I want to restate the Government’s commitment to us a little further on that in due course. making England among the best in Europe in improving The fourth factor, and the one on which I believe all cancer outcomes, including for oral cancers. As part decisive action can be taken, is tackling the human of that, we are committed to reducing the incidence or papillomavirus. It is a very large family of viruses that oral cancers, improving diagnosis rates when it occurs infect the skin and lining of the cervix, vagina, anus, mouth and of course improving outcomes for people diagnosed and throat. There are two groups. One group—HPV 6 with the disease. My hon. Friend mentioned the fact and 11—is relatively low risk, causing laryngeal and that the earlier the oral cancer is caught, the more genital warts, while the other group carries a high risk successful that can be. of causing cancer. They are key in causing 13 different My hon. Friend outlined the scale of the challenge types of cancers, but of these viruses perhaps HPV 16 is and, as he said, the numbers are quite stark. In 2011, the most dangerous. the latest year for which we have information, more The last figures I have quickly managed to find on than 6,000 people in England were diagnosed with an new cases of HPV-related cancers in the UK are from oral cancer, and in the same year, more than 1,600 people 2009, when 7,538 females and 6,484 males were affected. died of the disease. That is, as it were, a milestone in a In 2010, 2,016 males and 2,253 females died in the UK significant and worrying increase in incidence since the as a result of HPV-associated cancers, namely cervical, 1970s. penile, vaginal, vulval, laryngeal and oral. In UK males, My hon. Friend touched on some of the issues, and the greatest proportion of those cancers involved new the explanation for the trend relates to changes in the cases and deaths as a result of oral cancer. In females, prevalence of the major risk factors for oral cancer, oral cancer is a relatively close second to cervical cancer. particularly heavy alcohol consumption and smoking. The number of annual cases of HPV-causing cancers It is estimated that more than three quarters of cancers in men is rising significantly. They are not just oral affecting the upper aerodigestive tract, including oral cancers; they cover other areas as well. Indeed, if recent cancers, are caused by alcohol and tobacco. There are incident trends continue, the annual number of HPV- also such factors as the chewing of betel quid, which is positive oropharyngeal cancers may surpass the annual more common among some south-east Asian populations. number of cervical cancers by 2020. That is a risk factor for oral cancer and may have Obviously, that trend will be affected by the success contributed to the trend. of HPV vaccines, which are advocated in this country Reducing the damage done to the health of the for women but not for men. That is a little odd, because population though smoking and harmful drinking is it appears that fewer men than women produce an absolutely a high priority if we are to make progress on immune response to HPV infection. HPV vaccines protect tackling oral cancers. My hon. Friend will be aware of against HPV infection and disease, including cancers, in some of the health initiatives that we have taken, particularly men as well as women. the tobacco control plan and our alcohol strategy, Australia’s policy of vaccinating both males and females which we continue to pursue with some real energy. is producing herd immunity. The effect on HPV diseases, I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising the issue including cancers, has been quite dramatic. The last of HPV, which, as I have said, was recently a subject of chart I happened to see showed a 90% decline in the interest in Westminster Hall. It is good that it is being number of patients—both men and women—diagnosed debated so thoroughly, including in making the link to with genital warts, caused by HPV,at a Melbourne sexual the different kinds of cancer with which HPV is associated. health centre between 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2011. He will know that there is growing evidence that the HPV plays a role in oral cancer and it is clear that human papillomavirus, which is already linked to the gender-neutral vaccination would lead to a dramatic development of the more than 99% of cases of cervical reduction, over time, in a number of cancers, including cancer in women, is a major risk factor for about a oral cancer. Immunising boys and girls would achieve quarter of head and neck cancer cases. real herd immunity for all such cancers. If we can reduce incidence of HPV in females through The burden of HPV-associated cancers is now almost high uptake of the national vaccination programme, a the same on men as it is on women. Men currently face reduction of other HPV-associated cancers in females a significant and rising risk of HPV-associated diseases. and males is likely to follow, but I will pick up my hon. I therefore put it to the Minister that it is not fair, Friend’s good point about herd immunity. Since 2008, ethical or socially responsible to have a public health more than 6 million doses of vaccine have been given in 689 Oral Cancer13 JANUARY 2014 Oral Cancer 690 the UK, with 87% of the routine cohort of girls completing obviously comprise a much larger cohort. We are not a three-dose course in the 2011-12 academic year. That quite certain yet, but I am fairly sure that we are getting is one of the highest uptakes of any vaccination programme promising signals about the possibility of flexibility in in the developed world. those contract negotiations. I hope that gives my hon. I know that my hon. Friend is keen that HPV vaccination Friend some reassurance that if that is what the Committee should become universal. When the Joint Committee recommends, we would be in a position to respond on Vaccination and Immunisation first developed its without missing an entire procurement cycle, but I will recommendations, it concluded that should vaccine uptake continue to look at that closely. among girls be high, the vaccination of boys was likely I want to take this opportunity to talk not just about to provide little additional benefit in preventing cervical prevention, but to remember the importance of rapid cancer in girls, which was of course the primary purpose diagnosis. My hon. Friend graphically illustrated the of that vaccination programme. That result proved to tragic consequences of late diagnosis or of an early be the case in the UK. diagnosis being ignored. With early-stage diagnosis, The JCVI has, however, recognised that the five-year survival rates are more than 80%, which is protection that accrues from reduced transmission from very good by the standard of these things. Clearly, vaccinated girls under the current programme may not doctors and dentists have a vital role to play. Since 2005, be provided to men who have sex with men. In last the “Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer”, published week’s debate, my hon. Friend the Member for Finchley by NICE, have supported GPs in identifying symptoms and Golders Green (Mike Freer) introduced the idea of oral cancer and urgently referring patients. That that in some places, particularly those where a large guidance is currently being updated. number of people were born abroad or travel abroad, Furthermore, all dentists are now aware that patients such factors are also a threat to the argument about presenting for dental care is an opportunity—quite herd immunity. rightly, as my hon. Friend said—to assess any symptoms In October 2013, the JCVI agreed to set up a sub- that might suggest oral cancer and refer them if appropriate. committee on HPV vaccination to assess, among other A new patient pathway being piloted in 94 practices—he issues, extending the programme, as a priority, to men might be aware of this—includes an oral health assessment who have sex with men, to adolescent boys or to both. requiring dentists to examine the soft tissue of the The HPV sub-committee is scheduled to meet for the mouth; assess a patient’s risk factor in relation to oral first time on 20 January, when it will assess currently cancer; and offer advice on lifestyle changes. Given available scientific evidence and consider what further what we have said about the relevance of lifestyle to the evidence is required to advise the Committee on the potential for developing oral cancer, that is very important. suitability of possible changes to the HPV programme. Those pilots are under way, and a great deal is being Any proposals for the vaccination of additional groups learned from them. will require supporting evidence to show that it would Once a cancer has been diagnosed, both dentists and be a cost-effective use of NHS resources, as my hon. GPs can use an urgent referral pathway to ensure patients Friend would expect. Public Health England has begun get rapid treatment. The latest data showed that 95.5% preliminary modelling to assess the impact and cost- of patients urgently referred with suspected head and effectiveness of vaccinating men who have sex with men neck cancer, including oral cancer, were seen by a in anticipation of further guidance when the HPV specialist within two weeks, which is excellent progress. sub-committee meets. It plans then to undertake further To ensure that patients get appropriate treatment, NHS work to assess the impact and cost-effectiveness of England published a service specification for head and vaccinating adolescent boys against HPV infection. neck cancer last summer. This was based on NICE These are complex issues, and the development of the guidance and set out what NHS England expects to be evidence base, including mathematical models, by Public in place for providers to offer evidence-based, safe and Health England, as well as the Committee’s deliberations, effective services. will take time. That process is important for ensuring The Government have committed £23 million to the that decisions are made using the best quality evidence, radiotherapy innovation fund, which has supported so we cannot hurry it. I explored with officials the radiotherapy centres across England to deliver increased possibility of taking those decisions more rapidly, but levels of intensity modulated radiotherapy. That is a that relates to the quality of the evidence being assessed more accurate form of radiotherapy that reduces the and the necessity of building the right models. That risk of patients with oral cancers suffering side effects brings with it the concerns that my hon. Friend and such as permanent dryness of the mouth as a result of other hon. Members have raised about fitting in with treatment. the timetable for vaccine procurement, and on that I There is good news on research that I would like to can give a little reassurance. Should the JCVI recommend relay to my hon. Friend. The clinical research network the targeted vaccination of men who have sex with men, of the National Institute for Health Research is currently flexibility in the contracted volumes within the current recruiting patients to 30 studies into head and neck vaccine contract may allow such a programme to be cancer, of which five are focused on HPV-associated undertaken without the need for a new round of vaccine cancer. The NIHR also funds 14 experimental cancer procurement, if additional vaccine is available from the medicine centres across England jointly with Cancer manufacturer in the required quantities. Research UK. Two of the centres have a disease focus I also undertook last week to explore with officials on oral cancer. the flexibility in our contract and the potential for I thank my hon. Friend for raising this subject. It is extending it to give us time to negotiate different good that it is being brought up regularly in the House. procurement arrangements in the event that the JCVI That will illustrate to the JCVI how much interest makes that recommendation for adolescent boys, who Parliament is taking in its work as it deliberates on the 691 Oral Cancer13 JANUARY 2014 Oral Cancer 692

[Jane Ellison] Question put and agreed to. potential extension of the HPV programme. I hope that he has found the debate helpful and is reassured about our commitment to reducing the incidence of oral 10.31 pm cancer and improving the outcomes for those who are diagnosed with the disease. House adjourned. 21WS Written Statements13 JANUARY 2014 Written Statements 22WS

maintain a higher throughput of materials into their Written Statements system. The US approached the UK to support this primary activity from our domestic industry as they Monday 13 January 2014 would not have been able to procure the device themselves within the time frames set by the UN/OPCW mission. The Treasury has approved the proposal in principle. If, during the period of 14 parliamentary sitting days DEFENCE beginning on the date on which this minute was laid before the House of Commons, a Member signifies an objection by giving notice of a parliamentary question or Departmental Minute (Gift of Equipment) a motion relating to the minute, or by otherwise raising the matter in the House, final approval of the gift will be withheld pending an examination of the objection. The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond): It is the normal practice when a Government Department propose to make a gift of a value exceeding £300,000, for the Department concerned to present to the House HOME DEPARTMENT of Commons a minute giving particulars of the gift and explaining the circumstances; and to refrain from making Drug Policy the gift until 14 parliamentary sitting days after the issue of the minute, except in cases of special urgency. Subject to no objections being received, I intend to The Minister for Crime Prevention (Norman Baker): authorise a gift of equipment as part of the United The coalition Government has decided to opt out of the Kingdom’s contribution to the international effort following European Commission’s proposals for a regulation and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2118, which a directive on new psychoactive substances. requires Syria to complete elimination of all chemical The proposals would, as drafted, fetter the UK’s weapons material in the first half of 2014. I have today, discretion to control different new psychoactive substances, in accordance with the usual parliamentary procedures, binding the UK to an EU system which would take laid a departmental minute on the gift. insufficient account of our national circumstances. In In support of the resolution, the United States has addition, the Government agrees with the House of made a formal request for the United Kingdom to assist Commons’ and House of Lords’ reasoned opinions that in the elimination of Syria’s chemical warfare stockpiles the proposals infringe the key EU principle of subsidiarity. through provision of specialist equipment. The “gifting” We also strongly dispute the evidence base stated in in this case is therefore to the United States Government, the EU Commission’s impact assessment which estimates who are taking the leading role in the international that 20% of new psychoactive substances have a legitimate effort to support the UN and the Organisation for the use. While the proposed new psychoactive substances Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and making directive cites a title V legal base, the proposed new a substantial financial investment to this end. The US psychoactive substances regulation does not, as drafted, will use a field deployable hydrolysis system to render recognise the right of the UK to opt out. We will remain the chemical warfare agents unusable as weapons; the a full and active participant in the European Union proposed UK equipment package will allow stored negotiations to shape the proposal and defend our chemicals to be processed at a higher rate. national interests. The UK contribution comprises a training package New psychoactive substances pose a significant global and specialist equipment to support the neutralisation challenge and the decision to opt out should not in any of chemical warfare agents, as well as sufficient spare way be considered to diminish our commitment to parts and consumable items. The total cost of the tackle this issue. As I informed Parliament on 12 December, proposed UK contribution will depend on the level of the coalition Government is conducting a review into consumables required but will be in the region of new psychoactive substances, and alongside our programme £2.5 million, which can be met within existing cross- of work, we are looking at a range of options including Whitehall funds. This capability will be pivotal in providing legislative ones to enable us to deal with the dangers the international community with the capacity to support many of these substances present even more speedily the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and effectively. The international comparators study in its mission to destroy the Syrian chemical warfare begun by my predecessor has been useful in identifying agents within UN dictated time scales. The UN schedule different approaches adopted around the world and for destruction is necessarily ambitious and the UK those approaches are being examined as part of this system will enable the US field hydrolysis teams to work.

13P Petitions13 JANUARY 2014 Petitions 14P

must be assumed to have capacity unless it is established Petitions that he lacks it. The philosophy of the Act is to maximise the scope for people to make their own decisions and Monday 13 January 2014 for an individual to be treated as unable to do so only if all practicable steps for assisting him or her to make the decision have been exhausted. The courts had already OBSERVATIONS adopted the presumption that all adults are competent to manage their property and affairs, and accordingly that it is for the person alleging incapacity to displace JUSTICE that presumption and to prove incapacity, not for an The Appeals Process for the Removal of Capacity in adult to prove his own capacity (the leading case prior Legal Proceedings to the 2005 Act being Masterman Lister v. Brutton [2002] The Petition of Sarah Matthews, a mother living EWHC 417). in England, The assessment of litigation capacity is a matter for Declares that the Petitioner’s barrister, Francesca the court to decide in the individual case—it is categorically Wiley, of 1 Garden Court Chambers without having not a decision for other parties nor for the affected met or being formally appointed by the Petitioner and party’s lawyers. Given the presumption of capacity, the merely on reading documents created by the London courts must consider the matter with great care, and in Borough of Sutton applied to the court to have her particular must do so on the basis of evidence, including mental capacity to instruct a solicitor removed because medical evidence. The affected party must be notified of the barrister believed she was subject to querulous any proposal to question their capacity, and is entitled paranoia. Additionally, her solicitors Russell & Co informed to present (or instruct lawyers to present) their case on her prior to her meeting her barrister that they had the point to the court, calling such evidence (including jointly decided that she did not have capacity.Furthermore medical evidence) as is appropriate. They are of course the solicitors refused to be instructed at this point. also entitled to challenge the evidence presented against The Petitioner then contacted the hon. Member for their position in the usual way, and a decision by the Birmingham, Yardley who put her in touch with Sam court that they lack capacity would be capable of appeal, Smith, who is a McKenzie Friend specialising in capacity where appropriate, on the usual principles and procedure. issues. Sam Smith assisted her in successfully retaining As with any other issue in proceedings, the affected her capacity to instruct a solicitor. This, however, involved party can simply concede that he or she lacks capacity, paying an experts fee of £1,650 for a full assessment, but that would be a decision only the affected party is followed by a further £1,500 for the expert to attend entitled to make. court and provide the written report. The court ordered that the Petitioner should pay the cost of this experts Litigation capacity is a fundamental concern and the report if legal aid refused to pay it, which legal aid duly courts have been very clear as to the importance they refused to do. place on the right of an individual to conduct litigation The Petitioner recognises that there is no legal support in their own right. In particular, capacity is considered for those people who wish to argue against a removal of in an “issue specific” way, so that it is accepted that a capacity and believes that there is a conflict of interest person may not have capacity to conduct one kind of when legal advisers can apply to remove the capacity of litigation, but this does not prevent them being found to their own client whilst retaining the matter when a have capacity regarding the conduct of another sort of litigation friend is appointed. case subsequently—the issue will be looked at in the context of the specific case. The Petitioner believes that it is difficult for someone to believe the inequality of arms when a litigant’s own Where a party lacks capacity, this has very important legal advisers start acting against a litigant until they consequences requiring not only the appointment of a have experienced this. litigation friend for the protection of their own interests, Furthermore the Petitioner is being refused access to but to protect other parties too. First, if a party does in her files by the London Borough of Sutton. Records fact lack capacity, it is important that they are able to appear to have been altered with the intention of preventing continue asserting their rights through the courts (or disclosure under s77 of the Freedom of Information indeed defending their position) and do not lose that Act and without these she is unable to correct inaccurate opportunity through the lack of capacity. Therefore, information held. the appointment of a litigation friend, as a consequence The Petitioner therefore requests that the House of of a finding by the court of a lack of capacity ensures Commons Justice Committee investigates the procedures that the affected party’s case can be properly litigated that are used to remove capacity in the English and despite the lack of capacity. It should be noted that a Welsh courts and calls for the provision of independent person may not be appointed as a litigation friend by legal assistance for those people who wish to resist the court order unless they satisfy the court that (a) they removal of their capacity. can fairly and properly conduct the proceedings on the And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by John part of the affected party, and (b) they have no adverse Hemming, Official Report, 27 November 2013; Vol. 571, interest to the affected party. c. 5P.] Secondly, if it subsequently transpires that one of the [P001302] parties to litigation did not have capacity to conduct it, Observations from the Secretary of State for Justice: that party will not be bound by the outcome. That would An individual’s capacity to litigate is assessed under be highly prejudicial to other parties, who will have gone the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. In to the expense and trouble of the litigation only to find particular, that Act states a presumption that a person that the result was not binding (whether the case settled 15P Petitions13 JANUARY 2014 Petitions 16P or had to be determined by a court). For this reason it is team. However, the conduct of lawyers is regulated by important for the proper administration of justice that their respective professional regulatory bodies. Their issues of capacity can be raised before the court and rules of professional conduct strictly regulate the duties determined at the earliest possible stage. lawyers have to their clients, and when they are property For these reasons, it is perfectly proper for the affected allowed to decline instructions, or must consider themselves party’s own legal team to raise any concerns they have to have a conflict of interest such as to be unable to as to that party’s capacity with the court (and indeed, property represent the client. A failure to abide by having the most knowledge of that party they are likely professional rules in these matters renders the lawyer to be best placed to do so). Other parties may also raise liable to disciplinary action by the relevant regulatory the issue, or the court may deal with it on its own body, which can have very serious consequences for the initiative. Raising the issue is of course a very different lawyers concerned. matter from having any power to determine it, this In the light of the existing safeguards as described being for the court alone. above and including the professional duties and discipline The Government cannot of course comment on the to which lawyers are subject, the Government are of the individual circumstances of the Petitioner’s case and view that there is sufficient legal assistance in these the questions raised about the conduct of her legal cases, but will keep the position under review. 333W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 334W

Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the Written Answers to responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. Questions Letter from Glen Watson, dated January 2014:

As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I Monday 13 January 2014 have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the (a) top 20 causes of paediatric deaths in children under five years, of age in England and (b) top five causes of death from infectious diseases in children under five years of age in England were in CABINET OFFICE each of the last three years. [182127] Table 1 provides the number of deaths for the top 20 causes of Charitable Donations death among children under five years of age (excluding neonatal deaths, which are deaths under 28 days), for deaths registered in England from 2010 to 2012 (the latest year available). A copy of Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Minister for the Table 1 has been placed in the House of Commons Library. Cabinet Office what steps his Department is taking to increase legacy giving. [182014] Table 2 provides the number of deaths for the top five causes of death from infectious diseases among children under five years of Mr Hurd: Legacy giving is worth 4.5% of the voluntary age (excluding neonatal deaths), for deaths registered in England sector’s total annual income. To support this we introduced from 2010 to 2012 (the latest year available). an inheritance tax reduction which will grow over the Individual causes of death are coded by ONS using the next few years, and by 2016-17 we expect to spend over International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). £100 million on this measure. Estates leaving 10% or The causes of death shown in the table are groups of codes more to charity will receive a 10% cut in the inheritance designed for the tabulation of deaths according to ‘main’ causes. tax they owe. The number of deaths registered in England and Wales each In August 2013, along with Remember a Charity, I year by sex, age and cause are published annually on the National wrote to all solicitors in England, Wales and Scotland Statistics website at: to highlight the research published by the Behavioural Insights Team which showed that simply asking people www.ons.gov.uk/ons/publications/all-releases.html?definition- if they would like to leave money to charity in their will tcm%3A77-27475 doubled the proportion of people leaving legacy gifts. Table 2: Number of deaths of children under five years of age for the top five causes of death from infectious diseases, deaths registered in each year from 2010 to 2012 in England1,2,3,4,5,6 Charities: Taxation Year Rank Cause Deaths

Mr Spellar: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet 2012 1 Influenza and pneumonia 44 Office what recent discussions he has had with the Charity Commission about action to prevent tax fraud 2 Meningitis 27 by charities. [181483] 3 Acute respiratory diseases other than 20 influenza and pneumonia Mr Hurd: Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is responsible for tax matters. Where tax fraud involving 4 Certain conditions originating in the 18 charities is suspected, the Charity Commission works perinatal period (infections) closely with HMRC under the terms of their memorandum 5 Septicaemia 15 of understanding.

Cybercrime

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet 2011 1 Influenza and pneumonia 59 Office what measures he is considering for raising 2 Meningitis 30 public awareness of cyber security. [182216] 3 Acute respiratory diseases other than 23 Mr Maude: Raising awareness is a key pillar of this influenza and pneumonia Government’s transformative National Cyber Security 3 Septicaemia 23 Programme. 5 Certain conditions originating in the 21 Death: Children perinatal period (infections)

Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office with reference to the Chief Medical 2010 1 Influenza and pneumonia 44 Officer’s report Prevention pays—our children deserve 2 Meningitis 27 better, what the (a) top 20 causes of paediatric deaths in children under five years of age in England, (b) the 3 Acute respiratory diseases other than 20 top five causes of death from infectious diseases in influenza and pneumonia children under five years of age in England were in each 4 Certain conditions originating in the 18 of the last three years. [182127] perinatal period (infections) 335W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 336W

Table 2: Number of deaths of children under five years of age for the top five includes a strong set of principles for departments, noting causes of death from infectious diseases, deaths registered in each year from 2010 to 2012 in England1,2,3,4,5,6 that for core services, departments should use prefixes Year Rank Cause Deaths offering a geographic rate call as a default policy position. More generally, our digital-by-default policy aims to 5 Septicaemia 15 provide online public services which are so good that 1 Figures are based on deaths registered, rather than deaths occurring in 2010, people do not need to use other channels. Further 2011 and 2012. Further information on registration delays for a range of causes can be found on the ONS website: details are available on gov.uk/transformation. www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/user-guidance/health-and-life-events/ impact-of-registration-delays-on-mortality-statistics/index.html 2 Cause of death is defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth revision (ICD-10). More details about how leading causes of death are Internet grouped can be found in an article by Griffiths et al (2005) available here: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/ article.asp?ID=1301&Pos=2&ColRank=1&Rank=224 Chi Onwurah: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet 3 Figures exclude neonatal deaths (deaths under 28 days). Office pursuant to the answer of 17 December 2013, 4 Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (infections) refers to ICD-10 codes P35 to P39 ‘Infections specific to the perinatal period’. Further Official Report, column 587W,on electronic government, information can be found on the WHO website: when he plans to update the digital landscape research. http://apps.who.int/classifications/icd10/browse/2010/en#/P35-P39 [181439] 5 Based on boundaries as of August 2013. 6 Figures exclude deaths of non-residents. Electronic Government Mr Hurd: The research was published in November 2012—we do not think it is a good use of resources to update the document at this stage. Paul Flynn: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what consultations his Department conducted with other Government Departments and agencies when developing Migration: EU Nationals the template for the pan-government web platform gov.uk; what pilot studies were conducted on the user-friendliness of that platform; what reports were prepared on the Mike Thornton: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet feedback from such pilots; what the cost was of developing Office how his Department calculates the number of the platform; and what feedback has been received from EU migrants that (a) enter and (b) leave the UK users since the platform went live. [181777] annually. [181674]

Mr Hurd: Gov.uk was developed in an open, iterative, Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the agile way, placing user needs at the core of design responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have process. The prototype was shared with stakeholders asked the authority to reply. and internal users initially as an alpha then beta version, Letter from Glen Watson, dated January 2014: providing the opportunity for ongoing comment and As Director General for the Office for National Statistics improvement. (ONS), I have been asked to respond to your Parliamentary Information is continuously gathered from research, Question to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, analytics, and user feedback and is used to inform how her Department calculates the number of EU migrants that development priorities. Analytical data are publicly available (a) enter and (b) leave the UK annually. [181674] on gov.uk’s performance platform: ONS is responsible for publishing official estimates of immigration www.gov.uk/performance and emigration. The methodology uses data from the International Passenger Survey (IPS) to estimate Long-Term International The total cost of gov.uk from April 2011 to the end of Migration (LTIM), with adjustments made for asylum seekers, March 2013 was £16.2 million. This includes the cost of people whose intentions change with regards to their length of the alpha and beta build in 2011-12 of £4.6 million; and stay, and migration to and from Northern Ireland. LTIM estimates the cost of building and running gov.uk in 2012-13 of adhere to the UN definition of a long-term international migrant, £11.6 million. which states that a long-term migrant is a person who changes his or her country of usual residence for a period of at least a year. The establishment of gov.uk has provided a substantial saving compared to the predecessor websites Business The detailed method used for calculating long-term migration to and from the UK can be found within the LTIM Methodology Link and Directgov. document published on the ONS website: Government Departments: Telephone Services http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/method-quality/ specific/population-and-migration/international-migration- methodology/long-term-international-migration-estimates- Mr Frank Field: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet methodology.pdf Office what estimate he has made of the number of The IPS is a continuous voluntary sample survey conducted by calls made on (a) higher rate and (b) 0845 telephone the Office for National Statistics. It covers the principal air, sea numbers to each central government department in and Channel Tunnel routes between the UK and countries outside each year since 2007. [182258] the British Isles. In total, between 700,000 and 800,000 IPS interviews are conducted each year for migration purposes. Of Mr Hurd: Each Department is responsible for its these, between 4,000 and 5,000 interviewees are identified as choice of contact numbers and the Cabinet Office does long-term international migrants. Citizenship is recorded according not hold the information requested. to the nationality of the passport held by the interviewee. For further information regarding the quality of the IPS in relation to In December, Government published guidance for migration, please see the following document on the ONS website: departments on prefix number selection. The guidance http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/guide-method/method-quality/ states that it is inappropriate for callers to pay substantial specific/population-and-migration/international-migration- charges for accessing core public services, particularly methodology/international-passenger-survey-quality- for vulnerable and low income groups. The guidance information-in-relation-to-migration-flows.pdf 337W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 338W

Unemployment: Halton Energy: Disconnections

Derek Twigg: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Office what proportion of 16 to 24 year olds in Halton Energy and Climate Change how many domestic constituency had two or more periods of unemployment disconnections for non-payment there were in (a) in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14 to date. 2013, (b) 2012, (c) 2011 and (d) 2010. [182287] [182254] Michael Fallon: Ofgem monitors and publishes Mr Hurd: The information requested falls within the information about disconnections of domestic electricity responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have supplies in its Domestic Suppliers’ Obligations Annual asked the authority to reply. Reports: Letter from Glen Watson, dated January 2014: http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/SocAction/Monitoring/ As Director General for the Office for National Statistics SoObMonitor/Pages/SocObMonitor.aspx (ONS), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question The following table shows the number of domestic asking what proportion of 16 to 24 year olds in Halton constituency gas and electricity supplies that were disconnected due had two or more periods of unemployment in (a) 2011-12, (b) to debt in 2010, 2011 and 2012. The data for 2012 were 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14 to date. (182254) published in the Domestic Suppliers’ Obligations Annual The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles unemployment statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey Reports 2012 on 13 November 2013, so data for 2013 (APS) following International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions. are not available. The requested information is not available from this source because the survey is not designed to identify repeated occurrences of Gas Electricity unemployment. 2010 813 1,988 National and local area estimates for many labour market statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant 2011 331 921 count are available on the NOMIS website at: 2012 104 453 http://www.nomisweb.co.uk

Energy: Housing ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State Electricity: ICT for Energy and Climate Change how many (a) households and (b) individuals use off-grid energy in Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy their homes in each constituency. [182396] and Climate Change what assessment his Department has made of the effect of data centres on electricity Gregory Barker: DECC publish estimates of the number demand; and what discussions he has had with the of households without a gas connection by local authority. industry on ways in which demand could be reduced These are available on the Government website at: without affecting performance. [181489] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sub-national- estimates-of-households-not-connected-to-the-gas-network Michael Fallon: The Department has made no such assessment. The Government do, however, recognise These data are not available for number of individuals. that data centres are large energy users and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his autumn statement 2013 that we will introduce a Energy: Prices climate change agreement for data centres. My officials, together with HM Treasury colleagues, are currently Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy discussing with sector representatives how to enable and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the those parts of the sector that have demonstrated they number of households that will see their gas and meet the qualifying energy intensity criteria to receive a electricity bills increase as a result of the limitation of climate change agreement. This will be subject to the the number of tariffs which gas and electricity suppliers necessary changes to legislation and negotiation with can offer. [181422] the sector of an agreed energy efficiency target which will be included in the final agreement. Michael Fallon: Limiting the number of tariffs gas Energy and electricity suppliers can offer domestic customers is part of a package of measures Ofgem is introducing to make the energy market simpler, clearer and fairer for Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for consumers. Energy and Climate Change how many meetings he had with the big six energy companies in October 2013. The aim of the package is to ensure that consumers [182253] are not paying more than they need to and that they are presented with clearer choices and better information to Michael Fallon: Details of meetings between Ministers help them shop around more easily for the best deals and external organisations are published quarterly on and increase competitive pressure on suppliers. Bills the departmental website at: may continue to rise for other reasons, principally the https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of- rising cost of fossil fuels, but we expect them to be lower energy-climate-change/series/ministers-meeting-with-external- as a result of these measures than they would have been organisations otherwise. 339W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 340W

Green Deal Scheme Michael Fallon: The UK’s inventory of radioactive waste and materials consists of a number of categories Catherine McKinnell: To ask the Secretary of State including: wastes (ie those materials defined as having for Energy and Climate Change how many households no further use), spent fuels and other nuclear materials have had energy efficiency measures fitted through the such as plutonium and uranium. Not all of these materials have potential for re-use. Green Deal scheme since its launch. [182460] The Government’s preferred route for the management Gregory Barker: The Department regularly publishes of the plutonium stocks is re-use as mixed oxide fuel Official Statistics on the number of energy efficiency (MOX) in conventional nuclear reactors. The facilities measures installed through the Green Deal and the for the manufacture of MOX fuels would need to be Energy Company Obligation, the latest of which was assessed and approved by the UK’s nuclear regulators published on 19 December: prior to construction and operation. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/green-deal-and- As part of its assessment of credible alternatives to energy-company-obligation-eco-monthly-statistics-december- reuse as MOX, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority 2013--2 is also examining the use of fast reactor technology and By the end of October 2013, a provisional 388,128 an alternative form of MOX. Should these alternatives measures had been installed in around 336,000 properties, be pursued in the future, the requisite facilities would through the Energy Company Obligation, Cashback need to undergo regulatory assessment prior to construction and Green Deal finance, of which 98% were delivered and operation. through the Energy Company Obligation. A fuller Fast reactors, if commercially deployed, may also breakdown on measures installed is in the published provide usage routes for some elements of the spent statistics. fuels stored, subject to appropriate regulatory assessment. The UK waste inventory includes some materials Hinkley Point C Power Station which physically cannot be utilised, such as vitrified high level waste and concrete emplaced intermediate level wastes. The Committee on Radioactive Waste Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Management spent three years undertaking an examination and Climate Change pursuant to the answer of 31 of practical routes for the disposition or use of higher October 2013, Official Report, column 576W,on Hinkley level radioactive wastes. Their report (CoRWM doc. Point Power Station, what the evidential basis was for 700) concludes that geological disposal preceded by the conclusion that there would be no significant effect safe and secure interim storage is the best available on Ireland of the new nuclear plant at Hinkley Point. option. [182401] The report can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ Michael Fallon: The Secretary of State for Energy attachment_data/file/236694/_CoRWM_3100_ and Climate Change granted development consent for a Work_Programme_2013-16.pdf new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C in March 2013. Solar Power The decision to grant development consent referred to the advice of the Planning Inspectorate that there should be no significant transboundary impacts from Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Hinkley Point C. It also referred to the European and Climate Change what the average length of time Commission’s opinion under Article 37 of the Euratom from the original application for large-scale solar Treaty that the disposal of radioactive waste from interim projects to those projects coming online was in each storage facilities at Hinkley Point C was not liable to year since 2009. [181522] result in radioactive contamination of another member state that would be significant from the point of view of Gregory Barker: The Renewable Energy Planning health. The Secretary of State also took into account Database (REPD) tracks the progress of all projects the conclusion of the National Policy Statement for 0.01MW and over from submission of a planning Nuclear Power Generation, published in July 2011, that application through to determination and generation: significant transboundary effects arising from the https://restats.decc.gov.uk/app/reporting/decc/monthlyextract construction of new nuclear power stations were not As at the end of November 2013, the REPD shows: likely, due to the robustness of the regulatory regime. Average time taken (days) from application submitted to generation The Secretary of State’s decision to grant development 2009 2010 2011 2012 20131 consent is available at: Solar 387 594 195 308 400 http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/ 1 South%20West/Hinkley-Point-C-New-Nuclear-Power- January to November. Station/ Note: Excludes projects with incomplete data

Radioactive Waste Warm Home Discount Scheme

Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment he has and Climate Change when his Department plans to made of the licensing of nuclear facilities to utilise the consult on changes to the Warm Home Discount for UK’s existing nuclear waste stockpile. [181500] 2015-16 onwards. [181386] 341W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 342W

Gregory Barker: We plan to consult on changes to the (3) how much large-scale solar capacity has had Warm Home Discount for 2015-16 in spring this year. planning approval (a) accepted and (b) rejected in each year since 2009; [181519] Wind and Solar Power: Planning Permission (4) how many planning applications for large-scale solar projects have been (a) approved and (b) rejected in each year since 2009. [181520]1 Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (1) how much (a) onshore and Gregory Barker: The Renewable Energy Planning (b) offshore wind capacity (i) received planning approval Database (REPD) tracks the progress of all projects and (ii) was rejected in each year since 2009; [181517] over 0.01MW from submission of a planning application (2) how many planning applications for (a) onshore through to determination and generation: and (b) offshore wind farms were (i) approved and (ii) https://restats.decc.gov.uk/app/reporting/decc/monthlyextract rejected in each year since 2009; [181518] As at the end of November 2013, the REPD shows:

2009 2010 2011 Number of Number of Number of applications Capacity (MW) applications Capacity (MW) applications Capacity (MW)

Onshore Wind Approved 84 1182 83 996 102 1044 Refused 32 409 37 681 51 591 Offshore Wind Approved00003466 Refused 0 0 0 0 0 0 Solar Approved 4 0.19 9 10 95 440 Refused0000732

2012 20131 Number of applications Capacity (MW) Number of applications Capacity (MW)

Onshore Wind Approved 157 2140 141 1346 Refused 88 856 134 1262 Offshore Wind Approved 2 942 6 1819 Refused 1 540 0 0 Solar Approved 98 606 141 1241 Refused 10 52 31 282 1 January to November.

Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Average time taken (days) from application submitted to planning approval and Climate Change (1) what the average length of 2009 2010 2011 2012 20131 time between the original application for (a) onshore Offshore — — 729 1190 439 wind farms and (b) offshore wind farms to the receipt wind of planning permission was in (i) 2009, (ii) 2010, (iii) Solar 77 89 74 82 114 2011, (iv) 2012 and (v) 2013; [182054] 1 January to November. Note: (2) what the average length of time between the Excludes demonstration projects and incomplete data original application for large-scale solar power development and the receipt of planning permission was in (a) 2009, Wind Power (b) 2010, (c) 2011, (d) 2012 and (e) 2013. [182055] Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the average time was from Gregory Barker: The Renewable Energy Planning the original application for (a) onshore and (b) Database (REPD) tracks the progress of all projects offshore wind farms to those wind farms coming online 0.01MW and over from submission of a planning in 2013. [181521] application through to determination and generation: https://restats.decc.gov.uk/app/reporting/decc/monthlyextract Gregory Barker: At the end of November 2013, the average length of time from submission of a planning As at the end of November 2013, the REPD shows: application to full generation in 2013 was 214 weeks for Average time taken (days) from application submitted to planning approval onshore wind and 316 weeks for offshore wind. 2009 2010 2011 2012 20131 Source: The Renewable Energy Planning Database (REPD) Onshore 173 223 259 289 288 wind https://restats.decc.gov.uk/app/reporting/decc/monthlyextract 1.[Official Report, 26 February 2014, Vol. 576, c. 6-8MC.] 343W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 344W

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Order 2010 made during the previous Government in Energy and Climate Change how much has been paid which the right hon. Lady served, transferred responsibility out in constraint payments to generators of electricity for them to the Department of Justice in Northern from wind farms in each of the last three years. [182345] Ireland when policing and justice was devolved on 12 April 2010. Michael Fallon: Constraint payments relating to England, Scotland and Wales are made by National Grid through competitive market arrangements in order to help ensure HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION the secure operation of the electricity system. Details of most individual constraint payments to wind farms are Personnel Management published at www.elexon.co.uk Chris Ruane: To ask the hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the House of and Commons Commission, what the cost was of human www.bmreports.com resources support per employee in the House of and aggregated data on payments to wind farms are Commons Service in the latest period for which figures published in its “Monthly Balancing Services Summary”, are available. [182312] which is available at http://www2.nationalgrid.com/WorkArea/ John Thurso: The cost of human resources staff in DownloadAsset.aspx?id=28139 the House of Commons per member of staff was Energy policy in Northern Ireland is devolved to the reported in a recent external report as £4,343. Northern Ireland Executive. Constraint payments are a The report noted that this cost was higher than some commercial matter between the Single Electricity Market external benchmarks. However, the human resources Operator (SEMO) and the generator. service at the House of Commons includes a higher level of support for line managers than provided in Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for many other organisations. The definition of human Energy and Climate Change what proportion of UK resources support also includes learning and development electricity has been generated from wind energy in each and a team responsible for processing payroll changes. of the last five years. [182346]

Gregory Barker: The following table shows the proportion ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS of UK electricity generated from wind energy in 2008 to 2012. Provisional data for 2013 will be available on Agriculture: Sustainable Development 27 March 2014. Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Proportion of UK electricity Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the objectives generation from wind of the inquiry into the sustainability of UK farming (percentage) and food sectors are; and how they will apply to Northern Ireland. [181637] 2008 1.8 2009 2.5 George Eustice: The Government have not announced 2010 2.7 an inquiry into the sustainability of the UK farming 2011 4.2 and food sectors. The EFRA Select Committee announced 2012 5.4 their inquiry into food security on 28 October 2013, Source: with a call for written evidence from interested parties. Tables ET 6.1 (wind generation) and ET 5.1 (total electricity generation) Further information can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renewables-section-6- energy-trends http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electricity-section-5- z/commons-select/environment-food-and-rural-affairs- energy-trends committee/news/food-security/ DEFRA submitted written evidence to the Committee in December, which included contributions from a number of other Government Departments. NORTHERN IRELAND Agriculture: Weather Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Prescribed Criteria and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulation Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assistance Yvette Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for his Department makes available to farmers for dealing Northern Ireland how many (a) recorded offences and with the effects of bad winter weather; [182241] (b) convictions have occurred for offences under the (2) what discussions he has had with the responsible Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Prescribed Ministers in the Welsh Government, Scottish Government Criteria and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations and Northern Ireland Executive on steps to address the (Northern Ireland) 2009 (S.R., 2009, No. 39), as amended, effects of winter weather on farming. [182242] in each of the last five years. [182256] George Eustice: DEFRA has convened a Farming Mrs Villiers: These matters are no longer the Resilience Group comprising leaders from industry, the Government’s responsibility; the Northern Ireland Act Met Office, banks and charities to support farmers in 1998 (Devolution of Policing and Justice Functions) becoming more resilient to severe weather. Since May 345W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 346W

2013, the group has agreed a 10 point plan of action. £ million This includes working with the Met Office to develop Financial year Coastal schemes Fluvial schemes tailored weather warnings for farmers, and considering options for an industry-led mutual fund which farmers 2009-10 88.5 139.0 could call on in an emergency. Work is continuing to 2010-11 83.2 159.1 deliver the plan. Advice on safeguarding animal welfare 2011-12 56.7 101.1 in severe weather is available on the DEFRA website. 2012-13 62.2 95.6 While farming is a devolved matter, these issues are 2013-14 72.8 145.4 regularly discussed at official level. For example, DEFRA has recently worked with the Welsh Government and Flood Control: Hartlepool the Cabinet Office to publish information specifically for farmers as part of the Met Office’s “Get Ready for Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Winter”website. This provides a range of advice, guidance Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much and sources of further help in dealing with the impacts funding his Department spent on flood defences in of winter weather. Hartlepool constituency in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09, (c) 2009-10, (d) 2010-11, (e) 2011-12 and (f) 2012-13; Air Pollution and how much funding his Department has allocated for flood defences in Hartlepool constituency in (i) Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for 2013-14, (ii) 2014-15 and (iii) 2015-16. [181538] Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on how many occasions his Department has advised people to stay Dan Rogerson: I can report the following previous indoors because of poor air quality in each year for Flood and Coastal Risk Management Grant in Aid which data are available. [178487] (FCRM GiA) spend for capital works in the Hartlepool constituency. Dan Rogerson: The Government publish regular forecasts and information about air quality on the UK-Air website £ million at: 2007-08 0.1 http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/forecasting/ 2008-09 1.8 This includes health advice on what to do during high 2009-10 0.6 pollution episodes. However, it is not our policy to 2010-11 1.1 advise people to stay indoors. Historical data on this are 2011-12 1.7 not maintained. For localised incidents such as fires, 2012-13 5.7 explosions or chemical leaks, Public Health England (PHE) maintains records where advice has been given FCRM GiA allocation for 2013-14 is £3.6 million. for affected communities to stay indoors. As it would Allocations for 2014-15 onwards have not yet been take several days for PHE to collate this data, they have made. Allocations for 2014-15 will be confirmed by the not been included in this response. Environment Agency Board in February 2014. High Speed 2 Railway Line Beaches: Dungeness Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what places in for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will give the High Speed 2 safeguarded area or within half a mile consideration to requesting an urgent review of the of that safeguarded area (a) have been flooded in the proposal for shingle recycling at Dungeness, Kent. past two months and (b) are considered to be at risk [178358] from flooding. [182155] Dan Rogerson: Kent county council is best placed to Dan Rogerson: From information currently available make a judgment about the merits of restarting shingle it does not appear that the safeguarded area for HS2 recycling activity at Dungeness, as it is the local planning has been significantly flooded during the last two months. authority. Kent county council is expected to consider However, there could be some flooding arising from this matter in January 2014. local sources that has not yet been recorded. This DEFRA cannot provide advice on specific planning information will be captured and collated once the cases as they may come before Ministers on appeal. current emergency response has concluded. The safeguarded area for phase one of HS2 crosses Flood Control just over 100 watercourses, each of which will have a degree of flood risk associated with them. The scale of John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for that risk will depend on the precise alignment of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total route. At present this has not been fully assessed, nor capital sum spent by the Environment Agency on (a) has an assessment been made for the phase two routes. coastal and (b) river flood defences was in each of the last five years. [182465] Internet

Dan Rogerson: The Government capital budget allocated Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for by the Environment Agency to flood and coastal risk Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether access management schemes in each year since 2009-10 was: to any websites or domains is blocked from computers 347W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 348W in his Department; and if he will publish a list of all Public Footpaths such websites and domains to which access is prohibited. [178503] Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment Dan Rogerson: Access to websites and domains which his Department has made of (a) the accessibility of may contain malicious content or to which staff are not registered footpaths and (b) their state of maintenance. permitted access under the DEFRA Acceptable Use [181491] policy are blocked from the computers in core DEFRA. Websites are blocked that contain material that is Dan Rogerson: DEFRA has not made an assessment illegal or could reasonably be regarded as offensive, of the accessibility or state of maintenance of registered obscene or otherwise inappropriate. For example, footpaths. Local highway authorities are responsible for pornography, offensive or harassing statements or language ensuring the accessibility and the maintenance of public including disparagement of others based on their race, rights of way, including footpaths. national origins, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment Seeds: EU Action or transgender, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, age, disability, religion or belief, gambling, Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State illegal trading, and any activities that could lead to for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what financial or legal consequences or reputational damage representations his Department has made to the European to the DEFRA network. Commission on behalf of UK gardeners and allotment DEFRA’s website provider operates this policy according growers regarding proposed regulations on the sale of to these generic types on a regular basis. Any list would seeds within the EU. [178357] be quickly out of date and is not held by the Department. Dan Rogerson: DEFRA represents the UK in Council Working Parties, where the proposed regulation on the Peat marketing of plant reproductive material is being negotiated with the European Commission and other member states. Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for The positions adopted are based on discussions with Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his stakeholders and devolved Administrations. In all cases, Department is taking to phase out the use of peat in DEFRA has and will continue to push for simpler garden compost. [181493] regulations for ornamental plants and for material sold to gardeners. George Eustice: The Natural Environment White Paper DEFRA has supported ornamentals sector set out our ambition to end the use of peat through a representatives in explaining the issues to the European voluntary partnership with the horticultural sector by Commission, resulting in a constructive meeting with 2030. the Commission official leading the original drafting. The Government response to the Sustainable Growing DEFRA is also supporting MEPs in their role as Media Task Force report was published in 2013 and is co-legislators for the proposals. available to view on the gov.uk website. It set out where our resources will be focused over the next few years to assist in the transition to sustainable growing media and reduced peat use. We are committed to working FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE with the industry to deliver the roadmap towards sustainable Burma growing media and to overcome the barriers to peat reduction. For example, we are supporting the development Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign of a performance standard and criteria for responsibly and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department sourced and manufactured growing media. is taking to ensure that the Government of Burma A policy review will take place in 2015 to assess the complies with international law and grants citizenship delivery of the roadmap and to identify further actions to the Rohingya in that country. [182404] necessary. Mr Swire: The situation in Rakhine State and the rights of the Rohingya community were at the heart of Poultry: South Africa discussions between the Prime Minister and President Thein Sein during his visit to the UK in July 2013. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs also pressed for a long term Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the solution on the issue of Rohingya citizenship that is answer of 17 December 2013, Official Report, column consistent with their human rights and we welcome the 567W, on poultry: South Africa, when he expects the Government’s stated commitment to initiating such a International Trade Administration Commission of process. Our ambassador discussed citizenship with the South Africa’s investigation into dumping practices to authorities and communities involved during his visit to be concluded. [182157] Rakhine State in December 2013. Together with the UN, EU, US, Australia, France and Japan, British George Eustice: The investigation is being carried out Ministers and officials continue to lobby key Burmese by an independent body in South Africa who have not Ministers with responsibility for Rakhine State on the provided an indication of the time scale for completion. full range of issues, including the need to resolve the We are monitoring the situation closely. citizenship status of the Rohingya community. 349W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 350W

Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Mr Lidington: My Department is working actively at and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department both ministerial and official level to keep this issue at is taking in response to claims that ethnic cleansing is the top of the international community’s agenda, and being committed against the Rohingya in Burma. to take action in individual countries. We are working [182406] to ensure that states take practical measures on the ground to implement UN Human Rights Council Mr Swire: The British Government have been among Resolution 16/18, which focuses the international the most vocal members of the international community community on combating religious intolerance, protecting about the plight of the Rohingya community. We continue the human rights of minorities and promoting pluralism to make clear to the Burmese Government that where in society. During the UN General Assembly Ministerial serious crimes have been committed, those who have Week at the end of September the Senior Minister of perpetrated them must be held accountable for their State, my noble Friend the right hon. Baroness Warsi, actions. This should be done through a clear and transparent convened a second meeting of international leaders to investigative and prosecutorial process that meets discuss what more politicians in particular can do to international standards. Further independent investigative promote freedom of religion or belief and fight religious work to fully establish the facts would be required for intolerance within our societies. an informed assessment as to whether ethnic cleansing We also regularly use international processes such as and crimes against humanity have been committed. the UN Universal Periodic Review, EU Dialogues with Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights third countries and Ministerial Council Decisions at the (OHCHR) staff are currently on the ground in Rakhine Organisation for Security and Co-Operation in Europe State, monitoring the human rights situation. We also (OSCE). As an example, we raised freedom of religion continue to lobby the Burmese Government to allow or belief with the Chinese and Saudi Arabian Governments the opening of a country office of the UN High during their Universal Periodic Reviews at the October Commissioner for Human Rights, with a strong mandate session of the Human Rights Council. In September at which allows it to monitor the human rights situation in the EU-Vietnam Human Rights Council Dialogue we all parts of the country. highlighted, with our EU colleagues, concerns about We have raised these concerns repeatedly at the highest the reported harassment of religious groups, the delays levels of the Burmese Government and will continue to in registering churches and the refusal of the authorities do so. Indeed, the situation in Rakhine State and the to allow churches to train pastors. rights of the Rohingya community were at the heart of Furthermore we speak out bilaterally, as my right discussions with President Thein Sein during his visit to hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and the UK in July 2013. In December 2013, our ambassador Commonwealth Affairs did following the deplorable discussed human rights issues with the authorities and burning of Churches and attacks on Coptic Christians communities involved during his visit to Rakhine State. in Egypt, and meet with local faith leaders to better understand their concerns. For instance the Minister of China State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Faversham and Mid Kent (Hugh Robertson), discussed the situation faced by Mr Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Coptic Christians and implications of the new constitution and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he in his meeting with Bishop Yulios during his recent has made to the People’s Republic of China about the official visit to Cairo in December. We also lobby against detention without formal documentation of Pastor Zhang discriminatory legislation and practices and support Shaojie of Henan Province, China, on 16 November projects which address this and help to encourage 2013 and the subsequent alleged mistreatment of his co-operation and understanding between different faith lawyers. [181661] groups. For example we are currently funding a series of grass roots meetings in Iraq, led by Canon Andrew Mr Swire: We are aware of the arrest and detention White, bringing together people from different faiths to of Pastor Zhang Shaojie and at least 20 of his parishioners combat sectarian violence. on public order charges and the reported harassment of lawyers and Christians attempting to visit the group. On 15 November Baroness Warsi gave a speech in We are monitoring developments in the case. Washington stressing the need for an international response to the persecution of Christians and other religious Criminal justice reform and the rule of law, including minorities. The Minister announced plans to host an torture prevention and treatment of detainees, has been international conference in the first half of 2014 on a consistent focus of our human rights engagement promoting the benefits of religious pluralism to encourage with the Chinese authorities. We look to the Chinese countries to protect this fundamental, yet threatened, Government to protect the rights of all their citizens, human right. including freedom of religion, and we urge them to do Diplomatic Service so in line with their responsibilities under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which the Chinese John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Government have signed, but not ratified. and Commonwealth Affairs which UK parliamentarians visited the (a) embassy or high commission and (b) Christianity residence of head of mission in (i) Angola, (ii) Democratic Republic of Congo, (iii) Mongolia, (iv) Papua New Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Guinea, (v) Indonesia, (vi) Equatorial Guinea, (vii) and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department Venezuela and (viii) Turkmenistan in 2013, other than is taking to ensure that the international community for the purpose of a ministerial, IPU, CPA or Select tackles the persecution of Christians. [181440] Committee visit. [181360] 351W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 352W

Mr Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugh Robertson: Since the Palestinian UN General endeavours to provide guidance and support to UK Assembly upgrade in November 2012, the Government parliamentarians visiting our posts overseas, when such have been clear in our belief that the focus should be on visits form part of their parliamentary responsibilities. the negotiation process. To this end, we have noted our We are unable to provide information on private visits concerns about the potential impact of any Palestinian that individual UK parliamentarians have made to our action to upgrade their status in UN bodies or international posts overseas, which do not form part of their organisations with the Palestinian Authority. We raised parliamentary work. the International Olive Council with the Palestinian In 2013, excluding ministerial, IPU, CPA and Select Authority’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in October Committee visits, the following official visits by UK 2013 in this regard. parliamentarians took place: Religious Hatred (i) My noble Friend the Lord Marland visited the British embassy and residence in Luanda in October, as part of a visit in his capacity as the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Angola; Neil Parish: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign (ii) In May 2013, members of the all-party parliamentary and Commonwealth Affairs what conversations he had group (APPG) for the great lakes visited the British embassy in with the (a) EU and (b) World Bank on measures to Kinshasa; prevent international aid funding from being used by (iii) No UK parliamentarians visited the British embassy in non-governmental organisations to incite religious Ulaanbaatar, as part of their parliamentary responsibilities, in hatred. [182096] 2013; (iv) No UK parliamentarians visited the British embassy in Lynne Featherstone: I have been asked to reply on Port Moresby, as part of their parliamentary responsibilities, in behalf of the Department for International Development. 2013; DFID has a zero tolerance approach to discrimination (v) My hon. Friend the Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell), visited the British embassy in Jakarta as part of Westminster and would not consider funding, directly or indirectly Foundation for Democracy sponsored visit. My hon. Friend the through multilateral contributions any projects that Member for Gloucester (Richard Graham) visited the British discriminate between individuals or groups of people embassy in Jakarta in January, April, June and November, as part on any grounds including race, sex, sexual orientation, of a visit in his official capacity as the Prime Minister’s Trade religion and disability. Envoy to Indonesia. In March 2013, members of the APPG for trade and investment visited the British embassy in Jakarta; Russia (vi) The British Government do not have a high commission or embassy in Equatorial Guinea. Our relations with Equatorial Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Guinea are managed through the British high commission in Yaoundé in Cameroon; and Commonwealth Affairs what support the Government have offered to the Russian Government following the (vii) No UK parliamentarians visited the British embassy in Caracas, as part of their parliamentary responsibilities, in 2013; recent terrorist attacks in that country. [181641] and (viii) My hon. Friend the Member for Wealden (Charles Hendry), Mr Lidington: Following the attacks in Volgograd the attended official functions at the residence in Ashgabat in January Prime Minister and my right hon. Friend the Secretary and November 2013, in his capacity as the Prime Minister’s Trade of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs wrote Envoy to Turkmenistan. to President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov, offering condolences on behalf of the UK. The Prime Minister Pakistan assured President Putin that the UK stands ready to help Russia bring those responsible to justice and to Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for prevent any further attacks. We are also working with Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the the Russian authorities on preparations for the Olympics Government have taken and plans to take to promote and Paralympics Winter Games in Sochi, including on the protection of the Hazaras in Pakistan. [181507] security issues. Hugh Robertson: We remain concerned about the Syria violence faced by the Hazara population in Pakistan and continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State protect and guarantee the fundamental rights of all for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent their citizens as laid down in the constitution and in assessment he has made of the situation of Christians accordance with international standards. The Foreign in Syria; and if he will make a statement. [182158] and Commonwealth Office closely monitors the situation in Balochistan as documented in the annual human Hugh Robertson: The plight of Christians and other rights report and quarterly updates. minorities in Syria continues to be deeply worrying. We Palestinians have serious concerns about increasing sectarian tensions and believe that President Assad has deliberately tried Mr Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for to stir up such tensions in an increasingly desperate Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the attempt to hold onto power. answer of 18 December 2013, Official Report, column The British Government place great importance on 626W, on Palestinians, what views the Government the right to freedom of religion for all. We condemn all communicated to the Palestinian Authority prior to or instances of violence and discrimination against individuals during the meeting of the International Olive Council and groups because of their faith or belief. We will on the Palestinian Authority’s membership of the continue to work with the Syrian people, countries in Council. [181356] the region and our international partners to support a 353W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 354W peaceful and democratic transition to a more open We have placed an amendment in the Children and society that respects the rights of all of its citizens, Families Bill to create a new duty on governing bodies regardless of their religion. of maintained schools (and proprietors of academies) to make arrangements to support pupils at school with Turks and Caicos Islands medical conditions and to have regard to statutory guidance. The guidance is currently being developed in Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for collaboration with members of the Health Conditions Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take in Schools Alliance, and other partners, and with parents steps to prevent illegal migration onto the Turks and and young people. We intend to consult on the draft Caicos Islands and to reduce the number of potentially guidance later this term. fatal journeys taken by such immigrants. [182176] Mark Simmonds: Illegal migration from Haiti to the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), a UK Overseas Territory, Children’s Play: Disability is a very real problem, as made evident by the recent tragic incident on 25 December 2013, which led to at Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for least 19 fatalities. I discussed this issue with the TCI Education what his Department’s policy is on the promotion Premier during our bilateral at the Overseas Territories of play for disabled children in schools. [182111] Joint Ministerial Council on 25 November 2013. The TCI Government have constitutional responsibility Mr Timpson: Schools and teachers are best placed to for immigration policy and border control, but the decide how to support individual children to develop, Government have a fundamental objective and including through play. The new national curriculum responsibility for the security of TCI flowing from gives schools greater freedom to provide a broad and international law, our shared history and political balanced curriculum. commitment to the wellbeing of all British nationals. The Government have therefore provided substantial In determining their approach schools should be support to TCI, including funding for a radar station aware of their legal responsibilities. Schools have duties and training for marine police. under the Equality Act not to discriminate against The Government are encouraging the Haitian disabled pupils and to make reasonable adjustments. Government to step up their efforts to combat people The Children and Families Bill also requires that a child trafficking, and to discourage their people from undertaking with special educational needs the dangerous journey by boat to TCI which may lead ‘engages in the activities of the school together with children who to their death and almost certainly to their detention do not have special educational needs’ and deportation. We are also supporting the TCI and where this is reasonably practical. Haitian Governments to develop practical co-operation. The Department for Education provides grant funding A Haitian consulate opened in TCI in February 2013. for Project Ability. This aims to increase competitive We are supporting negotiation of a Memorandum of opportunities for young disabled people. It is delivered Understanding covering deterring and combating illegal through a network of 50 lead Project Ability schools, migration. and helps schools in England to improve the quality of sport for disabled pupils. EDUCATION Annual Reports Correspondence

Chris Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Education when he plans to publish his Department’s Education what the (a) mean and (b) maximum time annual report and accounts for 2012-13. [182146] taken to respond to letters from (i) members of the Elizabeth Truss: The Department for Education’s public, (ii) organisations and (iii) hon. Members was in 2012-13 accounts are now going through the final stages each year since 2010. [181350] of audit review. Subject to clearance, we would anticipate laying them in mid-January 2014, before the statutory Elizabeth Truss: Information in the form requested is deadline of 30 January 2014. not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Children: Cancer Each year the Minister for the Cabinet Office publishes Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for a report on Departments’ and agencies’ performance Education what steps he is taking to support children on handling Members’ and peers’ correspondence. with cancer in the education system. [181599] Information relating to the Department for Education, covering all correspondence to which Ministers replied, Mr Timpson: The Department for Education expects can be found in the following editions of the Official schools to understand and be aware of individual pupils’ Report: needs and to provide them with appropriate support to For 2010—28 March 2011, column 1WS ensure they have full access to education. Schools should For 2011—15 March 2012, column 30WS work closely with relevant health and social care professionals, and with parents/carers to ensure that For 2012—13 May 2013, column 23WS individual healthcare plans set out what support is The report on performance in 2013 will be published needed for each pupil and how this will be provided. later this year. 355W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 356W

The Department for Education Annual Report contains budget to ensure that special educational needs are figures showing the timeliness of all replies to identified early and that appropriate support is put in correspondence (i.e. those from Department for Education place to meet this duty. Ministers and those from officials). The reports for 2010-11 and 2011-12 can be found at: Further Education: Finance https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/dfe-annual-reports Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Education The report for 2012-13 will be published shortly. pursuant to the answer of 6 January 2014, Official Report, column 11, on further education (funding), Dyslexia when he will publish the impact assessment. [182409]

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Matthew Hancock: We have published an impact Education (1) how many primary school children in assessment today, which can be found here: (a) maintained and (b) independent schools are http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/i/ classified as having a dyslexia type condition; [182392] impact%20assessment.pdf (2) how many young people in sixth form education London Academy of Excellence in (a) maintained and (b) independent schools are classified as having a dyslexia type condition; [182394] Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (3) how many secondary school children in (a) pursuant to the answer of 6 January 2014, Official maintained and (b) independent schools are classified Report, columns 70-2W, on free schools, when data on as having a dyslexia type condition. [182395] enrolments at the London Academy of Excellence will be available. [182461] Mr Timpson: We do not collect information specifically on the number of pupils with dyslexia. Mr Timpson: The London Academy of Excellence is one of seven open 16-19 free schools in the academic Data on pupils with special educational needs are year 2013/14. It is the only 16-19 free school that collected from maintained schools, academies and non- provides data on its pupil numbers through the maintained special schools in the annual school census. individualised learner record; this is the equivalent to Where the pupil is identified as being at school action the school’s census return for further education institutions. plus or has a statement of special educational needs, The next return of the individualised learner record is their primary need is collected. Primary need is not due in February and we would expect to have the collected for pupils in independent schools. verified pupil numbers by the end of February. The The category of primary need collected that is closest 2014/15 allocations will include this information and to dyslexia is ‘Specific Learning Difficulty’. Data for the will be published in October 2014. number of pupils with this primary need by type of school attended are given in the table. Music: Teachers Pupils with special educational needs with a primary need of ‘Specific Learning Difficulty’1 in state-funded schools2 in England, January 2013 Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Number Education whether music services teachers are (a) classified as having teacher pay and conditions and (b) State funded primary schools3 30,360 under local council conditions and pay scales. [182220] State funded secondary schools4-below 37,190 sixth form (year 12) State-funded secondary schools4-sixth form 2,015 Mr Laws: There is flexibility for employers of music (year 12 and above) services teachers regarding the terms and conditions of 1 ‘Specific Learning Difficulty’ includes those with dyslexia, dyscalculia and employment offered. Music services teachers can be dyspraxia. employed under the provisions of the School Teachers’ 2 Excludes 1,030 pupils in maintained special schools and 60 in non-maintained special schools. Pay and Conditions Document (STPCD). 3 Includes maintained primary schools and academies. Alternatively music services employees can be employed 4 Includes maintained secondary schools, academies, city technology colleges, university technical colleges and studio schools. as instructors under the local authority pay system. Source: This is known as ‘Soulbury’ terms and conditions. School Census Information on special educational needs is published Politics: Education annually in the publication ‘Special Educational Needs in England’, which is available online1. Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans his Department has to increase teaching 1 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/special-educational- needs-in-england-january-2013 about parliamentary democracy and government in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools. [181366] Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Elizabeth Truss: Citizenship education is in the new Education what eligibility criteria are set for pupils to national curriculum at key stages 3 and 4. The programmes qualify for a free dyslexia test. [182398] of study, for first teaching in secondary schools from September this year, will improve pupils’ knowledge Mr Timpson: The Department for Education does and understanding of democracy, Government, and not set any eligibility criteria for dyslexia tests. how laws are made and upheld. Primary schools are not Schools have a legal duty to use their best endeavours required to teach citizenship, but may introduce relevant to make special educational provision for their pupils. It topics as part of non-statutory subjects including personal, is for schools to decide how best to use their available social, health and economic education. 357W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 358W

Pre-school Education St John Vianney RC Primary School St. Bede Primary Academy Lucy Powell: To ask the Secretary of State for St. Mary’s (C of E) Primary School Education which schools are trialling nursery places for Stoneyholme Nursery School two year-olds; and what assistance those schools are Susan Isaacs Nursery School receiving from his Department. [181574] The Eldon Federation (Eldon Early Years) The Grove Nursery School, Children and Family Centre Elizabeth Truss: The Government believe that high quality early education and child care has a positive The Orchards Nursery School impact on a child’s later success and future outcomes. Tilery Primary School The evidence shows that starting younger, in high quality Trimdon Grange Infant and Nursery School teacher-led provision, can have a real and lasting impact Trinity Church of England Primary School on children’s development and life chances, particularly Vittoria Primary School for those from the most disadvantaged families. West View Primary School We want more schools to offer nursery places and to Whitchurch CE Infant and Nursery School. extend these to two-year-olds. This will provide more Schools participating in the demonstration project choice and flexibility for parents and enable more children have each received a grant of £10,000 in return for their to benefit from all that a good school can provide. active participation in the project evaluation and providing To support more schools to open nurseries and extend peer support. The grant may also be used to contribute care to two-year-olds we are working with 49 schools, towards the development of appropriate resources, provide drawn from a variety of urban and rural settings, that training for staff and for local leadership activities. Up are already taking, or preparing to take, two-year-olds. to £2,500 of the grant can be used for capital purposes. These schools will identify good practice, share their learning widely and encourage more schools to follow Pupils: Bullying suit. The following schools are participating in the project: Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Benchill Primary School Education what initiatives his Department has put in Bensham Grove Community Nursery School place to tackle bullying within schools and online since Broadclyst Community Primary School 2010; and what assessment has been made of their effectiveness. [181617] Brookside Infant School Canklow Woods Primary School Elizabeth Truss: As outlined in the Schools White Carr Manor Primary School Paper 2010, the Government have made tackling all Chesterfield School forms of bullying one of our top priorities by striking a Crowmoor Primary School and Nursery balance between schools’ legal requirements, freedom Dulwich Wood Nursery School and Children’s Centre and accountability. Durand Academy Section 89 of the Education and Inspections Act Eden Park Primary School 2006 for maintained schools and the Independent Schools Goodway Nursery School Standards Regulations 2010 for Academies and Free Schools requires that all schools must have a behaviour Gooseacre Primary Academy policy with measures to prevent all forms of bullying Handale Primary School among pupils, including that which occurs online. Schools Hathersage St Michaels C of E (VA) Primary School have the freedom to shape these measures in the context Latymer All Saints Church of England Primary School of their pupils’ needs. Lever Edge Primary Academy In the Education Act 2011, we strengthened teachers’ Lillian de Lissa Nursery School powers to discipline pupils for poor behaviour, including Lord Street Community Nursery School and Preschool bullying. They can now issue same day detentions, Medlock Primary School confiscate banned items and search for, and if necessary Moorgate Primary School delete, inappropriate images on mobile phones which might be linked to cyberbullying. Nell Gwynn Nursery School Netherfield Primary School In 2011, the Government published streamlined advice for schools, reducing it from 481 pages to just 11 pages Newall Green Primary School to make absolutely clear schools’ legal obligations to Norfolk Community Primary School prevent and tackle bullying, and clarify teachers’ powers Oakwood Primary Academy to discipline pupils for unacceptable behaviour. Oasis Academy Hadley From September 2014, pupils in all four key stages Old Church Nursery School and Children’s Centre will be taught about e-safety as part of the new curriculum. Parbold Douglas C of E Academy This will empower young people to tackle cyberbullying Plumberow Primary Academy through responsible, respectful and secure use of technology. Richard Newman Primary School In addition, the Government have pressed for progress through the UK Council for Child Internet Safety Robsack Wood Community Primary School and Nursery (UKCCIS) and works to protect children online, including Shortbrook Primary School from the risk of cyberbullying. UKCCIS brings together Sir Edmund Hillary Primary School the most important internet organisations, such as Facebook St George’s Cathedral Catholic Primary School and Microsoft, and is chaired by Government Ministers, 359W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 360W including the Minister for Children and Families, my Special Educational Needs hon. Friend the Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Mr Timpson). Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Ofsted now holds schools clearly to account for their Education what guidance his Department issues to effectiveness in dealing with pupil behaviour, which teachers on the early detection of young people with includes bullying. Under the current Ofsted framework dyslexia-type conditions. [182110] introduced in 2012, school inspectors consider pupil behaviour and safety, which includes how well schools prevent bullying, harassment and discrimination. Mr Timpson: The Department for Education issues Furthermore, the Department keeps abreast of research guidance on supporting Special Educational Needs (SEN) in this area and is funding a series of questions about through the SEN Code of Practice. A consultation on a bullying and cyberbullying in the 2013/14 and 2014/15 new Code concluded on 9 December 2013, and responses Crime Survey for England and Wales. This will give us a are currently being analysed. baseline estimate of prevalence and will help us to track All schools are required to complete the phonics trends over time. screening check with pupils in year 1. This will help We are also providing £4 million of funding over two identify children who have not reached the expected years from spring 2013 to four organisations: Beatbullying, level of ability with phonics. Officials have worked with the Diana Award, Kidscape and NCB, to develop effective dyslexia organisations to provide advice on how to initiatives to prevent and tackle bullying. As part of respond to the results of the check where teachers are their funding, these organisations have in place separate concerned about dyslexia or literacy difficulties. evaluations, which will report on the effectiveness of The Department for Education is also funding the their varied initiatives to prevent and tackle bullying. Dyslexia SpLD Trust to provide advice to schools on Schools: Birmingham identifying and responding to specific learning difficulties. This advice includes a professional development framework Mr Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State and a toolkit to help teachers identify dyslexia earlier. for Education (1) what guidance he has given These resources, including the guidance on responding Birmingham local authority on dividing extra funding to the phonics check, are available online1. for school places between the constituencies that fall 1 www.thedyslexia-spldtrust.org.uk under its jurisdiction; [182177] (2) if he will take steps to ensure that funding for extra school places in Birmingham will benefit equally Teachers: Surveys all children in Birmingham. [182179]

Mr Laws: The Department recently announced an Kevin Brennan: To ask the Secretary of State for additional £2.35 billion in basic need funding, to support Education when he intends to publish the findings of local authorities to create the additional places that will the most recent Teacher Workload Survey. [182403] be needed by September 2017, in addition to the £5 billion already committed for the period 2011-15. Birmingham has been allocated £96.29 million basic Mr Laws: Officials are currently analysing the data need funding for the financial years 2015-17, in addition collected during the 2013 Teacher Workload Survey. to £61.45 million previously allocated for the period 2011-15. Teachers: Training We expect local authorities to use the funding provided to create additional places in the areas where they are needed. This is likely to mean more investment in the Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education areas that see the biggest increase in pupil numbers, so what budget the National College for Teaching and that all parents in Birmingham can be confident that Leadership has allocated to school-centred initial teacher their child will be able to secure a place in a good, local training (SCITT) in (a) 2013-14 and (b) 2014-15; and school. what estimate he has made of the number of new Schools: Finance SCITTs that will be supported in each of those years. [181510] Karen Lumley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what recent discussions he has had with local Mr Laws: School-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) authorities on funding allocation for schools. [181658] enables more aspiring teachers to benefit from the experience Mr Laws: The Secretary of State for Education has and expertise of the best teachers in the country. not had any recent discussions with local authorities Trainees undertaking their Initial Teacher Training about funding allocation for schools. (ITT) course at a SCITT provider on a tuition fee place I have had seven meetings with representatives from fund the course fees themselves, either directly, or in the local authorities to discuss issues relating to capital and form of a student loan. Therefore, no NCTL budget is revenue funding for schools. This includes meetings allocated for this in 2013/14 or in 2014/15. with MPs who were accompanied by local authority Training bursaries are, however, available to trainees representatives. depending on the subject in which they are training to Officials in the Department also meet regularly with teach and their degree classification. These are funded representatives from local authorities to discuss funding by NCTL. The training bursaries range from £4,000 to policy and allocations £20,000 in 2013/14 and £4,000 to £25,000 in 2014/15. 361W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 362W

Training bursaries payable are higher for those trainees SCITTs enable more aspiring teachers to benefit from training to teach in shortage subjects: mathematics, the experience and expertise of some of the best teachers physics, chemistry, computing and languages. in the country. Tuition fee places delivered by a SCITT may be allocated directly to the SCITT as provider-led places Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education or through a lead school for the School Direct (tuition for what reasons and when Ministers encouraged the fee) training programme. National College for Teaching and Leadership to promote school-centred initial teacher training in addition to If the trainee is undertaking a School Direct (salaried) School Direct. [181545] place, the NCTL funds the training costs and pays a contribution towards their salary costs while they are Mr Laws: The Secretary of State for Education set training to teach. The funding is paid directly to schools out the context for supporting schools to become school- who will work with a SCITT provider to deliver the ITT centred initial teacher training providers (SCITTs) at a training in partnership. The amount allocated for School speech on improving the quality of teaching on 5 September Direct (salaried) places depends on the subject in which 2013, saying: the trainee is training to teach and the geographical location of the school. The salary and training contribution “As schools take more control over training the next generation of teachers, many of the best academy chains and teaching school ranges from £14,000 to £23,900 in 2013/14 and in 2014/15. alliances are now playing an even greater role in training the next The total budget allocated for these places will be generation of teachers as accredited SCITTs. known at the end of each academic year when the ITT We want to see their numbers increase, enabling more aspiring providers are required to complete a full census return teachers than ever before to benefit from the expertise and experience for their trainees. of some of the best in the business—so we will be bringing forward proposals to support this later in the year.” In addition to this funding a total of £300,000 has been allocated in 2013/14 to support the start-up of new Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education SCITTs. if he will direct Ofsted to make a comparative assessment There is also funding available to teaching schools in of the quality of training available through school-centred 2013/14 who become a SCITT provider, which will be initial teacher training and other initial teacher training borne from the existing teaching schools budget. providers. [182135]

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education Mr Laws: There are currently no plans for the what financial incentives the National College for Teaching Department for Education to ask Ofsted to make a and Leadership has offered to schools to become a specific comparative assessment of the quality of training school-centred initial teacher training provider. [181543] across different types of initial teacher training provider. Her Majesty’s chief inspector advises the Secretary of Mr Laws: A support package to schools interested in State for Education of anything he should be aware of becoming a school-centred initial teacher training provider as a result of the inspections of all providers of programmes (SCITT), including an average pilot financial grant of leading to qualified teacher status for maintained schools. £17,000, was offered to schools to support their accreditation However, a recent survey of newly qualified teachers/ bid. trainee teachers found that trainees/teachers consistently This package was designed to increase school to rated school-based training higher than other initial school support through buddying opportunities with training providers across a range of criteria. existing teacher training providers and deployment of Specialist Leaders in Education working across existing SCITTs. SCITTs enable more aspiring teachers to benefit from COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT the experience and expertise of some of the best teachers in the country. Bed and Breakfast Accommodation: Cumbria

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many schools have been encouraged by Communities and Local Government how many families the National College for Teaching and Leadership to were housed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation on express an interest in becoming a school-centred initial the most recent date for which data are available in (a) teacher training provider. [181544] Barrow-in-Furness and (b) South Lakeland; and how many such families included children aged under 16. Mr Laws: Around 900 schools currently offering [182464] School Direct places in 2013/14, including teaching schools and academy chains, were signposted to information Kris Hopkins: The following table provides the most on becoming a school-centred initial teacher training recent data available recorded on 30 September 2013. providers (SCITT) via communications within the teaching school newsletter in October 2013 and a School Direct Households in bed and breakfast Of which: include bulletin in November 2013. (including shared dependent children/ Schools that express an interest in becoming a SCITT facilities) pregnant mothers are invited to attend a ‘potential new provider’ briefing Barrow-in-Furness 1 0 to find out more information. 38 schools attended a South Lakeland 0 0 briefing in November and December 2013. 363W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 364W

This Government have retained a strong homelessness Housing: Construction safety net protected in law, supported by £470 million in the current spending review period to prevent and tackle Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for homelessness, rough sleeping and repossessions. Communities and Local Government how many hectares The law is clear that families with children must only of land owned by county councils have been made be placed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation as a available for housing development in each of the last last resort and then for no more than six weeks. three years. [181448] We are continuing to support local authorities to raise their game and have provided £2 million for seven Kris Hopkins: The Department does not collect councils struggling with increasing bed-and-breakfast information on how much land county councils have use so that they can reduce numbers and develop long made available for housing development. lasting solutions to this problem. The latest statistics Local Government show that, with the help of this funding, Westminster and Croydon councils have vastly reduced the number of families with children in bed and breakfast beyond Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for six weeks. We publish performance data and have also Communities and Local Government how many provided £1.9 million for local authorities to take a communications his Department sent to local authorities Gold Standard approach to help them design and deliver in 2013. [181652] more efficient and cost-effective housing solutions for vulnerable people. Brandon Lewis: This Department has lead responsibility within Government for local government and therefore Enterprise Zones has regular communications with local authorities on a range of issues. In that context, it would be impractical Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for to keep a list and the information is not centrally held. Communities and Local Government what estimates his Department has made of the net number of jobs Public Libraries that have been produced by each enterprise zone since their creation. [181355] Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the Kris Hopkins: Enterprise Zones opened for business answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak, in April 2012, and since then, nearly 5,000 jobs have of 18 December 2013, Official Report, column 755, been created. This estimate is of gross jobs (and includes which councils have opened new community library temporary construction workers). My Department does services in 2013; and which libraries have closed in not have estimates of the number of net additional jobs English local authorities over the same period. [181315] created. Brandon Lewis: My Department does not compile Fire Services: Pensions these statistics. I would note that Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy do publish annual Dan Byles: To ask the Secretary of State for statistics on public libraries, and the publication is Communities and Local Government how many newly available in the Libraries of both Houses. recruited firefighters have opted out of the firefighters’ pension scheme in each of the last five years. [181371] Their latest survey (December 2013) estimates there are 4,313 public libraries operational in the United Brandon Lewis: Prior to April 2012, the Department Kingdom. did not collect information from fire and rescue authorities I also refer the hon. Member to the answer of on the opt out rate among newly recruited firefighters. 5 September 2012, Official Report, column 349W,which Between 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2013, excluding gives examples of newly opened libraries. firefighters who joined on temporary contracts or were aged over 50 (and therefore likely to be already in Recycling: Fires receipt of a firefighter pension), 16 whole-time firefighters did not join the scheme, giving a joiner rate of 88%. Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Between 1 April 2013 and 30 September 2013, excluding Communities and Local Government what estimate his firefighters who joined on temporary contracts or were Department has made of the costs to fire authorities of aged over 50 (and therefore likely to be already in dealing with fires at recycling storage depots. [181490] receipt of a firefighter pension), 10 whole-time firefighters did not join the scheme, giving a joiner rate of just Brandon Lewis: We have made no estimate of the over 85%. costs of fire and rescue authorities dealing with fires at recycling storage depots as this is an operational matter Fire Services: Retirement for local fire and rescue authorities.

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Wind Power: Planning Permission Communities and Local Government what steps he plans to take to prevent senior firefighter officers being Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for able to retire, claim their lump sum pension sum and Communities and Local Government what recent then return to work. [176106] discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change on the time taken to receive Brandon Lewis: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer planning permission for onshore and offshore wind of 18 November 2013, Official Report, column 650W. farms. [181570] 365W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 366W

Kris Hopkins: Ministers have regular discussions with been in partnership through the Developing Partnerships other Government Departments on matters of mutual in Higher Education Programme (Delphe) which ended interest. in June this year, though further discussions on this programme are still ongoing. I and my officials would be happy to meet at the soonest opportunity with any organisation sharing our commitment to this important INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT issue. Consultants Developing Countries: Genetically Modified Organisms Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many consultants were Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for International employed by her Department in May (a) 2013, (b) Development what assessment her Department has made 2012 and (c) 2011. [182214] of the benefit to children in the developing world of golden rice. [181486] Justine Greening: The Department engaged 41 consultants in May 2011, 62 in May 2012, and 37 in Lynne Featherstone: DFID does not directly support May 2013. the development and deployment of golden rice and has not therefore undertaken a specific assessment into Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for the potential benefits. However, DFID is aware of several International Development what the cost to her Department independent studies into golden rice and will be taking has been since May 2010 of paying consultants who a close look at their results once the technology is closer were previously employed directly by her Department. to being made available to farmers in the Philippines. [182374] Developing Countries: Sanitation Justine Greening: Since May 2010, DFID has spent a total of £0.5 million on consultants who had previously Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for been employed by the Department. The bulk of this International Development what estimate she has made was spent in 2010 and by 2013 the amount spent on of the progress her Department has made towards the consultants previously employed by the Department target of reaching 60 million people with access to had been reduced by more than 90% compared to 2009. water, sanitation and hygiene by 2015. [182163] No former staff are currently engaged as consultants by the Department. Lynne Featherstone: DFID’s progress towards the target of providing 60 million people with access to Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for water, sanitation and/or hygiene by 2015 was reported International Development how many former staff of in DFID’s 2012-13 annual report and accounts. In her Department are now working as consultants for her total, 19.6 million people had received access to water, Department. [182375] sanitation and/or hygiene through DFID support by June 2013. Justine Greening: No former staff are currently engaged DFID continues to make progress towards this target as consultants by the Department. and will provide an update in the 2013-14 annual report.

Developing Countries: Electricity Energy

Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for International Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Development what schemes her Department currently International Development how much her Department supports for off-grid electricity supply. [181467] budgeted for energy costs since June 2010. [182217]

Mr Duncan: None. Justine Greening: DFID has budgeted £2.5 million Developing Countries: Females for energy costs in its UK estates since June 2010.

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions she International Development what the total cost of her has had with the British Council about her Department’s energy bills were in each month since Department’s policy of improving the lives of girls and June 2010. [182218] women through better education. [182161] Justine Greening: Details of DFID expenditure on Lynne Featherstone: The UK places girls and women energy in each of the UK offices is available on our at the centre of its approach to education in developing website at: countries as part of its Strategic Vision for Women and http://webview2.ecodriver.net/DFID/ Girls. The UK’s flagship £355 million Girls’ Education Challenge will enable up to 1 million of the world’s Procurement poorest girls to receive a quality education in primary and secondary school, to help transform their lives. I Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for have had no recent discussions with the British Council International Development what proportion of contracts specifically on girls’ education but we do engage with awarded by her Department in 2012-13 were awarded them on all aspects of education and we have recently without a competitive tender process. [182328] 367W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 368W

Justine Greening: 0.6% of contracts awarded during we will be reviewing over the coming weeks how best to 2012-13 required a waiver of competition to be applied. continue or adapt our support in the light of the evolving situation. Redundancy Pay Visits Abroad

Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the total cost of International Development which countries to which redundancy payments paid to former staff of her her Department has provided funding towards she has Department who now work as consultants for her visited since she took office; and how long she spent in Department. [182213] each such country. [182219]

Justine Greening: DFID has policies in place precluding Justine Greening: Details of all overseas visits undertaken the rehiring as employees, or the direct engagement as by DFID Ministers are published under the transparency consultants, of former members of staff who have left section of the DFID website at: DFID employment with a redundancy compensation https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?departments payment within the past two years. %5B%5D=department-for-international-development &publication_type=transparency-data Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the highest redundancy package paid since June 2010 to former staff at her Department was. [182376] CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Betting Shops: Licensing Justine Greening: As this question relates to a single individual, the information is being withheld because Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for releasing these details could lead to the individual being Culture, Media and Sport how many appeals against identified and would therefore breach the legitimate refusals of applications for betting shop licences were expectation of an individual’s right to protection of heard by local authority licensing committees in the their personal information. last year; and in how many cases the refusal was upheld. [182413] South Sudan Mrs Grant: Licensing authorities are not required to Alison McGovern: To ask the Secretary of State for report details of licensing committee appeals to the International Development what assessment she has gambling regulator. Neither the Department for Culture, made of the effect of the recent conflict in South Sudan Media and Sport nor the Gambling Commission holds on the number of (a) internally displaced persons, (b) this information. people subject to food insecurity and (c) young people Broadband in full-time education in that country. [182243]

Lynne Featherstone: The current crisis in South Sudan Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for has seen the number of conflict internally displaced Culture, Media and Sport what her policy is on promoting people (IDPs) increase rapidly by more than 200,000 competition in provision of superfast broadband from just over 188,000 in late 2013 to approximately infrastructure; and if she will make a statement. [181677] 400,000 today. Given the scale and intensity of the violence, and lack of access to key affected areas, the Mr Vaizey: The Government aim to create the regulatory real number is likely to be much higher. and economic conditions to enable competition to thrive in the provision of superfast broadband. The UK has The number of people severely food insecure in South one of the most competitive markets in Europe with Sudan was estimated to be one million prior to the customers able to experience excellent choice of services current crisis. Violence and displacement has resulted in and prices. This has been achieved with appropriate and the loss of livelihoods, particularly sources of food due proportionate market regulation by , established to disruption in agricultural and pastoral practices, by carrying out detailed market reviews. This Government although active hostilities are impeding the ability of have also taken a number of actions to facilitate investment agencies to conduct a full assessment. As long as the in infrastructure including ensuring access to BT’s poles conflict is ongoing, it is likely that severe food insecurity and ducts, streamlining planning rules and issuing new will increase, and IDP figures will escalate. Humanitarian guidance on streetworks. agencies’ priorities are to protect civilians from the ongoing violence and reach people affected by the crisis Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, with assistance, including the provision of food. The Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the UK has provided £12.5 million to the current crisis. progress BDUK has made towards its three business Schools in South Sudan are ordinarily closed until aims agreed with her Department in 2011. [182068] February, and in some northern states this can be as late as April. We have therefore not yet seen any negative Mr Vaizey: Substantial progress has been made by impact of the conflict on school attendance although it DCMS, including BDUK, in delivering on these aims is not yet clear if school buildings, books and other which fall under the overarching objective to stimulate materials have been damaged in areas of conflict. DFID private sector investment in order to deliver the best has existing education programmes in South Sudan and superfast broadband network in Europe by 2015. The 369W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 370W strategy for this objective was set out in Britain’s Superfast Percentage Broadband Future published in December 2010 with a BDUK, local Supplier number of its detailed actions and objectives being Project bodies, ERDF investment refreshed in 2012. Progress includes ensuring access to BT’s poles and Essex 71 29 ducts through the Passive Infrastructure Access (PIA) Greater Manchester 64 36 rule, significantly opening up investment opportunities Hampshire 70 30 for new providers and increasing coverage to the middle Herefordshire and 79 21 and “final third” of the population. In addition, a Gloucestershire number of utility companies have entered into commercial Highlands and Islands 95 5 agreements with Communications Providers and allowed Isle of Wight 80 20 their infrastructure to be used to deploy superfast Kent and Medway 67 33 broadband. Lancashire 71 29 Guidance on micro-trenching and street works issued Leicestershire 66 34 in November 2011 to support local planning authorities Lincolnshire 77 23 in their understanding of the technical issues and speed Merseyside 49 51 up the planning decision process. Planning regulations 66 34 were also relaxed last year to speed up the deployment Norfolk 73 27 of fixed broadband and mobile infrastructure and reduce North and NE 76 24 costs to communications providers. Lincolnshire North Yorkshire 75 25 All of the community-led pilot projects, Highlands and Islands, North Yorkshire, Cumbria and Herefordshire Northamptonshire 72 28 are in delivery and Broadband Delivery UK published Northumberland 85 15 the learning from the pilots in November 2011. Broadband Nottinghamshire 69 31 Delivery UK allocated funding to project areas in August Oxfordshire 59 41 2011. All enterprise zones are covered by plans for Rest of Scotland 73 27 delivering superfast broadband. More generally, BDUK- Rutland 71 29 funded projects are now making superfast broadband Shropshire 81 19 available to 10,000 homes a week, which will rise to Staffordshire and Stoke-on- 71 29 40,000 premises per week later this year. Trent Suffolk 78 22 The cumulative effect of these and other measures Surrey 74 26 have directly contributed to the UK being in the top 1 1 three EU member states for broadband coverage, take-up, Wales 48 52 usage and choice. Warwickshire, Solihull 78 22 West Sussex 77 23 Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for West Yorkshire 60 40 Wiltshire and South 78 22 Culture, Media and Sport for each of the areas eligible Gloucestershire for support from BDUK, what proportion of the Worcestershire 71 29 investment planned in superfast broadband will come 1 The supplier investment in Wales includes investment in its from (a) public funds and (b) BT. [182410] commercial rollout.

Mr Vaizey: Numbers currently available to BDUK Internet: Barrow in Furness suggest a split between public and supplier funding as shown in the following table, but these figures are John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for subject to change. Culture, Media and Sport what estimate she has made of the number of households without access to the Percentage internet at home in Barrow and Furness constituency. BDUK, local Supplier [182463] Project bodies, ERDF investment Mr Vaizey: I refer the hon. Gentleman to answer Bedfordshire and Milton 70 30 Keynes given to him by the Minister for Civil Society on 14 May Berkshire 72 28 2013, Official Report, column 138W. Buckinghamshire and 75 25 Hertfordshire Members: Correspondence Cambridgeshire 76 24 Cheshire 77 23 Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for Cumbria 82 18 Culture, Media and Sport when she plans to reply to Derbyshire 71 29 the letter from the hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton Devon and Somerset 76 24 dated 3 December 2013. [182310] Dorset, Bournemouth and 75 25 Poole Mr Vaizey: I apologise for the delay in responding to Durham, Tees Valley, 75 25 the hon. Gentleman. A response was sent on 9 January Sunderland and Gateshead 2014. I am very pleased for him to join me in meeting East Riding of Yorkshire 72 28 with social media companies and officials from my East Sussex, Brighton and 82 18 Department will be in touch with details when a date Hove has been agreed. 371W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 372W

Mobile Phones: Fees and Charges Mr Vaizey: The Library Charges (England and Wales) Regulations 1991 set out the circumstances where local Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, library authorities may charge for library facilities. The Media and Sport what assessment she has made of regulations provide the power for local library authorities progress towards EU standard charges for mobile to charge for lending sets of musical scores. Local telephones. [181468] library authorities may also charge for the reservation of any library material, including in circumstances when Mr Vaizey: The EU’s third roaming regulation took it needs to obtain the material from other library authorities. direct effect in the UK in July 2012 and, as well as The amount and incidence of any charge is at the measures to promote competition, continues the downward discretion of the local authority and charges may be by glide path on caps for voice, data and SMS charges for way of an annual subscription. Information is not held consumers while they are roaming in Europe. centrally on the use of the powers as it is a matter for individual local authorities, however, DCMS understands The Government published a Telecommunications that the loan of music scores is not a service that is Consumer Action plan in December 2013, an agreement provided by all local library authorities, but there remain between Government and the main telecommunication some large ‘core’ collections which all local library operators about how to work together, with Ofcom, in authorities can access via the request service. the key areas that impact on consumers’ bills. The Government has made it clear in our 17 September announcement that we would like to see an end to Telephone Preference Service mobile roaming charges within the EU. We will work with industry to develop a negotiating position with the Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, aim of eliminating mobile roaming charges within the Media and Sport what recent assessment her Department EU by 2016. has made of the effectiveness of the Telephone Preference Service in blocking unwanted cold calls. [181484] Museums and Galleries Mr Vaizey: The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for is a free service and more than 19.5 million numbers are Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of currently registered with them. The Information 6 January 2014, Official Report, column 155W, on Commissioner’s Office (ICO) considers complaints from museums and galleries, which legislation governs the consumers and can issue a monetary penalty of up to national museums and galleries. [182221] £500,000. Since January 2012, the ICO has issued four substantive monetary penalties totalling £360,000 in Mr Vaizey: The information is as follows: relation to unsolicited marketing calls being made to TPS registered consumers and action against 15 other Sponsored body Primary legislation organisations is also under consideration. In spring 2014, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) and ICO British Library British Library Act 1972 will be reviewing the effectiveness of the TPS in preventing British Museum British Museum Act 1963 unsolicited direct marketing calls and we will consider Imperial War Museum Imperial War Museum Acts 1920 and 1955 Ofcom’s findings to determine whether further action is National Gallery Museums and Galleries Act 1992 necessary: National Museums Liverpool Merseyside Museums and Galleries http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/silent-calls/ Order 1986 joint-action-plan National Portrait Gallery Museums and Galleries Act 1992 Also, we will be publishing our action plan on nuisance Natural History Museum British Museum Act 1963 calls early this year. Royal Armouries National Heritage Act 1983 Royal Museums Greenwich National Maritime Museum Act 1934 Science Museum Group National Heritage Act 1983 Sir John Soane’s Museum The Charities (Sir John Soane’s Museum) Order 1969 BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS Tate Museums and Galleries Act 1992 Victoria and Albert Museum National Heritage Act 1983 Armed Forces: Foreign Nationals Wallace Collection Museums and Galleries Act 1992 Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Public Libraries Business, Innovation and Skills if he will make it his policy that Commonwealth citizens serving in the Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, armed forces should be treated as home students for Media and Sport (1) what powers local library authorities the purpose of student finance; and if he will make a have to charge, by annual subscription, reservation charge statement. [182138] or loan charge, for loans of sets of music scores to borrowers living or working in their area; and what Mr Willetts: It is the policy of successive Governments information she has on the use of those powers; [181968] that eligibility for student funding is based on ordinary (2) what information her Department holds on the residency within the UK and in some cases the EEA. use by local library authorities of their powers to charge, This applies irrespective of nationality or country of by annual subscription, reservation charge or loan charge, origin. Commonwealth citizens leaving HM armed forces for loans of sets of music scores to borrowers living or who become settled in the UK and who meet the working in their area. [181508] residency requirement may qualify for student funding. 373W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 374W

Basic Skills can access using the following hyperlink. Information for July to December 2013 will be published in due Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for course. Business, Innovation and Skills what funding his https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?departments% Department provided for delivery of basic skills training 5B%5D=department-for-business-innovation-skills& by (a) providers graded 1 or 2 by Ofsted and (b) other publication_type=transparency-data providers in each of the last three years. [181389] Information on any meetings between officials and business groups and individual companies on the British Matthew Hancock: The funding for basic skills training Business Bank is not held centrally. from the Adult Skills Budget for the past three academic years is set out in the following table. The figures Engineering Skills Review include spend on delivery of basic skills training (English and maths) by all providers and those with Ofsted Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Grade 1 and 2. Aside from funding for apprenticeships, Business, Innovation and Skills what his response to allocations to providers are not ring-fenced for specific the Perkins Review of Skills in Engineering is. [182215] types of provision. This follows our approach of encouraging freedom and flexibility, where providers Matthew Hancock: I refer the hon. Member to the have discretion to use their allocation to best meet the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid needs of local learners and employers. Worcestershire (Sir Peter Luff) on 8 November 2013, Official Report, column 396W. £ million Academic year Literacy 2012/13 2011/12 2010/11

Basic skills provision 346 318 304 Stephen Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for of which: Ofsted Grade 1 246 225 212 Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how much his and 2 providers Department has spent on the provision of adult literacy of which: All other 100 93 91 services in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12 and (c) 2012-13; providers [182187] Notes: 1. Basic skills is English and maths only (it does not include English for (2) what steps his Department is taking to support speakers of other languages) and includes English and maths training as part adult literacy. [182188] of an apprenticeship. 2. OFSTED grades are as at November 2013. 3. The data do not include basic skills training undertaken as part of the Matthew Hancock: It is the Government’s priority to Employer Ownership Pilot. ensure that all adults in England have the basic literacy 4.The spend on basic skills is estimated based on data from the Individualised Learner Record (ILR). and numeracy skills they need to find and sustain employment and which can also contribute to other British Business Bank benefits, such as improved health and well-being. We aim to improve the current level of literacy of Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for working age adults. Since August 2012, we have fully Business, Innovation and Skills when he expects funds funded any adult to complete an English GCSE where to be allocated to companies from the British Business they do not have one as well as continuing to support Bank. [181684] people to achieve other English and ESOL qualifications which help them progress to that level. Matthew Hancock: British Business Bank schemes Our reforms to further education (FE) will improve are already providing funding to businesses across the the quality of the teaching work force, reward the best UK. providers and ensure learners are stretched to achieve the best they can. Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for In August 2013, we introduced a bursary scheme Business, Innovation and Skills how many people in his which offers up to £9,000 to the brightest and best Department work for the British Business Bank on a graduates to train as specialist teachers and teach English (a) full-time and (b) part-time basis. [181685] in FE. Matthew Hancock: There are 63 full-time equivalent From spring 2014 we will be funding a pilot for a people employed by the Department for Business, continuous professional development programme to Innovation and Skills working for the British Business enhance the skills of English teachers to teach to GCSE Bank. There are currently no part-time workers. level and identify innovative and best approach. Also, the Centres of Excellence in Teacher Training will be Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for identifying and disseminate best practice in teaching Business, Innovation and Skills what meetings (a) he, English to post-16 students. (b) other Ministers and (c) officials in his Department From 2015, new English GCSE qualifications will had with (i) business groups and (ii) individual companies require a closer focus on essential skills like spelling and on the British Business Bank between 1 June 2012 and grammar. 31 December 2013. [181686] All intermediate apprentices will be required to work towards achieving a Level 2 in English from August Matthew Hancock: Details of Ministers’ meetings 2014. All young people undertaking a traineeship will with external organisations up to 30 June 2013 are be required to study English unless they have already published quarterly on the gov.uk website which you achieved a Level 2. 375W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 376W

In the December 2013 autumn statement we announced Michael Fallon: The Secretary of State for Business, that we will pilot a requirement that young people aged Innovation and Skills has had no such discussions with 18-21 without a Level 2 qualification in English and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport. maths undertake training to improve these vital skills from the very outset of a claim for jobseeker’s allowance. Research: Finance In June 2013 we announced that, from April 2014, unemployed JSA claimants with very poor spoken English Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for language skills will be required to train to bring their Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has skills up to the level expected by employers. Claimants made of the science and research budget for the next will be mandated by Jobcentres to English language financial year. [181450] training with a FE provider. The amount spent on the provision of adult literacy Mr Willetts: The Department published allocations services (English basic skills training from the adult for the periods concerned in the booklet “The Allocation skills budget) for the past three academic years is set out of Science and Research Funding 2011-12 to 2014-15” in the following table. (20 December 2010): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/allocation-of- AY £ million science-and-research-funding-2011-12-to-2014-15 This gives the total budget for 2014-15 as £4.57 billion. 2010/11 153 2011/12 164 The Department has also announced additional 2012/13 178 allocations since the spending review through fiscal Notes: events totalling £609 million in 2014-15. 1. Figures do not include English for Speakers of Other Languages and include English training as part of an apprenticeship. Royal Bank of Scotland 2. The data do not include English training undertaken as part of the Employer Ownership pilot. 3. The spend is estimated based on data from the Individualised Learner Record Mrs Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, (ILR). Innovation and Skills if he will establish a public inquiry Medicine: Students into allegations by small business owners that the Royal Bank of Scotland forced viable companies into default so the bank could seize their assets. [181884] Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many medical students are Matthew Hancock: Regulation of the banks is a currently studying at universities in England; and how matter for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and many such students are UK citizens. [181479] the Prudential Regulation Authority. Mr Willetts: The Higher Education Statistics Agency The FCA announced on 29 October 2013 that an (HESA) collects and publishes data on students at UK independent skilled person will be appointed under higher education institutions (HEIs). Information on section 166 of the Financial Services and Markets Act the nationality of higher education enrolments in medicine 2000 to review allegations about Royal Bank of Scotland’s subjects at English HEIs for the academic year 2011/12 (RBS) treatment of customers in financial difficulties. has been provided in the table. This followed the FCA’s consideration of reports published by Sir Andrew Large into lending practices at the RBS Information for the 2012/13 academic year will become and, separately, by Lawrence Tomlinson. available from HESA on 16 January 2014. Full-person equivalent (FPE)1 enrolments2 studying medicine3 by nationality- Space Technology English higher education institutions-academic year 2011/12 Nationality Enrolments Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State UK 42,225 for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what assessment Non-UK 12,080 he has made of the potential of synergetic air-breathing Unknown 35 rocket engines for placing large-scale solar stations in Total 54,340 geo-stationary orbit; and if he will make a statement; 1 Counts in the table refer to full-person equivalents (FPEs). FPEs are derived [182151] by splitting student instances between the different subjects that make up their course aim. (2) what assessment he has made of the potential of 2 Enrolments refer to students in all years of study. synergetic air-breathing rocket engines for improving 3 Subject information is defined using the Joint Academic Coding System (JACS2) the speed and efficiency of travel; and if he will make a Note: statement. [182152] Figures are based on a HESA standard registration population and have been rounded up or down to the nearest five, so components may not sum to totals. Source: Mr Willetts: This Government have announced we Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) Student Record. will invest £60 million in synergetic air-breathing rocket engines. This decision was based on a detailed economic Railways: Freight assessment of the uses of their technology. The new space planes that these engines can power will, in principle, John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for be capable of delivering components into orbit for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions he has assembly into a range of larger scale space structures, had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the including those designed for solar energy applications. potential contribution of increased rail freight capacity The engines in new space planes could provide a means to (a) regional economic growth and (b) economic of reusable space access, and also improve flight times growth in West Yorkshire. [181933] across the globe. 377W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 378W

Wind Power: Seas and Oceans represents an important step in giving more confidence to the offshore wind industry to invest in Britain and create jobs. Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Government’s Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy, published Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to Action in August 2013, Action Point 6, whether a finalised Point 16 of the Government’s Offshore Wind Industrial engagement plan has been produced with Norstec and Strategy, published in August 2013, when he expects to COREs; and if he will make a statement. [181535] publish the Low Carbon Innovation Strategy; and if he will make a statement. [182119] Michael Fallon: Following initial development work on a separate engagement strategy it was decided that Gregory Barker: I have been asked to reply on behalf COREs would feed into the work already planned by of the Department of Energy and Climate Change. Norstec focusing on events around Global Wind Day We expect this document to be published in on 15 June 2014. Norstec will lead on development of February 2014. an engagement strategy.

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the TREASURY Government’s Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy, published Child Benefit: Barrow in Furness in August 2013, Action Point 4, how many share fair events for supply chain opportunities have been organised John Woodcock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer and delivered to date. [181536] how many households in Barrow and Furness constituency opted out of receiving child benefit prior to 6 January Michael Fallon: Since the inception of the Industrial 2013; how many such households have subsequently Strategy for Offshore Wind, there have been two share opted out; and how many have been subject to the fairs. The first took place on 13 June 2013 and the high-income child benefit charge. [182244] second on 5 November 2013, at the RenewableUK Conferences in Manchester and Birmingham respectively. Mr Gauke: The self-assessment deadline for the year We expect this to be an ongoing event to enable industry 2012-13 is 31 January 2014. When this deadline has to publicise supply chain opportunities in the offshore passed, and all declarations have been fully processed, wind sector. we will know the total number of people affected by the High Income Child Benefit Charge. Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Details on the number of claimants who have chosen Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the to “opt-out” of child benefit payment will be available Government’s Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy, in the next Child Benefit National Statistics publication. published in August 2013, Action Point 9, whether the This is due to be published on 28 February 2014 and Offshore Wind Investment Organisation to deliver will be available here: inward investment into the UK has been established; http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/child-benefit.htm and if he will make a statement. [181537] Details on the timings of when claimants chose to stop their payments are not available. Michael Fallon: The Offshore Wind Investment Organisation has been established within UK Trade Corporation Tax and Investment to increase significantly inward investment into the offshore wind supply chain. It is working with Mr Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer foreign owned companies to promote investment if he will make an assessment of the public’s perception opportunities in areas of the supply chain where there is of the influence of Ernst & Young on the reform of most potential for the creation of new jobs and the corporation tax legislation; and if he will make a statement. reduction of deployment costs. [181533]

Mrs Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Gauke: The Government are committed to better Business, Innovation and Skills if he will publish the tax policy making and recognises the importance when Government’s plans to create orders for British firms in developing policy of consulting with all interested parties, the offshore wind energy industry. [181828] as set out in the Corporate Tax Road Map. The Government take all views into consideration, but ultimately decisions on tax are for Ministers. We do not therefore feel that it Michael Fallon: The Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy, is appropriate or necessary to conduct an assessment of published on 1 August 2013, sets out a joint industry the public’s perception of specific companies’ influence and Government plan to build a competitive and innovative on corporation tax legislation. UK supply chain that delivers and sustains jobs, exports and economic benefits for the UK. Financial Stability Board Further to this strategy, on 4 December 2013, Government published the final Contract for Difference Nicholas Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the (CfD) strike prices and contract terms under the Electricity Exchequer how much the Government contribute to Market Reform (EMR). The full EMR Delivery Plan the Global Financial Stability Board in (a) staff and was published on 19 December 2013. This commitment (b) money terms. [182140] 379W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 380W

Sajid Javid: The Financial Stability Board, is a separate reply to his letter of 11 November 2013, sent to the legal entity which is currently hosted and funded by the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Bank for International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland. and subsequently transferred to the Treasury, reference The UK Government do not make any contributions of 7/29806/2013; and what the reasons are for the time money or personnel towards the Board secretariat. taken to provide a response. [181181] The Government and UK independent regulators are represented at the Board by the relevant officials. It is Sajid Javid [holding answer 6 January 2014]: Ihave currently chaired by the Governor of the Bank of replied to the hon. Member. England. The Financial Stability Board may decide to raise Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Chancellor of the subscriptions from members in the future to cover its Exchequer when he intends to reply to the letter to the costs. It is for that reason that the Government amended Financial Secretary to the Treasury dated 3 December the Financial Services and Markets Act (2000) to give 2013 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, the Treasury the power to direct the regulators to collect Gorton with regard to Mr David Feltham. [181600] fees from the financial services industry to cover the costs of the Treasury’s membership of the Financial Sajid Javid: I have replied to the right hon. Member. Stability Board.

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the Steve Rotheram: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is towards the Global Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letter from the Financial Stability Board; and which policy objectives hon. Member for Liverpool, Walton dated 1 November he is pursuing through membership of the Board. 2013. [182309] [182141] Mr Gauke: I have replied to the hon. Member. Sajid Javid: My policy, and that of all involved UK authorities, is to actively engage with the Financial Payment Systems Regulator Stability Board to support its work in establishing and promoting the implementation of effective regulatory, supervisory, and other financial sector policies. Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer The key objective in working with the Financial what range of financial penalties for compliance failure Stability Board lies in the creation of a stable and the new Payment Systems Regulator will be able to resilient global financial system that is best suited to impose when it becomes fully operational in 2015; and providing support to the real economy. if he will make a statement. [181610]

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Chancellor of the Sajid Javid: The Financial Services (Banking Reform) Exchequer what assessment he has made of the recent Act 2013 provides that the Payment Systems Regulator, work of the Global Financial Stability Board; and if he once established, will be required to publish and apply a will make a statement. [182142] statement of principles regarding the imposition and amount of penalties. The Payment Systems Regulator Sajid Javid: The UK is very supportive of the Financial will have to justify any financial penalty it imposes on a Stability Board, its work to improve the stability of the participant in a regulated payment system. The level of financial system and its role in coordinating national any penalty will be subject to a full merits appeal to the financial authorities and international standard setting Competition Appeal Tribunal. bodies. We will continue to engage proactively with the Financial Stability Board as the agenda is taken forwards. Revenue and Customs: Newry Income Tax: Scotland Ian Paisley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Margaret Curran: To ask the Chancellor of the on what date HM Revenue and Customs’ offices in Exchequer what his most recent estimate is of the cost Newry will be closed. [181639] to the UK of implementation of the Scottish rate of income tax. [181446] Mr Gauke: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has not taken the decision to close the offices in Newry. Danny Alexander [holding answer 9 January 2014]: I HMRC has given very early information to people in refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the 21 offices across the UK, including Newry, that some or Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury on 13 June 2013, all of the work done in their offices does not fit the Official Report, column 390W. The UK Government’s long-term plans for the Department and they have been second annual report on the implementation of the invited to consider voluntary exit given this. Acceptance fiscal aspects of the Scotland Act 2012, to be published is entirely voluntary. HMRC will honour its commitment before 1 May 2014, will include any revisions to the to keep the Newry office open until at least 2015. estimated costs for implementing the Scottish rate of income tax. Staff in any adjoining or nearby inquiry centres have also been invited to consider voluntary exit because of Members: Correspondence the potential impact on them in future too. This does not pre-empt HMRC’s decision around the future of Mr Winnick: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer inquiry centres and the outcome of the Needs Enhanced when the hon. Member for Walsall North will receive a Support pilot in January 2014. 381W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 382W

Shareholders Mr Gauke: Estimates of total revenue losses associated with the beer illicit market for the UK are published in Mr Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer ‘Measuring Tax Gaps’. These estimates cannot be what estimate his Department has made of the proportion disaggregated. of shares by value owned by individuals. [181501] The Government announced at autumn statement that we would introduce a registration scheme for alcohol Mr Hurd: I have been asked to reply on behalf of the wholesalers which will be fully implemented by 2018. Cabinet Office. This will help to reduce alcohol fraud though better The information requested falls within the responsibility regulation of the wholesale sector which is the point at of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority which illicit products are normally distributed. to reply. The Beer Tax Gap published in 2013 can be found at: Letter from Glen Watson, dated January 2014: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/tax-gaps/mtg-2013.pdf As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I The associated tables are found here: have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/statistics/tax-gaps/mtg-table2013.xls asking what estimate has been made of the proportion of shares by value owned by individuals (181501). The results of the most recent ONS share ownership survey Taxation: Environment Protection were published in “Ownership of UK Quoted Shares, 2012”, which is available on the ONS website. The latest year for which data are available on the proportion of shares by value owned by Dan Byles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer individuals is 2012. (1) what estimate he has made of what the effects of the The figures for the period 1963-2012 are shown in the table. carbon price floor would be on consumer electricity These are taken from Table A of the above publication, which bills in each of the first five years of its operation if all also provides the proportion for all other beneficial ownership other factors affecting the price were unchanged; categories. [181531] The individual beneficial ownership category includes holdings (2) what estimate he has made of what the effects owned by individual persons resident in the UK (whether registered in their own name, through a PEP/ISA, or as clients of a stockbroker would be of the carbon price floor on average or fund management group); shares held for employee share wholesale electricity prices in each of the first five years ownership schemes; and shares held in trusts with named individual of its operation if all other factors affecting the price beneficiaries. remained unchanged. [181532]

Percentage of the value of the UK stock market owned by individuals Nicky Morgan: The Government’s latest assessment of the impact of climate change and energy policies on 1963 54.0 consumer energy prices and bills was in March 20131. 1969 47.4 This sets out impacts for 2013, showing that the carbon 1975 37.5 price floor was estimated to add around £1 per megawatt 1981 28.2 hour (MWh) or 2% to wholesale electricity prices in 1989 20.6 2013 (2012 prices, not including VAT) around £5 (2012 1990 20.3 prices, not including VAT), or less than 1%, to the 1991 19.9 average household energy (gas and electricity) bill in 1992 20.4 2013. The Government have not estimated what the 1993 17.7 impact would be in subsequent years if all other factors 1994 20.3 affecting the electricity price remained unchanged. 1997 16.5 l https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/estimated-impacts- 1998 16.7 of-energy-and-climate-change-policies-on-energy-prices-and- 1999 15.3 bills 2000 16.0 2001 14.8 Taxation: Scotland 2002 14.3 2003 14.9 2004 14.1 Margaret Curran: To ask the Chancellor of the 2006 12.8 Exchequer what criteria are used to assess proposals to 2008 10.2 create new devolved taxes under the Scotland Act 2012; 2010 10.2 and whether any such proposals have been made. 2012 10.7 [181464] Note: Share ownership data are not available for all years. Source: Danny Alexander [holding answer 9 January 2014]: A ONS Ownership of UK Quoted Shares, 2012. description of the process to create new devolved taxes in Scotland is set out in chapter 6 of the first following Tax Avoidance: Beer link: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ Mr Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer attachment_data/file/192494/First_Annual_Report_on_ what estimate his Department has made of the amount he_Implementation_and_Operation_of_Part_3_of_the of revenue lost to the Exchequer through the avoidance _Scotland_Act_2012.pdf of VAT and excise duty on beer in the last year for To date no proposals to create new devolved taxes which figures are available. [181499] have been made. 383W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 384W

TRANSPORT Buses: Tyres

Biofuels Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department is conducting or Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport has commissioned research on the issue of the age of how much palm oil was imported for bio-fuels in the tyres on buses and coaches. [181358] most recent period for which figures are available. [181494] Stephen Hammond: The Department has not undertaken research into the effect of age on the performance of Mr Goodwill: The latest near complete dataset available tyres fitted to buses and coaches. The Department Biofuel statistics: Year 5 (2012 to 2013), report 5 suggests undertook a sample survey of the age of tyres currently that in 2012-13 approximately 1.407 million litres of fitted to older buses and coaches during the autumn of biodiesel derived from palm oil was reported by suppliers. 2013. Officials are currently reviewing available evidence As a proportion of overall supply of biofuels this from the international community to inform the possible represents 0.1%. The data indicate that all biodiesel commissioning of future research on this subject. derived from palm oil was imported. A full year’s data for biofuels feedstocks for 2013-14 Commuters are not yet available. Biofuel statistics: Year 6 (2013 to 2014), report 1 records that no biodiesel derived from Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for palm oil was reported in the first quarter, although this Transport what estimate he has made of the number of is report one of six and therefore contains an incomplete people in the UK who commute to work by (a) public dataset. and (b) private means of transport. [182159] Statistics covering the volume of biofuel supplied by feedstock and country of origin under the Renewable Stephen Hammond: Estimates of the usual method of Transport Fuel Obligation are available at: travel to work for residents of Great Britain from the http://www.dft.gov.uk/statistics/series/biofuels/ Labour Force Survey (LFS) are published in table TSGB0108, downloadable from: Bus Services: Visual Impairment https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/259264/tsgb0108.xls Mr Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Of the estimated 29 million people in employment in if he will bring forward legislative proposals to amend 2012, the LFS estimates that 5 million (17%) travelled the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations to work by public transport and 24 million (83%) by 2000 to oblige bus operators to provide audio guidance private transport modes (which includes cycling and on alighting points for passengers using their services, walking). with particular reference to the needs of blind people Estimates from the National Travel Survey on the and the visually impaired. [181438] number of commuting trips by mode of transport also show the same proportional split between public and Stephen Hammond: I recognise that many people find private modes. These are published in table NTS0409, audio and visual announcements useful and understand downloadable from: the social benefits of having such systems on buses. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ However, we have no plans to make these systems attachment_data/file/35612/nts0409.xls mandatory through amendments to existing legislation as the business case for operators cannot be demonstrated Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for and the Government are unwilling to force financial Transport what estimate he has made of the average burdens of this kind on the industry in the current (a) distance and (b) length of time it takes people in financial climate. the UK to commute to work. [182160] We will continue to work with bus industry stakeholders to identify the best solutions to improve access to the Stephen Hammond: Estimates of the average distance public transport system for all passengers. and length of time of a commuting trip for residents of Great Britain are available from the National Travel Buses: Testing Survey in published tables NTS0405 and NTS0406, downloadable from: Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/nts04- for Transport what recent assessment he has made of purpose-of-trips the adequacy of MOT test requirements for buses when In 2012, the average length of a commuting trip was those vehicles are used entirely for the purpose of nine miles and took 28 minutes. transporting mountain bikers up and down mountains and hills; and if he will make a statement. [182308] Crossrail Line Stephen Hammond: The Department has not carried out a roadworthiness review in relation to buses transporting Chris Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for mountain bikes as this type of operation would not fall Transport to which of CAF, Hitachi Rail Europe Ltd, within scope of vehicle roadworthiness testing. Buses Siemans plc or Bombardier Transportation (UK) Ltd used on public roads are expected to have a valid he plans to award preferred bidder status for the roadworthiness test certificate. forthcoming Crossrail rolling stock contract. [182480] 385W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 386W

Stephen Hammond: The Crossrail rolling stock and Stephen Hammond: When the Driver and Vehicle depot contract is being procured by Crossrail Ltd, and Licensing Agency (DVLA) receives a notification from they are currently evaluating bids from Bombardier a court or fixed penalty office of a driver who has Transportation (UK) Ltd, Construcciones y Auxiliar de accumulated six penalty points in the first two years of Ferrocarriles SA (CAF) and Hitachi Rail Europe Ltd; becoming a qualified driver and so meets the criteria of Siemens plc withdrew from the competition in July the Road Traffic (New Drivers) Act 1995, a letter is 2013. Crossrail Ltd is procuring this contract on behalf produced by the DVLA informing the driver that his/her of Transport for London. driving licence will be automatically revoked five days I will make a statement to the House regarding the from the date of that letter. identity of the winning bidder upon completion of the procurement process by the spring of this year. Helicopters

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will examine in conjunction with the Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Civil Aviation Authority the adequacy of the existing Transport how many meetings the Driver and Vehicle parameters of regulation for helicopter safety. [181616] Licensing Agency has had with (a) Amazon, (b) the (c) Royal Mail and Amazon and the Royal Mail in the Mr Goodwill: The safety of UK civil aviation is last two years; and what local labour market information among the best in the world. Each year UK aircraft for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot was discussed or make approximately 1.15 million flights. Civil helicopter shared at those meetings. [182043] operations are subject to strict oversight and regulation to ensure the highest possible levels of safety. Stephen Hammond: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has not held any meetings with Amazon. The Civil Aviation Authority is currently undertaking The DVLA holds monthly contract service review a review of commercial civil offshore helicopter operations meetings with Royal Mail. The local labour market is and there may be elements of that work that influence not part of the agenda at these meetings and has not overall civil helicopter operations. As part of that review, been discussed. the CAA will consider if there are lessons to be learned for the safety of civil helicopter operations more broadly. Driving: Licensing High Speed 2 Railway Line Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport ever exercised discretion in revoking the licence held by if he will publish the full addresses of the 339 dwellings a new driver who has accumulated six penalty points and 21 community facilities that will be demolished if since the introduction of the Road Traffic (New Drivers) High Speed 2 proceeds as the Government currently Act 1995. [182059] plan. [181410]

Stephen Hammond: When the Driver and Vehicle Mr Goodwill: The addresses of the 339 dwellings and Licensing Agency (DVLA) receives a notification of 21 community facilities which will be demolished are set endorsement from a court or fixed penalty office of a out in Section 2 of the Environmental Statement Volume driver who meets the criteria of the Road Traffic (New 2 Community Forum Area (CFA) reports. The CFA Drivers) Act 1995, a letter is produced by the DVLA reports and map books are published online at: informing the driver that his/her driving licence will be https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hs2-phase-one- automatically revoked five days from the date of the environmental-statement-volume-2-community-forum-area- letter. There is no discretion or right of appeal. reports-and-map-books/hs2-phase-one-environmental- statement-volume-2-community-forum-area-reports-and- Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for map-books Transport what estimate he has made of the number of Printed copies of all hybrid Bill and Environmental new drivers that did not have their licence revoked Statement documents have been deposited at the Libraries under the provisions of the Road Traffic (New Drivers) of the House of Commons and House of Lords. Act 1995 following the accumulation of six penalty points in each year since that Act’s introduction; and under what circumstances each such non-revocation Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport took place. [182060] when his Department will re-commence the work on a direct Heathrow Airport link to High Speed 2, which Stephen Hammond: All drivers who accumulate six or was suspended in January 2013. [181411] more penalty points within their two year probationary period have their driving licence automatically revoked Mr Goodwill: The Government support a direct high by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) speed connection to Heathrow. We consider however when the DVLA is notified by a court or fixed penalty that further work on a link to Heathrow should await office of such a driver. the final conclusions and recommendation of the Airports Commission. We have therefore paused work on the Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport link until the Commission’s work has been concluded. at what point a new driver who has accumulated six The recent publication of the Commission’s Interim penalty points has his or her licence revoked. [182226] Report does not change this. 387W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 388W

Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport The Secretary of State recognises the importance for if he will publish the addresses of the 67 dwellings that existing businesses of being able to plan their relocations will be significantly affected by noise from High Speed 2 with as much advance information as is reasonably as stated in the Environmental Statement on High practicable, to ensure a smooth transition of their operations Speed 2. [181412] from one location to another. An information paper will shortly be released with additional information on Mr Goodwill: The addresses are already published in support provided to businesses which have to relocate. the Environmental Statement for HS2 Phase One. Section 11 of each of the Volume 2 Community Forum Area Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (CFA) reports contains details of the assessment of if he will list the 1,510 jobs together with the organisations impacts and effects on individual dwellings, including that provides them that HS2 Ltd states are at risk as set address information. The properties are also detailed out in 7.10 of the non-technical summary of the on the Operational Noise and Vibration Impacts and Environmental Statement on High Speed 2. [181415] Likely Significant Effects maps in the CFA map books. The CFA reports and map books are published online Mr Goodwill: HS2 Ltd has drawn on research undertaken at: by the London Development Agency into the relocation https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hs2-phase-one- of companies and jobs in relation to the London 2012 environmental-statement-volume-2-community-forum-area- Olympic Games and has made an assumption about the reports-and-map-books/hs2-phase-one-environmental- number of businesses that will not continue operations statement-volume-2-community-forum-area-reports-and- when their premises are required for the HS2 Scheme. map-books The assessment is based on a proportion of businesses impacted and no assessment has been made of the Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for likelihood of any individual business deciding whether Transport if he will list the 300 existing businesses that to extinguish its operation or relocate. will be required to relocate together with their full It is therefore not possible to provide a list of jobs or addresses and the number of employees of each businesses that may be at risk of not continuing. The company as stated in the Environmental Statement on approach used is set out in further detail in paragraphs High Speed 2. [181413] 11.6.10 to 11.6.17 in Volume 3 of the Environmental Statement. Mr Goodwill: The number of businesses within each Community Forum Area (CFA) which would be directly Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport impacted by the Proposed Scheme (ie those that lie if he will give the full addresses of (a) the six Grade II within land which would be acquired for the construction listed buildings that will be demolished, (b) the four of the Proposed Scheme) are set out in Section 10 of the Grade II listed buildings that will be altered and (c) the Environmental Statement Volume 2, CFA Reports. The eight Grade II listed buildings that will be removed and businesses are grouped into similar types and these are relocated together with (i) the estimated dates of such listed in Section 10.4 of each of the reports. The number demolition, commencement of alterations and removal of employees within businesses has been estimated through and (ii) the full addresses of the relocation sites under a combination of sources, for example surveys of businesses, plans for High Speed 2. [181416] employment datasets, employment floor space and standard employment density ratios and therefore may vary from Mr Goodwill: The addresses of all the Grade II listed actual employment at the sites. The names of businesses buildings to be affected are set out in Table 1, Schedule and the streets on which they are located are also 17 ‘Listed Buildings’ of the High Speed Rail (London-West included. Midlands) Bill. The CFA reports are published online at: The estimated dates for construction works have been https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hs2-phase-one- published in Volume 2, Section 2 of the Environmental environmental-statement-volume-2-community-forum-area- reports-and-map-books/hs2-phase-one-environmental- Statement for each Community Forum Area (CFA). statement-volume-2-community-forum-area-reports-and- These dates will be subject to further detailed refinement. map-books The relocations comprise: The monument to the Christie family, the obelisk to Baron Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for and the drinking fountain in St James Gardens at Transport what additional support will be available to Euston; those businesses that will be forced to relocate as set the Robert Stephenson statue at Euston Station; and out in the Environmental Statement on High Speed 2. the railings around Euston Square and war memorial. [181414] All of these historic items will be incorporated into the urban realm at Euston. Mr Goodwill: Businesses displaced by the scheme will be compensated within the provisions of the relevant There are also two pairs of stone piers with lampstands compulsory purchase legislation—generally known as at either end of Mornington street railway bridge; these the Compensation Code. This recognises the importance will be reinstated when the bridge is rebuilt. to businesses displaced from their existing premises (by compulsory purchase of those premises for public works) Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport of being able to relocate to another site. The Compensation what (a) individuals and (b) organisations have contacted Code normally provides for the cost of such relocation HS2 Ltd or his Department to ask for an extension to to be taken into account under the heading of disturbance the consultation period on the environmental statement compensation. on High Speed 2. [182154] 389W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 390W

Mr Goodwill: Since the launch of the consultation on Mr Goodwill: The range of daily traffic flows on the the HS2 environmental statement on 25 November 2013, M6 motorway between junctions 4 and 12 in each year the Department for Transport has received correspondence since 2004 are as follows: on the length of the consultation period from the individuals 2004: between 81,000 and 147,000 and organisations specified in the following table. It is 2005: between 81,000 and 152,000 important to note that in some cases the Members of Parliament listed below have forwarded on the views of 2006: between 78,000 and 150,000 their constituents. Where no organisation is specified, 2007: between 81,000 and 153,000 the entry refers to someone that the Department believes 2008: between 85,000 and 158,000 made contact in an individual capacity. It is possible 2009: between 86,000 and 157,000 that the consultation length may have been raised in 2010: between 80,000 and 151,000 other correspondence alongside other issues in a few cases, and these may not have been captured in this 2011: between 84,000 and 158,000 table given the time available. 2012: between 74,000 and 159,000 2013: between 70,000 and 159,000 (estimated, based on January Name Organisation to October). The range demonstrates the lowest and highest annual Steve Rodrick Chilterns Conservation Board average daily traffic flow as measured on defined sections Paul Lankester Stratford district council of the motorway between these two junctions. David Lidington MP Member of Parliament Andrea Leadsom MP Member of Parliament Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for Cllr Izzi Seccombe Leader of Warwickshire county council Transport what the average number of daily vehicle John Gladwin FCA Chiltern Society movements on the M6 toll road was in each year since [181426] John Bercow MP Member of Parliament 2004. Cheryl Gillan MP Member of Parliament Chris Eaglen n/a Mr Goodwill: Average daily traffic flows on the M6 Ken Clarke n/a toll in each year since 2004 are as follows: Rae Sloan n/a 2004: 45,723 Mr Neave n/a 2005: 44,773 2006: 47,679 Mrs Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for 2007: 45,898 Transport if he will publish his plans for maintaining 2008: 40,508 full access to the Broadwater Sailing Club during the 2009: 38,519 construction phase of High Speed 2. [182469] 2010: 39,760 Mr Goodwill: HS2 Ltd will be working with the 2011: 35,711 Sailing Club regarding access arrangements and they 2012: 35,000 will contact the Sailing Club to discuss these options as 2013: 38,642 (estimated, based on January to August). the construction details are finalised during the Bill process. Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the cost of Invalid Vehicles: Car Tax taking the M6 Toll Road into public ownership. [181471]

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Goodwill: The Department has not made an Transport with reference to his plans to remove the estimate of the cost of taking the M6 Toll road into requirement for vehicles to display a paper tax disc, public ownership. how he plans that the payment of vehicle excise duty will be monitored for those mobility scooters which are John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for subject to it. [182076] Transport for how many hours the M6 motorway was closed in either direction in Cumbria and Lancashire Stephen Hammond: Although some mobility scooters due to accidents in each of the last five years. [182462] must be registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and display a ‘nil duty’ tax disc, they are exempt Mr Goodwill: Over the last five years (1 January 2009 from the payment of vehicle excise duty. When the tax to 31 December 2013 inc), on the M6 in the Cumbria disc is abolished, there will be no requirement for these and Lancashire areas, 90 road traffic collisions have nil duty discs to be displayed on mobility scooters. As been recorded that resulted in a total closure (all lanes these vehicles are exempt from vehicle excise duty, no both carriageways) or whole closure (all lanes one monitoring will be required. carriageway) with a total of 344 hours and 10 minutes impact duration being recorded. M6 Please note this is the total impact duration, that being the time where the capacity, of one or more Gavin Williamson: To ask the Secretary of State for running lanes, has been reduced and not just the time Transport what the average number of daily vehicle that all lanes were closed. movements on the M6 motorway between junctions 4 The information above is broken down on a year-by-year and 12 was in each year since 2004. [181425] basis as follows: 391W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 392W

2009: 18 road traffic collisions, total impact duration 44 hours Stephen Hammond: The investigation of train journeys 50 minutes; is not within VOSA’s remit. 2010: 14 road traffic collisions, total impact duration 24 hours 9 minutes; Railways: Fares 2011: 17 road traffic collisions, total impact duration 69 hours 27 minutes; Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for 2012: 16 road traffic collisions, total impact duration 72 hours Transport what estimate he has made of the cost to the 8 minutes; and public purse of the decision to limit rail fares to RPI+0 2013: 25 road traffic collisions, total impact duration 133 hours in (a) 2014 and (b) 2015; and if he will provide a 36 minutes. breakdown of that cost. [182399]

Motor Vehicles Stephen Hammond: In the Chancellor’s autumn statement the average regulated fare rise was reduced to RPI plus 0% for 2014. This reduction will require Government to Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for adjust levels of franchise compensation, and the amount Transport what steps his Department is taking to record to be paid will be determined through negotiations with all non-UK registered vehicles in the UK. [182400] train operators.

Stephen Hammond: Foreign registered vehicles brought Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for temporarily into the UK do not need to be registered Transport what estimate he has made of the cost to the with the DVLA and are exempt from UK tax and public purse of the decision to limit the amount train registration for up to six months in any 12 month operating companies are able to vary rail fares to 2% in period. This six month exemption is a provision within (a) 2014 and (b) 2015; and if he will provide a EU legislation, which also grants UK registered vehicles breakdown of that cost. [182408] the same privilege while abroad. Once the six month exemption period has passed, Stephen Hammond: The decision to reduce the amount vehicles must be taxed and registered under UK law. train operators can vary rail fares to 2% was one of a Vehicles that remain after the exemption period has number of measures announced in the Government’s expired may be subject to enforcement action. Fares and Ticketing Review that will benefit rail passengers. This measure will require Government to adjust levels The DVLA is working with the UK Border Force of franchise compensation, and the amount to be paid and the police to explore how data can be used by the will be determined through negotiations with train police to identify foreign registered vehicles that have operators. been in the UK for longer than six months. Once this exploratory work has been completed a plan of action Railways: Finance will be developed for implementing the proposed solution. Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Karl McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for what estimate he has made of the total amount of (a) Transport what representations his Department has publicly funded and (b) private investment in the railways made to its European counterparts on preventing the since 2010. [181530] use in this country of non-UK registered vehicles in the last year. [182405] Stephen Hammond: Details of publicly funded investment in Britain’s Railways between 2010-11 and 2012-13 as Stephen Hammond: Foreign registered vehicles brought reported by Network Rail can be found on Network temporarily into the UK are exempt from UK licensing Rail’s website at the following link: and registration for up to six months in any 12 month https://www.networkrail.co.uk/publications/Annual-return/ period. This exemption is provided for in EU law and The link includes funding provided for support of the also applies to UK vehicles while abroad. Once the railway infrastructure for England, Wales and Scotland exemption period has passed, foreign registered vehicles by both the Department for Transport and Transport must be licensed and registered according to UK law. Scotland This information includes all enhancements to Vehicles that remain after the exemption period has the railways and associated infrastructure for Great expired may be subject to enforcement action. This can Britain, excluding Transport for London and Crossrail include wheel-clamping, removal and disposal of the expenditure. vehicle. Details of Crossrail spend can be found on the ORR’s The Department has not made any representations to website. Crossrail spend is listed as part of the ‘Other its European counterparts on preventing the use of Government Support’ column: non-UK registered vehicles in this country in the last http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/htmi/8752da4c- year. fe20-4c1c-8a3d-5afd402f3f1d Other information is available as part of the Department Railways: Bolton for Transport’s Annual Report and Accounts 2012-13: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for attachment_data/file/209980/annual-report-and-accounts- Transport how many investigations the Vehicle and 2012-2013.pdf Operator Services Agency has undertaken in each year Details of private investment in Great Britain’s railways since 2010 into passenger train journeys serving Bolton are available on ORR’s website at the following link: following alleged infringements of the Public Service http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/report/html/5cc4eb14- Vehicles (Carrying Capacity) Regulations 1984. [182101] fe68-4b72-aebf-81625df90d86 393W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 394W

Railways: Franchises Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and what proportion of shifts at maritime rescue co-ordination centres were staffed at Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport below risk-assessed levels in 2013. [182049] which existing rail franchise contracts (a) have been or (b) he plans will be renewed by direct award to the Stephen Hammond: In 2013 2,560 out of 11,680 shifts incumbent operator; and what stage negotiations with were staffed at below risk-assessed levels across Her the incumbent operators have reached in each such 1 Majesty’s Coastguard Maritime Rescue Co-ordination case. [178898] Centres (MRCC). This equates to 21.9% of all shifts. Where there are specific issues at a MRCC Her Stephen Hammond: As per the franchising timetable Majesty’s Coastguard is using the current long-established announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of pairing arrangements between MRCCs. This enables State for Transport on 26 March 2013, a number of new each MRCC to be connected to at least one other franchise contracts need to be negotiated via Direct MRCC which is available to provide mutual support. Award. These are new franchises, not extensions of existing contracts. Rescue Services: Direct Awards have already been negotiated with Essex Thameside (c2c) and First Great Western. The contracts began in May 2013 and October 2013 and will Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport run until September 2014 and July 2016 respectively. how many times the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, Belfast was staffed at below risk-assessed levels The Department has recently received the proposal in December 2013. [182048] for Greater Anglia, the Direct Award for which will commence July 2014 and run until October 2016. We Stephen Hammond: During December 2013 Belfast are in negotiation with Northern and First Capital Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) was Connect whose Direct Awards will run from April 2014 staffed below risk-assessed levels on 11 occasions out of to February 2016 and April 2014 to September 2014 62 shifts. respectively. Where there are specific issues at a MRCC Her The Department is preparing the Requests for Proposal Majesty’s Coastguard is using the current long-established for TransPennine (April 2015—February 2016); Intercity pairing arrangements between MRCCs. This enables West Coast (November 2014—November 2017); South each MRCC to be connected to at least one other Eastern (October 2014—June 2018) and South West MRCC which is available to provide mutual support. Trains (February 2017—April 2019). We are in initial discussions with London Midland (September 2015—June Rescue Services: Liverpool 2017); East Midlands Trains (April 2015—October 2017) and Cross Country (October 2016—October 2019). Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Centre, Liverpool was staffed at below risk-assessed what assessment his Department has made of the potential levels in December 2013. [182046] benefits to rail passengers of management contracts with operators. [181529] Stephen Hammond: During December 2013 Liverpool Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) was Stephen Hammond: The Government agree with the staffed below risk-assessed levels on 15 occasions out of Brown Review that there may be a case for management 62 shifts. contracts where a franchisee is facing major and sustained Where there are specific issues at a MRCC Her disruption because of infrastructure works, and where Majesty’s Coastguard is using the current long established revenue growth will be less important than maintaining pairing arrangements between MRCCs. This enables services through the disruption, such as in the recently each MRCC to be connected to at least one other tendered TSGN franchise. MRCC which is available to provide mutual support.

Rescue Services: Stornoway Rescue Services Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination on how many occasions both the Maritime Rescue Centre, Stornoway was staffed at below risk-assessed Co-ordination Centre, Belfast, and the Maritime Rescue levels in December 2013. [182047] Co-ordination Centre, Stornoway, were simultaneously staffed at below risk-assessed levels between 1 January Stephen Hammond: During December 2013 Stornoway 2013 and 31 December 2013. [182045] Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) was staffed below risk-assessed levels on 13 occasions out of Stephen Hammond: I have asked officials at the Maritime 62 shifts. and Coastguard Agency to compile the data for the Where there are specific issues at a MRCC Her period asked. The process to compile the data involves Majesty’s Coastguard is using the current long-established reconciliation from multiple sources. I will write with pairing arrangements between MRCCs. This enables the information requested once this has been collated each MRCC to be connected to at least one other and a copy will be placed in Libraries of the House. MRCC which is available to provide mutual support. 1.[Official Report, 17 January 2014, Vol. 573, c. 15MC.] 395W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 396W

Rolling Stock: North West JUSTICE

Mr Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 18 December Courts: Greater London 2013, Official Report, column 631W, on rolling stock: North West, what volume of passengers on the Bolton Mr Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice corridor peak time journeys is sufficient to trigger the how many cases referred by either the police or the contingency plans drawn up by his Department and Crown Prosecution Service to either Crown court or a Northern Rail. [182114] magistrates court in London were adjourned (a) once, (b) twice, (c) three times and (d) four or more times in Stephen Hammond: Northern and TransPennine Express each of the last two years; and if he will make a monitor passenger numbers and crowding levels and statement. [180912] update the Department regularly. The contingency plan was developed and proposed Mr Vara: Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service by Northern. can identify the number of cases before magistrates It is for Northern to implement as and when they courts or the Crown court in London, and the total deem it necessary—this is for the operator to decide as number of hearings each case had before it concluded they are best placed to make the decision based on their and from that how many times the case was adjourned local knowledge and making use of their existing fleet. from its first hearing to its final hearing. There are a Virgin Trains number of different types of hearings from preliminary hearings, bail applications, trials and sentence hearings and different cases require different numbers of hearings. Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for These data are management information and not subject Transport what fees have been paid by the Government to the same level of checks as Official Statistics. We are to Virgin West Coast since the introduction of the not able to separately identify CPS and police prosecutions management contract in December 2012. [181527] in the Crown court so all trial cases are included. We have presented data for 2011 and 2012. Stephen Hammond: Virgin West Coast retains 1% of revenue as per the contracted terms. This is the “fee” as Table 1 shows data for defendants in magistrates agreed in the management contract. courts in London and Table 2 shows data for trial cases in the Crown court in London. The proportion of For the relevant 16 week period ending 31 March defendants whose case is dealt with in one hearing at 2013 within the financial year 2012-13 (ending 31 March London magistrates courts increased from 52.6% in 2013), Virgin West Coast Trains’ “fee” for the provision 2011 to 54.0% in 2012. Judicially led initiatives in the of the Franchise Services totalled £2,860,000. Crown court, such as the early guilty plea scheme, and In the same period, the Government received £24,313,000 in the magistrates courts, such as stop delaying justice, as a premium payment from Virgin West Coast. have started to have an impact on the in court culture Cleared, audited accounts are not yet available for with challenge on the need to enter a guilty plea early in the tax year 2013-14. the process.

Table 1: Number of adjournments1 of defendants’ cases at magistrates courts in London prosecuted by the police or Crown Prosecution Service, 2011 and 20122,3,4,5 Number of defendants Adjournments1 2011 2012

0 95,662 90,689

1 42,088 38,986

2 20,610 18,175

3 10,307 9,018

4 or more 13,044 11,080

Total defendants 181,711 167,948

1 Adjournments show the total number of hearings after the first hearing in the magistrates court and may include bail applications, mentions, preliminary hearings, trials or sentencing hearings depending on the nature of the case. 2 Includes all cases completed in the magistrates courts. 3 Excludes breaches and cases with an offence to completion time greater than 10 years. 4 Only one offence is counted for each defendant in the case. If two or more cases complete on the same day, only the case with the longest duration is included. 5 Latest information available is to June 2013. Source: Criminal Court Statistics, Justice Statistics Analytical Services Table 2: Number of adjournments1 of trial cases at the Crown court in London, all prosecutors, 2011 and 20122,3 Number of trial cases Adjournments1 2011 2012

0 2,183 1,694 1 4,627 3,748 2 4,025 3,478 3 2,938 2,794 4 or more 6,284 6,736 397W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 398W

Table 2: Number of adjournments1 of trial cases at the Crown court in London, all prosecutors, 2011 and 20122,3 Number of trial cases Adjournments1 2011 2012

Total cases 20,057 18,450 1 Adjournments show the total number of hearings after the first hearing in the Crown court and may include bail applications, mentions, preliminary hearings, trials or sentencing hearings depending on the nature of the case. 2 Includes all trial cases completed in the Crown court in London. Committals for sentence and appeals against magistrates’ decisions are not included. 3 Latest information available is to June 2013. Source: HMCTS CREST case management system.

Electronic Tagging We believe the exceptions we have made strike the right balance between delivering a legal aid system that is fair to taxpayers and helps command public confidence, Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for while still ensuring legal aid remains available for cases Justice how much he plans to spend on services relating which justify it. to the electronic monitoring of offenders in (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16. [180921] Legal Profession: Bank Services Jeremy Wright: My Department is not in a position to provide meaningful expenditure forecasts until Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice negotiations under the current competition for electronic if he will make an assessment of the Caisse Des monitoring services have concluded. Règlements Pécuniaires de Avocates (CARPA) system in operation in France and its potential applicability to the UK. [181115] Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent discussions he has had with police and crime commissioners about the timing of the roll-out Mr Vara: In its consultation exercise ‘Proposals for of GPS tagging technology; and if he will make a the Reform of Legal Aid in England and Wales’ statement. [180922] http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20111121205348/ http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/consultations/legal-aid- reform-consultation.pdf Jeremy Wright: My Department is treating police and crime commissioners as important stakeholders in the Government examined options for alternative sources the use of electronic monitoring technology. My of legal aid funding, including consideration of the Department intends to bring them into the stakeholder CARPA schemes in France. In our subsequent consultation group for the new contracts in the coming weeks. We response, ‘Reform of Legal Aid in England and Wales: hope to engage with police forces that are keen to the Government Response’ innovate in this area as possible early adopters of the http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20111121205348/ new arrangements. http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/consultations/legal-aid- reform-government-response.pdf the Government concluded that neither the CARPA Legal Aid Scheme model nor the related Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Account schemes, operating in the United States of America and Australia, should be pursued at that time. The Government Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for currently have no plans to revisit the viability of CARPA Justice whether he plans to exempt all children from schemes for England and Wales. the proposed residence test for civil legal aid. [181697] Magistrates Courts Mr Vara: The Government believe that individuals, including children, should in principle have a strong connection to the UK in order to benefit from civil legal Sir Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for aid. Therefore as set out in the Government response, Justice what estimate he has made of the cost to the ‘Transforming Legal Aid: Next Steps’, we intend to public purse (a) per hour, (b) per case and (c) per proceed with our proposal that applicants for civil legal year of deploying (i) a district judge and (ii) a bench of aid will need to be lawfully resident in the UK, Crown three magistrates to reside over cases in magistrates Dependencies or British Overseas Territories at the time courts; and what the component elements are of that they apply and have resided there lawfully for at least 12 estimate in each case. [180431] months in the past. In addition to exceptions for serving members of Her Mr Vara: The average estimated costs for the financial Majesty’s UK Armed Forces and their immediate families, year 2012-13 are given in the table. and for asylum seekers, we set out a number of Cost category financial year 2012-13 modifications to the test in Next Steps. For any case, £ children under 12 months old would not be required to (a) per hour (c) per year have 12 months of previous continuous residence. The (i) District judge 92 171,673 test would also not apply in certain types of case which magistrates court broadly relate to an individual’s liberty, where the individual (ii) A bench of three 32 60,720 is particularly vulnerable or where the case relates to the magistrates protection of children. 399W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 400W

The component elements of the estimates in each Jeremy Wright: Information of the number of prison case are: officers in the public sector taking up voluntary early (i) a district judge—actual average cost of a district judge departure in each month between 1 May 2010 and 30 magistrates court including: salaries (pension and national insurance), September 2013 and the total amount paid in severance travel and subsistence, conferences and courses (external and to those officers is contained in the following table. internal), catering, car hire, training and costs of court associates sitting with district judge magistrates court. The average payment made to each officer taking up (ii) a bench of three magistrates—actual average costs of voluntary early departure between May 2010 and September magistrates, including: travel and subsistence, loss of earnings for 2013 was £35,550. employed and self-employed magistrates and the cost of a legal adviser. The average length of continuous service of each A meaningful cost per case cannot be calculated as a officer taking up voluntary early departure between completed case can involve multiple hearings and varying May 2010 and September 2013 was 18.7 years. durations to completion. Number of prison officers leaving on voluntary early departure schemes and total of payments made, May 2010 to September 2013 Previous research studies, including by IPSOS MORI VEDS exits available at: Total of payments www.justice.gov.uk/publications/research.htm Number made (£) have highlighted the difficulty of comparing the relative 2010 cost and productivity of magistrates and district judges. May — — June — — July — — Magistrates’ Courts: Prestatyn August 40 1,153,140 September — — October * * Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice November — — if he will publish all plans to upgrade Prestatyn December — — magistrates’ court made in the last six years; and what the current status of these plans is. [181887] 2011 January — — Mr Vara: In addition to ongoing maintenance work February — — at Prestatyn magistrates court, in 2009-10 a new front March * * entrance was installed to ensure compliance with the April 30 1,108,570 Disability Discrimination Act and in 2012 Health and May * * Safety work was carried out in the custody suite to June — — remove ligature points. July — — In December 2010, as part of the HMCTS Court August — — Estate Reform Programme (CERP), it was announced September — — that Rhyl County Court would close with its work October 20 617,350 transferring to Prestatyn magistrates court. Since then November — — HMCTS has continued to review its estate to ensure it December 10 360,950 meets operational requirements. As part of this work HMCTS has submitted two planning applications to 2012 Denbighshire County Council for upgrade works at January — — Prestatyn magistrates court to inform feasibility planning. February — — The documents supporting the applications are available March — — for viewing through the Council’s online planning April — — application search facility. May — — June — Prison Service July * * August 30 1,257,190 September — — Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice October — — (1) how many prison officers have taken up the November — — voluntary early departure scheme in each month since December 40 901,490 May 2010; [181116] (2) how much in total has been paid in severance to 2013 prison officers taking voluntary early departure in each January — - month since 2010; [181138] February — — March 180 6,227,730 (3) what the average amount is which has been paid April — — in severance to prison officers taking voluntary early May * * departure since 2010; [181856] June 180 6,353,180 (4) what the average continuous service was of July 180 6,935,270 prison officers who have taken voluntary early August — — departure since May 2010. [181137] September 720 25,631,020 401W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 402W

Number of prison officers leaving on voluntary early departure schemes and total Sir Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for of payments made, May 2010 to September 2013 Justice what discussions he has had with the Magistrates’ VEDS exits Association and the Council of HM Circuit Judges Total of payments Number made (£) about the practicability of dividing the responsibility between community rehabilitation companies and the National Probation Service for reporting breaches of Total 1,430 50,914,170 supervision orders and community sentences and the * Represents 5 or fewer departures in the month. Where the number of enforcement of the breach in the courts; and if he will departures in a single month is five or fewer the total payments made has not make a statement. [181088] been disclosed. These payments have however been included in the total. Notes: 1. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest ten. Jeremy Wright: Officials and Ministers have regular 2. Totals have been separately rounded and so may not equal the sum of the discussions about the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms rounded parts. with stakeholders including the Magistrates’ Association and the Council of HM Circuit Judges. Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (1) how many prison officers have been made The National Probation Service (NPS) will decide on redundant in each month since May 2010; [181120] action in relation to all potential breaches beyond a first warning. This is in accordance with section 4 of the (2) how much in redundancy pay has been paid to Offender Management Act 2007 which provides that each prison officer in each month since May 2010. the function of “giving... assistance to any court in [181119] determining the appropriate sentence to pass, or making any other decision, in respect of a person charged with Jeremy Wright: No prison officers in public sector or convicted of an offence” is ‘restricted probation prisons in England and Wales were made redundant provision’ and must therefore be carried out by a Probation between 1 May 2010 and 30 September 2013. Trust or other public body. In cases where the offender No redundancy pay was paid to any prison officer in is being managed by the Community Rehabilitation public sector prisons in England and Wales between 1 Company (CRC), the CRC will need to prepare all May 2010 and 30 September 2013. pre-breach paperwork. The NPS will then review the case and decide on the necessary action in consultation Prisoners’ Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme with the CRC. This mirrors existing practice in some Probation Trusts where enforcement action is taken by Mary Macleod: To ask the Secretary of State for an officer other than the one managing the case. Justice what progress he has made on the rollout of changes to the incentives and privileges scheme in Probation: Private Sector prisons. [900372] Mr Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Jeremy Wright: The revised Incentives and Earned Justice what steps he has taken to ensure the competency Privileges national policy framework came into effect of companies who hold Government contracts to provide on 1 November 2013. Under the revised framework, probation services. [180700] prisoners will have to work towards their own rehabilitation, behave well and help others if they wish to earn privileges. Jeremy Wright: On 19 September we launched the The absence of bad behaviour alone will no longer be competition to find the future owners of the 21 Community sufficient to progress through the scheme. We are Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) which will deliver considering separately a revised system of privileges for rehabilitation services in England and Wales, as set out young people. in the Transforming Rehabilitation Strategy, announced in May. A range of providers have passed through the Probation Pre-Qualification Questionnaire stage and will be progressed to the next stage. All of the bidders have experience working with offenders or across the wider criminal Sir Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for justice system. We will be testing bidders thoroughly on Justice what plans he has to empower magistrates to the proposals they submit and only bids of the highest require offender supervisors employed by community quality will succeed. Once appointed, providers will be rehabilitation companies to give evidence in breach expected to deliver to the highest standards. proceedings brought before them by the National Probation Service. [180960] The reformed system will be regulated and held to account through a combination of independent inspection, Jeremy Wright: Under the new structure, it will be for audit and commercial account management by the National the National Probation Service (NPS) to lay information Offender Management Service (NOMS). before the court in breach proceedings. Where the case Payment by results will provide a very real incentive has been referred to the NPS by a community rehabilitation to providers to succeed. company, the NPS should satisfy itself that the evidence of breach from that provider is robust and legal, and if necessary it can require that the provider produces more HEALTH evidence before the case is presented to court. The court should seek the best evidence available and Abortion has the power to seek that evidence direct from the provider, and can require the CRC to attend. We will Sir Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for ensure that contractual arrangements require providers Health if he will bring forward legislative proposals to to take all necessary steps to support the breach process. require an evidence-based psychiatric or psychological 403W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 404W assessment with an accepted diagnostic protocol which Jane Ellison: The Government and Partners Alcohol would require a doctor to have training and experience Working Group last met on 17 June 2013. in psychological or psychiatric medicine before being The Government remain committed to engaging with able to authorise abortions under ground C of the partner organisations. Officials continue to meet with Abortion Act 1967. [181343] partners to discuss alcohol policy and will be scheduling further meetings with relevant organisations in due Jane Ellison: It is accepted parliamentary practice course. that proposals for changes in the law on abortion are put forward by backbench Members of Parliament rather than the Government, and that decisions are Beef: Horsemeat made on the basis of free votes. Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Sir Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the decision was (a) taken and (b) Health what information he holds on (a) the number communicated to him that charges would not be brought and proportion of medical practitioners who authorise against people implicated in selling horsemeat as beef. abortion on ground C who are qualified mental health [182390] practitioners and (b) the number and proportion of cases where an abortion is certified on ground C in Jane Ellison: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) which the woman seeking the abortion has met the advise a decision has not been taken so there has been authorising medical practitioner. [181895] no communication. The decision to take forward prosecutions rests with Jane Ellison: Information on the number and proportion the police and prosecuting authorities not the Government. of medical practitioners authorising abortions under Investigations into possible criminal activity on horsemeat ground C (section 1(1)(a) of the Abortion Act) who are are ongoing in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in qualified mental health practitioners is not collected Europe. Progress has been made which has led to arrests centrally. in both the UK and in other member states. The City of In 2012, the latest year for which data are available, London police is leading the criminal investigation into the proportion of ground C abortions where one or the incident. It is not appropriate to comment on the more of the certifying doctors stated that they have seen detail of these investigations. This is a criminal investigation and/or examined the pregnant woman was 46% (83,930) and as such details will not appear in the public domain cases. It should be noted that where this information is as the investigation proceeds. not completed on form HSA4, the default position is that neither doctor saw or examined the pregnant woman. These data should therefore be considered with this Behavioural Disorders caveat as not all doctors have specifically indicated whether or not they have met the woman. Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for In November 2013, the chief medical officer for Health (1) how many cases of Asperger’s syndrome England wrote to all doctors reminding them of their were treated by the NHS in each region in each of the duties under the Abortion Act 1967 (as amended). last five years; [181873] (2) how many cases of bipolar disorder were treated Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse by the NHS in each region in each of the last five years; [181875] (3) how many cases of attention deficit hyperactivity Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for disorder were treated by the NHS in each region in Health pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2013, each of the last five years; [181877] Official Report, column 349W, on alcoholic drinks: misuse, how many meetings at ministerial level to discuss (4) how many cases of anti-social personality matters arising from the strategy have been held; and disorder were treated by the NHS in each region in which Ministers have attended each such meeting. each of the last five years. [181878] [182228] Norman Lamb: The data requested are not held centrally Jane Ellison: Issues arising from the strategy are by the Health and Social Care Information Centre. discussed at inter-ministerial meetings and in Cabinet However, in relation to cases of attention deficit committees concerning broader policy issues. Aspects hyperactive disorder (ADHD), the National Institute of the strategy are also discussed at ministerial meetings for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines indicate with relevant stakeholders. It is not practicable to estimate that 3% and 9% of young people in the United Kingdom the number of such discussions. now have some form of ADHD, depending on the criteria used. In September 2008 NICE published guidance ‘Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Diagnosis and Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for management of ADHD in children, young people and Health pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2013, adults’: Official Report, column 349W, on alcoholic drinks: misuse, on what date the Government and Partners http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/live/12061/42107/42107.pdf Alcohol Working Group last met; when the next meeting This was reviewed in 2011. NICE’S conclusion at is scheduled to take place; and which organisations have that time was that there was no new evidence that would been invited to attend. [182229] invalidate the existing recommendations. 405W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 406W

Brain: Tumours Institute for Health and Care Excellence on the demand for medicines through the Cancer Drugs Fund Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for since (a) April 2013 and (b) the creation of the fund in Health if he will distribute the Brain Tumour Charity’s 2010. [181353] HeadSmart symptoms awareness cards to every clinical commissioning group. [181453] Norman Lamb: Cancer drugs that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has been unable Jane Ellison: This is a matter for the ‘HeadSmart’ to recommend on grounds of clinical and cost-effectiveness campaign to discuss with NHS England and clinical are available through the Cancer Drugs Fund subject to commissioning groups. decisions by the fund’s clinical panel. If NICE is unable to recommend a cancer drug for routine use in the However, we understand that the NHS Choices website, national health service, this will inevitably have the which offers a wide range of resources to support potential to lead to requests to access that drug through health care professionals in their work with patients, the fund. includes a link to the HeadSmart campaign materials at: Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for www.nhs.uk/conditions/brain-tumours/pages/ Health (1) pursuant to the answer of 24 October 2013, introduction.aspx Official Report, columns 248-9W, on cancer: drugs, Breast Cancer what steps NHS England plans to take to improve the (a) collection and (b) analysis of data about spending Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for through the Cancer Drugs Fund; [181368] Health what discussions he has had with professional (2) what discussions he has had with NHS England bodies on the use of vitamin D as a preventative about future publication arrangements for expenditure measure against breast cancer. [182251] information on the Cancer Drugs Fund. [181369]

Jane Ellison: Ministers have had no discussions with Norman Lamb: NHS England has informed us that professional bodies about the use of vitamin D as a data on the applications approved through the Cancer preventative measure against breast cancer. Drugs Fund (CDF) are reported monthly by the four regional/area teams that operationally manage the fund. Cancer This information is published quarterly on NHS England’s website. Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Alongside this, financial spend data are received monthly Health what steps his Department is taking to raise from each of the NHS England area teams and reviewed awareness of the symptoms of all cancer types to at a monthly national CDF team meeting. This information enable GPs and other healthcare providers to make allows NHS England to review invoiced spend to date earlier diagnoses and referrals. [181458] (from NHS trusts), review each region’s predictions for end of year spend and refine national predictions of Jane Ellison: Raising awareness of symptoms of cancers end of year spend. falls within the campaigns that are now the responsibility of Public Health England (PHE). Be Clear on Cancer The national prediction of spend is developed by public campaigns (encouraging symptom recognition NHS England’s Chemotherapy Clinical Reference Group. and earlier general practitioner presentation) have been It is informed by data on applications received to date, running since early 2011 and have covered a number of as well as predications of likely future demand and cancers nationally and regionally; these include bowel, costs associated with the drugs available within the lung, kidney and bladder under the common symptom national CDF priority list. of “blood in pee”, breast, ovarian and oesophageal. We understand that summary expenditure information PHE works closely with the Department and NHS showing invoiced spend to date, regional predicted spend England to ensure that health care professionals are and the current national predicted spend on the CDF also targeted with campaign information to encourage will be published by NHS England in the next few earlier diagnoses and referrals. Results to date have weeks. been very encouraging. Cervical Cancer Cancer: Drugs Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans his Department has to increase awareness Health if he will make an assessment of the potential of cervical cancer symptoms and the importance of effect of an overspend in the Cancer Drugs Fund on screening, especially of women aged between 25 to cancer patients’ access to medicines. [181352] 29 and 60 to 64. [182455]

Norman Lamb: We are assured by NHS England that Jane Ellison: Public Health England has work in any potential overspend of the Cancer Drugs Fund in hand to improve the performance and quality of the the current financial year will not affect the ability of NHS Cervical Screening Programme (NHS CSP), including other cancer patients to access cancer medicines. work to improve screening rates in areas with low uptake. Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for There is a lack of published evidence regarding the Health if he will make an assessment of the effect of effectiveness of interventions designed to increase attendance negative technology appraisals from the National among women aged under 35. The National Institute 407W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 408W for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Christmas Cards programme has commissioned a £1 million study to determine which interventions are effective at increasing Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for screening uptake among women who are receiving their Health how much his Department spent on Christmas first invitation from the NHS CSP at around age 25. cards and postage in each year since 2010. [181457] The “Strategies to increase cervical screening uptake at first invitation” (STRATEGIC) study is trialling Dr Poulter: The Department has conducted a search interventions such as: a pre-invitation leaflet; internet of its own Business Management System which has not appointment booking; timed appointments; the provision identified any expenditure on Christmas cards and postage. of personal support through nurse navigators; and human papillomavirus self-sampling. The study began in November A search to identify any possible expenditure for 2011 and is due to run until October 2015. Christmas cards and postage incurred by the Department through Government Procurement Cards and i-expenses We are aware of falling coverage rates in women aged would incur a disproportionate cost for the Department. 60 to 64. This may be because having cervical samples This level of information is not recorded separately and taken is uncomfortable for older women, and it can be costs for these items are not available without checking difficult for the sample taker to take the sample. However, every line of every claim. we do not underestimate the issue, and screening acceptance among women aged 60 to 64 will be a substantive item Clostridium Difficile on the agenda of the Advisory Committee on Cervical Screening when it next meets in the spring. Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Regarding awareness, in partnership with the Department Health how many cases of c. difficile infection were and NHS England, since April 2013, Public Health treated by the NHS in each region in each of the last 24 England (PHE) has taken on the running of the Be months. [181876] Clear on Cancer campaigns to highlight the symptoms of a range of cancers and to encourage people with the Dr Poulter: Although Public Health England (PHE) relevant symptoms to visit their general practitioner. does not specifically collect data on how many cases Our focus so far has been on cancers with the largest were treated for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), as number of avoidable deaths, compared with countries part of its mandatory surveillance programmes it does with the best survival rates. However, PHE, the Department collect data on the number of cases of CDI. and NHS England will keep these campaigns under The data summarised in Table 1 represent the total review and work with relevant experts to see what might number of cases of CDI reported to PHE and the rates be done to tackle awareness of the symptoms of other of CDI across England per quarter for the previous cancers, such as cervical cancer. four calendar years (April 2010 to September 2013 Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for inclusive). The data show that the CDI rate has decreased Health what steps his Department is taking to improve by 40% over this time period from 46.76 cases per cervical cancer prevention following the recently 100,000 population in Q2 2010 to 27.89 cases per 100,000 published Public Health Outcomes Framework. population in Q3 2013. [182456] Table 1: Summary of cases of CDI reported to PHE and rates of CDI across England, by quarter of specimen collection Jane Ellison: The human papillomavirus (HPV) is Reported C. Rate per responsible for nearly all cases of cervical cancer. The difficile 100,000 national HPV vaccination programme, which began in Quarter specimens population 2008, protects against the strains of HPV which cause 2010 Q2 5,981 46.76 70% of cervical cancer and has among the highest Q3 5,909 45.69 vaccine uptake rates in the world. Evidence from clinical Q4 4,984 38.54 trials has demonstrated a very high vaccine efficacy against the pre-cursors of cervical cancer. 2011 Q1 4,833 37.87 In addition, the NHS Cervical Screening Programme Q2 4,967 38.49 aims to prevent cervical cancer by detecting and treating abnormalities of the cervix which may have gone on to Q3 4,994 33.34 develop into cancer. Over 3.5 million women are screened Q4 4,350 33.34 every year in England, and experts estimate the programme saves around 4,500 lives a year. 2012 Q1 3,711 28.64 The programme is currently being modernised to Q2 3,656 28.22 provide a more personalised service to women and to Q3 3,870 29.54 make it more cost-effective, and from April 2014, HPV testing as triage for women with low grade screening Q4 3,756 28.67 results and for women already treated for abnormalities will be routine. A world-leading pilot of HPV testing as 2013 Q1 3,412 26.55 primary screening is also under way which, if proven to Q2 3,381 26.02 be successful, will provide an even more personalised, Q3 3,663 27.89 more cost-effective service to women. Public Health England has work in hand to improve The data summarised in Table 2 represent the total the performance and quality of the programme, including number of cases of CDI reported to PHE by NHS work to improve screening rates in areas with low region in each of the last 19 months which are the most uptake. recently available published data. 409W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 410W

Table 2: Summary of cases of CDI reported to PHE, by NHS England region and month of specimen collection 2012 NHS England region Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2013 NHS England region Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

North of England — — — 373 406 456 453 424 426 435 442 404 Midlands and East of — — — 344 345 343 377 412 382 430 374 332 England London — — — 157 142 122 149 139 137 173 122 114 South of England — — — 318 351 298 307 353 308 349 316 265 Specialist Commissioning ———000000000 Hub Total — — — 1,192 1,244 1,219 1,286 1,328 1,253 1,387 1,254 1,115 North of England 411 336 394 393 392 344 369 416 401 411 411 336 Midlands and East of 337 340 326 342 339 335 334 368 372 384 337 340 England London 149 129 131 136 114 100 132 131 136 135 149 129 South of England 301 263 294 295 298 292 327 353 324 277 301 263 Specialist Commissioning 100010000010 Hub Total 1,199 1,068 1,145 1,166 1,144 1,071 1,162 1,268 1,233 1,207 1,199 1,068 Note: Data were extracted from the PHE data capture system on 26 November 2013.

Cosmetics Jane Ellison: Identification of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) requires analytical confirmation of Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for exposure; this is achieved by identification of the responsible Health how much his Department spent on cosmetic NPS in biological samples from the patient, such as make-up in each year since 2010. [181456] blood or urine. This is not performed as part of routine clinical care and there is no current mechanism for Dr Poulter: The Department has conducted a search obtaining such analyses on a United Kingdom-wide of its own Business Management System which has not basis for public health surveillance purposes. As a result identified any expenditure on cosmetic make-up. it is unusual for NHS staff or the National Poisons information Service (NPIS) to be able to identify a NPS A search to identify any possible expenditure for formally. Since May 2010 there have been two occasions cosmetic make-up incurred by the Department through where NPIS has been able to work with NHS clinicians Government Procurement Cards and i-expenses would and an analytical laboratory to provide laboratory incur a disproportionate cost for the Department. This identification of a specific NPS. Both episodes were level of information is not recorded separately and costs reported either to Advisory Council on Misuse of Drugs for these items are not available without checking every or the UK Focal Point and subsequently to the European line of every claim. Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction Depressive Illnesses (EMCDDA). In addition, the Government’s Forensic Early Warning Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health System identified 10 substances in the UK in 2012-13. pursuant to the answer of 28 November 2013, Official These were reported to the EMCDDA via a submission Report, column 413W, on depressive illnesses, if he will from the Focal Point. commission research into changes in the average age of the onset of depression over the last 50 years and the Food: Contamination consequences of such changes for policy development. [181349] Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many food adulteration surveys on foods Dr Poulter: The Department has no plans to commission other than meat the Food Standards Agency has research into the average age of the onset of depression. carried out since January 2013. [182391] The Department’s National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funds a wide range of research relating to Jane Ellison: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is depression. The NIHR Clinical Research Network is the central competent authority for food safety and has currently recruiting patients to 37 studies in depression. a statutory function to protect public health and consumers’ other interests in relation to food and drink. While the Drugs: Misuse FSA leads on food safety aspects of labelling in England the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for (DEFRA) is responsible for policy on labelling and Health how many new psychoactive substances have non-food safety issues. been identified by the National Poisons Information The majority of food law enforcement is delegated to Service in each month since May 2010; and how many local authorities throughout the United Kingdom who such substances have been referred to the European carry out checks of food businesses in their area to Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. ensure compliance with food safety, traceability and [181938] labelling requirements. The FSA makes funding available 411W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 412W to UK local authorities and ports for sampling and General Practitioners: Telephone Services surveillance of food to help ensure risk-based targeted checks throughout the food chain. Priorities for the Mr Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of National Risk-Based Food Sampling Programme are State for Health what his policy is on doctors’ surgeries agreed with DEFRA, and for 2013-14 include the following using 0844 numbers. [182067] areas of non-meat food authenticity: Fish speciation/DNA testing; Dr Poulter: Regulations introduced in 2010 prevented Fruit Juice adulteration—To check that no ″Made from general practice practices from entering into, renewing concentrate″ juice is labelled as freshly squeezed/not from concentrate; or extending a contract for telephone services unless it Authenticity of durum wheat; and was satisfied that, looking at the arrangements as a Authenticity of Basmati rice. whole, patients would not pay more to make calls to the practice than they would to make calls to a geographical A small study on geographic origin of foods is being number. carried out by the FSA, in partnership with DEFRA, to look at the geographic origin of foods (including tomatoes, It is for NHS England to ensure that practices are apple juice and honey) claiming to be from the UK. meeting the terms of their contracting arrangements. Further information on this can be found at: http://food.gov.uk/news-updates/news/2014/jan/isotopes Health

General Practitioners Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff are currently employed by NHS England specifically to work on public health issues. Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health [182467] if he will assess the potential effect on patient care of raising NHS general practice funding from 8.5 per cent Jane Ellison: NHS England have advised that they to 11 per cent by 2017. [181434] have 152 members of staff working in the area of public health, although not all of these roles are exclusive to Dr Poulter: The Secretary of State for Health, my public health work and extend into other areas of NHS right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey England’s activities. Within this group of 152 staff (Mr Hunt), has not made a direct assessment of the there is a balance between managerial and support potential effect of raising NHS general practice funding staff. Around 85% of the people engaged in these roles from 8.5% to 11% by 2017. are based in NHS England’s Regional and Area Teams, Primary medical care is the responsibility of NHS with the rest in NHS England’s national office. England and it is for that body to determine the level of NHS England works closely alongside Public Health funding required to deliver those services in order to England and other relevant bodies to ensure a co-ordinated meet the needs of patients. response on such issues. NHS England is developing a strategic framework for commissioning of primary care services, strengthening Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for general practice and enabling it to play an even more Health how many staff are currently employed by his pivotal role at the heart of more integrated systems of Department specifically to work on public health out-of-hospital care for patients and local communities. issues. [182468] The Government recognise the central role that primary care has to play in helping keep people healthy, supporting Jane Ellison: The Department’s Public Health Directorate proactive management of long-term health needs and has a headcount of 332 staff. Many others across the reducing the need for hospital admissions. The Government Department work on public health issues from time to will set out, later this year, plans for improving care for time. In addition Public Health England, an executive vulnerable older people, including the central role that agency of the Department, has a headcount of 5,276 general practitioners have to play in helping people to staff. The distribution of Public Health England staff is stay healthy and live independently. set out in the table: Public Health England—Where staff work and how they are employed as at Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health December 2013 payroll Work location how many GPs there were in each (a) parliamentary (Directorate) How deployed Headcount FTE constituency, (b) local authority and (c) region; and how many patients each such GP was responsible for in Chief Total 20 19.8 Executive’s office each year since 2005. [181665]

Operations Total 2,921 2,737 Dr Poulter: The information is not collected in the Microbiology - site operations 129 123.3 requested format. (Colindale and Porton) Information is available showing the number of general Research Microbiology 131 127.6 practitioners (GPs) in each strategic health authority (specialist centre—Porton) Development and Production 188 183.6 and primary care trust (PCT) area, along with the (specialist site—Porton) average number of patients per GP in each PCT area Specialist Microbiology 1,117 1,036.5 for the years requested. Services—lab network A copy of this information has been placed in the Reference Microbiology 315 300.3 (specialist centre—Colindale) Library. 413W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 414W

Public Health England—Where staff work and how they are employed as at Health Education December 2013 payroll Work location (Directorate) How deployed Headcount FTE Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2013, Regions and Centres—London 138 129.9 region Official Report, column 353W, on health education, Regions and Centres— 278 256.5 what percentage of the Change4Life budget is being midlands and east of England spent on (a) alcohol, (b) obesity and physical health region and (c) other areas. [182227] Regions and Centres—north of 291 269.6 England region Jane Ellison: Approximately 1.1% of the 2013-14 Regions and Centres—south of 268 246.7 England region Change4Life budget can be identified as being spent Other Operations Directorate 66 63.0 solely in the alcohol area. Other spend on alcohol staff cannot be identified separately such as the cost of maintaining the Change4Life website which includes Health Total 926 880.1 alcohol pages. Protection The remainder of the Change4Life budget is spent Centre for Radiation, Chemical 389 367.4 promoting healthy eating and activity in a programme and environmental hazards designed to fight obesity, encouraging physical health Emergency Response 72 69.5 and mental well-being. Field Epidemiology 117 112.3 Infectious Disease Surveillance 300 285.1 Health: Children and Control Public Health Strategy 32 29.9 Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Other Health Protection 16 15.9 Directorate staff what estimate his Department has made of levels of fitness of school children (a) nationally and (b) by region. [181487] Knowledge Total 550 498.7 (CKO) Disease Registration (regional 214 195.3 Jane Ellison: The Department has not made an estimate teams) on the levels of fitness of school children either nationally Drug Treatment Monitoring 56 54.3 or by region, as we do not collect these data. (regional teams) Evidence and Intelligence 217 191.9 We know that too many children are overweight and Service (regional teams) we want more children to do regular exercise. That is Libraries 15 13.7 why we have committed to giving primary schools £180 million of ring-fenced funding to improve physical education National Cancer Intelligence 25 23.6 Network and sport so that all pupils develop healthy, active Other CKO Directorate staff 23 19.9 lifestyles.

Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Health and Total 478 451.6 Wellbeing for Health what his Department’s top five children’s Cancer screening 144 130.6 health priorities are following the publication of the Chief Medical Officer’s report, Our children deserve Non-cancer screening 128 124.1 better - prevention pays. [182122] Healthcare Public Health 42 39.7 Social Marketing 47 44.7 Dr Poulter: The Chief Medical Officer’s report was Other Health and Wellbeing 117 112.5 very helpful in highlighting the case for improving Directorate staff children and young people’s health and the need for a greater focus on prevention. Communications Total 54 52.8 In February 2013, I launched a national pledge to improve the health outcomes of our children and young Finance and Total 216 209.8 people so that they become among the best in the Commercial world. The pledge, which is entirely consistent with the findings set out in the Chief Medical Officer’s report, Human Total 78 74.2 included five shared ambitions which summarise this Resources Department’s top five children’s health priorities: Children, young people and their families will be at the heart of Nursing and Total 1 1 decision-making, with the health outcomes that matter most to Midwifery them taking priority; Services, from pregnancy through to adolescence and beyond, Programmes Total 16 15.8 will be high quality, evidence-based and safe, delivered at the right time, in the right place, by a properly planned, educated and trained work force; Strategy Total 16 16 Good mental and physical health and early interventions, including for children and young people with long-term conditions, Grand total 5,276 4,956.8 will be of equal importance to caring for those who become acutely unwell; 415W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 416W

Services will be integrated and care will be co-ordinated around 2013 and (b) sampling horse carcasses for phenylbutazone the individual with an optimal experience of transition to adult residue in 2013 after the 100% sampling regime was services for those young people who require ongoing health and introduced. [182393] care in adult life; and There will be clear leadership, accountability and assurance Jane Ellison: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) set and organisations will work in partnership for the benefit of up a United Kingdom-wide sampling programme of children and young people. beef products in early 2013, initially in two phases. The pledge has been signed up to by a wide range of Products were tested for both horse and pig DNA and, organisations. For the very first time, this shows that where this was found, further analysis was carried out everyone across the health and care system is determined for phenylbutazone. Recommendation 2013/99/EU to play their part in improving health outcomes for established a European Union-wide co-ordinated control children and young people. plan, in which member states were asked to test certain foods marketed and/or labelled as containing beef for Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State the presence of horse DNA. These sampling requests for Health if he will revise the methodology for health were incorporated into the UK survey as a third phase. technology assessments of interventions in children to recognise differences between adult and child health in The FSA has met the cost of sampling and analysis the light of the Chief Medical Officer’s report Our and a contribution of £50 towards the costs of sample purchase and handling for food samples. The combined children deserve better—prevention pays. [182123] costs of sampling and testing for horse DNA and Norman Lamb: The National Institute for Health phenylbutazone residues in the various phases: and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body Phase 1—£113,800 (224 samples collected) responsible for issuing guidance to the national health Phase 2—£73,800 (140 samples collected) service on the clinical and cost-effective use of new and Phase 3—£33,300 (150 samples collected) existing treatments, including medicines licensed for (Costs for phases 1 and 2 include testing for pig children, through its technology appraisal guidance. DNA. Costs for phase 3 include the partial reimbursement NICE is responsible for the methods it uses for the from the EU to cover the costs of the horse DNA tests development of its technology appraisal guidance and carried out under Recommendation 2013/99/EU). its ‘Guide to the Methods of Technology Appraisal’, In addition to the above sampling, the Agency’s available at: National Coordinated Food Sampling Grants Programme http://publications.nice.org.uk/guide-to-the-methods-of- for 2013-14 includes a priority for meat authenticity technology-appraisal-2013-pmg9 samples and an additional £700,000 was made available recognises that there may be differences in how health to support this. benefits should be measured depending on age. NICE The combined costs for sampling horse carcases and recently carried out a periodic review of its methods testing for phenylbutazone residues from January 2013 including extensive engagement with stakeholders. to the end of November 2013, since the 100% sampling regime was introduced, and which the FSA has met are HIV Infection: Vaccination £700,800. A proportion of these costs were reimbursed by the EU under Recommendation 2013/99/EU for Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health testing carried out as part of the EU wide survey. if he will provide funding for the Society for General Microbiology for its microbiologists to continue their Hospitals: Waiting Lists ongoing research into new treatments for infections and to enable them to carry on their progress in developing an HIV vaccine. [181640] Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the target waiting time is for urgent spinal Dr Poulter: The Department’s National Institute for surgery; how many hospitals are in breach of waiting Health Research (NIHR) welcomes funding applications time targets for urgent spinal surgery; and what the for research into any aspect of human health, including average waiting time for such patients is in (a) Merseyside, infection. These applications are subject to peer review (b) the north-west and (c) the UK. [182230] and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to Jane Ellison: The operational standards for consultant-led patients and the national health service, value for money elective care waiting times for the national health service and scientific quality. Applications are welcome from in England are that: microbiologists, including members of the Society for a minimum of 90% of admitted patients should start treatment General Microbiology carrying out research at institutions within 18 weeks of referral; in England. a minimum of 95% of non-admitted patients should start In 2012-13, the NIHR spent a total of £23.8 million treatment within 18 weeks of referral; and on infection research. This includes research relating to a minimum of 92% of patients on an incomplete pathway HIV vaccines carried out by NIHR biomedical research (patients still waiting to start treatment) should have been waiting no more than 18 weeks. centres. These standards apply to elective spinal surgery; however, Horsemeat all patients should be treated without unnecessary delay and according to clinical need. Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Further information requested is not available. NHS Health how much the Food Standards Agency spent on England collects and publishes monthly referral to treatment (a) the sampling regime for testing for horsemeat in (RTT) data which are used to monitor consultant-led 417W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 418W

NHS waiting times in England. The national RTT a neuromuscular disorder. Care is provided via a managed waiting times data are not collected at procedure level, clinical pathway that supports multi-disciplinary and but only at treatment function level. cross-organisational working. The multi-disciplinary team included neuromuscular care co-ordinators. In Vitro Fertilisation The service specification has been implemented from 1 October 2013. NHS England is working with providers David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for to ensure they are compliant with the service description Health what assessment he has made of his Department’s and standards. progress on implementing the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s recommendation that funding should be made available to provide patients Musculoskeletal Disorders: with three full cycles of IVF. [181523] Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Jane Ellison: Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) Health what assessment he has made of the demand for are responsible for commissioning many health care neuromuscular care adviser provision and specialist services, including infertility services, to meet the physiotherapy for people with neuromuscular conditions requirements of their population. In doing so, CCGs in the Hull area; and if he will make a statement. need to ensure that the services they provide are fit for [182090] purpose, reflect the needs of the local people and are value for money. Norman Lamb: NHS England is responsible for To support CCGs in their commissioning of infertility commissioning specialised services, including neuromuscular services, NHS England have issued a factsheet to them services. As such, the Department has made no assessment which sets out how CCGs should approach commissioning of the demand for neuromuscular care adviser provision fertility services and take account of the revised National and specialist physiotherapy for people with neuromuscular Institute for Health and Care Excellence Fertility Guideline. conditions in the Hull area. In July 2013 NHS England published the service Meningitis: Vaccination specification Neurosciences: Specialised Neurology (Adult). This describes the service to be commissioned by NHS Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State England for patients with a neuromuscular disorder. for Health what guidance his Department gives to GPs Care is provided via a managed clinical pathway that in England and Wales regarding the use of the Bexsero supports multidisciplinary and cross-organisational meningitis B vaccine. [182105] working. The multi-disciplinary team includes neuromuscular care coordinators. Jane Ellison: The Joint Committee on Vaccination The service specification has been implemented from and Immunisation, the independent expert committee 1 October 2013. NHS England is working with providers that advises the Government, has not yet made a final to ensure they comply with the service description and recommendation about the use of the meningococcal B standards. vaccine Bexsero®. Accordingly, the Department, Public Health England and NHS England have not issued Musculoskeletal Disorders: North East guidance on this topic to general practitioners. Mental Health Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to create an additional neuromuscular Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for care advisor post for the North East region; and if he Health how many staff are currently employed by his will make a statement. [181525] Department specifically to work on mental health issues. [182466] Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure an additional Norman Lamb: The Department currently employs neuromuscular care advisory post is in place for the 16.1 people solely on mental health policy. However, the North East region; and if he will make a statement. number of people for whom mental health policy forms [182061] a significant part of their work would be much higher. Norman Lamb: NHS England is responsible for Musculoskeletal Disorders: East Midlands commissioning specialised services, including neuromuscular services. Sir Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for NHS England published ‘Neurosciences: Specialised Health if he will take steps to ensure the long-term Neurology (Adult)’ in July 2013. This service specification security of the neuromuscular care advisor role in the describes the service commissioned by NHS England East Midlands; and if he will make a statement. [181524] for patients with a neuromuscular disorder. Care is provided via a managed clinical pathway that supports Norman Lamb: NHS England is responsible for multi-disciplinary and cross-organisational working. The commissioning specialised services, including neuromuscular multi-disciplinary team includes neuromuscular care services. co-ordinators. In July 2013 NHS England published the service The service specification has been implemented from specification ‘Neurosciences: Specialised Neurology 1 October 2013. NHS England is working with providers (Adult)’. The service specification describes the service to ensure they comply with the service description and to be commissioned by NHS England for patients with standards. 419W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 420W

National Healthy Schools Programme will increase by 0.9% in 2013-14 and decrease by 0.7% in 2014-15. It should be noted, however, that approximately Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for 40% of these are recorded as being ’school nurses’ (with Health what assessment he has made of the potential a post-registration school nurse qualification), with the effect on child health of the Government’s decision to remaining 60% being other types of ’registered nurse’. abolish the Healthy Schools Programme. [181506] There is no specific forecast for the future number of school nurses in its narrower sense. Jane Ellison: The Healthy Schools Programme has not been abolished but has progressed into a schools-led Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for model following a review in 2010. Health how many qualified school nurses there were in Schools continue to play an important role in supporting (a) Birmingham, Selly Oak constituency, (b) Birmingham the health and well-being of children and young people, and (c) England in each of the last three years. [181897] which is why the Healthy Schools toolkit is designed to help schools to ‘plan, do and review’ health and well-being Dr Poulter: The annual workforce census published improvements for their children and young people and by the Health and Social Care Information Centre does to identify and select activities and interventions effectively. not capture the number of school nurses (with the post This is currently available on the Department for registration school nurse qualification) that are employed Education’s website and remains available for schools by state and independent schools or other non-NHS to use, should they choose to. employers including local education authorities. Nurses: Schools The annual workforce census collects the number of school nurses (with the post registration school nurse Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for qualification) employed by the national health service Health what estimate his Department has made of the in England at 30 September each year up to 2012. number of school nurses in each of the next two years. Information on the number of qualified school nurses [181896] employed in the NHS in 2013 will be available following publication of the annual workforce census in March Dr Poulter: Health Education England (HEE) has 2014. published the first ever national Workforce Plan which The number of qualified school nurses employed by sets out clearly the investments HEE intends to make in the NHS in the Birmingham area and England in each education and training programmes to begin in September of the last three years is shown in the following table. It 2014. This plan is built upon the needs of frontline is not possible to map organisation level workforce data employers, who as members of HEE’s local education to exact geographical areas. The organisations listed in training boards have shaped the 13 local plans that the following table employ qualified school nurses in form the basis of our plan for England. the Birmingham area. While these organisations will be For ’registered nurses working in school nursing services’, the direct employer, this should not be seen as an exact employers have forecast that their future requirements indication of the area where these staff work.

Full-time equivalent 2010 2011 2012 All school of which of which of which nursing qualified All school qualified All school qualified nurses school nurse nursing nurses school nurse nursing nurses school nurse

England 3,003 1,096 2,997 1,165 2,936 1,174 of which 368 188 414 215 401 235 Strategic Health Authority area of which Birmingham RYW0 085628064 Community Healthcare NHS Trust Birmingham East and 5PG 27 21 0 0 0 0 North Primary Care Trust (PCT) Heart of Birmingham 5MX1310000 Teaching PCT Sandwell and West RXK00002217 Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust South Birmingham 5M1 41 35 0 0 0 0 PCT University Hospital RRK000000 Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust Source: Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census. 421W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 422W

Nurses: Training Jane Ellison: Public Health England (PHE) has taken a number of steps to disseminate information and support Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health local authorities in tackling obesity which includes: how many nursing training places were provided in publishing its early programme of work on obesity in July each region in the last year for which figures are 2013; available. [181492] running local engagement events around England to engage with local authorities on obesity; Dr Poulter: The following table contains the number publishing weekly Obesity Knowledge Updates which highlight of nurse training places that were provided in 2012-13 new research, reports, resources and news relating to obesity in England. The 2013-14 data are not yet available. The and its determinants; table includes the students enrolled on the degree and producing and publishing evidence summaries and action briefings diploma courses. for local authorities; and launching in January2014 the Change4Life Smart Swaps campaign: Strategic health authority region Total nursing commissions (number) https://smartswaps.change4life.co.uk/ North East 991 North West 3,036 Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Yorkshire and the Humber 1,681 Health what discussions he has had with Public Health East Midlands 1,387 England on encouraging directors of public health to West Midlands 2,105 compile registers of appropriate community weight East of England 1,469 management options in their region. [181656] London 3,093 South East Coast 1,065 Jane Ellison: Directors of Public Health (DsPH) South Central 1,115 offer valued and strategic public health leadership at a South West 1,277 local level and therefore it is a priority for Public Health Total 17,219 England (PHE) to gain DsPH insights into current key Source: issues to inform its approach to tackling obesity. Multi professional education and training budget monitoring returns. PHE working with the Association for Directors of Obesity Public Health and the Local Government Association commissioned a survey to explore DsPH views. The Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for results of this survey are due to be published on 15 January Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness 2014. of Public Health England’s work on obesity; and what The survey has two core aims to explore the views of recent discussions he has had with that body on tackling DsPH on: obesity. [181653] current strategic issues relating to obesity and how obesity was positioned within local priorities; and Jane Ellison: No formal assessment has been carried priority areas for PHE action and to ascertain priority for the out but Ministers regularly meet senior Public Health centres and national teams. England (PHE) management to discuss and take stock PHE is developing a programme of work that supports of its work on obesity. Departmental officials also have local level commissioning of weight management services, regular conversations with PHE on priority areas such involving local level participation in this process. This as obesity. Furthermore, the Secretary of State for programme will include looking holistically across the Health, my right hon. Friend the Member for South obesity care pathways and reviewing how existing guidance West Surrey (Mr Hunt) has met with the chief executive is used; working with our centres; local level commissioning and chair of PHE to discuss the full range of PHE’s contacts and other partners. priorities.

Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Official Hospitality Health how many full-time staff of Public Health England are working on obesity matters. [181654] Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department spent on hospitality for Jane Ellison: Public Health England (PHE) has visitors to Richmond House in each year since 2010. approximately 12 full-time staff working on obesity [181909] from the following teams: obesity and healthy weight, obesity knowledge and intelligence and staff working Dr Poulter: The cost of provision of hospitality for on childhood obesity in the children, young people and visitors to Richmond House in each year since 2009 is: families’ team. In addition, through PHE’s matrix working approach, teams which make a significant contribution Spend (£) to the work on obesity include: Diet and Obesity; Children; Health Equity; Adults and Older People; 2009 193,368 Marketing which includes Change4Life and PHE Regional 2010 126,432 and Centre teams. 2011 90,574 2012 88,533 Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for 2013 76,302 Health what steps Public Health England has taken to disseminate information about anti-obesity programmes; The expenditure in 2013 represents a 60.5% reduction and if he will make a statement. [181655] in costs compared to 2009. 423W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 424W

Pancreatic Cancer Maintenance of existing departmental owned pot plants is undertaken as part of our wider facilities Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health management contract. In renegotiating this contract in if he will consider the recommendations of the APPG 2010, as a part of a wider clamp down on unnecessary for pancreatic cancer’s report, Time to Change the administrative spend, the Department aimed to reduce Story: A plan of action for pancreatic cancer. [181638] spend on horticulture and returned all rented plants among other areas of expenditure. Jane Ellison: The Department welcomes the all-party parliamentary group for pancreatic cancer’s report, Time Princess Royal Hospital NHS Trust to Change the Story: A plan of action for pancreatic cancer. The 12 recommendations set out in the report Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health cover a wide range of organisations in the new national what assessment his Department has made of the value health service structures. The Department will consider for money of the PFI contract at the Princess Royal any relevant aspects of the recommendations it has Hospital Bromley. [181474] direct responsibility for and encourages the appropriate organisations to consider pertinent recommendations Dr Poulter: The business case to proceed with the in detail. signing of the private finance initiative (PFI) contract for the Princess Royal Hospital, Bromley, was approved Parkinson’s Disease in 1998 under the previous Government, and a value for money appraisal was done at that point. Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Under this Government the Department reviewed Health how many continuing health care funding the affordability of PFI contracts of 22 national health applications were received for patients with a diagnosis service trusts in the context of their achieving NHS of Parkinson’s disease in each year since 2009; and how foundation trust status. This work concluded that six of many such applications were successful in each year these needed some additional financial support to enable since 2009. [182397] them to be sustainable providers of high quality health care services. They are being given access to financial Norman Lamb: The Department does not collect support of up to £1.5 billion in total over a period of information on the numbers of applications for NHS 25 years. South London Healthcare NHS Trust, which continuing health care relating to individuals who have held the PFI contract for Princess Royal Hospital, a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Bromley, before its dissolution on 1 October 2013, was one of these six trusts. Upon dissolution the contract Pharmacy has now transferred to King’s College NHS Foundation Trust and for the next five years the level of support for this PFI contract has been agreed as follows: Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department gives NHS trusts To King’s College NHS FT and bodies regarding the opening hours of pharmacies, £ million with particular regard to (a) 24 hour and (b) Sunday 2013-14 10.5 opening; and if he will make statement. [181367] 2014-15 10.8 2015-16 11.1 Norman Lamb: National health service trusts determine 2016-17 11.5 the opening hours of their hospital pharmacies to meet 2017-18 11.8 the needs of patients and hospital services. The Department Total 55.7 has not issued guidance on hospital pharmacy opening hours. Beyond this point payments will be indexed for the The Department issued guidance to primary care duration of the PFI contract on the same basis as the trusts in 2005 regarding the opening hours of community PFI contract. pharmacies, updated in 2009, “The NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations: information for primary care Statistics trusts—revised September 2009”, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.NHS England is now responsible Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for for commissioning community pharmacy services, including Health (1) what recent discussions his Department has issuing any guidance on opening hours. had with the Office for National Statistics on retention of statistical health outputs relating to (a) winter- Plants related deaths, (b) health inequalities, (c) cancer deaths and (d) alcohol-related deaths; [181432] Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for (2) if he will place in the Library a copy of his Health how much his Department spent on pot plants Department’s response to the Office for National Statistics’ in each year since 2010. [181505] Consultation on Statistical Products 2013. [181433]

Dr Poulter: The Department spent a total of £12,383.80 Jane Ellison: The Department responded to this on plants and trees in the period May 2010 to March important consultation by the Office for National Statistics 2011 for its core headquarters estate. No specific expenditure (ONS) on possible reductions to its statistical products, on pot plants has been incurred in the period from April including outputs relating to winter-related deaths, health 2011 to date. inequalities, cancer deaths and alcohol-related deaths. 425W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 426W

This response included a strategic statement approved Jane Ellison: The Department sets NHS England a by chief medical officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies, Mandate and provides a total funding envelope. It is and a detailed assessment of the impact on our work if then for NHS England to decide how best to fulfil the the outputs included in the consultation were stopped. Mandate objectives including how much funding is A copy of the response has been placed in the Library. allocated to clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) who Officials in the Department had discussions with commission health services on behalf of their local ONS before the consultation and continue to have population. It is for local CCGs to decide how to best discussions now that the consultation has closed. use the funding allocated to them, underpinned by clinical insight and knowledge of local health care needs. Stress All patients with TB are exempt from charge for the treatment of their TB until treatment is complete. Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 6 November 2013, Official Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if Report, column 252W,on stress, what assessment he has he will bring forward legislation to amend public health made of the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS law to permit the detention of individuals who have Foundation Trust and Imperial College London research infectious TB and refuse to comply with prescribed on whether stress-induced ischaemia can result in elevation treatment. [181473] of cardiac troponin; and in what ways that research has informed his Department’s policies. [181346] Jane Ellison: The Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 enables local authorities to apply to a justice Dr Poulter: The Department has updated its assessment of the peace (JP) for an order to detain an individual with of the current status of this research carried out by the an infectious disease that might pose a risk to human National Institute for Health Research Cardiovascular health (including tuberculosis) in hospital or another biomedical research unit at the Royal Brompton and suitable establishment. In making such an order, the JP Harefield NHS Foundation Trust and Imperial College must be satisfied that the following criteria are met: London. The trust has reported that a paper arising the individual is or may be infected; from the research is being finalised. the infection is one which presents or could present significant Surgery harm to human health; there is a risk that the individual might infect others; and Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for it is necessary to make the order to remove or reduce that risk. Health how many surgeons are qualified to undertake In 2010-11 and 2011-12, the periods for which L5 S1 anterior fusion surgery in (a) Merseyside, (b) information is currently available, there were 13 such the north-west and (c) the UK. [182231] orders made in relation to individuals with tuberculosis in England. Dr Poulter: The number of surgeons qualified to undertake L5 S1 anterior fusion surgery in Merseyside, Vaccination the north-west and the United Kingdom is not collected by the Department. L5 S1 anterior fusion surgery is not Sir Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State a recognised Certificate of Completion of Training for Health if he will meet patients’ families before qualification, but is based on a doctor’s interest and taking a decision on a meningococcal B meningitis and experience. septicaemia vaccination programme. [182113] The content and standard of medical training is the responsibility of the General Medical Council informed Jane Ellison: The Secretary of State for Health, my by the relevant Medical Royal College. right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Mr Hunt), and my predecessor, my hon. Friend the Where additional training is required for individual Member for Broxtowe (Anna Soubry), met the hon. posts, it is delivered by continuing professional development Member and the national meningitis charities, which (CPD). CPD is the responsibility of individual practitioners represent patients’ interests, on 4 September 2013, to and their employers. discuss meningococcal B (MenB) vaccination. Training The charities also responded to the consultation on the interim position statement from the Joint Committee Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for on Vaccination and Immunisation about use of the Health what professional coaching he and other Ministers MenB vaccine, Bexsero®. in his Department have received in the last 12 months; We will consider any requests for meetings from and what the cost was of that coaching. [181455] patients’ families affected by MenB carefully.

Dr Poulter: The ministerial team have not received any professional coaching in the last 12 months. ATTORNEY-GENERAL Tuberculosis Contempt of Court: Social Networking Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding his Department provides to ensure that Ian Paisley: To ask the Attorney-General what steps individuals with TB but without recourse to public his Department has taken to raise awareness of misuse funds are provided with shelter and support for the of social media in relation to contempt of court. duration of their treatment. [181472] [182321] 427W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 428W

The Solicitor-General: I refer the hon. Member to the Fraud: Convictions answer given by the Attorney-General, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Beaconsfield (Mr Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General pursuant Grieve), on 7 January 2014, to an oral question from to the answer of 29 October 2013, Official Report, the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent South (Robert column 398W, on fraud: prosecutions, what assessment Flello), Official Report, columns 171-2). he has made of the likely causes of the 12 per cent reduction in the Crown Prosecution Service’s conviction rate in contested fraud cases between 2008-09 and 2012-13. Crown Prosecution Service [182185]

The Solicitor-General: During the five-year period in Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how question, the number of prosecutions conducted by the many pre-charging decisions were taken by the Crown Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for offences of fraud Prosecution Service in (a) rape-flagged cases, (b) and forgery increased significantly from 14,353 to 18,555. domestic violence-flagged cases and (c) cases of child This increase of 29.3% was brought about as a result of abuse in each financial year from 1999-2000 to 2008-09. the mergers with the Revenue and Customs Prosecution [182435] Office and the Welfare, Rural and Health Prosecution Agencies. The mergers changed the nature and mixture The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service of offending types prosecuted. Only 9.5% of prosecutions (CPS) maintains a central record of the number of in 2012-13 resulted in a contest and overall the conviction suspects, by way of monitoring flags, referred to prosecutors rate at 86.5% is high for fraud and forgery cases, given for a pre-charge decision, in cases of rape, domestic the complex and challenging nature of such proceedings. violence and child abuse, since statutory charging was The number of convictions in contested cases has increased fully rolled out across England and Wales in April 2006. although the conviction rate in contested cases has The following table shows, during the three financial reduced. years from April 2006, the number of cases in which the Serious Fraud Office CPS made a pre-charge decision in cases flagged as rape, domestic violence and child abuse. Mr Spellar: To ask the Attorney-General what further steps he will take to recover payments made to (b) Domestic (c) Child (a) Rape violence abuse former senior staff at the Serious Fraud Office that were not properly authorised. [181488] 2006-07 6,590 66,639 11,485 2007-08 5,722 74,065 11,542 The Attorney-General: I have explained the legal position 2008-09 6,597 80,423 11,094 regarding these payments before, including on 8 January 2013, Official Report, column 152. However, following the hearing of the Public Accounts Domestic Violence and Rape Committee in March last year, the Director of the Serious Fraud Office, David Green CB QC, did write to the individuals who had received ex gratia payments Helen Jones: To ask the Attorney-General when he and asked them to pay back the money. last met the Secretary of State for the Home Department to discuss changes in the number of domestic violence Treason Felony Act 1848 and rape cases being referred by the police to the Crown Prosecution Service; and what action followed those Dr Huppert: To ask the Attorney-General (1) how meetings. [181682] many people have been prosecuted under section 3 of the Treason Felony Act 1848 in the last 30 years; The Solicitor-General: Violence against women and [181666] girls (VAWG) is a key priority for the Crown Prosecution (2) how many people have been charged with an Service (CPS) and, in 2012-13, the conviction rates for offence under section 3 of the Treason Felony Act 1848 cases flagged as domestic violence and rape were at in the last 30 years. [181667] record highs for the second year running. The Solicitor-General: I am not aware of any individuals On 11 December 2013, the Director of Public being charged or prosecuted under section 3 of the Prosecutions and I attended the Inter-Ministerial Group Treason Felony Act 1848 during the last 30 years. meeting on VAWG, chaired by the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member Witnesses: Protection for Maidenhead (Mrs May), and the Minister of State for Crime Prevention, which discussed the falling numbers Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how of referrals of domestic violence and rape from the many complaints about standards of witness care the police to the CPS. Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) received in each of The Inter-Ministerial Group on VAWG requested a the last five years; and what proportion of all complaints further update in 2014 on progress against the six-point received by the CPS these constituted. [182457] action plan outlined by me in a written parliamentary answer to the hon. Member for Islington South and The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service Finsbury (Emily Thornberry) on 22 October 2013, Official (CPS) currently categorises complaints on the following Report, column 141W. basis: legal decision making, mixed (legal and non-legal 429W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 430W decision making) and non-legal decision making. For those whose asylum applications have been rejected Information is not currently held on complaints made and who have exhausted all avenues of appeal, the about the standards of witness care within the last five Home Office’s first and preferred option is for those years and the proportion of complaints that this constitutes. who have no legal basis to remain in the UK to leave voluntarily and we offer assistance to those who choose to do so. Generally, there are no countries to which as a matter PRIME MINISTER of immigration policy, we cannot remove those who Meetings have no legal basis to remain in the UK. Counter-terrorism Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister when he last had discussions with (a) Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta and (b) Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Oresharski. [181669] Home Department what proportion of the resources allocated to the Metropolitan Police is spent on The Prime Minister: I attended the European Council tackling terrorism. [182273] on 19-20 December 2013 at which Prime Minister Ponta and Prime Minister Oresharski were present. Discussions James Brokenshire: It is long-established policy that were held on: defence issues; economic and monetary information on how counter-terrorism funding is allocated union issues; and EU enlargement and association between police forces is not disclosed for national security agreements. reasons. Domestic Violence

HOME DEPARTMENT Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many incidents of domestic Armed Forces: Foreign Nationals abuse were reported in England and Wales for the latest year for which figures are available; [181642] Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the (2) how many incidents of domestic abuse were Home Department if she will make it her policy that found to have occurred in England and Wales in the Commonwealth citizens serving in HM armed forces latest year for which figures are available; [181643] and their families can include within their five-year (3) how many allegations of domestic abuse in qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain the England and Wales (a) were investigated by the police time when they have been deployed overseas. [182092] and (b) resulted in an individual being charged in the latest year for which figures are available; [181644] Mr Harper: Foreign and Commonwealth members of (4) what advice has been issued by her Department HM Forces may qualify for indefinite leave to enter or to police services in England and Wales in respect of remain on discharge if they have completed at least four how to investigate complaints of domestic abuse; years’ service and meet the other requirements of the rules. [181628] (5) how many call outs there were per police force in Under the new Armed Forces Rules, which came into England and Wales following complaints of domestic force on 1 December 2013, partners of members of HM abuse in the latest year for which figures are available; Forces can qualify for indefinite leave to enter or remain after they have completed a continuous period of five [181629] years with limited leave in this capacity. (6) what estimate she has made of the number of repeat victims of domestic abuse in England and Wales In both cases, time spent deployed overseas or by the same perpetrator; [181630] accompanying their sponsor on an overseas posting is treated as time spent in the UK. (7) what was the number of (a) prosecutions for domestic abuse, (b) commencement of trials in matters Asylum: Deportation relating to domestic abuse, (c) findings of guilty in matters relating to domestic abuse and (d) findings of Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for the not guilty in matters connected with domestic abuse in Home Department whether her Department’s policy on England and Wales in the latest year for which figures the removal of asylum seekers permits deportation to are available; [181645] countries assessed by the Foreign and Commonwealth (8) what was the number of reported cases of Office as being under a volatile threat from a number of domestic abuse that were discontinued by the Crown terrorist organisations. [181427] Prosecution Service in England and Wales in the latest year for which figures are available. [181646] Mr Harper: Asylum applications are considered on their individual merits in the light of up-to-date country Norman Baker: The College of Policing is working information, including evidence of any threat to the with police forces, partners, women’s sector organisations, individual from terrorist organisations. No one will be and academics to support the development of training required to return to a country where they would be at to improve the police response to domestic violence and real risk of serious harm. Country information comes abuse. The College of Policing will also be launching a from a number of reliable sources, including the Foreign Public Protection Learning Programme exploring best and Commonwealth Office. practice in tackling domestic abuse. 431W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 432W

The Government is committed to ensuring that the dropped’ in the Table) in 2012-13. These data are given police successfully tackle domestic violence and abuse, in Table B and are based on the number of offenders to bring offenders to justice and to ensure victims have rather than then number of offences. the support they need to rebuild their lives. That is why Table A: Number of domestic abuse1 incidents recorded by the police, by police a review by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary force area, English regions and Wales, 2011-12 has been commissioned to look at the police response. Police force area Police incidents The review will look at the performance of forces across England and Wales, identify where improvements need Cleveland 14,883 to be made and report back to the Home Office in April Durham 13,330 2014. Northumbria 27,406 North East Region 55,619 The Home Office receives data from the police on the number of domestic abuse incidents they have recorded. Cheshire 4,186 The latest published data relating to 2011-12 are given Cumbria 6,422 in Table A. Greater Manchester 47,496 For the given data, domestic abuse incidents are Lancashire 29,465 defined as Merseyside 32,511 ’any incidence of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse North West Region 120,080 (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults, aged 18 and over, who are or have been intimate partners Humberside 17,014 or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality’. North Yorkshire 7,336 This collection, which is wider than physical abuse, will South Yorkshire 24,079 therefore include incidents that are not subsequently West Yorkshire 36,725 recorded as crimes, in that no crime as defined in law Yorkshire and the Humber Region 85,154 has taken place.

The police record domestic abuse incidents in accordance Derbyshire 14,797 with the National Standard for Incident Recording. Leicestershire 17,172 While incidents are recorded in accordance with the Lincolnshire 8,762 same ’victim focused’ approach that applies for recorded Northamptonshire 11,898 crime, these figures are not accredited National Statistics Nottinghamshire 5,532 and are not subject to the same level of quality assurance East Midlands Region 58,161 as the main recorded crime collection. The Home Office does not collect data from police forces on how many Staffordshire 16,457 domestic abuse incidents were reported to the police, Warwickshire 7,805 how many ’call outs’ there have been for domestic abuse West Mercia 16,523 or how many allegations of domestic abuse the police West Midlands 30,137 have investigated. West Midlands Region 70,922 Additional information on domestic abuse is available from the Crime Survey for England and Wales. This Bedfordshire 8,250 provides an estimate of how many victims of domestic Cambridgeshire 11,249 abuse there were in the last year but not the number of Essex 26,876 incidents. According to the 2010-11 survey, 30% of the Hertfordshire 12,644 victims of partner abuse were victimised more than Norfolk 9,878 once in the last year (22% were victimised three or more Suffolk 7,471 times). However, as around a half (51%) of victims East of England Region 76,368 either chose not to answer this question or did not know how many times they had been victimised, this London, City of2 90 should be treated with caution. Metropolitan Police 118,079 Information on domestic abuse as measured by the London Region2 118,169 survey can be found in the Office for National Statistics publication ‘Focus on Violent Crime and Sexual Offences, Hampshire 24,206 2011/12’ Kent 22,509 http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/crime-stats/crime-statistics/ Surrey 11,755 focus-on-violent-crime/stb-focus-on--violent-crime-and- Sussex 16,732 sexual-offences-2011-12.html Thames Valley 32,715 Data for 2012-13 for both domestic abuse incidents South East Region 107,917 recorded by the police and CSEW domestic abuse are due to be published in February 2014. Avon and Somerset 15,356 Information has been supplied to the Home Office Devon and 25,521 from the Crown Prosecution Service relating to domestic Dorset 7,425 abuse for the number of (a) prosecutions (b) contested Gloucestershire n/a commencement of trials (termed ‘contested proceedings’ Wiltshire 4,413 in the Table), (c) total convictions and (d) those not South West Region 52,715 convicted for England and Wales in 2012-13. Information has also been supplied on how many reported cases of Dyfed-Powys 2,325 domestic violence were discontinued (termed ‘prosecutions Gwent 8,948 433W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 434W

Table A: Number of domestic abuse1 incidents recorded by the police, by police force area, English regions and Wales, 2011-12 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Police force area Police incidents Extradited to the 130 144 123 North Wales 12,901 UK South Wales 27,656 Child sex 17 20 13 offences Wales 51,830 Rape 3 5 12

England and Wales 796,935 Extradited from 1,100 1,076 1,057 n/a= Not available the UK 1 Domestic abuse incidents are defined as any incidence of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) Child sex 14 17 8 between adults, aged 18 and over, who are or have been intimate partners or offences family members, regardless of gender or sexuality. Rape 22 19 18 2 Data for London Region includes the City of London. Source: Police incident data, Home Office Extradition: Republic of Ireland Table B: Number of offenders1 relating to domestic abuse offences; charged, prosecuted, convicted and dropped proceedings, England and Wales, 2012-13 Steve Rotheram: To ask the Secretary of State for the England and Wales Number of offenders Home Department how many applications for Charged 56,878 extradition warrants from the Republic of Ireland have Prosecutions2 70,702 been made by her Department from 2005 to date. Prosecutions Dropped3 14,073 [182360] Contested proceedings4 7,571 Total Convictions5 52,549 James Brokenshire: The European arrest warrant (EAW) Not convicted6 18,153 scheme is managed by the National Crime Agency 1 The counting unit for CPS prosecution records is the defendant in a case, as (NCA); although policy oversight is the responsibility opposed to the number of offences, or the number of cases. It follows that an of Home Office Ministers. The NCA are responsible for outcome of a prosecution is recorded for each defendant. 2 Prosecutions figure is larger than the number charged due to differing time transmitting EAWs to another member state, and I have periods (a person may be charged in a earlier year to the one they are prosecuted been informed by them that as EAW requests are often in) and because cases can be flagged as domestic abuse after initial charge. sent to more than one EU member state simultaneously, 3 Prosecutions dropped are those proceedings where the CPS has discontinued, withdrawn, offered no evidence or the prosecution or indictment has been it is not possible from current systems to provide totals stayed and where all charges lie on file. for requests made to a single member state. 4 Contested proceedings are those proceedings those cases that are sent to trial. 5 Convictions comprise guilty pleas, convictions after trial and proceedings The NCA have advised, however, that the number of which are proved in absence. people arrested in the Republic of Ireland, and surrendered 6 Unsuccessful Outcomes comprise prosecutions dropped, administrative finalisations, to the UK, pursuant to an EAW issued by the UK is: discharged committals and cases acquitted or dismissed following a contested hearing. Source: Arrests Surrenders Crown Prosecution Service 2009-10 29 24 2010-11 30 22 Drugs: Misuse 2011-12 18 20 2012-13 31 24 John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 3 December Due to the way data were recorded prior to 1 April 2013, Official Report, column 596W, on drugs: misuse, 2009, it is not possible to provide details of the number what the outcome was of the discussions on control of of applications for EAWs to the Republic of Ireland new psychoactive substances at the Horizontal Drugs prior to this period. Group on 9 to 10 December 2013. [182481] Firearms Norman Baker: Discussions on the European Union Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Commission’s proposals to tackle the emergence of Home Department what discussions she has had with new psychoactive substances are still ongoing. Parliament (a) the Countryside Alliance and (b) the British will be updated on the outcomes in due course. Association of Shooting and Conservation on proposed changes to legislation on firearms. [182238]

Extradition Norman Baker: There have not been any recent discussions between the Home Secretary and the Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for the Countryside Alliance or the British Association of Shooting Home Department how many people were extradited and Conservation on proposed changes to legislation (a) to and (b) from the UK under a European arrest on firearms. However, Home Office officials routinely warrant in each of the last three years; and how many consult stakeholders, including both these organisations, such people were accused of sexual offences. [181407] on firearms related matters.

James Brokenshire [holding answer 8 January 2014]: G4S I have been informed by the National Crime Agency (NCA) that the following number of people were extradited Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the to/from the UK under a European Arrest Warrant Home Department what is the total amount her (EAW): Department has paid to date to G4S for services provided 435W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 436W in relation to the Terrorism Prevention and Investigative Immigration Measures regime; and whether her Department’s contract with G4S includes performance-related incentives. Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for the [182153] Home Department how many staff have been employed by her Department and its agencies for the purposes of James Brokenshire: Electronic monitoring of terrorism immigration enforcement in each year since 2008. prevention and investigation measures (TPIM) subjects [181431] is provided and paid for through the Ministry of Justice’s contract with G4S. However, the specific information Mr Harper: Before 1 April 2013 the UK Border requested relating to the amount that has been paid to Agency fulfilled a range of operational immigration G4S for services provided in relation to the TPIM functions including immigration enforcement. Individuals regime, and details of the terms of the contract, are working in the Agency may have had multiple roles commercially confidential. The Government are obliged covering different operational functions therefore we to treat this information as confidential and to disclose are unable to identify the number of people employed it would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests to undertake immigration enforcement activities. Since of both the Government and the companies with whom 1 April 2013 the Secretary of State for the Home they enters into contracts. Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), created the Immigration Human Trafficking Enforcement Directorate with the primary aim of enforcing immigration laws, the size of this directorate as at Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for the 30 September 2013 was 4,320. Home Department how many identified victims of human trafficking who did not participate in criminal Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home proceedings were granted discretionary leave to remain Department what estimate she has made of the number in (a) 2011 and (b) 2012 on the grounds of personal of Romanians and Bulgarians who have entered the circumstances; and if she will make a statement. UK since 1 January 2014. [181670] [181067] Mr Harper: Statistics will be published in the normal Mr Harper: In 2011, there were 28 identified victims way by the Office of National Statistics and the Department of human trafficking who did not participate in criminal for Work and Pensions. The first statistics covering the proceedings and were granted discretionary leave (DL) period after the expiry of transitional controls will be on the grounds of personal circumstances. In 2012 there published in May 2014. were 18 cases. The first national data release which will provide The Secretary of State for the Home Department, my information on Romanian and Bulgarian nationals in right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), employment in the UK after the lifting of transitional will not make a statement. controls will be the quarterly Labour Force Survey. This is scheduled for publication on 14 May and released by the Office for National Statistics at: Human Trafficking Ministerial Group http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/index.html Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for This release will include employment numbers and the Home Department on what dates since 2010 the rates by nationality and country of birth, covering the Interdepartmental Ministerial Group on human period January to March 2014. trafficking has met. [182257] On 22 May, the Department for Work and Pensions will publish statistics for national insurance number James Brokenshire: I refer the hon. Member to my allocations to foreign nationals for the first quarter of answer of 28 November 2013, Official Report, column 2014 available from: 393W. https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department- for-work-pensions Illegal Immigrants The Office for National Statistics also publish their Migration Statistics Quarterly Report at: Mr Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for the http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/migration1/migration-statistics- quarterly-report/index.html Home Department what assessment she has made of the role of (a) existing and (b) new airport infrastructure The release on 28 August 2014 will include provisional in combating illegal immigration by reducing the risk of estimates of long-term international migration for the landside transfers; and what recent representations she year ending March 2014, including estimates for the has made to the Airports Commission on this matter. European Union. [182053] Interpol Mr Harper: The Home Office works closely with operators in the design of control arrangements at Mr Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home airports, including those for transfer passengers. Department pursuant to the answer of 16 December Immigration arrangements for transfer passengers 2013, Official Report, column 394-5W, on Interpol, are kept under review in light of changing risks. The what estimate she has made of the amount of police Department has made no representations to the Airports time spent implementing Interpol Red Notices in the Commission on this matter. UK in 2012 and 2013. [182156] 437W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 438W

James Brokenshire: I have been advised by the UK Mr Harper: Foreign national offenders who are from Interpol National Central Bureau, which is situated Ukraine will be considered for deportation if they meet within the National Crime Agency, that they do not the following criteria: hold this information and that it can be obtained only A custodial sentence of 12 months or more either in one at a disproportionate cost. sentence or as an aggregate of two or three sentences over a period of five years, or a custodial sentence of any length for a Members: Correspondence drug offence (other than possession). A court recommendation (only for those over 17 years of age). Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she intends to reply to the Police and Crime Commissioners letter to the Secretary of State for Transport dated 19 November 2013 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Inspector Damian Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for O’Reilly, transferred from the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of full IT costs Transport. [181602] within the budget of Police and Crime Commissioners is being recovered from their budgets. [182139] Norman Baker: I wrote to the Rt. Hon. Member on 13 January 2014. A response to Sir Gerald’s letter has Damian Green: The total amount charged by the been sent today. Home Office in respect of national police IT services in 2013-14 is £61.1 million. The police and crime Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for commissioners now have financial control over police the Home Department when she intends to reply to the budgets and we are, therefore, unable to say what proportion letter to her dated 25 November 2013 from the right of their individual IT budgets will be taken up by these hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to charges. This will vary from force to force in accordance Mr Thomas Kaplanidis. [181609] with local spending decisions.

Mr Harper: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 9 Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for January 2014. the Home Department what the total cost of IT services provided to Police and Crime Commissioners Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for is; and what level of public subsidy is applied to such the Home Department when she intends to reply to the services. [182145] letter to her dated 16 December 2013 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Damian Green: The Home Office’s total resource Ather Mirza. [181847] expenditure on police IT in 2013-14 is forecast at £94.79 Mr Harper: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 9 million. The total charges levied on all recipients of January 2014. these services is £79.1 million, of which £61.1 million will be charged to police and crime commissioners. The Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for charges for these services will increase in 2014-15 as the the Home Department when she intends to reply to the next step in the move to full cost recovery. letters to her dated 20 November and 10 December 2013 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Work Permits: Eastern Europe Gorton, with regard to Ather Mirza. [182318] Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mr Harper: I wrote to the right hon. Member on 9 Home Department how many UK work permits have January 2014. been (a) issued and (b) refused since May 2010 to (a) Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed Bulgarian and (b) Romanian nationals. [177577]

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mr Harper [holding answer 28 November 2013]: Under Home Department further to her ministerial correction the Accession (Immigration and Worker Authorisation) of 6 November 2013, Official Report, column 2MC, on Regulations 2006, which were in force up to 31 December Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed, whether the authorities 2013, Bulgarian and Romanian nationals requiring responsible for Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed had ever authorisation to work in the UK must apply for an taken possession of his British passport. [181962] accession worker card. The number of applications for accession worker cards, and the proportion of those James Brokenshire [holding answer 6 January 2014]: applications which have not been approved, are published Mohamed was issued with a British passport on 28 quarterly as part of the Control of Immigration statistics. April 2005. As explained during Charles Farr’s evidence The numbers for between April 2010 and June 2013 are to the Home Affairs Committee on 12 November 2013, as follows: when Mohamed was deported to the UK from Somaliland in 2011, Mohamed did not have this passport with him. Country Accession worker Accession worker Accession worker of card applications card applications card applications Offenders: Deportation nationality received approved not approved (%) Bulgaria 2,822 2,279 19 Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Romania 6,658 4,861 27 Home Department what arrangements exist for the Total 9,480 7,140 25 deportation of prisoners to Ukraine. [181476] 439W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 440W

For the majority of categories of employment set out Transition to these new structures is now under way. in Schedule 1 of the Regulations, an employer first has Headquarters Force Troops Command has formed in to obtain Home Office approval to employ a Bulgarian its new role and Headquarters 1 (UK) Div and 3 (UK) or Romanian national. The number of applications Div will commence their new roles from autumn 2014; from employers approved and refused, between May units will enter the new annual training cycle from 1 2010 and June 2013, is as follows: January 2015; and all major changes to structures are expected to be complete by mid-2015. Country of Proportion nationality Approved Refused refused (%) Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Bulgaria 2,589 287 10 Defence what progress his Department has made on Romania 3,318 696 17 re-basing; and if he will make a statement. [182356] Total 5907 983 14 Dr Murrison: The Ministry of Defence continues to make good progress delivering the Regular Army Basing Plan. DEFENCE Early unit moves which are not dependent upon infrastructure construction have now begun, with eight Armed Forces: Pensions unit moves taking place in 2013 and a further 23 unit moves planned for 2014. Work is progressing well and Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence the timelines announced by the Secretary of State for how many armed forces widows who receive a pension Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede through the Armed Forces Scheme 1975 have and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), in his statement on 5 voluntarily surrendered their pensions on remarriage March 2013, Official Report, columns 845-8) for the or cohabitation in 2013. [181404] rebasing from Germany remain extant. An update will be provided to the House later this Anna Soubry: The information for 2013 will take time year. to collate. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as it is available. Armed Forces: Vehicles Burma

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Defence what proportion of the uncommitted budget what assessment his Department has made of the risk for land vehicles in the Defence Equipment Plan 2012 of Burmese army soldiers who receive training from was spent on incorporating the 2,000 land vehicles the UK using the skills and experience gained to acquired under urgent operational requirements into undermine the human rights of civilians in Burma. the core equipment programme. [181885] [182459]

Mr Dunne: There was no allocation in the Defence Mr Francois: Courses that we might currently offer to Equipment Plan 2012 for incorporating Urgent Operational the Burmese military will address the core principles of Requirement (UOR) vehicles into the core equipment democratic accountability. Such courses include an programme. examination of the legal frameworks by which defence and security operations are legitimised and controlled Army in line with international human rights and humanitarian law. Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress his Department has made towards ; and if he will make a statement. Defence [182355] Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Francois: Since the Secretary of State for Defence, Defence what steps he is taking to deter threats overseas my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and to UK interests. [182087] Weybridge (Mr Hammond), announced the outcome of the study conducted into Army 2020 on 5 July 2012, Official Report, column 1085, significant progress has Dr Murrison: I refer my right hon. Friend to the been made. The proposition as set out in the study written evidence submitted by the Ministry of Defence report has been refined and units have now been assigned to the House of Commons Defence Committee’s ongoing to the new Reaction Force, Adaptable Force or Force inquiry into “Deterrence in the 21st Century” which is Troops and their roles, the equipment they will hold and available at the following link: the new training requirements have been determined. In http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/ addition, Regular and Reserve units have been paired, cmselect/cmdfence/writev/deterrence/dic1.htm in line with the move to a fully integrated Army, and The deterrence of threats to the UK’s security, influence future unit locations have been confirmed, taking account and prosperity is the primary peacetime role of the of the return of units from Germany to the UK. All this armed forces. On a routine basis, the armed forces work information is set out in the document ‘Transforming closely with other instruments of national power, and the —An Update’, a copy of which has with allies and partners, to deter a wide range of threats been placed in the Library of the House. to UK interests, at home and abroad. 441W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 442W

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for command and control and logistic structures that will Defence what progress his Department has made on enable the UK and France to conduct Combined Joint defence engagement; and if he will make a statement. Operations. A series of intensive exercises in 2015 and [182354] 2016 will test and validate these structures, which are on track to achieve, as planned, in 2016. The framework Dr Murrison: The Ministry of Defence has made that is being developed will enable UK and French good progress implementing the International Defence forces to deploy more rapidly in the event of a crisis, Engagement Strategy (IDES) published on 7 February with greater capability than might be achieved individually. 2013. In Burma, Thailand and Vietnam we have established Gosport Defence Sections and have accredited Defence Attachés (DA). Our DA in Libya is now in place and with an Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for expanded Defence Assistance and Training Team are Defence (1) when the Minister for Defence Equipment, providing significant support to developing their security. Support and Technology last visited Gosport; and Our new defence section in Somalia is playing a key role when he next plans to visit; [181387] in supporting the co-ordination of international efforts to enable African Union and Somali National Security (2) when the Minister for International Security Forces to maintain control and provide a safe and Strategy last visited Gosport; and when he next plans secure environment. Recently we saw the utility of Defence to visit. [181388] Engagement activities when we rapidly redeployed HMS Daring to the Philippines. We have also endorsed a Dr Murrison: Neither I nor my colleague the Minister number of regional Defence Engagement strategies which for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, my are being taken forward by our overseas posts. Additionally hon. Friend the Member for Ludlow (Mr Dunne), has the statement highlighted an Army initiative to align visited Gosport since assuming our responsibilities. Brigades regionally to deliver better effect. The proof of My colleague and I have no firm plans to visit Gosport concept for this initiative is progressing well. at this time. However, Defence Ministers routinely undertake The IDES set out to enable better cross-Government regional visits in the course of their duties and are co-ordination and we have made good progress. Defence always happy to consider invitations from hon. Members. engagement is now providing strong support to wider Government policy objectives including our Prosperity ICT and Security agendas. The joint governance we put in place with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office demonstrated by the establishment of the Defence Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for Engagement Board is working well and enables us to Defence what proportion of small and medium-sized make better balanced decisions about where to engage enterprises recommended by the Network Technical and why. Authority for the G-cloud route to market have been granted access by his Department. [181424] Defence: Procurement Mr Dunne: The G-Cloud framework is managed by Ian Lavery: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence the Cabinet Office Crown Commercial Services Information what assessment he has made of the professional and Communications Technology Category Team which competence of CH2M Hill and Bechtel; and what is responsible for the selection of suppliers included on experience those companies have in defence procurement. the framework. As such, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) [182021] Network Technical Authority does not approve contractors prior to their being placed on the G-Cloud framework. Mr Dunne: As with all defence procurements, we Therefore, this information is not held centrally by the followed a rigorous commercial process to determine MOD and could be provided only at disproportionate the bidders that would be issued with the Invitation To cost. However, under the Government Transparency Negotiate for the Materiel Strategy commercial competition. agenda, the Cabinet Office publishes data online about Both the CH2M Hill consortium and the Bechtel bid G-Cloud sales on a monthly basis via the following team successfully demonstrated that they had the link. Details of contracts placed by the MOD through professional competence required to undertake this work. the G-Cloud framework that fall within the Transparency Agenda are included in these data. France http://gcloud.civilservice.gov.uk/about/sales-information/

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft Defence what progress is being made on the formation of a combined joint expeditionary force with the French; and if he will make a statement. [182086] Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the flight time and combat range is for a Mr Dunne: Good progress is being made to establish fully armed F35B. [181833] a combined joint expeditionary force (CJEF) capability that meets the level of ambition described in the Lancaster Mr Dunne: The combat radius of the F-35B is 450 House treaty. Exercises over the past three years, in nautical miles with a representative weapon fit. Flight particular the annual flagship exercises, have led to time and range will depend on the type of mission and significant levels of integration and interoperability. munitions carried, but average sortie lengths are expected Both sides are now working on the development of to be around two hours. 443W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 444W

Mr Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for NATO Defence how the F35B will be refuelled from the air when carrier-based and operating away from UK Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for shore; and if he will make a statement. [181834] Defence what the Government’s agenda is for NATO reform; and if he will make a statement. [182357] Mr Dunne: The F-35B will be able to conduct air to air refuelling activity with in-service UK strategic air Dr Murrison: Our agenda for NATO reform is to refuelling assets, whether embarked on the Queen Elizabeth ensure the Alliance, as the bedrock of UK defence, Class Carrier or operating from land. Additionally, UK continues to adapt and change to be able to address the aircraft will be able to utilise Partner Nations’ air refuelling security challenges of the future. This is an issue in assets which have been cleared by the F-35 Programme. which the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge Defence when the fourth Joint Strike Fighter will be (Mr Hammond), has taken an active interest, raising the subject at NATO Defence Ministerials and in discussions delivered. [182429] with the Secretary General. The UK focus has been on Mr Dunne: The UK’s fourth F-35B aircraft is scheduled delivering the reform programmes already agreed by to be delivered in 2015. allies (for example, the NATO military command and financial reform) and improving overall governance Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for and accountability. The UK, working with like-minded Defence whether the four F-35 Joint Strike Fighters allies, will continue to emphasise the importance of purchased thus far will form a part of the 48 ordered to NATO reform as we seek to ensure the organisation date. [182430] remains effective. The Prime Minister’s decision to host the NATO summit in the UK in September is clear Mr Dunne: The UK has ordered four F-35B Joint evidence of this commitment. Strike Fighter aircraft and taken delivery of three of these to date. These four aircraft will form a part of the Piracy final acquisition total. Military Bases: Aldershot Mr Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department’s plans are for continuing Mr Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence anti-piracy patrols off the coast of Somalia and in the what estimate he has made of the value of the Indian Ocean. [181498] regimental site in Aldershot. [182284] Mr Francois: The UK participates in three international Dr Murrison: It is not clear from the hon. Member’s counter-piracy operations. The EU NAVFOR’sOperation question to which site he is referring. However, the Atalanta, and NATO’s Operation Ocean Shield both market value of Ministry of Defence property is assessed operate off the coast of Somalia, whilst the multinational only when it comes up for disposal. Combined Maritime Task Force 151 operates both in Where pre-sale valuations have been obtained, these the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. are regarded as commercially confidential and are thus The Ministry of Defence provides the headquarters not released ahead of the sale in case they influence the in Northwood for Operation Atalanta, along with an market. Operational Commander from the Royal Navy. There Details of Ministry of Defence land holdings with are also regular commitments of Royal Navy and Royal asset valuation over £1 million can be found in chapter 7 Fleet Auxiliary ships to the operation, the last of which of the National Asset Register, last published by HM was RFA Lyme Bay in November 2013. The Royal Treasury in 2007, at the following link: Navy intends to provide further support during 2014. Currently the mandate for the operation expires in http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm70/7022/ 2014. 7022.pdf Operational control of Ocean Shield is conducted by Ministry of Defence Guard Service the NATO Maritime Component Command based at Northwood, and UK ships participate in the mission on Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for an opportunity basis. The current mandate for the Defence what methodology his Department uses to operation expires at the end of 2014. calculate savings to the public purse from removing the The UK provides a one-star commander and a ship MOD Guard Service personnel from some military to the US-led Combined Maritime Force 151 based in sites. [181571] Bahrain, on an enduring basis. The task force conducts counter-piracy operations as part of its maritime security Anna Soubry: The savings were calculated by assessing role. the capitation costs of the Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) guards being removed and subtracting the cost of additional Military Provost Guard Service Procurement (MPGS) personnel needed to carry out the relevant security duties at a small number of the sites affected. Caroline Dinenage: To ask the Secretary of State for At the remainder of the sites, existing MPGS posts or Defence what steps his Department is taking to ensure regular service personnel were able to cover the required that small and medium-sized enterprises can bid for duties at no extra capitation cost to Defence. The overall procurement contracts without being subcontractors annual saving was calculated to be £36.7 million. for larger companies. [181429] 445W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 446W

Mr Dunne: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) set out We received 166 written responses to this consultation its commitment to improving engagement with small and are now analysing this evidence. These findings will and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the ’National be used to inform the design for any future cap including Security Through Technology’ White Paper (CM 8278) it’s level, and a decision will be announced in due course. published in February 2012, which details a range of measures aimed at increasing the value of defence business Benefits going to SMEs. In financial year 2012-13 at least 12,000 SMEs were direct suppliers to the MOD and many more were active as subcontractors within the supply 23. Mr Rob Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for chain. Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the extent to which the benefit cap has helped people The practical steps we are taking to facilitate access return to work. [901916] to MOD business by SMEs include standardising and simplifying our procurement systems. We have also Esther McVey: It is my strong belief that there is a increased the level of direct access that SMEs have to connection between the benefit cap and getting people the MOD through, for example, the Defence Supplier into work. SME Forum, which I chair. This gives SMEs an opportunity to raise issues and ask questions directly of Ministers Poll findings show that of those notified or aware and senior MOD officials. that they would be affected by the cap, three in 10 took action to find work. Progress on these and our other SME initiatives is regularly monitored and published in the MOD SME To date, almost 36,000 have accepted help to move Action plan, which can be accessed at: into work from Jobcentre Plus and around 19,000 potentially capped claimants have moved into work. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence- business-plan-small-and-medium-sized-enterprises Attendance Allowance Public Expenditure John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of Defence how much his Department has spent on (a) new applications for attendance allowance were made consultants and (b) agency staff in (i) 2010-11, (ii) online in (a) England, (b) Cumbria and (c) Barrow 2011-12 and (iii) 2012-13; and what estimate he has and Furness constituency in the last 12 months. made of such spending in 2013-14. [178299] [182247]

Anna Soubry [holding answer 9 December 2013]: Mike Penning: The information is in the following Information on expenditure on External Assistance by table. the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the three Executive Attendance allowance new applications made online between January Defence Agencies is published in the 2013 Departmental 2013 and December 2013 Resources Report which is available at the following Geography Claims made link: Barrow and Furness Constituency 6 http://www.dasa.mod.uk/publications/finance-and-economics/ Cumbria 43 departmental-resources/2013/2013.pdf England 5,403 The expenditure covers a range of contracted support, including management consultancy and other specialised Data on the total number of attendance allowance services such as legal, accountancy, IT and estates advice new applications made are not available at geographies and both military and civilian training. below national level. Therefore it is not possible to Expenditure on agency staff by the MOD and the provide information on the proportions of applications Executive Defence Agencies has been £36 million in made online. 2010-11, £34 million in 2011-12 and £49 million in 2012-13. Expenditure to date in 2013-14 has totalled Disability Living Allowance some £46 million. Sir Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to the refusal in the Court of Appeal on appeal from the upper tribunal WORK AND PENSIONS (Administrative Appeals Chamber) on 23 October 2013, of his appeal against the decision made by the Pensions Upper Tribunal in CDLA/0735/2009, when disabled claimants entitled to receive the care component of 21. Gemma Doyle: To ask the Secretary of State for disability living allowance following moves to other EU Work and Pensions at what level the Government plans countries may now expect to receive these payments. to set the pensions price cap. [901914] [181615]

Steve Webb: We have consulted on whether to cap Mike Penning: We are considering the judgment made charges in the default funds of schemes used for automatic by the Court of Appeal (Civil Division) in case CDLA/ enrolment. As a part of this, we looked at three possibilities: 0735/2009 and its implications and have decided to a 1% cap, a 0.75% cap and a comply-or-explain cap that apply for permission to appeal this decision to the combined both of these levels. Supreme Court. While this consideration is taking place 447W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 448W we will not implement the Upper Tribunal’s decision in Employment: Disability accordance with section 21(2) (c) of the Social Security Act 1998. Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State That position has been communicated to the other for Work and Pensions how many disabled people declared party in the case and it has been explained that we have fit for work in the last year died in the following three exercised our power to suspend payment of benefit. months. [182427] Decisions on similar cases involving the application of Regulation (EC)1408/71 are currently deferred under Mike Penning: The information requested is not readily statutory powers in section 25 (5) (c) of the Social available and to provide it would incur disproportionate Security Act 1998 and Regulation 21 (4) (a) of the cost. Social Security and Child Support (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 1999. Employment: Parents Employment and Support Allowance Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what provisions are in place to Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work support the parents of disabled children in finding and Pensions how many mandatory reconsiderations of access to work. [182182] employment and support allowance (ESA) have been carried out since the introduction of such reconsiderations; Mike Penning: Jobcentre Plus advisers offer a variety how many of those reconsiderations resulted in the of support to all claimants, including parents of disabled reinstatement of the claimant’s ESA; how many went to children, which is tailored to individuals at the most appeal; and how many appeals resulted in the reinstatement appropriate point in their claim. This includes help with of the claimant’s ESA. [181663] job search, careers advice, boosting literacy, numeracy and language skills, other skills training, work experience Mike Penning: Individual level data on mandatory and setting up a business. reconsiderations of ESA are not available, so it is not possible to provide the information requested. There is financial help through the flexible support fund for child care costs to enable parents to carry out Employment and Support Allowance: Yorkshire and the work-related activities or to manage the transition to Humber work. Once in work, tax credits and universal credit can Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work provide assistance for parents with child care costs. and Pensions pursuant to the answers of 19 December Parents with disabled children under 18 can also request 2013, Official Report, column 758W, on jobseeker’s flexible working; they can make an agreement with their allowance: Yorkshire and the Humber and 19 December employer to work in a way that best fits their other 2013, Official Report, column 756W, on employment responsibilities while also ensuring that the job gets and support allowance: Yorkshire and the Humber, (1) done. how many people living in Yorkshire and the Humber receiving employment and support allowance were moved Food Banks from the support group to the work-related group; and of those how many appealed that decision and of those Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work appealing how many were (a) moved back to the support and Pensions (1) what assessment his Department has group as a consequence of the appeal, (b) not moved made of figures recently released by the Trussell Trust back to the support group as a consequence of the on the use of food banks in the UK; [181451] appeal and (c) still awaiting their appeal decision in (2) pursuant to the answer of 2 September 2013, October 2012 and each month since then; [182070] Official Report, column 235W, on food banks, whether (2) how many people living in Yorkshire and the his Department has seen any evidence linking welfare Humber receiving employment and support allowance reforms to the increased use of food banks. [181511] were moved from the support group to the work-related group; and of those how many sought a review of that Esther McVey: The Government do not monitor the decision and of those seeking a review how many were use of food banks and have no plans to do so. We have (a) moved back to the support group as a consequence seen no robust evidence linking welfare reforms to the of the review, (b) not moved back to the support group increased use of food banks. as a consequence of the review and (c) still awaiting the decision on their request for review in October 2012 and each month since then; [182071] Housing Benefit (3) how many people living in Yorkshire and the Humber receiving employment and support allowance Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Work were moved (a) from the support group to the work-related and Pensions when he expects his Department to announce group and (b) from the work-related group to the its discretionary housing payment allocations for 2014-15. support group in October 2012 and each month since [182058] then. [182072] Steve Webb: We are currently consulting with Local Esther McVey: I refer the hon. Member to the written Authority Associations on the distribution of next year’s answer I gave him on 9 January 2014, Official Report, DHP funding. Following this we intend to publish columns 280-81W. details of individual local authority allocations in February. 449W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 450W

Housing Benefit: Private Rented Housing data are not available below national level so the information you requested is from the ADS (Atomic Data Store) Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for data. Work and Pensions how many households in private The figures for England are as follows, as requested; rented accommodation currently claim housing support however ADS data are only available at district and (a) below the maximum they would be entitled to jobcentre level so we have provided the data as close as according to their local housing allowance (LHA) possible to your request. entitlement, (b) at the maximum level of their LHA The data are not available by parliamentary constituency. entitlement and (c) above the maximum they are entitled JSA online claims 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2013 (12 months) to according to their LHA entitlement. [182057] Total JSA online Total JSA claims % claimed claims received received online Steve Webb: The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost. England 1,793,490 2,553,886 70.2 Cumbria and 66,460 92,425 71.9 Lancashire Housing Benefit: Social Rented Housing Barrow 2,698 3,977 67.8 Jobcentre Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what the cost to his Department is of Jobseeker’s Allowance: Yorkshire and the Humber appeals against the under-occupancy penalty based on Schedule 3 to the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Benefit (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2006; and Pensions pursuant to the answers of 19 December [182147] 2013, Official Report, column 758W, on jobseeker’s (2) what estimate he has made of the cost to his allowance: Yorkshire and the Humber and 19 December Department in the next financial year of appeals against 2013, Official Report, column 756W, on employment the under-occupancy penalty based on Schedule 3 to the and support allowance: Yorkshire and the Humber, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Consequential how many people living in Yorkshire and the Humber Provisions) Regulations 2006; [182148] receiving jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) had their JSA withdrawn as a result of their alleged failure to comply (3) how many people currently do not pay the under- with conditions laid down by his Department in October occupancy penalty because they meet the criteria of 2012 and each month since then. [182073] Schedule 3 to the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (Consequential Provisions) Regulations 2006. Esther McVey: I refer the hon. Member to my previous [182149] answer given on 9 January 2014, Official Report, column 283W. Esther McVey: This information is not available. National Insurance Jobcentre Plus: Wales Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Geraint Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for and Pensions how many national insurance numbers Work and Pensions what the wage rates were of casual were issued to foreign nationals from each country of labour posts advertised by Jobcentre Plus for (a) the birth in 2013. [181672] Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, (b) Amazon and (c) the Royal Mail in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot Esther McVey: The available information on the number in the last two years. [182042] of national insurance numbers issued in 2013 to each nationality can be found at: Esther McVey: All three employers have recruited for https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk temporary staff. Guidance on how to extract the information required Amazon recruits via four agencies—Tran line, AM to PM, can be found at: Abacus and Assist Cymru and they all pay £6.50 per hour for day https://sw.stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/webapi/online-help/Stat- shifts and £8.25 per hour for nights. Xplore_User_Guide.htm Royal Mail pays their temporary sorters £6.75 per hour days and £8.30 per hour nights. National Insurance Contributions DVLA advertised their recent administrative officer vacancies on an incremental scale of £16,735 to £18,000 per annum. Fiona O’Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he has had with Jobseeker’s Allowance local authority associations in (a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland with respect to John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for potential increased national insurance contributions Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of resulting from the single tier pension. [182075] new applications for jobseeker’s allowance were made online in (a) England, (b) Cumbria and (c) Barrow Steve Webb: I have not met with the local authority and Furness constituency in the last 12 months. [182248] associations as this is a matter for HM Treasury and the Department for Communities and Local Government. Esther McVey: The official measure for JSA Online is The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, the right hon. calculated using data from MISP (Management Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Information System Programme), unfortunately these (Danny Alexander), has had meetings with representatives 451W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 452W from the Local Government Association where the Table 2 shows the monthly expenditure on all crisis impact of the abolition of contracting out has been loans in 2012-13. discussed, and officials in DWP and HM Treasury have Table 1: Monthly amounts of short term benefit advances (includes also recently met with Local Government Association amounts advanced to claimants of Universal Credit) officials. Month Expenditure (£) Following a commitment made by Lord Freud in the other place, during Second Reading of the Pensions Bill 2013 2013 - 14, officials in DWP and HM Treasury are April 297,000 holding a roundtable meeting on Tuesday 14 January May 437,000 2014 with representatives from the Local Government June 378,000 Associations to discuss the impact of the abolition of July 504,000 contracting out. August 484,000 The Government would expect further discussions to September 433,000 take place with relevant stakeholders when Departmental October 387,000 Budgets are set for 2016-17 onwards, when the abolition November 367,000 of contracting out will take effect. December 1— 1 Figures not yet available Fiona O’Donnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Note: These numbers have been gathered from the DWP Central Payments Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the System and have been rounded to the nearest thousand. cost of increased national insurance contributions as a Table 2: Monthly expenditure on crisis loans in 2012-13 result of the Single Tier Pension for local authorities in Month Expenditure (£) (a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. [182225] 2012 April 8,572,300 Steve Webb: We do not have such an estimate. The May 9,412,500 Government have not set a fixed spending envelope, nor June 8,956,000 individual departmental budgets, beyond 2015-16. As July 9,533,100 contracting out will be abolished in 2016-17, the impact August 9,453,500 falls outside of the current settlements. Any spending September 8,881,200 review in the next Parliament will, of course, consider October 9,765,200 the impact of increased national insurance contributions November 8,225,800 in the round. December 6,612,600 Table 6.1 of the impact assessment which accompanies the latest version of the Pensions Bill 2013 -14 includes estimates of increased costs for all employers as a result 2013 of the abolition of contracting out, which is available January 8,712,500 at: February 7,547,600 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ March 7,097,900 attachment_data/file/254151/a-pensions-bill-single-tier-ia-oct- Notes: 2013.pdf 1. The Crisis Loan information provided is Management Information. Our preference is to answer all parliamentary questions using Official/ Social Security Benefits National Statistics but in this case we only have Management Information available. It is not quality assured to the same extent as Official/National statistics and there are some issues with the data, for example, these Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work amounts do not include expenditure on applications which were and Pensions how much has been loaned to benefits processed clerically and have not yet been entered on to the Social claimants as short-term benefit advances in each month Fund Computer System. since April 2013; and how much was loaned under the 2. Crisis loan expenditure figures are rounded to the nearest £100. crisis loan scheme in each of the 12 months up to April 2013. [181428] Andy Sawford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the target timeframe is for processing Steve Webb: Crisis loans were made from a specific applications for (a) disability living allowance and (b) fund to meet immediate short-term needs in an emergency employment and support allowance; and whether his or as a consequence of a disaster when a person had Department is currently meeting those targets (i) nationally, insufficient resources to prevent a serious risk to the (ii) in each region and (iii) in each constituency. [181657] health or safety of themselves or their family. Unlike crisis loans, short-term benefit advances are not loans from a separate fund, Mike Penning: As at November year to date (YTD) but are advances against future benefit payment in the Department is achieving clearance times nationally certain specific circumstances. Where possible, benefit for processing disability living allowance (DLA) child is put into payment rather than offering an advance. applications. The target timeframe for processing DLA There has to be a likely benefit entitlement in order for child cases is 79% of claims cleared in 40 days. an advance of benefit to be paid. Because of these Employment and support allowance (ESA) clearance factors, it is impossible to directly compare these advances times are also being achieved nationally and by five out to crisis loans for alignment to benefit. of six Benefit Directorate groups. The target timeframe Table 1 shows the monthly amounts advanced since for processing ESA claims is 85% of claims cleared in they were introduced. 16 days. 453W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 454W

We are unable to provide the management information £ million by constituency as our management information systems do not report this level of detail and to do so would be Consultants 4.4 at disproportionate cost. Temporary staff 3.3 Due to the roll-out of personal independent payment (PIP) the DLA data refer to child cases only as there are no longer new DLA claims for ages 16 to 64 processed Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for at the regional disability centres. Work and Pensions what the latest date is by which his plans for the delivery of universal credit will get The following table summarises the latest performance approval from (a) HM Treasury and (b) the Major available as at November 2013. Projects Authority. [182329] Speed of clearance disability living allowance (DLA) child cases and employment and support allowance (ESA) Esther McVey: I refer the hon. Member to the written DWP Benefit Directorate performance answer I give her on 6 January 2014, Official Report November YTD (%) column 65W. DLA DLA child cases 84.6 Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has excluded existing IT suppliers involved in the universal credit process from ESA tendering for the digital solution part of the universal National 87.5 credit IT system. [182330] Central England 88.7 London and Home Counties 83.0 Esther McVey: Capability and value for money are at North East England 89.3 the heart of our contracting process. Existing IT suppliers North West 86.1 are not excluded from tendering for the digital solution Scotland 88.1 part of the universal credit IT system. If they are Southern England and Wales 89.2 entitled to bid, the Department is legally obliged to Sources: consider them. The precise requirements for this part of 1. Management Information System Programme (MISP). MISP is a the UC programme are still being developed. departmental performance management, data capture and reporting tool. This type of internal management information does not form part of the official statistics outputs that are released by the Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Department in accordance with the UK Statistics Authority’s Code and Pensions when he expects to complete the tender of Practice. 2. Department for Work and Pensions—Disability Living Allowance process for the development and implementation of the Management Information Statistics (RDA80123 report). digital solution part of the Universal Credit IT system. [182331]

Social Security Benefits: Yorkshire and the Humber Esther McVey: There is no single tender process for this programme. Additional resources required to deliver Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work the digital solution, which will be a combination of and Pensions pursuant to the answers of 19 December departmental resource and suppliers will be brought in 2013, Official Report, column 758W, on jobseeker’s on an ’as required basis’ and, as such, we anticipate that allowance: Yorkshire and the Humber and 19 December there will be a number of commercial arrangements. 2013, Official Report, column 756W, on employment and support allowance: Yorkshire and the Humber, Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Work how many people living in Yorkshire and the Humber and Pensions how many IT specialists in his Department were receiving (a) jobseeker’s allowance, (b) employment are working on the development of the digital solution and support allowance - support group and (c) employment for the universal credit IT system. [182359] and support allowance - work-related group in (i) October 2012 and (ii) each month since then. [182069] Esther McVey: There are currently three DWP IT officials working on the development of the digital Esther McVey: I refer the hon. Member to the written solution. answer I gave him on 9 January 2014, Official Report, column 283W. Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many officials from the Government Digital Service remain working on the digital solution Universal Credit for the universal credit IT system. [182361]

Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Esther McVey: There are currently five Government Work and Pensions how much he expects to spend on Digital Service officials working on the digital solution. external consultants and temporary staff to deliver the Universal Credit programme in 2013-14. [182315] Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effect Esther McVey: Forecast expenditure for 2013-14 on on the timetable for the development of the digital consultants and temporary staff to help deliver the solution for the universal credit IT system of the withdrawal Universal Credit programme is as follows: of the Government Digital Service team. [182362] 455W Written Answers13 JANUARY 2014 Written Answers 456W

Esther McVey: We have been very clear that DWP between timeliness and data quality. Our strategy for would take over the development of the new digital the release of statistics is available at: service following the initial GDS Work. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/universal-credit- We are currently transitioning and a team within statistics DWP will now take the digital solution forward. Statisticians within DWP and Office for National Statistics are working closely to ensure that information Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Work on universal credit claimants can be included within the and Pensions what estimate has he made on the claimant count as soon as possible. number of IT specialists his Department will need to recruit to (a) continue and (b) complete the digital Winter Fuel Payments solution for the universal credit IT system; and what the potential cost of recruiting such officials is. [182363] Sir Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on what basis the French départements Esther McVey: We estimate that the Department will d’outre mer of French Guyana, Martinique, Reunion need to recruit around 50 IT specialists. The recruiting and Guadaloupe are included as part of mainland of such officials has always been in the plan to complete Europe for the purpose of his Department’s calculation the digital solution and therefore there are no additional of entitlement to winter fuel payments. [181614] costs of recruitment. Steve Webb: Winter fuel payments can be claimed by Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for people with a genuine and sufficient link with the UK Work and Pensions with reference to his Department’s who are resident in the European economic area (rather Annual Report and Accounts 2012-13, HC20, whether than mainland Europe). This includes the overseas the estimate of £32 million for the development of the departments of France, and winter fuel payments are digital solution for the Universal Credit IT system is currently made to those entitled who live there. intended to be an upper limit on the allocated budget. Work Capability Assessment [182407]

Esther McVey: The estimate of £32 million for the Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Work development of the digital solution for universal credit and Pensions if he will place in the Library a copy of IT, as set out in the Department’s Annual Report and the performance targets contained in his Department’s Accounts 2012-13, is the upper limit on the current contract with Atos Healthcare for delivering the work estimates for the period up to November 14. Costs capability assessment. [181534] remain subject to ongoing review as plans develop. Mike Penning: A Library copy of the performance Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for targets relating to work capability assessments is already Work and Pensions how many recipients of universal in the public domain available through the Parliament credit moved into work in 2013. [182412] UK website. This is placed in Schedule 5, Appendix 1, page 5 of Esther McVey: We are following guidelines set by the the Medical Services Agreement deposited in the Library UK Statistics Authority, to ensure that the published under Deposit Reference 2010-1704 dated 14 September statistics on universal credit achieve a satisfactory balance 2010. ORAL ANSWERS

Monday 13 January 2014

Col. No. Col. No. WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 561 WORK AND PENSIONS—continued Auto-enrolment...... 571 Kettering Jobcentre Plus ...... 576 Basic State Pension Inheritance...... 572 OECD Disability Spend...... 568 Benefit Cap ...... 566 Personal Independence Payments ...... 562 Discretionary Housing Payments...... 564 Personal Independence Payments ...... 567 Employment and Support Allowance ...... 571 Topical Questions ...... 576 Employment Statistics...... 569 Under-occupancy Penalty ...... 573 Funeral Payments ...... 573 Universal Credit...... 575 Habitual Residence Test...... 575 Work Capability Assessment ...... 561 WRITTEN STATEMENTS

Monday 13 January 2014

Col. No. Col. No. DEFENCE...... 21WS HOME DEPARTMENT...... 22WS Departmental Minute (Gift of Equipment)...... 21WS Drug Policy...... 22WS PETITIONS

Monday 13 January 2014

Col. No. Col. No. JUSTICE...... 13P The Appeals Process for the Removal of Capacity in Legal Proceedings...... 13P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Monday 13 January 2014

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 426W CABINET OFFICE—continued Contempt of Court: Social Networking...... 426W Migration: EU Nationals ...... 336W Crown Prosecution Service...... 427W Unemployment: Halton ...... 337W Domestic Violence and Rape ...... 427W Fraud: Convictions ...... 428W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 362W Serious Fraud Office ...... 428W Bed and Breakfast Accommodation: Cumbria...... 362W Treason Felony Act 1848...... 428W Enterprise Zones...... 363W Witnesses: Protection ...... 428W Fire Services: Pensions ...... 363W Fire Services: Retirement ...... 363W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 372W Housing: Construction...... 364W Armed Forces: Foreign Nationals ...... 372W Local Government ...... 364W Basic Skills...... 373W Public Libraries...... 364W British Business Bank ...... 373W Recycling: Fires...... 364W Engineering Skills Review ...... 374W Wind Power: Planning Permission ...... 364W Literacy...... 374W Medicine: Students...... 375W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 368W Railways: Freight ...... 375W Betting Shops: Licensing...... 368W Research: Finance...... 376W Broadband ...... 368W Royal Bank of Scotland ...... 376W Internet: Barrow in Furness ...... 370W Space Technology ...... 376W Members: Correspondence ...... 370W Wind Power: Seas and Oceans ...... 377W Mobile Phones: Fees and Charges...... 371W Museums and Galleries...... 371W CABINET OFFICE...... 333W Public Libraries...... 371W Charitable Donations...... 333W Telephone Preference Service ...... 372W Charities: Taxation...... 333W Cybercrime ...... 333W DEFENCE...... 439W Death: Children ...... 333W Armed Forces: Pensions...... 439W Electronic Government ...... 335W Armed Forces: Vehicles...... 439W Government Departments: Telephone Services...... 335W Army...... 439W Internet ...... 336W Burma...... 440W Col. No. Col. No. DEFENCE—continued FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE— Defence...... 440W continued Defence: Procurement...... 441W Turks and Caicos Islands ...... 353W France...... 441W Gosport ...... 442W HEALTH...... 402W ICT ...... 442W Abortion ...... 402W Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft...... 442W Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse...... 403W Military Bases: Aldershot ...... 443W Beef: Horse Meat ...... 404W Ministry of Defence Guard Service ...... 443W Behavioural Disorders...... 404W NATO...... 444W Brain: Tumours...... 405W Piracy...... 444W Breast Cancer...... 405W Procurement...... 444W Cancer ...... 405W Public Expenditure...... 445W Cancer: Drugs...... 405W Cervical Cancer...... 406W EDUCATION...... 353W Christmas Cards ...... 408W Annual Reports...... 353W Clostridium...... 408W Children: Cancer...... 353W Cosmetics...... 409W Children’s Play: Disability ...... 354W Depressive Illnesses...... 409W Correspondence ...... 354W Drugs: Misuse...... 409W Dyslexia ...... 355W Food: Contamination...... 410W Further Education: Finance...... 356W General Practitioners ...... 411W London Academy of Excellence...... 356W General Practitioners: Telephone Services...... 412W Music: Teachers ...... 356W Health...... 412W Politics: Education ...... 356W Health: Children ...... 414W Pre-school Education...... 357W Health Education...... 414W Pupils: Bullying...... 358W HIV Infection: Vaccination...... 415W Schools: Birmingham...... 359W Horse Meat...... 415W Schools: Finance...... 359W Hospitals: Waiting Lists...... 416W Special Educational Needs...... 360W In Vitro Fertilisation ...... 417W Teachers: Surveys...... 360W Meningitis: Vaccination ...... 417W Teachers: Training...... 360W Mental Health...... 417W Musculoskeletal Disorders: East Midlands ...... 417W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 337W Musculoskeletal Disorders: Kingston Upon Hull .. 418W Electricity: ICT ...... 337W Musculoskeletal Disorders: North East ...... 418W Energy...... 337W National Healthy Schools Programme ...... 419W Energy: Disconnections ...... 338W Nurses: Schools...... 419W Energy: Housing ...... 338W Nurses: Training ...... 421W Energy: Prices ...... 338W Obesity...... 421W Green Deal Scheme...... 339W Official Hospitality ...... 422W Hinkley Point C Power Station ...... 339W Pancreatic Cancer ...... 423W Radioactive Waste...... 339W Parkinson’s Disease ...... 423W Solar Power...... 340W Pharmacy...... 423W Warm Home Discount Scheme ...... 340W Plants...... 423W Wind and Solar Power: Planning Permission ...... 341W Princess Royal Hospital NHS Trust ...... 424W Wind Power ...... 342W Statistics...... 424W Stress...... 425W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Surgery...... 425W AFFAIRS...... 344W Training ...... 425W Agriculture: Sustainable Development...... 344W Tuberculosis...... 425W Agriculture: Weather...... 344W Vaccination ...... 426W Air Pollution ...... 345W Beaches: Dungeness ...... 345W HOME DEPARTMENT ...... 429W Flood Control...... 345W Armed Forces: Foreign Nationals ...... 429W Flood Control: Hartlepool...... 346W Asylum: Deportation ...... 429W High Speed 2 Railway Line ...... 346W Counter-terrorism ...... 430W Internet ...... 346W Domestic Violence ...... 430W Peat...... 347W Drugs: Misuse...... 433W Poultry: South Africa...... 347W Extradition...... 433W Public Footpaths...... 348W Extradition: Republic of Ireland...... 434W Seeds: EU Action...... 348W Firearms ...... 434W G4S...... 434W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 348W Human Trafficking ...... 435W Burma...... 348W Human Trafficking Ministerial Group...... 435W China ...... 349W Illegal Immigrants...... 435W Christianity...... 349W Immigration...... 436W Diplomatic Service...... 350W Interpol...... 436W Pakistan ...... 351W Members: Correspondence ...... 437W Palestinians ...... 351W Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed...... 437W Religious Hatred ...... 352W Offenders: Deportation...... 437W Russia ...... 352W Police and Crime Commissioners...... 438W Syria...... 352W Work Permits: Eastern Europe...... 438W Col. No. Col. No. HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION...... 344W TRANSPORT—continued Personnel Management...... 344W Railways: Bolton...... 391W Railways: Fares ...... 392W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 365W Railways: Finance ...... 392W Consultants...... 365W Railways: Franchises ...... 393W Developing Countries: Electricity ...... 365W Rescue Services ...... 393W Developing Countries: Females...... 365W Rescue Services: Belfast ...... 394W Developing Countries: Genetically Modified Rescue Services: Liverpool...... 394W Organisms...... 366W Rescue Services: Stornoway ...... 394W Developing Countries: Sanitation ...... 366W Rolling Stock: North West ...... 395W Energy...... 366W Virgin Trains ...... 395W Procurement...... 366W Redundancy Pay ...... 367W TREASURY ...... 378W South Sudan ...... 367W Child Benefit: Barrow in Furness...... 378W Visits Abroad ...... 368W Corporation Tax ...... 378W Financial Stability Board ...... 378W JUSTICE...... 396W Income Tax: Scotland ...... 379W Courts: Greater London ...... 396W Members: Correspondence ...... 380W Electronic Tagging ...... 397W Payment Systems Regulator ...... 380W Legal Aid Scheme ...... 397W Revenue and Customs: Newry ...... 380W Legal Profession: Bank Services...... 398W Shareholders ...... 381W Magistrates Courts...... 398W Tax Avoidance: Beer ...... 381W Magistrates’ Courts: Prestatyn...... 399W Taxation: Environment Protection ...... 382W Prison Service ...... 399W Taxation: Scotland...... 382W Prisoners’ Incentives and Earned Privileges Scheme...... 401W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 445W Probation ...... 401W Attendance Allowance ...... 446W Probation: Private Sector ...... 402W Benefits ...... 446W Disability Living Allowance...... 446W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 343W Employment and Support Allowance ...... 447W Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 Employment and Support Allowance: Yorkshire (Prescribed Criteria and Miscellaneous and the Humber...... 447W Provisions) Regulation ...... 343W Employment: Disability ...... 448W Employment: Parents...... 448W PRIME MINISTER ...... 429W Food Banks...... 448W Meetings ...... 429W Housing Benefit ...... 448W Housing Benefit: Private Rented Housing...... 449W TRANSPORT ...... 383W Housing Benefit: Social Rented Housing ...... 449W Biofuels...... 383W Jobcentre Plus: Wales...... 449W Bus Services: Visual Impairment...... 383W Jobseeker’s Allowance...... 449W Buses: Testing ...... 383W Jobseeker’s Allowance: Yorkshire and the Buses: Tyres ...... 384W Humber ...... 450W Commuters ...... 384W National Insurance ...... 450W Crossrail Line...... 384W National Insurance Contributions ...... 450W Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency...... 385W Pensions...... 445W Driving: Licensing...... 385W Social Security Benefits...... 451W Helicopters...... 386W Social Security Benefits: Yorkshire and the High Speed 2 Railway Line ...... 386W Humber ...... 453W Invalid Vehicles: Car Tax ...... 389W Universal Credit...... 453W M6 ...... 389W Winter Fuel Payments...... 456W Motor Vehicles...... 391W Work Capability Assessment...... 456W 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 13 January 2014

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 561] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

Syria [Col. 583] Statement—(Mr Hague)

European Union (Approvals) Bill [Lords] [Col. 603] Motion for Second Reading—(Mr Vaizey)—on a Division, agreed to Programme motion—(Mark Lancaster)—agreed to

Backbench Business Welfare Reforms and Poverty [Col. 641] Motion—(Mr Meacher)—on a Division, agreed to

Oral Cancer [Col. 686] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Statements [Col. 21WS]

Petition [Col. 13P] Observations

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 333W] [see index inside back page]