Thursday Volume 584 17 July 2014 No. 26

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Thursday 17 July 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/. 989 17 JULY 2014 990

Elizabeth Truss: I thank the hon. Lady for her House of Commons congratulations. I am still passionate about science and maths, and getting more women into those areas and Thursday 17 July 2014 indeed into agriculture. Getting more high-skilled people to look at agriculture as a career option would provide a The House met at half-past Nine o’clock fantastic opportunity. We are investing £150 million in the mobile infrastructure project to help address those areas of low mobile coverage at the moment. PRAYERS Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): I [MR SPEAKER in the Chair] welcome the Secretary of State to her position and very much look forward to her appearing before the Select BUSINESS BEFORE QUESTIONS Committee. From 1 January, all farm payments will have to be digital by default. In Thirsk and Malton, COMMITTEE OF SELECTION 22% will have no fast-speed coverage, yet that just happens to be where all the farmers are. Will she hold Ordered, out a hand of friendship to those farmers to ensure that That Anne Milton be discharged from the Committee and they can access broadband for their farm payments? John Penrose be added. —(Greg Hands.)

HALLETT REVIEW Elizabeth Truss: I will be delighted to work with the Resolved, hon. Lady and the Select Committee; I am very much looking forward to that. We know that 70% of farmers That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, That she will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be laid are already processing their payments online. She is before this House a Return of the Report of the Hallett Review: absolutely right that some do not have access to online An Independent Review into the On the Runs administrative payments at the moment, which is why the Under-Secretary scheme, dated 17 July 2014. —(Greg Hands.) of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Camborne and Redruth (George Eustice), who has responsibility for farming, is making centres available that will be able to advise those Oral Answers to Questions farmers and help them get online.

Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down) (SDLP): I, too, ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS welcome the hon. Lady to her new position and look forward to her appearance before the Select Committee. The Secretary of State was asked— We know from the report on rural broadband that we Rural Mobile Coverage carried out last year that the lack of adequate broadband has been identified repeatedly as one of the key barriers to growth in rural economies. In view of the fact that 1. Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab): so much money was allocated to England and to the What recent assessment she has made of the extent of devolved Administrations, what assessment has been rural mobile coverage. [904918] carried out of its effectiveness, given that for topographical The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and reasons many rural areas have not yet received their Rural Affairs (Elizabeth Truss): I start by paying tribute access? to my predecessor, the right hon. Member for North Shropshire (Mr Paterson), who did so much to champion Elizabeth Truss: I agree with the hon. Lady about the British food and farming, improve the environment and vital importance of broadband for rural businesses in promote rural growth. this country and for exports, which I am passionate Mobile coverage is vital for rural businesses and about promoting. We know that the extent of broadband households, and 99% of premises already receive 2G coverage has increased significantly from 45% of premises coverage. Our 3G mobile data coverage is better than in 2010 to 75% now. I agree that we need to do more, that of many other European countries. My right hon. which is why I am working on that along with my right Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and hon. Friend the Culture Secretary. Sport and I will be working hard to eradicate not-spots. Mr Alan Reid (Argyll and Bute) (LD): I congratulate Chi Onwurah: I welcome the right hon. Lady to her the Secretary of State on her promotion to the Cabinet. new position. I hope she will ensure that the excellent I was pleased when the Government gave £150 million work she was doing to encourage girls and boys into to the mobile infrastructure project, but have been science, technology, engineering and maths subjects will disappointed at the lack of progress in my own constituency be continued by the new Minister. so far. Will she please make it one of her early tasks to The Prime Minister seems recently to have discovered look at that project and do whatever she can to speed up that it can be quite difficult to get decent mobile coverage progress on it, which is vital? in Devon—well, bully for him. Is it not the case, however, that this Government’s abandonment of our universal Elizabeth Truss: I thank the hon. Gentleman. Promoting coverage principle, as well as the bungling of the broadband rural growth certainly will be one of my main priorities, roll-out, represents a betrayal of the rural economy of and I believe mobile coverage and broadband coverage absolutely epic proportions? are both vital to that objective. 991 Oral Answers17 JULY 2014 Oral Answers 992

Kosher and Halal Meat George Eustice: We considered the issue of CCTV in slaughterhouses during our consultation on slaughterhouse 2. Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): If she will ensure regulations last year, and concluded that it would not that all halal and kosher meat is labelled at point of improve the situation much. Indeed, CCTV had already sale. [904919] been installed in some of the slaughterhouses in which problems had been exposed by, for instance, Animal The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Aid, and it had not prevented abuses. However, we keep Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (George Eustice): an open mind. We believe that, in the first instance, it is for food retailers and food outlets to provide their customers Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): My constituents with reliable information. I know that my hon. Friend is believe that halal and kosher food should be labelled as a long-standing campaigner on this issue, but, as I have such, but if there are already clear EU legal definitions explained to him before, the introduction of a compulsory of “stunned” and “not stunned”, what is there to prevent labelling scheme for halal and kosher meat would present the UK Government from pressing ahead with labelling challenges, because there is no single unified definition. food in that way? Nevertheless, the European Commission is currently conducting a review, and we will consider its report George Eustice: Having looked into the matter when it is published later in the year. [Interruption.] exhaustively, we concluded that if we introduced “method of slaughter” labelling, it would be best to introduce it Mr Speaker: I hope that the health of the Secretary of at European level, because that would be safer and State is unimpaired. clearer legally. Spain considered introducing a national labelling scheme in 2012, but the Commission ruled Philip Davies: That is one way of ingratiating oneself against it. with a new Secretary of State, Mr Speaker. Is the Minister aware that the Jewish and Muslim Flood Defences (Gloucestershire) communities would be happy with full labelling of halal and kosher meat if all other meat products were also 3. Neil Carmichael (Stroud) (Con): What assessment fully labelled to show the method of slaughter? I am she has made of the effectiveness of flood defences in sure that many consumers would want to see such Gloucestershire. [904921] labelling. Will the Minister proceed with the introduction of comprehensive labelling showing the method of The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for slaughter, including halal and kosher, given that it clearly Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Dan Rogerson): commands widespread support? The Environment Agency maintains a strategic overview of flood and coastal erosion risk management. According Mr Speaker: The Minister now has a chance to to its assessment, publicly maintained flood defences in amend his career prospects. Gloucestershire protected more than 2,500 homes, as George Eustice: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I shall do well as businesses and agricultural land, from flooding my best, over the winter. A condition assessment following the events of the winter showed that less than 1% of the As I have said, the European Commission is considering flood defences in Gloucestershire were damaged by the issue. It is most likely to consider whether the the floods. animal was stunned or unstunned, because there is a clear definition in EU law. I am aware that groups in Neil Carmichael: What resources will be available in both halal and shechita say that they are open to the future so that my constituents, especially those who exploring that further, and I look forward to having a live along the vale, can be reassured that they will not dialogue with them and considering the European get wet when flooding really threatens them? Commission report when it appears in December.

Jim Fitzpatrick (Poplar and Limehouse) (Lab): I am Dan Rogerson: I understand my hon. Friend’s concerns very pleased to see that the Minister survived the Prime on behalf of his constituents. However, as part of the Minister’s cull. The point that he has made is absolutely £270 million we have allocated to repair and maintain correct: it is a question of whether the animal has been critical defences, £4 million has been allocated to stunned or not stunned. It is an animal welfare issue. Is Gloucestershire—£1 million to carry out maintenance it not the case that the majority of halal meat is from and £3 million to repair flood risk management assets animals that were stunned? Surely that is the line that damaged in the storms, to ensure they are returned to the Government should be pursuing in Brussels: “stunned” and maintained at target condition for the winter. and “not stunned” labelling. Food and Drink Exports George Eustice: I entirely agree. There is a clear legal definition of “stunned” in EU law, namely that stunning 4. Heather Wheeler (South Derbyshire) (Con): What renders the animal insensible to pain immediately. In the value to the UK economy of food and drink the case of halal, some 90% of poultry and lambs have exports was in 2013. [904922] been stunned, and we should recognise that fact. The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): Consumers are Rural Affairs (Elizabeth Truss): Food and farming is the entitled to know exactly what is going on. Does the largest manufacturing sector in the UK. We have fantastic Minister agree that what we need in all our slaughterhouses products, and sales are a real success story. Exports of is CCTV to give them that further assurance? food and drink have increased by £1.2 billion since 993 Oral Answers17 JULY 2014 Oral Answers 994

2010, to a value of £18.9 billion. Since 2010, we have Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con): negotiated 564 market access agreements with 109 countries, There are 400,000 people in the UK directly employed including those on pork to China and beef to the USA. in the food and drink sector, which is the one I was working in before I came here. We still import a higher Heather Wheeler: May I start by joining in the proportion of our food and drink than any other country congratulations to my right hon. Friend on her new role in the G20, so may I urge the Secretary of State to and welcome her to the Department? Will she join me in continue all the focus on redressing that balance and on celebrating the £210 million investment in the Nestlé exports? factory in Hatton in my constituency, where the production of Dolce Gusto coffee will be centred? Will she congratulate Elizabeth Truss: I completely agree with my hon. Fiona Kendrick, the chief executive officer of Nestlé, Friend about that, which is why we are focusing on on record exports last year from this south Derbyshire opening up more markets to British food—the US factory? market is being opened to beef, which is a fantastic opportunity. But we also need to be encouraging more Elizabeth Truss: I congratulate my hon. Friend on her of our young people to look at food, farming and promotion of food and farming in her constituency and agriculture as a career, because fantastic skilled jobs are the massive success in securing this investment. It is available and we need to make the idea of working in fantastic to know that coffee produced in Hatton will be food and farming much more mainstream. enjoyed from Houston to Hannover as a result of this new investment, and I wish this every success. Huw Irranca-Davies (Ogmore) (Lab): I welcome the Secretary of State to her post and wish her well. She will know that food fraud and authenticity issues and crises, 18. [904937] Dr Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test) (Lab): Is the Secretary of State concerned about the such as the horsemeat scandal, which was presided over export of food and drink packaging used in this by her predecessors, can quickly destroy the value of country? Is she looking at measures to introduce things UK food exports and the confidence of UK consumers such as packaging recovery note offsets to ensure that in our food industries. Why, then, has the final report of such packaging is recycled in the UK rather than the Elliott review of the horsemeat scandal, promised in exported? the spring, not been published? Will she undertake to publish it before we go into recess?

Elizabeth Truss: The hon. Gentleman makes an Elizabeth Truss: We have received the Elliott report interesting point, and that is certainly something I will and we are looking at it at the moment; it is something be looking at and discussing with my junior Ministers. that I am absolutely working on. We have made a priority of biosecurity and of ensuring that our food is Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) (LD): In safe, and we are working hard on that area. 2012 the Agri-food and Drink Export Forum said that it would report on the progress it was making. The Plant and Tree Health organisation is doing good work, so will the Secretary of State tell us what progress has been made and when we will get the result in report form? 5. Mr Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) (Con): What steps she is taking to reduce the threat of disease to the UK’s plants and trees. [904923] Elizabeth Truss: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. I understand that the Under-Secretary, my The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for hon. Friend the Member for Camborne and Redruth, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Dan Rogerson): who has responsibility for farming, has already had a On 30 April, we published a plant biosecurity strategy, meeting with the organisation. Like my predecessor, I which addresses the recommendations of the Tree Health am passionate about increasing our food exports, as and Plant Expert Biosecurity Taskforce and sets out a that is very important, and I look forward to working new approach to plant and tree health. We have also on it. produced a prioritised plant health risk register, the first of its kind globally; published a new tree health Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ management plan; undertaken work on contingency Co-op): Leading voices in the food and drink sector in planning; continued to commission high quality research; Scotland have recently made it clear that they see that it and recruited a senior chief plant health officer. is in their interests, as exporters, that Scotland should remain in the United Kingdom and the UK should Mr Jones: Given the importance of trees to our remain in the EU. The Secretary of State and I probably economy and environment, not least in my constituency agree on the first point, but does she agree that it is in of Nuneaton where we recently lost a number of trees the interests of the food and drink sector in the UK that to disease, what action are the Government taking we should remain in the EU and not withdraw from it? when specific threats are identified?

Elizabeth Truss: I agree with the hon. Gentleman’s Dan Rogerson: My hon. Friend is absolutely right to point about the UK: we are better together and we raise this. We have produced a prioritised plant health speak better as a single voice. That is very important. risk register to identify risk and to agree priorities for What I would say about the EU is that I have every faith action. We have also produced new contingency plans that the Prime Minister is going to secure a fantastic for plant diseases and we will be testing them in an renegotiation so that we have the benefits of trade, but exercise later this year. The measures in the new tree with a reduction in bureaucracy and red tape. health management plan set out clearly the approaches 995 Oral Answers17 JULY 2014 Oral Answers 996 that we are taking, for example against chalara, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for phytophthora ramorum and oak processionary moth. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Dan Rogerson): As soon as we were aware of a threat to plane trees, we The Government committed around £560 million to moved quickly to impose an import restriction on them. support those affected by the recent flooding. This includes an extra £270 million, to which I have referred Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): May in a previous question, to repair and maintain critical I, through the junior Minister, congratulate the new flood defences. We are helping households and businesses Secretary of State? I have enjoyed sparring with her in through the repair and renew grant, council tax and education debates. Sometimes, I have agreed with her, rates relief. Farmers and fishermen are receiving funding but I have never tried to sit on her. May I send a for repairs through existing schemes. We are supporting message on trees and plants? I know that evidence-based businesses through a £10 million hardship fund. policy is what she believes in, so when we are dealing Bill Esterson: In my constituency, surface water flooding with disease in trees and plants, let us use the evidence is a big problem. Will the Minister tell us what he is and the scientific advice. Can we also do that with doing to ensure that councils, the Environment Agency badgers? and the water companies work together to protect communities such as those in my constituency, especially Dan Rogerson: The Department believes in heeding as councils and the Environment Agency have faced scientific advice and taking action on it, especially with very significant cuts in their budgets? regard to the issues that are under discussion. The newly appointed senior chief plant health officer, who Dan Rogerson: I know the hon. Gentleman recently offers us such advice, is doing incredibly valuable work. raised the flooding in Maghull with the Environment Agency. Watercourses and rivers are the responsibility Richard Benyon (Newbury) (Con): When we see the of the agency, but surface flooding, as he said, is the diseases that are here and that are coming down the responsibility of the lead local flood authority. I have track, it is easy to get into a state of despair about how been talking to the Local Government Association our countryside will look in 10 or 20 years’ time. Will about chasing all councils to ensure that their plans are the Minister assure us that we have learned all the in place, so that we can be as reassured about surface lessons from past diseases; that the approach to flooding as we are about other forms of flooding and phytophthora ramorum of destroying millions of larch that all the procedures are in place. trees has worked; and that the new chief plant health officer will be able to tackle many of these emerging Caroline Nokes (Romsey and Southampton North) problems? (Con): On one of the hottest days of the year, flooding may seem a dim and distant memory, but the effects are ongoing in Romsey. Not a single Government Minister Dan Rogerson: My hon. Friend and predecessor is has yet been to my constituency to see what needs to be absolutely right to focus on this. As I have said, we have done. Will my hon. Friend care to visit Romsey to see made it a priority in the Department and we have for himself the work that desperately needs to be undertaken learned the lessons. Any Minister or Department that to safeguard the town from future flooding events? sat back and claimed they had learned everything would not be telling the truth. We must continually learn from Dan Rogerson: Ministers have undertaken a great what is out there, and work with colleagues across the number of visits across the country and I would be world to look for new threats. What we are doing with happy to join my hon. Friend in a visit to her constituency. these contingency exercises is not just to plan for what She is right to point out that we are experiencing some happens but to walk through it and to ensure that we hot weather, which brings its own challenges, but we are aware of the new threats that could arrive in this also have the threat of storms over the weekend, so we country. are keeping a close eye on what might result from them.

Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): The recent threat Hugh Bayley (York Central) (Lab): I thank the previous of ash dieback and indeed the horsemeat scandal show Secretary of State who, in his last few days in office, that the Food and Environment Research Agency plays confirmed to me in writing that the Department will in a vital role in detecting and responding to threats to our future publish statistics on flood protection expenditure natural environment and the food chain. Does the as official statistics. Will the Minister inform the House Secretary of State intend to continue with the privatisation when that change will take place and whether, crucially, of the research agency? it will be before the next election, so that we can have clear figures? Dan Rogerson: Because FERA has done such excellent Dan Rogerson: I am delighted that my right hon. work, we are keen to expand its remit so that it works Friend the Member for North Shropshire (Mr Paterson) with partners in the private sector to make sure that all was able to write to the hon. Gentleman to reassure him that expertise is used to its full effect in this country and about that approach and I am pleased with the welcome to advise other jurisdictions abroad. that the hon. Gentleman has given it. We have debated the matter on many occasions. We will now discuss how Flooding that change will come in and will introduce it as soon as we possibly can. 6. Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): What steps Mr David Heath (Somerton and Frome) (LD): Will the Government have taken to respond to recent the Minister arrange for the Secretary of State to maintain flooding; and if she will make a statement. [904924] the closest possible contact with Somerset colleagues 997 Oral Answers17 JULY 2014 Oral Answers 998 about Somerset? In particular, can we have an early Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): I thank the Minister meeting to discuss the two outstanding issues: the sluice for that response. Almost 1 million people participate in on the Parrett and the Somerset rivers authority? shooting sports in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The recreation is worth £2.5 billion Dan Rogerson: As my hon. Friend knows, both the through spending on goods and services. What discussions previous Secretary of State and I took a close interest in has the Minister had with the British Association for what happened in Somerset and made several visits Shooting and Conservation and the Countryside Alliance there. I know that the new Secretary of State will also about how to complement the good work that they do want to do that. I am sure that she will meet him soon, in the countryside? as will I. George Eustice: Tomorrow, I will be attending the CLA game fair and, among others, I will meet the Angela Smith (Penistone and Stocksbridge) (Lab): British Association of Shooting and Conservation and The Government’s response to the winter floods was the Angling Trust. I look forward to discussing some of slow and chaotic. Four months on, parliamentary answers the issues on their agenda. from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs show that, of the £10 million pledged by the Bovine TB Prime Minister to Somerset farmers, only £403,000 has been paid out, and only £2,320 has been paid out to one 8. Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) fisherman in the south-west. The Prime Minister has (Con): What recent reports she has received of progress gone from “money is no object” to “out of sight, out of made by other countries on bovine TB by tackling the mind.” What will the Department do to ensure that disease in both cattle and wildlife. [904927] people get the help they were promised? The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (George Eustice): Dan Rogerson: I first want to correct the hon. Lady’s The Government are aware of the success in countries misapprehension. The money is not only for farmers in such as Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Somerset; it is for farmers across the country. We have the Republic of Ireland in tackling the scourge of TB. received applications from the north and the east, and For instance, in New Zealand the number of infected from other counties in the south-west. Those applications herds has reduced from 1,700 20 years ago to just 66 in are being approved. Applicants will be paid once the 2011-12, whereas in the Republic of Ireland the number work is carried out, so unless she wants to interfere in of BTB reactors fell by 65% between 1999 and 2013. All those farming businesses and tell them that they must those countries have pursued a strategy of tackling the carry the work out in the next week, we will have to wait reservoir of the disease in the wildlife population as well until the work is actually carried out before we can pay as other measures. them. Stephen Metcalfe: As we seek to tackle this dreadful Shooting Sports disease, is not one of the main lessons from the countries the Minister listed that while we must be prepared to use every tool available to us, we must also continue to 7. David T. C. Davies (Monmouth) (Con): What develop new tools that might as yet seem out of reach? assessment she has made of the economic and environmental value of shooting sports. [904925] George Eustice: I completely agree with my hon. Friend. The 25-year strategy to eradicate TB, which was The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for published earlier this year, emphasised the fact that no Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (George Eustice): one measure will tackle the problem. We need to pursue The Government recognise the important contribution a range of measures, and that is why we are constantly that shooting sports make to rural life, the economy improving our cattle movement controls and why we and the environment. Although there are no Government are spending £4 million a year investing in research into assessments or official statistics, I am aware of a recent vaccines. It is also why we are continuing to develop industry-funded study, which estimated that shooting is effective cull methods. worth £2 billion to the UK economy and supports around 74,000 full-time jobs. It also assessed that the 17. [904936] Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): industry spends nearly £250 million a year on conservation. The new Secretary of State is not answering this question personally, but perhaps she might do so later. The science clearly criticises the Government’s culling David T. C. Davies: I congratulate the Secretary of policy and this House has voted twice to end it. When State on her new appointment. I appreciate that she and will the Government change their mind? Do we not the Minister are busy at the moment, but may I draw now have an opportunity, with the new broom, to do their attention to the report by the Sport and Recreation so? Alliance, which outlines the enormous economic benefits to rural areas that shooting brings? Will the Government George Eustice: I disagree with the hon. Lady. The continue to support this excellent form of recreation? evidence is very clear that no country has ever eradicated TB without also tackling the reservoir of the disease in George Eustice: As I said, we recognise the value of the wildlife population. The randomised badger culling shooting sports. Indeed, I referred precisely to the report trial showed very clearly that in the four years after it that the hon. Gentleman mentioned. Shooting sports concluded there was a significant reduction in the incidence have an important role to play in rural communities and of TB. I meet farmers, some of whom have closed herds contribute to our economy. but have repeated breakdowns and some of whom have 999 Oral Answers17 JULY 2014 Oral Answers 1000 been under restriction for 12 years, and although they The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for are not bringing cattle on or off their farm, they have a Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Dan Rogerson): reservoir of the disease in the wildlife population. DEFRA spent £8.3 million in 2013-14 under its core adapting to climate change programme. This included Mr Robert Walter (North Dorset) (Con): The Minister £4.1 million to the Met Office Hadley centre for the will be aware of the disappointment and anger among provision of world-leading climate science, and £1.6 million the farming community in Dorset that the badger cull to the Environment Agency’s climate ready support was not extended to Dorset this year despite the support service to help organisations across England adapt to a of both the former Secretary of State and the Prime changing climate. Adaptation is mainstreamed across Minister. Will the Minister reassure the farming community Government. Other Departments and other DEFRA in Dorset that DEFRA is on-stream to roll out effective programmes also fund activities that build resilience to control of bovine TB in Dorset next year? climate change.

George Eustice: As the former Secretary of State Mr Bain: But with the previous Secretary of State made clear in his statement, we listened to the having raided the adaptation budget by 40% in the recommendations of the independent expert panel. It space of just one year, it is actions, not words, that made recommendations to improve the methodology of count. Will the Minister take this opportunity to depart the cull and we are going to implement them this year. from the sceptical views of his former boss, recognise Our view is that we should improve and get the that climate change is a serious threat to our national methodology of the cull right in the two existing pilots security and reinstate flood prevention as a key before we roll out new ones. Clearly, we will reassess the departmental priority? situation once this year’s culls have concluded. Regulatory Burden (Farmers) Dan Rogerson: The hon. Gentleman is right to point out that actions speak louder than words, which is why 9. David Rutley (Macclesfield) (Con): What progress this Government are spending £3.2 billion on flood she is making in reducing the burden of regulation on prevention and coastal erosion risk management, compared farmers. [904928] with £2.7 billion in the previous Parliament.

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) (DUP): Over the current Rural Affairs (Elizabeth Truss): We are making good spending period it is anticipated that £10.7 billion will progress in reducing regulation. We are putting in place be spent on subsidies to low-carbon electricity generation, earned recognition, which sees high-quality farmers while only £2.2 billion will be spent on flood defences. benefiting from fewer inspections and less red tape, and Does the Minister agree that adaptation measures designed now 14 out of 31 inspection regimes allow earned to protect people’s homes would be a much more effective recognition. The Food Standards Agency has reduced investment than spending money on unilateral mitigation dairy inspections by more than 8,000 a year and the measures which cost jobs, put up electricity prices and Environment Agency’s pigs and poultry scheme is saving give no defence to people in the short run? members £880 a year.

David Rutley: I, too, congratulate my right hon. Friend Dan Rogerson: I disagree with the hon. Gentleman on her well-deserved promotion. She will be a champion that it is an either/or situation. Of course we need to for rural communities in Norfolk, in Cheshire and invest in adaptation, which is what we are doing, as I set across the country. It is vital that we go further to out in relation to flood prevention, but we also need to reduce the regulatory burden on farmers so that they take action on mitigation, and I am proud of this can go on doing what they do best. With that in mind, Government’s progress on our commitments on carbon. will she tell the House what specific progress we are making under the red tape challenge? Topical Questions

Elizabeth Truss: I thank my hon. Friend for his T1. [904908] Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South) congratulations and look forward to working with him (Lab): If she will make a statement on her on this issue, as I know that he is passionate about departmental responsibilities. getting rid of the red tape that hampers farmers in doing what they do best. We intend to improve or remove 56% of the 516 regulations examined by the The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and agriculture red tape challenge. As Secretary of State I Rural Affairs (Elizabeth Truss): I am delighted to have want to continue to work to get rid of red tape and been appointed to this important role and to have such box-ticking, focusing instead on the outcomes we deliver an early opportunity to answer questions. In the 48 hours in economic growth and environmental improvements. since my appointment, I have not quite been able to It is the outcomes that matter, not jumping through speak to everyone or look at every issue, but I know hoops. from my work in Norfolk how vital this Department is. Food and farming and improving our natural environment Climate Change are central not only to our rural communities, but to everyone in the country, and I want them to be a 10. Mr William Bain (Glasgow North East) (Lab): mainstream concern that everyone is part of. I believe How much her Department has spent on adaptation to that we can both grow our economy and improve our climate change; and if she will make a statement. environment, and I look forward to working with my [904929] colleagues to do that. 1001 Oral Answers17 JULY 2014 Oral Answers 1002

Barbara Keeley: The M60, the M62 and the M602 Maria Eagle: That was a disappointing reply. I am run through my constituency, so it is definitely not very afraid that the Secretary of State has just flunked her rural. We have extremely high levels of air pollution first test and missed a golden opportunity to put scientific from road traffic. Indeed, the Highways Agency has evidence back where it ought to be in DEFRA—at the had to shelve its plans to widen the M60 near my very centre of decision making. I would be grateful if constituency because that would have brought too much she answered this question: will she now give an undertaking road traffic and made our unacceptable air pollution to ask the IEP to report on year 2 of the culls, as it did worse. Now that the European Court of Justice has on year 1—yes or no? ruled that the Government are failing to meet their air pollution targets, does the Secretary of State know, Elizabeth Truss: Let us be absolutely clear: we are after 48 hours, what plans Ministers have to tackle air asking Natural England, which is a proper expert body, pollution in areas such as mine, to prevent my constituents to assess how the culls are going and look at what we from suffering respiratory disease and early death? can do in future. We must use every tool in our toolbox to address this threat to our beef and dairy industries.

Elizabeth Truss: Let us be clear. Air quality is very T4. [904912] Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) important, as is protecting and enhancing the environment. (LD): I draw hon. Members’ attention to my entry in This is a huge challenge for lots of countries, and it is the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. I welcome something I am working on with colleagues to address. the Secretary of State to her place. She has already We have invested more than £2 billion in measures since demonstrated her commitment to UK food, but does 2011 to reduce emissions from transport sources. she agree that large supermarkets, such as Tesco, should be encouraged to stock in-season products, such as T3. [904911] Charlotte Leslie (Bristol North West) British lamb, rather than discount New Zealand lamb, (Con): My constituents in Avonmouth suffered an during our peak production period? unacceptable infestation of flies earlier this summer. The response from all parties involved, particularly the Elizabeth Truss: I completely agree that British beef Environment Agency, was slow: it looked at the source and lamb are fantastic products, as is British pork—as of the problem, which was slow, not at the effect on my an East Anglian MP, I obviously do a lot to promote constituents, who suffered unacceptably. What will we British pork. I understand that Tesco has entered into a do to ensure that there are plans in place for such two-year contract with 200 British lamb farmers to help emergencies and that agencies such as the Environment supply British lamb, but I think that we can do more to Agency respond quickly to residents’ concerns? encourage not only supermarkets to offer local, seasonal food, but people to consume it. That will help our Elizabeth Truss: I understand that we await the final environment and our economy. judgment from the Court of Appeal on this issue. I T2. [904909] Nia Griffith (Llanelli) (Lab): The Burry would be happy to meet my hon. Friend to discuss how inlet in my constituency is once again experiencing mass we can ensure that the Environment Agency takes swift cockle mortality. Last Thursday, in response to action and effective action when such concerns are raised. taken by some of the cockle pickers in my constituency several years ago, the European Commission issued a Maria Eagle (Garston and Halewood) (Lab): I reasoned opinion in which it named nine agglomerations congratulate the Secretary of State on her promotion that are failing to meet the waste water directive, including and welcome her to her new job. However, I am appalled excessive spills from Gowerton and Llanelli into the to hear the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member Burry inlet, where there are sensitive waters. Although for Camborne and Redruth (George Eustice), confirm the Welsh Government will clearly be involved, it is the that she is going to continue with the discredited, UK Government who are answerable to the European unscientific, inhumane and ineffective badger cull. Is Commission. Will the Minister meet me to discuss this she aware that Professor David Macdonald, the chief serious issue? scientific adviser to Natural England, which will have to license the culls, has described them as an “epic failure”, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for adding: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Dan Rogerson): I “It is hard to see how continuing this approach could be will not seek to unpick the devolution settlement because, justified”? as the hon. Lady quite rightly says, this is a devolved Will she at least undertake to ask the independent matter. The Welsh Government and Natural Resources expert panel which reported on the safety, humaneness Wales will be playing a key role in enforcement and in and effectiveness of year 1 of the cull to report on looking for a way forward, as will Welsh Water, but if year 2? she would like to write to me with further details, I will be happy to look into her concerns.

Elizabeth Truss: I thank the hon. Lady for her T9. [904917] Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): I congratulations. Let us be absolutely clear: the reality is welcome the Department’s commitment to safeguarding that bovine TB represents a massive threat to our dairy our bee population. Now that the pollinator strategy and beef industries. We are looking at the potential loss consultation has closed, when will the Government respond of over £1 billion of economic growth in our country. and address public concerns about the effect of pesticide We need to look at the best scientific evidence. I have use? already spoken with the Department’s scientific adviser about this precise subject. We are progressing with our Dan Rogerson: My hon. Friend is absolutely right programme, as my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of that this is crucial for the future. We will finalise State outlined. the strategy when we have received and considered 1003 Oral Answers17 JULY 2014 Oral Answers 1004 the recommendations from the Environmental Audit Elizabeth Truss: I completely agree with my hon. Committee’s inquiry into the draft strategy, which was Friend that a lot of red tape is being passed down to us launched in May and is due to report at the end of July. from Brussels. That is why I am determined to negotiate strongly at a European level as well as making sure that agriculture is part of our overall discussions on the EU. T5. [904913] Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/ Co-op): Does the Secretary of State share my concern T7. [904915] Graham Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab): My that so few young people in our country ever visit the constituents and people around the United Kingdom countryside? If she does, will she join my campaign, as are facing a cost of living crisis. This Government are many Members across the House have done, to raise not doing enough on water affordability. With fewer £1 million—£5,000 from 200 constituencies would do than 25,000 people eligible to benefit from social tariffs it—so that more young people from underprivileged offered by just three water companies, does the schools can visit the countryside? Minister believe that the Government’s voluntary approach is insufficient in helping those struggling to Elizabeth Truss: I will look into the hon. Gentleman’s pay their water bills? campaign. In my previous role as an Education Minister, we introduced the subject of food into the curriculum, Dan Rogerson: When the hon. Gentleman says both where it comes from and practical cooking, as well “voluntary approach”, I assume that he is referring to as bringing horticulture and agriculture into the design water companies’ implementation of social tariffs. More and technology curriculum, precisely to help more children companies are taking up the option of bringing in a and young people understand where our food comes social tariff, having consulted their customers about from and to build the skills they need to work in the whether it is right for their area. The biggest thing we food and agriculture industries. can do for people with regard to water bills is to keep the cost down. We have been clear on this matter in our messages to Ofwat. It has taken action and the companies Sheryll Murray (South East Cornwall) (Con): Small-boat have responded. fishermen in South East Cornwall and throughout Cornwall are concerned that a discard ban, along with their tiny Sir Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed) (LD): Was the share of the UK quota from the EU total allowable Department’s press office correct in giving the impression catch, will affect their economic viability. Does the last Friday that at least 20 staff will be retained at Minister agree that repatriation of UK waters should Alnwick after Steria’s Shared Services organisation moves have preceded a discard ban? Will he take forward a its operations from there next June? request to include repatriation of UK waters in future negotiations? Dan Rogerson: My right hon. Friend is understandably taking a close interest in the future of what has been a The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for very efficient office. As he knows, Shared Services, with Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (George Eustice): Steria, has bid for contracts on which it was unsuccessful. On the small fleets, I point out to my hon. Friend that However, other DEFRA teams at that location will we have reallocated some of the unused quota from continue to work there in situ. producer organisations to the under-10 metre fleet. My predecessor, my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury T8. [904916] Lisa Nandy (Wigan) (Lab): Earlier in this (Richard Benyon), made considerable progress in reforming Parliament, the Secretary of State supported selling off the common fisheries policy. We now have far greater the public forest estate. Does she still? regional control, with member states multilaterally deciding the management plans, and flexibility on quotas and a Elizabeth Truss: We are not going to sell any of the legally binding commitment to sustainability. public forest estate. I speak as an MP who has in my constituency one of the largest lowland forests, Thetford forest, which is a fantastic resource for people and T6. [904914] Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): May nature. I press the Secretary of State to talk to her colleague, the Health Secretary, about how GP services in rural areas are under threat? That is a particular concern in my constituency. I urge her to push this point because CHURCH COMMISSIONERS they are facing a big threat—bigger than that faced by those in many other areas. The right hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Elizabeth Truss: I will certainly be working with the Church Commissioners, was asked— Health Secretary, along with colleagues in other Food Banks Government Departments, to make sure that we enhance and protect rural services. 1. Hugh Bayley (York Central) (Lab): What support the Church of England is giving to food banks. Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): I congratulate [904898] my right hon. Friend on her appointment as Secretary of State, but is she not just a little disappointed to The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Sir Tony discover that 90% of her new job is simply to carry out Baldry): Four in five of the Church of England’s 13,000 instructions from Brussels? parish churches are supporting local food banks. 1005 Oral Answers17 JULY 2014 Oral Answers 1006

Hugh Bayley: Three weeks ago, the Living Wage at countries with the highest number of British expats. Commission chaired by the Archbishop of York Thanks to the introduction of individual electoral recommended that the voluntary adoption of the living registration, overseas electors can now register online wage by employers could do much to reduce poverty and no longer require another British passport holder and dependence on food banks. What advice and to countersign the registration form. That change, supported encouragement is the Church giving to parishes to by the commission, should make it easier for overseas become advocates and champions in their communities voters to register. in order to persuade employers to adopt the living wage? Michael Fabricant: I am very grateful for that answer. Online registration is good news for Brits overseas. My Sir Tony Baldry: I can assure the hon. Gentleman hon. Friend will know that there are some 1.4 million that the Church of England is committed to paying all Brits in Australasia and the United States, and 43,000 in our staff the living wage. I hope that that will be an Israel. How is he going to advertise the fact that online excellent example for employers voluntarily to follow registration is available to them? where the Church of England is leading. We understand the broader concerns about food Mr Streeter: The Electoral Commission will continue banks. That is why, together with support from the to get the message across with targeted press releases to Church Urban Fund and a number of diocesan bishops, English-language papers and radio stations in the countries I have been, and I am, organising meetings across the where there are large numbers of expats, but its predominant country with the Minister for the Cabinet Office to means of seeking to do so is through online campaigning consider the reasons causing people to use food banks and advertising on websites most likely to be read by and how, collectively, we can move on from them. expats. Of course, all of us who use social media—my hon. Friend is very skilled at using it—can get this Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): The Church Commissioners simple message across: “You can now register online!” have significant land holdings in and around the village of Westbury-sub-Mendip, and only the Church Mr Speaker: The hon. Gentleman should always be Commissioners can ensure that the villagers have space careful not to put divisible propositions to the House. I to replace their 19th-century school, hall and shop. For will leave it there. some years the parish council and other village organisations have tried, unsuccessfully, to meet the Church Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab): It is Commissioners about their social responsibilities in the important to allow British citizens living abroad to village. Could the right hon. Gentleman ensure that register to vote, but it is also important that they are those discussions now take place as a matter of urgency, able to cast that vote and that it can be counted in good because there are pending planning applications on the time. What discussions is the hon. Gentleman having Church Commissioners’ land? with the Electoral Commission to improve the ability of people living abroad to have their vote counted? Sir Tony Baldry: That is a gloriously ingenious question, but I am not sure whether it entirely follows on from Mr Streeter: That is a very good point. This is about food banks. The Church Commissioners, like any other not just registration but getting the paperwork to the charity, have a duty to their beneficiaries, who are expat so that they can fill it in as a postal vote and send largely clergy pensioners, in how we manage our investments. it back in time. The period for so doing has been We will of course communicate and liaise directly with extended under recent legislation, and that should make those who are democratically elected—in my hon. Friend’s a real difference at the next general election. case, the local authority—about the appropriate way in which any landholdings we have might be used in the context of the local plan. CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE The right hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, was asked— The hon. Member for South West Devon, representing Heritage Lottery Fund (Church Repairs) the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission, was asked— 3. Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): UK Voters Overseas What funds were allocated to church repairs from the Heritage Lottery Fund in each of the past three years. 2. Michael Fabricant (Lichfield) (Con): What steps [904900] the Electoral Commission is taking to improve registration of UK voters resident in Europe, North The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Sir Tony America, Israel, the far east and Australasia; and if he Baldry): Over the past three years, the Heritage Lottery will make a statement. [904899] Fund has awarded just under £75 million to 623 projects to repair listed places of worship in England through Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon): The commission the grants for places of worship programme and its runs awareness campaigns to encourage expatriates to predecessor, the repairs grants for places of worship register in advance of all elections in which they may programme, which is operated in partnership with English vote. These are predominantly online campaigns aimed Heritage. 1007 Oral Answers17 JULY 2014 Oral Answers 1008

Miss McIntosh: I am grateful for that reply. It is, Mr Streeter: As usual, my hon. Friend is quite right. indeed, a large sum of money. Will my right hon. Friend Anyone seeking to register online must provide not only use his good offices to persuade the Chancellor of the their name and address, of course, but their national Exchequer to review the level at which VAT is set on insurance number. I hope that that will help young church repairs and make a plea to reduce it to 5%, people in particular to register, as long as they can ask which would be perfectly legal? their parents for their national insurance number.

Sir Tony Baldry: I remind my hon. Friend that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has been incredibly generous CHURCH COMMISSIONERS towards the Church. In May 2012, he and the Government agreed to give £30 million extra a year to the Church so The right hon. Member for Banbury, representing the that the listed places of worship grant scheme could Church Commissioners, was asked— enable the equivalent to the VAT bill to be paid on all alterations and repairs to listed buildings. No church Cathedral Repairs Fund should be deterred from undertaking essential repairs 5. Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) (Con): and restoration due to fears about the cost of VAT, Whether any grants have been made from the first because they are now covered. The Chancellor made it world war centenary cathedral repairs fund. [904903] very clear that he was moving to ease the impact on the churches, in recognition of the massive contribution The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Sir Tony made by congregations up and down the land to the life Baldry): Some £4.77 million has been allocated so far of their communities. from the £20 million Government repair fund for cathedrals. So far, 22 cathedrals have benefited—18 Anglican and Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): The four Catholic. right hon. Gentleman will know that no one begrudges lottery money flowing to protect our great churches, Sarah Newton: I very much appreciate the grant but is he aware that the Secretary of State for Business, made to Truro cathedral, and the fund’s recognition of Innovation and Skills yesterday heartily endorsed the really important role that cathedrals such as Truro crowdfunding as a way for communities to raise money play in local civic and national life. Does my right hon. to do good things? Could we interest the Archbishop of Friend agree that it is important to have an ongoing Canterbury in crowdfunding so that we can take the grant-making process to support the vital work of Truro pressure off the lottery and use more of its money for cathedral and, indeed, of cathedrals all over the UK? other things? Sir Tony Baldry: I agree with my hon. Friend. It is very good news that Truro has received money to repair Sir Tony Baldry: I have to tell the hon. Gentleman the cathedral turrets, which were damaged during recent that the Church of England invented crowdfunding storms. I think we all agree that cathedrals, apart from long before anyone else thought of it. being very important centres of religious worship, are centres for regeneration, civic pride and tourism potential. The maintenance and repair of our cathedrals is of ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE course a national imperative. Human Trafficking The hon. Member for South West Devon, representing 6. Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con): What steps the the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission, Church is taking to tackle human trafficking. [904904] was asked— Individual Electoral Registration Sir Tony Baldry: The Church of England has been at the forefront of the parliamentary campaign to abolish 4. Neil Parish (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con): What slavery, and wants to ensure that everything possible progress has been made on introducing individual can be done to banish slavery from the world. electoral registration in the last six months. [904901] Fiona Bruce: Archbishop Welby is garnering increasing respect and admiration in many ways, not least for his Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon): The transition international travels to meet and strengthen relationships to individual electoral registration in England and Wales across the Anglican family worldwide. What is the started on 10 June, and it will begin in Scotland on Church of England doing internationally to develop a 19 September. Online electoral registration is now available more co-ordinated Anglican response to the appalling in England and Wales, and electoral registration officers global phenomenon of human trafficking? have begun writing to electors to tell them whether they need to provide any more information to register under Sir Tony Baldry: My hon. Friend raises a very important the new system. To support the work of EROs and to issue. Of course, the Church of England was at the help to raise awareness of the transition, the Electoral forefront of the original campaign, with Wilberforce, to Commission launched a mass media advertising campaign abolish slavery in this country, and we are determined in early July, which will run until 10 August. to do everything we can to abolish slavery around the world. The Church of England, together with the Roman Neil Parish: I very much welcome my hon. Friend’s Catholic Church and other faiths groups in this country, answer. Is not the key to registration to be able to do it works through the Global Freedom Network, and in as close as possible to elections, but to make sure that it our work around the world, we are determined to do is absolutely secure, so that we know that people who everything we can to eradicate modern-day slavery and want to vote are genuine voters? human trafficking by 2020. 1009 Oral Answers17 JULY 2014 Oral Answers 1010

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE The Second Church Estates Commissioner (Sir Tony Baldry): The next step is for the Ecclesiastical Committee The hon. Member for South West Devon, representing to meet on Tuesday, when I hope it will pass the the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission, measure that was agreed by General Synod on Monday. was asked— That will at last enable women to become bishops in the Individual Electoral Registration Church of England. 7. Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): Which groups of voters the Electoral Commission assesses as Helen Goodman: I am very grateful to the right hon. being least likely to register to vote following the Gentleman for that answer. It is the answer that we have introduction of individual electoral registration. been waiting for the past 20 years to hear. It is very [904905] good news for the country and for the Church. I congratulate everybody who secured the result in Synod. Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon): The commission’s When does he think women bishops might be installed, research shows that the key groups who were less likely and when does he think they might be introduced into to be registered to vote under the previous household the other place? registration system were younger people, private renters, home movers and people from certain black and minority ethnic communities. Following the introduction of Sir Tony Baldry: The answer I feel like giving to the individual electoral registration, the public awareness hon. Lady is, “Hallelujah, sister! At last!” After so campaign will focus particularly on those groups. The many years of waiting, the Church of England is going Electoral Commission will closely monitor and report to have women bishops, which will enable it to fulfil its on progress throughout the transition to IER, including mission as a Church for the whole nation and allow action taken by electoral registration officers to target every part of the Church to flourish. under-registered groups. Online electoral registration If the Ecclesiastical Committee approves the measure will also help to make the registration process more on Tuesday, subject to the agreement of the Leader of convenient for all groups. the House I hope to bring the measure to this House in September. I think that the other House hopes to deal Mr Hollobone: Will those particular groups be targeted with the measure early in October. That would enable by the Electoral Commission, and how often will the General Synod to meet formally in November to do the House be updated on progress? final approval and promulging of the canon. That would Mr Streeter: The multi-media advertising campaign enable the Church of England to appoint the first is indeed targeted on groups less likely to be on the women bishops this year or early next year. register, but it is for our electoral registration officers to decide what campaign they run in their own locality. Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con): I join my right My advice to all Members of Parliament is to sit down hon. Friend in welcoming the move towards women with the ERO in their locality and to make sure that the bishops. However, for the moment, it is a male preserve. campaign they are planning for the next six months is Will he join me in congratulating the Rev. David Court, adequate and that registration reaches the hardest-to-reach the new Bishop of Grimsby, who will be consecrated at groups. St Paul’s next week, and wish him well in his work in the Mr Speaker: I call John Pugh. Not here. Lincoln diocese?

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS Sir Tony Baldry: Of course. Every bishop in the Church of England is a focus of unity in their own The right hon. Member for Banbury, representing the diocese and all bishops undertake incredibly important Church Commissioners, was asked— work. One of the great things about General Synod was Women Bishops that we were able to get agreement for there to be women bishops with no one in the Church feeling hurt 9. Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland) (Lab): What or aggrieved. We were therefore able, under the leadership the next steps are on the women bishops measure of Archbishop Justin and Archbishop John, to move following the General Synod. [904907] forward as a united Church. 1011 17 JULY 2014 Child Abuse 1012

Child Abuse vulnerable people in the future. As I said, child abuse is an abhorrent crime that can scar people for life, and the Government are determined to stamp it out. We are 10.32 am working across Government to ensure that victims of Yvette Cooper (Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford) historic child abuse who come forward in response to (Lab) (Urgent Question): To ask the Home Secretary to our overarching inquiry get the support and help they make a statement about child abuse. need. Our message is clear: the Government will do everything they can to allow the full investigation of The Secretary of State for the Home Department child abuse whenever and wherever it occurred, to support (Mrs Theresa May): The sexual abuse of children is an victims of it, and to bring the perpetrators of this abhorrent crime which the Government are absolutely disgusting crime to justice. committed to stamping out. As Members will be aware from the announcement In my statement to the House last week, I addressed we heard yesterday about the outcome of the National two important public concerns: first, that in the 1980s, Crime Agency’s operation, which was reported in the the Home Office failed to act on allegations of child sex media, child abuse is a crime that continues today. I abuse and, secondly, that public bodies and other important think that that operation shows our relentless commitment institutions have failed to take seriously their duty of to pursue those engaged in online child sexual exploitation, care towards children. As I informed the House on and it was unprecedented in its degree of co-ordination, 7 July, the whole Government take the allegations very with the NCA leading and co-ordinating law enforcement seriously. That is why I announced two inquiries last efforts that involved 45 police forces across England, week. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It has been The first is a review led by Peter Wanless, the chief ongoing for the past six months. People from all walks executive of the National Society for the Prevention of of life have been indentified, including those in positions Cruelty to Children, with the support of Richard Whittam, of trust, and 660 arrests have been made and more than QC, of the original investigations that Mark Sedwill, 400 children safeguarded or protected. the permanent secretary at the Home Office, commissioned Crucial in investigations of online sexual abuse, and last year into suggestions that the Home Office failed to matters of this kind more generally, is the question of act on allegations of child sex abuse in the early 1980s. access to communications data. The Government are Peter Wanless and Richard Whittam will also look at committed to tackling the threat to children online, how the police and prosecutors handled any related which is why the Data Retention and Investigatory information that was handed to them, and examine Powers Bill, which was passed by this House on Tuesday another recent review into allegations that the Home and is currently before the other place, is important. It Office provided funding to an organisation called the will ensure that law enforcement agencies continue to Paedophile Information Exchange. Mr Wanless and have access to another vital tool of communications Mr Whittam are in post and work on the review has data. Without access to communications data, the begun. Its terms of reference were placed in the Library investigative capabilities of public authorities in relation of the House last week, and I expect the review to to online child abuse would be significantly damaged, conclude within eight to 10 weeks. and vital evidence would be inaccessible. If companies Last week, I also announced a wider independent do not retain that data and we cannot access it, it will panel inquiry to consider whether public bodies and become impossible in future to carry out such operations. non-state institutions have taken seriously their duty of In other areas, the Government are also looking at care to protect children from sexual abuse. The Home what actions we can take in relation to this reprehensible Office has appointed the head of the secretariat to the crime. That is why in April last year, the Government panel, which will begin its work as soon as possible after established a national group to tackle sexual violence the appointment of the chairman. against children and vulnerable people, led by the Minister As the House will know, I asked Baroness Butler-Sloss for Crime Prevention, my right hon. Friend the Member to act as chairman of the panel and she agreed to do so. for Lewes (Norman Baker). The cross-Government group However, having listened to the concerns that were was established to learn the lessons from some of the raised by victim and survivor groups and by Members recent cases that have emerged and the resulting reviews of this House, Lady Butler-Sloss subsequently came to and inquiries, and as a result of its work we now have the conclusion that she should not chair the inquiry. better guidance for police and prosecutors, new powers I was deeply saddened by her decision to withdraw, but for the police to get information from hotels that are I understand and respect her reasons. She is a woman of used for child sexual exploitation, and better identification the highest integrity and compassion, and she continues of children at risk of exploitation through the use of to have an enormous contribution to make to public local multi-agency safeguarding hubs. life. The Home Office will do everything it can to allow Work is ongoing to find the right chairman and the full investigation of child abuse and the prosecution members of the panel, and an announcement will be of its perpetrators. The Child Exploitation and Online made as soon as possible so that this important work Protection Centre command of the National Crime can move forward. I am sure that hon. Members will Agency works with police forces to investigate child agree that it is important that the terms of reference for sexual abuse, and has access to specialist officers who the inquiry are considered carefully. That is why it is could be called on to assist in complex cases. CEOP is right that we should wait until we have appointed a new already providing support to forces in the robust chairman and a panel, and discuss the terms with them. investigation of child sexual abuse. I want this inquiry to leave no stone unturned in For some time, this House has been considering getting to the truth of what happened and ensuring that issues arising from historic cases of child abuse. The we learn the necessary lessons to protect children and news yesterday of more than 600 arrests by the NCA, 1013 Child Abuse17 JULY 2014 Child Abuse 1014 and ongoing investigations into current incidents of of child abuse images. We should recognise the valuable child abuse, show that this is not just a problem of the and important work they do, and the work that goes on past but is with us today. The Government will do around them to ensure that perpetrators and others everything they can to work to stamp out child abuse, involved in this horrendous crime are brought to justice. but there is a wider question for us as a society about I have made it clear that the work of NCA investigations how and why these appalling crimes are still taking is ongoing. I am therefore not in a position to indicate place today. anything in relation to how many suspects they might Yvette Cooper: I welcome the Home Secretary’s statement be looking at or the action I might take against those and the update she has given the House. She is right to suspects. Those are operational matters and decisions condemn this vile crime that hits vulnerable children for the NCA to take in consideration with the various and can wreck lives. I also welcome the announcement police forces involved, but I can assure Members that that the National Crime Agency has safeguarded 400 this is an ongoing investigation. children and arrested 660 people for child abuse offences The right hon. Lady referred to a number of matters, as part of a major operation involving many police for example the increase in the number of sex offences forces. The House will want to commend the police for being reported. That is indeed the case, but what I think that work, and recognise the role of online intelligence we are seeing in the figures is a number of people and communications data that we discussed earlier this coming forward with historic cases of sex offences. week. While that does have an impact on the figures, I think However, The Times reports today that the same we would all welcome the fact that there are more investigation has in fact identified more than 10,000 suspects people now who feel comfortable in being able to come who are not currently being arrested or pursued through forward with allegations of these sorts of offences. For the criminal justice system. It appears that those are in too long, people have felt that they would not be believed, addition to today’s crime statistics, which also show a and have been hiding their own experiences and keeping 20% increase in reported sex offences, a 65% increase in them to themselves, rather than surfacing them. It is reported child abuse images, and a 27% increase in important that they are coming forward. In some of the reported rape. While car crime may be falling, the historic cases that have gone to trial, some perpetrators reports of these serious, often hidden, crimes are going have been brought to justice. They have been charged up, and people will be deeply shocked by the scale of and prosecuted as a result of people coming forward. online crime that is growing alongside the internet. At We are, of course, making sure that resources are the same time, there has been a 9% drop in prosecutions available. In my response to the right hon. Lady’s question, for child sex offences and a 75% drop in the number of I indicated that CEOP resources, which are specialist convicted criminals who are barred from working with and expertise resources, are being made available to children as a result of the Government’s policy changes. other police forces. The child abuse inquiry is being set There are real concerns about chaos at the Disclosure up to ensure that we can learn the lessons from the and Barring Service, which is not providing consistent various reviews that have taken place into historic cases. information about the number of people being barred. As part of that, I expect it will want to look at what is Let me ask the Home Secretary the following questions. happening today: whether the lessons from the past are Can she confirm that the National Crime Agency has already being dealt with, or whether there are still gaps identified more than 10,000 suspects as part of its in what we need to do. Obviously, one of the areas that investigation? What is happening to those 10,000 suspects has increased in recent times is online abuse. now? Is it true that the police have decided that they do At the Prime Minister’s summit in November last not have the capacity to pursue them? How many of year, we made it absolutely clear that we are determined them does she think pose a direct risk to children? Will to stamp out online child sexual abuse. That is why we they be barred from working with children? Can she have worked with industry to ensure that search engines confirm that there has indeed been a 75% drop in the block images, videos and pathways to child abuse from number of convicted sex offenders who are being barred blacklist search terms used by paedophiles. We are from working with children? Does she believe that the developing a child abuse image database, which will police and the NCA have the capacity to deal with the help officers to work more effectively together to close scale of this growing crime? Will any of these issues be the net on paedophiles and ensure that internet companies covered by the child abuse inquiry, which currently has can better identify, block and remove illegal images. We no chair and no terms of reference? have also established the UK-US taskforce to counter The Home Secretary will know that I have raised online child exploitation. Through that, we are drawing concerns with her over the past few years that the child on the brightest and best minds in the industry, law protection system is currently not strong enough to deal enforcement and academia to stop the internet being with the scale of the problem that we face. Will she now used to abuse children. We saw from the National urgently review Government policy and resources, Crime Agency’s operations yesterday the value of setting particularly around online abuse, as well as on the wider it up as a strong crime-fighting organisation that has issues around child abuse, and rethink the barring system already shown its ability to root out perpetrators of this approach? Will she agree to come back to this House in sort of crime, to deal with them and ultimately to bring September with an urgent action plan to deal with this them to justice. very serious crime? Mrs May: First, may I say that the right hon. Lady is Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham) (Con): absolutely right to commend the work of police forces, May I add my congratulations to the NCA for yesterday’s the National Crime Agency and CEOP command? This successful operation? It is worth noting that of the 660 work is not easy for police officers to undertake. It is arrested, very few were people already on the sex offenders very difficult for those who have to look at the evidence register. This is very difficult work and a reminder that 1015 Child Abuse17 JULY 2014 Child Abuse 1016

[Tim Loughton] care for other reasons”. Will the Secretary of State talk to her colleagues in the Department for Education we are talking about current abuse going on, in addition about whether we can record when children disappear to the historic child abuse that we must now investigate. from care and why they disappear, so that we can audit May I suggest to my right hon. Friend that rather than the process and ensure that children are safe in care coming forward with a new action plan, as has been today? suggested, she gives this House a progress report on the child sexual exploitation action plan, which I launched Mrs May: My hon. Friend has raised a very important in November 2011, which was multi-agency and multi- point about how children in care have been, I think in departmental? It has been exceedingly successful and too many cases, failed by the state over the years. This is no doubt played a major part in bringing a lot of people not an area where the state can have any real confidence. to justice in yesterday’s operation. We should, frankly, look back at what has happened to a number of children in care with deep concern. I will Mrs May: May I commend my hon. Friend for the certainly take my hon. Friend’s point up with the work he has done in this area over the years? He and I Department for Education—and also with the Department joined this House at the same time, and I know that he for Communities and Local Government, because of has consistently led on child protection issues and has local authorities’ responsibility. put a lot of work into this area, both when he was children’s Minister and outside that time, and he continues Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): The Home Secretary to do so. I will certainly be happy to ask the Minister for rightly spoke of the harrowing effect that working in Crime Prevention to report to the House on the child this area can have on the police officers who have to do exploitation action plan that my hon. Friend developed this work and see these images. Can she assure the as the children’s Minister and also on how the group House that the expansion of the work in this area will that was set up subsequently is taking that work forward, go hand in hand with an expansion of the care and looking at how it can build on it in a number of other long-term psychological support packages for those ways, so that we are always looking to ensure that we police officers? have the best possible response. Mrs May: Yes. This matter has already been raised. Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): May I join the Obviously, the forces and CEOP are aware of the issue Home Secretary in congratulating those involved in that the work can cause for the officers involved and Operations Endeavour and Notarise for the work they they have programmes and operations in place to support have done, which shows the importance of the expertise those officers. We shall certainly ensure that those continue. of CEOP? She is right not to rush in and name a new chair for the inquiry. This needs to be done with care and full consultation, so that the chair can help to Sir Edward Garnier (Harborough) (Con): As the Home choose the panel and fashion the terms of reference. Secretary will know, I have followed the problems caused However, I am concerned that not enough is being done by child sex abuse from the point of view of one who by the internet companies. Will she confirm that at the has both acted for somebody falsely accused of it and, very least she is getting a list or a number of the as a law officer, dealing with historic child sex abuse websites that have been closed down as a result of the cases. The importance of the issues and the motives summit that took place last November? The public need with which Members question my right hon. Friend to be reassured that these websites are being closed. If about them cannot be understated or traduced. However, she gives us regular updates, that would be extremely will she resist the temptation to provide the House with helpful. a running commentary about the police or other investigations, which may distract from the difficult Mrs May: I recognise the right hon. Gentleman’s work that the police have to do in dealing with these concern to ensure that as much information as possible terrible cases? We want the perpetrators to be brought is made available to the House on these matters. We to justice and convicted rather than there being a constant have seen action by industry, but we continue to talk to flow of allegation and counter-allegation, either across industry about how these issues can be addressed. We the House or in the media. will be represented on the UK-US taskforce by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Policing, Criminal Justice Mrs May: Yes, I absolutely take my hon. and learned and Victims, whom I welcome to his new position in the Friend’s point. It is important that the House should be Home Office. We are working very closely with industry. updated on the work that the Government are doing in It is important to ensure that industry is able to undertake this area, but of course it is not possible for us to update the tasks that we wish it to. It is doing that, but we want the House in any ongoing way on investigations. These to work further with industry to ensure that we are are operational matters for the police, not matters on getting the blocking and the filtering absolutely right, which politicians take decisions; those are for the police so that we can have the maximum impact. and the National Crime Agency to take. It is, however, right that we keep the House apprised John Hemming (Birmingham, Yardley) (LD): Some of work such as that initiated by my hon. Friend the of the more serious historic allegations relate to children Member for East Worthingand Shoreham (Tim Loughton) who were in care at the time of the event. In Jersey, when he was children’s Minister, and that now taken there are allegations that children did not survive to forward by the Minister for Crime Prevention and the their adulthood to make complaints. In England, the current children’s Minister, so that the House can see Government still do not record what happens when the number of areas on which the Government are children disappear from care, using the record “Leaving taking action. 1017 Child Abuse17 JULY 2014 Child Abuse 1018

Lisa Nandy (Wigan) (Lab): Has the Home Secretary Secretary ensure that urgent support and extra training given any thought to the new legal powers that may be is made available for all police officers, so that victims needed by this child abuse inquiry but may take some are not necessarily taken across the country for time to establish? My understanding is that records kept interview, that interviews are not stopped and started by the Whips are not subject to freedom of information, again to allow video conditions, and that inadequate but are subject to data protection. If the inquiry panel referrals for support are not given to victims and their has no power to hold those data or compel information families, who need help when their lives are completely to be shared, how will it bring justice for survivors? turned upside down?

Mrs May: The inquiry panel that I have set up is not a Mrs May: My hon. Friend makes some very important statutory inquiry panel under the Inquiries Act 2005. points. She raises issues that we are looking at in order What we have made clear, though, is that if there comes to ensure that the best form of support is available. I a point at which the chairman of the panel believes that would like to take this opportunity to commend my its work could better be carried forward as a statutory hon. Friend for the courage she has shown, which will inquiry panel under the 2005 Act, we will be prepared have given great confidence and comfort to other victims. to change it into such a panel. Ms Diane Abbott (Hackney North and Stoke Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): I am not Newington) (Lab): All child sex abuse is horrific, but sure that the Home Secretary quite answered the question the Home Secretary will be aware that for many parents, put by the hon. Member for Wigan (Lisa Nandy). online child sex abuse is particularly frightening because I think the hon. Lady was trying to get at whether the technology is developing at warp speed, so many information held in the Whips Office will be available to children have smartphones, and parents do not feel the investigation. equipped to protect their children. It is good to work with the industry, but does the Home Secretary appreciate Mrs May: I repeat what I said in the House when I that parents want to know that progress is being gave my statement on this matter on 7 July.The Government made on tackling online child sex abuse—not at the rate are making it clear that we will make papers available that suits the industry, but at the rate that will bring to the inquiry panel. I would expect others to make reassurance to parents and families and protection to available such information as they hold. It is for various our children? bodies—whoever is approached by the inquiry panel—to decide what information they wish to make available. Mrs May: Of course we want to ensure that we make However, as I have made clear, if the chairman of the progress in a way that can give confidence to parents, panel gets to a point where they believe that a statutory who rightly worry about what is happening online. The inquiry is the best route, the Government are committed fact that somebody living thousands of miles away to ensuring that we turn the investigation into a statutory could effectively be in a child’s bedroom through the inquiry. internet, persuading that child to undertake certain horrific acts is obviously a matter of very real concern. Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab): Does It is right for us to work with the industry, however, the Home Secretary recognise that there have been which has been responsive on this matter and sees its allegations about historic abuse in a wide range of importance to the public. institutions, including the former Beechwood children’s home in Nottingham? Will she assure my constituents and those of other Nottinghamshire MPs that if they Sarah Newton (Truro and Falmouth) (Con): Will my approach the overarching inquiry, their cases will right hon. Friend join me in praising Devon and Cornwall receive a fair and impartial hearing and they will have police officers for their role in Operation Notarise, work access to the proper help and support they need? with colleagues to ensure that the victims are treated well as they pass through the criminal justice system, Mrs May: I think it important to recognise that and remind the judges of the powers they have to the inquiry panel will not itself be able to investigate protect such vulnerable witnesses? individual allegations that come forward. It will be looking at what happened in a number of settings such Mrs May: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising as residential care homes and trying to learn the lessons that important point. I commend Devon and Cornwall from that. On individual allegations against a perpetrator, police and all the other police forces around the country those will be handed on to the police for them to that were involved in undertaking the operation with investigate, which is entirely proper. We are working the National Crime Agency. My hon. Friend will have across Government to look at people’s ability to raise noticed that the Attorney-General and the Solicitor- cases, the manner in which they will be able to do so, General, whom I welcome to their new roles, have heard and how those cases will be passed on as appropriate, her point. I will also make sure that my right hon. along with the support given to victims. Together with a Friend the Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary is number of other MPs, my hon. Friend the Member for made aware of her point about the judiciary. Wells (Tessa Munt) raised this matter with me earlier this week, and made a number of suggestions about Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): The how to take it forward. Home Secretary mentioned that the police officers were doing a very difficult job. What facilities are available Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): Bearing in mind the for counselling police officers, and how many officers explosion in the number of people willing to report and have needed counselling as a result of the work they are disclose what happened to them, will the Home carrying out? 1019 Child Abuse17 JULY 2014 Child Abuse 1020

Mrs May: Extensive support is available for police Mrs May: I can assure the hon. Gentleman that any officers doing that job because the problem is recognised. information or evidence uncovered by the inquiry panel The expertise developed at the Child Exploitation and or the review of the Home Office’s operations that Online Protection Centre recognises the impact that should go to the police will be passed on, as, indeed, it such work can have on individual police officers. That has been in the past. support is available for police officers who undertake this difficult work. Miss Anne McIntosh (Thirsk and Malton) (Con): May I press the Home Secretary on the question of the Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) (LD): The breach of trust to which she referred earlier? She said Home Secretary has rightly emphasised the importance that trust had been breached on a number of occasions. of multi-agency work in safeguarding and protecting How can we prevent that from happening again? We children. Some of those agencies operate under devolved must not lose sight of child abuse within families, and legislation. Will she ensure that her Department and the of how difficult it is to bring to public attention or United Kingdom Government as a whole co-operate prosecution. fully with the devolved nations of the UK, so that children remain as protected as possible? Mrs May: My hon. Friend has made a very important point. I think that people will have been deeply concerned, indeed shocked, to learn that the list of arrests undertaken Mrs May: My hon. Friend has raised an important by the National Crime Agency and forces which was point. I shall ensure that the work that is being done is announced yesterday included a number of people who discussed with the various devolved authorities. had been in positions of trust—such as teachers and doctors—and whom others would naturally have assumed Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab): In 2010, the they could trust with their children. This is a very then Secretary of State for Education abolished important issue, which is why we have a system of ContactPoint. At the time, I was happy with the assurance vetting people who will be working with children. Of that something more streamlined would be in place course, we must also ensure that all those who employ shortly, but four years have passed, and it has not yet people to work in such positions of trust are aware of been replaced. What discussions is the Home Office their responsibilities. having with the Department for Education to eliminate this gap in the system? Susan Elan Jones (Clwyd South) (Lab): The Home Secretary may not be aware that yesterday I presented a Mrs May: The Department for Education plays a full petition to the House concerning the case of an online role in the work that the Home Office does on this issue, paedophile who had made and viewed more than a including our work in relation to the national group. quarter of a million indecent images of children, a number However, as the hon. Lady will observe, my hon. Friend of which were the more serious level 5 images. He was the Children’s Minister is present, and he will have given a two-year suspended sentence and 300 hours of heard her comment. community service. When I wrote to the Attorney-General asking him to review the sentence, I was told that the Attorney-General does not have the power to review Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): The Home sentences of this nature. Why is that, and will the Home Secretary will know that, thanks to their innovative Secretary ensure that the Government change the law to and enthusiastic police and crime commissioner, give the Attorney-General that power? Northamptonshire police are developing something of a lead in combating the online exploitation of children, but so much of that abuse is international. What expertise Mrs May: The hon. Lady is right in the case that she from other countries can we draw on, so that we can be has set out. However, she will have seen that the Attorney- at the forefront of tackling this abhorrent crime? General has heard her question and will, I am sure, be considering the point that she has made.

Mrs May: We recognise that, and we have set up a Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD): The Home link with the United States in particular. Obviously, a Secretary has told us that if the inquiry panel seeks number of internet service providers are based there. formal inquiry powers, she will be able to grant that We are working closely with the Americans. The UK-US request, which is welcome. Former inquiries into child taskforce, whose meetings will be attended by my right abuse have resulted in some frustration as a result of hon. Friend the Minister for Policing, Criminal Justice tight and inflexible remits; this has even been expressed and Victims, draws on the expertise of people in the by those conducting the inquiries. If the inquiry panel industry in both the UK and the United States. We wishes to amend its remit during the course of its work, want to get the best brains on this to ensure that we can will she be in a position to grant that request? do the job that we all want to do. Mrs May: My hon. Friend makes an important point. Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): In north Wales, 19 people I am very clear that the terms of reference should be are currently before the courts as a result of Operation discussed with the chairman of the panel and not Pallial. Will the Home Secretary confirm that if any simply be set out by the Government. If the chairman evidence is unearthed by the inquiries that she set up comes to the Government during the course of the last week in connection with Government Departments, inquiry and feels that it is necessary to amend those any information that Departments have will be forwarded terms of reference in any way, we will of course look to the police so that they can follow it up and prosecutions very seriously at that proposal. We have set the inquiry can take place? panel up on the model that was used in the Hillsborough 1021 Child Abuse17 JULY 2014 Child Abuse 1022 inquiry and, having spoken to the former Bishop of by my hon. Friend the Member for Wells (Tessa Munt), Liverpool, Bishop James Jones, in relation to the operation about making information available to Members of the of that inquiry, I understand that people were willing to House. It has been suggested that some kind of hotline come forward to that inquiry in a way that might not could be made available, or some other means by which have been the case under other statutory requirements. people could put allegations into the system, so that they could be dealt with. We will obviously ensure that Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab): I have Members are made aware of any such arrangements, so listened carefully to the Home Secretary and I understand that they can let their constituents know what is happening that she is saying she cannot confirm the scale of the and help them to deal with the situation. NCA investigation for operational reasons. However, if—as The Times suggests—the NCA has made a policy Sheila Gilmore (Edinburgh East) (Lab): We have heard decision not to investigate 10,000 suspects because of from the Home Secretary today and on previous occasions capacity problems, should not the House be informed about the good work that the police and others are of that? doing on this issue. It appears, however, that the number of people who have been barred from working with Mrs May: I have made it clear to the House that children has actually fallen by 75%. Can she explain this the NCA investigation is ongoing, both at the level discrepancy or, at the very least, investigate the reasons of the NCA and of individual police forces. I suggest for it? that the hon. Gentleman allow the police to make the operational decisions that they need to make. They will Mrs May: The DBS operates in a slightly different of course investigate individuals, but arrests, charges way from how it operated previously when it was set up, and prosecutions can be brought against people only in that there is automatic barring for people who will be when the evidence is available. working with children but in certain categories of employment, where people are not working directly with children, people who previously would have been Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab): automatically barred are not being so currently. What Many Members have referred to the importance of the DBS does do in its updating service is provide a victims of historical child abuse feeling able to come better system from which ongoing information can be forward. Indeed, the Secretary of State for Health, in made available to employers. But I make a point I made his statement to the House on the Savile investigations, earlier, which is that employers must recognise the made an appeal for victims to come forward. However, responsibilities they have in considering the individuals when a constituent of mine made contact, the Department they are employing. of Health apparently had no process in place to respond and could not give any support, as it had had no Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): In the 1970s, the guidance as to the response it should make. That constituent most horrible, wicked and depraved abuse of children now seems to have decided not to take their allegations took place at Kincora boys home in Belfast, with young forward. May I urge the Home Secretary to work with people scarred for life as a result. Those abuses allegedly her colleagues to ensure that the Departments—and, involved those in political life, business and the civil indeed, individual Members of Parliament—are aware service at the time and were overseen by shadowy of these matters and have the necessary guidance and groups. A child abuse inquiry is taking place in Northern support to enable them to offer support to others, as Ireland. Will the Secretary of State say whether the needed? abuse at Kincora boys home is included in that inquiry? If that is not possible, can it be included in the national Mrs May: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for raising inquiry? that point again. We are talking across Government about what support needs to be available for those Mrs May: I will look into the specific case that the people who wish to come forward with allegations of hon. Gentleman has raised. I would, however, expect child abuse, and the Department of Health is one of the that where other work is ongoing, such as in the child key Departments we are talking to. Representatives of abuse inquiry in Northern Ireland to which he has that Department sit on the national group that is chaired referred, the inquiry panel we are setting up would, of by the Minister for Crime Prevention, my right hon. course, wish to liaise with the work that is being done Friend the Member for Lewes (Norman Baker). The there to make sure that nothing is falling through the hon. Lady made a further point, which was also raised net and that everything is being looked at. 1023 17 JULY 2014 Business of the House 1024

Business of the House Ms Angela Eagle (Wallasey) (Lab): May I associate myself with the wish of the Leader of the House that 11.11 am our staff and all the staff of the House have a restful holiday? Ms Angela Eagle (Wallasey) (Lab): Will the Leader of Let me take this opportunity to pay tribute to the the House give us the business for next week? right hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley), The First Secretary of State and Leader of the House who this week left his post as Leader of the House after of Commons (Mr William Hague): The business for next two years in the job. May I say how much I have enjoyed week is as follows: working with him, especially in our joint duties as members of the House of Commons Commission, and MONDAY 21 JULY—Second Reading of the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill. may I wish him all the best for the future, although the Leader of the House has made an intriguing comment TUESDAY 22 JULY—Motion to approve a statutory about what that might be? instrument relating to data retention, followed by matters to be raised before the forthcoming Adjournment, as Once again, I take the opportunity to welcome the selected by the Backbench Business Committee. First Secretary of State and Leader of the House of Commons, the right hon. Member for Richmond (Yorks) The business for the week commencing 1 September (Mr Hague) to his new responsibilities. I thank him for will be: next week’s business and the provisional business for MONDAY 1SEPTEMBER—Debate on a motion relating our first weeks back in September. to hospital car parking charges, followed by a debate on a motion relating to mitochondrial replacement techniques On Monday, we will debate the pleasing sounding but and public safety, followed by a general debate on the completely vacuous Social Action, Responsibility and position of Hazaras in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Heroism Bill—a five-clause Bill that does something subjects for debate were nominated by the Backbench that the previous Labour Government legislated for in Business Committee. 2006. The Government could bring in a new law to guarantee rights for victims of crime or deal with the TUESDAY 2SEPTEMBER—Second Reading of the Pension meltdown in probation or tackle the prisons crisis, so Schemes Bill. can the Leader of the House tell us why they are WEDNESDAY 3SEPTEMBER—Opposition day (5th allotted wasting time with this PR exercise? day). There will be a debate on an Opposition motion. This morning, we discovered that the Liberal Democrats Subject to be announced. had made their most shameless U-turn since their last THURSDAY 4SEPTEMBER—Debate on a motion relating one: this time it is the bedroom tax. We told them it to regulation of the sale of puppies and kittens, followed would create misery and save no money, but their votes by a general debate on the future of non-league football, got it on to the statute book, and their votes defended it followed by a general debate on the achievement gap in time and again. Given that there is now no majority in reading between poorer children and their better-off this House for the continuation of this pointless and peers. The subjects for debate were nominated by the cruel tax, will the Leader of the House make time for an Backbench Business Committee. emergency debate before the summer recess so that we FRIDAY 5SEPTEMBER—Private Member’s Bills. can consign it to the dustbin of history? The provisional business for the week commencing Less than a month ago, the Prime Minister was 8 September will include: leading the charge against Jean-Claude Juncker because MONDAY 8SEPTEMBER—Second Reading of the National nobody knew who he was. Now he has appointed an Insurance Contributions Bill, followed by business to EU commissioner who has such presence that when he be nominated by the Backbench Business Committee. tried to resign from the Government, the Prime Minister I should also like to inform the House that the did not even notice. Only last month, Lord Hill was business in Westminster Hall for 4 and 8 September will telling ConservativeHome that he did not want the role be: because THURSDAY 4SEPTEMBER—Debate on stamp duty and “I quite like it at home here in the British Isles.” the housing market. When asked if he would accept the job as EU commissioner, MONDAY 8SEPTEMBER—Debate on an e-petition relating he said, “No! No! No!” We know the trouble that was to research funding for and awareness of pancreatic caused when that phrase was last heard in here. Lord cancer. Hill might not be a household name, but we really If I may, Mr Speaker, I would also like to thank my cannot fault his enthusiasm for the job! Two weeks ago, predecessor as Leader of the House, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told my hon. Friend the Member the Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr Lansley). for Llanelli (Nia Griffith) that he would support In the past two years, he has led the successful delivery parliamentary scrutiny of his nominee for the European of the Government’s legislative programme; ensured Commission, so can the Leader of the House set out improved levels of scrutiny by this House; overseen a what form that scrutiny will take and when we can record number of Bills and measures receiving pre-legislative expect more detail? scrutiny; and piloted continuing reform, making the This week’s super-spun but chaotic reshuffle was House increasing relevant to the public. I wish him well supposed to unite the Tory party, but the modernisers for the future and I hope he continues to make a major are furious, the right is furious, and the Eurosceptics contribution to public life. Finally, as is customary, may never stop being furious. The Prime Minister says his I thank all the staff of the House for their hard work? I new Cabinet is a team that represents Britain, but it is hope they enjoy a well-deserved break before the House 95% white, 77% male and nearly 50% privately educated. returns in September. That is not a Britain that most people recognise. 1025 Business of the House17 JULY 2014 Business of the House 1026

The Prime Minister appointed an equalities Minister in which to throw stones, given what happened the last who voted against gay marriage and sacked his own time a commissioner was appointed. Lord Hill occupies Minister for modernisation. It is no wonder that the the same position that Baroness Ashton occupied when Deputy Prime Minister just said on the radio that she was appointed by the right hon. Member for Kirkcaldy “the head bangers have now won” and Cowdenbeath (Mr Brown). She was appointed in the Conservative party. after the most chaotic saga: Lord Mandelson was to be I am glad to see that the Leader of the House is the nomination, then was not, then various other former settling in to his new role. He spent four years travelling members of the Cabinet were, and then Baroness Ashton the world. He has rubbed shoulders with Angela Merkel; appeared at the last moment. This is a dramatically hobnobbed with Angelina; and now he is stuck with more orderly process with a strong candidate, whom we Commons Angela. In the words of the former Education will support. I will of course be happy to discuss with Secretary, I do not know whether he would call that the Select Committees what the process should be for demotion, emotion, promotion or locomotion, but I the House taking evidence from the nominee. I will have certainly look forward to it. May I also congratulate the advantage over the hon. Lady of being able to him on his success in negotiating a huge pay rise for the pronounce Llanelli a little better than her, but that Leader of the House in a triumph that surely indicates comes from having been Secretary of State for Wales in he has a new career opening up when he leaves Parliament my extensive political career— at the next election as a trade union negotiator! Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): Shortly to end! I welcome the right hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) to—I was going to say to his new job as Mr Hague: Well, it is shortly to end—intentionally—but Chief Whip, but he is not in his place. [HON.MEMBERS: I assure Opposition Members that I am going to enjoy “Where is he?”] He has not had the most auspicious of it a lot before it ends. starts. Yesterday, he not only lost his first vote, but he The hon. Lady joined in welcoming the new Chief managed to get stuck in the toilet in the wrong Lobby, Whip and made fun of what he was doing yesterday. and nearly broke his own whip. We know all about the Knowledge of who is in the toilets in whatever Lobby is former Education Secretary’s love of free schools, an important piece of information for any Chief Whip. independent of any central authority, so I wonder whether I take it as evidence that he was carrying out his duties he is keen to allow the emergence of lots of free Tory very assiduously. MPs, who do not have to submit to his authority. At least the only book that he can ban now is “Erskine The hon. Lady also commented on the Government May”. When the Prime Minister asked the Chief Whip reshuffle. The Cabinet will meet tomorrow and eight to take up his new role, he apparently asked him to women will be sitting around the Cabinet table, which is become the “hand of the king”. Now, I am no “Game more than ever before. One third of the Conservative of Thrones” expert, but is it not the case that so far the members of the Cabinet are now women. The Liberal hands of the king have been variously beheaded, knifed Democrats intend to catch up in the coming decades. It and shot with a harpoon—and all by their own side? I is an even higher proportion than was achieved under note that the last time a Conservative Foreign Secretary the previous Government and we are proud of that. became Leader of the House he helped to depose the The hon. Lady asked about holding an emergency Prime Minister a few months later. debate on what Liberal Democrats have said today As this is our first business questions together, may about the spare room subsidy. I do not think we will be I just say, “Welcome to the cause”? able to have an emergency debate on every occasion they change their policy, but—[Laughter.] I am deeply Mr Hague: I am very grateful to the hon. Lady, in fond of our coalition partners. I helped to negotiate the particular because hardly any of her questions were coalition and despite what I have just said I am enjoying about the business of the House, but I entirely understand working with my deputy, the right hon. Member for that. Carshalton and Wallington (Tom Brake). The hon. Lady joined in the tributes to my predecessor. No representations have been made within the It was not meant to be intriguing to wish him well. I Government about this. It is an important policy and think that it is taking criminology and conspiracy too the Government’s policy remains unchanged. There far to think that an innocent wishing of him well is to be were 1.7 million households waiting for social housing interpreted in some deep way, but I know that the whole in April 2013 and 1.5 million spare rooms across the House will join in wishing him well. I also thank her for working age social sector in Great Britain, so this is an her welcome. I have a great respect for the hon. Lady important reform. I look forward to working with the and look forward to working and sparring with her. She hon. Lady and hon. Members from all parties across pointed out that the last Conservative Foreign Secretary the House. to become Leader of the House joined in deposing the Prime Minister. I am unsure whether the Foreign Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): As the first Secretary in question expected or wanted to become Back Bencher to be called, may I warmly welcome the Leader of the House, whereas I asked for this duty, First Secretary of State to his post? I hope he does not which I am delighted to take up. I am a strong believer view this as a gentle full stop to a most distinguished in the power, vitality, role and relevance of the House, career and that he will be a reforming and great Leader as well as in the policies of Her Majesty’s Government of the House of Commons. Will he, in his remaining and the support of those policies by all coalition parties. year in politics, push the reform agenda forward and, I look forward to advancing both those things. in particular, may we have a business of the House The hon. Lady will have to be careful with some committee? That would transform Parliament and ensure things, such as criticising the nomination of Lord Hill that Parliament was in control of the business. Will he for European Commissioner. This is quite a big glasshouse do it? 1027 Business of the House17 JULY 2014 Business of the House 1028

Mr Hague: I am grateful to my hon. Friend. Having is not a distinction about which there needs to be a huge had my first meeting with the Procedure Committee, I constitutional debate. My right hon. Friend is a great do not regard this as a gentle end to my political career. admirer of politics across many European countries, There will be a lot to do, so he need not be concerned many of which are used to having coalition Governments about that. He knows that there has been previous and an election going on at the same time, and maintaining discussion about a business committee and that no the Government working together while parties within consensus has been arrived at. I know that there is a coalition sometimes set out different positions for strong consensus between him and my hon. Friend the what will happen after that election. We are a mature Member for Wellingborough (Mr Bone), who is sitting enough democracy in this country to be able to cope next to him, but that is not a universal consensus, even with that. though it might seem like that to him. I look forward to discussing this with him and to discussing any concern Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP): On behalf of or opinion raised by my hon. Friends or by hon. Members, my right hon. and hon. Friends, I join in warmly but there has been no consensus so far. welcoming the new Leader of the House to his position and thank the previous Leader of the House for his Mr David Winnick (Walsall North) (Lab): Will the work on behalf of the whole House. I have no doubt Leader of the House accept that the most successful that interest in the business for the following weeks will Leaders of the Commons have been those who while increase enormously in the remainder of this Parliament recognising their responsibilities in the senior ranks as a result of this appointment. Given the right hon. of Government have nevertheless in practice borne in Gentleman’s previous responsibilities as Foreign Secretary, mind their responsibility to the House as a whole? will he consider updating the House regularly about Perhaps, despite what he has said, when we come progress in the search for the schoolchildren in Nigeria back we could have a debate on the bedroom tax. That whose kidnapping evoked an enormous public response? would give an opportunity for the Liberal Democrats to The British Government have given aid and assistance, explain why they supported it in the first place, without and it would be worth the House and the public knowing which it would not have become legislation, and why, where things stand. so near the general election, they have changed their minds. Mr Hague: I am grateful for the warm welcome from the right hon. Gentleman. The United Kingdom remains Mr Hague: I absolutely agree with the hon. Gentleman very strongly engaged not only in the work to find those about the role of the Leader of the House. I hope there schoolchildren—we have military assets that have been will be plenty of evidence of that over the remainder of joining in that—but in working with the Nigerians to the Session and I shall endeavour to make sure that ensure that a vastly greater number of girls are able to there is. On the question of a debate, I have just announced go to school in Nigeria. When I hosted the Foreign that on the Wednesday of the first week back in September Minister of Nigeria here last month, I announced British there will be a Opposition day debate, subject to be assistance to help a million more girls go to school in announced. It is very much open to the Opposition to Nigeria. I know that my successor as Foreign Secretary choose that subject or any other subject they wish. will want to keep the House updated and it is Foreign Office questions next Tuesday. Mr Charles Kennedy (Ross, Skye and Lochaber) (LD): In welcoming the Leader of the House to his new Mr Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): The right responsibilities, may I appeal to the notable and, indeed, hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw) stepped down readable historian in him as he occupies this important from the role of Foreign Secretary and became an office? Given this week’s events, as yesterday the House excellent Leader of the House. He was the House’s of Lords was understandably unhappy about its perception representative in Government, not the Government’s that for the first time in contemporary political history representative in the House. I am sure my right hon. there is no fully fledged Member of the Lords in the Friend will follow that example. He is very committed Cabinet, and given recent events in the coalition, with to the coalition, and he will know that it is a coalition the Liberal Democrats’ belated U-turn on the bedroom agreement to have a business of the House committee tax—it would be churlish of me, as I did not support it, by the end of the third year of this Parliament. It is not to welcome that—and with what the Conservative slightly past the third year of this Parliament, so when side of the coalition is saying about its future plans over are we going to have that business of the House committee? the European Court of Human Rights, will he consider over the recess the appropriateness of him or the Prime Mr Hague: I join in my hon. Friend’s tribute to the Minister making a statement to the House about the right hon. Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw), who nature of collective Cabinet responsibility and the conduct was not only an extremely energetic Foreign Secretary of government in both Houses for the remainder of this but successfully applied himself to the rigours of this Parliament? job too, and I will follow his example in doing so, although there is a bit of both in representing the Mr Hague: I am grateful to my right hon. Friend. He House in the Government and the Government’s views raises an important point about the importance of to the House. That is understood. These things have to Cabinet government and collective Government be reconciled. My hon. Friend is a doughty champion responsibility. On his first point about concern in the of the cause of a business committee. I will be very House of Lords, there need not be such concern. When happy to discuss that with him but, as I pointed out the Cabinet meets tomorrow, all full members of the earlier to our hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough Cabinet and those attending Cabinet have exactly the (Sir Edward Leigh), no consensus has yet been established same rights and join in exactly the same discussion, so it on that. 1029 Business of the House17 JULY 2014 Business of the House 1030

Mr Speaker: May I point out for the benefit of Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): The Leader of the House, the House that the hon. Member for Wellingborough having set up the Waterhouse inquiry when Secretary of (Mr Bone) tends to be at business questions every week State for Wales, and having been present for part of the and, in my experience, he has never been averse to previous urgent question, will be aware of the real repetition? concern in north Wales that the House should be kept informed over the next few months. Will he have a word Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): Perhaps with the Home Secretary to ensure that she informs the I will strike a slightly discordant note, although I get on House of the terms of the new inquiry and about what very well with the Leader of the House as a fellow is happening with the Macur review, which she set up? Yorkshire MP whom I have known for a long time. The world is almost in meltdown in so many places—the Mr Hague: Those are very important issues, as I slaughter of the innocents in Gaza and the Israeli remember all too well from my time as Secretary of conflict with Gaza—and he has left the deck at a crucial State for Wales. There will be intense and continuing time. Many people in our country will ask, “Why? We concern in north Wales about them. We have just had are looking to him as a seasoned and experienced an urgent question on the matter, and I think that it was Foreign Secretary to play a leading part in that”, so my well understood across the House that the terms of welcome is tempered. May we have an early debate on reference for what the Home Secretary has announced the situation in Gaza? There is time next Monday or must be got right and that the right person to lead the Tuesday. The world is distressed indeed at the recent inquiry must be found. Indeed, the right hon. Member deaths, so may we have a debate soon? for Leicester East (Keith Vaz) made that point earlier. I know that the Home Secretary will want to keep the Mr Hague: The hon. Gentleman makes an important House updated on that and on the other matters the point about the number of crises in the world; any hon. Gentleman raises. discordant note simply shows the way Yorkshire Members are used to speaking to each other anyway. I know that Mike Crockart (Edinburgh West) (LD): One month my right hon. Friends the Foreign Secretary and the ago the Pakistan army launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb Defence Secretary are well on top of all those issues. against militants in north Waziristan, but it did so Having long-running crises in the world does not mean without giving any prior notification to the civilian that exactly the same people have to deal with them all population, in stark contrast to previous operations in the time; there is a balance between experience and Swat and south Waziristan. May we have an urgent renewal, as I said on Monday night. I made a statement, statement from the Foreign Office to update the House as Foreign Secretary, about Gaza on Monday. I know on what is being done to help the now 1 million internally that my successor will want to keep the House well displaced persons, many of whom fled their homes with informed. We have Foreign and Commonwealth Office nothing, and on what assistance the UK Government questions next Tuesday, so there will be an opportunity and others can give? to discuss this next week. Mr Hague: The hon. Gentleman is quite right to raise Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): Last week I met my those important matters and the terrible circumstances local nurses’ union in the Princess Alexandra hospital in for many of the people affected. The Government of Harlow to discuss nurses’ pay and conditions and hospital Pakistan face a tremendous challenge in establishing car parking charges. May we have a statement on nurses’ order and defeating terrorism in parts of the country, so pay and hospital car parking charges so that we can do we should show some solidarity with the Government everything possible to alleviate the problems that lower-paid of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in doing that. The nurses are facing and ensure that all nurses are paid hon. Gentleman will have opportunities to raise those fairly? [Interruption.] I also ask my right hon. Friend to matters in Adjournment debates and in Foreign and suggest to the hon. Member for Dunfermline and West Commonwealth Office questions next Tuesday. Fife (Thomas Docherty) that he keeps his trap shut, because the Opposition do not have a policy on this— Mark Tami (Alyn and Deeside) (Lab): I, too, welcome the Leader of the House to his new job. May we have a Mr Speaker: Order. That is enough. It is unlike the debate as soon as possible on ongoing issues at the hon. Gentleman, who is a very competent parliamentarian, Passport Office? Staff in my office contacted the MPs but that was tasteless. Also, I say in all courtesy to the hotline yesterday with an urgent case but were told that hon. Gentleman, whose interest and commitment I they could contact the Liverpool office only by e-mail always seek to accommodate, that his question was and not by phone. I suggest that the Home Office simply too long. should invest in some phones for the Liverpool office and some people to man them so that we can get these Mr Hague: To give a short answer, my hon. Friend is urgent cases sorted out as quickly as possible. a strong champion of the national health service, particularly in his constituency, and he is right to recognise Mr Hague: The House has been able to discuss over the great service given to all our constituents by nurses recent weeks the problems that have arisen from a huge in the NHS. That is why our priority has been to staff increase in demand for passports—the highest demand the front line properly, including with over 4,000 additional in 12 years. Of course, it is very important that specific nurses since the last general election. All NHS staff will cases raised by hon. Members are dealt with quickly, so receive a rise of at least 1% in each of the next two I will absolutely inform the Home Office of what the years. I know that he will continue to raise his concerns, hon. Gentleman has said. We have already deployed an including in the Back-Bench business debate on hospital additional 1,200 people as call handlers on the helplines, car parking charges that he has secured in September. and we are providing another 300 staff and longer 1031 Business of the House17 JULY 2014 Business of the House 1032

[Mr Hague] Mr Hague: I know that my hon. Friend is as regular an attendee of business questions as any Leader of the opening hours. A lot of good work is being done in House. He puts his question in a typically restrained dealing with this, but, as I say, I will absolutely refer to way, of course, but he makes a valid point. I am sure my colleagues what he has said. that over the coming months there will be opportunities to raise these matters. The Government have achieved a Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con): I start by 10% reduction in overall crime, but that does not mean warmly welcoming my right hon. Friend to his new role we have attended to everything, and his point is well in the House. May we please have a debate on the junior heard. individual savings account scheme for young people in care, which was announced in the 2011 Budget and Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab): Is the which is operated by the Share Foundation charity? The Leader of the House aware that last Saturday between scheme provides a small capital fund for some of the 7,000 and 8,000 Coventry City fans demonstrated in most vulnerable young people, and 145 young people in Coventry against what has been going on between the the care of Bury MBC currently benefit from it. A football club and the other parties concerned? The debate would give this House the opportunity to explore Culture, Media and Sport Committee did a report on ways in which it could be used and developed in future. this some time ago, so when are we going to have a debate on it? Will the Leader of the House bear in mind the fact that the club has not conformed to the rules Mr Hague: I thank my hon. Friend for his welcome. of the football league? Why can we not have a debate, He makes a very important point: over 50,000 junior in general terms, on the football league and how we ISAs for children in care have now been opened, with an regulate it? initial contribution of £200 from the Government. A young person’s transition to independence is a very critical period, and for care leavers it is even more Mr Hague: I do not want to comment on the details. critical. This is giving people savings and a financial The hon. Gentleman asks why we cannot have a debate, education that they would not otherwise receive, and but there are well-established mechanisms for having a my hon. Friend can be sure that that will remain a debate, including through applying for Adjournment priority for this Government. and Backbench Business debates. I encourage him to take those opportunities. Jim Sheridan (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (Lab): I think it is fair to say that the Leader of the House got Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry) (Con): I wonder whether off to a flying start. May I remind him that this year is we could have a debate on the political career to date of the 40th anniversary of the illegal occupation of Cyprus my right hon. Friend. He might occasionally regret it, by Turkey? Will he therefore arrange for a statement by but he started a number of us off in our elected political the Foreign Secretary to inform us of exactly what the careers and it would be a fitting way for some of us to UK Government, the guarantor of power, are doing to say thank you. mark this anniversary to ensure that we do not have another 40 years of illegal occupation? Mr Hague: That is an innovative idea, but I think such a debate would be a little self-indulgent of me and I would be somewhat criticised for it. I am very proud to Mr Hague: As the hon. Gentleman knows, and as have helped launch m hon. Friend on his political career I have pointed out before, we have Foreign and with the slogan “In Europe, but not run by Europe” in Commonwealth Office questions on Tuesday, so there 1999. I am pleased that it has helped to carry him all will be plenty of opportunities to raise this. Of course, this way. the UK Government support all those working for a solution to the Cyprus question. We have done a great deal of that in recent months, particularly working with Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down) (SDLP): May I President Anastasiades. Talks in recent months have welcome the Leader of the House to his new position? made some progress, and we will continue to encourage Could we have a debate on the reinstatement of the that. I know that Foreign Office Ministers will be able aggregates levy credit scheme, which was halted by the to talk about that. European Commission in consultation with the Treasury back in autumn 2010? It benefited the construction industry in Northern Ireland. Some four years later, it Philip Davies (Shipley) (Con): I think everybody in has not been reinstated, despite the fact that much the House is looking forward to my right hon. Friend’s information has been submitted by the Treasury and time as Leader of the House, apart, perhaps, from the the Northern Ireland Executive. It is important, because hon. Member for Wallasey (Ms Eagle), who might not we are in ongoing competition with the quarry industry be looking forward to it with as much glee as the rest in the Republic of Ireland and it would bring benefit. of us. Last year, a person already convicted of burglary Mr Hague: I understand the importance of what the offences on 65 separate occasions committed another hon. Lady says and I thank her for her welcome. I do burglary and was still not sent to prison. Surely it is an not have any new information to give her, although the outrage that a burglar committing a 66th burglary is not Northern Ireland Secretary is in her place and will have sent to prison for many years, let alone avoids prison heard what she has said. I will also remind the Treasury altogether. May we have a debate on this so that we can of what she has said. I cannot offer any immediate look at measures to tackle pathetic sentencing guidelines debate, but, as I have said, there are well-established and even more pathetic judges? channels for going about securing a debate. 1033 Business of the House17 JULY 2014 Business of the House 1034

Christopher Pincher (Tamworth) (Con): Will my right work at the Foreign Office. May I take him back to one hon. Friend find time for a debate on war crimes, of his successes—Yemen—andthe democratic transition particularly those committed many years ago? That that resulted in the election of President Hadi? The would enable us to discuss the 1971 civil war in Bangladesh situation is now very critical, with 11 million people in and the war crimes committed then. I also hope it poverty and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula making would encourage the Government to encourage the enormous gains. May we have a statement or a debate Bangladeshi Government in their pursuit of a fair and on that? I know we have Foreign Office questions on transparent legal process, to ensure that the criminals Tuesday, but we cannot deal with it in just one question. from 1971 are finally brought to justice. Mr Hague: I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman, Mr Hague: My hon. Friend is, of course, right to whose knowledge of and concern about Yemen has stress the importance in any country of a fair and been remarkable, constant and much respected over transparent process. That is something that I discussed many years. He is right that a great deal of progress has with the Government of Bangladesh in my previous been made, as we saw when the Friends of Yemen met role as Foreign Secretary. My hon. Friend makes a very in London under our chairmanship a couple of months important and valid point about that. The House has ago. He is also right that formidable problems remain, been able to discuss issues of war crimes many times and it is now very important that the help the international over recent decades. I cannot offer my hon. Friend an community has pledged is delivered and used successfully immediate debate, but he understands very well how to by President Hadi and his colleagues. There has been go about getting one. widespread demand in the House for statements by the Foreign Secretary, and I will not commit my successor John Cryer (Leyton and Wanstead) (Lab): May I, to a long list of them—hon. Members will have to use too, welcome the Leader of the House to his position? Foreign Office questions—but I know that he will make The Foreign Office’s loss will be this Chamber’s gain. as many statements as he can about such topical issues. Following on from the question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Huddersfield (Mr Sheerman), Mr Alan Reid (Argyll and Bute) (LD): It has just could we have a statement on Gaza on Tuesday, after taken 18 days to repair a mobile phone mast on the Foreign Office questions? I am aware that the right hon. island of Islay. That is completely unacceptable, and it Gentleman made a statement on Monday in his previous is not an isolated incident. Part of the difficulty is that role, but the situation is not just dreadful, particularly many different telecommunications companies were given the increasing number of deaths of children, but involved in the repair, and it is difficult to pin down is changing very rapidly, so could we have a statement which has responsibility. May we have a statement on on Tuesday? how licence conditions might be tightened to make sure that companies have to carry out repairs speedily? Mr Hague: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for After all, people have to be able to make calls in an his welcome. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary emergency. will assess the case for a statement in addition to answering questions on Tuesday. I do not want to commit him to Mr Hague: My hon. Friend makes a point that is very that, but it has been our habit over the past four years to important for his constituents. Eighteen days does seem have regular statements on developing crises. Of course, unusually long and an unacceptable time for such repairs. the hon. Gentleman is right that the situation continues I will ask the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to develop. There have been further tragic deaths in to respond to him directly, and depending on how Gaza. I am pleased that there is a humanitarian ceasefire satisfied he is by that answer, he may want to press the in force for a short time today, but of course what we case for further and wider action. really need is an agreed and sustainable ceasefire and a restoration of the ceasefire of November 2012. Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East) (Lab): Given Mr Geoffrey Cox (Torridge and West Devon) (Con): the road to Damascus conversion by Lib Dems on the The Supreme Court has recently suggested that our law viciously unfair and punitive bedroom tax, please may on assisted suicide may not be compatible with article 8 we have an urgent debate on that policy, or at least a of the European convention on human rights, and it debate on the apparent hypocrisy of Lib Dems? has issued an invitation to the House to consider that question. When will we respond to the invitation? Mr Hague: I think it would strain the coalition a little too much if I launched a debate with that particular Mr Hague: The Prime Minister indicated yesterday title, but it is open to the Opposition, who have an that we will give consideration to that matter. It is an Opposition day on the Wednesday in the first week important and topical issue, on which there are very strong back, to have a debate on that topic if they so wish. feelings—not on any party basis—and there is intense interest in the debate about it in the House of Lords Mr Marcus Jones (Nuneaton) (Con): I congratulate tomorrow. I will reflect on when it would be appropriate my right hon. Friend on his new appointment. May I to have such a debate, as well as on the various means of also congratulate him on his appointment as the Prime bringing it about. I cannot yet promise one in Government Minister’s special representative on preventing sexual time. violence in conflict, and thank him for his personal commitment on an issue that affects millions of women, Keith Vaz (Leicester East) (Lab): I join Members in men, boys and girls around the world? Will he make a their unanimous welcome to the new Leader of the statement to update the House on how he will take House, and I pay tribute to him for his outstanding forward that vital campaign in his new role? 1035 Business of the House17 JULY 2014 Business of the House 1036

Mr Hague: I am very grateful to my hon. Friend both Mr Hague: I will, of course, alert my right hon. for his welcome and for referring to my role as the Friend the Justice Secretary to the hon. Lady’s concerns. Prime Minister’s special representative on that issue. As There will be an opportunity to raise them with him at he and the House will know, I feel passionately about it, the next session of questions to the Lord Chancellor and we have begun to make some progress on changing and Justice Secretary, and I encourage her to do so. attitudes globally on sexual violence in conflict. A written statement has been published by the Foreign Office Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford) (Con): Our sitting in September within the past few days, which sets out what we will do will be the last opportunity to debate the future of the next to deliver practical change in various countries United Kingdom before the Scottish referendum. Will where this problem has been endemic. I look forward to my right hon. Friend find Government time to debate helping to drive that forward—still working with many that most important of issues for the United Kingdom other countries—over the next 10 months. and the people of Scotland?

Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab): Will the Mr Hague: That will be a very important time for Leader of the House arrange for the new Minister for the people of the whole of the United Kingdom. The disabled people, the Minister of State, Department for decision will be made by the people of Scotland. The Work and Pensions, the hon. Member for Forest of debate will go far beyond this House and will be conducted Dean (Mr Harper), to make a statement on the Access on the airwaves and doorsteps of Scotland. Many hon. to Work scheme, which is often described as the Members will join that debate in September, and that is Government’s best kept secret? This morning, I was probably the appropriate place for it to be conducted. informed that any contact with the Access to Work electronic mailbox receives the response, “This mailbox Barry Gardiner (Brent North) (Lab): One of Britain’s is full and cannot receive messages.” With a response most eminent scientists, a fellow of the Royal Society like that, it is hardly surprising that it is such a secret. and the principal of Jesus college Oxford, Lord Krebs, last week published a report that said that, given the Mr Hague: The hon. Lady raises an important topic. Government’s spending plans, two thirds of our flood It is important that people receive a response and that defences will be inadequate. May we therefore have a the system works well. I will tell my colleagues who debate on the preparation for winter floods in the UK, handle those matters, including the Minister of State, of so that the new Secretary of State for Environment, her concern and have it looked into. Food and Rural Affairs can find a new ingenious form of words or some new outrageous statistics to justify Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Con): what the Government are doing? I join colleagues in warmly welcoming my right hon. Friend to his place. Last week, we had the announcement Mr Hague: Those are important issues. The hon. on the local growth deals, which saw funding allocated Gentleman will know that over our period in government to colleges across the country, including £4 million to we have spent more on flood defences than was spent in Harrogate college. May we have a debate when we get the equivalent period before. I believe that there were back from the recess on how important colleges are in many questions about this issue at Environment, Food our education system because of their combination of and Rural Affairs questions today, because it is an academic and vocational qualifications, the offer of important topic. I know that my right hon. and hon. apprenticeships and their major contribution to delivering Friends at the Department for Environment, Food and the skills that businesses need? Rural Affairs will be interested in what he has to say and in the work of Lord Krebs. I cannot offer an Mr Hague: I cannot promise such a debate, given all additional debate, but the opportunities to discuss this the pressing matters that the House has to deal with, matter with DEFRA Ministers will continue. but my hon. Friend is quite right to raise the issue. Indeed, Harrogate college is one of the very long list of Tessa Munt (Wells) (LD): Will the Leader of the things that we are proud of in North Yorkshire. He House find time to discuss with the Health Secretary raises the importance of local growth to our long-term why NHS England is refusing to spend any of the extra economic recovery, which will be supported not least by £42 million that the Department has made available for last week’s announcement of £6 billion for local growth increasing the use of radiotherapy this year on treating deals. He highlights the importance of colleges in the cancer patients with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy, education system. I know that he will join me in welcoming which works? the £1 billion that has been put into the Youth Contract for more apprenticeships, work experience places and Mr Hague: As my hon. Friend knows, we introduced wage incentives. the cancer drugs fund which, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has said in the House, is not only for Alison Seabeck (Plymouth, Moor View) (Lab): Lawyers drugs but also for innovative treatment. There have in Plymouth are very angry. The right hon. Gentleman’s been changes in the way radiotherapy is carried out and constituents and mine are getting pretty desperate in new technology is used, but as the Prime Minister their attempts to find ways to access the law, particularly said—I know this applies to Health Ministers—we would those who are on low pay. The latest issue is the summer be happy to discuss the matter in more detail with my contract changes. Lawyers are becoming very worried hon. Friend. that they will not be able to meet the timetable and that law firms will close. Will he please encourage the Justice Mr Khalid Mahmood (Birmingham, Perry Barr) (Lab): Secretary to come to the House in September to update Will the Leader of the House make time for a debate on Members on the effect of that change? the role of the police and crime commissioners policy 1037 Business of the House17 JULY 2014 Business of the House 1038 that his Government introduced? Such a debate would to give away for debates. That sort of issue can be raised allow me, and indeed the whole House, to pay our in an Adjournment debate and at questions or through respects and condolences to Bob Jones, the police and the Backbench Business Committee, and I hope she will crime commissioner for the west midlands who died go about it in that way. unexpectedly earlier this month. It would also allow us to recognise that he was a great and committed public Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): May we have a servant who was never too busy to meet the people he debate on GP services? In Hightown in my constituency, served. He was a great friend and a great comrade. the GP practice is staffed by locums, despite promises that a full-time doctor would be employed when a Mr Hague: The hon. Gentleman has used this change was made to the running of the practice. Patients opportunity to pay tribute to Bob Jones. I remember cannot get appointments and, as a result, many have to hearing about him, and across the House we are sad to leave and go elsewhere. May we have a debate on GP hear of the tragic death of a very fine public servant. I surgeries in communities such as Hightown, so that we join the hon. Gentleman in sending condolences and can discuss how to ensure that the decline that patients tributes to the family of Mr Jones. are experiencing is reversed?

Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): I welcome Mr Hague: These issues are discussed often in the the Leader of the House to his new role and thank him House. It is clear that the demand to see a GP has gone for the dedication, energy and enthusiasm that he put up greatly. The Royal College of General Practitioners into the role of Foreign Secretary. Before he became says that there are 40 million more GP appointments a Foreign Secretary, he played a key role on an individual year than there were five years ago. We are trying to level in negotiating the coalition agreement, going through ensure that our resources are focused on increasing the it line by line, paragraph by paragraph. He will remember number of clinical staff. We are increasing the number that in chapter 24 at the bottom of page 27 are the of newly qualified doctors who go on to train to become words: a GP to 50% by 2020. A great deal is going on to “A House Business Committee, to consider government business, improve these services, but the hon. Gentleman has will be established by the third year of the Parliament”. made his point about his local situation. Consensus was achieved when those words were written, and I know my right hon. Friend attaches huge importance Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East to upholding the tenets of the coalition agreement. In Cleveland) (Lab): I congratulate my constituency neighbour the last year of this Parliament, will he introduce the on his new position. Earlier, the right hon. Gentleman Hague reforms, to allow the House of Commons to said that he will have to come to this place often and timetable its own business as long as it allows the reflect the Government’s position to the House. With Government to get through their legislation? his new powers, will he give us a statement on whether he supports or opposes the Health Secretary’s confirmation Mr Speaker: That could be the Hague-Hollobone-Bone of the decision to close maternity services in Friarage reform. hospital?

Mr Hague: That would be quite a mouthful, Mr Speaker. Mr Hague: As the hon. Gentleman knows, that decision I remember pretty much every line of the coalition has been determined by the independent reconfiguration agreement—I certainly remember every minute of panel and the Secretary of State has accepted its advice. negotiating it, which was quite a painstaking process. That is what it is for—it is independent. This is the end My hon. Friend is right that that commitment is in the of a long battle on that particular issue and all of us coalition agreement, and as he knows it was raised who were involved have had to accept that. I think that earlier today by two of our hon. Friends. I know there in all such cases the Secretary of State takes its advice. It are strong feelings about this issue and consensus on is very important that there is a strong future for it in part of the House, but I do not think there is Friarage hospital in Northallerton. We are getting into consensus across the whole House. I would be happy to constituency matters here, but I would encourage the discuss the matter further with my hon. Friend, but I do clinical commissioning group and South Tees Hospitals not envisage the situation changing at the moment. NHS Foundation Trust to set out a very strong and ambitious future for that hospital. Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck (South Shields) (Lab): I, too, welcome the Leader of the House to his new position. Ian Mearns (Gateshead) (Lab): I welcome the Leader Despite the Government’s claims that they will tackle of the House to his position. Given the location of his false self-employment, construction firms continue to very scenic and beautiful constituency, he may be aware exploit loopholes which mean that people like my of the importance of transport infrastructure expenditure constituent, Ron Boyle, are losing hundreds of pounds on the prospects for local economies. Given that Northern every month. Will the Leader of the House give the Rail and Network Rail do not have an investment House time to debate that issue and discuss how those programme in the next five-year control period for loopholes can be closed, so that people like Mr Boyle anywhere north of York, may we have a debate on the are not robbed of a fair wage? importance of transport infrastructure expenditure in generating economies, particularly in places like the Mr Hague: The fair treatment of people in all walks north-east of England? of life and employment is always an important issue for the House, and raising and redressing such matters is Mr Hague: These are, of course, very important part of why we exist. I understand why the hon. Lady issues. It is one of a long list of issues on which hon. has raised the issue, although I do not have a lot of time Members have asked for debates today. It is evident to 1039 Business of the House 17 JULY 2014 1040

[Mr Hague] Hallett Review the House that it is not possible to agree to debates on all of those subjects. The hon. Gentleman gives his 12.8 pm opinion. It is also true that the Government are investing The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mrs Theresa more in the roads than at any time since the 1970s, and, Villiers): With permission, I would like to make a with HS2, more in rail than at any time since Victorian statement on the report by Lady Justice Hallett, which times. Important announcements about transport is being published today, on the scheme dealing with the infrastructure across the north of England have been so-called “on-the-runs”. made recently by the Chancellor and the Transport In February, Mr Justice Sweeney ruled that it would Secretary, so it is important to have a look at those. be an abuse of process to proceed with the prosecution of John Downey in connection with the Hyde park Mr Speaker: I think I can speak for the whole House bombing on 20 July 1982, and the trial was stayed. The in saying that we are extremely grateful to the Leader of Hyde park atrocity resulted in the brutal murder of four the House and to colleagues for an invigorating and members of the Blues and Royals. Seven horses were therapeutic series of exchanges. also killed. Just hours later, another bomb in Regent’s park took the lives of seven members of the Royal Green Jackets. These were appalling terrorist outrages, carried out by the Provisional IRA, for which there could never ever be any justification. So I hope our first thoughts in the House today are with the families and friends of those murdered that day in July 1982. The Government fully appreciate the deep sense of hurt and anger that the collapse of the Downey trial has caused both to them and to victims of terrorism more widely. I would like to repeat the apology I gave in March for what has happened. The Government are profoundly sorry for the hurt this case has caused to all victims of terrorism. The Downey case highlighted the administrative scheme introduced by the previous Government to deal with so-called on-the-runs. These were people who had left Northern Ireland and believed that if they returned to any part of the UK, they might be arrested in connection with terrorist offences. The Government responded to the widespread public concern expressed about the OTR scheme by establishing a judge-led, independent review of it. I am very grateful to Lady Justice Hallett for taking on that task. Anybody reading the report will be left in no doubt that she has provided us with a rigorous and comprehensive account of the scheme. The Government accept the report and all its recommendations in full. On the central issue of whether the OTR administrative scheme gave suspected terrorists immunity from prosecution, Lady Justice Hallett is very clear. She concludes: “The administrative scheme did not amount to an amnesty for terrorists…Suspected terrorists were not handed a ‘get out of jail free’ card”. The Government have always been clear that if sufficient evidence emerges, individual OTRs are liable for arrest and prosecution in the normal way. So I repeat today to the people holding those letters: they will not protect you from arrest or prosecution, and should the police succeed in gathering sufficient evidence, you will be subject to the due process of law. Lady Justice Hallett sets out the origins, operation and evolution of the scheme. She agrees with successive Attorneys-General that the scheme was lawful. The last letter sent by the Northern Ireland Office was issued in December 2012, and I repeat today that, as far as this Government are concerned, the scheme is over. The report sets out a number of serious criticisms of how the scheme operated, including significant systemic failures. Lady Justice Hallett states: 1041 Hallett Review17 JULY 2014 Hallett Review 1042

“The scheme was not designed; it evolved. As a result there was The bulk of the report deals with decisions made by no overall policy and no overall responsibility/accountability the previous Government in respect of their handling of for it”. the political process in Northern Ireland. It is not my She says that the scheme role to speak for my Labour predecessors as Secretary “lacked proper lines of responsibility, accountability and of State; they are more than capable of speaking for safeguards…When errors came to light opportunities were missed themselves on the role they played and the decisions to rectify them…There was no risk assessment”. they took, and they have addressed the Northern Ireland In the case of Mr Downey, Lady Justice Hallett concluded, Affairs Committee on these matters. But I will say this: in line with the Sweeney judgment, that it was not the I might not agree with every decision they made in fact that Mr Downey was sent a letter that caused the relation to the OTR issue, but whatever differences of trial to collapse, but the fact that the letter contained an emphasis and approach we might have, I recognise that incorrect and misleading statement, on which Mr Downey they were dealing with very difficult judgments in very then relied. The report finds that if the scheme had been difficult circumstances and that they were at all times properly administered, acting with sincerity in seeking to move the peace “John Downey would not have received a letter of assurance”. process forward. I emphasise very clearly that Lady Justice Hallett has found no evidence that either politicians She concludes that she can find no “logical explanation” or officials ever interfered improperly with the due of why Police Service of Northern Ireland officers process of law or the operational independence of police failed to pass on the fact that Mr Downey was still or prosecutors. wanted by the Metropolitan police or why they failed to correct the error once it became known. The report concludes that the scheme did not impact on police investigations into historic terrorist offences. Lady Justice Hallett finds that 13 OTRs received the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Historical royal prerogative of mercy between 2000 and 2002, and Enquiries Team files were not closed. There was no that in all cases this was to release people from having chilling effect. to serve some or all of the rest of their sentences. No pre-conviction pardons were issued. The report criticises It is well known that the current Government allowed the lack of a the checking process to continue after we came to power in May 2010, but both I and my predecessor have “central register of documents recording the use of the RPM”. been very clear: had we at any time been presented with While she finds a scheme that we thought amounted to an amnesty, “no evidence of the UK Government actively seeking to obscure immunity or exemption from prosecution, we would the scheme from the public,” have stopped it immediately. That would have been Lady Justice Hallett states that it consistent with the opposition of both coalition partners to the Northern Ireland (Offences) Bill, introduced by “was not given much publicity and that important groups” the right hon. Member for Neath (Mr Hain) in 2005, such as victims and their families “remained unaware” which was subsequently abandoned. of it. The report acknowledges the great hurt and This Government believe in the rule of law, and that distress that this has caused to many victims. Lady applies across the board to everyone, without fear or Justice Hallett has found two examples of somebody favour, including those in possession of letters issued receiving a letter in error, in addition to the Downey under the scheme. There are many lessons to be learned case. She has also identified 36 cases dealt with between from this episode, not least of which is the crucial February 2007 and November 2008 that she believes importance of continued efforts to find an agreement should be given priority in the exercise now under way on the divisive issues of flags, parading and the past. by the PSNI to check whether the change in status from wanted to not wanted can still be justified. On dealing with the painful legacy of Northern Ireland’s past, we need a process that is transparent, accountable The key question that has arisen is what the Government and balanced, puts the era of side deals firmly behind intend to do next to ensure that there are no more failed us and commands the confidence of all parts of the prosecutions like that of Mr Downey. community in Northern Ireland. The Government remain The report recommends that we now fully committed to working with all parties in Northern “seek legal advice, in conjunction with the police and prosecuting Ireland in their efforts to deliver that important goal, authorities, to determine whether” and I commend this statement to the House. we “should notify any individuals whose status, as communicated to 12.18 pm them, has changed or may change in the future” Mr Ivan Lewis (Bury South) (Lab): I thank the Secretary and that we of State for advance sight of her statement and the tone “consider how to mitigate against further abuse of process arguments, of her response. Today, as we reflect on the findings of for example by confirming to recipients the factual and Lady Justice Hallett’s report, it is important above all contemporaneous nature of their letters”. else that we remember the soldiers who lost their lives in The Government will act on these and all Lady Hyde park on that dreadful day in July 1982 and the Justice Hallett’s recommendations, and I give the House suffering that their families continue to endure. That act this assurance: we will take whatever steps are necessary, was heinous and, like all terrorist atrocities, totally acting on the basis of legal advice and in conjunction unjustifiable. The fact that those families are less likely with the police and prosecutors, to do everything possible to get either truth or justice will make that suffering to remove barriers to future prosecutions. In taking that worse. That is why the report was necessary. We have forward, I propose to work closely with the devolved apologised for the catastrophic mistakes made specifically Minister of Justice. in the Downey case. 1043 Hallett Review17 JULY 2014 Hallett Review 1044

[Mr Ivan Lewis] The Secretary of State will agree that this issue of on-the-runs has opened up wider questions surrounding This inquiry is incredibly important for victims of the the use of the royal prerogative of mercy. Lady Hallett troubles and also for the wider public, so that we can mentions on page 143 that she has address both legitimate concerns and frequently repeated “identified no cases where the RPM was used as a pre-conviction falsehoods as we strive to build a better and shared pardon for an OTR” future for Northern Ireland. We welcome Lady Hallett’s on the lists that she held. Can the Secretary of State report today and accept her findings in full. Lady update the House on the ongoing investigation about Hallett had limited time in which to complete her those records that have gone missing from her Department inquiry, but despite the time constraints she met more pre-1997? than 40 individuals and reviewed thousands of documents to prepare today’s report. We acknowledge her findings, Finally, and perhaps most crucially, does the Secretary including those that made it clear that there should have of State now accept that this report reinforces rather been a more systematic approach to the operation and than undermines the urgent need for a robust, transparent ongoing review of the scheme. and comprehensive process to deal with Northern Ireland’s past? It is now clear that the UK and Irish Governments There are lessons to be learned by both the Northern must take a far more hands-on role in supporting Ireland Office and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland’s political parties to reach agreement We are of course concerned that there appear to be two both on the past and on parades. Until this happens, other cases in which errors in letters have been identified, one can conclude only that stalemate will prevail, leaving and Lady Hallett’s assertion that the PSNI review of a dangerous vacuum that is being filled by those who cases will take years is also a source of concern. I will seek to undermine the peace process either through return to these points in my questions to the Secretary political means or, worse still, a return to violence. of State. As the Prime Minister has said, it would be wrong to We are pleased that Lady Hallett shattered a number be retrospectively selective about key elements of an of myths. She makes it clear that the scheme was not historic peace process that ended 30 years of violence unlawful, that files on terrorist offences were not closed and terror. It was an extraordinary period, which demanded by the PSNI and, most importantly, she states categorically historic and difficult compromises. However, as a result on the very first page of her report that this administrative of that momentous agreement, Northern Ireland has scheme was not an amnesty and nor did it ever amount been transformed, and at grassroots level, there are to a get- out-of-jail-free card. We do not believe amnesty numerous heart-warming examples of reconciliation is the right approach to dealing with the past in Northern and normalisation across communities. These changes Ireland. should never be underestimated or taken for granted. On legality, while Lady Hallett questions the structure This remarkable progress did not happen by accident of the scheme, she makes it clear on page 144 of the or simply through the passage of time. It would never report that the administrative scheme was not unlawful. have been possible without the courageous and visionary Furthermore, she goes on to say that leadership of people like David Trimble and John Hume, “the Downey ruling is confined to its own facts and is not binding without the huge risks taken by Gerry Adams and on any other judge.” Martin McGuiness in renouncing violence and accepting On amnesty, Lady Hallett makes it clear on page 28 that the constitutional status of Northern Ireland would only ever change with the consent of the people, or “that there was no question of the administrative scheme granting an alleged offender an amnesty or immunity from prosecution. It without Ian Paisley Senior’s willingness to reconcile is clear from the views expressed at the time that the Attorney-General long-standing, deeply held convictions with the democratic would not have agreed to the process had that been the intention will of the people—a position that has been taken or the effect. It is also clear that successive Attorneys-General forward by Peter Robinson. It never would have happened, maintained the same position throughout the life of the scheme.” of course, without the contributions of many others in Finally, while Justice Hallett is right to conclude that Northern Ireland, including right hon. and hon. Members the scheme was not secret, I acknowledge the concern in their places in this Chamber today, who allowed hope of politicians and others who feel they should have been to triumph over fear. given more information about the nature and application I have to say that it would never have happened of the scheme. This includes the First Minister and without the intensive engagement of the UK and Irish Justice Minister after the devolution of policing and Governments working together. In a UK context, John justice in 2010. Major deserves credit for starting the process, but what I have a number of questions for the Secretary of was decisive was Tony Blair’s decision to expend State. On page 142, Lady Hallett identifies two further unprecedented prime ministerial capital on achieving cases where letters issued might have contained errors. peace in Northern Ireland. He was supported, of course, Can she update the House on these two cases and by the extraordinary Mo Mowlam and ultra-professional inform us what steps have been taken on each? Can she Jonathan Powell, not to mention successive Secretaries update us on the other inquiries commissioned back in of State and junior Ministers such as the late Paul February: the police ombudsman inquiry and the PSNI Goggins, whose memorial service last night was a truly inquiry? Lady Hallett mentions these in her report and fitting tribute to a very special parliamentarian. she expects the PSNI review to take “years”. Can the I have to make this point because some would like to Secretary of State reassure us that the PSNI will be use the controversy generated by the on-the-runs as a provided with the necessary resources to deliver a full stick with which to beat Tony Blair and to allow legitimate and thorough process that can be concluded in a much public concern to distort the truth about a peace process shorter time scale? lauded around the world. This peace process, of course, 1045 Hallett Review17 JULY 2014 Hallett Review 1046 was not a perfect one—there is no such thing—but it is PSNI is very much aware of the content of the Hallett a peace process of which I and my party remain incredibly report and the mistakes identified. I know, too, that it is proud. It has saved lives and allowed the current younger taking very seriously the exercise of checking all the generation in Northern Ireland to grow up largely free cases that went through the scheme. In Northern Ireland from the fear and reality of violence. Let me be clear, questions we discussed concerns about the resources Mr Speaker, that this is unlikely to have happened available to the PSNI. I hope these matters will be given without Tony Blair and his Government. I end by the priority they deserve. echoing the Secretary of State’s thanks to Lady Justice The shadow Secretary of State asked wider questions Hallett for her comprehensive report. about the RPM. I can confirm that no pre-conviction pardons were issued. The investigation of the records Mrs Villiers rose— for 1987 to 1997 is continuing. Our conclusion is that, in all likelihood, no central list of RPMs issued during Mr Speaker: Order. I thank the shadow Secretary of that period was compiled. I am afraid that it may be a State for the seriousness and comprehensiveness of his case not of a missing document, but of the fact that a remarks. I know he will take it in the right spirit if I say document was not compiled in the first place, and that that a pressing priority for him at the start of the records of the RPMs were kept in the individual cases summer recess will be to get his watch repaired. of the prisoners concerned and were destroyed according to normal routine records management. Mrs Villiers: I agree with the shadow Secretary of I agree with the shadow Secretary of State that this State that this is an important opportunity to remember episode reinforces the need for progress on agreeing a the victims of the Hyde Park bomb. I think it would be process for dealing with Northern Ireland’s past. I hope appropriate to read out their names. Those murdered that the Hallett report will provide an opportunity for were Lieutenant Anthony Daly, aged 23; Trooper Simon all the parties to return to the table and the debates on Tipper, aged 19 who died at the scene; Lance-Corporal flags, parading and the past, and that an agreed way Geoffrey Young, aged 19 who died the following day; forward on these important matters can be found. and Squadron Quartermaster Corporal Raymond Bright, aged 36 who died two days after that. A total of 31 other people were injured, a number of them very seriously. Mr Owen Paterson (North Shropshire) (Con): I welcome both the statement and Lady Justice Hallett’s report. I I welcome much of what the shadow Secretary of confirm emphatically, as did Lady Justice Hallett, that State said. I think it was appropriate for him to issue the if we had felt when we took power in May 2010 that apology that he did. I, too, apologise in clear terms to there was a whiff or a hint that an amnesty might have the Justice Minister and the First Minister for not been involved, we would have stopped the scheme briefing them on the scheme. It is a concern that the immediately. A small number of cases remained, and I scheme operated in a way that was not as transparent as was content that there was no question at all of an it should have been, which is one reason why the hurt amnesty. I am very pleased to learn that Lady Justice was caused and why there has been such a great deal of Hallett has confirmed that. misunderstanding about what the scheme actually involved. That is why I offered that apology, which I repeat today, I think that today is the day on which we should for not briefing Ministers in the Executive on these remember the victims. More than 3,500 people were matters. killed. Will the Secretary of State please confirm that police and law enforcement authorities throughout the I welcome the fact that the Hallett report shatters United Kingdom will continue to pursue the perpetrators myths, as the hon. Member for Bury South (Mr Lewis) of many of these terrible crimes, in order to bring some said. It emphasises that the scheme was not an amnesty satisfaction to the relatives of the victims that they will and points out that the Downey ruling depends on its be brought to justice? facts and would not necessarily provide a precedent for other cases. Mrs Villiers: I commend my right hon. Friend for all The hon. Gentleman asked me to comment on the the brilliant work that he did as Secretary of State for two cases in which errors occurred. I reiterate that the Northern Ireland. What he has said is absolutely right. Government will follow the advice of the recommendations I hope that Lady Justice Hallett’s report will reassure and work with the police, the prosecuting authorities victims of terrorism that there were no get-out-of-jail-free and the Department of Justice to do everything we can cards. This was not an amnesty, and if we had inherited to ensure that errors are corrected and that any barriers a scheme that involved such an amnesty, we would of to future prosecution are removed. In that regard, I course have rejected it, as we rejected the Northern draw attention to paragraph 10.72 in which Lady Justice Ireland (Offences) Bill. It is, indeed, crucial that police Hallett comments on the gravity of the mistake and the services the length and breadth of the land are rigorous serious consequences it had for the Hyde Park families. in their pursuit of terrorists, and rigorous in their She goes on to say: pursuit of justice for all who have suffered at their hands. “Other mistakes have been made and need correcting. But this can be done in a measured and proportionate way.” Mr Peter Hain (Neath) (Lab): Does the Secretary of At this stage, it would probably be unwise to comment State agree that this exemplary report demonstrates to on the specifics of the cases because it would be the the victims who have suffered, and continue to suffer so worst possible outcome if anything were said in Parliament much, that the scheme was not unlawful, was not an to jeopardise future prosecutions in these cases. amnesty, and was not a get-out-of-jail-free card, that it The ombudsman and PSNI investigations are did not offer immunity from prosecution, that no Minister independent matters for them, but I have been in close involved misled anyone, and that although the scheme touch with the Chief Constable and know that the was sensitive, it was not secret? 1047 Hallett Review17 JULY 2014 Hallett Review 1048

[Mr Peter Hain] that insufficient consideration was given to them. In some cases, they were left out altogether. My colleagues May I put it directly to the Secretary of State that she and I will be looking into that carefully to establish has a responsibility to take this process forward, to what, if anything, needs to be done to ensure that the learn from the report, and to bring all the parties errors that my hon. Friend has highlighted are corrected. together? That cannot be left simply to the Northern Ireland parties. Both the British Government and the Mr Shaun Woodward (St Helens South and Whiston) Irish Government need to move forward, together with (Lab): I, too, thank the right hon. Lady for advance the parties, and address this past which continues to sight of the report, and join her in remembering not haunt Northern Ireland and all the victims who have only the victims of the Hyde Park bombing, but all the suffered. people to whom the right hon. Member for North Shropshire (Mr Paterson) referred who lost their lives in Mrs Villiers: I welcome the right hon. Gentleman’s the course of the troubles. I also thank Lady Justice praise for the report. As I have said, I think that there Hallett for a very comprehensive report. As a former are concerns about the disclosure relating to the scheme; Secretary of State, I accept all the findings, observations I think that it would have been far better if I, and my and criticisms contained in it. predecessors, had been more transparent about the way There are important things that we need to learn. I in which it operated. However, I agree with the right have three brief questions to ask the right hon. Lady, in hon. Gentleman that it is important for us to revive the the light of chapter 9 of the report. First, does she all-party talks, and for the parties to get round the table accept that the Northern Ireland Office still has again to discuss the crucial issues of flags, parading and responsibility for the scheme, and that it was not devolved? the past. We need to learn from the report. Secondly, does her statement that the scheme is now I can, of course, give the right hon. Gentleman a closed mean that the letters—as Lady Justice Hallett complete assurance that the United Kingdom Government asked—have been rescinded or have not been rescinded? remain committed to doing all that they can to support Thirdly, given that the right hon. Lady has made clear the Northern Ireland parties in their efforts on these today that the scheme has been closed—which I do not matters, and that we are working closely with our think Lady Justice Hallett fully appreciated—will she colleagues in Dublin, who share our determination to now tell us where that leaves the cases that were still do everything possible to facilitate and support an under review? agreement on the past. Mrs Villiers: The right hon. Gentleman asked whether Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con): I thank the scheme was devolved. As I have said in the House the Secretary of State for giving me early sight of the on many occasions, in August 2012 my predecessor and report. When we look below the headlines, we see that it the then Attorney-General decided that it would not be is very critical of what went on. Lady Justice Hallett appropriate for the Northern Ireland Office to accept refers to evidence given to the Select Committee by any new cases, and that any fresh cases should be Assistant Chief Constable Drew Harris, who said that referred by Sinn Fein to devolved police and prosecuting “95 of these individuals”—those who had received letters— authorities. “are linked in some way or other to 200 murder investigations.” A debate has raged on the exact position of the He later corrected that figure to 295. He added: scheme in terms of devolution. I discussed the matter “But that linkage may only be intelligence.” with the Secretary of State for Justice this morning. I Given the possibility that that intelligence could turn think that the best way of putting it is that the Northern into evidence relating to any of those people, it is rather Ireland Office will not shirk its responsibilities in learning worrying that Lady Justice Hallett says: from these mistakes, correcting any errors, and taking “It is not clear to me…what would happen if fresh evidence any appropriate action that is needed to remove barriers should come to light. It is arguable…that this does not sufficiently to prosecution. We will do that in partnership with the provide for a change in circumstances.” Ministry of Justice, and respecting the devolution settlement. Have not this scheme and the way in which it has Exactly who does what and how it is done will be a been run created a very worrying situation in Northern matter for reflection in the coming days, and I will Ireland in respect of bringing people to justice and undoubtedly update the House in due course. bringing closure to the victims whom we rightly remember As for the closure of the scheme, I announced some today? months ago that it was closed. The Government will not be issuing any fresh “not wanted” indications. As I have Mrs Villiers: The Chairman of the Select Committee made clear today, what we will do is play our part in is absolutely right. The report makes some very serious correcting any mistakes and ensuring that everything criticisms of the way in which the scheme was operated, that possibly can be done is done to remove any future and those will have difficult consequences that will need barriers to prosecutions in other cases. to be dealt with. However, I assure the House that the Government are determined that they will be dealt Mr Andrew Robathan (South Leicestershire) (Con): with. Lady Justice Hallett concluded that the errors On a personal note, I knew Anthony Daly. One can only could be corrected, and we will do everything in our imagine the pain that the Downey case has caused his power to ensure that they are corrected, acting on the family, and the families of the others who were murdered basis of advice from lawyers, prosecutors and police. in Hyde park and Regent’s park. I very much regret the My hon. Friend has drawn attention to concern judgment of Mr Justice Sweeney, and I join those such about the terms of the caveats that were placed in the as Lord Pannick, the distinguished jurist, who believe letters. Lady Justice Hallett is very clear about the fact that the interests of justice should have trumped the 1049 Hallett Review17 JULY 2014 Hallett Review 1050 mistake made by the police. Indeed, the allegations acceptable, and I entirely support that position. As I made against Downey were so serious that to all laymen have said, Heather Hallett’s report has confirmed today such as myself, the judgment was extraordinary. On the that there was no “get out of jail free” card. We will act subject of the OTR scheme, does my right hon. Friend as swiftly as we can to remove barriers to prosecution believe that although the scheme was not secret, it was but, reflecting on the report’s findings, we should be nevertheless deliberately obscured from public view and under no illusions as to the legal complexities and kept out of the public domain by the previous Government? sensitivities involved. We certainly do not want to repeat the mistakes of the past by acting in an over-hasty Mrs Villiers: Lady Justice Hallett found no evidence manner. We will keep in close touch with the Police that it was deliberately obscured but, as I have said, it Service of Northern Ireland on these matters, while would have been far better if both Governments involved always respecting its operational independence. in the scheme had been more transparent about the way The right hon. Gentleman asked whether there would in which it operated. If we had been, we would not have be an opportunity to question the former Prime Minister, faced the misunderstanding, the hurt and the upset that Tony Blair, on these matters. That is really a matter for have been triggered as a result of the Downey judgment. him and for the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee. It is important that we learn lessons from that lack of On the publication of names, I have said throughout the transparency and ensure that any future process on the debate on OTRs that I did not believe that such publication past that is agreed is transparent and accountable. would be appropriate. There are many legal and privacy concerns involved, as well as questions relating to article 2, Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP): I want to which is why I am not proposing to publish any names thank Lady Justice Hallett for her work on producing relating to either RPMs or OTRs. the report, which was asked for by the First Minister of Northern Ireland. With this statement being made in Nigel Mills (Amber Valley) (Con): In her statement, Parliament, our thoughts should be with the victims of the Secretary of State said that we needed a process that the Hyde park bombing, first and foremost, and with is “transparent, accountable and balanced”. I hope that the families of the victims of all terrorism in Northern she would agree that this scheme was none of those. We Ireland. This was a shameful episode in the history of have an open justice system and we generally know who the so-called peace process. The grubby deal that was is being arrested, charged, prosecuted and acquitted. It done between the Blair Government and Sinn Fein, the is not clear to me why we should not know who felt the republican movement, is one of the worst examples of need to seek one of those letters. If we believe in a political chicanery that we have come across. There was transparent system, we should be able to find out who no parliamentary or public approval, and at times has received one. Parliament was deliberately misled. Lady Justice Hallett has concluded that there was no Mrs Villiers: I understand my hon. Friend’s perspective. general amnesty. Certainly as far as our party and the There are probably many reasons why people put their other parties in Northern Ireland are concerned, there names forward. Something that comes across clearly in is no question of any amnesty, immunity or exemption the report is that a number of the individuals concerned from prosecution being acceptable, whether through were not known to the PSNI at all. I will reflect on what legislation or by the back door. However, for John he has said, but I continue to believe that it would not Downey—and, it now appears, two others—the fact be helpful to name the individuals who were processed was that there was an amnesty. The question now arises through the scheme. In all other respects, however, we as to what the Government are going to do. I welcome need to be as transparent as we can about the steps we the fact that the Secretary of State has said that the will take to remedy the serious errors identified by Government “will take whatever steps are necessary, Heather Hallett, and we need to do all we can to learn acting on the basis of legal advice…to do everything from them. possible to remove barriers to future prosecutions.” That is in line with her statement on 28 February that: “We will take whatever steps that are necessary to make Dr Alasdair McDonnell (Belfast South) (SDLP): This clear…that any letters issued cannot be relied upon to avoid whole sad Downey saga is riddled with ambiguity, questioning or prosecution”.—[Official Report, 28 February 2014; limited information and half-truths, with no thought or Vol. 576, c. 39WS.] respect for the victims. We built a hard-won peace Can she give us a timetable, and will she assure us that if process on truth and honesty, and a very welcome legislation is necessary, she will introduce it? Will she political process flowed from it. All parallel issues and tell us whether there will be opportunities to question discussions need to be open and transparent. This sad the former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, on his role in saga brings us back to one salient point that must be this? Will she also tell us what further steps can be taken made again and again: we have neglected to deal adequately on transparency in regard to the names of those who with the past and with the many issues that arise from received a royal prerogative of mercy and of those who our difficult history between 1970 and 1998. We are all received comfort letters? guilty in this regard. The legacy of the past—the mistakes, the crimes, the murders and the maimings—hangs over Mrs Villiers: I welcome the right hon. Gentleman’s us like a massive alpine glacier, and it leaves behind offer of sympathy to all the victims of terrorism. As the thousands of victims. representative of a constituency that was, sadly, the site Does the Secretary of State accept that, unless the of many horrific murders during the troubles, he is well problems of the past are faced up to honestly and placed to understand the pain that has been caused to transparently and in an accountable and balanced way, those victims. I acknowledge that his party has always they will continue to break off bit by bit and threaten us made it extremely clear that no amnesty would ever be on a regular basis, month by month, disrupting lives 1051 Hallett Review17 JULY 2014 Hallett Review 1052

[Dr Alasdair McDonnell] report contain two lists with redacted names on them. Given that Gerry Adams’ personal solicitor was not and reopening old wounds? Will she and the Government able to confirm or deny whether Gerry Adams is in commit to helping those of us who are working to receipt of one of these letters, does the Secretary of complete the Haass process, in which dealing with the State consider it appropriate that if a political leader is past is a major issue? Will they commit to ensuring in receipt of one of these letters, she should inform this honestly and transparently, and in a balanced way, that House? we deal with the past and, having dealt with it honourably, we begin to face the future with confidence? Will they Mrs Villiers: On the last point, I only reiterate that I ensure that the past is properly and completely finished have no plans to publish the names of the individuals with and put behind us? concerned, for the reasons I gave before. I have a lot of sympathy with the hon. Gentleman’s characterisation Mrs Villiers: The hon. Gentleman puts the case for of the position of the PSNI officers. The report is very an attempt to resolve the issues of the past with great clear that there were significant systemic failings in clarity. I fully agree that the legacy of Northern Ireland’s the way the NIO at the time ran the scheme. It was past is a recurrent issue that has the capacity to poison certainly well intentioned, and I think civil servants the political debate and to create a block to genuine made strenuous efforts to act appropriately, but the reconciliation. I therefore strongly agree that, for the reality is that at a senior level—Ministers at the time sake of peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland, it is will of course take responsibility for this—as the Hallett essential that we find an agreed way forward and come report makes clear, the scheme was not gripped properly, to terms with the legacy of the past. I can give him the the risks were not assessed properly, and there were same assurance that he received from the Prime Minister opportunities to identify errors and correct them but in his meeting with him yesterday—namely, that this those were not taken. All of that means it would be Government are fully committed to doing that and that wrong to characterise the result of the Downey case as we will play our part in any agreement between the just being down to the actions of an individual PSNI Northern Ireland parties. We will continue to do everything officer. If the scheme had been run in an appropriate we can to facilitate an agreement between those parties way, it is highly likely that those facts would never have on these important matters. arisen in the first place. That of course is a matter for which all those Ministers in office at the time will take Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): Presumably responsibility. Lady Justice Hallett’s report will be discussed at tomorrow’s Cabinet. This whole on-the-run episode is deeply troubling, Kate Hoey (Vauxhall) (Lab): The Hallett report is, of but it is also an extraordinary and exceptional set of course, comprehensive, but there is something wrong circumstances. Given the horrific nature of the Hyde with it: everything was held in secret. Once again, the park bombing, and the subsequent publication of the victims really do not know what people said; they do report, the question my constituents will want me to ask not know what Gerry Kelly said or what Gerry Adams the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is this: in said, and they are left in the dark. The Select Committee the light of the report, is there now no chance at all that on Northern Ireland Affairs is carrying out its own the stay on the prosecution of John Downey can be inquiry and we took interesting evidence, given in public, lifted? about the push for and the pressure on the police to get these letters out—that came from somewhere. Lady Mrs Villiers: I am afraid the legal advice is that it is Justice Hallett says that the scheme almost impossible for circumstances to arise where that “lacked proper lines of responsibility, accountability and safeguards”. stay could be lifted, so I am afraid that decision is irreversible. My hon. Friend is right to characterise this Surely the real responsibility for all this—whatever he as an extraordinary scheme—that is how it was did in terms of getting the peace process—must lie at characterised by Lady Hallett. What I would emphasise the very heart of government, with the letters that were is the point made by almost all hon. Members: this was coming from the then Prime Minister to Gerry Adams not an amnesty. In describing what it was, I could do no saying, “We are going to sort this.” better than use the terms summarised by Lord Reid, who said that this was a scheme to inform Mrs Villiers: As I say, the ultimate responsibility for “people who were not wanted”— the scheme has to lie at a political level; civil servants, at all times, were working to a remit approved by Secretaries for arrest by the police— of State. That is very clear from the report, and it is “that they were not wanted” important that responsibility is taken. On the public for arrest by the police. It was not a scheme to send taking of evidence, the hon. Lady is a member of the letters of comfort to people who genuinely were wanted. Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, which has had a number of hearings on these matters. They have been Ian Paisley (North Antrim) (DUP): Does the Secretary helpful in throwing further light on the matters set out of State agree that it would be a travesty heaped upon in the Hallett report, and indeed it is clear from the an injustice if a single police officer was to be made a report that Justice Hallett has relied on a number of scapegoat for this error while Tony Blair was to be the NIAC evidence sessions. elevated to near sainthood by some people? Does she agree that the systemic failures identified in this report David Simpson (Upper Bann) (DUP): The judge has clearly show that the Northern Ireland Office made said in her report that the letters were not an amnesty or significant errors in the management of all this? Will a “get out of jail free” card, but she fails to call this what she go further and recognise that the entire OTR scheme it was. My right hon. Friend the Member for Belfast was a gross insult to victims? Pages 204 and 210 of the North (Mr Dodds) hit on it: it was a dirty, grubby deal 1053 Hallett Review17 JULY 2014 Hallett Review 1054 to place republicans, with total disregard for victims. Dr William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP): The No matter how we paint this up, that is exactly what it dirty deal done between the previous Government and was. Does the Secretary of State agree that it is a Sinn Fein was underhand, and an insult to victims and travesty of justice that, according to evidence that NIAC to all democrats in Northern Ireland. Does the Secretary has received, 95 of those letters went out to individuals of State therefore accept that a deep hurt is felt by responsible for more than 295 murders? The victims are victims and that the only way to ensure it does not left weeping because, in all honesty, they probably will continue is by ensuring that these letters are withdrawn? not get any justice. Mrs Villiers: I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I Mrs Villiers: I am of course aware of Drew Harris’s will take whatever steps are necessary to remove barriers evidence to NIAC, but what he said was that there was to prosecution, based on the advice I am given by police an intelligence connection between these individuals and prosecutors. We will do everything possible to and a number of terrorist crimes. That of course is not ensure that we do not see a repeat of the collapse of the the same as saying that there was evidence sufficient to Downey trial in another instance. arrest and it is certainly not the same as saying that there was evidence sufficient to mount a prosecution. Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) (DUP): The report So it is important for victims to understand that in these makes it quite clear on the cover-up of this scheme that cases where the scheme was operating correctly it was the authors and indeed the former Prime Minister and only sending letters to people about whom there was Secretary of State—appallingly—made representations insufficient evidence to justify an arrest. I suppose the about murderers not being prosecuted. The least we other reassurance I can try to give the hon. Gentleman—he could have expected from the shadow Secretary of State and his party are very clear on their views about this today was an apology, instead of which we got a brazen scheme—is that the report is very clear that this did not defence. The Minister has at least apologised for the stop police investigations, files were not closed as a way in which the scheme was administered, for the result of the OTR scheme and the boundaries were ambiguity, and for the fact that the Northern Ireland not crossed in relation to political interference; neither Assembly and Executive were not informed. Will she politicians nor officials interfered inappropriately with now go further and assure us not only that will cases be the administration of justice. left open but that she will be request from the police that everyone who has been issued with a letter will have Several hon. Members rose— their case reinvestigated, that new intelligence will be sought and that new investigative channels will be looked at so at least the victims can be sure that those who have Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Dawn Primarolo): received these letters will not be able to live in comfort Order. I am very keen to ensure that all hon. Members for the rest of their lives? get to participate in this statement. I appreciate that the Secretary of State is giving very full answers. May I Mrs Villiers: Let me take this opportunity to repeat gently suggest slightly clipped and crisp questions, and the apology that I gave for the lack of transparency and crisp answers, as we do have quite a lot of business that the failure to discuss this scheme. I repeat my concerns we need to move on to? about the way in which this scheme as a whole was run, including under my predecessors. I think that has been Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP): Does the Secretary the cause of much of the distress to victims. The hon. of State recognise that although Lady Justice Hallett Gentleman asks about the exact steps that will be taken makes it clear at the start of her report that it is not a to ensure that errors are corrected and problematic whitewash, it does leave a couple of black boxes in cases dealt with. I counsel against statements of that respect of Operation Rapid, not least the fact that there sort at this stage. We need to be careful to ensure that is little explanation as to why during that period so there is nothing that could be said in haste, which might many cases on the list went from being “wanted” to end up hindering rather than helping a future prosecution. being “not wanted”? Justice Hallett gave an assurance As soon as I am able, I will give further information on that there was no chilling effect, but why then the frozen how we intend to implement the recommendations. response on the part of the PSNI whenever it clearly Today, we need to be careful about commenting on realised that mistakes were made in respect to the specific cases and how they will be dealt with. Downey letter and why the frozen response whenever the Historical Enquiries Team indicated that it had Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down) (SDLP): I thank identified possible evidence in relation to Mr Downey the Secretary of State for her statement. We must never and offences in Northern Ireland? forget the victims and the survivors who have suffered. This whole sorry debacle has left a sour taste in the Mrs Villiers: The hon. Gentleman rightly says that mouths of many people throughout Northern Ireland. there is further work to be done—there is no doubt Will the Secretary of State confirm that there must be a about that. One important aspect of that work is the redoubling of efforts to get back to the talks table to police investigation of all of these cases to check whether discuss those outstanding issues of the past—parading the “not wanted” judgment was the correct one. The and flags—and will she confirm that she will come back reason Justice Hallett has selected 36 cases as a priority to this House to explain how she intends to implement for that investigation is that she believes the police those recommendations from Hallett? might have been applying the wrong threshold to decide whether an individual was wanted or not wanted. Clearly, Mrs Villiers: I am certainly happy to come back to therefore, it will be very important to look carefully at the House to discuss the implementation of the Hallett those cases, and I am sure the PSNI will do so. recommendations. The hon. Lady will know that I fully 1055 Hallett Review 17 JULY 2014 1056

[Mrs Villiers] “A New Magna Carta?” support the all-party talks and agree on the importance of their resumption. She will also know that the Prime SELECT COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL AND Minister shares that view, because she will have heard CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM that in her conversation with him yesterday. Select Committee statement

Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley) (DUP): Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Dawn Primarolo): We Three of the people proposed for this scheme were now come to the first of two Select Committee statements, proposed by the Garda Siochana. Will the Secretary of which will be moved by Mr Fabian Hamilton. He will State explain how the Irish police service was aware of make the first statement on behalf of the Political and this scheme, yet Ministers in the Northern Ireland Constitutional Reform Committee, which will last for Government were not? Secondly, I understand that up no more than 10 minutes, during which there will be no to 15 names were proposed by the Northern Ireland interventions. At the conclusion of his statement, I will Prison Service. Will she explain the role of the prison call Members to put questions on its subject. Members service in relation to this scheme, what officials were can expect to be called only once. Interventions should involved and how they will be held to account? be questions and should be brief. Front Benchers may take part in the questioning. Mrs Villiers: As regards the names that came from the Irish Government, the Irish Government were involved at various points in the peace process on a number of 1.6 pm matters, including this one. As I have said, I regret that Fabian Hamilton (Leeds North East) (Lab): Before I Executive Ministers were not briefed at the time. On the begin the statement, I should like to give the apologies prison service, it is not entirely clear how that came of the Chair of the Committee, my hon. Friend the about, but it seems that the prison service had a number Member for Nottingham North (Mr Allen), who is of individuals on its files who had escaped from prison, unable to be with us this afternoon. I pay tribute to his and the reason they ended up on the OTR scheme was extraordinary work on this massive report, “A New to establish whether they needed to be sought for a Magna Carta?”, and thank the staff of the Committee, return to prison. It was to clarify the position for the the Clerks and the other staff for all the efforts they prison service. have put into this four-year work. Last Thursday, right next to the Magna Carta in the Madam Deputy Speaker: Last but not least, Jim British Library, the Political and Constitutional Reform Shannon. Committee launched its new report on whether the UK’s constitution should be codified. The report marks Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): I thank the Secretary the end of an innovative four-year inquiry that has of State for her statement and her comments that she involved the Committee working closely with King’s would have stopped it immediately if she had known. I college, University of London. am conscious of the victims; those are the people I think about. Kenneth Smith, an Ulster Defence Regiment The United Kingdom is one of the very few democratic sergeant, was killed on 10 December 1971. His killers countries in the world without a codified constitution. escaped across the border. The IRA killer of Lexie As the Cabinet Manual notes: Cummings walked out of court and straight across the “There is no single document that describes, establishes or border and has not returned. Four UDR men were regulates the structures of the state and the way in which these relate to the people. Instead, the constitutional order has evolved killed at Ballydugan. Eight people were arrested, but over time and continues to do so.” none was charged. Some of those are now across the border. The murderers in the La Mon massacre at Among other democracies, only Israel and New Zealand Castlereagh have also skipped across the border and do not have codified or written constitutions. have risen to prominence in business and political life in We are living through a period of considerable political the Republic of Ireland. Will the Secretary of State tell change. Significant developments in recent decades have us when she will have discussions with the Prime Minister included devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern in the Republic of Ireland to ensure that the investigations Ireland; the removal of 90% of hereditary peers from that will take place in Northern Ireland will mean that the House of Lords; freedom of information legislation; those down south who think they have escaped will be the establishment of the Supreme Court of the United apprehended and made accountable? Kingdom; the introduction of fixed-term Parliaments; and the entrenchment of human rights in our domestic Mrs Villiers: The hon. Gentleman will appreciate legal system. At the same time, some existing constitutional that, contrary to the position in the past, decisions on arrangements have been written down in publicly available extradition are now taken by independent police and documents such as the ministerial code and the civil prosecuting authorities. On that basis, it would be service code. But these changes have been piecemeal, so, inappropriate of me to raise specific cases with the at the beginning of the 2010 Parliament, the Political Government of the Republic of Ireland. and Constitutional Reform Committee decided that the time was right to begin a comprehensive evaluation of the United Kingdom’s constitutional arrangements. The Committee launched its inquiry in September 2010. From the beginning, we knew that this would be an ambitious and unusual Select Committee inquiry, 1057 “ANew Magna Carta?”17 JULY 2014 “ANew Magna Carta?” 1058 which would be conducted over several years. It has however, represents the most comprehensive attempt so involved working collaboratively with an academic partner, far to provide different detailed models of a codified King’s college London, which has produced for us, constitution for comparison and consideration. among other things, an outline of the arguments for The publication of the report marks the beginning of and against codification, a paper setting out the process a national consultation, running until 1 January 2015, that could be adopted in the preparation, design and to gather opinions on the future of the United Kingdom’s implementation of a codified constitution, and three constitution. The Select Committee has asked anyone examples of what a codified constitution could look who is interested to submit their views on three questions. like: a non-legal code, a consolidation act, and a fully Does the UK need a codified constitution? If so, which fledged written constitution. The Select Committee has of the options in the report offers the best way forward? published all that research, as well as a fully fledged What should be included in such a codified constitution? written constitution, alongside our report. I encourage hon. Members to spread the word about When it comes to arguments in favour of a codified our consultation to their constituents and to respond constitution, the King’s college London research points and share their own views. Details of how to submit to the fact that the United Kingdom has a “sprawling responses can be found on the Committee’s website. mass” of common law, Acts of Parliament and European The Committee intends to report on the views it receives treaty obligations, and a number of important but before the next general election. uncertain and unwritten conventions that govern At a time of public disillusionment with the political administration, but the full picture is unclear and uncertain establishment, in particular among young people, it is a to electors in our democracy. The research also points good moment to return to fundamentals. There are few to concerns about an “elective dictatorship” and argues things more fundamental than how the state operates that it has and exercises power and how it interacts with the people. “become too easy for governments to implement political and Our constitution should belong to the people of the constitutional reforms to suit their own political convenience”. United Kingdom and not to political insiders or Members A written constitution would entrench requirements for of Parliament. It is about our democracy, and so, as the popular and parliamentary consent, because the present nation celebrates the 800th anniversary of the first unwritten constitution is Magna Carta, we need to look forward as well as back. “an anachronism riddled with references to our ancient past, What should the Government of this country look like unsuited to the social and political democracy of the 21st century over the next 800 years? and future aspirations of its people. It fails to give primacy to the sovereignty of the people and discourages popular participation in the political process.” Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire) (Con): In my constituency is the village of Walkern, which was Conversely, the case made against a written constitution the administrative centre of William de Lanvalei, one of in the King’s college research is that it is unnecessary, the 25 barons elected at Runnymede in 1215 to ensure undesirable and even un-British. The UK’s unwritten that King John adhered to the law of the land set out in constitution is evolutionary and flexible in nature, enabling Magna Carta. The Walkern history society is doing practical problems to be resolved as they arise and a fantastic job this year, together with Janet Woodall individual reforms made. The research points to concerns and funded by the Big Lottery Fund, in celebrating that a written constitution would create more litigation that fact. in the courts and politicise the judiciary, requiring them to pass judgment on the constitutionality of Government Does the hon. Gentleman agree that one of the great legislation, when the final word on legal matters should concerns about a codified constitution or, indeed, a rightly lie with elected politicians in Parliament and not consolidation is that it would affect this place’s arrangements unelected judges. There is the simple argument that and the arrangements with the courts? It might lead to a there are so many practical problems in preparing and constitutional court being seen as a rival or as taking enacting a written constitution that there is little point power away from this place. Does he agree that that in even considering it. There is no real popular support would be undesirable? The self-restraint that we have in or demand and, especially given the massive amount this place and in the courts is very welcome. of time and destabilising effect such a reform would entail, it is a low priority even for those who support Fabian Hamilton: I am fascinated to learn about the the idea. hon. and learned Gentleman’s constituency and the The Select Committee deliberately did not take a importance that it has in the original Magna Carta. I position for or against a codified constitution, believing agree that if a codified or written constitution is not that it is for the people of this country to make such a properly drafted, such mistakes could be made and the decision. The intention was instead to generate a forward- judiciary, as the King’s college London research suggests, looking debate alongside the 800th anniversary celebrations could become extremely politicised. We know from of Magna Carta by placing in the public domain the other countries with written constitutions that it is results of our unique, four-year research project. Like often the constitutional court that makes decisions that Professor Robert Blackburn, who led the research, the should rightly be made by Parliament and by elected Committee believes that a consideration of detailed Members. All that is capable of being overcome, however, alternative models, showing how a constitution might by careful, considered drafting and by asking the people be designed and drafted, will inform and advance the of this country what they want to see in that constitution, debate on the desirability or otherwise of codifying the if indeed that is what they want. constitution in one place. There has been a number of attempts to produce an illustrative codified constitution Stephen Twigg (Liverpool, West Derby) (Lab/Co-op): for the United Kingdom or an outline of what such a I welcome the Select Committee’s report. Working constitution could contain. What we have published, on a cross-party basis, the Committee has done a truly 1059 “ANew Magna Carta?”17 JULY 2014 “ANew Magna Carta?” 1060

[Stephen Twigg] years before Magna Carta, gave rights not just to the aristocracy and barons but to all women. There is much excellent job in producing a weighty document on a that is progressive in the cyfraith Hywel. serious constitutional and political challenge. Page 348 of the report, on war and armed conflict, How does my hon. Friend think we can best take the suggests that to go to war we should need a two-thirds debate forward? He spoke of a national consultation majority in both Houses of Parliament and a positive between now and the end of the year. How does the legal opinion that approves it. This is a matter that has Select Committee propose that we engage with civil changed in the convention of the House since 2003, society organisations such as Unlock Democracy and particularly as regards the decision taken by the House Bite the Ballot? How might we best engage with young on 29 August last year. Does my hon. Friend believe people in this important debate? that this will be a major item of discussion and reform?

Fabian Hamilton: I thank my hon. Friend for his Fabian Hamilton: I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I am sure that, in common with many Members comments and question. Yes, of course, this is a new of this House, he regularly visits schools. Many primary departure even during my brief 17 years here in the schools from my constituency have visited the House of House of Commons. It is essential that this House and Commons and many young people have been present in its elected members have the say in whether this country the Palace of Westminster these last few weeks. When I goes to war and I think that the public were baffled talk to school councils, whether in primary or secondary previously as they did not realise that Parliament did schools, I find a huge interest in how government works, not have to give its approval for an act of war between how we run the country and how the House of Commons Great Britain and other nations in the world. We need and Parliament work. It is sometimes hard to unravel to codify this and to set it in stone, as it were, so that and for many to understand, but a debate among never again can a Prime Minister say on behalf of the schoolchildren, who have that growing interest, would monarch that we declare war. Elected Members of actually serve to inform us as well, because they are the Parliament and only elected Members of Parliament next generation of public representatives of the judiciary should have that right. and of the electorate and we want their input. The hon. Gentleman mentioned Bite the Ballot and Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): I thank the Unlock Democracy, both of which have given evidence hon. Gentleman for his statement and praise him and on numerous occasions to the Political and Constitutional the Committee for the quality of their work. They are Reform Committee, as have many other civil society bound to win first prize for the largest Select Committee organisations. We value that important evidence, but we report in this Parliament. Does he agree that a good need to spread the message as far and as wide as we starting point in reforming the constitution would be to possibly can. It is not the main topic of the day, but it is empower this House to decide when it meets and what it crucial to how Governments and Parliament are run in discusses? If an event of importance to our nation takes future and the engagement of the next generation. place during one of the parliamentary recesses, it is not the House that decides to recall itself but the Government of the day, which might well be minded not do so. Does Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con): I am grateful to the he agree that a good starting point would be to introduce hon. Gentleman for setting out the conclusions of the a recall mechanism for the House so that it can call Select Committee’s report. What evidence was taken itself into session if something important happens either from other countries that also have Magna Carta as in this country or around the world? arguably their most important constitutional document? I am particularly thinking of places that have codified Fabian Hamilton: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his constitutions in the Anglosphere, such as Australia, pertinent question. I heard the questions that he put to Canada and the United States. the Leader of the House earlier today on that very subject and it is absolutely clear to me that the elected Fabian Hamilton: Yes, indeed. The hon. Gentleman Members of this House should have control over their can see the size of the document, and I commend it to timetabling and over whether they can sit. I am baffled him. I cannot say that I have read it from cover to cover, about why that has not happened already, although I but I have had a great part as a member of the Committee know that we had some responses on that from the in creating it. We took evidence from other countries. Leader of the House earlier. I would hope that if there Of course, we looked at New Zealand, which has an were any codified constitution or written constitution uncodified constitution, and at Australia. Interestingly, for this country it would set the elected Chamber of our we looked at France and at Iceland, which has an older Parliament at its heart. Otherwise, our electors simply Parliament even than our own. There were many lessons cannot understand it when they contact us and ask us to learn from all those other countries, whether they to recall Parliament for a debate on whether to attack had codified constitutions, written constitutions or Syria, Iraq or whoever it might be, only for us to say unwritten ones, as New Zealand does. If the hon. that it is up to the Government of the day and that we Gentleman looks at the report or even scans it, he will have no power to make that decision. That has to find many of those examples both in the body of the change. report and in its appendices. There is a lot to learn from other nations. Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP): I thank my hon. Friend for making this statement about the report. I joined the Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab): Although it is Select Committee in the midst of this inquiry. Does he right to celebrate the Magna Carta, it is worth noting recognise, as regards the question that has just been that the laws of Hywel Dda, which were written 200 raised, that a codified constitution might provide a 1061 “ANew Magna Carta?” 17 JULY 2014 1062 more cogent assertion of this House’s authority vis-à-vis 16-plus Care Options the Executive and that it might also answer a constant frustration that we hear from some in this House, as Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Dawn Primarolo): We there seems to be an overlap between those who are now come to the second of the Select Committee statements. Eurosceptic and those who are sceptical about a written We will use the same format. The Chair of the Select constitution? Some other countries with codified or Committee on Education will make a statement on the written constitutions, such as Germany, have been able report for no more than 10 minutes, during which there to use that constitution to show that their national laws will be no interventions taken, then Members will be have primacy over European laws and the interpretation able to ask questions on the subject of the statement. of European laws. Again, that will last for approximately 10 minutes in total. I therefore call the Chair of the Education Committee. Fabian Hamilton: I thank my hon. Friend for that relevant and pertinent contribution. That is exactly why 1.26 pm I as a member of the Committee and many other Mr Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) (Con): members of the Committee support a written or codified It is a pleasure to be in the Chamber today with so constitution. It would state and assert the primacy of many members of the Select Committee and other our national Parliament over the sovereignty of the colleagues as we launch our report, “Into independence, European Union and it would define that relationship not out of care: 16 plus care options”. Our report on far more clearly than the statutes and treaties scattered 16-plus care options is about a group of young people all over the place, which are not brought together, that is often overlooked and a policy area that is meaning that we do not really know—and the public do unfashionable and forgotten. We first raised our concerns not really know—the relationship between elected Members, in our “Children first” report, published in October the European Parliament and the European Union. 2012. During our inquiry into residential children’s Who has sovereignty? Who has primacy? Of course we homes, the report for which was published in March, we cede some sovereignty when we sign a treaty, but the became increasingly concerned about the quality of fact is that Germany has it right and we need perhaps to care and level of support provided for older adolescents emulate its example so that we can show that this House as they moved towards greater independence and and its elected Members, elected by our constituents, adulthood, often because of a misguided belief that the electorate of this country, have sovereignty over our they are more resilient than younger children. laws and over some of the laws imposed on us with This inquiry confirmed just how serious the shortcomings which we are not happy. of 16-plus care options are. Our inquiry was launched on 22 January and set out the following terms of reference: the kinds of accommodation provided for young people aged 16 and 17 who are looked after by local authorities; the suitability, safety and regulatory nature of alternative accommodation; whether staying put should apply to those in residential children’s homes; and whether the provision of alternative accommodation should be extended to the age of 21. We wanted to make sure that our inquiry was informed by young people affected by the issues we were considering, so we held an informal seminar at the outset of the inquiry to hear the views of young people and care leavers. We visited Ipswich to see examples of “other arrangements”, as they are described in the jargon, and met local authority officers from the region and service providers as well as the Suffolk children in care council. We had nearly 40 submissions of written evidence from a wide range of witnesses and we heard all evidence from two panels of witnesses before questioning the Minister, who I am delighted to see in his place on the Front Bench. Our report makes three fundamental recommendations. First, the Department for Education must consult on a framework of individual regulatory oversight for all accommodation that falls within “other arrangements” to ensure suitability while allowing for diversity of provision. These “other arrangements” are those in which 22% of looked-after 16 and 17-year-olds live, and we found that too often they are neither safe nor suitable. Efforts are made to ensure the safety and suitability of provision for children and young people in other settings—childminders, foster carers, children’s homes, schools and sixth-form colleges are each and every one of them regulated and inspected, yet “other arrangements” for some of the most vulnerable young people in this country are not. 1063 16-plus Care Options17 JULY 2014 16-plus Care Options 1064

[Mr Graham Stuart] be split into three broad areas. First, our report focuses on the planning and preparation for a young person’s Current quality assurance relies on Ofsted tracking a move to independence. In particular, young people need sample of cases. This would not be an acceptable approach to know more and have the chance to say more, while for any of the settings that I have just listed, and it also being given the support and encouragement to should not be acceptable for the accommodation in maintain the relationships that matter most to them. which some of society’s most vulnerable young people Secondly, our report sets out the necessary steps to are housed. Individual regulation and inspection is the ensure minimal disruption and maximum stability during only way, we believe, to ensure suitability. a young person’s transition to adulthood and independence. The second key proposal is that the DFE must consult This includes offering a safety net if life takes a turn for urgently local authorities to establish a reasonable time the worst; providing support to the age of 25, without frame for the absolute ban on the use of bed-and-breakfast exception; and providing the much needed peace of accommodation for looked-after young people. The mind as a young person prepares for important exams, Department says that bed and breakfasts are not suitable by ensuring the stability of their placement at that time. for this group, yet they continue to be used, sometimes Thirdly, we stress the importance of providing options, for a long period. We heard shocking accounts of be it staying in “other arrangements” until the age of looked-after 16 and 17-year-olds placed in bed-and- 21, or simultaneously meeting the wish for independence breakfast accommodation which was not only unsuitable, and the need for continuing support through Staying but made the young people feel frightened and threatened. Close, which is where accommodation is provided close We recognise the negative implications of a hastily to, for instance, a residential children’s home where a introduced outright ban. That is why we urge the DFE young person has developed solid relationships with to consult local authorities and establish a realistic time trusted adults. frame in which alternative emergency arrangements can We were deeply impressed by the young people we be found, settled and established. This will require local met, who spoke to us openly and honestly about their authorities to be creative and to work together, but it is personal experiences. Their contributions added value vital that the urgency of the situation is not lost. We to our inquiry and confirmed our view that these young know from the performance of some councils that it people deserve better. This report is a step towards can be done and is being done, so let it be done ensuring that they get it. everywhere and for all. In the meantime, the message is plain: bed and breakfasts are not suitable and should be used only in extreme, Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): I emergency situations, and even then never for more commend the Education Committee on an excellent than a few days before the ban comes into force. In report. There is a host of questions that I would like to addition, local authority children’s services should report ask, but I know that Madam Deputy Speaker would to the Department the numbers of looked-after young not want me to do that, so I shall confine myself to one people placed in bed-and-breakfast accommodation so and seek out the Chairman and other members of the that we have a clear picture of how much this unsuitable Committee on another occasion to explore many of the accommodation is being used to house these vulnerable issues raised in the report, including the use of personal young people. advisers and extending Staying Put. Our third key recommendation is that looked-after I was particularly shocked by the bed-and-breakfast young people living in residential children’s homes should revelations. Was the Committee able to form a picture have the right to stay there until they are 21, just as of the likely numbers of young people in care who are those living in foster care now can, thanks to changes required to live in bed-and-breakfast accommodation brought in by this Government. We recommend that beyond a period of 28 days? The Committee was right the DFE extend Staying Put to residential children’s to say that an immediate ban would be problematic and homes. We were not convinced by the Minister’s arguments that there should be a period of reflection, but does the against an extension of this policy. It may not be in the Chairman think it advisable for the Government to best interest of some young people, or their preference, consider an immediate restriction that ensures that no to stay in their residential children’s home, but many young person in care can be required to live in bed-and- who are settled and thriving would greatly benefit from breakfast accommodation for longer than 28 days? the stability of staying put in the home which is their home. Mr Stuart: I thank the shadow Minister for his The DFE argues that the quality of children’s homes question. We did not specify in the report precisely what must improve before it will allow young people to stay that limit should be, but we are entirely in sympathy beyond their 18th birthday. That argument does not with that thinking. We would be more ambitious. We bear much scrutiny. The most recent figures from Ofsted think 28 days is outrageously long. A stay of a week inspections at the beginning of this year show that for would be too long; probably five days would be acceptable. overall effectiveness 68% of children’s homes inspected The case that was put to us is that at 11 o’clock on a were judged good or outstanding, and just 6% were Friday night—the famous 11 o’clock on a Friday night found to be inadequate. Furthermore, forcing young case—a place must be found for a child. Okay, but by people to move at the age of 18 from a home that may the following Wednesday, the whole power of the local be judged good or better by Ofsted to unregulated and authority, which is in the position of parent, cannot sometimes unsuitable settings makes no sense. find something different for the child? We found that In addition to these fundamental recommendations, hard to believe. We did not specify the duration because we found that there are several other aspects of 16-plus we wanted to give maximum flexibility, but a lot less care options in desperate need of attention, which can than 28 days would be the collective view of my Committee. 1065 16-plus Care Options17 JULY 2014 16-plus Care Options 1066

Craig Whittaker (Calder Valley) (Con): I am particularly would pay off in the long term. That would reduce the proud of this piece of work. I think it is one of the best number of people in prison or calling on other services that we have done as a cross-party Committee, of which because their lives have not worked out right. I know I am a member. Does my hon. Friend agree that for far that Treasury Ministers are always told to invest to save, too many years the long-term prognosis for far too but here we have a moral need to do the right thing by many of our young people in care has been bleak, and those young people but also, when we consider how that the recommendations based on the evidence in catastrophic the outcomes are for so many of them, an the report go a long way to rectify some of those overwhelming economic case. Even in these tough times, injustices? we should find the resources and focus them on that group, because we will make proper improvement on Mr Stuart: I thank my hon. Friend for his question every front, as the hon. Lady rightly points out. and for his hard work and commitment in this area and others on the Committee. I know he would join me, as Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con): I praise my would Members across the House, in recognising the hon. Friend for his statement and commend his Committee personal commitment of the Minister to make a difference for an excellent report. Were the Secretary of State for in this area, and that significant improvements have Education or the Minister to say to him later, “Look, been made under this Government. None the less, outcomes Graham, we have a lot on our plate at the moment and for young people in care in this country for far too long lots of things we are trying to push through, so which have been bleak, as my hon. Friend the Member for one recommendation could we pursue for you?”, what Calder Valley (Craig Whittaker) puts it. When we look would his answer be? at how many people who have been in care end up in prison, in prostitution, or struggling with drug and Mr Stuart: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that alcohol dependency, that does not say a lot about the question, despite his attempt to narrow me to one parenting that we have put in place for those young recommendation. I would hate to tempt the Minister people, and we know that other countries manage to do into saying that we can have only one recommendation, a lot better, both educationally and in broader terms, to because the report contains a coherent set of proposals prepare people for adult life. that hang together, and I know that they fit with the What better test of a civilisation than how it looks direction of travel on which the Government have already after young people whose families may have disintegrated set out. None the less, one should always answer the and failed to provide them with support? What better question, so I would ask the Minister to look at the way to judge that civilisation than by its ability to meet “other arrangements” and ensure that they are regulated. the needs of those young people and make sure that It is not just those who have left care who are in the those most vulnerable people get a fair crack at life and “other arrangements”, and the number of 16 and 17-year- are supported all the way into adulthood, rather than olds leaving care has been massively reduced under this too often abandoned at a young and vulnerable age? Government, on which they should be congratulated. Often young people are still in care when they are in the Pat Glass (North West Durham) (Lab): I associate “other arrangements”, so we are still in loco parentis. myself with the comments of the hon. Member for The fact is that that accommodation is not inspected or Calder Valley (Craig Whittaker). I am particularly proud regulated, and we do not think that sampling is enough. of this report, which I think is one of the most important That is the one thing that, above all else, must change. that the Committee has produced over the past four years. It contains many recommendations, and I am Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab): The Chair looking for positive responses from the Government on might have anticipated my question by referring to the all of them, but I will mention the two that I think are Financial Secretary to the Treasury. The Chair will most urgent. First, we recommend that Ofsted should recollect the series of visits we undertook and the inspect provision for children leaving care at 16. As the discussions we had with young people, as he mentioned Chair of the Committee said, we would not allow earlier. They felt abandoned in bed-and-breakfast schools, further education colleges or children’s homes accommodation. One young woman told us about people not to be subject to inspection by Ofsted, so why should braying at her door late at night, and another told us we allow provision for our most vulnerable children that she had been left for weeks on end in unsuitable leaving care not to be? Secondly, we recommend that accommodation. He and I agree, as does the Committee, Staying Put should also be available to children in that bed-and-breakfast accommodation should be banned children’s homes, who are often taken into care late and as soon as practically possible for young people, but are often the most vulnerable. They are the most likely does he also agree that local and national Government to end up unemployed, homeless, in prison, subject to need to have, and need to provide the necessary resources substance abuse and so on. I am particularly concerned to have, proper emergency provisions, perhaps by sharing that we get a positive response to those two between authorities, and end the practice that so often recommendations and hope that the Chair of the puts young people at risk? Committee will support that. Mr Stuart: I pay tribute to the hon. Gentleman for Mr Stuart: I very much agree with the hon. Lady. I his contribution and the passion he brings to these am pleased to see the newly promoted Financial Secretary issues and, quite rightly, to challenging the Government to the Treasury on the Front Bench. Even if we were to and asking for more on behalf of those young people. view that group of people in the driest economic terms, He is absolutely right. I know that the personal testimony we would see that investing to save by ensuring that they we heard seared his conscience, as it did mine. We heard get the stability and support they need when they are at those young people consistently and articulately describe their most vulnerable, which is when they are young, the awful situations they found themselves in, such as 1067 16-plus Care Options17 JULY 2014 16-plus Care Options 1068

[Mr Graham Stuart] siblings. We heard testimony from young people who did not want to be forced to see their parents but who bed-and-breakfast accommodation with troubled adults wanted to see their brothers or sisters, whom they loved around them, in one case knocking on the door of a and had great relationships with. That needs to be young woman who was barely 16 years old, inviting her improved. to come to their room. She was traumatised and frightened Extending Staying Put to residential care homes is an and, supposedly, in the care of the state. expensive option, because the cost of providing a care home place is high. It means that having stabilised Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab): I add my voice someone, they are then given the option—let us remember to those of Members who have already said how important that they can leave at 18 if they want to; they will not be it is that the report has been published and that we forced to stay—to remain in a place that is happy to support this group of incredibly vulnerable young people have them, where they want to stay, where they can have with all the financial benefits that would come from it. stable relationships and from which they can go to As the report states, the young people in residential college and start to build a life. It is probably the most children’s homes are often the most vulnerable. That is expensive of the suggestions in our report, so I am why its recommendations on extending care to the age delighted to have such a senior and influential Treasury of 21 in residential settings are so important. I, too, was Minister on the Front Bench to hear the arguments, struck by the evidence we heard from young people because that truly would be a good investment in the during the inquiry, particularly on the importance of future of the country and the future of young people relationships, whether with carers, other professionals, who have been let down not only by their families, but, friends or mentors, and the difference that can make to too often, by the state. young people. Does the hon. Gentleman agree that support needs to be about extending care to the whole group of people leaving care, the quality and availability BILL PRESENTED of the settings, and the psychological benefits of long-term NATIONAL INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS BILL relationships, both professional and personal? Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) Mr Stuart: I thank the hon. Gentleman for taking Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, supported by the such a close and passionate interest in the subject and Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, Danny for his work on the Committee. He is absolutely right. Alexander, Mr David Gauke, Priti Patel and Andrea As we have seen in all the work we have done on child Leadsom, presented a Bill to make provision in relation protection and vulnerable children, it has come down to national insurance contributions; and for connected again and again to the quality of relationships. That is purposes. why it is so important that relationships should be Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on maintained and why we have made our specific Monday 21 July, and to be printed (Bill 80) with explanatory recommendations on staying put and on contact with notes (Bill 80-EN). 1069 17 JULY 2014 Universal Postal Service 1070

Ms Diane Abbott (Hackney North and Stoke Newington) Backbench Business (Lab): Is my hon. Friend aware of the many complaints about TNT’s service in London because of its use of Universal Postal Service agency staff, with letters being dumped and put through the wrong letterboxes? It does not just create unfair 1.47 pm competition; it provides a poor service.

Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) (Lab): I beg Katy Clark: Indeed, we are aware of the concerns to move, about the inferior terms and conditions of TNT’s staff That this House believes that the Universal Service Obligation compared with those of Royal Mail, and about the as set out in the Postal Services Act 2011 is under threat from service that customers are receiving. Of course, organisations unfair competition from organisations which are rapidly expanding end-to-end delivery services in low-cost, high-density urban areas other than Royal Mail are not required to meet the while leaving high-cost, low-density rural areas to be covered by standards of service that it has a legal obligation to Royal Mail, the universal service provider; and calls on the provide. Government to instruct Ofcom to bring forward proposals to protect the Universal Service Obligation and the commercial Mr Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op): I viability of Royal Mail against this threat. apologise for missing the first part of my hon. Friend’s I am very grateful to the Backbench Business Committee remarks. Further to the point made by my hon. Friend for allowing us to have this important, timely, and the Member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington indeed urgent, debate, given the threat to the universal (Ms Abbott), when the then Conservative-run council service obligation. I refer to my entries in the Register of in Harrow decided to use TNT for the delivery of Members’ Financial Interests and advise the House that council tax letters, there was a whole series of reports of I have worked with Royal Mail, the Communication bad distribution processes—so much so that in the end Workers Union and Unite the union on the issue in the Royal Mail had to be used to get the letters out in their run-up to the debate. entirety. The London assembly yesterday passed a similar motion expressing concern at the expansion of end-to-end Katy Clark: I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that postal services by TNT Post and the ability of such example, which illustrates the problems we are having organisations to cherry-pick services that provide the and are likely to have to a greater degree as time goes on most lucrative work. The assembly was particularly if the expansion takes place in the way that is intended. interested in that, as TNT started off providing end-to-end services in London. The motion it passed went further Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) than the one we are considering today, as it called on (LD): I congratulate the hon. Lady on securing this Royal Mail to be brought back into public ownership. debate. It is important for people to realise that one of Royal Mail is the UK’s universal service provider. It the problems is that while the customer is the person is required under the Postal Services Act 2011 to deliver posting the letter, it is the recipient who does not get to 29 million UK addresses six days a week, and five their bank statement, bill or cheque, and they have no days a week for other packets, all being delivered at an say in that. That is why conditions are an important affordable, geographically uniform price. part of what Ofcom needs to look at. Ofcom became the official regulator of postal services on 1 October 2011. Its primary duty is to secure the Katy Clark: Given the hon. Gentleman’s constituency, provision of the universal service obligation for postal I suspect that he shares many of my concerns. I hope services. It also has a duty, under the Communications that we will explore all these issues in the debate. Act 2003, to further the interests of citizens and consumers, I do not think the House necessarily fully appreciated where appropriate, to promote competition, but its duty that the expansion of TNT would take place quite so to secure the universal service obligation always takes rapidly, and that is why this debate is so urgent. This precedence. expansion is a direct threat to the universal service There are two types of competition in postal services. because Royal Mail needs the universal service in order The first is downstream access, which allows providers to be able to use revenues that it generates in areas other than Royal Mail to collect and sort mail and then where it is easier to deliver mail. In the areas I mentioned— give it to Royal Mail to deliver over the so-called final London, Manchester and Liverpool—it is easier to mile. Obviously, it is not always only a mile, and sometimes deliver mail and therefore easier to generate profits. It is it can be less than a mile, but that final part of the necessary for Royal Mail to use that work to generate process is the part that Royal Mail has a legal obligation profits to help to cover the rest of the national network. to carry out. The other type is the end-to-end service, I represent a large rural constituency in Scotland which is the direct delivery of mail to the customer with islands and many small communities. In many without any need for Royal Mail to get involved in the parts of it, the costs of providing a mail delivery service process. That is what I will focus on today. will be quite considerable, no matter how we organise TNT Post is currently Royal Mail’s main competitor postal services. in the end-to-end market. In 2012, it launched a direct delivery trial providing a full end-to-end service in west Mr David Hamilton (Midlothian) (Lab): Surely that London. Since then, it has rapidly expanded into other is the whole point. Royal Mail needs the cross-subsidy parts of London and into Manchester and Liverpool. It to be able to deliver to the sparsely populated areas that plans, by the end of 2017, to cover over 42% of households my hon. Friend and I represent. That is key, and the in the UK, although only about 8.5% of the UK’s ombudsman has to take it into account in relation to geographical area. fair competition. 1071 Universal Postal Service17 JULY 2014 Universal Postal Service 1072

Katy Clark: The hon. Gentleman, or rather my hon. Katy Clark: My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. Friend— Of course, he has a very long track record and great expertise on these issues. If we do not take action now, Mr Hamilton: Comrade. then when the House considers this matter in a number of years’ time, there will be serious proposals for a Katy Clark: Indeed—he is both a friend and a comrade. reduction in the kind of service that people receive. We I am delighted that he is here today. He represents a hope that the Government will take action now to make very similar constituency to mine. sure that we are not faced with that problem. Members in all parts of the House represent At the moment, Royal Mail still delivers 99% of mail constituencies where we know it will never be profitable in the UK. Our concern is that that situation could to deliver mail. That is why the universal service is so change very quickly given the current expansion plans important. It is also important that we ensure that of TNT, in particular, and perhaps other providers as stamp prices are kept at a level that is affordable in all well. Royal Mail itself estimates that TNT’s expansion parts of the country. strategy could result in a reduction of more than £200 million in Royal Mail revenue by 2017-18. The Mr Iain McKenzie (Inverclyde) (Lab): Does my hon. reality is that much of the most profitable section of the Friend agree that we have seen this unfair competition market, namely the business mail, is already handled by before when the Conservatives were last in power and companies other than Royal Mail. Indeed, that has they privatised British Telecom? The other companies been the case for a considerable period. There has also wanted the cities but not the rural areas, and now we see been a significant reduction in the volume of letters that again with Royal Mail. over the past decade, which also continues to put pressure on the universal service obligation. Katy Clark: My hon. Friend makes an important Royal Mail is subject to vigorous and rigorous point. Perhaps we can enter into that debate on another performance standards. Its competitors are not subject occasion. to the same standards. There is also no requirement on The Government are allowing TNT to cherry-pick competitors to report on service standards, as Ofcom the services in more profitable city areas, where its says that service standards are driven by market forces. presence has already led to reductions of 14% to 15% in However, as my hon. Friend the Member for Hackney the use of Royal Mail. North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott) has pointed out, there are many concerns about the poor quality of service that customers receive from TNT in areas where Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East it operates. There are also many concerns about the terms Cleveland) (Lab): I apologise for missing the first two and conditions of the work force, which are considerably minutes of my hon. Friend’s speech in this very important worse than those of the Royal Mail work force. debate. Does she accept that, although Labour Members voted to maintain the public ownership of Royal Mail, I believe that the motion is moderate. It calls on it is now notionally a private company? The USO is Ofcom to carry out a full review and to make proposals about providing a service, irrespective of the company for regulation to create a level playing field in the postal that does it, across the country. There has to be an services market. In particular, I ask Ofcom to consider understanding from the Government, which was missing whether a compensation fund could be established to in Committee when Labour Members argued vociferously support the provision of the universal service, which that this type of situation would occur, that we need to could be used to collect contributions from those that use a levy on TNT and other private sector companies benefit from providing en-to-end service without the or look at the structure of how mail is distributed across requirements of meeting the universal service. I also ask this country, on a regional basis or otherwise, to make Ofcom to consider whether the general service conditions sure that provision is universal. that currently apply specifically to Royal Mail alone should be extended to apply also to other operators. Katy Clark: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Many We should also consider removing the requirement predicted that we would face this problem. Indeed, we on Royal Mail to allow other operators to access to its are here to give a warning that it is already beginning to network. Hon. Members who visit the postal depots in happen and that action is necessary now—we do not their constituencies at Christmas will know that the have time to wait. He is absolutely correct that that work force have been raising concerns about that issue action is required whether Royal Mail is in the public for many years. There is no doubt that that requirement sector or the private sector—given that most of it is not to deliver mail for others has been a burden on Royal Mail. held by the Government or the work force. Mr McKenzie: It is not only about the commitment Mr Peter Hain (Neath) (Lab): I very much support to deliver that mail for others; often, Royal Mail also my hon. Friend’s argument. I wonder whether, early in has to sort that mail before delivering it for them. the morning a couple of weeks ago, she heard the interview on Radio 4’s “Today” programme with a Katy Clark: My hon. Friend and his family have a business analyst who predicted the end of the universal great deal of experience in these matters, as do I. He is door-to-door service because, he said, it will be impossible absolutely correct. I think that the situation is slightly for Royal Mail, faced with this unfair competition, to less frustrating for the work force now, because the sustain it. The universal service exists in statute, but work used to be even more of a drain on Royal Mail does she agree that it is not specified what that means? and it made a considerable loss as a result. The financial It could mean collection from a central collection point, arrangements have improved slightly, but this is very not delivery door to door. much an area that Ofcom needs to look at. 1073 Universal Postal Service17 JULY 2014 Universal Postal Service 1074

John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab): My in the UK, but Royal Mail could not do the reverse in hon. Friend has come up with concrete proposals and a other markets, because EU competition was not being recommendation for Ofcom, but is not the problem that driven as fast as that in the UK. Ofcom has no sense of urgency at the moment? It says It was important that this Government enshrined the that it will not institute a review until the end of 2015 universal service in law, abolished Postcomm and brought and that the 2011 legislation statutorily barred it from in Ofcom to regulate. At least that did something to sort establishing a fund for five years, which means that it out that upstream competition and level the playing will not be able to do so until 2016, unless the Secretary field. Now, however, we have the same concern that, of State acts. There is, therefore, a twin responsibility; when it comes to the final mile, the cherry-picking is on the Secretary of State to act in order to enable a going to go faster than expected by the markets. It is discussion about the fund; and on Ofcom to institute important for the regulator to review that risk, to make the review now. sure that we do not again get into a situation where competition goes too far and too fast for Royal Mail to Katy Clark: There is a great deal of complacency on be able to adapt. this issue from not only Ofcom, but the Government. The important suggestion from this debate is to consider We are seeing the warning signs now and we need the putting burdens and regulations on rival delivery companies Government to make it very clear that we believe there to require them to meet the same standards as Royal is a real threat to the universal service. Ofcom needs to Mail, because, if they do not have to meet those standards, look at the matter urgently, carry out a full review and they will obviously be able to undercut costs. That goes come up with proposals to ensure a level playing field in back to what I said in my earlier intervention: it was the postal services market and to protect the universal very much Postcomm’s philosophy that the customer service. was not the person having the letter delivered to them, 2.4 pm but the person making the decision where to post it. A big commercial organisation may well look at the bottom Sir Robert Smith (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) line when it comes to deciding who to contract its delivery (LD): I again congratulate the hon. Member for North services to, and it is the poor bank customer who never Ayrshire and Arran (Katy Clark) on addressing this gets their letter who is the victim. The feedback loop important subject and welcome the decision of the means that they have to complain to their bank, which Backbench Business Committee to choose it for debate. then has to consider whether to change the contract for It takes up the issue raised by early-day motion 151 and delivery services. Ofcom should take on board the important the importance of the universal service. suggestion that it should set standards of delivery and The hon. Lady has outlined just how important that quality so that rival companies cannot unfairly undercut universal service is, given the diverse nature of postal Royal Mail. deliveries. The service ensures that, almost wherever I will say to Ofcom what I said to Postcomm: if it people live—one or two lighthouses are exempt—they goes a bit too slowly in introducing competition, we will can expect post to be delivered at the same price and in not get the full benefit of competition as quickly as the same time frame as anywhere else. As the hon. Lady possible, but if it goes too fast, it will be far more recognised, that is extremely important in my large and difficult for it to unravel the situation in the end. I urge rural constituency, where there is great respect for the Ofcom to review the situation and look at the conditions knowledge of the posties. I think that the posties’ that would protect such a vital service that has served commitment to public service is sometimes damaging our rural communities so well. to the institution they work for, because when the white vans are lost and cannot find where to deliver the 2.9 pm parcels, it is often the postie who gives them directions Albert Owen (Ynys Môn) (Lab): It is an honour to and helps them get to their destination. The service is follow the hon. Member for West Aberdeenshire and very valuable and important, and it is currently funded Kincardine (Sir Robert Smith), a fellow member of the by the cross-subsidy from the easier business in the Energy and Climate Change Committee, who spoke in urban areas. That cross-subsidy is crucial to the universal a very measured way. He is right that competition started service. some time ago, but we are now in a very difficult position. Competition was introduced by the previous Government I want to pay tribute to postal workers for their under the European Union directives, but that competition excellent work in providing services throughout the went further, faster and deeper than it should have and year in very difficult circumstances and weather. There Postcomm saw its role as driving competition rather has been great modernisation in postal services—within than protecting the universal service. I remember warning the Post Office or Royal Mail—and things have got it at the outset that the lost opportunity of going too better, but we now need to deal with the issue of unfair slow was far less damaging than going deeper and faster competition. and doing permanent damage. The regulator was so You would rule me out of order, Madam Deputy worried about not getting the most efficient market that Speaker, if I went on about the privatisation of Royal it erred on the other side, which did too much damage. Mail, but that privatisation has set a very dangerous As the hon. Lady has said, that led to the downstream precedent, and issues have arisen from other privatisations. access being set at the wrong price, doing considerable Market forces have served rural Britain badly and, for damage to Royal Mail. Competition coming in faster areas such as mine on the periphery, there is the double did not give Royal Mail the time to adapt, which it whammy of being rural and peripheral. We must do needed to do, because it had inefficient machinery and something about that, and I will come on to talk about had invested in the wrong kind of machinery. As a a model that would fit and would improve the situation: result of the UK going faster than the rest of the EU, the introduction of a not-for-profit model, stopping EU operators could cherry-pick the upstream business short of full nationalisation, is the way forward. 1075 Universal Postal Service17 JULY 2014 Universal Postal Service 1076

[Albert Owen] or in rural areas of the United Kingdom to continue down the road of opening to competition areas that will When privatisation went through, concerns were be cherry-picked by companies only for profits. We expressed in this House about the universal obligation, want a universal service across the United Kingdom. and such issues have been raised in the past. Let us be We will have to fight for that, and we must put in place a honest, however, that companies will never come to model that will deliver it. north-west Wales and say that they will deliver the service for the same price as they would in Chester, 2.15 pm Liverpool or Manchester. That just does not happen. Our current delivery service on five days a week for Mr Alan Reid (Argyll and Bute) (LD): I congratulate parcels and six days a week for letters will not exist in the Backbench Business Committee on giving us time the future. That is the reality when services are opened to debate this important issue, and my constituency up to the market. neighbour, the hon. Member for North Ayrshire and Arran (Katy Clark), on introducing it in a very measured We have seen that in other privatised utilities, such as and sensible way. It is a pleasure to follow the hon. British Telecom. The hon. Member for West Aberdeenshire Member for Ynys Môn (Albert Owen), although I must and Kincardine said that lighthouses are exempt, but correct him on one point. Before Postcomm introduced under the old Post Office those in my constituency had licence conditions for Royal Mail, it had refused to a telephone line, just like buildings in the towns and deliver to the lighthouse he mentioned, so not everything cities of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. was perfect in the past. They had the same service, with the same infrastructure and pricing, as the rest of the country. The universal postal service is obviously extremely important to my constituency, with its scattered population That was when the Post Office was an iconic brand, and its many islands, and to all rural constituencies in as Royal Mail is today, and provided a universal service. the country. Royal Mail has an extremely dedicated Following privatisation, however, such areas do not get work force, who go out in all weathers to deliver the the same full broadband, or the services and maintenance, mail, often up muddy tracks and in very difficult conditions, but they pay the same price. Mobile phone coverage is and they have a detailed local knowledge that private patchy across rural areas of the United Kingdom. In rivals simply do not have, as in the example given by my my area, we are lucky to get 3G or even 2G, let alone hon. Friend the Member for West Aberdeenshire and 4G. That is the reality in many parts of the United Kincardine (Sir Robert Smith). Kingdom when services are opened up to the market. I supported the Postal Services Act 2011 because it The pricing is the same— I pay the same for my mobile enshrined the universal service obligation into law. That phone contract as somebody in central London—but means that Royal Mail is legally obliged to deliver to people do not get the same service and back-up, which every home and business in the country, as well as to is the danger in such a free market. collect from every post box in the country six days a There is a way forward. Water was privatised, and week, at the same price throughout the country. To Welsh Water has become a not-for-profit organisation, back up the legal requirement, the Act imposed on the with the profits being ploughed back into the company regulator, Ofcom, the legal responsibility to ensure the to improve the service. The service, including the quality sustainability of the USO. of water, is the same across the whole of rural and We must remember that competition is not new—it urban Wales, because the profits are reinvested. There is did not just start with the 2011 Act—because it was competition within the system—the company has to introduced more than 10 years ago by the previous comply with European directives on liberalisation—on Government, who, in an all-too-familiar story, gold-plated tendering, and that might work in the postal service. I a European directive. Competition means that delivery must say that when my party was in government and companies can cherry-pick cheap-to-deliver urban areas, intended to make such a change, it did not consider and leave Royal Mail the more expensive job of delivering these models. It should have analysed not-for-profit to sparsely populated rural areas, such as my constituency. models, because they provide not only a universal service, As has frequently been pointed out, Royal Mail relies but a mechanism for competition. Tendering for contracts on its cross-subsidy from profitable urban routes to has to be done under EU regulations so that many sparsely populated rural routes. people can benefit from such competition. At the end of the day, the customer pays the company and gets a TNT Post has made most use of the ability to cherry-pick service that is universal across the whole of Wales. the areas to which it is cheapest to deliver. Its end-to-end business has expanded rapidly since it started trials for We should look at the iconic brand of the Royal Mail the service in west London in April 2012. According to in the same way as water, which has a proven model that Royal Mail, TNT aims to cover about 42% of UK will work for the future. I want my constituents and addresses by 2017. As well as cherry-picking areas, people across rural Britain to enjoy the same standard companies such as TNT can also cut costs by delivering of service and the same costs, because that is very only on certain days of the week. important in this day and age. Yes, Royal Mail needs to modernise, as it has, but it also needs to keep what I Sir Robert Smith: That point is very important. The think is the best of British, which is the universal service Ofcom argument is about volume, but such companies it provides under the service obligation. are cherry-picking the very high margin, good-quality I thank my hon. Friend the Member for North Ayrshire business. and Arran (Katy Clark) for securing this debate. It is worth putting on the record that there is a way forward. Mr Reid: My hon. Friend makes an important point. Competition is not the answer: the market has failed in Some forms of high-volume business mail incur lower many areas, and it will not serve people on the periphery costs than for people sending Christmas cards or postcards. 1077 Universal Postal Service17 JULY 2014 Universal Postal Service 1078

Obviously, if a company has high-volume mail from a priority and be conducted as quickly as possible, whether big organisation coming into its system, that is much they are being carried out by Ofcom or the Competition easier for it to deliver. and Markets Authority. In fairness, it should be pointed out that Royal Mail As I was saying, Royal Mail has pointed out that it has some advantages. For example, it has a nationwide has to meet all the targets that are set by Ofcom and infrastructure and benefits from economies of scale. publish its performance against those targets quarterly Royal Mail is very concerned about TNT’s plans and and annually. However, its competitors do not have to sees them as a threat to its ability to deliver the USO. meet or publish any targets, other than the figures on We must always remember that Royal Mail is a private complaints. Ofcom should use its powers to set targets company with a duty to maximise the revenue for its for all operators and compel them to meet them. That shareholders. Therefore, it may or may not be crying would provide transparency and allow consumers to wolf. It is Ofcom’s responsibility to decide whether make an informed choice between operators. Royal Mail is crying wolf. Mr McKenzie: I fully accept what the hon. Gentleman Ofcom has many tools at its disposal to protect the says about the need for a level playing field. Does he USO. It could impose regulatory conditions on other accept that companies might want to produce information operators to level the playing field. For example, it on targets to show that they have a process of continuous could require other providers to deliver over a larger improvement and that they are providing a good-quality geographical area than just a small urban area or to service? deliver on more days in the week. Ofcom also has the power to introduce a universal service fund. It can Mr Reid: The hon. Gentleman is perfectly correct. A review whether delivering the universal service places a company that has any ethos at all will want to demonstrate financial burden on Royal Mail and determine whether that it is doing a good job. I therefore do not see how it is fair for Royal Mail alone to carry that burden. rival operators could possibly object to such a proposal. However, that cannot be done before October 2016 In an e-mail that it sent me, Royal Mail alleged that without Government direction. TNT has dumped and misdelivered mail. We heard interventions from two London Members earlier who Katy Clark: The hon. Gentleman has mentioned the said that they had evidence of that happening in their possibility of a compensation fund, which organisations constituencies. That backs up the need for the publication such as TNT could pay into. Does he agree that of performance statistics. Such statistics would show if organisations that deliver business mail, which they have mail is not being delivered and is disappearing from the been able to do for many years, might also be required system. to pay into such a fund, given the amount of money Ofcom has stated that before the end of next year, it they make from the lucrative work that they do? will commence a review of the impact of end-to-end competition to assess any potential threat to the provision Mr Reid: I agree with the hon. Lady that it is not just of the universal service. I do not think that it should TNT and companies like it that would have to pay into wait until the end of next year. It should commence the the fund, but a wider range of companies. That would review now because this is such an important service. be a decision for Ofcom. That would be in the interests not just of Royal Mail and the consumer, but of rival operators. It is in everybody’s If Ofcom finds that there is a net burden on Royal interests to know as soon as possible what conditions Mail, there is a provision in the 2011 Act that allows the Ofcom will impose on mail delivery companies. I can Government to direct Ofcom to establish the universal see an operator such as TNT complaining if, in two service fund. That would require other operators to years’ time, conditions are imposed on it that it was not contribute financially to support the universal service. I told about before it made the investment. I see no do not think that we are at that stage yet, but the advantage in waiting another 17 months before beginning Government and Ofcom might have to use that power the review. at some time in the future. My hon. Friend the Member for West Aberdeenshire Royal Mail has pointed out that it has to meet all the and Kincardine pointed out that we have been here targets that are set by Ofcom and publish its performance before with Postcomm, which seemed to prioritise against those targets quarterly and annually. competition over protecting the USO. Ofcom’s most important legal duty is to preserve the USO. That was Mike Crockart (Edinburgh West) (LD): My hon. written into the 2011 Act by a Liberal Democrat Minister. Friend spoke earlier about whether Ofcom recognises I expect Ofcom to do everything possible to protect the that there are extra costs. Of course, Ofcom did recognise USO. I believe that that means holding a review now. I that there were extra costs, but its answer to Royal Mail see no purpose that will be served by waiting another was that it should change its charging structure and 17 months. If Royal Mail is crying wolf, there is no charge other organisations more on a zonal basis. Royal harm in having the review now, because it will show Mail immediately did so, but TNT complained and we that. However, if Royal Mail is correct in its concerns, are now in a year-long re-examination under the having a review now is essential. Competition Act 1998. Ofcom tried to provide a way The universal service is essential to rural communities out, but it has not worked. Surely it now needs to come such as Argyll and Bute. Thanks to a Liberal Democrat up with something else. Minister, the law protects the universal service. Ofcom has a duty to ensure that that legal protection is delivered. Mr Reid: I certainly agree with my hon. Friend. The As long as Ofcom carries out its duties properly, the universal service is so important for the country that I USO will be sustainable. However, I believe that Ofcom hope that any reviews or inquiries will be given a high must carry out the review now. 1079 Universal Postal Service17 JULY 2014 Universal Postal Service 1080

2.26 pm 18 months or even two years to undertake such a review? What will Ofcom do? Does anyone in the Chamber Mr Mike Weir (Angus) (SNP): I fully support the really believe that the Government would go to competitor motion. From what the hon. Member for North Ayrshire companies and say, “You cannot continue to expand” and Arran (Katy Clark) said, the Greater London or “You must contract”? I very much doubt that. authority’s motion also sounds interesting and worthy of support. It seems to me that its options under the 2011 Act are constrained. Under section 8—no one has mentioned The universal service obligation is vital to rural areas this point so far—the Government could review the of Scotland. It is crucial not only for those who receive minimum requirements in terms of section 33, and mail, but for the many small businesses that rely on the therefore reduce the minimum requirements of the service. service to get their products to customers. The internet We should remember that under section 29 of the Act, is a two-way street, but only if there is a reliable and at all times when securing the universal service Ofcom cost-effective postal service. We are now told that that must also take into account service is in imminent danger. “the need for the provision of a universal postal service to be We should not be in this position. The danger to the financially sustainable,”. universal service following the extension of competition, the privatisation of Royal Mail and the Postal Services Does that not also open the door, for example, to Act 2011 was entirely predictable and, indeed, predicted. raising the price of the universal service? I have previously The only surprise is that it is happening so soon. Royal made the point that with the abandonment of price Mail cannot escape all blame because, when the Act controls over all other services, second-class post is now was going through this House, we were told repeatedly the only truly universal service, and even that could be by the Government and Royal Mail that it would not at risk under the proposals. Many small businesses have endanger the universal service. They were adamant that already seen a rise in costs since privatisation, with an the modernisation project would keep down prices and increase in first-class costs and small package rates. protect the USO. They said that the existence of the The hon. Member for Ealing North (Stephen Pound) USO was a huge plus for the business. recently sponsored a meeting in this House at which Less than a year after the flotation, Royal Mail is Royal Mail presented its case for a review of the USO. I finding that the brave new world of private enterprise is asked it directly whether it was seeking a diminution of full of difficulties. The company wants Ofcom to undertake the USO, but it denied that. I cannot say that I entirely an urgent review of the USO because it cannot guarantee believed that, but we must be aware that it is one that it will remain sustainable due to the impact of possible outcome of a review, whether or not that is the privatisation and, in particular, the expansion of TNT, company’s intention. which the hon. Member for North Ayrshire and Arran described in great detail that I will not repeat. Other Mr Reid: The hon. Gentleman is well aware that the competitors are cherry-picking the most profitable routes, USO can be changed only if there is a vote in both which is putting pressure on Royal Mail and on its rural Houses of Parliament, and I cannot believe that any routes. That is a far cry from the claim when it was sane political party would vote to reduce the USO. privatised that the universal service was a huge plus for Royal Mail, as it was the only company that guaranteed that it would deliver to every address. Mr Weir: I am not sure that the present Government are sane political parties, but I will let that one go. Ofcom’s role, as set out in the 2011 Act, is bound by conditions that mean that, even if it takes on board The Government will rightly point out that the 2011 Royal Mail’s request to look at the operation of the Act enshrines the USO in law for the first time. That is USO, there is no guarantee that it will take urgent true, but during the passage of the Act many of us action to tackle the problem. Royal Mail is seeking a asked specifically what will happen if the company review by Ofcom under section 45 of the Act, which is comes back and says that it can no longer sustain the headed, “Fairness of bearing burden of universal service service. Royal Mail has been privatised, investors have obligations”. I remind Members that the options that made their profits, and we may well be about to explore Ofcom has under those provisions are very limited. The the answer to that question. first limitation is that it will inevitably take time for Ofcom to undertake the necessarily detailed review of Tom Blenkinsop: When I asked the current Defence the universal service. If Royal Mail is correct about the Secretary whether the USO could be changed by statutory impact that TNT is having, do we have time to wait for instrument, he said that was not the case. He later wrote Ofcom to decide whether to undertake the review, come to me saying that it was the case. to a conclusion and bring in its changes? Mr Weir: The hon. Gentleman is right, and as another Sir Robert Smith: On that point, it would obviously Member said at that time—I think it was the Minister—such make sense that the sooner it starts, the sooner it will be a measure could be rushed through in a wee room able to finish the review. upstairs very quickly. That is true, and that is the danger we are now in with the whole process. Will the Minister Mr Weir: I do not disagree with that; in fact, I am make it abundantly clear today that protection of the very keen for it to start, but even with the best will in the USO was an essential condition of that privatisation, world, given previous investigations of this nature, it and that whatever the outcome of the review she will will take time, and time may be what we do not have. not agree to any diminution of the USO? As I said, that Does anyone really believe that it will be done in a few could be an outcome of this process, and sometimes we months? What will be the state of the USO if it takes should beware of what we wish for. 1081 Universal Postal Service17 JULY 2014 Universal Postal Service 1082

Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): The hon. is happening in this House. It is under threat now—that Gentleman is making an incredibly powerful case about is what Royal Mail is saying to us—and it is privatisation, the potential consequences on the USO that Ofcom supported by him and his colleagues, that is leading to may bring forward. Will he confirm that a statutory that. Under independence we have committed to bring instrument upstairs would not necessarily be a full vote Royal Mail operations in Scotland back under public of both Houses? It would be a statutory instrument that ownership, where they should have stayed, and ensure goes through both Houses. that there is a Royal Mail service in Scotland. If we stay in the Union, we are told not only that we may not have Mr Weir: Indeed, that is my understanding. a universal service, but that prices may go up and things may disappear. The right hon. Gentleman should consider Mr Reid: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? a bit more before making such daft interventions.

Mr Weir: No, I have given way enough already. Mike Crockart: Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Mr Reid: On a point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker. Mr Weir: No, I have had enough from the Liberals— Am I right in saying that the procedures of the House [Interruption.] are that an affirmative resolution requires a vote of the Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): Order. whole House, not just a vote in Committee? The hon. Gentleman is not taking interventions. Hon. Members can ask once, perhaps twice, but three times is Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): The too many. hon. Gentleman is correct, and it is interesting that he has taken the trouble to inform the House of that fact Mr Weir: I have already taken many interventions this afternoon. I thank him for that, but I point out that from the Liberal Democrat Benches. the hon. Member for Angus (Mr Weir) has the Floor Before any of those options can be taken, Ofcom has and will continue his speech. to make recommendations to the Secretary of State, who then decides whether action is necessary and what Mr Weir: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. What action should be taken. Only at that point will any part else could Ofcom do? It could look at section 46 of the be played in the whole process by Parliament, perhaps 2011 Act, “Contributions for meeting burden”, which many months if not years after the process has begun. we have already discussed, and recommend that all Nothing is likely to happen before the general election, competitors contribute to the cost of running the universal and all that time TNT and others will continue to service. As Ofcom has pointed out, however, it is debarred expand, making it ever more difficult to construct a from doing that for a period of five years unless the solution. As Ofcom points out in its briefing for this Minister specifically directs it. Even if the Minister were debate, the competitors have also made complaints to direct it, how long would it take to set up such a about Royal Mail and some of its practices that they system, set out the level of contribution, and get it up claim are unfair, so if this is opened up we run the risk and running? If the universal service is now in such a that all sorts of other things will creep in. condition that Royal Mail is worried about its continuation, do we have time to implement such proposals? There seems to me to be a contradiction at the heart of the Postal Services Act. We have a private company Under the Act, the Government might try to find a that has to undertake the delivery of a vital public company other than Royal Mail that is willing to take service, and the only way of enforcing that is through a on the universal service, but how many of us think that regulator, about which I have an uneasy feeling given is likely given what we already know about the operation the way the railway industry operates. I believe we need of other companies in the postal market? They are to look further than that and consider wholesale changes cherry-picking the profitable services, not building a to the Act to allow much faster action to protect the system to compete with Royal Mail throughout the USO. I opposed the privatisation of Royal Mail; I still country. think it was a drastic error, but as the right hon. Royal Mail suggests that the way forward is to introduce Member for Gordon (Sir Malcolm Bruce) has pointed general universal service conditions that would impose out, in September the people of Scotland have a chance conditions on its competitors to prevent them from to do something about that and ensure that Royal Mail cherry-picking urban routes, but also mean that they becomes a public service. have to deliver to a much wider geographical area. Again, I leave it to Members to decide whether that is 2.39 pm likely, but, even if it is, how long will it take to do that when we are told that we are facing an imminent crisis? Mr Brian Binley (Northampton South) (Con): I bring the quiet voice of the other party of the coalition. Sir Malcolm Bruce (Gordon) (LD): Does the hon. I congratulate the hon. Member, and my friend, for Gentleman acknowledge that the biggest threat to the North Ayrshire and Arran (Katy Clark), on securing universal service obligation for Scotland is independence, the debate. I also thank the Backbench Business Committee. and will he tell the House exactly what a universal This is a timely debate, one that those on the Front service obligation would mean in an independent Scotland? Bench would do very well to listen to. There were some What would it cost to post something from Carlisle to deep concerns when we supported this measure and I Dumfries? am sad to say that some of them have reared their heads earlier than we might have thought. I therefore agree Mr Weir: The right hon. Gentleman is being typically wholeheartedly that we need action and a review very ridiculous. The universal service is under threat not quickly indeed. I hope this debate will prompt the because of Scottish independence but because of what regulator to pursue that review. 1083 Universal Postal Service17 JULY 2014 Universal Postal Service 1084

[Mr Brian Binley] It is not just in the rural and remote areas where we should be grateful for Royal Mail. There are many The starting point of this debate is my belief in fair outlying areas in places other than the wilds of Dartmoor competition. That was one of the reasons I decided, in and the highlands of Scotland. In fact, near to my town the first place, to support the original move to privatise of Northampton, many outlying and very small the Post Office. However, fair competition does of course communities rely totally on the postal service. Very have parameters. often, the postie fulfils a much more important role in terms of social connection than many of us really The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, understand. I am not sure that the companies that are Innovation and Skills (Jo Swinson): I thank my hon. cherry-picking at the moment understand that point of Friend for giving way. I think it might be helpful to view. Some of the reports we have had back show that correct that point. The Post Office has absolutely not the sorts of workers they are beginning to employ been privatised. Royal Mail has been privatised. They perhaps do not fulfil the criteria that most of us would are two quite separate companies. want our postal service workers to fulfil. I have a firm belief in the universal service obligation, Mr Binley: I thank the Front Bench spokesman for underpinned as it is by statute in the Postal Services Act that rather pernickety interjection. I will now continue. 2011. Indeed, I sponsored an amendment in the Committee Of course it has not been privatised—only 70% of its stage to secure the obligation for 10 years, rather than shares have been sold off. We all recognise that point. the Government’s original proposal of 18 months. I am We know where we are, so there are more serious very proud of having helped to secure that amendment. questions that I would wish the Front Bench spokesman However, it seems probable that other players in the to address, quite frankly. Let us hope we can move on postal market will, as they have so far, cherry-pick the to them. operations that offer soft opportunities for profit, leaving the Royal Mail with the relatively less attractive deliveries. Fair competition has parameters that need to be well The question for the Government is the extent to which understood. Fair competition needs to take place with a the goal of competition in the postal services market focus on the public interest first of all. That is a should be allowed to undermine the viability of the consideration we need to hold very closely to our hearts. Royal Mail’s balance sheet. If that viability is allowed to It is about making sure that the predatory exploitation be undermined, that would bring the whole question of of a dominant market position does not harm consumers the USO into serious danger. or undermine others who seek to participate in a competitive We need to respect the spirit of what was enshrined in environment. There are dangers that cherry-picking the Postal Services Act, as well as the letter of the law. does, in truth, undermine that. The context of this Ofcom needs to ensure that competition in the postal debate is making sure that the end-to-end postal services services market does not in any way undermine the in an urban and suburban setting do not undermine the USO. That is its task—it is the regulator. I call on it to financial sustainability of the universal service obligation, carry out its duty as we originally intended, both in law where in my view the overwhelming public interest can and in spirit. The two are not always coincidental. This be found. House is clear that, where a conflict between competition The truth of the matter, and this is a pretty heavy and the USO arises, it is the obligation that should take warning that I hope those on the Front Bench will take priority. I hope we will impress that on Ofcom as a note of, is that if we are not careful and if action is not result of this debate and in other ways as time passes. taken, we will be driven to the point where the universal Royal Mail workers, like our constituents, were clear service becomes a much more limited service, or is in what was given to them as a clear undertaking in the driven to the point where prices are so high it puts itself 2011 Act. An unequivocal restatement of that commitment into a state of extinction. I believe there is enough from the Dispatch Box would be a very welcome response evidence in the marketplace to suggest that those fears to this debate. I have a number of questions to put that I need to be taken seriously. hope the Front Bench spokesman will answer in her I believe in the decency of people and especially the summing up. First, will the Minister confirm that the decency of the great majority of Royal Mail workers USO is enshrined in statute in the 2011 Act? On that who serve households in every part of the United basis, would it not require a further Act of Parliament Kingdom very well. I would like especially to pay tribute to repeal the obligation? to those Royal Mail workers who work, live and provide Secondly, the market in which Royal Mail operates is service in my own constituency of Northampton South. subject to cherry-picking from other operators not bound I talk with them very often. I visited them during the by the USO. The Government have stated that their passing of the Bill and had sizeable discussions with policy is that competition should not undermine the them—even with Mr Billy Hayes. I pay tribute to him USO. What discussions has the Minister had with Ofcom for the way he undertook those discussions. I believe in on that and on the precedence of the USO contained in the basic decency of Royal Mail workers. They are a the 2011 Act? much-valued part of our national infrastructure. We Thirdly, does the Minister accept that the USO rests should give no thought to being anti-union in any way on the principle of cross-subsidy from the cheaper at all, bearing in mind that they have acted in a proper urban areas towards the greater cost of delivery to rural manner and have in many respects taken some pretty areas? What change has taken place in the market in the heavy knocks from their own specific political point of last few years that could alter the balance of competition view. We should pay tribute to them and I am perfectly between Royal Mail and its competitors? happy to do so. I repeat that they are a much-valued Fourthly, one factor affecting the distribution of power part of our national infrastructure, especially in the in the postal market is the price of stamps relative to the most remote areas. prices charged by other deliverers. What assurances can 1085 Universal Postal Service17 JULY 2014 Universal Postal Service 1086 consumers expect in future years that Royal Mail’s expensive to do, let alone making deliveries in constituencies pricing will reflect the response of postal service users, represented by hon. Members from Scotland or other so as to protect the universal service obligation? parts of Wales, for example, or indeed rural parts of Fifthly, Ofcom has promised to produce a full assessment England. That is where the cost comes in. The expensive of the impact of the universal service obligation and part of the delivery network is getting things not between competition in the market for the end of 2015. As it is city centres, which TNT and other competitors love to now four years since the passing of the Act, what do— assessment has the Minister made of any changes that might compromise the universal service obligation, and Lady Hermon (North Down) (Ind): Will the right what impact does she anticipate Scottish independence hon. Gentleman give way? would have on the economics of the postal services market? Does the Minister recognise that we need a Mr Hain: I will in a moment—by the way, this applies review sooner rather than later? The whole question of to Northern Ireland as well, if the hon. Lady was going competition has moved on much more quickly than we to correct me. might have thought when we passed the 2011 Act. The easy part, which competitor companies such as In conclusion, let me repeat that I supported the 2011 TNT obviously seize on, is getting pre-sorted business Act, and I still do. However, I also support the need of mail, which is provided to them by the businesses themselves, the regulator to do its job according to law and the along with large-scale deliveries from banks, credit card spirit of what the Act was trying to do. I therefore call companies and so on. They bring it in pre-sorted cassettes on the Government to ensure that a proper review takes and containers, and then TNT or whoever rushes it place much sooner rather than later, and to give us an down the M4 or whatever distribution network they undertaking that the universal service obligation will use. That is cheap to do—indeed, often they dump it remain at the forefront of postal services in this country, back into the Royal Mail, so that it has to do the even though that might mean laying conditions on expensive part of delivering to remote areas. That is the those who operate competitor services and even, to a problem. I believe it is a matter of urgency—a point certain extent, an understanding that those services made earlier in the debate—that the Government and need to provide a levy to subsidise the universal service, Ofcom grasp the problem and sort it out. It cannot wait if that is necessary to retain it. until late next year; that will be too late for the Royal Mail. 2.51 pm If the delay continues, what I predict will happen to Mr Peter Hain (Neath) (Lab): I commend the hon. the universal service is this. Yes, it will be there in name, Member for Northampton South (Mr Binley) for the but it will not necessarily apply for six days, because excellent points he made, notwithstanding his support that is not in statute. It will not necessarily apply door for the privatisation Bill. I hope the Minister listened to door either, because that is not required on a six-day carefully to them, because they illustrate that this is a basis. The universal service is required to apply to every cross-party matter. There is a genuine fear about what address, but “address” is not defined, as far as I know, will happen to the Royal Mail. In making those points, I over six days, and so on. It is therefore no good sheltering must apologise to you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and to behind the commitment in the 2011 Act to honour the the House that I will not be here for the wind-ups. As a universal service obligation. It is not defined, and when former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, I need we look at the experience elsewhere—in New Zealand, to go and answer questions in interviews, following the for example, where a similar process was followed—we Northern Ireland statement. find a steady erosion of it. I was privileged to work for the Union of Post Office Workers—as it was called in the 1970s—for 14 years, Lady Hermon: I am most grateful to the right hon. into its new incarnation, before I was elected to this Gentleman for giving way and for mentioning the remote House. What has always worried me greatly about the areas of Northern Ireland, as well as the remote areas competition regime around the Royal Mail is that it is of Wales and Scotland. As he has already mentioned not a level playing field. The Royal Mail’s competitors that he is a former Secretary of State for Northern are not treated in the same way as the Royal Mail. I Ireland, will he take this opportunity to put on record believe that poses a great danger to the universal service the enormous sacrifice and courage of postal workers— obligation. It does not pose a danger to its existence, Royal Mail workers—throughout the worst of the troubles which has been provided for in statute under this in Northern Ireland? Many paid with their lives, while Government, as has been pointed out—I am not arguing others were held hostage or very badly injured in bomb that—although the universal service obligation is not explosions. I would just like him to mention that for the defined. record. I should say that my criticisms of the competition regime, which has basically stayed the same with the Mr Hain: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for making transfer to Ofcom from its predecessor, apply to our that point. She is absolutely right: postal workers—postmen previous Labour Government as well and are not simply and women—were extremely vulnerable in the terror against this Government. There has been a failure to and the troubles. In some instances they paid with their understand the fundamental problem in this whole lives and in others suffered terrible deprivation. matter, which is that Royal Mail has to deliver not just That brings us back to the value of the posties we all to Swansea or Cardiff from London, which is easy and depend on, especially if we do not live in city centres—we cheap to do—straight down the M4. Rather, Royal depend on them here as well, but they might be posties Mail has to deliver up to valley communities in my from organisations other than the Royal Mail. However, constituency such as Cwmllynfell or Rhiwfawr, which is we will not find TNT staff delivering up Snowdonia, up 1087 Universal Postal Service17 JULY 2014 Universal Postal Service 1088

[Mr Hain] golden thread that ties the British isles together. Even though so many people use e-mail and texts nowadays, in the highlands or in some of the remote areas of we can all think of an important time in our lives when Northern Ireland, which Royal Mail had to do during we opened a letter. the troubles prior to the new regime—a point the hon. The importance of the postal service in all our lives, Lady rightly draws our attention to. and the commitment and professionalism of postmen Let me emphasise that the problem with this competition and postwomen, should not be understated. I had the regime is that it allows the Royal Mail’s competitors to privilege of visiting my local sorting office in Stamford cherry-pick and cream-skim the most profitable mail. Hill, Hackney, just before Christmas; many Members The access charges paid by those competitors to dump visit theirs at that time. I saw how hard postmen work their mail back into the Royal Mail, to make sure it gets and how much we rely on a stable work force with a delivered to the final address when it is in a remote area, commitment to their work and an ongoing knowledge are pitifully low. Unless we urgently increase those of their areas to provide the service that all our constituents access charges and unless Ofcom gets out of its sleeping deserve. trance on this matter, which the Government might have to instruct it to do, if that is required—I ask the Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP): I heartily Minister to respond to this point in my absence, for endorse everything that the hon. Lady has said. I visited which I again apologise—I fear for the future of the the sorting office in my area just before Christmas; the universal service, the quality of that service and the Royal operation at Mallusk is fantastic. The issue comes down Mail’s ability to provide it, as it is required to do, but to trust. People everywhere in the UK trust the Royal which none of its competitors is so required to do. Mail. There is not that trust in any other kind of operation. We interfere with that at our peril. 2.58 pm Ms Abbott: I entirely agree. The issue is about people Ms Diane Abbott (Hackney North and Stoke Newington) in Government—not just this Government, but any (Lab): I am glad to have the opportunity to speak about Government—sometimes knowing the cost of everything the threat to the universal postal service posed by this but the value of nothing. The commitment, professionalism defective competition regime and companies such as and decades of service of individual postmen in our TNT. sorting offices cannot be valued enough. Although the I must begin by thanking my hon. Friend the Member changes may bear down on costs in the short term, in for North Ayrshire and Arran (Katy Clark) for bringing the long term we undermine the quality of the service this subject for debate on the Floor of the House. I and, specifically—this is the point of this debate—we should also say that I am probably the only Member of put the universal postal service in danger. the House—certainly the only one here today—who has We should really value the unquantifiable aspects of actually been a postman, although it was a holiday job the service that Royal Mail workers provide. We need to and it was a few years ago now. stop them being exposed to wholly unfair competition, and the Government and the regulator need to get Mr Hain: Postwoman. together as a matter of urgency to do something about the looming threat to the universal postal service. Ms Abbott: Indeed. The point I want to make is about how defective the 3.4 pm competition regime is. The competition is unfair and John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington) (Lab): These where TNT has taken over provision in London, it debates are not good for my health. My doctor advises offers a very poor service. That goes to the heart of a me to stop being so angry about these issues, but I competition regime that is not about a genuine level cannot help but be angry about this. The hon. Member playing field. TNT does not have the obligations of the for Angus (Mr Weir) said that what we are discussing Royal Mail; its staff do not have the same qualities or was predicted and therefore predictable. I was in the the commitment of Royal Mail staff. House 10 years ago when the European directive was In London, mail has been dumped under bushes and debated. There were three Labour Members: me, my TNT workers have delivered all the letters to people hon. Friend the Member for Islington North (Jeremy living in a close through one door, expecting that person Corbyn) and, I believe, Tony Benn. The new Labour to hand them out to their neighbours. As has been Government were then implementing the European mentioned, TNT workers rely on Royal Mail workers to directive with zeal, in advance of virtually every other tell them where to go. All that is not only a threat to the country in Europe. They were putting our postal service universal postal service, but a poor service. out to privatisation in a way that, as was demonstrated Something needs to be done about the competition even then in that debate, would eventually lead to the regime so that companies such as TNT are obliged to threat to the delivery service. It was inevitable. live up to the obligations that rest on the Royal Mail. Thank goodness that we now have my hon. Friend Otherwise, the consequence will be not just a threat to the Member for North Ayrshire and Arran (Katy Clark). the universal postal service in remote areas of Scotland, The irony 10 years ago was that the former general Northern Ireland and Wales, but a threat to the quality secretary of the union was then a Minister pushing the of the postal service that we all enjoy. legislation through. The Communication Workers Union- The uniform penny post was established in the British associated Members had disappeared that evening; only isles in 1840. That was a tremendous innovation and the a limited number of us were here, fighting and arguing basis of the historic universal postal service. We all in favour of amendments. It was late at night and I know that letter and parcel deliveries are part of a remember it well. 1089 Universal Postal Service17 JULY 2014 Universal Postal Service 1090

We said that the changes would inevitably result in, 3.9 pm first, a threat to the postal service and, secondly, in the Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): I am pleased to full privatisation of the Royal Mail. That has happened. follow my hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and It has been done in such a way that we have lost billions Harlington (John McDonnell). This is the fifth debate as well. This is why I get so angry—what we have done in a row in which I have answered for the Opposition on to the postal service in this country is absolute insanity. this subject, and my hon. Friend has always been the I remember well the argument put up then: that we last to speak and has been curtailed in his contribution. could no longer subsidise Royal Mail. But I am I hope that he will not listen to his doctor, because we subsidising—we are all subsidising—TNT and others would certainly miss the passion and anger he brings to now. They do not pay a living wage, so we are subsiding the Chamber and the good sense that he always talks. I most of their workers through working tax credits and would like to thank, too, the Backbench Business other benefits. That is the irony. Committee for bringing forward timeously before the What worries me now is that I believe we are at the summer recess this really important debate. I pay a huge tipping point. I repeat what the hon. Member for Angus tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for North Ayrshire said: if we do not do something soon, it might well be and Arran (Katy Clark) who, beyond anyone else in this too late. That is why if we do not act very quickly, we place, has kept this issue of Royal Mail and postal might go past the tipping point and lose it, given the services on the agenda. Without her passion and energy, time scales and how slowly Ofcom works. My worry is we would not be able to take forward some of the that Ofcom says it monitors what is happening at the significant contributions that we all want to see on a moment and does not feel it needs to act at this time, yet cross-party basis. The hon. Member for Northampton it never defines publicly what the tipping point is. Ofcom South (Mr Binley) was quite right to say that this is does not share information that would demonstrate indeed a cross-party issue. whether the service is under threat or not. It is worth putting the issue into context. It is a I listen to the real experts—those whom everyone has six-day, one-price-goes-anywhere service that Royal Mail cited today and praised to high heaven. They are the provides, and its posties deliver to 29 million addresses people who deliver the mail. They know what is happening each day of the week. It is a particularly important on the ground, how they are being undercut by TNT service for small businesses as consumers, although we and others and what their prospects are—in the near have not spoken much about small businesses in that future, not just the long term. They are saying through context today. their trade union and in direct dialogue that, if we do The botched privatisation of Royal Mail, mentioned not act soon, we will lose the universal service. a number of times this afternoon, cost the taxpayer There is now an onus on the Government to bring £1 billion and we have seen the architect of it promoted Ofcom in and start immediately on two processes. First, to Defence Secretary. We have lost a national asset that there should be an immediate public review. I would the public did not want to see privatised. The hon. welcome it if the Minister went back to the Secretary of Member for Angus (Mr Weir) was absolutely right to State to say that we need to bring Ofcom in now. I refer to the process in this place. Time and again the would welcome a public meeting involving Ofcom, us Business Secretary has said that “the overarching objective” and the Minister so that we had full openness and of privatisation was “to secure” the “universal postal transparency about the monitoring it is undertaking service”. Yet just a few months after that privatisation, and how it defines where the tipping point will be. What we are back here debating the dangers to the universal time scale is it working to? service obligation. That is why we are calling on the The second issue, raised by my hon. Friend the Member Secretary of State to use any powers he has under for North Ayrshire and Arran, is about the support section 44 of the Postal Services Act 2011 to try to put fund. As has been said, the legislation barred any action pressure on Ofcom to bring this forward, so we can for five years unless the Secretary of State intervened. make sure that the USO remains viable. We have all said it now: we know that the five-year We know that the volume of letters is in decline. Last period is too long because we may well miss the boat if year alone, the volume fell between 4% and 6%. The the Secretary of State does not intervene now. Government wonderful work of all Royal Mail’s staff to try to cope action is a matter of urgency. I think there would be with that decline is to be commended, but this does cross-party support on these two measures. First of all, underpin the fragility of the universal service obligation. we should bring in Ofcom to define where it is at in the Its sustainability depends on Royal Mail being able to analysis of the tipping point of the threat; and secondly, use the revenues from easier-to-serve urban areas to we should start the work on the support fund now. I say cover the cost of the nationwide network. It does not that because, as other Members have said, it will take a require a postal economist to see that the geography while to put in place, so we should at least start the work of the UK means that delivery to the Scottish islands or now so that if it is needed, it is readily available. If it is to rural Wales is an expensive business and can be not, fair enough; it does not have to be enacted in its sustained only by cross-subsidy from more profitable final form, but let us at least get the work undertaken areas. The hon. Member for West Aberdeenshire and now.Otherwise, we will all regret that we did not act sooner. Kincardine (Sir Robert Smith), my hon. Friends the The onus, I am afraid, is on the Government. I say Members for Ynys Môn (Albert Owen) and for North that not in a partisan or critical way because I believe I Ayrshire and Arran, the hon. Members for Argyll and reflect the views of the whole House across the parties Bute (Mr Reid) and for Angus and my right hon. Friend in saying that the Government must feel a sense of the Member for Neath (Mr Hain), who all represent urgency. Otherwise, we will lose the service that every rural constituencies, mentioned that in their contributions. Member has praised. If that happens, we will be not The genesis of this debate is the need to consider the only letting down the work force of the Royal Mail, but impact that direct end-to-end competition is having on betraying our own constituents as well. Royal Mail’s ability to sustain the USO. Royal Mail has 1091 Universal Postal Service17 JULY 2014 Universal Postal Service 1092

[Ian Murray] contained in the dusty tome that it has submitted to Ofcom, are found not to be wholly valid, or not as submitted a quite extensive report to Ofcom on the compelling as it has suggested—and the hon. Member effect of end-to-end competition and the threats to the for Angus implied that they should be tested—that will USO, encouraging Ofcom to bring forward the review be known only once they have been fully investigated. promised for 2015. The report says in great detail that Ofcom’s current programme for the review means that the alternative providers, especially TNT, have grown we shall have to wait until the end of 2015, and that quickly and have plans to expand to over 40% of mail could be far too late. Those issues were also raised by delivery by 2017. This expansion will cover only 8.5% of my favourite Conservative Member of Parliament, the the geography of the UK. It is this “cherry-picking” of hon. Member for Northampton South. I am sure that low-cost, profitable inner city postcodes that threatens there is a keen socialist hiding somewhere in that the economics of the USO. Conservative body of his. These plans have been calculated by Royal Mail to If Ofcom began its review now, any recommendations represent an approximate revenue loss of around for changes in the regulatory environment could be £200 million, but it is not simply about profitability; it is implemented very quickly to ensure that we do not lose about the viability of fulfilling its USO. The end-to-end sight of the universal service obligation. There is a competition issues are magnified by the lack of a level danger that the door could be closed after the horse had playing field with rival operators. That was mentioned bolted. Every Member who has spoken today has raised by both my right hon. Friend the Member for Neath that issue. If Royal Mail is right, the planned 2015 and my hon. Friend the Member for Hackney North review could be brought forward. Remedial action will and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott). be severely limited if that does not happen. Surely it is Royal Mail is—rightly, I think—subject to a complicated best for all concerned—Royal Mail, rival providers and, matrix of delivery standards, reporting and service levels, crucially, customers—for the future of the USO to be but the competition is not. For example, rival operators secured and for what lies on the horizon to be made are able to cherry-pick when they deliver. TNT Post UK clear as soon as possible. provides an every-other-day service, which reduces its Let me list Labour’s proposals for the future of Royal costs. Rival operators are able to cherry-pick the type of Mail as we approach the 2015 election. We would secure mail they deliver—business mail is the easiest to handle the USO well beyond 2015; we would prioritise the and the most profitable—and they are also able to put continuation of the inter-service agreement with the mail they do not want to deliver back into the Royal Post Office beyond 2022; we would ensure that there Mail system. As right hon. and hon. Members have was an appropriate degree of price certainty for Royal said, where they cannot deliver, they need to put it back Mail and its customers; and we would ensure that into the system. That highlights the importance of the regulations provided a level playing field for all operators. universal service to rival operators. They require a viable USO to make their own business models work so Sir Robert Smith: I am sure that, given the badge that it is really important for Ofcom to take that into account the hon. Gentleman is wearing, he will also point out in any analysis. that by voting “no thanks”in the forthcoming referendum Royal Mail’s ability to compete on price is constrained, we will maintain the universal service for the whole as we have heard this afternoon, and it is unable to alter United Kingdom, ensuring that subsidies continue to downstream access prices that now make up almost go to those difficult areas in Scotland. 50% of all mail volumes. There is an ongoing Ofcom investigation into access pricing, which the hon. Member Ian Murray: I did not want to go into the independence for Edinburgh West (Mike Crockart) mentioned in one referendum arguments, for two simple reasons: first, of his interventions. Rival operators use a plethora of they are incredibly complex, and secondly, the issue is alternative employment contracts which mean that not entirely relevant to the debate. I think that we are all their staff are lower paid and more insecure than those slightly sick of the independence referendum. I hoped of Royal Mail. That has the potential to create a race that we could be “independence free” today, but perhaps to the bottom in postal services which, in turn, has that is not possible after all. However, the hon. Gentleman the potential to undermine the universal service obligation. is absolutely right. Whichever way we view the issue, it Many Members have referred to TNT Post, because is clear from the geography of Scotland that it would be many of the issues that we are discussing are relevant to much more difficult and expensive to deliver postal its business model. I realise that TNT has become a services there following independence. Scotland’s postal lightning conductor for concern about the liberation of services are cross-subsidised because of that geography. the postal market and the impact that it could have on That is one very simple argument about what would the USO, but it should be borne in mind that it is happen to postal services in an independent Scotland. operating according to the regulations that currently apply to it. That is why it is important for Ofcom to look Mr Weir rose— at everything in the round. Major issues involving TNT are well documented, but I know that members of its Ian Murray: I have awoken the beast of Angus. If he union, Community, are working closely with the company will excuse me, I will not give way because of the time to eradicate zero-hours contracts and introduce the constraints—or perhaps I will, just for the sheer fun living wage and better conditions for its work force. It is of it. worth emphasising that it would be very much in TNT’s interest as well for Ofcom to conduct its review now. Mr Weir: The hon. Gentleman talks of the geography We are calling on the Government to pull all the of Scotland, but what we are debating is whether the levers that they can possibly pull to encourage Ofcom to universal service obligation will continue within the bring forward its review. Even if Royal Mail’s arguments, Union. It is the Union that is a danger to the universal 1093 Universal Postal Service17 JULY 2014 Universal Postal Service 1094 service throughout the United Kingdom, not Scottish sets out what must, as a minimum, be included in the independence. Scotland, like any other country, can run USO. On the delivery of letters and other postal packets a postal service to suit Scottish needs. it states: “At least one delivery of letters every Monday to Saturday— Ian Murray: I think the hon. Gentleman should go to (a) to the home or premises of every individual or other person see the doctor that my hon. Friend the Member for in the United Kingdom, or Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell) sees and perhaps (b) to such identifiable points for the delivery of postal packets get some advice on how to calm down a little about the as OFCOM may approve.” independence referendum. Clearly there are very few addresses that are, for whatever I am looking at the time, so I will conclude now by reason, inaccessible and for which Ofcom can, in those paying tribute to our posties up and down the country. I extreme cases, approve a collection point. That definition went on a round last year with Michael Lunn, one of is very clear, we should be reassured by it, and it is right my local posties from the Strathearn road delivery that this House and the other place have prioritised it by office, in the most tenemental part of my constituency. I making sure it is in primary legislation. can assure hon. Members that it was quite a hard round without lifts in those tenements. Not only did he deliver Mr Weir: I understand what the Minister is saying the mail efficiently, but he knew where people lived, and I acknowledged that this was the first time the USO which buzzers to press to get in when people were at was in legislation. Let us consider one thing that Ofcom work, whether people were on holiday and whether can do in a review. I believe that section 43(8) states that people were expecting parcels. He knew everything about its anybody in his round. When we put it in that context, “recommended action may consist of one or more of the following— we see that it is not just a postal service; it is a service to (a) the carrying out of a review under section 33 (review of all our communities. It is a valuable social service that minimum requirements)”. we should make sure we do not jeopardise, because if we do, that will be detrimental to everyone in the So if Ofcom does carry out a review under the Act, it country. could recommend a reduction in the minimum requirements. Will she assure us that she will not accept any such reduction? 3.20 pm The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Jo Swinson: I am delighted to do so. I have given such Innovation and Skills (Jo Swinson): It is a pleasure to assurances from this Dispatch Box, as colleagues have respond to today’s constructive debate. I very much done. Speaking for my party going into the next general congratulate the hon. Member for North Ayrshire and election campaign, I can say that that will be our Arran (Katy Clark) on securing it. As a fellow proud position, and I am sure that other parties can also give Scot, I am pleased that so many Scottish Members have their assurances on that. I think that there is absolute contributed to it, but I am also pleased that all four consensus across the House that that is vital and should nations of the United Kingdom have been represented. be protected. So it is not something that would be The issues I wish to touch on in my summing up are: changed. In addition, as we have discussed in the debate, the importance of the USO; the concerns raised by to do so would require a vote in both Houses of various hon. Members about competition; and the Ofcom Parliament, and that is a significant protection. I hope review, which is the main subject of the motion. We that that reassures the House on the importance the have heard from Members from all parts of the House Government attach to the USO. about how vital the universal service is for rural areas. Members also raised concerns about cherry-picking The hon. Member for Ynys Môn (Albert Owen), my and end-to-end competition. Of course competition is hon. Friend the Member for Argyll and Bute (Mr Reid), not new in postal delivery. It has been more than and the hon. Members for North Ayrshire and Arran 10 years now since the EU postal services directive and for Angus (Mr Weir) all made points about that opened up the market. At the beginning, the effect was eloquently. We were reminded by my hon. Friend the felt much more significantly in the collection and sorting Member for Northampton South (Mr Binley) that this of mail, with Royal Mail still being responsible for the is not purely a rural issue, as the universal service is vital final mile. That is the area in which there has been more to many towns and suburban areas. It is right that competition. postal workers are held in great esteem in many The right hon. Member for Neath was right to highlight communities, as the service is hugely important not the fact that the expensive parts of postal delivery are to only to our local economies, but more widely, in society the address not in central London, central Swansea or and in communities. That is why, as my hon. Friend the central Glasgow but in those much more inaccessible, Member for Argyll and Bute pointed out, we have set remote locations, where the costs are significant. Of out the USO in primary legislation—my predecessor, course the principle of cross-subsidy, which was mentioned my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston and by my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton South, Surbiton (Mr Davey), made sure it was written into the is a crucial part of how the universal service can be Postal Services Act 2011. delivered. One of the ways in which the structure is I appreciate that the right hon. Member for Neath created so that that cross subsidy can continue is for (Mr Hain) is no longer able to be in his place, but I am Royal Mail to have a lot of flexibility—much more than sure he will read my remarks in Hansard in order to it used to have—to charge different prices to different follow the reassurances I can give about his concerns on operators. It can also use zonal pricing so that it can the definition of the delivery of a six-day-a-week service charge more for delivery to remote rural areas when it is to every address. He seemed to take the view that that being used for that final mail delivery, which accounts was not a significantly well-defined definition. Section 31 for the vast majority of competition that exists within 1095 Universal Postal Service17 JULY 2014 Universal Postal Service 1096

[Jo Swinson] basis and is very much on the case, ensuring that it has the information. It also has the power to get access to the mail delivery market. That enables it to recoup much more detail than any individual player in the the costs that it incurs from providing that universal market, having access not only to the details of Royal service. Mail’s financial position, but also to the business plans Competition can clearly help to drive efficiency, which of TNT and any other providers, so its visibility is I am sure people would agree is a positive thing, but it excellent. The review will be started by the end of next stands to reason that if that competition took a significant year at the latest, but Ofcom has said that it is happy to portion of the market, especially in terms of end-to-end start earlier if it sees any reason for market changes or competition, it could have an impact on the universal any financial impact on the universal service that would service. That is because zonal pricing is particularly mean that it needs to be started earlier. related to the competition that exists when Royal Mail I am conscious of the time, so I will not stray into the is still delivering the final mile. That is why we have put Scottish independence issues, tempted though I am to in place a regime in which Ofcom monitors both the do so. The exchange between the hon. Members for situation and what is happening in the postal market. If Edinburgh South (Ian Murray) and for Angus set out necessary, it has further powers to act to level the that the matter is relevant and that there would be playing field. consequences in an independent Scotland for deliverability I just want to touch briefly on the quantum that we and the price of the postal service. are talking about today. Members have mentioned TNT I want to finish by picking up on the point made by delivery, but in the last full year, in 2013, 14.6 billion the hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington (John items were delivered—that is the size of the mail market. McDonnell), because he made a sensible and constructive Of those 14.6 billion items, 14.544 billion of them were suggestion that, given the level of interest in the House, delivered by Royal Mail. I am not saying that Members which is clear from the debate’s attendance and from are wrong to be concerned, but I want to put the matter the correspondence that I receive as a Minister, it would in context. We are talking about a very small portion, be helpful for Ofcom to be able to meet MPs to discuss 0.38%, of the overall mail market. Members were right the issue. It is clear that the appetite is there and it to say that it has grown quickly. In 2012, it was 0.11% of would be useful for the regulator to hear MPs’ concerns the market. Within the space of a year, the volume of directly and not just through Hansard. It would also be items delivered in end-to-end competition more than useful for hon. Members to be able to have a frank tripled. It is important that this issue is looked at closely discussion with Ofcom about its approach, which I by Ofcom and that it is kept under review. believe would lead to a great deal of reassurance. As I My hon. Friend the Member for West Aberdeenshire said, I will be meeting Ofcom later this afternoon and and Kincardine (Sir Robert Smith) pointed out that so will have the perfect opportunity to put that request. perhaps Royal Mail needs to have time to adapt to I look forward to hearing the response of the hon. changes. It is clear that we need to keep our eye on the Member for North Ayrshire and Arran to the debate. rate of growth, but we are not yet talking about a level or a volume that would cause concern about the impact 3.31 pm on the profitability of Royal Mail. Even Royal Mail Katy Clark: The debate has been extremely useful. I accepts that the concern is more to do with the potential hope that what the Minister says in private is slightly for that to happen rather than the situation as it is at the different from what she has said in public today, because moment. she has shown a level of complacency that was not seen I just want to clarify which review we are talking in the contributions of Back-Bench Members on both about today. Two different reviews are being talked sides of the House. There is a huge amount of concern about. Some Members have mentioned section 44. I about the speed at which TNT is expanding its service think that the hon. Member for Angus was looking at a in the UK and about the impact that that could have on copy of the Bill, because by the time that Bill became an the universal service. I am interested that the Minister is Act, it was section 44 rather than 43. That is the review meeting Ofcom later today and welcome the suggestion of the financial burden of the universal service on the that Ofcom meet hon. Members, which would be useful. provider that Ofcom can be directed to undertake by It would also be helpful if Ministers attended the meeting, the Secretary of State. That is not the same as the so I would be grateful if she undertook to do so. review that Royal Mail is currently asking for, which is about end-to-end competition. That review is something The Minister says that only a small proportion of that Ofcom has said that, as part of its wider monitoring work is currently undertaken by operators other than regime, it will do in any event by the end of next year, Royal Mail, which I made clear in my opening contribution. but it is happy to bring it forward if necessary. This is an However, the concern is that TNT’s proposals, which area in which there is no specific Government power to are publicly available and which most hon. Members direct. I hope to reassure the House on this point. here have already seen, make clear the speed at which it will expand in this country. As a result, it will be There is a clear desire for Ofcom to keep a close eye covering a huge number—over 40%—of households, on the impact of competition on the universal service. It which is different from anything that the House discussed seems that there is almost an assumption that that is not in the various debates that took place— currently being considered, but I can tell the House that that is absolutely not the case. I have spoken to Ed Mr Binley rose— Richards, who is in charge of Ofcom, and, as it happens, I will be meeting him later today, which is good timing. Katy Clark: I am not sure whether I am able to take Ofcom is clear that it is monitoring the situation in the interventions when making a closing speech, but if I mail market carefully and intensely. It is not waiting could allow anybody, it would be the hon. Gentleman until the end of next year; it is doing so on a monthly given his track record on this issue. 1097 Universal Postal Service 17 JULY 2014 1098

Yes, we have had 10 years of competition, but the Children with Autism (Education) lesson that we have learned is that the market does not respond well to competition. The current regime is not protecting the services that we receive. The reality is that 3.35 pm we have fewer services now than we did when competition Gordon Birtwistle (Burnley) (LD): I beg to move, came in. We all remember Sunday collections and twice- That this House has considered the provision of education for a-day deliveries. The road that we are on is extremely children with autism. dangerous and is a threat to postal services in all parts of the UK. I hope that the Government will take on It is a privilege to introduce this debate on the provision board the emotion and passion of hon. Members’ of proper schooling for children with autism. I first contributions today and insist that Ofcom urgently considered securing such a debate when I was approached carry out a speedy review. by a number of families in my constituency. I asked a question of the then Secretary of State for Education, Question put and agreed to. who agreed that I could meet the Minister, which I did. Resolved, Following that, I was approached by a number of my That this House believes that the Universal Service Obligation constituents who asked me to secure today’s debate. I as set out in the Postal Services Act 2011 is under threat from am delighted to have achieved that and I thank the unfair competition from organisations which are rapidly expanding Backbench Business Committee for allowing it. I am end-to-end delivery services in low-cost, high-density urban areas pleased that there are a number of Members in the while leaving high-cost, low-density rural areas to be covered by Chamber today who wish to debate this important Royal Mail, the universal service provider; and calls on the subject. Government to instruct Ofcom to bring forward proposals to protect the Universal Service Obligation and the commercial This debate is important in identifying for the Minister viability of Royal Mail against this threat. the horrifying ongoing struggles, about which my constituents have certainly told me, that children with autism face in getting appropriate education. As a result of poor local provision and unofficial exclusions, thousands of children with autism do not access full-time education. If a young person’s needs are not understood or met, that has both short and long-term implications, which, as my constituents’ experience highlights, can be severe. We are all aware that autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates and makes sense of the world around them. It is a spectrum condition, meaning that it affects people in different ways, making awareness and diagnosis even more important. Some children have mild autism and some have severe autism and the idea that one education system fits all does not work. That is one of the major issues that I hope to put forward today for consideration, and I hope that the Minister will look into it in the future.

Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con): I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on securing this important debate. Will he join me in congratulating the many important local community groups that support children with autism, such as Autism Support Crawley and Autism Sussex, on the help that they give to parents in dealing with the education system, which, as he rightly points out, differs from local authority to local authority?

Gordon Birtwistle: I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who makes a valid point. In my constituency, there are many people, such as church groups and voluntary groups, who do just that. However, we need the local education authorities to recognise the problems. Children with autism, like children without autism, should have an equal right to access good-quality full-time education. Let me look directly at my own constituency, which is in Lancashire. Lancashire county council, in my view and in that of my constituents, has failed to ensure appropriate education and support are provided for numerous autistic children. I will give three examples later in my speech. To put it simply, its oversight is causing too many children with autism to miss out on much of their valuable education. Despite local authorities holding the legal responsibility to ensure that all children 1099 Children with Autism (Education)17 JULY 2014 Children with Autism (Education) 1100

[Gordon Birtwistle] Gordon Birtwistle: I am grateful for the intervention. I am trying to explain that people with autism are born with special educational needs in their area are identified with autism. I am trying to find a reason why, in and supported, it is evident that that is not being education, we cannot accept this—as a disease or an fulfilled. In Lancashire no one is accepting responsibility illness—and work with the families and the children or taking the time to understand the needs of these who suffer from this appalling disease. I have met the children. That is happening across the country, so many head of a school not in my constituency, but close by, of the 70,000 school-age children in England are not called Rossendale school. The head said that he could accessing the education they need to learn, achieve and, resolve the problem and he has proved that. He has a more importantly, thrive. way of doing that. Unfortunately, Lancashire county I draw the attention of the House to three of my council—the hon. Gentleman says that I should not be constituents. One of the cases is especially moving. having a go at it—does not accept that and will not When I first heard about it, I was distressed, to say the work with the school, which I find pretty hideous, least. It concerns a young lady named Chloe, who is because they need to do things like that. 17 years old. She is now on suicide watch as a result of repeatedly being failed by Lancashire county council Mark Hendrick (Preston) (Lab/Co-op): I remind the since the age of 11. The detrimental impact of Chloe’s hon. Gentleman that Lancashire county council has lack of education and development as an individual is 1,435 children and young people suffering from autism clear. She was threatened with exclusion from her spectrum disorder and, as he will hear in my speech, mainstream school placements up to the age of 13, does an excellent job. He omitted from his remarks the when she was finally diagnosed with attention deficit fact that Rossendale is a private school and that the hyperactivity disorder and autism. council provides excellent state facilities, with specialist Children with statements of special educational needs experts, and can make that provision available, but are eight times more likely to be excluded than their he—I am sure that he will expand on this later—is peers, and children with no statement are 11 times more insisting on private education when public education is likely to be excluded. When Chloe was 14 her family adequate. was advised that she would receive a statutory assessment of her educational needs. Lancashire county council Gordon Birtwistle: I thank the hon. Gentleman for failed to undertake this, despite it being recommended his remarks, but the families of the children I am by professionals and her parents’ insistence. It took talking about would totally disagree—they will no doubt years—not weeks or months, but years—for Lancashire be happy to meet him later to explain the serious county council educational psychologist Yakub Padia problems they are having. I am not pushing for private to assess Chloe. After a 20-minute consultation he education. Rossendale might well be a private school, disagreed with the findings of experienced psychologists and so too might one or two others. All I am saying is who had spent prolonged periods with her, and it was that if Rossendale can provide it, why can Lancashire recommended that she be placed in a pupil referral unit, county council not do the same through the state system? rather than the specialist school recommended by the Why can the council not be just as good as Rossendale? professionals. Lancashire county council disregarded I do not want to promote a private school; I want to this and even the advice of the head of the pupil referral promote extremely good education for my constituents. unit, who thought it was not suitable for Chloe. Mr Barry Sheerman (Huddersfield) (Lab/Co-op): The As a teenager Chloe was passed from pillar to post, hon. Gentleman—it is difficult not to call him my hon. with a total lack of accurate assessment. Lancashire Friend—will know of my interest in this subject. I am county council let her down. Chloe felt worthless and sorry that I arrived a little late to this debate; I was rejected. That led her to self-harm and to suffer from chairing a committee at the other end of the building. I depression. She has ended up in a specialist psychiatric am delighted that he is making this speech. I want to unit on suicide watch. Her brothers have had to watch make the point, having chaired the Education Committee her attempt to hang herself in the family home. Chloe when it conducted a major inquiry into special educational is now emotionally and mentally damaged. Without needs, that the lack of early diagnosis and early access question, missing out on education leads to poor life to psychological and mental health therapy is a problem outcomes for the child involved and for their families. up and down the country, not just in Lancashire. The Chloe’s mum is one of the 50% of parents of disabled length of time it can take for a child suspected of having children who say they have had to take up part-time such a condition to be evaluated and then given the work as a result of their child’s exclusion. Chloe is a support they need is a national disgrace. very sad case. Steve Rotheram (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab): I congratulate Gordon Birtwistle: I thank the hon. Gentleman. I the hon. Member for Burnley (Gordon Birtwistle) on could not have put it better myself. That is the argument bringing this important issue to the attention of the I am making. We are having this debate because I was House. I was hoping he would go on to paint a picture approached by three families in my constituency. I had of how we as parliamentarians can help to destigmatise thought that this was a small issue. I did not anticipate the condition and break down some of the barriers that the flood of e-mails and correspondence I received, and people face in their everyday lives in respect of employment not only from Lancashire, but from all over the country. and perhaps even diagnosis of their condition. All we I agree with it 100%. have heard up till now is an attack on Lancashire We can sit here all day long saying that this is happening county council. I hope the hon. Gentleman will focus all over the country, but what are we doing about it? We on what we as parliamentarians can do to assist people need to do something. Why are children with autism who have the condition. and ADHD being tret in that way? As the hon. Member 1101 Children with Autism (Education)17 JULY 2014 Children with Autism (Education) 1102 for Preston (Mark Hendrick) has said, Lancashire county Gordon Birtwistle: I agree with everything that has council provides education to more than 1,400 young been said. Why cannot these diagnoses be done quickly? people with autism spectrum disorder, but why are my Why cannot we solve these problems? constituents, who are up in the Gallery, being tret Jack received a statement of educational needs at the differently from anybody else? Why does the council not age of three due to his prematurity and his visual treat them in the same way? Why are their children impairment, so his parents should have received adequate totally different from somebody else’s? Why do they support and his needs should have been met as he have to suffer? Why does Chloe’s mother have to suffer wanted. Conversely, he has been subjected to humiliation in that way while other parents do not? in the school environment, with unfair treatment by a If Lancashire county council delivers such a great teaching assistant and his recent forced removal from service, as the hon. Gentleman says, why is it letting the mainstream school that he had attended for four Chloe and her mother down? That is my issue today. I years. Jack was officially diagnosed with autism in 2012 am happy for Lancashire county council to deliver the when he was seven, but he had a problem when he was best service available in the country, but it has to be for three. The school declared that it could no longer cope everybody, not just the few. My purpose today is to with Jack, who struggled with the transition from infants raise the issue with the Minister and ask him to look to juniors. into it and take it forward. After several meetings with the county council education Sir Edward Leigh (Gainsborough) (Con): My hon. authority, Jack’s parents worked well with the school—a Friend is doing a great service to this cause just by state school—to create a suitable environment with the raising it, so he should be proud of himself. Surely the input of a teaching assistant providing additional facilities. answer to Labour Members’ interventions is that it is a Jack thrived and his marks improved. However, the question not of state or private but of looking at each county council has taken away the special needs teacher case individually. If a private school happens to be more and now he cannot manage at school. His parents have appropriate, there should not be bias against the fact no trust in placing him in this environment and are that it is a private school. We should look at what is best currently appealing against his placement. It is wrong for the child, should we not? that the county council, instead of encouraging Jack’s development, has not considered all his needs. That is Gordon Birtwistle: I absolutely agree with my hon. what it is all about—considering the child’s needs. Friend. I will shortly come to a case where I got involved It is more than alarming that the parents had to face in talking about private or public provision and heard more battles to get the county council to amend Jack’s stories from the staff at the county council. statement to include autism as part of its diagnosis. The next case is that of a young man called Jack Why should the parents have to argue with the experts Entwistle, a nine-year-old autistic boy who should currently to get a proper diagnosis of the child’s illness? Why be enjoying his school holidays but, unfortunately, has on earth do they have to do this? Is it not delivered already been out of education for three months. He is at automatically? Are we not paying the experts within a critical age educationally and developmentally, but so the education authority to deliver this service to my far he has been failed by the county council. This is not constituents—the parents and the child? That is the big just about Lancashire county council—it will be happening problem. all over, but I have not met anybody from any other county council area with similar experiences. Steve Rotheram: I want to go back a step or two and express my gratitude to the hon. Gentleman for raising Mr Sheerman rose— this issue, but not necessarily for the manner in which Gordon Birtwistle: It might be happening in the hon. he is doing so. He is, of course, absolutely right to Gentleman’s constituency; in fact, I am sure it is. I have illustrate the cases of his individual constituents, but an been to Huddersfield, and it is a beautiful place that I immediate member of my family who has autism went would always be happy to visit, but I can talk only through a similar experience to the one he is describing about the people I know. when Liverpool had a Liberal Democrat council. I say that not because I want to make a party political point, Mr Sheerman: May I tempt the hon. Gentleman, who but because this is widespread and happens all the time. is an old friend of mine, to be more forensic? We need to We have to understand that this is a condition—it is not do better—all of us here in the Chamber today who a disease—with a spectrum of different conditions within care about this. He is right: we all see similar cases in it. It is very complex. That is why early diagnosis and our constituency advice services. The real problem, assessment followed by a support package based on the right across the country, is proper early diagnosis, whether individual needs of the child is the most important in the private or the state sector—it does not matter. thing we can do. I hope we will get to the point where we What the parents want is early diagnosis so that support can work with the Government to see what we need to and intervention can then take place and the child has a do better to enable people to get the best start possible chance to develop their spark of potential in the very in life. best way. We are talking about some very, very clever kids who need support really early on in their careers. If Gordon Birtwistle: I am grateful for that intervention. we can share, forensically, information about where the My only aim is that we all work with the Government barriers are and why early diagnosis is not taking place, and education authorities to come to a conclusion on we can be much more effective. We have here a very how to address early diagnosis and to deliver for these good Minister who partly trained on my Select Committee young people—who in the main have amazing talents— at one stage. I know that he is good on this and cares educational facilities that will take them on, help them about it, and we can make a compelling case to him. succeed and be superb members of the community, and 1103 Children with Autism (Education)17 JULY 2014 Children with Autism (Education) 1104

[Gordon Birtwistle] independent school, but Rossendale is one of the few providers catering for high-functioning ASD children enable them to live normal lives. My argument is that in Lancashire. Honey’s parents’ preference for Rossendale we are not doing that, and the hon. Gentleman obviously was put to a panel, which rejected it. The panel suggested agrees with me. a special school for severely disabled children, which was named without the parents’ agreement. Ian Murray (Edinburgh South) (Lab): The education Lancashire county council advised the family to look system in Scotland is devolved, but, as has been said, at other options, but every time the family went back to this is a problem across the country, because the condition the panel, their wishes were rejected. Naturally, that has is prevalent across the country. Does he agree that this is had an effect on Honey’s self-esteem, and her anxieties not just about local authorities and that there should be have increased by the rejection of her choice of school. proper training for the teaching profession? There is The family therefore appealed to SENDIST––the special also a body of work to be done on teaching schoolchildren educational needs and disability tribunal—against the to treat those in their classes who have autism slightly named school, and asked for Rossendale school to be differently and to be a more aware of their condition so named. Honey has been in front of a judge, to whom that they can thrive in a mainstream environment. she outlined her future aspirations, of which she has many.However, the family has had no success in integrating Gordon Birtwistle: Absolutely. I pretty much agree her into the school she suggested. with everything that has been said and most people seem to agree with what I am saying. My argument is Honey has anxieties and fears connected with the that, although the hon. Members for Liverpool, Walton named school. She has now been out of school for more (Steve Rotheram) and for Edinburgh South (Ian Murray) than 12 months, which is detrimental to her health and and my hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough (Sir education. Despite her parents’ request for an annual Edward Leigh) have all made amazing suggestions, we review, that has been overlooked. Such requests should do not act on them. While we sit here and talk, why are be considered natural: if somebody asks for a review, it thousands of young people and families across the should be accepted. country suffering? I have met some of those families When I have attempted to speak to the county council and they are at the edge of life. It should not have to be about this matter, I have been told many stories. The like that. Proper facilities should be provided. lady in charge, Charlotte Finch, the SEND integrated assessment team manager, has given me confusing Mr Sheerman: This is the first time I have risen to statements about whether Honey or any child for that make an intervention in this House to say something matter can attend Rossendale independent school or positively nice about the Government: the Children and another school of the same quality. She said that no Families Act 2014, which was recently passed, met an child from Lancashire is to attend the school, but the aspiration that I had had for many years, namely that head of the school has since told me that that is not someone diagnosed with special educational needs will true. Lancashire county council do send children to have a special relationship with evaluation until they are Rossendale school, but when I spoke to the council I 25. That is wonderful and we should pay tribute to the was told that it did not. Such treatment has created Under-Secretary of State for Education, the hon. Member hostility between the child’s family and the council. for Crewe and Nantwich (Mr Timpson) and the Most education authorities, including Lancashire, Government for it. The sensitive issue, however, is what fail to appreciate and understand the needs of autistic has happened to services such as child and adolescent children that I, like countless others, have described. I mental health services, which seem to be falling apart must stress that those are the first three cases I was up and down the country, but the Government are not approached to help with that I have time to deal with in reacting to that. this debate, but they are by no means my only cases. I have been inundated—and, indeed, saddened—by cases Gordon Birtwistle: I am grateful for that intervention of the many families across Lancashire and the whole and I will address the hon. Gentleman’s comments country who are suffering the same plight. when I come to the end of my contribution. Autism must be understood, as must the child in Thirdly, I want to talk about a little girl called Honey, question. Information provided by Lancashire county who is the daughter of a constituent of mine with a council and other authorities suggests that they do not hairdressing salon near my office in Burnley. She is a have data about the number of children with autism lovely, lively little girl—she spends time in my office on who are out of school. The way in which they store the occasion—who has very mild autism. She had to be data means that they cannot be broken down by disability, moved six months into her final year in primary school which is clearly a problem in itself. due to trauma and threat of exclusion. Basically, she was classed as a naughty girl. Furthermore, there is evidently a problem with Lancashire county council’s approach to autism. According Honey’s new primary school quickly established the to information that I obtained from an individual involved need for a statement of educational needs—why had it in a professional capacity with the council, in March not been picked up earlier?—and had evidence from an the head of inclusion and disability, Sally Riley, held an independent educational psychologist to present to the information and training morning for all school staff panel. Once again, however, the Lancashire county about the new SEN code, which has been mentioned council educational psychologist reassessed Honey and today. During it, the number of tribunals was discussed, challenged the independent assessment. as was the council’s success in winning them. For me, No secondary school place has been arranged for that is the wrong way round: it is not for the council to Honey, despite her parents choosing Rossendale school. win a tribunal against a child; the child should win the There may be other schools that are as good as that tribunal because otherwise they are put out of school. 1105 Children with Autism (Education)17 JULY 2014 Children with Autism (Education) 1106

Why do tribunals not understand that children need Steve Rotheram: We must all agree, as parliamentarians, help? I would be delighted if such a department head at that the distressing picture that was painted of the cases the county council stood up and said, “I’m sorry. We’ve of Chloe, Jack and Honey is worrying. We could all failed every tribunal, and every child has got the school bring similar cases to the House. I hope that what we they need.” Unfortunately, however, what is happening will achieve is to help the family members and carers of is the other way around. The figures highlighted that people on the autistic spectrum by highlighting programmes the council had won more than they had lost, which is such as Autism Initiatives in Liverpool, which provides disgraceful. a signposting service so that family members can get We are running short of time and many other Members support and access early intervention, assessment and wish to speak in this debate, so I will conclude. One big diagnosis. That is essential because autism stays with problem is that the family members of children in people for their whole lives, not just when they are at Burnley have rapidly lost confidence in the education school. department of Lancashire county council, just as, I am sure, families across the country lose confidence in their Mark Hendrick: I thank my hon. Friend for his education authorities. We need to do something to comments. I will go on to speak about the work that resolve that situation. I hope that after this debate the Lancashire county council is doing in that area. I would Minister will take up the cudgel for children with autism, be grateful to hear about his experiences in Liverpool if particularly those in my constituency. As the hon. Member he makes a contribution later. for Huddersfield (Mr Sheerman) said, we need to find out what the problems are earlier and deliver the services Lancashire county council also makes provision for sooner. I hope that the Minister will take that up. short breaks for children with ASD. It has commissioned more than £182,000 of short breaks provision from local specialist autism services, to provide activities for 4.5 pm children during evenings, weekends and school holidays, Mark Hendrick (Preston) (Lab/Co-op): I congratulate while also providing their parents and carers with breaks the hon. Member for Burnley (Gordon Birtwistle) on from caring. The most recent attainment data at the end securing this important debate on an issue that is close of key stage 2 show that 73% of children with ASD to the hearts of many Members who are in the Chamber. made two levels of progress in English, compared with 94% of all pupils, and that 69% of children with ASD Although the hon. Gentleman might not have intended made two levels of progress in mathematics, compared for his speech to be seen as an attack on Lancashire with 93% of all pupils. Given those pupils’ conditions, county council, he made many serious accusations against that is a tremendous achievement. Of children who are it. As the council is not here in any capacity to defend statemented with ASD and took GCSEs in mainstream itself, I think it is important that I respond, as somebody schools between 2011 and 2013, 75% gained five A to C who has spoken to people from the area and county grades, including English and maths, which is well councillors about some of the matters that he has above the national average of 60.8% for all children raised. during the same period. In Lancashire, 1,435 children and young people have Lancashire schools have access to considerable expertise autism spectrum disorder, which is commonly referred on autism provided by specialist advisory teachers and to as ASD. Of those children, 1,129 have a statement educational psychologists. That is supplemented by rapidly and 306 are on School Action Plus. Some 698 of those developing school-to-school support, where centres of children are placed in mainstream primary and secondary expertise based at special schools provide an increasing schools, 596 are placed in maintained special schools range of guidance and support to their colleagues in and 141 are placed in independent, non-maintained primary and secondary schools. special schools. As one can tell from those figures, the three cases that the hon. Gentleman mentioned are very For children and young people with more complex much in a minority and could not, through any statistical autism, Lancashire’s special schools have developed analysis, be considered to be indicative of the type of much greater expertise. All special schools for generic treatment that is going on across Lancashire county learning difficulties are funded to meet as wide a range council. of special educational needs as possible. They are all able to provide for pupils with autism, and several have Gordon Birtwistle: Does the hon. Gentleman believe chosen to specialise in autism by developing staff training that the minority should just be left? Surely all children programmes and allocating substantially increased resources should receive the same. Is he saying that Lancashire to that specialism. In several cases that has been recognised county council has delivered for a lot of people, but not by Ofsted inspectors. for a minority of people? Should that minority just be The hon. Member for Burnley raised issues on behalf left on the scrap heap? Surely he is not suggesting that. of three of his constituents where parents are seeking what is effectively private school education for their Mark Hendrick: Of course I am not suggesting that. I children who have autism. The council has identified am suggesting that everybody should have the best provision in at least two of our maintained special possible treatment. I want the three cases that the hon. schools, which are judged by Ofsted to be good and Gentleman presented to be seen not as the norm, but as outstanding. In those cases, parents have appealed to the exception. All children deserve the best that Lancashire the first and upper tier tribunals, which have found in county council can possibly give them. However, given favour of the council—he made that point—and directed that Lancashire county council has 1,435 children and that the children go to the maintained special schools. young people with autism, I would not want three to be The outcome of a further appeal to the upper tribunal considered to be the norm. by one of the families is awaited. 1107 Children with Autism (Education)17 JULY 2014 Children with Autism (Education) 1108

[Mark Hendrick] Mark Hendrick: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. The hon. Gentleman will concur that I was totally in All Lancashire’s special schools for learning difficulties agreement with and sympathetic to the points he made —23 in total—are rated as good or better by Ofsted. I with regard to Chloe Wold. If he is willing to listen to fully appreciate that parents, particularly of the three me when he agrees with me but not when he disagrees children involved, want to fight for what they see as the with me, that is a matter for him. best opportunities and outcomes for their children—the On the second of the three cases raised by the hon. hon. Gentleman would want that, as would I. However, Gentleman, the school that Jack Entwistle was offered the recent behaviour, language and actions of those is Pendle View primary school. I will not go into great involved—by that I am referring to the hon. Gentleman— detail about the expertise and everything else the school has caused considerable anxiety for many families, while offers, but I will quote Ofsted: also conveying a partial view of the provision made by “Those pupils who have additional sensory support also make the council. For schools that are doing a great deal of excellent progress, often in short periods of time, because of the good work in this area, the constant bombardment by high quality and intense support they get.” him in the Lancashire press about those schools and the The local MP, the hon. Member for Pendle (Andrew county council is causing considerable anxiety, not only Stephenson), visited the school on Friday 15 November among staff at those special schools, but among many 2013. He toured the school and discussed the provision of the parents of children who go to them. It is one for pupils with special educational needs. He was very thing to represent parents who are concerned about supportive and impressed with the work of the school their children—he is entitled to do that—but that also and the specialisms that Lancashire county council has an effect, rightly or wrongly, on children and parents provides for children with special educational needs at in other schools where the council is providing good that school in particular. That gives the other side of the teaching and provision. story about the school that Jack Entwistle was offered. On a number of occasions the hon. Gentleman On the final case, Honey Crossley was offered a place also suggested that Lancashire county council officers at Broadfield specialist school, a Lancashire county have not been completely truthful about their approach council-maintained secondary school. Ofsted said: to considering parents’ expressions of preference for “The school’s expertise in promoting learning for students with special educational placements in independent non- autism is extensively recognised and respected by many local maintained special schools, but the council refutes those schools.” allegations. Although the hon. Member for Burnley did not mention On the specific examples outlined by the hon. Gentleman, this, I understand that he met the Minister— the case of Chloe Wold is a tragedy. Nobody looking at the record could say anything other than that. I concur Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. I am listening very completely with him about her situation. She has been carefully and there is a dialogue going on between two in this condition for some time and is on suicide watch, Members of the House. This is a very serious and open and I sympathise totally with the parents in this case. debate about a general issue that affects hundreds of thousands of children throughout the whole country. The hon. Gentleman ought to be careful before he Gordon Birtwistle: I am interested in what the hon. quotes another Member who has not said in the House Gentleman is saying. He has obviously been well briefed today what he is about to quote him as saying. I warn by the county council and is answering the debate on its the hon. Gentleman to be careful and to remain in behalf. However, this debate is on autism in schools. I order. If he wishes to take up a point that the hon. do not understand where he is coming from. I do not Member for Burnley has made, that is a different matter. really want him to answer on behalf of the county council. I want to listen to his solutions to the problems that my constituents are suffering. Mark Hendrick: I would make no attempt to address the hon. Member for Burnley other than through you, Madam Deputy Speaker, so it is not a dialogue in the Mark Hendrick: The hon. Gentleman made some way you indicated. fairly serious allegations against the county council and I will not quote from the Minister concerned. What I I have received information from the county council will say is that Lancashire county council has received that refutes those allegations. If he does not want to correspondence from that Minister, who confirmed that listen to that, that is a matter for him. If he wishes to Lancashire county council’s advice was that the appropriate leave the Chamber that is up to him, but I have every way forward for parents was through SENDIST, the right to make these points. special educational needs and disability tribunal system, which is on offer to the constituents of the hon. Member Madam Deputy Speaker (Mrs Eleanor Laing): Order. for Burnley. This debate is not about a county council; neither is it I think I have made the points that would have been about party politics or opinions about party politics in made had other people been here for the debate. a particular part of the country. It is a very serious debate on a serious issue that affects the whole country. 4.21 pm So far, everyone who has spoken has been perfectly in order. If the hon. Gentleman who now holds the floor Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab): I think wishes to continue his speech, the hon. Member for this is my third meeting with the Minister today. I did Burnley (Gordon Birtwistle), who has already held the not appreciate when we first met at a certain by-election floor for a considerable time, really ought to allow him some years ago that our paths were destined to cross to do so. He is in order. quite so often, but it is always a pleasure to see him. 1109 Children with Autism (Education)17 JULY 2014 Children with Autism (Education) 1110

Let me begin by congratulating the hon. Member for be fair to the Government, they have funded a grant for Burnley (Gordon Birtwistle) on securing this debate, exclusion advisers who we all hope will help to make which is timely on a day when we have just agreed a new progress. draft special educational needs and disability code of I was talking about SENCOs. At present, the Department practice. He is right to be concerned about the schooling for Education does not know how many SENCOs there provision for children with autism. I am advised that are across the country, or how many teachers have there are at least 70,000 children with autism living in particular additional skills designed to support autistic England, and they deserve access to high quality, full-time children. It might be helpful if we carried out some kind education. The hon. Gentleman’s description of the of audit so that we could at least begin to estimate the problems his constituents face, particularly Chloe, in level of need and the gaps in existing provision. obtaining proper assessments and appropriate schooling are sadly all too familiar—a point reinforced by my In theory, a SENCO is involved in the school’s use of hon. Friend the Member for Huddersfield (Mr Sheerman), the pupil premium for SEN children, although there who obviously has a great deal of experience in this appear to be no clear guidelines on the extent of that area. Early diagnosis is crucial and will become one of involvement or on how a school secures additional the first tests of the Children and Families Act 2014. funding from a local authority on the basis of a child’s Will it improve early identification and diagnosis of a extensive needs or of having a particularly large number child’s difficulties and will the child’s needs be properly of children with special needs. In fact, it is often suggested considered? As I understand it, it is not for a local that some mainstream schools seek to deter the parents authority to select the school; rather, it is the job of the of special needs children, and autistic children in particular, local authority to offer and engage with a range of because they struggle to secure additional funding and provision, so that a child can attend the school best are likely to be penalised by Ofsted for a decline in suited to their needs. results as a consequence of their special needs children, rather than acknowledged for their efforts in supporting them. I am not defending any school’s attempt to exclude Mark Hendrick: As I said in my speech, Lancashire or reject children, but we have to acknowledge that how county council has 23 such schools. It was in no way the system is currently loaded does not make things indicating any individual school, but did offer a number easy for a great number of schools. of schools in several cases. When we were dealing with the code of practice, the Minister spoke about how he saw the local offer as a Steve McCabe: I note that my hon. Friend has made powerful means of highlighting how well a local authority that point. was doing in catering for children with special needs. I Research by Ambitious about Autism has found that do not want to talk about what Lancashire or any other about 40% of children with autism have been excluded local authority has or has not done, as, frankly, I do not from school on at least one occasion without any valid have the detail to hand. However, I acknowledge that reason being offered. Many are excluded much more the contribution of my hon. Friend the Member for often, of course, and some schools appear to operate a Preston (Mark Hendrick) has provided us with a broader policy of informal exclusion, which makes it difficult picture of the situation in Lancashire. for any of us to form an accurate picture of what exactly is happening. We do know that the practice is Julie Hilling (Bolton West) (Lab): Does my hon. illegal. I acknowledge the Government’s work in funding Friend agree that one difficulty we face is the shortage exclusion advisers, with their grant to the National of educational psychologists, making it hard to get Autistic Society. I hope that will help us address the timely appointments to diagnose young people and problem of those exclusions. that, sadly, the cuts have made the situation even more As the Minister will know, Ambitious about Autism difficult? is currently campaigning for every school to have access to an autism specialist teacher. We should try to meet Steve McCabe: The real issue is equity of access. that objective because I am certain that exclusions often People seem to have access to educational psychologists result from staff who genuinely do not know what is in some parts of the country, whereas there are phenomenal required of them and feel that they are ill equipped to waiting periods in others. Some services claim that they cope with an autistic child’s particular needs. Obviously, are so overstretched as to be at breaking-point. That is the special educational needs co-ordinator is the key my analysis of what is happening. figure in the school, charged with ensuring that appropriate support and assistance is made available to every child To return to the local offer, my view is that it could with a special need, whether or not they are subject to a provide one opportunity for local authorities and specialist statement or an education health and care plan. providers to co-operate so that every staff member in every mainstream school has access to the support, information, guidance and counselling they might require Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): I would be surprised to help them maintain an autistic child at school. I if any child with special needs was excluded from school recently had the opportunity to visit the Treehouse without someone with specialist knowledge having had school at the Pears National Centre for Autism Education a look at them. I am assuming that that is what happened. in London. That provides an example of what can be Perhaps the Minister will have an answer. done to help educate people with autism and to support other schools in the immediate vicinity. It is, of course, a Steve McCabe: The point is that informal exclusions labour-intensive effort, but surely the very term “special are not notified or recorded, so the issue is virtually needs” implies something more than just the average in impenetrable. That should be addressed. As I said, to mainstream. We have to accept that this will always be a 1111 Children with Autism (Education)17 JULY 2014 Children with Autism (Education) 1112

[Steve McCabe] Parents have said that they have shared their stories so that other families can find an easier pathway towards resource issue. Irrespective of the amount of money better support in the future. We too should learn from available, there will always be competition for such their experiences. There are numerous examples which resources. show why it is so necessary for us to change the current I want to acknowledge that it is not just school-age special educational needs system. Too many parents provision with which we need to concern ourselves, find themselves, as one mother has put it, in “an unending especially when the new Act places obligations to assist battle” with a system that is supposed to help them. Too people from the age of nought to 25. There is a dearth many find that their children’s special educational needs of decent facilities for children after the age of 16. Let are picked up late, too many have to fight to get different me mention one new college I visited: the Lindridge services to work together—services that focus too much Trinity specialist college in Sutton Coldfield, which was on the SEN label rather than on meeting children’s set up by parents who recognised that there was no needs and supporting their life outcomes—and too provision in their area for their autistic children beyond many find that young people lose the protections and the age of 16. Even if parents succeed in finding the rights that they have had at school when they move on school that best suits their child’s needs, getting them to further education. the education that best addresses the problem and puts Although it is right to acknowledge that there is them on the best path for the future, they run the risk excellent practice and provision out there, it is little that once their children reach 16, they simply fall off the wonder that young people with SEN often have such cliff, with nothing available for them. As well as trying poor prospects, lagging behind their peers at school and to address the concerns raised by the hon. Member for college, and being more likely to be out of education, Burnley, we need to think further ahead in terms of training and employment at the age of 18. I am sure we what the Act requires, particularly in respect of the all agree that that is not acceptable. It is a terrible waste provision to carry people through to the age of 25. of untapped potential, and of lives that are peppered I congratulate once again the hon. Member for Burnley with missed opportunities. The challenge, issued again and other Members who have contributed to the debate. today by my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley, is for It seems to me that autistic children deserve a full us—the Government and local authorities, as well as educational opportunity. With the right structure, care other agencies that are involved with families—to do and support, they are capable of so much more; it is up much better by these children and young people. The to us in this place to make sure that they do not miss Government have recognised that need, and we have out. been prepared to take on the challenge of truly reforming the SEN system to give all children and young people 4.34 pm who are touched by it the best possible chance to lead successful, happy and fulfilled lives. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Mr Edward Timpson): I thank my hon. Friend the As the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Mr Sheerman) Member for Burnley (Gordon Birtwistle), as well as my reminded us earlier, the Children and Families Act 2014 hon. Friend the Member for Ribble Valley (Mr Evans) is the most important legislation on special educational and the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent South (Robert needs in 30 years. The reforms that it makes will begin Flello) for tabling the debate in order to champion the to be introduced in September this year. It will create a needs of autistic children. I think we would all agree clearer, more joined-up approach that will focus that this is an extremely important issue that affects unashamedly on outcomes, and will improve the support parents not just in Lancashire, but in Cheshire, which is that is provided during the transition to adulthood. my area, and right across the country. Crucially, it will do much more to involve children, young people and their families through a more integrated, I was reminded by the new Solicitor-General, who streamlined assessment process, and through a new was present at the beginning of the debate and who has “birth to 25” education, health and care plan that sets probably done more than any other Member to support out, in one place, all the support that children will the cause of autism on the basis of both his personal receive across the various services. experience and the work that he is doing in South Swindon, that this is our third debate on the subject in the last 18 months or so, which is a rather better return Bob Stewart: I presume that the Minister also wants than we had over the previous 10 years. I think that that early diagnosis to be part of that plan. The earlier emphasises how important it is for Members such as my we can make an assessment of young people with hon. Friend the Member for Burnley, when local cases autism, the more they will be able to enjoy their lives are brought to them, to take the opportunity to raise subsequently. them on the platform here in Parliament, so that we can debate the issues more widely. Mr Timpson: My hon. Friend is absolutely right My hon. Friend mentioned a number of cases, including about that. The code of practice, which the hon. Member those of Jack, Honey and Chloe. I have read about their for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Steve McCabe) noted we experiences, and was able to discuss them with my hon. debated in Committee this morning, has running through Friend last week. He also spoke about the consequences it that very premise: in order to ensure we get the for children of missing out on education, whatever the support in place at the right time, early identification is reason may be. There is no doubt that the parents in key. Bringing health, social care and education services such cases feel very badly let down. It is not for me to much more closely together will mean better sharing of answer for Lancashire county council, however; the information about the challenges that children present hon. Member for Preston (Mark Hendrick) has given it and understanding what underlying causes prevent them an opportunity to answer for itself. from being able to access education and to learn. 1113 Children with Autism (Education)17 JULY 2014 Children with Autism (Education) 1114

Steve Rotheram: The 2014 Act does not kick in until for Bolton West (Julie Hilling) asked about educational later this year. Given that this debate has been widely psychologists, and I hope she was trying to elicit an welcomed outside this place, will the Minister commit answer that gives us a full picture of the current position. to a future debate, so that we not only keep this in the What I can tell her is that there has been significant public consciousness, but see the effects of the legislation investment in the training of educational psychologists. once it starts to have an impact? On average, more than £5 million a year has been invested since 2010. This is the first central support to Mr Timpson: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for supplement local authority voluntary subscription schemes, remaining stoic in his efforts to bring this issue to the and this year we are increasing supported places from fore, both in Parliament and in his constituency. It is 120 a year to 132. I met the union that represents important that we do not decide that the job has been educational psychologists just this week to talk about done, and show no more interest in the consequences, how we can move forward in years to come. just because an Act of Parliament has been passed. The 2014 Act will benefit all children and young Things work the other way round: in some ways the people with special educational needs and their families. easy bit has been achieved and the hardest bit is Importantly for this debate, that includes those with the implementation. That is why we are ensuring, in the conditions such as autism, which often require specialist run-up to September and beyond, that we have a clear support across a number of agencies. I wish now to talk understanding of how it feels for parents and families about some of the ways in which the new law will as the changes start to kick in. I would welcome any provide for that. Councils will have to integrate education opportunity, be it Adjournment debates or other means provision with health and social care provision where by which hon. Members can bring these issues to the that will promote the well-being of children and improve House, to continue taking a constructive approach to the quality of special educational provision. the legislation and the subsequent attempts to put it into place on the ground. We must be mindful that we Health provision, such as speech and language therapy— are asking for a culture change to happen and take hold such therapy is often a necessary requirement for those in many parts of our communities and our countries. with autism, and was needed in some of the cases in The more Members of Parliament and other leaders in Burnley—can be extremely important in addressing the our communities show a direct, vocal and public interest communication difficulties that are one of the core in the life chances of children and young people with features of autism. The joint commissioning duty between SEN, the greater prospect we have of getting the culture councils and health bodies will help ensure that services change we all want to see. are available to meet the needs of children and young people in the area. Too often it is reported that parents receive a diagnosis of autism for their children and then Bob Stewart: May I, too, support exactly what Walton’s are given no information about how they can access voice in Westminster, the honourable scouser, has said: support. The purpose of the local offer is to provide we ought to have more debates on this subject and information about the support available for disabled watch the legislation going through? children and those with SEN across education, health and social care. Mr Timpson: As I said a few moments ago, this is the third or fourth debate we have had on autism, and we The local offer will be not just a directory of services, have had many more debates on SEN over the past two but will be drawn up following consultation with children, years. That can only be a good thing, and it has ratcheted young people and parents. If autistic children and young up the interest and understanding of not only hon. people and their parents feel that there is not sufficient Members, but many outside this place, who are now provision for them in the area, they will be able to use more aware of the importance of bringing forward the local offer to challenge the local authority to improve these changes. They include: a new “birth to age 25” that provision. education, health and care plan; the local offer, which We all know how important early intervention can be the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak mentioned, for children with autism. By making the new system outlining what support is available to children with “nought to 25”, we have strengthened the rights of SEN and their families in their area; and the joint parents of children aged nought to two to have provision commissioning of services by councils and local health made to meet their child’s needs. Many children with bodies. autism also stand to gain from a stronger push for early It is also important to say that the Act protects and identification of SEN through initiatives such as the extends rights that exist in the current legislation and two to two-and-a-half-year health visitor review. We are maintains duties. Schools will continue to have a duty committed to creating an integrated review from 2015, to do their best to make provision to meet children’s combining the health visitor review and the two-year-old SEN, and the Act extends that duty to colleges, too. early years foundation progress review. Councils will, where necessary, continue to have a duty Currently about 70% of children whose primary special to assess children’s SEN and arrange suitable provision. educational need is autism have an SEN statement as Again, that duty is being extended to young people up against those who are supported by schools at School to the age of 25, which is a significant step forward. Action Plus. That is a higher percentage than most The hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak asked other types of SEN. We expect those children who about the number and role of SENCOs in schools. currently have statements to be transferred on to the Every maintained nursery, primary and secondary school new education, health and care plans so they will benefit is required to have at least one SENCO, who has from the more co-ordinated approach that the plans received the necessary training, including on the main bring and the new duty on health bodies to arrange the types of need, of which autism is one. The hon. Member health provision set out in a plan. 1115 Children with Autism (Education)17 JULY 2014 Children with Autism (Education) 1116

[Mr Timpson] Going to tribunal can be stressful for some parents and, if they choose to be legally represented, expensive, With growing awareness of autism, many parents of which is why, under the new regime, where parents and autistic children quite rightly want specialist provision. young people are thinking of appealing to the tribunal, Through the Children and Families Act 2014, we are we have given them the option of going to mediation strengthening the right of parents of children with with the council to try and get the disagreements sorted EHC plans to have provision made at independent out more quickly in a non-judicial setting. If they fail to specialist schools. At present, where the parents of get disagreements about the special educational needs children with SEN statements request a council-maintained provision sorted, they can appeal to the tribunal. mainstream or special school, the local authority is Lastly, young people with autism can find change under a conditional duty to name that school and, if it difficult, particularly the transition to adulthood. The does, the school is under a duty to admit the child. But 2014 Act brings together the legislation for school children that does not apply when parents request other types of aged nought to 19 with the legislation on young people schools. with learning difficulties or disabilities in post-16 further From this September—to emphasise the point that education provision up to the age of 25, which means my hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough (Sir that young people with autism who need more time to Edward Leigh) made—when the parents of children complete their education and make that transition will with EHC plans request an academy, a non-maintained have the opportunity to carry on in education until they special school or an approved independent special school, are ready to leave. the council will be under the same conditional duty to One often-quoted statistic is that only 15% of adults name that school as if the parent had asked for a local with autism are in full-time employment, which is authority maintained school. depressing, particularly given that, matched to the right My hon. Friend the Member for Burnley and the job, many people with autism, with their eye for detail hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak rightly raised and the regularity and consistency of their work, are an the issue of autistic children being informally and therefore absolute godsend for employers. The new SEN system illegally excluded from school. The Government’s view will put greater emphasis on the long-term outcomes is clear: no child should be unlawfully excluded. Ofsted for young people, including getting a job. Much greater and the Department will take seriously evidence that a emphasis will be placed on preparing young people for school has acted unlawfully in excluding a pupil. The employment and using routes such as apprenticeships, new statutory guidance on exclusion, which took effect traineeships and supported internships to help them in September 2012, makes it clear that informal exclusion, gain employment. such as sending children home to cool off, is unlawful. As the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak also As the hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak reminded said, in addition to our debate here, we have also been us, we are funding the National Autistic Society to pay debating the new nought to 25 SEN and disability code for exclusion advisers to provide advice to parents and of practice, which will give statutory guidance on the professionals, but we want improvements and will continue new SEN and disability system. The draft code has been to ensure that they happen. developed after extensive consultation with many people, Like other parents, parents of children with autism including the voluntary sector. For example, I met are keen to have greater control over the provision that representatives from the National Autistic Society and is made for their children. Through the Children and we listened to its concerns that the description of the Families Act 2014, the parents of children with EHC four broad areas of SEN in the code did not fully reflect plans will have the opportunity to have a personal the range and complexity of the difficulties that autistic budget through which they can decide on how some of children and young people can face. The NAS was also the provision set out in the plan is delivered. For example, concerned that the first consultation draft of the code parents could use their personal budget to decide which did not mention duties under the Autism Act 2009 and therapist delivers speech and language therapy to their associated statutory guidance, so we agreed wording child, rather than having to accept the therapist arranged with the NAS that makes clear that children and young for them. The increased roles for children, young people people with autism can have difficulties across all four and parents and the 2014 Act’s promotion of greater areas of special educational needs: communication, co-operation in decision making will take much of the cognition, emotional and mental health, and sensory adversarial nature out of the current system. difficulties. The code now makes it clear that, under statutory guidance accompanying the autism strategy, However, it would be unrealistic to suggest that the SENCOs should inform young people of their right to a new system will mean that no parents or young people community care assessment and their parents of a right will be unhappy about the provision that will be made to a carer’s assessment. in future. Currently, the largest number of appeals registered at the special educational needs and disability As hon. Members will be aware, just passing the tribunal are in relation to children with autism, as legislation to provide for the new system is only half the compared with other types of need, which gives an battle. Successful implementation will depend on people indication of the difficulties that parents of children around the country embracing the spirit of the new with autism have with the current system. I am sure that system. The best areas are already working in a way that some parents of autistic children with EHC plans and we want to spread across the country. young autistic people with plans will continue to disagree I have listed a number of councils and have been with the provision that is set out within. We have encouraged by the progress that is being made in the preserved the right of parents to appeal to the tribunal run-up to the commencement date on 1 September. The to have their appeals decided by an independent body, Department has been conducting readiness surveys with and we have extended that right to young people, too. all local authorities and the most recent survey shows 1117 Children with Autism (Education)17 JULY 2014 Children with Autism (Education) 1118 that 95% of councils have told us that they are on track Mark Hendrick rose— for September and can manage the changes. I have made it my business to follow up on the progress of Gordon Birtwistle: No, I will not give way. I believe authorities that are further behind the curve personally that the parents represented in this place today will and I hope that that is a sign of how important the express some concern about what is going on with the Government consider these reforms to be and our staff of Lancashire county council. I certainly have a determination to improve things on the ground for right to say that because, as I said— families. We know that implementing the changes we want to Mark Hendrick: On a point of order, Mr Deputy see will come at a cost. I recently announced an extra Speaker. The Minister has just mentioned the fact that £45.2 million of funding in 2014-15 and indicative this is an adversarial system. Is it in order for the hon. funding of £31.7 million in 2015-16 to help councils Gentleman who has raised the a debate today not to with implementation. That is on top of the £70 million mention the fact that his daughter-in-law is the speech SEN reform grant that councils can use to work with therapist in one of the cases that he has dealt with? health and others to deliver the changes. We are also giving £30 million of new money between April of this Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): That is not year and March 2016 to recruit and train independent a matter for the Chair. I am sure that we want to get to supporters across the whole country to help families the end of the debate. navigate the new system. Gordon Birtwistle: My daughter-in-law is a professional This debate has been another excellent opportunity speech therapist and is doing a great job for these to raise in this House not only the importance of the people. What concerns me is that the staff at the county special educational needs reforms that the Government council briefed the hon. Member for Preston before have introduced but how they will affect many people hearing anything I had to say, giving the names of the up and down the country who have a child or young children mentioned in the debate when I did not do person with autism. I thank all hon. Members who have that for a certain reason, and giving the names of the contributed to the debate. Autism is a complex condition, schools involved when I did not do that. I only mentioned and it requires people to work together to ensure that Rossendale school. I am very disappointed by that and I the needs of individuals and autistic children and young believe that the parents listening to the debate will be people as a whole are met. I hope that what I have said somewhat concerned that the county council is briefing today reassures hon. Members that the Children and as it is. Families Act and the reforms that we are introducing will make co-operative working between children and In conclusion, I thank the Minister for his comments. young people, parents, professionals and agencies a I thank the Opposition Front-Bench spokesman, the reality. hon. Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Steve McCabe), for his comments and I hope that what has been suggested As ever, my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley has works for the children of today and certainly for the done the House a service by raising this important issue children of tomorrow. This disease will not end; it will and I hope that it has given him some sense that work is continue. I believe that we should support the young under way to address many of the points he has raised. children who suffer from this appalling condition. Of course, I would be the first to say that there is still a lot of work to do. Question put and agreed to. Resolved, That this House has considered the provision of education for 4.56 pm children with autism.

Gordon Birtwistle: I thank those on the two Front ROYAL ASSENT Benches for their contributions to the debate. I also want to express some concern about the contribution Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle): Ihaveto made by the hon. Member for Preston (Mark Hendrick). notify the House, in accordance with the Royal Assent In my speech, I never mentioned the surnames of any of Act 1967, that the Queen has signified her Royal Assent the children and I did not name any of the schools that to the following Acts: the hon. Gentleman has mentioned. A briefing containing private family issues has been given by the county Supply and Appropriation (Main Estimates) Act 2014 council to the hon. Gentleman, and I find that very Finance Act 2014 distressing and concerning. Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Act 2014. 1119 17 JULY 2014 Vince Morgan 1120

Vince Morgan mental age of eight, some have said 10—and was known to be passive and acquiescent to any request, was told in Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House that letter that upon his release he would not be going do now adjourn.—(Gavin Barwell.) home, but to a bail hostel. Vince told his parents about this in a letter from prison dated 5 November. This is 5pm important because the Minister will probably have been Alan Johnson (Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle) briefed that this is not the case, but I can tell him quite (Lab): Vincent Morgan died on the night of 28 December categorically that the probation service has got this 2012. He was found hanging in his prison cell in A wing totally wrong. of Northallerton prison. He had also swallowed a plastic Incidentally, I wrote to Humberside probation trust knife that was found in his oesophagus. Vincent Morgan on 22 November 2013, just after the coroner’s report, had committed suicide at 29 years of age. which is the only time I could get seriously involved in There has since been an investigation by North Yorkshire these issues. I wrote to the Secretaries of State and all police, a report by the prisons and probation ombudsman, the local agencies, and they all responded within weeks. a verdict of death by misadventure, and a coroner’s Humberside probation trust replied to my letter of report from which flowed a couple of regulation 28 22 November 2013 on 27 March 2014—over four months letters to the Department of Health and the Ministry of later. In a case such as this, with a young man killed in Justice. There has been a great deal of activity with his cell, and when we are trying to get to the bottom of practically no light thrown on the central issue, which is lessons to be learnt and reasons it happened, one might why we deal so badly with young people who have have thought that the probation trust would take it mental health problems. How little respect we pay to the more seriously. wishes of parents in the way we treat these young The probation trust stated in its letter, “No, that’s people in our criminal justice system. quite wrong. Vince’s parents were informed of the intention Vincent Morgan was involved in a serious road accident to release him to a bail hostel when he finished his when he was four years old. It was suspected then and is sentence.” It should be borne in mind that I had been obvious now that this damaged his brain in a way that campaigning on their behalf to get him released early, would become more pronounced as he grew older. but now he was being told that he would not be able to However, it was not until 2005 that he was finally go home, even at the end of his sentence. In a further diagnosed with chronic long-term psychotic illness— letter to me, the trust’s chief executive stated: “Vincent Morgan’s parents were involved in a telephone discussion schizophrenia with daily auditory hallucinations—and th was prescribed drugs to deal with his conditions. In as early as 6 November 2012 about the possibility of placing him in an Approved Premises. This intention was confirmed at a April 2012 Vince went out with his parents to a local MAPPA meeting on 21 November 2012 and communicated to pub and when they returned home he assaulted his Vincent Morgan at the meeting in the prison on 7th December 2012.” father. The community psychiatric nurse allocated to That is entirely wrong. I have the letter from the prison Vince said that his behaviour that night was a response trust given to Vince Morgan in his prison cell, and it is to a new drug he had just been prescribed. The police dated 24 October 2012. were called. They advised Vincent’s parents to press charges against their son as the only way to get the With regard to 6 November, I have the postmarked medical help he needed. Mr and Mrs Morgan reluctantly letter that Vince Morgan received—dated 5 November— signed statements and the case went to court. and that was sent to his parents’ home in Hull to inform them that he had just received a letter stating that he The mental health care co-ordinator—the mental would be going into a bail hostel. The reason they health professional—advised against a prison sentence spoke to his parents on 6 November is that the parents and said that a hospital order would be more appropriate. had rung the probation trust to ask, “What the hell’s However, a so-called independent expert, with no knowledge going on? Our son has just told us that he won’t be of Vince Morgan and without even examining him or coming home at the end of his sentence.” That was meeting him, said that his mental health condition entirely wrong. I was also told that the parents had been could be managed in prison. What I can only describe informed in the telephone call, but that was as a result as a vicious sentence of 18 months’ imprisonment was of them ringing the probation service. That was a real handed down and Vincent Morgan found himself separated failing on the part of the probation service. from his loving parents for almost the first time in his The second thing that happened was that Mr and young life and placed in a prison cell. Mrs Morgan received a phone call from Vince to tell Mr and Mrs Morgan came to see me in the summer them that he had been moved to Northallerton prison. of 2012 and together we tried to get Vince released on a Nobody had informed them. In a statement to the home detention order. His parents had redecorated his coroner, the offender supervisor at Northallerton, Phil room. Having cared for their son in the eight years since Reeve, said that nobody knew why Vince had been his condition was diagnosed, they wanted him home for transferred and that Christmas. This was refused, but the date for release “we wanted to get him back to Hull because we knew his parents was set for 28 January 2013, only a few weeks into the were his main visitors and that they might find the travelling to new year. After liaising with various parts of the NHS, Northallerton difficult.” Vince Morgan was receiving the mental health treatment Perhaps I should mention at this point that Sharon he needed in Hull prison and his parents continued to Morgan, as well as being Vince’s mum, was his registered prepare for his release. carer. They did indeed find the travelling difficult, but Then two things happened. Without any consultation they were at least pleased to discover that Vince was the probation service wrote to this vulnerable young sharing a cell on C wing with a prisoner who became a man in his prison cell. Vince, who had a mental age mentor to him and who was, together with other prisoners, much younger than his years—some have said he had a watching out for his welfare. 1121 Vince Morgan17 JULY 2014 Vince Morgan 1122

It was at Northallerton on 7 December that Vince rarely leaves the house, he is a very quiet man and keeps himself was told again that he would have to go to a bail hostel, to himself. What happened on that night”— rather than home, when his sentence ended. As was the the night he attacked his father— case with the original sentence, the mental health expert, “was very out of character for him. But, if Vince had been having in the shape of Vince’s care co-ordinator, expressed the the right medication at the time, it would never have happened in view that release to an approved hostel would cause him the first place.” to reoffend and that, in her view, the preferred option He ends by saying: was for him to be returned home. “Please forgive me if you think I sound bitter, my wife and I The ombudsman asked the senior officer in charge of have never lived for so long without our son, who we love and care the residential unit at Northallerton whether she knew for so much. Please, let our son come home on the 29th January that Vince had been told that he would not be going 2013. Don’t put him in a hostel, which will be rife with drugs and home to his mother and father when he finished his where Vince would be at risk from others. Once again”, sentence. She replied that she did not know. She told the he says in closing, ombudsman that she definitely should have known “I beg you to let Vince come home to us, the people who love and “because I know right now that if I’d known that, I wouldn’t have will look after him.” made the decision that I did.” If that simple request had been granted, Vincent Morgan What decision was she referring to? That is the final would be alive today, and he would be in the care of his act in this tragedy. On Boxing day 2012, Vince Morgan devoted parents who remain completely devastated by was removed from C wing, from the mentor who had his death. watched over him, and, once again without any contact with his parents, was transferred to what was, in effect, 5.13 pm solitary confinement in A block, where he hanged himself two days later. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice As was related again and again in the ombudsman’s (Andrew Selous): Let me begin by thanking the right report and to the coroner, prison officers wondered hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle what Vince Morgan was doing in prison. Health service (Alan Johnson) for securing this debate, which raises professionals disagreed with the decision to place Vince some very important issues. First, I would like to offer in a bail hostel. The offender supervisor at Northallerton my profound condolences to Mr Morgan’s parents, said in a report to the coroner: Sharon and Trevor, and his whole family. “Another thing that was discussed in the meeting was the Every death in prison custody is a tragedy for that accident that Vince had when he was a child and this might be a individual and their family and friends. Let me assure cause of his learning difficulties. I couldn’t understand why that the House of how seriously the Government take such link hadn’t been made earlier and why the report hadn’t been deaths, which are all independently investigated by the completed for court. However I was told that it was done for prisons and probation ombudsman and a coroner’s court but none of it came to the judge. My question, based on my inquest, as the right hon. Gentleman said. knowledge from working in courts was, why wasn’t a hospital order made against Vince rather than a prison sentence?” I would like to offer a few comments on Mr Morgan before turning to some of the wider issues highlighted It was not just a prison sentence but an 18-month by this very sad set of events. Mr Morgan was serving prison sentence. I echo that: why indeed? Why were not concurrent sentences of 18 months for actual bodily Mr and Mrs Morgan kept fully informed and involved harm and four months for battery—offences that he in all the decisions that affected their son? Where is the had committed against his parents. Initially remanded mysterious report that never came before the judge? to Her Majesty’s Prison Hull in April 2012, he served Northallerton prison no longer exists. That is why the several months there after his conviction before transferring ombudsman made no recommendations—there is no to HMP Northallerton in November 2012 as a standard prison to make recommendations about. The Humberside progressive move. HMP Northallerton was a specialist probation trust folded in May. The chief executive is resettlement prison that has now closed. now retired somewhere. The case of Vince Morgan is a tragic example of the Alan Johnson: That, of course, raises a question for appalling way mental health is treated as a poor relation the parents. Vince was 28 coming up to 29, so he was an not just of the NHS, as many say, but of every other adult, but everyone knew that his severe, chronic mental public agency. The mental health professionals sit round health problems meant that, in effect, he was acting like a table with the probation service and others, and their a child. Why would the prison service not consult his views are discarded: they are overruled. I want to meet parents—his mother being his registered carer—about the Minister to discuss this case further. I hope the the need to transfer him from one prison to another? Government use the case of Vince Morgan as the How could the transfer of such a vulnerable prisoner go clearest example of how to get things wrong so that we ahead without the parents being consulted? can start to get things right. Finally, I want to read an extract from a letter that Andrew Selous: The right hon. Gentleman raises a Trevor Morgan, Vincent’s father, wrote to all the various proper issue about the way in which the families and agencies on 27 December, the day before his son died. carers of people with mental health issues are treated He had spent the whole of Christmas composing this generally in our society. Very similar issues have been letter. He says: raised in my constituency. If he will allow me, I will go “My son is a gentle giant and is well liked by everyone who back, make further inquiries at the Ministry of Justice knows him. Before he became ill…he had a job as a van drivers about that specific point and write to him following this assistant, which he loved. Since his illness started 8 years ago, my debate. I absolutely understand the very important issue wife, Sharon, and I have looked after him ourselves. Vince very that he properly raises. 1123 Vince Morgan17 JULY 2014 Vince Morgan 1124

[Andrew Selous] during which the rate of self-inflicted deaths has been relatively stable, at its lowest level in the last 25 years. In Mr Morgan’s conditional release date was 29 January recent years, better treatment of prisoners with drug-use 2013, and planning for his release was under way. problems and the use of safer cells, with reduced ligature However, on 28 December 2012, Mr Morgan was, tragically, points, have contributed to the reduction in the number found hanging in his cell. The emergency response was of self-inflicted deaths. prompt, but Mr Morgan was pronounced dead. There has been recent comment about whether Mr Morgan suffered from schizophrenia, and his population pressures, organisational changes in prisons treatment for this condition continued during his time and reductions in the number of prison officers have in custody. As with all prisoners, he was assessed on contributed to the rise. However, the picture is not so entry to custody, where he was referred for assessment straightforward, and there is no clear correlation between by the prison mental health in-reach team, and considered the existence of such pressures and prisons where self- for any risk of self-harm or suicide. Staff kept an eye on inflicted deaths have occurred. Known factors appear his behaviour and potential vulnerability to bullying. in a number of deaths. For example, the early days of An assessment for learning disabilities was requested. custody are known to be a period of higher risk. Self- At the time of his death, Mr Morgan had recently inflicted deaths in custody occur most often in males moved wings and a few weeks previously had been aged 30 to 39, and most occur by hanging. However, informed that he would be required to live in an approved overlaying these known factors are reasons for each premises, rather than return to his parents house, when self-inflicted death, which are as individual as the person he left prison, though that aspect of his release planning involved. It is therefore essential to support prisoners as continued to be kept under consideration by Humberside individuals—many of them have complex needs, as the probation trust and the multi-agency public protection right hon. Gentleman outlined in this case—by identifying panel that considered his case. whether they have particular risk factors, and if so, The coroner’s inquest into Mr Morgan’s death concluded responding appropriately. in November 2013. The cause of death was hanging and Prisons use the ACCT—assessment, care in custody the jury’s conclusion of death by misadventure noted and teamwork—system to keep prisoners safe. Individual that there was a failure in the system of transfer of ACCT plans should be opened and closed in line with information from health care staff to discipline staff, the assessment of an individual’s risk of self-harm or and that, consequently, problems regarding Mr Morgan’s suicide, and their needs. It is a dynamic process. behaviour were treated as a discipline issue rather than medical. Alan Johnson: The Minister is a decent man, and I The coroner made two recommendations to the Secretary appreciate that he has come to the Chamber with a of State for Justice. The first was on the involvement of brief. It was kind of him to offer to write me a letter, but health providers where prisoners requiring in-reach mental there is no need for that if he will give me a meeting. We health support are to be transferred between prisons. need to discuss these matters in more detail. I have read There is a “clinical hold” system in place, which can be all that stuff about wraparound care and all such really used where there are concerns about the suitability of good stuff. We said the same thing in government, so health care provision in the receiving prison. The second this is not a party political point. Vince Morgan is a was on the information flow from and to prison officers perfect example of how all of that means nothing when within HMP Northallerton. As has been said, HMP it comes to a vulnerable young man, whose parents were Northallerton has since closed, but a review was undertaken concerned but were ignored, and specifically when it at HMP Hull. comes to the decision not to let him go home at the end The prisons and probation ombudsman completed of his sentence. his report on Mr Morgan’s death in May 2014. It identified some deficiencies in communications between I am sorry that this is a long intervention, Mr Deputy staff at Northallerton about Mr Morgan’s management, Speaker. The Minister says that Vince Morgan was told but concluded that it would have been very difficult to of that decision a few weeks before, but I now have foresee Mr Morgan’s action and prevent his death. No absolute proof—from a letter sent to this mentally ill recommendations were made. young man back in October—that he was told in his prison cell. All that puts a new complexion on the case, I reiterate my profound condolences to Mr Morgan’s and I would be very grateful if the Minister met me to family. As I have already said, every death in custody is discuss it. a tragedy for that individual and their family and friends. Safety, decency and security will always remain the priority for the National Offender Management Service. Andrew Selous: Of course I will meet the right hon. However, every year a number of people die in prison— Gentleman. If he contacts my office after this debate, I some through natural causes and some self-inflicted. In will make arrangements for us to meet as soon as 2013, 215 people died in prison custody. Of those, 123 possible. were as a result of natural causes and 74 were self-inflicted. I want to respond to a point that the right hon. As the House may be aware, the number and rate of Gentleman made about Vince’s move to A wing. I think self-inflicted deaths in prisons in England and Wales that the right hon. Gentleman referred to it as solitary increased in 2013 and the Government are committed confinement. Vince was moved to a single cell, but not to understanding the reasons for that rise and are to solitary confinement. He was deliberately placed seeking to address it. We have put additional resources near the wing office, and the move was for his own into safer custody work across prison establishments; well-being. Prisoners on C wing had complained about this issue affects the whole estate of public and private Vince, so there were genuine concerns for his safety. It is prisons. The rise comes after a period of some years important to put that on the record. 1125 Vince Morgan17 JULY 2014 Vince Morgan 1126

It is through such individual assessment that staff The whole-person approach to individual case can be alive to the often overlapping and interconnected management continues into release planning. The most factors that may contribute to an individual’s distress, serious offenders are subject to multi-agency public and which can on rare occasions lead to suicide. Those protection arrangements, which ensure that relevant factors may include mental health needs, addressing statutory partners and interested organisations are properly any disabilities or disadvantages, or simply being sensitive involved in pre-release planning. to potential trigger or pressure points that they may I would like to say a few words about families, about experience during their time in custody. which the right hon. Gentleman rightly spoke. We know As is well known, the prison population is not the importance of family contact and support to prisoners. representative of the general population in a number of Phone calls and visits with family and friends make a ways. The prevalence rates for personality disorder, huge contribution to prisoners’ well-being. Close family psychosis, attention disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder members who are on low incomes can apply for assistance and self-harm are notably higher than in the general towards visits. The support of families and friends is an population, as are problems with substance misuse and important component in helping someone to avoid alcohol. Almost 50% of adult prisoners suffer from re-offending when they are released from prison. Wherever anxiety and/or depression, compared with 15% of the possible, families are involved in the decision-making general population. Experts estimate that prisoners with process when a prisoner’s accommodation post-release a learning disability or difficulties may represent as is being considered by the MAPPA panel. much as 30% of the prison population. I know that Members will share my concern about Liaison and diversion services are a vital way in every death that happens in prison custody. The prisons which the Government seek to ensure that when someone and probation ombudsman, to whom I spoke this first comes into contact with the youth or adult criminal afternoon, has conducted a lessons learned review of justice system on suspicion of having committed a deaths in custody and will publish his report next month. crime, their health needs are identified, assessed and I look forward to seeing the report and to reviewing the provided for by appropriate treatment services, and that recommendations fully so that we learn every possible the police and courts are enabled to make informed lesson from what he has to say. decisions about charging and sentencing. We are investing £25 million in a trial scheme that will We must remember that prison staff save lives, sometimes place mental health professionals in police stations and through swift intervention when a vulnerable prisoner courts, and improve identification, assessment and referral is literally on the verge of taking his own life and services, so that access to health care and social care sometimes—this is less easy to know about but is no less interventions are improved. That is not about individuals real—through the careful and caring management of avoiding the appropriate sanction from the criminal some of the most vulnerable individuals in society, who justice system, but about tackling some of the underlying have been placed in custody because of the harm they issues that can cause people to offend. have caused to others in society. That, of course, is no consolation to the family of Mr Morgan, whose death For some prisoners with severe mental illness, the no one was able to prevent. most appropriate treatment setting will be a secure hospital. About 900 transfers are made from prisons to I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for securing secure hospitals each year. However, not all serious this debate, which has allowed us to consider the mental illness needs to be treated in a secure hospital, complexities of such cases. I may be new in post, but I and most serious mental illnesses are treatable within share his determination to learn the lessons of this prison under the care of a consultant psychiatrist. Prisoners tragic incident and similar incidents of this nature so are considered for transfer to secure units only when a that we can reduce the number of self-inflicted deaths in prison cannot provide appropriate treatment in the custody as much as possible. judgment of a responsible clinician. In such circumstances, Question put and agreed to. good liaison between health care teams and other prison staff is essential to ensure that events and decisions that could affect a prisoner’s risk of self-harm or suicide are 5.28 pm considered and are known by others. House adjourned.

317WH 17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 318WH

issues in the region, and then talk about three or four Westminster Hall specific areas. That will mean leaving out an awful lot, as we all know, but I am sure that other speakers will fill Thursday 17 July 2014 those gaps by the end of the afternoon. One of the successes of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office over the last three or four years has been the [PHILIP DAVIES in the Chair] attention paid to the prosperity agenda. Prosperity matters. It is not simply a question of pounds and pence or of BACKBENCH BUSINESS money in the bank for the United Kingdom; prosperity means that people have jobs and opportunities, and Middle East and North Africa their states have an opportunity to prosper as well. Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting Never has that been more needed in the region we are be now adjourned.—(Mr Ellwood.) discussing, according to various estimates. I saw an estimate from Deloitte a year or so ago saying that 1.30 pm 40 million new jobs will be needed in the next decade to cope with the growth in population. There is an obvious Alistair Burt (North East Bedfordshire) (Con): It is a connection between idle hands and problems, and ensuring pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Davies. that people have enough work to do is key to the region. I thank the Backbench Business Committee, which I know was under enormous pressure for effectively the Accordingly, I am proud of the role that the United last bits of Backbench Business time before the recess. Kingdom has played in the prosperity agenda. We can The Committee found time for three hours for the see it demonstrated across the region. In north Africa, middle east, and I appreciate it. I also appreciate the for example, the Lord Mayor of London, Fiona Woolf, support of many colleagues who agreed that it was concluded a seven-day visit last month to Algeria, Morocco important in the circumstances, with so much happening and Tunisia. In each country, she met with the Head of in the region, to have an opportunity to talk about State or Government and numerous Cabinet Ministers, events there. including Finance Ministers, and the governors of three central banks. She led informative discussions on the I should declare some interests. I travel quite a lot in development of the economy in each of the regions, the region. I am not yet sure of all the etiquette relating focusing on economic diversification, managing each to interests, but as I have been flying into the region and one’s different and abundant energy resources and have been given hospitality in numerous places that I developing education, training and qualifications. The shall mention, I wanted to draw attention to those north African region, of course, has been the birthplace interests in the register. Last but definitely not least, of the Arab spring, and has been through a series of I am sure that I speak on behalf of all of us in issues that are far from resolved. Each state is identifiably welcoming the new Under-Secretary of State for Foreign different from the others, but as part of the future of the and Commonwealth Affairs, the hon. Member for region, the prosperity agenda will play a large part, and Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), to his brief. The the United Kingdom can undoubtedly make a contribution. Department is fortunate to have a new Minister who is aware of the area, has spent time there and knows I shall focus for a second on Tunisia in particular. different parts of it well, and who has always demonstrated Although we discuss the difficulties of politics in the a strong interest in foreign and middle eastern affairs region, I have seen far too little in the media recently while a Back Bencher. We all welcome him as Minister. acknowledging what has happened in Tunisia. Rather Accordingly, I thought that the best thing to do than people taking to the streets or political leaders would be to set him up right away with a debate on the finding reasons for division among themselves, the Tunisians middle east and north Africa, which would give him have worked extremely hard to find out how they can and his hard-working officials a great opportunity to be come together on a constitution and make new politics fully briefed. I am sure we all agree that we do not work after the overthrow of the Ben Ali dictatorship. expect him to answer all the key questions on the We should watch Tunisia carefully and give every middle east, of which most of us have two or three in encouragement to the development of democracy there. our back pocket that would stump any Government. I pay tribute to the work of the FCO and the British This does not seem to be the day to throw them in the Government through the Arab Partnership to consider new Minister’s direction. I can also see from those who what values we hold in common. Instead of telling are prepared to take part in this debate that he will have states, “This is what you should do,” the Arab Partnership an opportunity to hear from experts in the House who has simply offered a menu: “We think these sorts of have studied the area and care about it deeply, and who thing work. Which is right for you in terms of building have a lot to say and to listen to. There could not be a democracy, a Parliament and a new politics?” I am more ideal introduction for him than this debate. proud of the work that has been and continues to be It is easy to concentrate on all the negatives in the done there, including by all the diplomats and officials region, so although I shall be as brief as I can, I shall in the region. I am delighted to mention Tunisia. Its start with some of the positives before going on to look success should counterpoint some of the difficulties in at the problems. I drew the title of this debate deliberately other places. wide. Rather than finding a contentious motion on which to divide the House, I wanted to provide as wide John Howell (Henley) (Con): I draw the House’s an opportunity as possible for colleagues with many attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ diverse interests in the region to talk about them, whatever Financial Interests. Why, in my right hon. Friend’s they may be. I am sure we will hear about many different opinion, has the experiment in Tunisia not worked well things. I shall concentrate a little on the prosperity in other north African countries? 319WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 320WH

Alistair Burt: One of the first things I learned was come up against a number of challenges. I suspect that how different each state was from the other. It is a bit our Government will remain neutral on this matter, but like wondering why Manchester United are a success can he address some of those issues— and Leeds United are not. Things are definitely different in each of the states. Tunisia, for example, had a broad Philip Davies (in the Chair): Order. Interventions background in education; the former leader put a lot of should certainly be shorter than that one. time and effort into the education of his country. That is quite a contrast with Libya, for example, where there was effectively no state whatever, with or without Gaddafi. Alistair Burt: Unsurprisingly, I have a short passage Each state was in a very different place and was different in my speech relating to Kurdish issues, and I think my economically, and, frankly, peoples are different from hon. Friend will find that I address one or two of those one another. It is best to consider the Arab spring as a points. collection of different states with similar problems but I have a particular relationship with the UAE through different identities, and to work individually in each. my current chairmanship of the all-party group on the That has been the success of the Arab Partnership. UAE, and through a connection with my very good Looking beyond north Africa but staying with the friend, the deputy Foreign Minister of the UAE, Dr Anwar prosperity agenda for a moment, I also commend to the Gargash; I commend such a relationship to my hon. new Minister a continuance of the Gulf initiative. The Friend the Minister. The UAE belies some of the easy incoming Government in 2010 took the view that an and rather lazy descriptions that the uninformed make enhanced relationship with our friends in the Gulf about the Gulf. This is a state where women hold very would be of benefit. Our relationships, whether on senior positions; for example, the ambassador to the defence, counter-terrorism, energy security or trade and UN and the Minister in charge of the extraordinary investment, are crucial in that region. Contact and Dubai 2020 Expo are women. It is also a state where relationships have been deliberately improved and increased, people can go to church; I went to church on my last mostly through a huge number of visits. Ministers and visit to Abu Dhabi. others have made 260 individual visits to the region The UAE is also a state whose prosperity relationship since 2010, including some extremely high-level visits. with the UK is singularly important. We will contribute The region is home to 27% of the world’s sovereign to British firms going to Expo 2020. There is also wealth, and our export trade there is larger than to investment by the Emirates in the UK: the £1.5 billion India, Russia and Mexico combined. investment by Dubai’s DP World in London Gateway; That initiative is extremely important. We have a Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s energy company, is investing more great deal in common with these states, and being than £500 million in the London Array, the world’s adventurous in our relationship, not just on prosperity largest offshore wind farm; and the Abu Dhabi United but on the other things that we hold in common, will be Group is working beyond London in Manchester, through an important sign of the future. I say that because, its connection with Manchester City football club, to given approaching events such as the election and, if the encourage the regeneration of the city. Again, I profess Conservative party wins the election, a referendum on a special interest, having been the Minister with Europe in 2017, there may be a slight risk that the responsibility for Manchester and Salford many years FCO’s orientation moves more towards Europe than ago; seeing the regeneration of that great city has been other parts of the world. Whatever the interests of the one of the great highlights of the past 20 years. All that Foreign Secretary may be—his great interest in the Gulf activity shows that the UAE is working with and investing was shown in his role in defence—I say to my hon. in the UK, which enhances the relationship between the Friend the Minister that he has a really important role two countries. to play in ensuring that the work that has been done on Wherever we look around the Gulf, particularly in a the middle east and the Gulf does not slip away because state such as the UAE, we see a close partner working of other, more immediate political pressures affecting together with the UK. I emphasise that point because the Foreign Office. Continuing the Gulf initiative would whatever direction the FCO now goes in, it is very be a good place to start. important that the middle east and the Gulf remain uppermost in its mind. I am sure my hon. Friend the Nadhim Zahawi (Stratford-on-Avon) (Con): I draw Minister will be keen to ensure that that is the case. the House’s attention to my entry in the Register of Briefly, please do not forget the middle east. Stick Members’ Financial Interests. with those states that are working through the Arab Regarding not taking our eye off the ball in the spring and working with the Arab Partnership. Stick middle east and the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates has with Libya—it is difficult. Stick with Egypt, which will certainly made great strides in working with the Kurdistan be a key partner, even though it will inevitably go Regional Government; and our Government issued the through difficulties. It has serious human rights and first formal invitation to the KRG’s Prime Minister a judicial issues to overcome, but its economy needs support month ago, and that relationship is developing. However, if the country is to get anywhere with its democracy. there are issues and I hope my right hon. Friend will Egypt’s parliamentary elections later this year will be address some of them. The Kurds now find themselves keenly scrutinised to ensure that they are fully inclusive. with a very long border with the Islamic State of Iraq Certainly, the state has questions to answer, as we all and Syria. They are also cut off from Baghdad because know, but it will be a key partner for the future and in their budget has not been delivered since March. And increasing the prosperity of the region as a whole. of course, they have a strong bilateral relationship with In a final point on the values that we hold dear, let me Turkey and are attempting to sell their oil through the mention that throughout the region religious intolerance pipeline to Ceyhan and to Turkey, but that in itself has and ensuring that there is greater freedom of worship 321WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 322WH and conscience is another important issue that I am Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East) (Con): I remind sure the FCO will address. I know that one or two my right hon. Friend that the Foreign Secretary at the colleagues here today will talk about that specifically time that we were being asked to intervene militarily in I had the honour yesterday of meeting two young the Syrian civil war himself accepted, and indeed women from Iran who had been imprisoned in Tehran volunteered the information, that there were several in 2009 for being Christian believers. Maryam Rostampour thousand al-Qaeda-linked militants fighting alongside and Marziyeh Amirizadeh are now free in the United the opposition. States. They have written about their experiences and make the point that although a rapprochement in Iran Alistair Burt: Yes, there were. I do not want to be in many ways has advantages for all of us, to neglect drawn or tempted into a rehearing of that debate we human rights issues in Iran would be a mistake. They had last August. I think the decision made by Parliament also make the point that it is not only Christians who then was profoundly wrong and I wish that action had are suffering; so are Baha’is and others. We know that been taken against the Syrian regime for using chemical across the region the agonies caused by differences weapons on its own people, despite the difficulties. between Muslim sects have been reflected in the pressures Nevertheless, we do not need to go down that route on those of other faiths and of none. I am certain that a now. greater sense of religious tolerance throughout the region Of course there were already different factions involved is a value that the UK and this Parliament would by then, but one of the confusions that the Assad strongly profess, and again I urge my hon. Friend the regime was able to spread was that all opposition was Minister to make that a key part of his work in the the same. It is not and it never was. Accordingly, I ask region. my hon. Friend to look very hard at circumstances on Before I sit down, I will address two major issues the ground and to recognise that the moderate forces briefly: first, Syria and, secondly, Gaza. With Syria, it that have been supported by more than 100 nations and seems that we have a very short attention span for entities through the Friends of Syria process, the Free tragedy. One has to do a little bit of searching now in Syrian Army and others, are taking on both the regime the newspapers to find out that the agony of Syria is and the extreme militants. They deserve our support. continuing. In three years perhaps 160,000 people have There is regular barrel-bombing and killing of civilians. been killed, although there are estimates of many more. They deserve the opportunity to protect themselves. I There is a need to ensure that the truth of what is say no more than that. There should be no western happening in Syria comes out, rather than a narrative boots on the ground and no western forces there, just produced by the Syrian regime. the ability to change the dynamics so that the negotiations In short, Assad would have us all believe that right for peace have a better opportunity to succeed. I urge from the beginning he was challenged not by his own my hon. Friend the Minister to keep an eye on that and people but by foreign extremists. That is untrue. There give whatever support is possible to the moderates who were no foreign extremists on the streets of Damascus are still fighting on so many different fronts. when the first brave people asked not for his overthrow As my hon. Friend the Member for New Forest East but for reform. They were met with torture and violence, (Dr Lewis) mentioned a moment ago, the long-standing and with a deliberate campaign to ensure that more nature of the crisis has meant that it has spread. There extremists came into the country from outside, because will be another opportunity in due course to discuss Assad knew that his greatest chance of staying in power issues relating to western intervention or non-intervention. was to convince the outside world that he was threatened We have had three and a half years of non-intervention by terrorists from outside and not from his own country. to weigh in the balance with Iraq and Afghanistan and Sadly, that narrative has had all too much opportunity to ask, “What are ever the right decisions in these to succeed. difficult circumstances?” We know one consequence of this continuing agony: Mr Khalid Mahmood (Birmingham, Perry Barr) (Lab): the growth and development of an extreme force now in Will the right hon. Gentleman acknowledge that while the region—ISIS/ISIL—which has gone beyond threatening that uprising took place, there was a serious element of Syria to threatening states nearby. It has, of course, the Muslim Brotherhood within Syria that was promoting produced an issue for the Kurdish community in the much of the violence that took place, as well as the Kurdish region in northern Iraq, protected and saved by regime’s violence? the intervention of John Major and the no-fly zone, who now find their circumstances different to those in Alistair Burt: Disentangling all the various elements the rest of Iraq. What is to be done? of Syria is not an easy job. Disentangling the issues of First, I think the United Kingdom should look hard the Muslim Brotherhood is, of course, a matter that at what support it can give to the Kurdish region. For now concerns the UK greatly as it pursues its review of example, an acknowledgement that they need to sell oil the impact of the Muslim Brotherhood not only on to survive, having been starved of funds by the Maliki places abroad but on the UK itself. There are different Administration, would be important. Recognition that views on whether the Muslim Brotherhood represents a now they are looking for support on defence and spectrum of opinion, or whether there is a very hard, intelligence, just in case that extremist army comes in almost fascistic edge to it in what it wishes to achieve— their direction, would also be welcome. Counselling and certainly, there are places and evidence that back that discussion about further steps towards autonomy or up, and places where it is not sufficiently proved. independence would also help. Independence for the Nevertheless, the hon. Gentleman is right to raise that Kurdish region is a big step that would have serious as an issue that deserves to be looked at in the Syrian ramifications, but it is no longer off the cards, because context. of the break-up of Iraq and, I have to say, the failure of 323WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 324WH

[Alistair Burt] injustice. For the record, I get it. Both have right and wrongs on their side. They are both my friends. Like the Prime Minister Maliki over a long period, even though vast majority of those who live in the region, I just want he was given every opportunity to bring together Sunni, this to stop. Kurdish and Shia communities. Whatever may happen The present round is sadly no different from the rest: in the future, the Kurdish region deserves some degree it solves nothing on either side. As long as Hamas keeps of security, whether within a federal Iraq with greater re-arming, Israel will need to act to remove the threat. autonomy, or something different. The UK needs to be As long as Israel does so and as long as the suffering of alert to the needs of that region and its people, which Gaza and its people—from their Hamas Administration we have supported for so long. as well as the restrictions of Israel—continues, there will be new recruits, because the political end to the Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): I congratulate my struggle is not co-ordinated with a cessation of hostilities. hon. Friend on securing this debate. Does he agree that So it goes on, endlessly, and it is pointless because it if Kurdistan, one of the few democratic nations in the does not achieve the objects of either of the protagonists. middle east, wants independence and its people vote for It just kills. it, the British Government should support their right to Israel has a right to protect its citizens from the have independence? unique terror of Hamas, condemned by the UK Government as we urged EU partners to proscribe the Alistair Burt: I hear that. If I was sitting at the other military wing of Hamas last year. It targets Israelis— end of this desk, in the Minister’s place, I would be actually, it targets Jews; let us be frank—anywhere in equally cagey in my response. I will not ask my hon. the world, contributes to incitement and fires rockets Friend the Minister for a definitive answer at this stage. indiscriminately at them, or fails to prevent others from There would be ramifications. Ultimately, the independence doing so. Israel’s reaction to this is proportionate to the of the Kurdish people it is a matter of self- threat, but there is an imbalance in the suffering as a determination—my hon. Friend is correct. Bearing in result. Every child killed or hurt and every civilian mind all that the Kurdish people—a people subject to killed wounds Israel and calls into question the method chemical attack and the like— have been through for so it is employing to bring security and peace to its people long, it is important that people listen. This matter at such a price, just as dreadful injuries condemn those should not be dealt with suddenly; it should be worked who place children in harm’s way. We cannot go on like through with neighbours and friends and the surrounding this. territories. The Kurdish people deserve to have their My optimism for the excellent efforts of John Kerry, voice heard, of that there is no doubt. There is plenty and the quieter work of Tony Blair, has not yet been that the UK can still continue to do. realised in a result, but might I ask my hon. Friend the Let me make one last point, because I am conscious Minister not to give up and to ensure the FCO plays its that I have taken up a lot of time. I want to finish by full part in urging that, after this round of conflict is talking about Gaza. I have become passionate about the done, we get back to the negotiations for the comprehensive region, and colleagues throughout the House have been solution, which is the only answer? It is truly not kind enough to recognise that. I appreciate what colleagues impossible to solve the problem if the will is there, as have said over the past few months. If there is one issue countless people have said. on which that passion has been allied to grief, it is the I commend the article of 7 July in Haaretz,byHis continuing failure of the middle east peace process and Highness Prince Turki bin Faisal Al Saud of Saudia the inability of both Israelis and Palestinians to live in Arabia, making the point that the 2002 Arab peace the peace and security to which both are entitled and initiative still provides a template for a just solution to which both are being denied. What we are witnessing Israel’s conflict with Palestinians and the Arab world. now in Gaza is just the latest instalment of this awful He writes about the opportunity for both sides in the tragedy, which has been far too long-running for all of economic development and political opportunities that us. I welcome the news over the course of the morning would result from an agreement. That the positives of a about possible ceasefire prospects, because the matter is solution in that area so outweigh the negatives still urgent and the kinetic action there needs to stop as leaves me gasping that it cannot quite be grasped. quickly as possible on both sides. However, I hope that, after this round of hostilities, Over many years I was solely associated with the everyone will pile in on both sets of leaders to say, “We Israeli cause, and I appreciate greatly how in office this dare not have this happen again, in a region where we was never raised against me by Arab interlocutors, who have learned that things can spiral out of control very I think guessed rightly that such a background gave me quickly.” the opportunity to speak with great frankness to my The middle east has not been more volatile in recent many friends in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, which I did. years. From Lebanon to Yemen, there are latent threats My last four years have therefore brought me much to add to those more obvious, about which I have closer to Arab and Palestinian leaders and provided spoken, but there is still a vibrancy of populations who greater exposure to the impact of the failure to conclude promise, and deserve, much more. I hope therefore that an agreement on their side. Whether it is the economic the UK long continues its historical relationship, for we and humanitarian difficulties of Gaza or the grief of still have so much to offer our friends throughout the the Tamimi family in Nabi Saleh, or the parents of an region in terms of peace and prosperity. Israeli schoolchild killed by a bomb, I have, like all the rest of us in this Chamber, seen too much despair from Philip Davies (in the Chair): Order. Before I call the too many. I do not need to be told by either side whose next speaker, I want to let hon. Members know that I do fault it is or to listen anymore to a catalogue of mutual not intend to place a time limit unnecessarily at this 325WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 326WH stage. However, at least 10 hon. Members wish to catch more than fireworks, but they are a new type of rocket my eye, so to ensure that everyone gets a fair crack of from Hamas with a payload of 300 lb and a range of the whip and has a fair opportunity to have their voices 100 miles or more. That should not be forgotten. heard, perhaps Members could look to speak for about 10 minutes each. Mrs Ellman: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely correct. Those rockets are aimed at and landing on places such 1.58 pm as Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa. Munir al-Masri, a senior Hamas spokesperson, stated only two days ago, Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside) (Lab/Co-op): on 15 July: It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, “Hamas will continue hitting Israel until last Zionist leaves the Mr Davies. I refer to my entry in the Register of whole of Palestine, from the sea to the river.” Members’ Financial Interests about a visit to Israel and It is pretty clear what this is all about. the Palestinian territories. The situation is intolerable. Neither the Israeli I thank the right hon. Member for North East Government nor any other Government could countenance Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt) for securing this important, this targeted attack on their citizens, the aim of which is timely debate. In his contribution he displayed both his to kill and to destroy. It is interesting to note the expertise on the whole area and his sensitivity to the comment made by Gershon Baskin, who is renowned involvement and suffering of so many different parties for his efforts working with Palestinians and Israelis to in that region. I want to focus my comments on the seek peace. Indeed, he was a pivotal figure in the release Israeli-Palestinian issue and, in particular, the horrifying of Gilad Shalit. He spoke only last week of his absolute events under way in Gaza, but what happens in Israel despair. He said that he called on the Hamas leadership and the Palestinian territories is of course much affected not to intensify its actions. He knows that his message by what happens in a turbulent neighbourhood. The went right to the top, to Khaled Meshaal, the Hamas right hon. Gentleman referred to the hundreds of thousands leader. With absolute despair, he said that the Hamas of people killed in Syria and the millions of people leader simply said, “Bring it on.”The situation is extremely there who have been displaced. That ongoing issue is grave. causing widespread concern. A large number of Palestinian civilians have been I start by saying that all civilian deaths are tragic. A killed or injured, which is a matter of deep regret. It is a civilian death on any side of a dispute is equal to that on tragedy for them as much as it would be for Israelis to the other. It is all tragic and it should all be avoided. It is be injured or killed. The responsibility for the deaths a great cause for concern that John Kerry’s initiative and injuries has to lie with those who decided to put has, up to now, not succeeded. The overall situation will their rocket bases, launchers and headquarters in civilian only be resolved by a negotiated agreement on setting populations—Hamas. Indeed, a senior Hamas spokesman, up a Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel. That Sami Abu Zuhri, said only two days ago, on 15 July: means agreement on borders based on the 1967 boundaries, “The fact that people are willing to sacrifice themselves against on how to share Jerusalem and on dealing with refugee Israeli weapons in order to protect their homes is a strategy that is issues on both sides. As long as that is not secured, there proving itself.” will be disputes. The Israelis feel that they have to stop those deadly The current situation in Gaza is intolerable. The rockets being launched, deliberately targeted at Israeli Israelis withdrew all their 8,000 settlers and soldiers in citizens. The Israelis know that they have to go to 2005. Some were withdrawn forcibly by the Israeli army. civilian areas, and they are consciously and as a matter There followed a short time when Israel and the Palestinian of policy informing the civilians in those areas about Authority had an agreement. For the very first time, what is about to happen and asking them to leave, Gaza was ruled by Palestinians, but that was short-lived. because they do not wish to have civilian casualties. It is Hamas came to power, and it has to be recognised for clear from that statement—there are many others—that what it is: a terrorist organisation. It is recognised to be the Hamas leadership is gloating over the situation and so by, among others, the USA, Jordan, the European the death of its own citizens. That is absolutely deplorable Union and Japan. Its 1988 charter—in other words, a and should not be countenanced. recent, modern charter—contains elements that are blood- curdling. It talks about Jews running the worldwide Robert Halfon: I thank the hon. Lady for her thoughtful media and Jews being responsible for such things as the speech. Are we not in a crazy situation where Israel is French revolution and the Russian revolution. Hamas being criticised for defending itself too well, because the is a terrorist organisation that will not accept the existence Iron Dome is stopping many of the missiles and preventing of Israel. It is not interested in boundaries. It finds the many thousands of Israeli citizens from being killed? concept of the majority Jewish state of Israel as anathema in that region, and that has to be remembered. Mrs Ellman: The hon. Gentleman makes a good What is happening now is that Hamas decided to point. Hamas has been threatening this type of action launch an attack, targeted on Israeli civilians. At the for a long time. It has clearly stated that it does not last count, although it may well be an underestimate, accept the existence of the Israeli state and that it will some 1,350 rockets have been launched, targeted on attack it. It has been building up its weaponry; Hamas 70% of Israeli civilians. now holds Iranian weapons. Indeed, recently, in March, Israel intercepted an Iranian ship with a cargo of weapons, Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (Con): The hon. including advanced weapons, heading for Gaza and for Lady is making an excellent speech. Will she confirm Hamas. Hamas has been organising itself to attack, so, the size and scale of the rockets? Some who seek to naturally, a responsible Israeli Government have been defend the action from Gaza refer to the rockets as little preparing for that through defensive means. The Iron 327WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 328WH

[Mrs Ellman] solutions. Too often, realpolitik has taken precedence over human values, ignoring the fact that freedom is Dome was constructed so that the weapons—the shells, about not only having an election, but the rule of law, the rockets—coming over from Gaza, targeted on Israeli tolerance, equality and property rights. Secondly, realpolitik civilians, could be stopped without any Palestinian civilian has too often led to appeasement and to working with loss of life. That is what the Israeli Government have the very regimes that created the situations. Even worse, deliberately done. we have seen disengagement due to fear, and guilt over past mistakes. That is why we are now told that we have Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): Is my hon. to work with Iran to deal with the problems of ISIS in Friend not aware that in the recent hostilities 200 Iraq, or why we supply arms to dictatorships in the Palestinians have already died and that water and sewerage middle east to enhance stability, despite some of those works have been targeted by Israeli planes? Does she countries’ records of exporting extreme Islamism around not think that the siege of Gaza, which has now gone the world. Thirdly, instead of supporting the few genuine on for a very long time, is a contributory factor? Does democracies in the middle east, either we seek to hold she not think that the inability of Israel to recognise them to disproportionately high standards—higher than Palestinian needs and rights is a major cause of the any other country—or we deny them the right to self- problem? determination.

Mrs Ellman: My hon. Friend makes some interesting Let us look at realpolitik and appeasement. The Arab observations. I am well aware of the deaths and injuries spring could have been a great opportunity, not only for sustained by Palestinian civilians. I deeply regret them the citizens of the countries involved, but for the free and think they are a great tragedy, but those civilians world. For the first time, it showed that the people who were in that situation because Hamas deliberately put were in revolt wanted and cherished the same values its weapons and launching bases among them. As I that all of us, throughout the world, hold so dear—the indicated by referring to the recent comments from values that Roosevelt so accurately summed up as freedom Hamas spokespeople, Hamas seems to be gloating and of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and sees its policy as working. On the other factors my hon. freedom from fear. Unfortunately, the west gave mixed Friend mentioned, I go back to the facts I declared signals, in particular in Egypt, where the prevalent earlier. Israel withdrew all its settlers and soldiers from attitude has been “better the devil you know”. Gaza in 2008. When, a year after that, Hamas, which The west’s disengagement, however, has manifested was then running Gaza, decided to attack Israeli civilians, above all in Syria. As my right hon. Friend said, there the Israelis had to take some steps to try to protect are 160,000 people dead, and there were promises of red themselves. lines that never appeared, and chemical weapons attacks, The solution to this dreadful situation is of course for including the September 2012 one on Palestinians in there to be an overall peace settlement, recognising the Yarmouk. As we have seen, the result has been a moral rights of the two peoples, the Israelis and the Palestinians, vacuum filled by extreme Islamists, who have now spread to have their states and to live in security and peace from Syria to Iraq. We like to talk about moral values, alongside one another in a region that will support but where were the demonstrations, the moral outrage them. The Kerry initiative has not up to now succeeded, and the requests for boycotts by VIPs and celebrities but no one should abandon hope, and I hope that it can when Assad gassed the Palestinians and starved them to be resumed. It does not mean, however, that nothing death in Yarmouk? The only Palestinians who count in can be done. What should be done now is for Hamas to the eyes of the west are those in Gaza. Compromises stop sending its rockets against Israeli civilians. The with oppressive regimes have led us not only to fail Israelis then would, and should, stop their attacks on those fighting for freedom, but to support those nations the missile sites in Gaza. I hope that that will provide that are spreading democratic values across the region, the basis for a long-term ceasefire and, ultimately, lead such as Israel and Iraqi Kurdistan. to a peace in which all peoples of the region can have the peace they deserve. Let us turn to Israel. In 2005, Israel withdrew from Gaza and disbanded all settlements at great political 2.10 pm cost, eventually causing the split of the main Israeli political party at the time. It was envisaged that the Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con): It is a pleasure to successful withdrawal from Gaza would lead to a withdrawal serve under you today, Mr Davies. I welcome the debate from much of the west bank; that was the point made and, in particular, the fact that it was introduced by my by the then Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert. The right hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire reality turned out to be quite different. Instead of (Alistair Burt), who was one of the finest Ministers progress towards peace, Israeli towns faced a barrage of responsible for relations with the middle east that this missile attacks from a total of 11,000 rockets fired by country has seen in recent times. Few possess both his Hamas and Islamic Jihad—11,000 since the Israeli fairness and his wisdom in dealing with the intricate withdrawal from Gaza. problems of the region. I am proud to speak alongside him. In recent months, as has been described, the rocket I also welcome the debate because at this time of attacks have extended from towns close to Gaza, such crisis for the middle east it is worth setting out a few as Sderot, to Tel Aviv and further. Let us not forget that home truths. First, we need to acknowledge that the the missiles—supplied by Iran, which has given Hamas free world has got it badly wrong. Not only has it been financial and material support—have emboldened that the cause of some of the problems, but it has attempted terrorist organisation and led to today’s tragic situation. to solve them with quick fixes, rather than real, long-term After being dragged into unwanted confrontation, instead 329WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 330WH of getting support for facing down Islamist terrorist I will concentrate my remarks on what is going on in organisations, Israel yet again gets opprobrium from Gaza for no other reason than time. I will pose a few the west. questions. Does Israel have the right to self-defence? Similarly, Iraqi Kurdistan, another nation to have Yes. Do Palestinians have the right to self-defence? Yes. suffered genocide, faces daily threats from terrorism, is Can what either the Israeli Government are doing or surrounded by hostile enemies and is denied its right to what Hamas has been doing in the past two weeks be seek independence, despite having been faced with an credibly described as self-defence? No. Have the actions economic blockade by Baghdad over the past year. It of either made the people each said they were defending now faces the terrible threat of ISIS on its borders. any safer? Well, there are some answers to that. I will Instead of trying to keep together an artificial and quote Emily Hauser, an American Israeli, who wrote broken Iraq, the UK, the United States and their allies recently in Haaretz: should be doing everything possible to help the Kurdistan “I have lived under missile attack, and I have family under region to become independent, and to ensure that that attack in the south right now. I do not for one moment doubt Israel’s right to self-defense. But even if we set aside the damage part of the middle east remains free and democratic. and forget the dead, if we remain incurious about the impact both might have on our enemy’s will to compromise—even if all we Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con): And safe. consider is sheer efficacy—how can we look at this history and believe that repeating past failures will keep the Jewish State safe? Robert Halfon: And safe, as my hon. Friend points Are you safe now?” out. In recent times, the message from the United States That speaks volumes. If we look on the other side, the and NATO on all such matters has been confused and answer was given yesterday when those four children disparate. The free world needs to group together to had their lives snuffed out while doing nothing other give a clear signal that muscular enlightenment must than playing football on the beach. If hon. Members and will take precedence over appeasement, and that have not read Peter Beaumont’s eyewitness account of freedom and liberty must and will take precedence over that in The Guardian, I suggest they do so. extreme Islamist, terrorist or authoritarian dictatorships. The point is that it has to stop; the right hon. Member Guilt and fear stemming from past mistakes cannot for North East Bedfordshire said that in introducing the justify total inaction and turning our back on those debate. Nobody will do the Palestinians or the Israelis fighting for just causes. any service in this debate by justifying rockets or trying We must make it clear that intervention to stop to justify the scale of the attacks that Israel has been genocide, to stop the use of chemical weapons and to making on Gaza. The question is how we can help to protect people from poverty and starvation, far from stop it. being unnecessary, is all the more important. It is not The first thing is to be serious. We have just heard wrong to say that democracy can be dropped from a that there has been a humanitarian ceasefire for a few B-52 bomber; perhaps if we had done so from the hours. There was also a very strange ceasefire a day or beginning, we would not have 150,000 dead in Syria. I two ago, of a kind that I have never come across before. hope that the debate is a pointer for us, showing that we It seemed to be announced without even the Americans should grasp the nettle of muscular enlightenment and being involved, which is rather strange in the circumstances. the case for intervention and doing the right thing in the It was announced late one night and accepted by Israel middle east, so that the people of the region can enjoy the next morning, when Hamas said it had not even the values that all of us cherish so dearly. been directly approached and had heard about the ceasefire from the media. If people are serious about ceasefires, they pre-cook them and make sure the back 2.18 pm channels work, but those channels did not work on that Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield) (Lab): May occasion. I draw the attention of the House to my entry in the I have been trying to put some feelers out as well—not Register of Members’ Financial Interests? I add my to Hamas directly, but through people who I know are thanks and tributes to those of others to the right hon. talking to it. One thing that has come back from that—not Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt). I from hard-liners, who reject the idea altogether, but pay tribute to his work as middle east Minister, a role from people who are saying that they might be prepared that he approached with great sincerity and sensitivity. to consider it—is that if a ceasefire is agreed, it will need He has always dealt with me with the utmost courtesy, to involve Islamic Jihad and other militant groups, as and I thank him for that. well as Hamas, and Hamas will be relied on to police that ceasefire. How will it do that while it is itself the Robert Halfon: On a point of order, Mr Davies. I target of air strikes? We do not have to hold a writ for should have mentioned my entry in the register of Hamas to work out that there may be a point there. Members’ interests in my remarks. I apologise for That is why people should use the back channels and interrupting. take the process seriously, and not just announce things. That is not just my opinion; hon. Members can read the article on ABC News by Ali Weinberg, who said that Richard Burden: The hon. Member for Harlow (Robert some of the things going on around that ceasefire were Halfon) and I disagree on many things, and we will curious—I will say no more than that. disagree in this debate, but frankly there is no reason to caricature the views of those who stand up for the rights Bob Stewart: I have organised ceasefires—many of of people in Gaza as them not being bothered about the them—and there is only one way for a ceasefire to work, rights of Palestinians in Yarmouk, or about what is which is to have neutral observers on the ground on going on in Syria. If he looks at the record, that is both sides. I feel that is the way we would have to go to simply not true. get an effective, decent ceasefire in this region. 331WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 332WH

Richard Burden: The hon. Gentleman makes a very and occupation. We should not think that there will be good point and speaks with a wealth of experience. a real and lasting peace unless those things are addressed; The question is, what do we do? First of all, if there is there will not be. going to be a ceasefire, as we all hope, it has to be Imagine if the tables were turned—that somehow, in serious and it has to work. Secondly, let us not make life that mythical world, the Palestinians suddenly got the any more difficult from our side. Every time Britain kind of military power that Israel has, and said, “We supplies arms to Israel—we do not supply arms to want to build some settlements in Galilee. A lot of Hamas, because there is an arms embargo—we do so Palestinians live there. We want to take over the homes under strict criteria called the EU consolidated criteria, of a few Jewish Israelis and build there.” Are we honestly with the condition that they are not to be used for saying that all the west would say to that is, “That’s not external aggression or internal repression. Under the a very good thing to do—please stop”? Of course we Labour Government—and I think under this would not. We would demand that they stop. We would Government—use in the occupied territories was seen talk about international law—and we would be right to run contrary to that condition. Every time there is a to—and would implement it. flare-up, it is asked, “Were British arms used?” At best, the reply is “We are not quite sure”; at worst, it is, Mrs Ellman: My hon. Friend is talking about important “Probably, yes, they were.” Every time, we say that to but wider issues. Does he agree that Hamas should stop Israel, but it happens again, so my first question to the firing rockets targeted at Israeli citizens? Minister is: are British arms being used? If they are, what will we do to stop it? If we do not know, there should be an arms embargo. Richard Burden: I think it was pretty clear from my opening remarks that the answer to that is an unequivocal The next point is that if we want a ceasefire to turn yes, but that gets us no further. It is a statement of fact into peace, we have to tackle the causes. There is a that Hamas should stop firing rockets, and that if it narrative that says that if Hamas just stopped its rockets, fires rockets at civilian areas that is a war crime that things would be okay—the idea is that quiet will be met deserves to be condemned. It has to stop; I say that to with quiet. The last time there was a flare-up like this Hamas. However, that does not in any way justify a one was in November 2012. In November 2013 the continued occupation. My point is that unless we tackle United Nations—not Hamas, not the Palestinians, but that issue we will not move towards peace. In plain the United Nations—produced a humanitarian bulletin speaking, settlement building is illegal. from OCHA, the Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs. I quote: “November marked one year since the Egyptian-mediated John Howell: I do not wish to interrupt the hon. ceasefire understanding between Israel and Hamas, which ended Gentleman, who is very passionate about this subject; I an eight day escalation of hostilities. The year that passed has simply want to approach it from a different aspect. In witnessed the lowest level of violence and civilian casualties November 2012 I was in the region, and it was not very registered in Gaza and southern Israel in 13 years. Additionally, pleasant to be there. Should not the starting point be an there has been limited improvement in people’s access to fishing acknowledgement by the states surrounding Israel of areas at sea and to farming areas along the fence with Israel. the borders of Israel and of Israel’s right to exist? That Overall, however, Gaza has seen a deterioration in living conditions. covers a number of the issues that he is addressing. The majority of the Israeli imposed restrictions on the movement of people and goods to and from the Gaza Strip have remained in place, with at least one of them (import of building materials) Richard Burden: Israel absolutely has a right to exist, tightened.” and I will speak about that when I wind up. That same humanitarian report also talked about the If we accept that continued settlement building is growing sanitation and water crisis in Gaza and an contrary to UN resolutions, the Geneva convention and escalation in dispossessions and demolitions in East international law generally, what do we do about it? I Jerusalem. That was during a period of relative quiet. am not suggesting any military action against Israel, I was in the west bank at the end of last year with my but I am suggesting that we uphold international law. right hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn (Mr Straw). That means we should have no contact with illegal and We saw dispossessions being threatened and schools illegitimate settlements. We should not trade with them, threatened with demolition to make way for settlements. and we should insist that if Israel wishes to export Someone might say that I have my own view on the goods from the settlements, it separates them from issue and that it is not unbiased, so let us not listen to goods produced in Israel. If it does not, I am sorry, but me; we will listen to the United Nations again. This is the trade preferences that apply to goods from Israel from 2 June this year: should not apply to goods from the settlements. “UNRWA is gravely concerned about recent steps taken by the I will conclude by responding to the point made by Israeli authorities that appear to advance plans to transfer Palestinian the hon. Member for Henley (John Howell). People say Bedouin communities in the central West Bank, the large majority that the Palestinians should recognise Israel. I agree. of which consist of Palestine refugees.” The Palestinian Authority, including Fatah and the That report goes on to say that they are Palestine Liberation Organisation, recognised Israel years “located in the E1 and Ma’ale Adumim areas, which are slated for ago. It has said that Hamas should recognise Israel. The further Israeli settlement development. Additionally in recent Quartet takes the view that not only should it recognise months, the ICA appears to be intensifying measures that are Israel, but it should already have done so, in order to get displacing or threatening to displace many of the Bedouin communities into talks. That demand has never been made of Israel targeted for transfer.” the other way around. Let us think about it. Continued It simply is not true that quiet is met by quiet. Quiet is settlement building removes the practical chance of a met by continued settlement building, displacement two-state solution. In practical terms, Israel does not 333WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 334WH recognise the right to a Palestinian state; in practical assistance; there is also some assistance from the United terms, it is removing it before our eyes. That is the Kingdom. Jordan’s armour and air power seem to be reality; is it also the theory? adequate to secure its relatively short 112-mile border Last week, Prime Minister Netanyahu gave an interview with Iraq, and it has gone to a great deal of trouble to that was reported in The Times of Israel by David fortify its positions along the frontier with Syria. I Horovitz. It was given in Hebrew, but it has helpfully would be interested to hear the Government’s assessment been translated by The Times of Israel, which is not a of the security of that border. Hamas organ, or even a Palestinian Authority organ. I The most pressing concern is that ISIS will establish a urge hon. Members to read it because it makes Prime support base in Jordan of men capable of and committed Minister Netanyahu’s view of a Palestinian state pretty to terrorist attacks. From 2002 to 2005, Jordan experienced clear. It says: a series of terrorist attacks, and I was in Amman during “He”— one of them. They were perpetrated by a predecessor of Prime Minister Netanyahu— ISIS, al-Qaeda in Iraq, a group led by a Jordanian “made explicitly clear that he could never, ever, countenance a national, Abu Musabal-Zarqawi. I have seen a YouTube fully sovereign Palestinian state in the West Bank.” video that I would recommend to hon. Members, although That should give us all pause for thought. If we are all it is not pleasant to watch. It was posted in April and in favour of a two-state solution, both sides must abide sadly is still available on YouTube. It shows Jordanian by that, not as a matter of negotiation, but as a matter ISIS members now fighting in Iraq shred and burn their of right. If Israel demands, as a matter of right, to be passports. The jihadists, one of whom is seen wearing recognised by the Palestinians, it is not wrong and not an explosive belt, describe King Abdullah as despotic, too much for the international community to say to “a worshipper of the English” Israel that as a matter of right it should recognise vowing to “slaughter” him. This is not a light matter but Palestine. Perhaps we could help that along the way by is taken seriously in Jordan. In 2013, Jordan spent some doing it ourselves. $1.3 billion, nearly 13% of its entire budget, on internal homeland security and national defence. It will continue 2.33 pm to do so. The majority is provided by US aid. Robert Jenrick (Newark) (Con): I thank my right The question for this debate is what more can the UK hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire Government do to assist Jordan in the years ahead, (Alistair Burt) for leading today’s debate. There have particularly with the urgent concerns in the present been many fine contributions and as time is short I will climate. confine my remarks to one aspect that has not been spoken about in detail: the security situation in Jordan, Robert Halfon: My hon. Friend’s knowledge of Jordan a country that I know well having travelled there many is very valuable. Does he agree that perhaps one issue times on business in my former life. In fact, I was there involving the Palestinian state could be solved if Jordan the day my predecessor resigned as a Member of were a Palestinian state, given that it was originally part Parliament, and I had to return quickly to fight the of Palestine in 1921, and even after 1948 the then King subsequent by-election. of Jordan described himself as the King of Jordan and As many hon. Members appreciate, many people in Palestine? Jordan and throughout the wider region, particularly in Israel, where I also have friends and contacts, are concerned Robert Jenrick: We have had a good and productive to ensure that Jordan receives the full support of this relationship with Jordan for many years. Clearly, if country, the US and the US’s allies around the world at Jordan had taken a more decisive role in running those a dangerous and unpredictable time in its history. I territories, the position today would be different. share the concern of many in the region who believe On what we as a country can do and what I would that the US Government have been missing in action as like the Government to do to try to help in Jordan, the ISIS, the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, has taken first question that my contacts in Jordan raise with me over much of Syria and Iraq. I find that very disturbing is how can we better enable Jordan to counter military and worrying. As the terrorist organisation now turns Islamist inroads. Primarily, that is a task for the US, but its sights on such an important ally of ourselves and the we have a role to play, part of which is economic west, the Kingdom of Jordan, neither we nor the US support. Jordan is often—inaccurately—thought to be can afford to continue to ignore it. This debate poses a a wealthy country, but parts of it are under-served or good opportunity for me to raise some of the issues that economically depressed and there are restive regions I have heard from colleagues and friends in Jordan and that, being economically depressed, tend to become to bring some of the questions to the Minister’s attention. fertile ground for Islamist terrorists. There is certainly a No doubt the Minister will soon have access to far role in encouraging the US, our allies and the key greater intelligence than I do, but people I have spoken regional allies such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE to to in Jordan do not seem to think that there is an increase their financial contributions. Many commentators immediate threat from ISIS or its equivalent of a military have asked whether the UK and the US could convene a offensive, but they are extremely concerned about the conference for friends of Jordan, or something along potential for terrorist attacks to occur and increase, those lines to encourage the monarchy’s western friends with a destabilising effect throughout the kingdom. and regional allies to contribute more and to ensure Before the by-election, I spoke to the Jordanian defence greater rapid economic development. Minister. The Jordanian armed forces seem to be competent, generally non-sectarian and broadly loyal to King Abdullah. Bob Stewart: IlivedinJordanwhenIwasaboy,inthe They train extensively, as hon. Members will know, with valley where David killed Goliath, as a matter of record. US forces, and receive $300 million in annual US military One of the biggest problems that Jordan faces is that 335WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 336WH

[Bob Stewart] 2.43 pm almost half the population seem to have come in as Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP): It is a pleasure to refugees. It is a huge economic problem for this country serve under your chairmanship, Mr Davies, and I thank that is so pro-west. the right hon. Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt) for giving us all the opportunity to speak Robert Jenrick: I agree with my hon. Friend. The on this subject. I was privileged to go with him to the difference in terms of development and western views Backbench Business Committee to ask for the debate, between an area such as Oman and some of those areas and it will come as no surprise to Members to hear with heavy immigrant populations is dramatic and not which subject I will touch on. I have spoken on it many seen by most business travellers to the region. times before but it continues to be an issue, and this is a The second area I want to touch on is whether the grand opportunity to underline that. I feel extremely kingdom would benefit from expanded training in counter- passionate about representing those in my constituency, insurgency warfare and in detecting improvised explosive other constituencies and elsewhere in the world who devices. face hardships—in this case, Christians who are persecuted Mr Nigel Dodds (Belfast North) (DUP): I had the for their beliefs. Today’s debate gives me an opportunity opportunity recently to look at the refugee situation in to highlight that issue again. Jordan, as part of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. A century ago, about 20% of the population of north One thing the Jordanians were saying to us is that Africa and the middle east were Christian, according to although they have been extremely generous in welcoming, figures from Open Doors, but now Christians make up helping and absorbing refugees, they are concerned only 4% of the population due to persecution. That about the amount of aid coming, not from the UK and concerns me greatly. The past two months have been US so much, but from other countries that have not littered with stories of Christians persecuted for their given as much as they should. Does the hon. Gentleman faith all across the middle east, such as the case of agree that the Foreign Office could pressure our allies Meriam Ibrahim, the mother who was imprisoned in and friends who have a lot to say about the area into Sudan. When hearing that story, I wondered how many doing more and putting their hands in their pockets to other Meriam Ibrahims there are in Sudan whom we do help in a practical way? not hear about, because whereas she had access to the Robert Jenrick: Very much so; I echo those comments. American embassy, others did not. There was also the The UK has been very generous, as have the US and teacher arrested in Egypt for her faith—Pastor Saeed, Saudi Arabia, but many other countries in the world, who remains in prison—and thousands of Christians particularly other European allies of ours, could and who have been displaced due to ISIS’s violent takeover. should be giving far more. That is a practical role that Christians in the middle east are wondering whether the UK could play in supporting Jordan. there is any room left for them to stay. Returning to my point about counter-insurgency, Syria continues to rise in the World Watch List. The having spoke to those active in the defence world in civil war has seen an increase in violence in general, but Jordan, it seems that the US and the UK could play a the rise of Islamist extremism is putting even greater greater role in providing counter-insurgency training, pressure on Christians. On top of that, most of Syria’s and detecting IEDs has been specifically mentioned to Christians are concentrated in strategic areas of the me. That is something the Foreign Office and the Ministry country that are vital to both the Government and the of Defence could look into and work with the US on. Opposition’s war efforts, such as in and around Aleppo, My third point is that until Baghdad regains control Damascus and Homs, making them even more vulnerable, of its western border, the UK and the US should because that is where the war seems to be at this time. encourage Jordan to continue aggressive counter-border Last year, there were countless reports of Christians actions against ISIS. The US has, perhaps controversially, being abducted, physically harmed and killed, with deployed drones over Baghdad to defend the US embassy. many churches damaged or destroyed. I think the Obama Administration should consider Many Christians have become malnourished owing moving armed, unmanned air assets over western Iraq to shortages and the rising price of food and other to help Jordan establish some form of no-drive area essentials. Access to water, electricity and communications along the Jordanian border to prevent further incursions is very limited. It is perhaps the traumatised children of by ISIS. That could be a bolder move for the UK to Christian families who are suffering most acutely; some push with its US counterparts. have lost one or both parents and many also face great We should be in no doubt that ISIS and its equivalents dangers, as rebel forces have even targeted Christian have the desire and the potential to create a great deal of schools. There is a perception among terrorist groups domestic instability in Jordan, perhaps more than in that if people are Christian, they are pro-western; they many other parts of the region, which will no doubt be are Syrians first, and that always must be remembered. discussed in the remainder of this debate. In Jordan, there is the potential for this country to act, given Syria used to be one of the easiest places in the Arab Jordan’s size, its relatively short borders and our good world to be a Christian. Until early 2011, its churches relationships with the country. It is somewhere we can were large—accounting for about 10% of the population— get involved productively and successfully and use our and Christians were respected by the Muslim majority. strong diplomatic links to have a successful outcome. They were allowed to worship and practise their faith The pro-west regime in Oman is, in my opinion, too without much official interference, but now, with an valuable to us, the US and the west to leave things to estimated 600,000 Christians having fled the country or chance, as perhaps we have over the course of the last lost their lives as a result of the civil war, there are fears year in Iraq. that Christianity will soon cease to exist. 337WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 338WH

That is made more poignant by the fact that the On Wednesday we had an opportunity to hear from Church has existed in Syria since biblical times, and we some people from Iran. The right hon. Member for must also remember that the middle east is very much North East Bedfordshire spoke about that in his where the Bible stories that we all know come from. In introduction to the debate, and I appreciate that. There the book of Acts, it was on the road to Damascus, are 61 people in prison in Iran today for their Christian capital of today’s Syria, that Saul was stopped short in beliefs, and it is not known which prison some of them his mission to destroy the early Church. It was in are in. That is a very serious issue for the Iranians. We Damascus that Saul regained his sight after being struck also had an opportunity today to attend an event organised blind and it was there that he was filled with the Holy by the British Parliamentary Committee for Iran Freedom. Spirit, baptised and began his ministry as an apostle. There are real human rights and equality issues to That is the story in Syria. address there. Freedom of expression and freedom of religion are denied in Iran. Christians are seen as a In Iraq, following the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, particular threat to the regime, as their numbers are there was a huge surge in anti-Christian threats, kidnappings growing and it is said that children of political and and murders, and the violence has continued ever since. spiritual leaders are leaving Islam for Christianity. There In June 2014, ISIS attacked Mosul, Iraq’s second largest is great interest in the message of the gospel. city. We had a debate in Westminster Hall on that a As the early Christian author Tertullian noted, short time ago and I highlighted the threat to Christians in Mosul and the plain of Nineveh. The goal of ISIS is “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” to create a caliphate—an ultra-Islamic state in Iraq and That might be the case in Iran, but it is a reality that our Syria. Although the attackers were relatively few in Christian brothers and sisters should not have to face. I number, the Iraqi army fled, leaving the militant jihadists again urge the UK Government and the Minister to do to take control of the city. The result was a mass exodus as much as they possibly can to bring an end to the of thousands of citizens; up to half a million according violent and sometimes fatal ordeals that those men and to some estimates. Those leaving included virtually all women face daily. of Mosul’s remaining Christian population. As refugees, Last but certainly not least, I want to speak about they are living in extreme hardship and extreme fear of Egypt. There, Muslims who convert to Christianity injury or death, because they are Christians. have long faced persecution from family members who punish them for abandoning the Islamic faith. However, In 2013, a church in Baghdad was fired at by masked in recent years, Egypt’s historical Christian communities men who seriously wounded two security guards. Christian- have increasingly been targeted as well. The toppling of owned businesses in the area had been the target the Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 of bombings the previous day. As well as violent after a popular uprising raised hopes that the condition attacks, Christians also suffer significant discrimination, of Christians in Egypt might improve. In the short marginalisation and injustice. Hundreds of thousands term, that did not happen. Indeed, it was the trigger for of believers have fled their homes, reducing the Christian a furious backlash against them by angry Islamists. In population to a quarter of its 1990 size. Iraq’s Christian mid-August 2013, at least 16 Christians were killed and community is hardly a western innovation or a colonial some 60 church buildings destroyed. In the Islamist relic. It dates from the 1st century, when two of Jesus’s stronghold of Minya, Christian properties were marked disciples—St Thomas and St Thaddeus, better known for destruction with a black X. as St Jude—preached the gospel in what was then Assyria. There has been a Christian presence in Iraq That was the situation then, but we did see a change. ever since. As with Syria, Christians are not newcomers The right hon. Member for North East Bedfordshire to the country. They have as much right to be there and I, with others from the Commons and Lords, had practising their beliefs as everyone else. In each of those the opportunity to attend an event, and we saw quite two countries, there has been a clear Christian presence clearly a sea change in Egypt’s attitude towards freedom from an early stage. of expression, freedom of religion and equality. That is something it has tried to include in the constitution. It is In Iran, since Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s warning in good news to see that happening, at least initially, in 2010 of the ever-expanding influence and numbers of Egypt. house churches, the treatment of Christians has rapidly worsened. The regime tries to destroy those who reach Jeremy Corbyn: What the hon. Gentleman has just out to converts by monitoring services, carrying out said about Egypt is interesting. He must be aware, arrests, banning the Farsi language services and closing though, that a large number of journalists in Egypt are some churches. Attacks against Christian communities now in prison—they have been sentenced to very long have increased and the prohibition of house church stretches indeed—many others are under threat and activities is enforced much more strictly there than there is a silencing of political and public debate because anywhere else, yet the regime’s harsh treatment of Christians of the threat to journalists from the Egyptian Government. only further fuels the flames of church growth. Certainly that seems to be the case in Iran. That said, each of Jim Shannon: I accept that and I will give two examples those three countries ranks in the top 10 countries on of Christians who have just been put in prison because the World Watch List, and undoubtedly the daily hardships of their beliefs, so although we have seen some indication that Christians face are simply unacceptable. The of change, a lot of things still need to change. We persecution of religious minorities has intensified in always work on the basis of the change that we see. Iran since 2005. Almost all Christian activity is illegal, Kerolos Attallah was arrested in June for “liking” a especially when it occurs in Persian languages. That Facebook page for Christians from a Muslim applies to evangelism, Bible training, publishing Scripture background—Knights of the Cross. In court, he was and Christian books and preaching in Farsi. convicted of blasphemy and contempt of religion and 339WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 340WH

[Jim Shannon] to blame for the recent situation, would wish to express our condolences and horror at what is happening there was sentenced to six years in prison. I want to put this at the moment. on the record. Demiana Emad, a 23-year-old social Of course, we have heard some talk of the ceasefire studies teacher, was sentenced to six months for insulting proposal. I take on board in part the point made by my Islam. She hon. Friend the Member for Beckenham (Bob Stewart), “presented a comparison between religions in ancient, middle but there is no doubt that Israel communicated very and modern ages as mentioned in the curriculum”. strongly its intention to de-escalate, following the Egyptian It was very clearly not blasphemy in either case, but the proposal, and it did embark on that course of de-escalation Egyptian Government recently condemned those two with a suspension of attacks. What happened in response people to prison. to that? Hamas did not not know about this proposal, The churches in Egypt continue to hope for better which is what some seem to be implying or suggesting—that times ahead. The new constitution was approved in a because it had not gone via the United States or through referendum in January 2014. Christians and other minorities certain other channels, it was in some way a surprise to are granted greater political representation. Freedom of Hamas. It was not a surprise to Hamas. It knew about it belief is declared “absolute”—that is what we were sufficiently to be able to reject it, and it answered the told—while the freedom to practise religion and establish proposal with a volley of 50 rockets following the places of worship is granted to Christians and Jews as suspension of strikes by Israel at 9 am on Tuesday. The well as Muslims. Those are welcome changes, but many US Secretary of State, John Kerry, also seemed perfectly people have suffered and lost their lives to get there, so I satisfied with the proposal. He publicly backed it and hope we can work together to bring similar peaceful urged both parties to sign up to it. and fairer treatment for all Christians across the whole Richard Burden: How does the hon. Gentleman know of the middle east. that Hamas knew about the proposal? Who put it to Hamas? What was its response? And at what time of the 2.54 pm night did that happen? Andrew Percy (Brigg and Goole) (Con): It is a pleasure Andrew Percy: Hamas knew about the proposal to follow the hon. Member for Strangford (Jim Shannon). sufficiently to reject it and then to fire 50 rockets in I, too, congratulate my right hon. Friend the Member response to it, so I think that tells us all we need to for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt) on securing know. And President Abbas seemed to know about it, the debate. He made a first-class speech that many of us because he stood up, quite rightly, and urged Hamas to could agree with in large part. I, too, draw attention to accept it. This is a concern. my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests [JIM SHERIDAN in the Chair] in relation to visits to Israel and to the Palestinian We must remember why we are in this situation and territories. where we have got to. I understand the UK Government’s I want to speak briefly about the situation in Gaza support for the unity Government. I understand their and our country’s and Government’s support for Israel aims in doing so, and I understand that they have the and its right to defend itself. I make no apologies for best of intentions. It is a concern, however, that one of repeating some of the statistics the hon. Member for the unity Government’s constituent parties—although Liverpool, Riverside (Mrs Ellman) gave in her excellent it is not actively serving in that Government, which is a speech on what has actually been happening in Gaza. technocratic one—does not recognise the state of Israel She mentioned that 1,300 rockets have been fired at in its charter, and that it seeks not only the total Israel since last Monday. That is more than 160 a day. destruction of Israel but, as my right hon. Friend the Nine hundred and sixty-six of those rockets have exploded Member for North East Bedfordshire said in his opening in Israel and 218 have been intercepted by Israel’s Iron speech, the destruction of Jewish people around the Dome defence system. world. I cannot understand how we can possibly expect As I said in an intervention on the hon. Lady, it is to move forward with the unity Government when some frankly disgusting that some people, who would call of the potential members will not sign up to the Quartet themselves friends of Palestine, simply refer to those principles. I will not dwell on the subject, but I agree attacks as effectively firing fireworks at Israel. The fact entirely with the points made by the hon. Member for that Israel is strong and has the capability to defend Liverpool, Riverside (Mrs Ellman). itself through Iron Dome should not in any way diminish Dr Matthew Offord (Hendon) (Con): Does my hon. our understanding of the scale, range and size of those Friend acknowledge that actions in overseas territories, rockets. Rockets have repeatedly been fired as far as such as Palestinian territories and Israel, have implications Jerusalem, which is 55 miles from Gaza; Tel Aviv, which for my constituents? The Community Security Trust is 44 miles away, and even Haifa, which is 100 miles has said that anti-Semitic attacks have doubled, and of away. That is nothing new, of course, because since the the 50 attacks that have occurred in recent weeks, 30 beginning of 2014, 2,000 rockets and mortars have been have been directly attributed to the incidents in those launched from Gaza into the south of the state of territories. The insistence of Hamas and other organisations Israel. Since 2001, more than 15,000 rockets have landed on making claims such as we are discussing ends in in Israel. That is an average of three attacks every day. I violence towards my constituents. wonder how we would respond to such aggression and such threats. Andrew Percy: Indeed, and I am sorry to hear about That is not to say that the situation is not intolerable that. There are many good people who support the for residents and citizens living in the Gaza strip. I think Palestinian cause for just reasons, but we must be honest that all of us in this place, whatever our views on who is and say that some use the cause for more sinister ends. 341WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 342WH

We have heard examples of those, and they are truly would the Ministry of the Interior be telling its citizens shocking. I have no doubt that everybody here, whatever to ignore warnings to leave their homes because of an their view on the conflict, would condemn such actions impending strike? What other reason could there be? entirely. Mrs Ellman: Does the hon. Gentleman agree that his I want to say a little about the Israeli response. It has comment about Hamas is verified by the public statement saddened me that some have bandied about phrases made by Sami Abu Zuhri on 15 July, who said: regarding collective punishment and the proportionality of the response. It is incredibly sad that people have “The fact that people are willing to sacrifice themselves against Israeli weapons in order to protect their homes is a strategy that is died on any side of the conflict, but we cannot conclude, proving itself”? because of the way Hamas acts and the fact that it puts more of its civilians in harm’s way, that Israel’s response Andrew Percy: The hon. Lady puts it perfectly. That is must be disproportionate simply because more people a strategy. have sadly died. Let us be honest about what is going I will move on because time is pressing. What would on. Israel does not fire rockets from its civilian population. we do in such a situation? If 65% to 75% of our While we have been debating, the United Nations Relief population was in range— and Works Agency has confirmed that one of its schools in Gaza has been used as a hiding place for rockets, and Grahame M. Morris rose— the agency is due to make a statement on that shortly. That tells us all we need to know about why there are Andrew Percy: I will not give way to the hon. Gentleman. such large numbers of civilian casualties. Grahame M. Morris: I only want to make a friendly Mr Jonathan Djanogly (Huntingdon) (Con): I am intervention. pleased that my hon. Friend has raised that point. The charge has been raised against Israel that it is committing Andrew Percy: All right. I will give way to the hon. a crime by firing on families. My hon. Friend’s point is Gentleman, even though he has not been here for the an important one; there is a difference between firing on whole debate. families because they are families, and because they are Grahame M. Morris: I am grateful to the hon. being used as a shield to hide army and control centre Gentleman, who is a fellow member of the Select operations. As far as I have seen, where families have Committee on Health. I apologise for being late; I was been fired on, Israel has agreed to investigate it, admitting presenting a petition at No. 10 Downing street. He is that it is not the right thing to do and quite a different outlining a scenario that has made me wonder: if he had thing from firing on control centres. been Defence Secretary at the time of the IRA bombings, would he have advocated the carpet bombing of east Jim Sheridan (in the Chair): Order. Interventions are Belfast or Kilburn? getting a bit long. Can we cut them down, please? Andrew Percy: No, but I would expect my Government Andrew Percy: I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. It to do all that was required to defend their citizens, is incredibly sad that the situation is such that civilians particularly when the country is a democratic state. have been used as human shields. It is distressing that That is why I hope Israel will take the necessary steps, to on Hamas’s Facebook page, the Ministry of the Interior the utmost and to the end, to defend its people and and of National Security has advised Gazan citizens to track down terrorists. We are talking about a terrorist ignore Israel’s warnings to get out. There are even organisation as defined not only by the state of Israel “knock on the door” mortars fired in advance of an but by this country. I would absolutely expect my attack to warn Gazans of an impending strike but, Government to respond forcefully to such acts of sadly, Hamas is officially— aggression. I will end shortly because I know that time is pressing, Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab): rose— although I would have liked to say something about the humanitarian situation and assistance to Gaza. We all Robert Halfon rose— agree that the situation is terrible. I hope that the Minister will continue to affirm this country’s commitment Andrew Percy: The hon. Member for Easington to Israel’s right to defend itself, and that he will push (Grahame M. Morris) has not been here for the debate, even harder to achieve progress in the middle east, as so I will give way to my hon. Friend. the right hon. Member for North East Bedfordshire said. The situation must not continue, on either side, for Robert Halfon: Does what my hon. Friend has said much longer. There must be a renewed emphasis on about UNWRA finding out that missiles were being peace, and rockets on either side will not achieve that. I kept in schools not show the truth of the statement that hope the Minister will confirm the Government’s stance Hamas uses its civilians to defend its missiles, whereas on that matter. Of course, he is new to his role, and I Israel is using its missile defence to defend its civilians? congratulate him on it. Andrew Percy: It absolutely does. It is appalling that, Several hon. Members rose— simply because there have been more deaths on one side, some people conclude that the response has been Jim Sheridan (in the Chair): Order. Colleagues, seven disproportionate. Hamas chooses to use civilians in Members have indicated that they wish to speak. Therefore, such a way because, let us be honest, the more bodies to get everyone in and give both Front-Bench spokesmen that are photographed, the better it is for Hamas’s PR ample time to respond, I must limit speeches to eight campaign. That is a terrible situation, but why else minutes. I apologise for being a bad cop, but that is life. 343WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 344WH

3.8 pm goes about its incursions into Gaza. I visited Gaza with my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Northfield Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab): I have just (Richard Burden) three weeks after Operation Cast drawn the short straw. It would be tempting, given the Lead. In that incursion—it was the last major incursion, title of the debate, to go on a Baedeker’s tour of the but there have been smaller ones since—1,400 mainly middle east. The right hon. Member for North East civilian Palestinians were killed. According to a very Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt) has the authority and good article in The Independent today by Matt Rowland knowledge to do so, but I will not be tempted down that Hill, these incursions are known colloquially in the IDF route. I will talk, as other Members have done, about as “mowing the lawn”, which means going in—with the immediate crisis in Palestine and Gaza, not least complete disregard, it seems, for civilian casualties—and because I—and, I suspect, a number of Members present— trying to curtail any military strength Hamas may have have received several hundred letters and e-mails on the built up. subject from constituents during the past week. We can all talk about the role Hamas has played in First, however, let me say a few sentences about other escalating the crisis, and about the effect of rocket fire. interests I have. I entirely applaud the right hon. Gentleman However, I would like to dwell on where we are going for saying that Tunisia continues to give hope, as it has with the occupation of Gaza and the west bank. I have since the beginning of the Arab spring, notwithstanding come to this conclusion reluctantly, but I fear that, the difficulties there have been and, indeed, the fact that whereas the rest of the world—whether we are talking there has been some violence in that country. I do not about the attempt to revive the Arab peace initiative or disagree with what he said about the Gulf and Egypt, in John Kerry’s recent efforts—is still committed to, and the sense that we need to maintain good relations with still believes in, a two-state solution, the state of Israel them, but I hope those will also be critical relations. I no longer believes in one, and the quote my hon. Friend hope the new Minister, whom we welcome to his place, gave from the Prime Minister of Israel says that in will be aware that, in relation to Egypt and, in a smaller terms. way, to countries such as Bahrain, the hopes placed in the Arab spring have failed to materialise in many cases. Bob Stewart: The problem with the two-state solution I sometimes feel that, perhaps for strategic or other is that it looks almost impossible to enact. Given the reasons, Her Majesty’s Government are not critical number of settlements—many of them illegal—in the enough of the violent deaths that have resulted from the west bank, I just cannot see how we can carve out a actions of the state in those countries, of the death two-state solution. We may well have to have a one-state sentences handed out in Egypt and of the continued solution where all are equal. oppression of the majority Shi’a population in Bahrain. However, we need to be even-handed when we address such matters. I should add that, notwithstanding the Mr Slaughter: I cannot fault the hon. Gentleman’s appalling continuing situation in Syria, the events that analysis, but I would say that what he describes has have taken place since last summer have shown that the been the result of deliberate action by the state of Israel House was right to vote the way it did during the recall, over a number of years. It has been brought about and not to be stampeded into supporting military action. partly by the settlement building—that has been the That would have been a catastrophic mistake. main infraction. There are 500,000 settlers living in East Jerusalem and the west bank, and the pace of settlement My constituency has one of the 10 largest Arab building continues. However, Netanyahu said last Friday: populations in this country—I always suspected it did, but I now know that, thanks to the 2011 census. Many “there cannot be a situation, under any agreement, in which we relinquish security control of the territory west of the River of my Arab constituents—indeed, not just them, but Jordan.” my Muslim constituents and my constituents more generally—would, I hope, think that what was happening There is no intention at all in Israel, from the Prime in Gaza was truly shocking. I do not mean just the Minister downwards, to allow the creation of a Palestinian individual incidents, such as the two disabled people state. We therefore have to see what is happening in who were killed in a care home, the nine young men Gaza and the west bank as the management of the who were killed while watching the World cup, the 18 status quo; we can conclude only that Israel wants to members of one family who were slain and the four put 1.7 million people into a prison. The occupation children who were killed on the beach—I am not quite continues in Gaza and the west bank —under international sure what strategic target there was there yesterday that law and de facto—because the borders are sealed. meant those four young children were brutally and The consequence is that Palestinians in Gaza are horribly murdered. living in hellish conditions. I have visited Gaza several The current count is 227 deaths. There have been times, and even when people are not being strafed by jet 2,000 air strikes, 1,400 homes have been destroyed and fighters, fired on from the sea and shelled, 95% of water 18,000 have been displaced. If hon. Members do not is still undrinkable, thousands of tonnes of sewage flow regard that as disproportionate action, I do not really into the sea every day, and half the population is know what is. Listening to some hon. Members, I dependent on UN handouts. That is the situation to sometimes wonder what Israel would have to do, and which the Palestinians have been reduced by the deliberate what actions the Israeli defence forces would have to actions of the state of Israel. take, to earn their condemnation, just in the interests of simple humanity. Nadhim Zahawi: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? What I find more shocking than the individual deaths or the military action generally, however, is the cynical Mr Slaughter: I will not, because I will not get any and predictable way in which Israel, on a cyclical basis, extra time. I apologise for that. 345WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 346WH

There can be no other conclusion but that the—I use The truth is that those who make play of the cynicism the word advisedly—apartheid state that exists on the of Hamas in putting military assets beside, or even west bank, which treats Palestinians as second or third-class inside, schools and hospitals, to explain civilian deaths, citizens, including, increasingly, in the state of Israel need to provide a compelling explanation of how four itself, is using the cordoning off of Gaza simply to children on a beach represent a threat, let alone a target. manage the current situation, because that is the one it Those who make play of being a democracy answerable finds least unacceptable. That situation will continue, to the people need to be able to explain how immediate and I see no hope of that being altered from the Israeli military action is taken, without charges, against those side. suspected of murdering three Jewish teenagers, when Therefore, the situation in Palestine can be improved progress in resolving the murder and burning of a by only one thing: Palestinian unity, further elections, Palestinian teenager so soon afterwards looks very slow. democracy and a recognition by the Palestinian people, Those who make play of the rule of law must explain wherever they live in Palestine, of the state of Israel. We what is legal about the entirely illegal settlements, the can then have a mandate for a two-state solution and a continued appropriation of traditional Palestinian grazing recognition by not only Israel, but the rest of the world, lands in the west bank, and the destruction of Palestinian including the UK, of a Palestinian state. That is the homes, particularly in East Jerusalem. Those who make only thing that will jump-start this process. play of shared values cannot be surprised when British citizens, including Jews, who see the level of apartheid The actions of the international community therefore on the ground in cities such as Hebron say that that become imperative. My hon. Friend the Member for does not reflect our values. Birmingham, Northfield, said that we should not trade Before anyone leaps to conclusions, my remarks so or deal in any way with settlements that are illegal under far are not the opening salvo in a pro-Hamas speech—far international law. If the Israelis will not separate out, from it. Hamas’s continued commitment to the complete and make clear the difference between, Israeli and settlement destruction of Israel, and its importation of military produce, we should not enter into favourable trade hardware from Iran, whose leaders share similar views, agreements. is intolerable. None of us who live in this country has to The view that many people in this country had of deal with the concept of a neighbour whose approach Israel over many years—that it was a liberal, democratic to us starts with the idea of our complete destruction. country—has been tarnished to such an extent that the However, the violence and deaths on each side will overwhelming view here, and across the western world, achieve little. As the Israeli ambassador recognised the is that Israel behaves as an occupying state and in a other day, there is no real victory to be had. When a tyrannical way towards people who simply want what truce is struck, as surely it will be—we must pray for it people in every country in this world want—the ability to happen as soon as possible—Hamas’s military capacity to live in peace, and self-determination. That is what the will have been significantly damaged; but its recruitment Palestinian people want; that is what the state of Israel of enraged young teenagers in Gaza will probably expand, will not give them. It will be Israel that loses out, just as and the emotional support for it, from British Muslims the Palestinians have lost out, if they lose that support and others, is likely to increase. We will have to see what internationally. The demographic changes in Palestine the impact will be on international support, such as mean that time is running out, not just for the two-state further Palestinian efforts to involve the International solution and peace, but for Israel itself. Criminal Court. That will leave us all frustrated, though not, I believe, half as frustrated as the many peaceful citizens whom I 3.18 pm have met both in Israel and in Gaza. I therefore think that the Minister is likely to face more pressure, first to Richard Graham (Gloucester) (Con): It is a pleasure support sanctions as described by the hon. Member for to join today’s debate. The plaudits heaped on my right Hammersmith (Mr Slaughter) against Israeli businesses hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire based in illegal settlements; and secondly to support (Alistair Burt) have been considerable. I will not add to with intensity all efforts to get the peace talks started those, because he already knows of my respect for him. again. Thirdly, perhaps, there will be a question of May I also warmly welcome my former colleague at the pressure in some of the international areas that I alluded Foreign Office to his new place as Minister with to. The months ahead, dealing with his new brief, will responsibility for the middle east? He comes to the fray be difficult for the Minister. We can only hope that we at a difficult and sensitive time, and we should all wish will all try to stand back from being pro-Palestine, him good luck in his difficult task. pro-Gaza, pro-Hamas or pro-Israel, and look at the Today we debate a region that is large; its overall issue as a monumental humanitarian disaster, from situation is dire and the scale of its humanitarian disaster which few of us emerge with great credit. is enormous. Britain’s contribution to dealing with some of the regional humanitarian crises is considerable. Let 3.24 pm me focus, in the brief minutes available, on the situation in Gaza and Israel. My hon. Friend the Member for Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab): I apologise, Harlow (Robert Halfon), who I think has just left, Mr Sheridan, because I may not be here for part of the referred earlier to an Israeli policy of “muscular winding-up speeches, as there is a ministerial meeting enlightenment”. I have huge respect for my hon. Friend, with the all-party group on the African great lakes who has led the way on several enlightened policies region at 4 pm. adopted by the Government, but I do not think that I congratulate the right hon. Member for North East that phrase is his happiest one. Nor do I think that it is a Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt) on obtaining the debate. I good description of current Israeli policy. am sure that when he applied for it and I supported the 347WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 348WH

[Jeremy Corbyn] When there are protests in the west bank, Gaza and, indeed, all over the world about Israel’s actions, surely it application, we assumed that it would be about the is time for the rest of the world to recognise that what is entire region and north Africa; inevitably, however, in being done by Israel is illegal—it is collective punishment. view of the crisis, Gaza and the west bank will dominate Settlement building all across the west bank is illegal. It the debate. I have recorded relevant interests in the is very hard to see how the much vaunted two-state Register of Members’ Financial Interests, having visited solution could even be dreamed to be possible given the Israel and Palestine nine times over the years. level of settlements. I will use the word that others get My last visit to Gaza was depressing in the extreme, very upset about: a sense of apartheid that has developed because I saw a place surrounded bya1kmwide no-go in the west bank, where there are settler-only roads, zone. Anyone who ventures into that zone, whether a settler-only water supplies and there is settler-only farmer or anyone else, will automatically be shot by occupation of land. That is the reality of life there. machine guns placed on the fence between Gaza and Yes, there is opposition by Palestinians. Ever since Israel. Any fishing boat that goes more than a very there was an attempt to bring about a unity Government short distance from shore will be shot at by Israeli naval that involved Hamas as well as Fatah, Israel has upped vessels, and every day, all the time, surveillance planes, the ante no end on a military basis. However, it is not drones and so on fly over the Gaza strip. The people true to say that everyone in Israel is supportive of there live under siege and have done for a long time. Netanyahu or some of the extremists in his Government, I know people in the Gaza Community Mental Health or of the far extremists who want to see Israel occupying Foundation and Dr Munah Farah well. Their estimation a large but so far unspecifically identified area. A week is that at least two thirds of the population of Gaza ago in Israel, there was a large demonstration of both suffer medical stress from the way they live, with constant Palestinians and Jewish people against the policies of food and water shortages, and constant insecurity of the Israeli Government. Indeed, I draw Members’ attention supply. That has been happening to those people not for to the Jews for Justice for Palestinians website, which just a few months but for many years. They live in an lists eight very interesting points on how peace could open-air prison, created and continued by the state of come about, including by mutual recognition, by the Israel. That is the cause of the deepest anger and ending of illegal settlements, and by the rest of the frustration among ordinary people in Gaza. We would world ensuring that international law is carried out so be angry and frustrated as well, if it was done to us. that Israel is forced to accept that law just as it thinks everyone else should. Mrs Ellman: My hon. Friend describes a distressing We are not going to solve this problem today, but the situation; but does he recognise that it arose after Israel reaction of the British Government, and of all removed all its settlers and soldiers in 2005, only for Governments, to incidents of illegal activity around the Hamas to take control of Gaza and intensify rocket world has been rather strange and disproportionate. We attacks on Israeli civilians? have placed sanctions on Russia because of the activities Jeremy Corbyn: My hon. Friend has made that point in Ukraine and Crimea; Israel is in breach of a large many times. Israel withdrew its unwelcome settlements number of UN resolutions, and it is clearly in breach of in 2005, as she points out, but it maintained border international law on both collective punishment and the control and surveillance. It is not just that there has settlement policy, but no sanctions whatever have been been bombing recently; there has been regular bombing proposed. by Israeli jets of targets along the Gaza strip. I make my In looking for a long-term peace, I urge that we look point again: no one should live in an open-air prison, also at our own historical involvement in the region and facing such horror and continued destruction. the surrounding area. After the first world war, the area was divided up in the interests of the west. The forerunner Mr Djanogly: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? of that action, the Sykes-Picot agreement, was done in secret and only revealed some years later through files Jeremy Corbyn: No, I will not give way again, because kept in Moscow, and that was followed by the mandate of the time. system and the division of the whole region. Israel was Jocelyn Hurndall is a brave woman whose son Tom established in 1948, and the 1967 war expanded its was shot in Rafa by Israeli troops while he was trying to territory no end. Netanyahu’s policies seem to put no defend children whose homes were being demolished by limit on Israeli expansion. Israeli defence forces. In response to an interview given in The Independent by Daniel Taub, she wrote: We need to be very serious with Israel about its breach of international law, its expansion policy and its “Mr Taub, there is only one Gaza, currently being bombed to pieces by the might and sophistication of Israel’s military”. treatment of people. I am critical of anyone who wants to bomb anyone else—I do not see that as a solution—but She went on to say, in respect of the Israeli victims of if a people are kept imprisoned and denied work, hope any rockets that are sent: and opportunity, then consequences follow. Those “Fortunately, Israel has the infrastructure, funds and basic consequences are great bitterness, great conflict and materials to build bomb shelters for its people. Palestinians in horrible loss of life. In the past few weeks, 200 Palestinians Gaza and the West Bank continue to suffer: an internationally recognised, illegal military occupation, extreme provocation brought have died in Gaza, and sadly one Israeli has been killed about by settlement-building on Palestinian land in spite of as the result of one rocket landing. This is wholly international condemnation, the utter thwarting of prosperity disproportionate. It is a horrible way forward, and the due to closed borders and blocked coast, grossly disproportionate demonstrations around the world show just how isolated civilian deaths and injuries, the destruction of thousands of Israel is and just how isolated are those Governments homes, and a lack of food, water and medical supplies.” who think that they can keep on and on apologising for She describes the situation for people in Gaza. Israel’s behaviour rather than pressure it to do something 349WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 350WH different. Such Governments are becoming out of touch available in the long-standing Arab peace initiative, with the feelings of an awful lot of ordinary people all which would set all the Arab states on the starting point over the world. Today’s debate gives us the opportunity of recognising the state of Israel and affirming its right to say that, at least. to existence. However, despite being offered, that initiative has not been taken forward and used as a basis for 3.34 pm anything. Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP): Like others, I commend I have listened to other right hon. and hon. Members the right hon. Member for North East Bedfordshire speaking. I know from our situation in Northern Ireland (Alistair Burt) for securing this debate and opening it that when people talk about the atrocities and outrages with such a comprehensive look at the situation in the suffered in one community or territory, it is very easy middle east and north Africa. I also want to take the for people to engage in “whataboutery” over what has opportunity to welcome the new Minister to his brief; I been suffered and threatened in another community or look forward to his response. territory. I hope we can all agree that we do not want to I too want to concentrate on the situation in Gaza see civilians threatened, targeted or killed, whether they and Israel. I come to the subject without interests to live in Israel or Gaza, or any other part of Palestine. declare—I have no particular attachment—but with The word “terrorism” is bandied about, particularly some experience of living and working somewhere that in relation to Hamas. If “terrorism” means targeting has known conflict and having been involved in practically and threatening civilians and civilian space to achieve all stages of a peace process. I am very conscious that in or enforce a political end or to induce a change in any situation of long-standing conflict, there needs to someone else’s political thinking, it is a description that be a point at which people realise that they cannot be can as easily be attached to what the state of Israel is secure against each other; we can only truly be secure waging on the people of Gaza. That is precisely what with each other. How that security is found, expressed Israel is doing—it is violence aimed at achieving a and contained is different in different situations. particular purpose and conditioning a change in political The two-state solution is obviously recommended for attitude. Palestine and Israel. We MPs repeat that constantly and I do not accept that there is any moral difference in we hear it repeated by Governments internationally. As the anti-civilian violence waged through Hamas rockets someone with experience of a peace process, I must say and that waged through the firepower of the Israeli that peace processes work well when the process itself defence forces against the people of Gaza. There is no starts to establish some of the givens that must be part moral difference in my book. Nor am I under any of the solution. Just as our peace process ended up illusion that there is military equivalence between that creating inclusion as a given of the process so that violence, but that does not make the violence on either inclusion became a given of the outcome, we have to side right. There is no military equivalence. I am not question why there cannot be more of a semblance of a trying to say that Hamas rockets are primitive and two-state process in the middle east. That is why, along made out of bins—I am under no illusion about their with other Members, I supported the bid for UN recognition sophistication—but there is no point pretending that on the behalf of the Palestinian Authority and others. there is military equivalence. People should not use That was not going to create an equal or real two-state such distracting and misplaced arguments to fail to situation, but it could have created some semblance of answer the basic questions. that. As other hon. Members have done, we all have to ask In an intractable conflict situation, when we will all how long our moderation would last and survive if we say from the outside that give and take is needed on were in the situation facing the people of Gaza. Any both sides, the fact is that not all the givens can come situation of repression sows the seeds of violence. When from the people involved in the conflict. If external the basic conditions for living are denied, the basic authorities and the international community are involved, conditions in which people strike out and kill are created. they can intervene and use their status to create some of If Israel thinks that it will find security by waging the givens, without surrender or compromise on the destruction and potentially threatening invasion against part of the parties concerned. That is where I believe the people of Gaza, there is no security there. the international community has been lax and remiss, I am heartened to hear the number of Members who not only in the context of the current onslaught that the have referred to it being easy to talk about both sides people are Gaza are suffering, but in relation to the but that there are people of peace and moderation wider situation and our aspirations and support for a living in Israel who do not support the current violence wider peace process in Palestine and the middle east. being waged by the Israeli defence forces and people of I suppose it is fashionable for many of us to make the non-violence and moderation in Gaza who do not point about how one-sided America’s interest and believe that Hamas’s violence will further their interests involvement is, but we have to ask why so much of the or rights, either. other western interest or involvement at a wider level seems to amount to something like a screensaver stance. Images are projected, shapes are thrown and impressions 3.42 pm are given, but nothing is really going on in terms of Mark Lazarowicz (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab/ having any significant effect on what Israel is doing in Co-op): I am glad for the opportunity to speak in this respect of the Palestinian people. debate. It is a privilege to follow my hon. Friend the I fully recognise and would defend and argue for the Member for Foyle (Mark Durkan). The wisdom he full right of the state of Israel to exist. I want to see that brings from his experience of trying to get out of fully expressed by all others, not only in Palestine, but conflict in his part of the world is such that we are right across the region. That would be part of the prize fortunate to have his contribution to this debate. 351WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 352WH

[Mark Lazarowicz] process, which all of us, whatever view we take on the issue, know is ultimately the only way to resolve the I will concentrate on three main points. First, I will crisis that faces Gaza, Palestine and Israel collectively. say something about the situation in Gaza. Many Members What are the UK Government doing with our partners have already spoken about that, but like every other to bring about a ceasefire and to ensure that that Member, a large number of my constituents have contacted ceasefire works? What pressure will the UK Government me with their concerns about the situation in Gaza and put on all parties to ensure compliance with a ceasefire? I want to give voice to some of those concerns. My Even in this difficult time, what is the UK doing to constituents who have contacted me are horrified by ensure that the peace process resumes in an effective what they see as the powerful Israeli military machine way? We all know that step has to be taken. being directed, to a great extent in its practical consequences, against a civilian population. Hundreds have been killed I have two further brief points that have a certain in Gaza, the vast majority civilians; hundreds more bearing on what I said about the situation in Gaza and have been injured, and houses and basic infrastructure Palestine, but also have a wider bearing on the middle have been destroyed by that military action. east more generally. First, the experience of so many of the Palestinian people over 70 years has been one of Like others who have spoken, I unreservedly condemn being refugees and displaced persons. That is a salutary all violence, from whatever quarter it comes in Gaza. It reminder of a situation faced not only by Palestinians may indeed be the case that the rocket attacks have but by many in that part of the world and elsewhere. We killed only one person so far, but I fully accept that the were recently reminded on world refugee day by the very threat of that type of attack will cause terror Untied Nations High Commissioner for Refugees that, among the potential victims, so I entirely condemn it. globally, the forcibly displaced population now tops Like other colleagues, I condemn the horrific killing of 50 million for the first time since the second world war: the Israeli teenagers and the Palestinian teenager. We “We are seeing here the immense costs of not ending wars, of have all seen pictures of the deaths on a beach and failing to resolve or prevent conflict. Peace is today dangerously elsewhere in Gaza, and they have horrified and shocked in deficit. Humanitarians can help as a palliative, but political us all. It has to be said that in no way can that violence solutions are vitally needed. Without this, the alarming levels of conflict and the mass suffering that is reflected in these figures or the rocket attacks be regarded as justification for the will continue.” extent of the response from Israeli forces. It seems to me that by any objective standard, the response has to be We should reflect on that statement, and on the situation, regarded as disproportionate and unacceptable, and I because the worldwide surge in refugees and displaced hope the British Government would condemn it. persons causes so much instability and suffering. Finally, and briefly, I was not able to take part in the Like colleagues, I want to see how we can move debate on the Syrian refugee programme yesterday as I forward from the current situation. There were suggestions was attending a Select Committee meeting. Given the earlier today of a possible ceasefire, but the latest reports promises we have made, it is disappointing that so far suggest that that is perhaps not as definite as it seemed. only 50 refugees have been found places in the UK Perhaps they were just the preliminary discussions under that scheme. The response of the Minister for entertained before a ceasefire is actually declared, so let Security and Immigration yesterday was disappointing. us hope that the ceasefire is brought about very soon, I hope that the UK Government will give a more hopefully today. Even if it does come about, that ceasefire positive response and fully support the refugee programme should not be regarded as the end of the process. Too for Syria, as we ought to, so we can play our part in the often we have seen a ceasefire declared because of world international community’s response to the immediate pressure, world attention and the internal circumstances and pressing demand in that country. in Gaza, and then, as the world’s attention moves away, the ceasefire begins to disentangle for all sorts of reasons, it breaks down and any attempts to move forward 3.50 pm become impossible. A number of steps need to be taken Mr Khalid Mahmood (Birmingham, Perry Barr) (Lab): to ensure that, if a ceasefire does happen, it becomes a It is, as always, a privilege to be under your chairmanship, more long-lasting ceasefire that allows further movement. Mr Sheridan. I thank the right hon. Member for North The hon. Member for Beckenham (Bob Stewart), who East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt) for securing this important has now left, suggested the presence of international debate. I realise that he originally intended to cover a monitors to verify a ceasefire and to ensure that actions far greater area, which is hugely necessary. I support are not taken to undermine it. That is a sensible suggestion that. The debate needs to be far wider, because there are that should be given more attention by the international issues in the rest of the area that need a serious hearing. community. There also needs to be an immediate supply That would be useful. of humanitarian relief to Palestinians in Gaza as a basis I start by paying tribute to my hon. Friend the for lifting the blockade of Gaza, allowing the rebuilding Member for Birmingham, Northfield (Richard Burden), of vital services and ending the effective siege that has who has been diligent in his approach to this issue for a lasted for such a long time, which has, as my hon. long time, even before I came to this place. I also pay Friend the Member for Foyle highlighted, encouraged tribute to his persistence in trying to act as an honest some to turn to violence as the only way forward in broker to achieve things. Unfortunately, for a long what they see as an impossible situation. There has to period, we have not been very successful in doing so. be an end to the illegal settlements on the west bank, Let me make it clear that I wholly and unreservedly which make it impossible to move forward with the condemn Hamas attacks and rocket launches. There is peace process. The international community also has to absolutely no justification for that, and it should not be make yet another effort to try to bring about a peace a way of trying to move forward. However, the right 353WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 354WH hon. Member for North East Bedfordshire said that can at least have some sort of stability for the people in there was no disproportionate action by the Israeli the area,” because ultimately, it is they who suffer as a Government and the Israel Defence Forces. I beg to consequence. We try to go back to the peace process. differ. I think that significantly disproportionate action For too long, I have heard about the idea of the peace has been taken by the IDF and the Israeli Government, process. We have not had a proper negotiation at any and that there is a significant difference in what is going stage about the peace process. That will not and cannot on, particularly in terms of the hardware available to happen, purely because the settlements continue and the IDF: their military air, ground and sea power, and the Israeli Government have erected the wall, and because the technology of the Iron Dome missile protection of their treatment of the right of the Palestinian population shield. there to life and a decent standard of civil liberties. All that is fine. It is protection, and in defence terms, Until that is addressed, we will never get to a position that is needed. However, defence becomes aggression where things can be dealt with positively and we can when people are targeted and restricted to living in a have recourse to a settlement between the two peoples. limited area, and then told, “We’ll tap you on the roof We all say that a two-state solution is right—that the to tell you that if you don’t leave, there will be a missile Israelis and the Palestinians should both have the right to follow, and you’ll be obliterated.” It becomes difficult to exist—but how do we bring that into being? We are for a huge populace squashed into a small land mass. just talking nonsense, by and large. That is not practical The area is under lockdown. People here have called it a in view of what is going on, until somebody has the gall prison, and I do not disagree with that description. The to stand up to Israel and say, “Look, if you want to sort people there have no access by sea or air, and no real this out, we have to have new measures and new ways of access by land. We have discussed how we can get looking at this. Overreaction to what is going on in people to move out. Sometimes, even when it happens, Gaza is not a way forward and will not help us.” four children playing on a beach get killed, so where do those people go? 3.59 pm Jim Shannon: I appreciate the point the hon. Gentleman Grahame M. Morris (Easington) (Lab): It is a pleasure, is making. I think he is aware, like others in this House, as always, to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Sheridan. that Hamas has used civilians as cover for its activities. I I think that I explained the reasons why I was late, and I am sure he condemns that as well. apologise to the right hon. Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt) for being late and congratulate Mr Mahmood: I have no problem condemning it, but him on securing this important debate. I will come to that point later. Unfortunately, at this late stage of the debate much A lot of statistics have been bandied about today, of what I was planning to say has already been covered, particularly by the hon. Member for Brigg and Goole so I will spare the Minister and the other Members who (Andrew Percy), who is not in his place at the moment. I remain the injustice of hearing the statistics repeated. will give a few statistics as well. According to current However, I would like to say that this issue is not only figures from the United Nations, 77% of Palestinian one for the Palestinian or the Arab diaspora here in the fatalities so far have been civilians, which raises concerns UK and in the rest of Europe. I am the MP for Easington about respect for international humanitarian law. Some and I declare an interest as chair of Labour Friends of 23 medical facilities and 81 schools have been damaged Palestine and the Middle East, because I want to speak by shelling; 214 Palestinians have been killed, including about the situation in Gaza and Israel. at least 164 civilians, of whom 44 were children and 29 women; 1,585 Palestinians have been injured, of whom This is a social justice issue. I heard many of the 435 are children and 282 are women; 1,660 homes have comments that Members made today, and frankly some been destroyed or severely damaged, directly displacing sense was spoken on all sides. However, when someone 9,900 persons. starts to stretch the truth too thinly, people—even ordinary people and people of limited intelligence such as myself— We have been talking about people’s ability to move can start to see through it, and that is starting to out of that confined space in a difficult area. Whether happen. Hamas uses people as human shields has been mentioned. The problem is that there is no real civil or policing We are at a tipping point for the middle east. The UK structure left in the area to get hold of what Hamas Government have a critical role to play, and members of does. That is the result of continuous bombing of police the wider international community could act as honest stations and civil buildings even before Hamas came brokers for peace and take some practical action to into power, when the Palestine Liberation Organisation tackle the root cause of the conflict, which is—let us be was in control. In a way, that policy allowed Hamas to plain about it—the illegal occupation of Palestine. Tackling come to power, by continually weakening the authority that would prevent extremism from escalating on both that wanted to talk and move forward. Day in, day out, sides. their existence was continually eroded. Then Hamas, I will echo the comments not of a member of my for all its ills, was elected. That is what happens when party but of the right hon. Gentleman’s party, who people cannot respond to their situation: they turn to spoke during this week’s exchanges following the urgent what they feel can get them out of it. What happens in statement and told the House that he had heard the those circumstances is an issue. same responses to the same events for 30 years. I think The people in that area have no choice. We insist that that was the right hon. Member for Mid Sussex (Sir the UN place people in there to protect the people and Nicholas Soames). do something about it. We should speak to the Arab League and say, “You put some people in there, so we Alistair Burt: Yes. 355WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 356WH

Grahame M. Morris: The right hon. Member for Mid I went to see them, I had a vision of a “Lawrence of Sussex said that he had heard the same responses for 30 Arabia”-type situation, with lovely tents and so on, but years. I ask the Minister this: is it not beyond time that they live in absolute squalor, moving from place to the international community, with Britain at the forefront, place, and they are restricted, with the Israeli authorities lived up to its obligation to end this humanitarian declaring areas—on a whim, it would appear—to be disaster? For 30 years we have seen this happening, and military training areas or national parks. That is just a we are having the same debates over and over again, clear abuse, and a collective punishment, and it has to with no progress to report. We can no longer continue stop if we are to see a just and lasting peace. to focus exclusively on negotiations. I will do everything The Minister is new to his post and I wish him well, I can—I think I will be protesting outside the Israeli because we have had these arguments before, even though embassy on Saturday—to further the cause of peace I have only been a Member of this House for four years. and a ceasefire. We have to go beyond focusing on It is a serious issue and I do not mean to laugh, but his negotiations. We cannot continue to ignore the main predecessor, the right hon. Member for North East barriers to peace, which include the failure to hold Bedfordshire, will know that we have had lengthy debates Israel accountable for its human rights violations. The and informal meetings, and we have tried every which annexations— way to push these things forward in a reasonable and businesslike fashion. I want the UK Government to be Mrs Ellman: Will my hon. Friend give way? serious, and I hope that when my party is sitting on the Government Benches in a year’s time, we will be much Grahame M. Morris: I will give way only once, because more proactive. I am very short of time. We need to replace rhetoric with actions and demand an immediate end to the blockade of Gaza. We have Mrs Ellman: I thank my hon. Friend for giving way. heard from right hon. and hon. Members, including There is no doubt that in this long-running tragic those who have visited Gaza, about the suffering of the dispute there is fault on all sides. However, does he people, and about the impact on the water supply, the think that the Palestinians are in any way culpable for sewerage system, and the hospitals. We must insist on jeopardising the possibility of peace, when after the an end to this blockade, and a complete freeze on illegal Oslo accords were signed the Palestinian Authority—under settlement growth. We must also halt trade with and the leadership of Yasser Arafat—unleashed a series of investment in illegal Israeli settlements in the west bank. suicide bombings on the young people of Jerusalem? We should support a phased approach to ending the occupation of the west bank and East Jerusalem, and Grahame M. Morris: I was going to come on to the have greater international mediation, with a larger role Oslo accords and their consequences. I know that my for the EU. Most importantly, the international community hon. Friend raised issues earlier relating to some of the must set out clear parameters, targets and consequences things that had happened—the reactions and so on—but to the failure to end violations in order to make progress. we have to move on. It is 20 years since Oslo. On the I know that targets are not popular with the Conservatives, undertakings given, particularly in respect of the withdrawal but those targets should include sanctions when Israel from Gaza, we are talking about illegal settlements that does not comply. were set up by Israel and were against international We must understand the crisis in the wider context, conventions. which is a seven-year blockade of Gaza that has left its The Deputy Prime Minister recently acknowledged people facing an absolute humanitarian crisis. We had the collective punishments dished out to the Palestinian an excellent debate here in Westminster Hall, in which people, which have consequences in terms of brutalising the impact of that crisis was elaborated on, but it is time people. As was said earlier, the current military action to go beyond rhetoric. We need action from the British will, I am sure, degrade the capability of Hamas and Government; they must take a lead. other extremist groups to wage an armed campaign against Israel, but sadly it will be counter-productive, Jim Sheridan (in the Chair): Order. Before calling the because it will radicalise many thousands, or potentially Front-Bench spokesmen, I point out that Mr Burt has millions, of others in Gaza, the west bank and a number indicated that he would like three minutes to wind up of countries, perhaps even in Europe. The Israelis, who the debate after both Front-Bench spokesmen have hold all the cards and have all the power and might, spoken, if that time can be factored in. have to recognise that the way to peace and justice for both Israel and Palestine is a just and negotiated settlement. 4.8 pm We have to tackle the root cause, and we have to hold Israel accountable for its human rights violations, the Ian Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab): It is a real pleasure to annexation of Palestinian land and the continued expansion see you in the Chair, Mr Sheridan, and to listen to the of illegal settlements; they are illegal in international right hon. Member for North East Bedfordshire (Alistair law. Burt), who gave a powerful and, of course, knowledgeable I have had the opportunity to go and see some of introduction to the topic. these settlements. I was accompanied by Jewish human I want to range more widely than simply focusing on rights groups, who share the concerns of the international the Israel-Gaza issue, because there are so many hugely community about some of the things that have been important issues in the middle east and north Africa. I happening, such as the infrastructure network being am conscious that that we have said very little at all available exclusively to Israeli settlements and the restrictions about North Africa, but of course in the circumstances on the water resources, which particularly affect the it was inevitable that we would talk a great deal about Bedouin Arabs. They have a miserable existence. When Israel and Gaza. The violence and deaths in Gaza, and 357WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 358WH the firing of rockets into Israel and the casualties arising right hon. Member for North East Bedfordshire mentioned therefrom continue, regrettably, today. It is imperative prosperity in the region, although that is important. He that the immediate conflict stops, that we secure a knows that I have travelled a great deal in the region, ceasefire, and that we begin a political process that will although not quite as much as he has. It is a region with secure enduring peace. As we all know, that demands a huge number of ambitious young people, who have leadership and compromise by all parties. However, great expectations and want to make progress in their there is no alternative if this cycle of violence is not to lives, but all the political difficulty is preventing economic intensify, with more people dead, maimed and traumatised. stability from being secured. Unless we can get a stable That is in no one’s interest. There is no purpose in the political situation, to enable economic progress to occur, violence continuing. It achieves nothing; there is no those disappointed expectations will result in a much point. more dangerous situation. This is something that the We have had conversations like this before. The Minister Governments of the middle east must ultimately secure is new to his post; he is the third middle east Minister for themselves. that I have dealt with since I have had this brief. I sense There are shafts of light. I am pleased that the right an atmosphere at present of profound change in the hon. Gentleman mentioned Tunisia. We both mention attitude towards this intractable issue. I hope that the it because it is an example of a difficult political situation ceasefire will come, and that we will see that as an that was addressed by politicians from different parties opportunity for intense political activity to try to address and traditions with different views, who went through the problems and issues that we have been discussing. difficult times—individuals, including politicians, were Of course, we need to extend the ceasefire for as long killed because of their views—but they reached an as possible, but we must take immediate action to offer agreed constitution with so-called Islamist parties and support on the humanitarian issues in Gaza. We need to parties from a secular tradition and are moving forward. work hard to secure a resolution to this conflict, because The constitutional committee in Tunisia chaired by the other important thing about Israel-Palestine in the Mustapha Ben Jaafar has achieved a great deal and middle east is that it is an issue right across the Arab shows that progress can be made. I commend the work world. It is important to the Arab world’s view of of the British Government, through the Arab Partnership, countries such as the United Kingdom, and of Europe in supporting that. It is important that we use that as an and the United States, and it is at the heart of the views example and give the Tunisian people all the support we of some Arab people that major powers in the region can, so that we have an example of progress being have double standards. Until we take action and secure made. Tunisia is where the Arab spring started. If there real progress on this issue, that will undermine our is to be real progress in the region, we need to hold on to relationships with many of the emerging Governments that example. in the region. That issue demands our attention. Morocco has also taken positive steps, through initiatives We are, of course, seeing profound change in Iraq. for reform of its constitutional monarchy. It is to be The recent announcement of a proposed referendum by hoped that Algeria—another hugely important country the Kurdish Regional Government casts doubt on the that we have not touched on today—following recent future of Iraq. This, coupled with the horrific violence presidential elections, can find a way forward with meted out by ISIS and other terrorist groups, both in Morocco to address their historical differences, so that Iraq and Syria, has created a febrile environment across both countries can progress economically. Two countries the middle east in which established states no longer with a closed border between them cannot achieve appear to be in control of their borders. Will the Minister progress in trade worldwide when they will not even please update the House on what recent discussions the trade with each other. Government have had concerning a referendum in Iraq? We need to try to build on areas of stability, because What discussions have they had with Iran—I know that there are further threats within the region: in the Sahel, there are efforts to have discussions with the chargé extending south into sub-Saharan Africa, where conditions d’affaires from Iran—and Turkey about their view of in South Sudan, Sudan, Nigeria, Kenya— developments in northern Iraq? In the context of what is happening in the middle Jim Sheridan (in the Chair): Order. I am sorry to stop east, the four largest powers in the region, Egypt, Turkey, the hon. Gentleman, but the Minister needs time to Iran and Saudi Arabia, can play an even more important respond. role than previously. It is striking to me that countries such as Turkey and Iran, with what appear to be 4.18 pm fundamentally different foreign policy perspectives in the region, still maintain a working bilateral relationship, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign despite areas of profound disagreement, for example, and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Tobias Ellwood): It is a on Syria. That means that they can still have a relationship pleasure to work under your chairmanship, Mr Sheridan. that works. This is a time when the ending of violence I thank the hon. Member for Wrexham (Ian Lucas) for and re-establishment of order across the region requires his comments. those regional powers to talk and agree to influence I am grateful to be able to respond to a wide-ranging, those people they communicate with to secure peace intelligent and informative debate. I join other hon. and more stability. Members in paying an enormous tribute to my right The middle east’s current state of ferment is not in hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire the interest of its peoples. legitimate Governments in (Alistair Burt), who was a formidable Foreign Office the region need to find a way of securing stability Minister and did this Government, and indeed Parliament, together, so that economic development can take place. proud in strengthening relationships in the middle east We have not spoken a great deal about that since the and North Africa. I am proud and honoured to follow 359WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 360WH

[Mr Tobias Ellwood] it is vital that Gaza’s civilian population is protected. The UK has three objectives: to secure a long-term in his footsteps, as well as those of my right hon. Friend ceasefire agreed by both sides, to alleviate humanitarian the Member for Faversham and Mid Kent (Hugh suffering, and to keep alive the prospects for future Robertson). peace negotiations. The UK remains in close contact with Israeli and Palestinian leaders and continues to Dr Julian Lewis: Although I found myself in the work with international partners, including the US, opposite camp over arming the rebels in Syria, I say to Egypt and Arab partners, to support those objectives. my right hon. Friend who secured this debate that I was I spoke to our embassy in Tel Aviv today and our amazed at the courtesy and forbearance that he always consulate general in Jerusalem, which represents British showed, even though we were totally at loggerheads interests in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. over the issue. I know that was not unique to me; that is Implementation of any ceasefire agreement must only the way he behaves with everybody. be part of a wider effort to improve conditions in Gaza. Without that, we are likely to see further such cycles of Mr Ellwood: I am grateful for my hon. Friend’s violence. We continue to judge that a negotiated two-state intervention—and grateful that it was brief. solution is the only way to resolve the conflict once and I have limited time to respond to what was an amazing for all. The UK will continue to do all it can to support debate. Hon. Members can imagine my delight, given and advance US efforts to that end. I am sad to report the expertise of my right hon. Friend the Member for that there are unofficial reports that, while the temporary North East Bedfordshire, that on day two of my ceasefire has closed, rockets have been moving from appointment I am called to reply to a three-hour debate both sides, which is not good news, if that is the case. on the middle east. He paid tribute to the expertise of To conclude, the region is facing numerous serious the House, and I echo that. It has been reflected in challenges and change will continue to be led by the today’s debate. I will not be able to cover the 21 countries region, not external actors. The UK has an important under my brief, or the details. I have already made a role to play with the international community in supporting commitment to myself—given the short amount of those working to tackle conflict and to build a more time and to give time for my right hon. Friend to stable, prosperous middle east and north Africa, based respond—that I will write to Members in response to on strengthened consent and popular participation. the details they brought up. There are, however, a couple of issues that I would like to get on the record. To meet the challenges of this volatile and ever-changing part of the world, we have continued to develop our The Government’s long-term commitment remains approach since the uprisings of 2011. Through our as supporting a more secure, prosperous region, with Arab Partnership reform—I pay tribute to the work political stability based on open, inclusive political systems that my right hon. Friend the Member for North East and economies, but as my right hon. Friend has outlined Bedfordshire has done, and we have seen £65 million so articulately, countries in the region continue to face put into that project this year—we are supporting those serious challenges. Over recent weeks, we have seen the who are tackling conflict and implementing reform. We escalation of violence in Gaza and southern Israel, and are striking a balance between addressing short-term the growing threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq insecurity and laying the foundations for long-term and the Levant, which I saw first hand on a visit to stability, based on open, inclusive political systems and northern Iraq only a month ago. economies. We must accept, however, that that is the The situation in Syria is particularly bleak, with tens work of a generation, and we should not be deterred by of thousands of civilian deaths and more than 10 setbacks along the way because, as the Prime Minister million people in need of humanitarian assistance. has made clear, the success of the middle east and north Elsewhere, many countries that witnessed uprisings in Africa is not only in the interests of the region, but of 2011 continue to take steps towards reform, but their the UK and the world. successes are fragile, as we have heard, and need continued support. Recent elections in Libya may be an important Nadhim Zahawi: I congratulate the Minister on his step in the country’s transition to a more democratic appointment. I want to talk about ISIS and Kurdistan. future, but serious security challenges remain. In Egypt, Has he begun to consider a scenario where Baghdad is as has been mentioned, we continue to urge President no longer functional and whether we would then support al-Sisi to uphold fundamental freedoms and rights and the Kurds in their fight against ISIS? My other point is to open up the political space. the one that I made on oil exports. We remain neutral We have seen progress in Yemen’s political transition, on that, but other countries, such as Morocco, do not. but instability and economic challenges threaten to Has he considered making representations to Morocco undermine those efforts. On a more positive note, as my and other countries, asking them to remain neutral on right hon. Friend the Member for North East Bedfordshire that? has articulated, Tunisia’s drive for an inclusive transition has produced marked progress on the development of Mr Ellwood: I am grateful for that intervention. I political systems needed to bring long-term stability, heard those issues on my recent visit. They are placed although the economic situation remains critical. on the record, and I will get back to my hon. Friend In the limited time available, I turn to Gaza, which with some details on how that might be pursued. has been the focus of many Members’ attention. As the Foreign Secretary made clear to the House on 14 July, Mr Slaughter: Will the Minister fulfil our obligation we remain deeply concerned by the escalation of violence under international law by ending trade with illegal in Gaza and southern Israel. Israel has the right to settlements? Will he investigate the point raised by my defend itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks, but hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Northfield 361WH Middle East and North Africa17 JULY 2014 Middle East and North Africa 362WH

(Richard Burden) on whether British arms that we Bahrain. Bahrain is one of those states that responded supplied are being used in the current conflict by the quite extraordinarily to the events of February 2011. It Israelis? If they are, what will the Minister do about got things wrong at the beginning, but its independent that? report was unique in the context. Nevertheless, it has to continue with the process of reform. The United Kingdom Mr Ellwood: Again, that is one of the issues that is right not only to keep pressing on that, but to encourage I would have loved to touch on, had there been time. I opposition and Government there to come together. made some notes on the case as the hon. Member for I was also right to recognise at the beginning of the Birmingham, Northfield was speaking, and if I may, debate that there would be passion and grief associated I will come back on that. I have some detailed notes, with our respective views on Israel and Palestine. We and I would be delighted to respond. have heard a very articulate representation of the differences I thank my right hon. Friend the Member for North between competing points of view. As I said in my East Bedfordshire for bringing this important debate to opening remarks, we have heard all the historical stuff. the House. I hope that we will return to the issue. I We know all that. There are rights and wrongs on both thank all right hon. and hon. Members for their sides—we get it. The question is how to move on from contributions, and I apologise that I cannot reply in where we are. There is more than one disputed explanation detail now, but I will write to each of those who made a of any agreed set of facts in the area. contribution today individually and respond to their We are united in the view that we cannot go on like questions. this. The cycle of attack and reprisal is not delivering peace or security to either Israelis or Palestinians. We 4.26 pm grieve for each and every life lost, particularly the Alistair Burt: I thank all colleagues for taking part in children. We urge that those responsible move away the debate, which demonstrated how important it is to from cataloguing the rights and wrongs and, this time, speak rather more about the middle east and north tie up a cessation of violence with the bold political Africa in the House. I hope that we can do so in the steps that are needed. It will be for President Netanyahu future. I thank both Front Benchers, and my hon. and President Abbas to deliver the agreement to their Friend the Minister was right to pay tribute to his people that we all want to see. If that cannot be done, predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for sooner or later the situation will get still further out of Faversham and Mid Kent (Hugh Robertson), who did a control. As I have said to both on many occasions, each great job. I thank the Minister for his response. I also has to recognise that they are no longer each other’s thank the hon. Member for Wrexham (Ian Lucas); we worst enemy. There are things that are worse in the have been around the world a bit together over the past region. Sooner or later, something cataclysmic will happen couple of years and it has always been a pleasure. I have and we will look back and regret that the opportunity enjoyed his company and the assiduity with which he that was there to secure an agreement and secure peace approaches his role, and I pay tribute to that. It helps was not taken. The British Government must continue the whole House to know that almost every colleague to work with all sides to do as much as we possibly can who speaks on the subject is full of knowledge. to secure the agreement that is absolutely necessary. The Minister and Members will have found that I was Question put and agreed to. right when I spoke about the experience and knowledge in this place, and I am grateful for the odd reference to 4.29 pm things other than Gaza during the debate, not least Sitting adjourned.

81WS Written Statements17 JULY 2014 Written Statements 82WS

also covers the UK implementation of the UN al-Qaeda Written Statements asset-freezing regime and the operation of the EU asset-freezing regime in the UK under EU regulation Thursday 17 July 2014 (EC) 2580/2001 which implements UNSCR 1373 against external terrorist threats to the EU. Under the UN al-Qaeda asset-freezing regime, the UN has responsibility for designations and the Treasury has responsibility for TREASURY licensing and compliance with the regime in the UK under the Al-Qaeda (Asset-Freezing) Regulations 2011. Counter-Terrorism Asset Freezing Regime Under EU regulation 2580/2001, the EU has responsibility for designations and the Treasury has responsibility for licensing and compliance with the regime in the UK The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr David under part 1 of TAFA 2010. Gauke): Under the Terrorist Asset-Freezing etc. Act 2010 (“TAFA 2010”), the Treasury is required to report to Annexes A and B to this statement provide a breakdown, Parliament, quarterly, on its operation of the UK’s by name, of all those designated by the UK and the EU asset-freezing regime mandated by UN Security Council in pursuance of UN Security Council Resolution 1373. Resolution 1373. The following table sets out the key asset-freezing This is the 14th report under the Act and it covers the activity in the UK during the quarter ending 30 June 2014: period from 1 April 2014 to 30 April 2014. This report

Al-Qaeda Regime TAFA 2010 EU Reg (EC) 2580/2001 UNSCR1989

Assets frozen (as at 30/06/2014) £101,000 £11,0001 £58,0002 Number of accounts frozen in UK 46 10 24 (at 30/06/14) New accounts frozen (during Q2 2014) 6 0 0 Accounts unfrozen (during Q2 2014) 0 0 0 Number of designations (at 30/06/14) 30 363 280 (i) New designations (during Q2 2014) 1 0 6 (ii) Delistings (during Q2 2014) 0 0 5 (iii) Individuals in custody in UK 400 (at 30/06/2014) (iv) Individuals in UK, not in custody 403 (at 30/06/2014) (v) Individuals overseas (at 30/06/2014) 14 11 211 (vi) Groups 8 (0 in UK) 25 (1 in UK) 66 Individuals by nationality 7 n/a n/a (i) UK Nationals4 8 (ii) Non UK Nationals 14 Renewal of designation (during Q2 2014) 1 n/a n/a General Licences (i) 0 (i) Issued in Q2 (ii) 0 (ii) Amended (iii) 0 (iii) Revoked Specific Licences: (i) Issued in Q2 10 0 1 (ii) Amended 2 0 0 (iii) Expired 1 0 0 (iv) Refused 1 0 0 1This does not duplicate funds frozen under TAFA. 2This figure reflects the most up-to-date account balances available and includes approximately $64,000 of funds frozen in the UK. This has been converted using exchange rates as of 30/06/2014. 3This figure is based on ex-designations where the UK freeze forms the prior competent authority decision for the EU freeze. 4Based on information held by the Treasury, some of these individuals hold dual nationality.

Legal Proceedings 3. In the quarter to 30 June 2014, no criminal proceedings were initiated in respect of breaches of asset freezes 1. The damages claim brought by Gulam Mastafa made under TAFA 2010 or under the Al-Qaeda (Asset- against a number of Government Departments, including Freezing) Regulations 2011, though we have worked the Treasury, has been stayed behind another case. closely with the police and CPS on a number of investigations that may result in prosecution. Additionally, 2. A judicial review was brought against the Department one individual was cautioned during the quarter for in relation to the question of whether certain designations breach of restrictions in the Terrorist Asset-Freezing should be generally publicised or only notified on a etc. Act 2010 that apply to designated persons. restricted basis. Due to the nature of these proceedings it is not possible to provide any further information. 83WS Written Statements17 JULY 2014 Written Statements 84WS

Annex A—Designated persons under TAFA 2010 by 4. Al-Takfir and Al-Hijra name5 5. Babbar Khalsa Individuals 6. Communist Party of the Philippines, including New People’s Army (NPA), Philippines 1. Hamed Abdollahi 7. Devrimci Halk Kurtulu Partisi-Cephesi—DHKP/C 2. Bilal Talal Abdullah (Revolutionary People’s Liberation Army/Front/Party) 3. Imad Khalil Al-Alami 8. Ejército de Liberación Nacional (National Liberation 4. Abdelkarim Hussein Al-Nasser Army)* 5. Ibrahim Salih Al-Yacoub 9. Fuerzas armadas revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC)* 6. Manssor Arbabsiar 10. Gama’a al-lslamiyya (a.k.a. Al-Gama’a al-lslamiyya) 7. Moazzam Begg (Islamic Group—IG) 11. Hamas, including Hamas-Izz al-Din al-Qassem 8. Usama Hamdan 12. Hizballah Military Wing, including external security 9.Nur Idiris Hassan Nur organisation 10. Nabeel Hussain 13. Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) 11. Hasan Izz-al-Din 14. Hofstadgroep 12. Mohammed Khaled 15. Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development* 13. Parviz Khan 16. International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) 14. Musa Abu Marzouk 17. Islami Büyük Dogu Akincilar Cephesi (IBDA-C) (Great 15. Khalid Mishaal Islamic Eastern Warriors Front) 16. Khalid Shaikh Mohammed 18. Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) 17. Sultan Muhammad 19. Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) (a.k.a. KONGRA-GEL) 20. Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) 18. Abdul Reza Shahlai 21. Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) 19. Ali Gholam Shakuri 22. Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)— 20. Qasem Soleimani General Command (PFLP-GC)* 21. A 23. Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine—(PFLP)* 22. B 24. Sendero Luminoso (SL) (Shining Path)* Entities 25. Teyrbazen Azadiya Kurdistan (TAK) 1. BASQUE FATHERLAND AND LIBERTY (ETA) 6For full listing details please refer to: www.gov.uk. * 2. EJERCITO DE LIBERACION NACIONAL (ELN) EU listing rests on UK designation under TAFA 2010. 3. FUERZAS ARMADAS REVOLUCIONARIAS DE COLOMBIA (FARC) DEFENCE 4. HIZBALLAH MILITARY WING, INCLUDING EXTERNAL SECURITY ORGANISATION Government Pipeline and Storage System 5. HOLY LAND FOUNDATION FOR RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT 6. POPULAR FRONT FOR THE LIBERATION OF The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence PALESTINE—GENERAL COMMAND (PFLP-GC) (Mr Philip Dunne): In 2013, the Ministry of Defence 7. POPULAR FRONT FOR THE LIBERATION OF (MOD) included provisions in the Energy Act to enable PALESTINE (PFLP) sale of the Government pipeline and storage system 8. SENDERO LUMINOSO (SL) (GPSS). During passage of the Bill, Government Ministers

5 were clear that a final decision to sell the system had not For full listing details please refer to: https://www.gov.uk/ been taken and was subject to further work to confirm government/publications/current-list-of-designated-persons- terrorism-and-terrorist-financing. the case for sale. Annex B—Persons designated by the EU under Council Given these assurances it is appropriate for me to Regulation (EC)2580/20016 provide an update to the House. Work on the sale was carried out in parallel with the legislative process and Persons has extended into this year. MOD and its advisers have 1. Hamed Abdollahi* paid particular attention to assessing the investment 2. Abdelkarim Hussein Al-Nasser* required to meet the stringent safety and environmental 3. Ibrahim Salih Al Yacoub* standards introduced in the wake of the 2005 Buncefield 4. Manssor Arbabsiar* accident as well as identifying the risks and opportunities 5. Mohammed Bouyeri for the business in the civilian downstream oil sector. It remains the case that commercial customers account 6. Sofiane Yacine Fahas for the majority of the GPSS throughput. MOD undertook 7. Hasan Izz-Al-Din* market testing earlier this year and considers there to be 8. Khalid Shaikh Mohammed* a significant level of interest in purchasing the GPSS. 9. Abdul Reza Shahlai* We have concluded that sale of the GPSS would 10. Ali Gholam Shakuri* allow Government to transfer the financial risks of 11. Qasem Soleimani* operating in the downstream oil market to the private sector, while still preserving the GPSS’s military capability Groups and Entities and ensuring that national resilience is not compromised. 1. Abu Nidal Organisation (ANO) The Department will now begin the sale process by 2. Al-Aqsa E.V. inviting expressions of interest. The sale will be publicised 3. Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade in the press and through the defence contracts bulletin. 85WS Written Statements17 JULY 2014 Written Statements 86WS

MOD intends to complete the sale in the current financial In the consultation we published in March this year, year. The GPSS clauses contained within the Energy we gave an initial indication of how, under our proposal, Act will be enacted by a commencement order before additional funding might be allocated to local areas. We sale completion. were clear that these indicative figures were calculated The Oil and Pipelines Agency which manages the using the most recent data available at that time, and GPSS on MOD’s behalf is today writing to key suppliers that we would use updated data for the final allocations. and customers informing them of the sale process. We were clear that this meant that the distribution of additional funding to local authorities would be different from the indicative allocations set out in the consultation. EDUCATION The additional funding that we will allocate to local authorities addresses the unfair distribution of mainstream School Funding schools funding. During the consultation I have heard the concern that we will not have a completely fair education funding system until we also reform the The Minister for Schools (Mr David Laws): Iam distribution of funding for pupils with high-cost special today announcing how we will allocate £390 million of educational needs and for early years pupils. This will additional schools funding to the least fairly funded be our priority for reform during the next Parliament, local areas in England. This will ensure fairer funding alongside introducing a full national funding formula of English schools. for schools. When I addressed the House in March on fairer schools In the 69 local areas that will attract additional funding, I confirmed the Government’s commitment to funding, schools forums will now be able to agree a ensure that, across the country, schools have a fair local funding formula for 2015-16. Our intention is that funding allocation that equips them to provide a world-class schools in these areas should receive the full benefit of education. Since then, we have consulted on a proposal the additional funding we are making available: the to allocate additional funding to schools in the least local authority should not hold back the extra funding fairly funded areas. to pay for centrally provided services. However, I want The consultation has confirmed that there is an to be clear that it is for local authorities, in consultation overwhelming consensus that the allocation of funding with their schools forum, to decide how they distribute to local areas across England is unfair. this additional funding between the schools in their area. If it is the collective judgment of a schools forum The proposal we consulted on was as follows. First, that there is a better way of distributing funding locally, we would protect all local authority budgets at the same then schools will not receive a budget that reflects each cash level in 2015-16 as in 2014-15. After this, we would of the minimum funding levels directly. increase the budgets of the least fairly funded local Today’s announcement of an additional £390 million areas by setting minimum funding levels that all areas increase in funding will make a real difference on the should attract for their pupils and schools. Where a ground in the least fairly funded local areas, without local area already attracted these minimum funding creating instability and uncertainty in other local areas. levels, we would not make any change to the amount of We remain committed to taking the next vital steps funding per pupil that it received for 2015-16. If a local towards fully fair funding once long-term spending area attracted less than these minimum funding levels plans are in place after the next spending review. for the pupils and schools in its area, we would increase its budget so that it met those levels. I will place copies of the documents I have published today in the House Library. I have listened carefully to the views of hon. Members and considered over 570 responses to the consultation. I am confirming today that we will allocate extra money FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE to the least fairly funded local areas using the approach we set out in our recent consultation. I have concluded Government Wine Cellar that this is the fairest way of distributing the additional funding we have available. I am pleased to say that we The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign are allocating £390 million additional funding— and Commonwealth Affairs (Mark Simmonds): Ihave £40 million more than I announced in March. today placed a copy of the annual statement on the Sixty-nine local areas will attract additional funding. Government wine cellar for the financial year 2013-14 My announcement today means that, for example, in the Libraries of both Houses. Cambridgeshire—the lowest funded area in 2014-15— Following the outcome of the review of the Government will now receive an additional £311 for every pupil. hospitality wine cellar, this third annual statement continues Northumberland will now receive an additional £307 for our commitment that there would be annual statements each of its pupils and Croydon an additional £278. to Parliament on the use of the wine cellar, covering Through the additional funding we are making available, consumption, stock purchases, costs, and value for money. every local area’s allocation of funding will reflect a The wine cellar is now self-funding through the sale of minimum basic per pupil amount and minimum amounts some high-value stock and payments made by other reflecting other pupil and school characteristics. In Government Departments to Government hospitality. every local area, this will mean for example that the The report notes that: most deprived pupils in primary schools will attract at Sales of stock amounted to £56,000 (in comparison to least £4,454; in key stage 3 at least £5,820; and key £63,300 in FY 2012-13); stage 4 at least £6,372, and this will continue to be Further funds from other Government Departments added supplemented by further direct funding through the £16,762 to the overall receipts (a slight decrease in comparison pupil premium. to 2012-13); 87WS Written Statements17 JULY 2014 Written Statements 88WS

Purchases amounted to £50,054 (in comparison to £45,866 Leone and Cambodia courts and the Lebanon tribunal, in 2011-12); we engaged actively throughout the year to ensure these For the second time the highest consumption level by volume institutions were run effectively and efficiently. was of English wine, at 48% of the total (in comparison to 49% in 2012-13); and The coming year will see a great deal of activity on international justice. The International Criminal Court Consumption dropped in 2013-14 by around 13.5%. will continue its investigations in eight situation countries: to date 21 cases have been brought before the Court. The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda will close with its remaining functions transferring to the International Justice (UK Support and Funding) Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals. The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia will deliver a verdict in the first phase of the trial of the The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign most senior surviving members of the Khmer Rouge. and Commonwealth Affairs (Mark Simmonds): Iam And the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone will pleased to provide Parliament with the Foreign and continue to uphold the legacy of the Special Court for Commonwealth Office’s annual account of Government Sierra Leone. support for the principles and institutions of international justice in 2013-14, and our plans for funding them in The UK will continue to support these institutions the year ahead. Today is international justice day, a and make contributions to them over the next 12 months. particularly appropriate time to focus on this vital area We will continue to encourage other states to contribute of work. to these courts and tribunals in order to give them more financial security through a broader donor base. And The UK’s support for international justice is crucial we will continue to ensure they deliver value for money to our foreign policy. International justice is essential by scrutinising budgets and making sure they make the for ensuring that perpetrators of atrocities are held to best use of available resources. account for their actions, and that victims see justice done. It makes a valuable contribution to addressing the underlying causes of conflict, helping victims of Foreign Affairs Council and General Affairs Council atrocities and their communities come to terms with the past, and deterring those who might otherwise commit The Minister for Europe (Mr David Lidington): I will such violations in the future. The UK has continued to attend the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) on 22 July support the work of the International Criminal Court and the General Affairs Council (GAC) on 23 July. The (ICC) and the international tribunals to tackle impunity FAC will be chaired by the High Representative of the for crimes such as genocide, mass killing, using sexual European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, violence as a weapon of war, and use of child soldiers. Baroness Ashton of Upholland, and the GAC will be This work helps to strengthen the rules-based international chaired by the Italian presidency. The meetings will be system and makes a contribution towards building a held in Brussels. safer more secure world. For calendar year 2013 we provided assessed FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL contributions of £7.5 million to the International Criminal Introductory remarks Court, £4.9 million to the International Criminal Tribunal Baroness Ashton is expected to cover the floods in for the former Yugoslavia, £3.5 million to the International the western Balkans, and the outcome of the 16 July Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and £l million to the donor conference. She is also expected to update Ministers Residual Mechanism which will take on the essential on relations between Serbia and Kosovo. I do not functions of the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda tribunals expect substantive discussion on either item. when they close. In addition, for the financial year 2013-14 we made voluntary contributions of £920,000 Ukraine to the international component of the Extraordinary Ministers will have a substantive discussion on the Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, £100,000 to the situation in Ukraine. I will use this opportunity to Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone, and £l million update Ministers on the outcomes of my recent visit. I to the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. The UK also will seek to ensure that the Foreign Affairs Council will contributed £1.3 million in total to the International adopt the Council decision establishing the EU advisory Criminal Court trust fund for victims, earmarked for mission for civilian security sector reform in Ukraine. projects which support survivors of acts of sexual violence Adoption would be an important signal of ongoing EU committed in conflict. This complemented wider UK support for Ukraine’s reform trajectory. I will also work to shatter the culture of impunity for perpetrators stress the need to continue to urge Russia to use its of crimes of sexual violence in conflict through the influence with the separatists to de-escalate, and to cut preventing sexual violence initiative and the global summit the flow of weapons. I will draw attention to the conclusions to end sexual violence in conflict. of the high-level meeting on Ukraine to discuss donor In November 2013 Charles Taylor, sentenced to 50 years’ co-ordination and highlight the need to encourage Ukraine imprisonment by the Special Court for Sierra Leone to do more to demonstrate commitment and progress (SCSL), was transferred to the UK at the request of the on economic reforms. court. Mr Taylor is now serving his sentence in a UK The UK will be pushing for Council conclusions that prison. include tasking the European External Action Service As a state party to the International Criminal Court, to develop further options that keep the pressure on a member of the United Nations Security Council Russia in relation to its illegal annexation of Crimea; to which oversees the Rwanda and former Yugoslavia tribunals, encourage the Commission to pursue further trilateral and a member of the management bodies for the Sierra talks with Russia and Ukraine regarding energy supplies; 89WS Written Statements17 JULY 2014 Written Statements 90WS that support the measured approach being taken by the are properly implemented. The GAC is expected to Ukrainian authorities to regain control of the east of discuss its conclusions follow-up role, and consider the country; and that encourage all parties to engage ways to improve this function in the future. with the dialogue process and work towards a sustainable Europe 2020 mid-term review peace in Ukraine. The GAC will consider the mid-term review of the Iraq Europe 2020 strategy for growth and jobs. Discussions Ministers will discuss the situation in Iraq. While this for the mid-term review are in early stages. The UK is has stabilised over recent weeks, the Islamic State of developing its position but will be fully engaged with Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and other armed groups the review. remain in control of much of northern and western Good progress has been made in improving the stability Iraq. I will emphasise the need for the swift formation and integrity of the euro area and it is essential that the of an inclusive Government, as the security response to EU does not weaken its general commitment to fiscal ISIL will need to be underpinned by a political solution sustainability. if there is to be a lasting resolution to the crisis. As part Accession of Lithuania to the economic and monetary of that, I will call for member states to continue pressing union all sides to remain engaged in the political process and The GAC will adopt the legal acts enabling Lithuania come to an agreement on candidates for Speaker, President to adopt the euro on 1 January 2015. This follows a and Prime Minister. I will also encourage member recommendation of euro area member states at ECOFIN states to consider how best to assist the Government of in June and endorsement of the Commission’s proposal Iraq in the fight against terrorism, and how to tackle at the June European Council. The Commission’s the threat of foreign fighters. The discussion may also convergence report of 4 June 2014 assessed that Lithuania cover ISIL’s presence in Syria and the impact that they meets all the convergence criteria for adopting the euro. are having there. Middle east peace process Ministers will discuss recent developments in the middle east peace process. The UK will want to ensure HOME DEPARTMENT the EU sends a clear message expressing its concern at the recent escalation in violence in Gaza and Israel, and urging all sides to take steps to deescalate the situation British Citizenship Applications (War Crimes and avoid any further civilian injuries and the loss of Screening) innocent life. Recent events reinforce the need to take steps towards a lasting peace. The Minister for Security and Immigration (James Iran Brokenshire): The Equality (War Crimes etc.) Arrangements Ministers will also discuss the Iran nuclear negotiations. 2013 and the Race Relations (Northern Ireland) (War The joint plan of action, the interim deal agreed by the Crimes etc.) Arrangements 2013 enable me to subject E3+3 and Iran in November 2013 and implemented applications from certain nationalities for British citizenship from January, expires just before the FAC, on 20 July. to more rigorous scrutiny than others for the purposes The E3+3 are currently working hard with Iran in of determining whether the applicant has committed, Vienna to agree a deal. At the FAC, Ministers will been complicit in the commission of, or otherwise been discuss the outcome of the talks and any necessary associated with, the commission of war crimes, crimes follow-up action required by member states. against humanity or genocide. The condition for subjecting these applications to GENERAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL more rigorous scrutiny is that the applicant is a national The General Affairs Council on 23 July is expected to of a state specified on a list approved personally by me focus on: the Italian presidency work programme; procedure for the purpose of the arrangements. to follow up on European Council conclusions; the Europe 2020 mid-term review; and Lithuania’s accession I have now reviewed and approved this list in accordance to the economic and monetary union. with our commitment to do so annually. I am satisfied that the conditions set out in the arrangements are met Italian presidency work programme in respect of the countries on the list. The GAC is expected to take note of the Italian The arrangements will continue to be reviewed on an presidency programme, “Europe, a Fresh Start”, which annual basis and will remain in force until revoked. was published on 2 July 2014. The UK and Italy share priorities on several aspects of the EU agenda, including: growth; jobs; competitiveness; better regulation; and Forced Labour Convention foreign policy in the Mediterranean region. We welcome Italy’s initiatives to boost growth and investment, particularly their focus on strong manufacturing and service sectors; and support for small and medium-sized The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the enterprises. We also share an interest in further growth- Home Department (Karen Bradley): The forced labour focused institutional reforms. convention (the convention) is one of eight fundamental conventions of the International Labour Organisation European Council conclusions follow up (ILO). The ILO proposed supplementing the convention The GAC performs an important role in ensuring by agreeing a recommendation and a protocol on how that the actions mandated in European Council conclusions ILO members should apply aspects of the convention. 91WS Written Statements17 JULY 2014 Written Statements 92WS

The European Commission proposed that a Council Deaths of Service Personnel (Inquests) decision should be adopted to determine the position to be taken on behalf of the EU during negotiations on the recommendation. The Government, while supporting the implementation of the forced labour convention, The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Simon did not agree that the EU had the competence to Hughes): Together with the Minister for the Armed negotiate this recommendation on behalf of the member Forces, with responsibility for defence personnel, welfare states, and did not agree that there was an appropriate and veterans, I now make our latest joint statement on legal base in the treaty on the functioning of the European progress with inquests into the deaths of service personnel Union to allow the Council to agree a decision setting on active service overseas. On behalf of the Government out a common position in relation to an international and the nation we thank our armed forces for their organisation of which the EU was not a member. The immense courage, their unshakeable determination, and Government therefore decided not to opt in to the JHA for their sacrifice. We especially remember the families provisions with the Council decision. A number of of those who have laid down their lives for their country. other member states supported the UK position and In this statement we give information about the open the Council decision was not adopted ahead of the ILO investigations and inquests which the senior coroners conference. for Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Swindon and other coroner The UK, along with other EU member states, supported areas in England and Wales are conducting. The both the protocol and the recommendation following information provided shows the position at 14 July 2014. negotiations at the International Labour Conference, and the ILO has subsequently adopted both instruments. We have placed tables in the Libraries of both Houses containing information to supplement this statement, indicating the status of all cases and showing whether a Forensic Science Regulator (Appointment) board of inquiry or a service inquiry has been or is to be held. The Minister for Crime Prevention (Norman Baker): I Coroners, including the specially trained cadre of am today announcing arrangements for the appointment coroners whom we have mentioned in previous statements, of the Forensic Science Regulator. Following an open continue to work with the Ministry of Defence’s defence competition adhering to the principles of the Office of inquests unit to make sure that investigations are progressed the Commissioner for Public Appointments. I have and completed as quickly and thoroughly as possible. decided to appoint Dr Gillian Tully. Her three-year Where appropriate, relevant investigations can now be term of appointment will commence on 17 November 2014. held in Scotland under section 12 of the Coroners and The Forensic Science Regulator appointment has been Justice Act 2009. filled by Mr Andrew Rennison who completes his term of office at the end of August. I should like to record Once again we record our thanks to coroners and the Government’s appreciation of Mr Rennison’s their staff, the Chief Coroner, visiting officers and to all contribution in laying the foundations for the regulation those, professional and skilled volunteer alike, who help of quality in forensic science in England and Wales. bereaved families to be at the centre of the investigation process.

JUSTICE RAF Lyneham in Wiltshire and, currently, RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, have been the main locations for repatriations of service personnel who have died HMCTS Framework Document overseas. Since October 2007 the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Justice have jointly made additional The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice funding available to the senior coroners for those coroner (Chris Grayling): On 28 March 2014 I announced plans areas. This helps them to take service personnel inquests for a programme of reform to deliver a more effective, forward in balance with their local caseloads. efficient and high-performing courts and tribunals administration that will improve the services provided CURRENT STATUS OF INQUESTS to the public at a significantly lower cost. Since our last statement a further six inquests have Following this announcement, the Lord Chief Justice, been concluded into the deaths of service personnel on Senior President of Tribunals and I have agreed that the operations in Afghanistan. In total there have been 610 HMCTS board be reconstituted so that we can secure inquests into the deaths of service personnel who have additional experience and expertise needed to provide died in Iraq and Afghanistan or who have died in the robust oversight to the organisation during this ambitious UK of injuries sustained on active service. There has period of change. In view of this, we have agreed some been no formal inquest into three deaths. Two of these consequential amendments to the HMCTS framework deaths were taken into consideration at inquests into document to allow for the addition of one extra non- other deaths in the same incidents. In the third case it executive director, and for the total number of executive was decided not to hold a fatal accident inquiry into the directors to be increased for a specific period and specific death of a serviceman who died from his injuries in purpose, on terms to be agreed by the Lord Chancellor Scotland, where he had made a partial recovery. and Lord Chief Justice after consultation with the chair of HMCTS. CORONERS’ INVESTIGATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN OPENED The amended HMCTS framework document will be Deaths in Afghanistan laid in both Houses of Parliament today and copies will be available in the Vote Office and in the Printed Paper As at 14 July, 21 coroner investigations are open into Office. the deaths of service personnel on operations. 93WS Written Statements17 JULY 2014 Written Statements 94WS

The senior coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon has The Government remain committed to the principles retained six of the open investigations, and the senior of personalisation and of providing disabled people coroner for Oxfordshire has retained nine. The remaining with greater choice and control over how the funding six coroner investigations are being conducted by senior they are entitled to is used by them or on their behalf. coroners for areas closer to the next of kin. Six hearing While the evaluation of this pilot may not have resulted dates have been listed—including one hearing listed for in any measurable impact on outcomes, it was popular yesterday 16 July. with those individuals who exercised their right to control Deaths of service personnel who returned home injured and they valued the greater flexibilities it gave them. It also acted as a catalyst to developing local relationships There are no open coroner investigations in relation and partnerships. to service personnel who have returned home injured and have then died from their injuries. Since the right to control pilot began in 2010, We will continue to inform the House of progress. developments in Government policy have increasingly recognised the importance of personalisation in the delivery of services. The Care Act 2014 enables greater choice and control for the individual in adult social care WORK AND PENSIONS and also provides co-operation duties to support partnership working and the flexibility needed to maintain right to Disabled People’s Right to Control control style approaches at local level. We are in the process of introducing personalisation within the context of the disability and health employment strategy, to The Minister of State, Department for Work and develop a more personalised approach to delivering Pensions (Mr Mark Harper): The right to control pilot employment support for disabled people. operated in seven areas of England between 12 December Taking these changes into consideration together with 2010 and 12 December 2013. The aims of the pilot were the evaluation findings of the right to control pilot the to bring together a number of different funding streams Government have decided not to roll out the right to into a streamlined process that allowed disabled people control nationally. choice and control over how funding for them was used to provide the care, support (including employment As required by the Welfare Reform Act 2009, a report support) and equipment they needed; and to test the on the operation of the pilot has been prepared, and I costs and benefits to public authorities. will place a copy of the report in the House Library.

737W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 738W Written Answers to Climate Change: Northern Ireland Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Questions Energy and Climate Change what recent engagement the Committee on Climate Change has carried out with organisations and individuals in Northern Ireland to Thursday 17 July 2014 promote understanding and inform debate on climate change and its effects. [205497]

Amber Rudd: On 4 and 5 December 2013, the Committee’s chairman Lord Deben and Dr Ute Collier ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE from the CCC Secretariat visited Belfast to meet with a range of organisations to discuss climate change policy. In addition, members of the CCC Secretariat are in Affordable Warmth Programme regular contact with officials from the Department of Environment. Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Climate Change: Seas and Oceans and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of measures to compensate householders Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for who suffer faulty work under the Affordable Warmth Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment his Obligation. [204877] Department has made of the effect of climate change on global sea levels. [204914] Mr Davey: ECO has a range of consumer protection mechanisms in place. Where applicable, installers must Mr Davey: The most recent assessment of the effect be registered gas safe and adhere to industry standards, of climate change on global sea level rise comes from including PAS2030 and building regulations. the Working Group I contribution to the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report, which states that over the period The scheme administrator, Ofgem, requires 5% of 1901 to 2010 global mean sea level rose by 0.19 (0.17 to measures to undergo independent technical monitoring. 0.21) metres, that since the mid-19th century, the rate of Where failures are found, suppliers are required to sea level rise has been larger than the mean rate over the remedy this and correct faulty work. Technical monitoring previous two millennia and that it is very likely that results are published online at: there has been a substantial contribution to the global https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/energy- mean sea level rise since the 1970s from the effects of companies-obligation-eco-technical-monitoring-report- human activity. %E2%80%93-june-2014 Electricity Generation In addition, consumers can of course access the usual consumer protection routes such as Trading Standards. Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Consumer protection is an important aspect of any and Climate Change what the status is of the useful energy efficiency scheme and we continue to assess the indication of 2.4-4 GWp large-scale solar PV range set controls that are in place. For example, we have recently out in the electricity market reform delivery plan; and consulted on the warranty provisions under ECO Affordable when he will next review the indicative ranges for all Warmth. We will announce the outcome of that technologies set out in that plan. [205673] consultation shortly. Amber Rudd: The indicative deployment range for Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for large scale solar PV published in the electricity market Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department reform (EMR) delivery plan remains at 2.4-4 GWp. has made of the number of households in fuel poverty We plan to reassess likely deployment ranges for all that are eligible for assistance under the affordable low carbon technologies in the 2015 annual update to warmth component of the Energy Company Obligation. the EMR delivery plan. [205072] Energy Company Obligation: Fuel Poverty

Mr Davey: As set out in the ECO Assessment of Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Impacts, published in March 2014, the number of and Climate Change (1) what assessment his Department households that meet the eligibility criteria for Affordable has made of the effect of the Energy Company Obligation Warmth is estimated to be 3.4 million. There is a strong on (a) the numbers of households in fuel poverty, (b) correlation between the characteristics of fuel poor the aggregate fuel poverty gap and (c) the average fuel households (under all of the definitions of fuel poverty poverty gap; [205001] currently used in Great Britain) and the eligibility criteria (2) with reference to paragraph 4.17 of, the future of for support help under ECO Affordable Warmth. energy company obligation: assessment of impacts, By the end of April 2014, Affordable Warmth had published by his Department on 5 March 2014, what delivered over 334,000 heating and energy efficiency estimate his Department has made of (a) the change in measures to low-income and vulnerable households. the number of households in fuel poverty and (b) the This has provided valuable support to many households (i) total and (ii) average change in the fuel poverty gap who are at risk of being in fuel poverty, including the under option two of the Energy Company Obligation. elderly, disabled and low income families. [205064] 739W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 740W

Mr Davey: The latest and most comprehensive assessment Amber Rudd: Abatement opportunities in Northern of the impact of the Energy Company Obligation on Ireland (NI) were considered in the Committee on fuel poverty is set out in the Assessment of Impacts Climate Change’s (CCC) November 2011 report ‘The document published alongside the Government’s appropriateness of a Northern Ireland Climate Change consultation on ECO in March 2014. This document Act’. In addition, after receiving a request from the contains all the currently available material. Department of Environment NI earlier this year, we An updated estimate of the impact of this policy on have recently carried out a short scoping study to assess fuel poverty will be included as part of the final impact the available data, as well as appraise a number of assessment to be published shortly, alongside the options for estimating and reporting the economic Government response to the consultation on “The Future implications of climate change mitigation. We are currently of the Energy Company Obligation.” in discussion with the Department of Environment NI on how to take this forward. Energy: Prices Housing: Carbon Emissions Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department has made of the average annual energy bill for a property Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for in EPC (a) Band E, (b) Band F and (c) Band G. Energy and Climate Change what estimate his Department [205003] has made of the proportion of carbon dioxide emissions accounted for by households. [205073] Mr Davey: Analysis of consumption levels for domestic consumers using metered fuels, split by EPC band, is Mr Davey: The final UK GHG emissions for 2012, available through the National Energy Efficiency Data- which is the latest year available can be found here: Framework (NEED). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/final-uk- This analysis is published online in “EPC tables emissions-estimates 2012” at the following link: Emissions from the residential sector include household https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-energy- electricity and gas use and the use of non-aerosol efficiency-data-framework-need-report-summary-of-analysis- consumer products. This includes emissions from the 2014 UK and its Crown Dependencies. These figures are based on a sample of households covering England and Wales in 2012. The data does not cover non-metered fuels, or data on energy bills paid by Housing: Insulation domestic consumers. Figures are also available which show the median Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for energy spend required to maintain a defined, adequate Energy and Climate Change how many low income level of warmth, across different EPC bands. These are households have received home insulation support in published in the table 3.1 of the Annual Fuel Poverty Ashfield constituency in each of the last five years. Statistics report, 2014: [205159] https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/ attachment_data/file/319280/Fuel_Poverty_Report_Final.pdf Mr Davey: The Department publishes the number of They are sourced from DECC’s Fuel Poverty dataset, measures that have been installed in each parliamentary which is made available on the UK Data Archive. constituency through the Affordable Warmth obligation of the Energy Company Obligation in Table 1.11b of its Green Deal Scheme quarterly Official Statistics release: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/green-deal- energy-company-obligation-eco-and-insulation-levels-in- Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for great-britain-quarterly-report-to-march-2014 Energy and Climate Change how many people have received vouchers under the Green Deal Home Affordable Warmth figures include heating measures Improvement Fund. [205577] such as new boilers, as well as insulation. Additional low income households are likely to be Mr Davey: As of 14 July 2014, 6,607 vouchers have among the beneficiaries of the 518 insulation measures been issued under the Green Deal Home Improvement delivered in Ashfield in the same period under aspects Fund. of the Energy Company Obligation other than Affordable Data on numbers of vouchers issued are currently Warmth, but this figure cannot be broken down by published weekly on the Gov.uk website at: income. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-savings- Figures for Warm Front are published on the advice-service-esas-calls-and-green-deal-webpage-views Government website, and show that there were 884 households helped in 2009-10, 380 helped in 2010-11, Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Northern Ireland 90 helped in 2011-12 and 106 helped in 2012-13 in the Ashfield constituency: Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/helping-households- Energy and Climate Change what recent assessment to-cut-their-energy-bills/supporting-pages/warm-front-scheme the Committee on Climate Change has made of the Figures for the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target economic costs and benefits of mitigating emissions in and Community Energy Savings Programme are not Northern Ireland. [205519] available at constituency level. 741W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 742W

Insulation Morecambe

Mr Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for and Climate Change what steps he has taken to prevent Energy and Climate Change if he will estimate how contractors offering insulation under the Affordable much money his Department has spent in Morecambe Warmth Obligation presenting this as a Government and Lunesdale constituency since May 2010. [204775] scheme. [205035] Mr Davey: Expenditure by region is published in the Mr Davey: Government has set up the Energy Saving Annual Report and Accounts 2013-14 core tables. It Advice Service (0300 123 1234) so people can receive publishes expenditure by region rather than by constituency. independent advice about energy efficiency schemes. This information is available on-line at—Annual Report This service can also check eligibility for Affordable Warmth and Accounts 2013-14—core tables (Table 6 “Total assistance and make a referral directly to an obligated energy identifiable expenditure on services by country and supplier. ESAS agents explain the customer journey, making region, 2009-10 to 2012-13”). it clear to customers that ECO Affordable Warmth is an obligation that requires the largest energy suppliers to The Table is reproduced as follows for ease of reference. help households install energy saving improvements. Table 6 Total identifiable expenditure on services by country and region, 2009-10 Energy suppliers and their partners may also contact to 2012-13 Department of Energy and people directly to identify eligible customers, including Climate Change 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 those who may benefit from insulation (and other measures) under Affordable Warmth. Businesses must adhere to North East 106 72 46 46 the relevant regulations and codes of practice when North West 1,134 1,210 1,153 1,420 promoting their services. Yorkshire and Humber 184 127 81 66 East Midlands 123 114 80 45 Land West Midlands 129 99 58 44 East 118 113 75 92 Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for London 95 89 47 46 Energy and Climate Change how much land his South East 274 288 232 281 Department has released for the purpose of building South West 272 286 260 315 new homes since May 2010. [205477] Total England 2,435 2,399 2,031 2,356 Amber Rudd: The Department of Energy and Climate Scotland 319 344 342 421 Change has not released any land for this purpose, nor Wales 108 92 90 106 has it had vacant land with which to do so. Northern Ireland 3 2 2 1 UK identifiable expenditure 2,865 2,838 2,466 2,884 Mass Media: Subscriptions Outside UK 43 55 33 26 Total identifiable expenditure 2,908 2,893 2,499 2,909 Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Non-identifiable expenditure 121 297 157 231 Energy and Climate Change what subscriptions to (a) Total expenditure on services 3,029 3,189 2,655 3,141 magazines and (b) television channels his Department funds. [205340] Nuclear Innovation and Research Advisory Board Amber Rudd: It would incur disproportionate cost to scrutinise all publication transactions to determine and Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy identify any relevant amounts. The Department does and Climate Change what criteria were used to appoint not subscribe to any television channels. members to the Nuclear Innovation and Research Advisory Board; what annual budget is allocated to support the Ministers: Government Cars board; what studies have been commissioned by or from the board; and what the web address is of the site Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy where the board’s meeting agendas are posted. [204422] and Climate Change how many journeys Ministers of his Department have made using the Government Car Service; and how many such journeys were for the Mr Davey: The Nuclear Innovation and Research Advisory Board was created at the beginning of 2014 transportation of a red box. [204936] and is tasked with providing information and advice to Mr Davey: The Department has one ministerial car Government and other public sector funding bodies on which is shared on a daily basis by all the Department’s the priorities for UK nuclear innovation and options Ministers for journeys when conducting official business. for better co-ordinating the UK nuclear research landscape. The car may be required to transport ministers from The first annual report is expected from the board at the their home to attend to departmental business, the red beginning of next year. It is intended that this will be box and papers. The Ministerial Code states that ministers published. are permitted the use of a government car for official With the exception of the chair, appointments to the business and for working on official papers during journeys NIRAB are unfunded. The NIRAB does not have an between home and work. See page 23, paragraph 10.12 annual budget, however, Government has contracted of the Code. Click link at with the Nuclear Innovation and Research Office (NIRO) http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/sites/default/files/resources/ to provide secretariat support to the NIRAB. ministerial-code-may-2010.pdf Members were invited to join NIRAB, by ministerial This does not include information relating to the decision, for a period of up to three years. Members frequency of particular types of journeys. were selected on the basis of their individual ability to 743W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 744W provide credible, authoritative and expert advice across Name of organisation Function a number of sectors related to UK nuclear research and innovation. Members are appointed as individuals and Public and Commercial Services Trade union are expected to represent the interests of their sectors. First Division Association Trade union Other than the annual report, no further studies are Prospect Trade union currently commissioned from or by the NIRAB. As Civil Service Club Social club part of the evidence gathering activities for the annual Westfield Health Medical care report, NIRAB will consider the ongoing feasibility Forrester Health Medical care study into small modular reactors being undertaken by Cash4Health Medical care an industry consortium led by the National Nuclear BHSF Medical care Laboratory. Hospital Saturday Fund Medical care Benenden Health Care Medical care The NIRO, in its function as the secretariat to the HSA Crown Plan Medical care NIRAB, is considering the best way to make future Hospital Savings Association Medical care work or documentation, such as the minutes of the CSSC/Minerva Sports and Leisure Sports and social club NIRAB meetings, publically available. Dimensions Gym Gym membership The DEFRA Lottery Joint DEFRA-DECC lottery fund Nuclear Innovation and Research Office Renewables Obligation Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the annual budget is of his Department’s new Nuclear Innovation and Research Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Office (NIRO); how many staff work full-time at NIRO; Energy and Climate Change for what reason a Renewable how many of those are secondees and from which Obligation Certificate banding review for cuts to the organisations they are seconded; whether secondees are large-scale PV Renewable Obligation band in 2015 and paid from public funds; what consideration was given 2016 was ruled out as an option in the recent renewables to appointing a social scientist to the board of NIRO; obligation consultation. [205719] what publications have been issued to date by NIRO; whether all research undertaken by or for NIRO is Amber Rudd: The Government may carry out a banding published in full; and what the web address is of the site review of RO support in England and Wales for any where minutes of the NIRO board are posted. [204421] technology at any time if certain legislative conditions are met. As indicated in our consultation document and Mr Davey: The Nuclear Innovation and Research impact assessment, it is not clear that any of the conditions Office (NIRO) is an independent body, hosted by the are met to trigger a banding review of solar support at National Nuclear Laboratory and contracted, by this time. These are available on DECC’s web page: Government, to provide technical support and expert https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation- secretariat services to the Nuclear Innovation and Research on-changes-to-financial-support-for-solar-pv Advisory Board (NIRAB). It was created at the end of 2013. With the exception of the chair, appointments to the Solar Power NIRAB are unfunded, however Government has currently contracted NIRO for services worth £650,000 and this contract runs until March 2015. The NIRO employs Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy four full-time staff who are currently seconded from the and Climate Change what representations he has NNL and Rolls-Royce Ltd. The wages of these employees received from the solar industry and project investors are included in the contractual arrangements. The skills about the commercial impact of the 13 May grace make-up of the staff in the NIRO is a matter for the period proposals set out in the consultation on changes organisation itself. to financial support for solar photovoltaic; and if he will make a statement. [205693] The NIRO does not undertake research in its own right and, to date, has not issued any publications. The NIRO, in its function as the secretariat to the NIRAB, Amber Rudd: Ministers and officials have received is considering the best way to make future work or numerous representations from, and held many meetings documentation publicly available. with, the solar industry and project investors about the impacts of our consultation proposals on the solar sector since the consultation opened on 13 May. Pay The consultation closed on 7 July. The responses and evidence submitted in response to the consultation are Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for now being analysed. We will publish a Government Energy and Climate Change which organisations response setting out our decision as soon as possible. collect subscriptions through the employers’ payroll service in their Department and its agencies. [204493] Julie Elliott: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the Mr Davey: The Department of Energy and Climate Levy Control Framework saving per year delivered by Change (DECC) provides the facility for the following closing the Renewables Obligation to large-scale solar organisation subscriptions to be deducted from its payroll. PV in 2015. [205703] 745W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 746W

Amber Rudd: Our estimate of the cost of closing the 2015 is set out in the consultation Impact Assessment (IA). Renewables Obligation (RO) to large-scale solar PV in The relevant tables from the IA are reproduced as follows.

Table 5: Solar deployment from 2016/17 onwards and associated annual spend (£2011/12) in 2020 under the RO based on updated pipeline projections under option one Low Central High

Option 1-(‘do nothing’ option) Deployment (GW) 2.8 4.5 6.3 Spend (£ million) £170 million £270 million £370 million Change in spend compared to £0 million +£100 million +£200 million delivery plan scenario one (£ million)

Table 6: Solar deployment from 2016/17 onwards and associated annual spend (£2011/12) in 2020 under the RO based on updated pipeline projections under option two Low Central High

Option 2 (recommended option) Deployment (GW) 2.1 3.2 4.3 Spend (£ million) £140 million £200 million £270 million Change in spend (£ million) -£30 million +£30 million +£100 million compared to final delivery plan scenario one Change in spend (£ million) -£30 million -£70 million -£100 million compared to do-nothing option

Wind Power: Nottinghamshire Mr Davey: A register of renewable projects in the planning system is maintained in the publicly-accessible Renewable Energy Planning Database (REPD); it records Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for projects by district rather than by constituency. The Energy and Climate Change how many wind turbines wind turbines planned for development in Nottinghamshire, are planned for development in each constituency in by district, as recorded in REPD in May 2014, are as Nottinghamshire. [205149] follows:

District Submitted for approval Awaiting construction Under construction

Ashfield District 1 0 0 Bassetlaw District 10 1 0 Gedding District 0 4 0 Newark and Sherwood District 15 6 0 Rushcliffe District 2 0 0 Total 28 11 0

JUSTICE Burial

Buildings Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many new burial plots have been provided by each local authority in England in each of the last Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for five years; how many burials have been carried out by Justice how much has been spent on refurbishing (a) each local authority in each of the last five years; and gym and leisure facilities, (b) cafeteria and (c) interior how many burial plots remain in each local authority. decoration within (i) his Department and (ii) buildings [205629] owned by his Department in (A) 2013 and (B) 2014 to date. [205388] Simon Hughes: The Ministry of Justice does not have operational responsibility for burials and so does not Mr Vara: The Ministry of Justice keeps its estate hold the requested information. under review to ensure it meets business need, is cost effective, provides value for money for the taxpayer and is more sustainable. Separate information on interior Civil Disorder: Greater London decoration, cafeteria and gym and leisure facility refurbishment is not collected centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate costs. Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Since the start of the spending review (SR10) the size Justice how many of those released from prison for of the estate has been reduced by over 600 properties to offences committed during the riots in London in 2011 nearly 1,500 properties. As a result, lower business as have been returned to prison following a further usual costs have been achieved. We have removed nearly offence. [204646] 50% of the administrative estate from our portfolio over the last four years. We have reduced 180 properties Mr Vara: It has not been possible to provide an to 98 in England and Wales including from 18 properties answer in the time specified. I will write to my hon. to 4 in London, saving over £34 million a year. Friend with an answer as soon as possible. 747W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 748W

Courts: Children which of the enlisted external video end points have been used in court proceedings involving children in Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice England and Wales in each year since 2010; [R] pursuant to the answer of 8 July 2014, Official Report, [205418] column 255W, on courts: children, what elements are (2) how many of the enlisted external video end involved in the specialist training available to judicial points are located away from a courthouse. [R] [205419] office holders dealing with cases involving children. [R] [205420] Mr Vara: We must do everything we can to support vulnerable witnesses and help them give their best possible Mr Vara: Under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, evidence to bring offenders to justice. That’s why we are responsibility for the training of the judiciary rests with trialling pre-recorded cross-examination to allow young the Lord Chief Justice and is exercised through the and vulnerable witnesses to give evidence away from Judicial College. All training is carried out under the what can be an aggressive court room atmosphere. direction of the judiciary. The judiciary have no obligation Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service uses to share the contents of their training with Parliament. information about child witnesses in criminal cases to However, I am advised that training seeks to support ensure that individual trials are managed effectively. the main role of the judge which is to enable all those HMCTS does not however, hold child witness data on who appear in court the opportunity to give their best video link usage. evidence. Judicial office holders are authorised to hear The answer of 8 July 2014, Official Report, columns cases involving children and will attend induction training 256-60W,sets out the court houses within each HMCTS when first authorised. region which have the ability to link to an external video Where witnesses are deemed “vulnerable”(which includes end point to that of the trial court. All of the HMCTS children) training will emphasise good case management video estate is located within HMCTS courthouses. to ensure that appropriate special measures are used by the court. This includes controlling the management Domestic Violence and scope of cross examination. Where a sexual offence is being considered for example, judges are given information about the psychological effects of this in the context of Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for giving evidence. These few examples are not a complete Justice if he will place in the Library a copy of the list of the elements of training and regular assessment course materials used to train magistrates in relation to of the content of courses will mean they vary over time domestic violence. [204508] and according to particular seminars and audiences. Mr Vara: Under the Constitutional Reform Act 2005, Courts: Video Conferencing responsibility for the training of magistrates rests with the Lord Chief Justice and is exercised through the Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Judicial College. in how many court proceedings in England and Wales In order to protect judicial independence all training in each year since May 2010 video recording was taken is carried out under the direction of the judiciary and to be (a) an available and (b) a not available special all judicial training materials belong to them. I am measure for eligible witnesses as defined in section 18 therefore unable to comply with your request. of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999. The Judicial College has integrated domestic violence [204589] within the training packs prepared for magistrates. The induction, consolidation, and continuation training for Mr Vara: We must do everything we can to support magistrates, particularly in the adult and family courts, vulnerable witnesses and help them give their best possible contain significant exercises looking at issues around evidence. In December 2013, a pilot commenced of domestic violence and the statutory tools available to section 28 of Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act magistrates in domestic violence cases. Where magistrates 1999, a special measures provision allowing the cross sit in the specialist domestic violence courts, they will examination of eligible witnesses’ evidence to be recorded receive additional training for this specialist court. in advance of the trial. This pilot is taking place in the Crown court sitting at Liverpool, Leeds and Kingston- Electronic Tagging upon-Thames. This is in addition to a range of measures already in place to help reduce the anxiety of attending court, such as giving evidence from behind a screen. Mr Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Video recording of initial evidence known as ABE (1) which companies have been awarded contracts for (Achieving Best Evidence) is appropriate for some child electronic tagging in respect of the next nine years; how witnesses; this is undertaken by the police and can be much each such company will be paid; what services played at trial. each such company will provide; and for how long each such company will provide services; [204814] HMCTS does not collate data on the number of witnesses who give evidence either via live links or other (2) what the value of the new electronic tagging pre-recorded video. contract is for each of the next nine financial years; [204815] Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (3) whether the procurement process for the electronic pursuant to the answer of 8 July 2014, Official Report, tagging contract complied with Cabinet Office procedures columns 256-60W, on courts: video conferencing, (1) on openness and transparency; [204816] 749W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 750W

(4) for what reason the new electronic tagging system Judges: Conflict of Interests was not subject to a pilot before the decision to implement it was taken; [204991] Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (5) what the purpose is of the new electronic tagging how many complaints were received by his Department system; and what evidence his Department analysed or of judges having undeclared (a) financial, (b) family collected on the potential effect of that system on crime or (c) political interests in particular trials in each of and reconviction rates. [204992] the last four years. [204716]

Mr Vara: The contracts have not yet been awarded. Mr Vara: The information requested is available for An announcement was made on 15 July. the last two years and is provided in the following table. Yes we comply with the OJEU/EU procurement rules However, statistical information regarding categories of as well as cabinet office processes. complaint is not routinely captured in the form requested The new electronic monitoring service has not been and is therefore unavailable for the previous two year. subject to a pilot as in the first instance we need to Information relating to broad categories of complaint ensure continuity of service. However, there will be a received is contained in the JCIO’s annual reports which significant period of testing and validation for the new are available via their website: system before introduction. There is also a robust http://judicialconduct.judiciary.gov.uk/ programme of testing for the new tags themselves, and we will have to be satisfied that they meet our standards Family Financial Political before they are introduced on the new platform. Electronic monitoring using GPS was piloted in three 2012-13 3 1 - probation areas in 2004 to 2005 and the evaluation 2013-14 - - - found qualitative evidence to show that it: acted as a deterrent because offenders thought they would be Legal Aid Scheme caught if they were to reoffend; was a constant reminder which prompted offenders to ‘think twice’ when a criminal opportunity presented itself and gave Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for them the spur they needed to walk away; Justice (1) how many new matter starts were awarded in provided offenders with renewed determination to get their mental health in Blackpool North and Cleveleys lives back together after a period of incarceration; and constituency for (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) was perceived by offenders to help stop wrongful identification 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15; [204647] for crimes they had not done. (2) how many new matter starts were awarded in mental health in the North West for (a) 2010-11, (b) Employment Tribunals Service 2011-12, (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15; [204648] Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for (3) how many new matter starts were awarded in Justice pursuant to the answer of 14 May 2014, Official mental health in Lancashire for (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, Report, column 689W, on the Employment Tribunal (c) 2012-13, (d) 2013-14 and (e) 2014-15. [204649] Service, what the nature was of the complaint in the cases of the highest compensation payments for race in Mr Vara: The LAA contract periods do not necessarily each of the last five years. [204681] correspond to financial years, figures have therefore Mr Vara: Information on the nature of complaints been provided by contract schedule period rather than upheld, and the type of race discrimination relevant to financial year. Existing Mental Health Contracts (which individual claims, is not recorded centrally. The records began in April 2010) were awarded in the areas asked retention and disposal schedule applicable to such tribunal about using the North West as the procurement area. files, which are in general only retained for 12 months We have therefore only been able to provide data on the from the date of judgment, also means that information smaller areas requested based on the location of the covering each of the last five years would not be held. A provider but this was not the basis on which services public Register of Employment Tribunal decisions, and were procured. Figures exclude any new matter starts written reasons, is available for inspection in Bury St allocated to providers that have subsequently withdrawn Edmunds. My officials will identify the relevant cases from their contract or from the mental health category. held on the Public Register and I will write enclosing The LAA has recently undertaken a procurement copies. However, the information sought for the year exercise for new Mental Health contracts and new 2013-14 will not be available until September 2014. contracts are due to start on 1 August 2014. Allocations for matter starts for 2014-15 are therefore split over two ICT separate periods: April 2014 to August 2014 under the existing contract and from August 2014 to April 2015 Mr Bradshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for under the new contract. Justice how many mobile telephones, BlackBerrys and In respect of the new contract, matter starts were laptops were lost by his Department in (a) 2013 and advertised and awarded using wider procurement areas (b) 2014 to date. [204477] so we are only able to provide data on the North Procurement Area, which encompasses the requested Mr Vara: It has not been possible to answer the geographic areas. The total number of matter starts question within the timeframe. I will write to the right initially awarded through the tender process in the hon. Member in due course. North for the period between 1 August 2014 and 31 March 751W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 752W

2015 was 9,121. This is a provisional figure only as Mr Vara: The information requested is held by the successful organisations are still in the process of verifying Legal Aid Agency, but will take time to extract in the their tenders prior to contracts being issued. form requested. I will write to the hon. Member providing Mental Health New Matter Starts allocated to Providers the information as soon as the data can be gathered. located in the North West for the period April 2010 to July 2014 are as follows: Missing Persons: Guardianship

Mental Health Dr Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Mental Health New New Matter Start when he plans to launch his consultation on Matter Start Allocations Allocations Schedule Period North West Lancashire guardianship for missing people. [205266]

April 2010 to 2,398 598 October 2010 Mr Vara: The date for the publication of the proposed 1 November 2010 to 458 137 consultation paper on the possible creation of a status 14 November 2010 of guardian of the property and affairs of missing 15 November 2010 to 5,167 1,899 persons has not yet been set but it remains the Government’s November 2011 intention to publish the paper before the end of August December 2011 to 864 238 (see my written ministerial statement of 8 April 2014, January 2012 Official Report, column 8WS). February 2012 to 5,116 1,607 January 2013 February 2013 to 834 271 Pay March 2013 April 2013 to March 2014 5,342 1,757 Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for April 2014 to 1,782 596 Justice which organisations collect subscriptions through August 2014 the employer’s payroll service in his Department and its No provider offices were located in the constituency agencies. [204513] of Blackpool North and Cleveleys for the period April 2010 to July 2014. However, the majority of Mental Mr Vara: A list of all organisations that collect Health services are delivered to detained clients and subscriptions through the Ministry of Justice’s payroll therefore not from provider offices. The LAA’s Mental service is at annex A. Health contracts enable providers to deliver services to List of organisations clients across the procurement area as a whole (North Unite the Union West presently and North as of 1 August 2014). Affinity Select Insurance Health Shield (BHCA) Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Benenden Health Justice what proportion of new matter starts are held Birmingham Hospital (paid via BHCA Services) back from being awarded at the outset of the contract; The Charity for Civil Servants and on what grounds they are so held back. [204650] Civil Service Club Civil Service Sports Council Mr Vara: No matter starts are held back from being Frankland Prison Gym awarded at the outset of the contract. The Legal Aid Agency, which is responsible for running tender processes POIS Insurance (formerly Family Assurance Friendly) for legal aid contracts, advertises the volume of matter Forester Health starts it is seeking to award in contracts as part of the GMB Union tender process. Glen Parva Fitness Club Home Office Sports and Social Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Healthsure (part of Simply Health) what consultations he has undertaken with representatives Engage Mutual Insurance of the legal profession regarding changes to legal aid; Hospital Saturday Fund and if he will make a statement. [205019] Simply Health (formerlyHSA) Prospect Union Mr Vara: Since April 2013 we have undertaken two Immigration Service Union major public consultations on legal aid, which attracted Leeds Hospital Fund (part of Simply Health) a large response from the legal professions. In addition, we have spoken at length over the past year with solicitors Forester Cash Plan and barristers and their representatives about the reforms PCS Union and our final plans reflect many of the changes they Prison Service Leisure Association asked for. Portland Fitness Gym Police Credit Union Legal Aid Scheme: Nottinghamshire Friends Life (formerly AXA Sunlife) TGWU Union Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for UCATT Union Justice how many people received legal aid in each Wakefield Health and Fitness Gym constituency in Nottinghamshire in each of the last five Wetherby Fitness Club years. [205152] Prison Service Lottery 753W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 754W

Prison Service Charity Fund has contributed to the successful signing of PTAs with Isle of Wight Lottery Nigeria and Albania. Where such work provides value The Charity for Civil Servants to the UK taxpayer we will explore similar approaches Charities Trust (GAYE)1 in other priority countries. ACE Insurance company of Europe We saw the first prisoner transfer back to Albania AIG Insurance this week (8 July 2014) and expect to see transfers back to Nigeria by the end of the year. Axa Sun Life, Sun Life Centre Bolton and District Hospital Saturday Fund Prisons: Libraries British Healthcare Association BUPA Health Care Collation Club Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Civil and Public Services Association what the average spending per head on prison libraries was for (a) male and (b) female prisoners in the latest Capital Credit Union period for which figures are available. [204654] Credit Union Credit Union Leeds City Simon Hughes: The average prison libraries spend for Civil Service Sports Council each prisoner for 2012-13 (the latest year for which CSO Sports and Social figures are available) is £105 for the male prison estate SPARTA-Sport and Rec Association for DCLG and DFT and £134 for the female prison estate. The combined DTC cost for each prisoner (male and female) is £106. Fideliti Childcare The figures are based on the average male and female First Division Association population figures for 2012-13 and the designation of Gala Club Membership prisons into the male or female estate according to their Hospital Savings Association major function as at 31 March 2013. Hospital Saturday Fund Costs have been drawn from NOMS central accounting HSF Health Plan records, which, as with any large scale recording system, HS Legacy Cash Plan are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. Prospect Prison library services are provided by the local authority KOPAL Pur Village Aid (UK) library service for all public sector prisons in a way that Lottery is consistent with that available to library users in the wider community. Library services also may be Meridian Court SA commissioned locally by prisons to meet the individual Scottish Benevolent Fund needs of the local prisoner population. Sefton Credit Union Ltd The Prison Service has always recognised the importance Sovereign Giving Club of reading and literature in the rehabilitative process, Stewardship and the positive effects these have on prisoners. Every UNISON prison has a library which is available to all prisoners to WO Health and fitness centre make sure they have access to books and other material Welsh Office Sports and Social Club for education and training purposes. Charities Aid Foundation, West Malling Homeowners Friendly Society Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 14 May 2014, Official Report, Prisoners: Repatriation column 714W, on prison libraries, what the spending was by category of expenditure for HM Prison (a) Leeds and (b) Wakefield. [204680] Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many foreign national prisoners have been returned to each country where the UK has invested in Mr Vara: A breakdown of the spend on prison libraries is not available from the National Offender Management prisons in each of the last 10 years. [204658] Service’s central accounting system. Mr Vara: It has been a long-standing government policy that we do not publish detailed information on Public Defender Service the number of foreign national offenders returned to specific countries as it may have a detrimental effect on Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Office’s returns agreements with foreign Justice if he will publish the agreement recently reached governments. with the Criminal Bar on the future role of the Public The UK supports projects that strengthen the criminal Defender Service. [205115] justice capacity of a number of countries in the context of the Government’s development and security work. Mr Vara: Arrangements have been put in place, under This work can help to build good relationships that which self-employed barristers have been instructed to support the return of foreign national offenders. represent defendants in a number of Very High Cost MOJ have developed projects that support prison Cases (VHCCs). Given that normal working relationships reform in the context of furthering the potential for have been restored, the Government has confirmed that compulsory prisoner transfer arrangements. This work there is no need to expand the PDS further. 755W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 756W

Sentencing Training

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for what research his Department has commissioned on the Justice how many away days his Department has held effect of the gender of (a) the judge and (b) the for officials in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014 to date; and what defendant on sentencing outcomes in Crown courts. the cost was of each such event. [205384] [205013] Mr Vara: The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) does not Mr Vara: The sentencing framework applies to all hold away days. The MOJ does on occasion hold training offenders who appear before the courts regardless of events outside its main buildings. However, these events gender. The courts must however have regard to the are neither recorded nor funded centrally as they would individual circumstances of the offence and the offender. be organised by heads of directorates. Therefore to Offenders who commit serious offences face lengthy provide the information requested would incur custodial sentences. Sentencing in individual cases can disproportionate costs as we would be required to contact be subject to appeal. all directorates and organisations within MOJ and its The Department has commissioned no external research arm’s length bodies to produce an accurate figure. on the effect of the gender of the judge or the defendant on sentencing outcomes in the Crown court. However, statistics showing the sentencing outcomes of men and WALES women and also the gender profile of the judiciary are published within the biennial “Statistics on Women and Buildings the Criminal Justice System”: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/women-and-the- Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales criminal-justice-system--2 how much has been spent on refurbishing (a) gymnasium The next edition of this publication is due for release in and leisure facilities, (b) cafeteria and (c) interior November 2014. decoration in (i) his Department and (ii) buildings owned by his Department in (A) 2013 and (B) 2014 to Sentencing: West Yorkshire date. [205363]

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice Stephen Crabb: Nothing. with reference to the answer of 13 May 2014, Official Land Report, columns 506-8W,on sentencing: West Yorkshire, what proportion of offenders in each offence category the figures in the table represent for each of the years Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for 2011, 2012 and 2013. [204500] Wales how much land his Department has released for the purpose of building new homes since May 2010. Mr Vara: It has not been possible to answer the [205778] question within the timeframe. I will write to my hon. Friend in due course. Stephen Crabb: None. Our London office stands on the only land owned by the Wales Office. Squatting: Reoffenders Mass Media: Subscriptions Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales Justice (1) how many people have been convicted of the what subscriptions to (a) magazines and (b) television offence of squatting in a residential building under channels his Department funds. [205349] section 144 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 on more than one Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office does not fund any occasion since its entry into force; [204455] subscriptions to magazines or television channels. (2) how many people have been (a) arrested for and (b) convicted of the offence of squatting in a residential Procurement building under section 144 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 since its entry Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales into force. [204505] how much and what proportion of his Department’s budget was spent on activities which were contracted Mr Vara: It has not been possible to answer the out in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12, (d) question within the timeframe. I will write to my hon. 2012-13 and (e) 2013-14; and how much and what Friend in due course. proportion of his Department’s budget he expects to be contracted out in 2014-15. [205227] Terrorism Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office was part of the Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Ministry of Justice until 2011 and as a small Department Justice how many prisoners convicted of terrorist- continues to use contracted out services under Ministry related offences are held in open prisons. [204456] of Justice contracts. The Department’s spend on contracted out services, and the proportion of the budget spent on Mr Vara: Currently there are no prisoners convicted these activities, from 2009-10 to 2013-14 is set out as of terrorist-related offences held in open conditions. follows: 757W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 758W

to analyse progress made in achieving the ambition of Spend on contracted out Proportion of budget services (£) (percentage) preventing 5,000 avoidable premature deaths a year by 2014-15 as set out in Improving Outcomes: a Strategy 2009-10 936,200 17 for Cancer. [205647] 2010-11 775,800 14 2011-12 714,000 12 2012-13 1,097,900 18 Jane Ellison: It is too early to be able to assess 2013-14 645,400 12 progress against the ambition to save an additional 5,000 lives per year by 2014-15, to halve the gap between In 2014-15, the Department expects to spend £726,000, the survival estimates in England and those in the best which is 15% of the budget. The increase in spend on countries in Europe. However, we do know that cancer contracted out services during 2012-13 was due to the survival and mortality rates continue to improve and we Department relocating its Cardiff office. are developing proxy measures to assess progress in a Training more timely manner, particularly in terms of the proportion of cancers diagnosed at stages one and two and cancers Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales diagnosed through emergency routes. how many awaydays his Department has held for The National Health Service and Public Health officials in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014 to date; and what the Outcomes Framework indicators and the clinical cost was of each such event. [205301] commissioning group (CCG) Outcomes Indicator Set Stephen Crabb: The Wales Office held one offsite are starting to enable us to assess progress, at national event for staff in 2014 where the Business Plan and the and local level. For example, data on one-year survival key priorities for the year ahead were reviewed. This from all cancers and one-year survival from breast, lung had a cost of £319. The Department held no offsite and colorectal cancer were published as part of the CCG events in 2013. outcomes indicator set for the first time on 19 June 2014. The Cancer Outcomes Strategy is backed with more than £750 million over the four year Spending Review HEALTH period, including over £450 million to achieve early Cancer diagnosis. The additional money is funding over 2 million extra tests over four years and gives general practitioners Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for (GPs) access to non-obstetric ultrasound—to support Health what assessment he has made of a potential link diagnosis of ovarian cancer; flexible sigmoidoscopy—to between nuclear power and the prevalence of cancer; support the diagnosis of bowel cancer; and brain magnetic and what estimate he has made of proportion of the resonance imaging scans—to support the diagnosis of NHS budget spent on treating patients suffering from brain cancer. NHS England monitors the use of these cancer caused by nuclear power generation. [205246] tests through the Diagnostic Imaging Dataset. On 22 May 2014, NHS England published ‘Provisional Monthly Jane Ellison: No such estimate has been made. Diagnostic Imaging Dataset Statistics’ for the period There has been extensive research into the possible from January 2013 to January 2014. links between nuclear power and cancer over a number Over 34.2 million imaging tests were reported in of years. In particular, the independent expert Committee England in the 12 months from February 2013 to on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment January 2014. Over a quarter of all tests that may have has published a number of major reports addressing been used to diagnose or discount cancer were requested exposure to man-made radiation from major nuclear by GPs under direct access arrangements. installation operations and possible links with childhood cancers, available at: The Mandate for the NHS for 2014-15 sets out an ambition for England to become one of the most successful www.comare.org.uk countries in Europe at preventing premature deaths. Similarly, the small area health statistics unit, based at Imperial College London and part of the MRC-PHE Tackling premature deaths from cancer will contribute Centre for Environmental and Health, has published to this. A range of work at national and local level is reports examining suggested links between local incidence aimed at improving cancer survival. For example, results of cancers and radioactive discharges from some nuclear from the first national “Be Clear on Cancer” lung installations. cancer campaign in 2012 showed that around 700 extra All of these reports have concluded that public exposures patients were diagnosed with lung cancer compared to to radiation as a result of nuclear operations is extremely the previous year. Approximately 400 of these patients unlikely to have caused discernible health consequences. had their lung cancer diagnosed at an early stage, with around 300 more patients having surgery, giving them a All radioactive discharges in the United Kingdom are better chance of survival. regulated and monitored by the UK’s environmental regulators. Work continues on extending and expanding the bowel, breast and cervical cancer screening programmes, Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State and helping GPs to assess patients more effectively. The for Health (1) what steps (a) his Department and (b) National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is in NHS England are taking to reduce the proportion of the process of updating the ‘Referral Guidelines for people with cancer who are diagnosed via an emergency Suspected Cancer’ (2005) to ensure that it reflects latest route; [205648] evidence and can continue to support GPs to identify (2) pursuant to the answer of 3 July 2013, Official patients with symptoms of suspected cancer and urgently Report, column 700W,on cancer, what steps he is taking refer them as appropriate. 759W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 760W

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Total number for Health with reference to his Department’s publication, Number of Number of Number of of patients Improving Outcomes: a Strategy for Cancer, what steps patients patients patients funded since (a) his Department, (b) NHS England and (c) clinical funded in funded in funded in October 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 20101 commissioning groups plan to take to ensure that all cancer patients are treated with the highest levels of England 2,780 11,798 15,456 30,034 dignity and respect. [205649] 1 Some individual patients may be double-counted where a patient has received more than one drug treatment through the Cancer Drugs Fund Source: Jane Ellison: NHS Improving Quality will be working Information provided to the Department by SHAs with the National Clinical Director for Cancer and with NHS England has had oversight of the Fund since provider organisations to continue their service improvement April 2013 and publishes information on patient numbers work to improve patient experience and to ensure that routinely on its website at: patients’ views are central to the way services are developed. www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/pe/cdf/ NHS England is also working with NHS Improving Information published by NHS England shows that Quality to develop better ways of using the Cancer in 2013-14, 4,725 patients in the South of England Patient Experience Survey data within the national region and 19,282 patients in England accessed treatment health service in order to maximise the impact of the through the Fund. In addition, 89 individual cancer survey, to be able to work with successful and struggling drugs fund request applications were approved by the organisations to spread best practice for example. Cancer Drugs Fund panel in the South of England Work on information prescriptions (IPs) has moved region. to Macmillan Cancer Support, and a report on the use of IPs is currently being considered by NHS England to Community Hospitals decide how best this work can be taken forward. Work on quality in nursing was completed in March 2013, Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for with the clinical nurse specialist survey handed over to Health what recent discussions he has had with NHS Macmillan Cancer Support. NHS England is considering England on the role of community hospitals. [204995] how to take forward work on the Multi-disciplinary team-feedback for improving team working programme. Jane Ellison: The Secretary of State for Health, my Clinical commissioning groups are currently in the right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey process of finalising measurable levels of ambition to (Mr Hunt) meets with NHS England on a regular basis improve patient experience and will be holding providers and discusses a range of issues, both formally and to account. These are based on NHS England’s new informally, including the role of community hospitals. measure for poor inpatient experience which includes dignity and respect and communication. Continuing Care Compassion in Practice, the three year vision and strategy for nursing, midwifery and care staff, is also Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for seeking to increase feedback from vulnerable and Health how many families are awaiting a decision for disadvantaged patient groups, who can have poorer continuing health care funding where it is claimed that experiences of care. the application applies to an unassessed period of care; and if he will make a statement. [205581]

Cancer: Sussex Norman Lamb: The Department does not routinely collect data regarding the number of applications for NHS continuing health care assessments. Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in (a) Brighton Kemptown constituency, However, following the introduction, on 15 March (b) Brighton and Hove and (c) Sussex have gained 2012, of deadlines for requests for assessments of eligibility access to cancer drugs through the Cancer Drugs Fund for NHS continuing health care for previously unassessed in each year of that Fund’s operation. [205020] periods of care which occurred during the time 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2012, the Department is aware that there were approximately 60,000 enquiries received by Norman Lamb: Prior to April 2013, information on primary care trusts. the Cancer Drugs Fund was administered through clinical panels based in each strategic health authority and data on the number of patients who accessed treatment Health Professions: Wakefield through the Fund in each constituency, city and county was not collected. Information on the number of patients Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who accessed treatment in South East Coast Strategic what the (a) staff to patient ratio and (b) nurse to bed Health Authority (SHA) and England in 2010-11, 2011-12 ratio is in all hospitals serving Wakefield. [205107] and 2012-13 is shown as follows: Dr Poulter: The Department does not collect the Total number information requested. The following table however Number of Number of Number of of patients shows the number of national health service staff in the patients patients patients funded since funded in funded in funded in October Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust on 31 March 2014. 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 20101 Local NHS trusts decide how many staff they employ, South East 306 1,241 1,426 2,973 and make these decisions based on the needs of their Coast SHA patients and local communities. 761W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 762W

While the right staffing levels are vital for good patient their counterparts in the devolved Administrations on care, minimum staffing numbers and ratios cannot take the contents of the recent publication: Visitor and Migrant account of local circumstances, skill mix or case mix. NHS Cost Recovery Programme - Implementation Plan. NHS hospital and community health services provisional monthly statistics: [205559] NHS staff in the Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust by main staff group as at 31 March 2014 Jane Ellison: The Visitor and Migrant NHS Cost Full-time equivalent Recovery Programme officials consulted with representatives Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust 6,740 of the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish devolved Administrations during the preparation of the implementation plan. Professionally qualified clinical staff 3,593 Medical and dental staff 709 Health Services: Wakefield Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff 2,024 Qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff 860 Support to clinical staff 2,207 Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Support to doctors and nursing staff 1,707 how many (a) GPs and (b) accident and emergency Support to ST&T staff 500 departments serving Wakefield have closed since 2010. [205139] NHS infrastructure support 939 Central functions 289 Hotel, property and estates 550 Jane Ellison: This information, whilst not collected Managers and senior managers 100 centrally, can be obtained from the local NHS England Notes: Area Team. 1. Full time equivalent figures are rounded to the nearest whole number. 2. These statistics relate to the contracted positions within English NHS Hospitals: Scotland organisations and may include those where the person assigned to the position is temporarily absent, for example on maternity leave. 3. Data Quality: Mr Frank Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for The Health and Social Care Information Centre seeks to minimise inaccuracies Health how many patients from Scotland have been and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being admitted for (a) emergency and (b) planned updated to improve data quality where changes impact on figures already procedures in England in each of the last 10 years. published. This is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are [205250] not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses. 4. Monthly data: As from 21 July 2010 the Health and Social Care Information Centre has Jane Ellison: The information is shown in the following published provisional monthly NHS workforce data. As expected with provisional table. statistics, some figures may be revised from month to month as issues are uncovered and resolved. The monthly workforce data is not directly comparable Total number of procedures carried out on Scottish residents by English NHS with the annual workforce census; it only includes those staff on the Electronic trusts, NHS foundation trusts and independent sector providers (commissioned Staff Record (ESR) (i.e. it does not include primary care staff or bank staff). by English NHS commissioners), 2003-04 to 2012-13 There are also new methods of presenting data (headcount methodology is Planned or different and there is now a role count). This information is available from Emergency elective Other or Total September 2009 onwards at the following website: procedures procedures unknown procedures www.hscic.gov.uk Source: 2003-04 890 2,278 149 3,317 Health and Social Care Information Centre Provisional Monthly Workforce Statistics. 2004-05 939 2,561 142 3,642 2005-06 884 2,793 161 3,838 Health Services 2006-07 1,062 2,717 151 3,930 2007-08 1,219 2,750 129 4,098 Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for 2008-09 1,269 2,927 146 4,342 Health what form the engagement announced by NHS 2009-10 1,340 3,102 132 4,574 England on 9 May 2014 at the launch of its specialised 2010-11 1,333 3,580 135 5,048 commissioning taskforce will take. [205535] 2011-12 1,411 3,250 155 4,816 2012-13 1,388 3,175 136 4,699 Jane Ellison: NHS England has advised that the work Notes: of the specialised commissioning task force is not a 1. A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one health care provider. FAEs are counted wholesale review of specialised commissioning. It is against the year or month in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions best described as work to support financial control in do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one 2014-15 and to plan for 2015-16. admission within the period. 2. HES figures have been available from 1989-90 onwards: Changes to the There are aspects of the task force work which will figures over time need to be interpreted in the context of improvements in data require specific engagement appropriate and proportionate quality and coverage (particularly in earlier years), improvements in coverage of independent sector activity (particularly from 2006-07) and changes in NHS to the nature of the issue or service via the routes practice. For example, changes in activity may be due to changes in the relevant to the topic. For example, there is engagement provision of care. with clinical commissioning groups via the Commissioning Source: Assembly on the future portfolio of specialised services. Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre. There is also engagement via the Patient and Public Infant Foods: Northern Ireland Voice Assurance Group about a range of commissioning issues. Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions officials in his Department have had Health Services: Foreign Nationals with their counterparts in Northern Ireland on how best to ensure that babies in Northern Ireland are not Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for at risk from contamination of privately manufactured Health whether officials from his Department consulted batches of drip food. [205018] 763W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 764W

Jane Ellison: Bacillus cereus is a common bacteria Table 1: Estimated expenditure on CAMHS for PCTs in Yorkshire and Humber found widely in the environment in dust, soil and vegetation. SHA Bacillus cereus produces very hardy spores, which make £ million it persistent in the environment. 2012-13 68 The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Notes: Agency (MHRA) undertake inspections of manufacturing 1. Expenditure data are taken from the 2006-07 to 2012-13 programme budgeting facilities with reference to the standards of good returns. Programme budgeting returns are based on a subset of PCT accounts manufacturing practice to verify that companies are data and represent a subset of overall NHS expenditure data. 2. “Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services” is a subcategory of the producing medicines that are of the correct quality and “Mental Health Disorders” programme category. The allocation of expenditure safety. The manufacture of sterile products, such as to programme budgeting subcategories is not always straightforward, and subcategory level data should therefore be used with caution. Total Parenteral Nutrition, is subject to special requirements 3. In order to improve data quality, continual refinements have been made to the in order to minimise risks of bacterial contamination. programme budgeting data calculation methodology each year. The underlying data which support programme budgeting data are also subject to yearly In the case of medicines, the MHRA and Public changes. Programme budgeting data cannot be used to analyse changes in Health England (PHE) are currently investigating what investment in specific service areas between years. Users of the data should note has caused the recent incident where Total Parenteral that significant changes to the data calculation methodology were introduced in 2010-11. Nutrition became contaminated with Bacillus cereus. 4. Calculating programme budgeting data is complex and not all health care Based on the information we currently have, we believe activity or services can be classified directly to a programme budgeting category this is an isolated incident and the appropriate immediate or care setting. When it is not possible to reasonably estimate a programme budgeting category, expenditure is classified as “Other”. Expenditure on primary action has been taken to avoid a recurrence. No impacted care appointments cannot be reasonably estimated at disease specific level, and product was supplied to Northern Ireland. is separately identified as a subcategory of “Other” expenditure, rather than included within the CAMHS figures. The Northern Ireland administration has been informed Source: of the current incident involving Bacillus cereus. The NHS England. investigations into the cause of this incident are still Table 2: Mental health spend 2006-07 to 2012-13—PCT totals ongoing. The Department will continue to discuss matters Estimated expenditure on child and Financial adolescent mental health services with the Northern Ireland administration for minimising year PCT name (£000) Bacillus cereus infection. 2006-07 North Lincolnshire 1,687 The investigations being undertaken by MHRA and PCT PHE are in their advanced stages and preliminary findings 2007-08 North Lincolnshire 1,130 will be published as soon as possible. PCT 2008-09 North Lincolnshire 1,299 PCT 2009-10 North Lincolnshire 1,732 Mental Health Services: Yorkshire and Humberside PCT 2010-11 North Lincolnshire 2,568 PCT Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 2011-12 North Lincolnshire 2,320 what support provisions are in place for children and PCT adolescents with mental health problems in Yorkshire; 2012-13 North Lincolnshire 3,523 what the average time in Yorkshire is from referral by a PCT GP of a child or adolescent with mental health problems until they are seen by a specialist; and how much 2006-07 Rotherham PCT 729 funding was allocated to children and adolescents with 2007-08 Rotherham PCT 2,067 mental health problems in (a) 2010 and (b) 2014. 2008-09 Rotherham PCT 2,534 [205200] 2009-10 Rotherham PCT 2,931 2010-11 Rotherham PCT 2,985 2011-12 Rotherham PCT 3,575 Norman Lamb: The local national health service uses 2012-13 Rotherham PCT 5,036 funds made available to it to provide support for all children and young people with mental health needs in 2006-07 Calderdale PCT 2 Yorkshire. 2007-08 Calderdale PCT 481 The following tables show the most recent data available 2008-09 Calderdale PCT 2,846 for the estimated expenditure on child and adolescent 2009-10 Calderdale PCT 2,736 mental health services (CAMHS) in the former Yorkshire 2010-11 Calderdale PCT 2,458 and the Humber strategic health authority (SHA) area 2011-12 Calderdale PCT 1,412 and by former primary care trust (PCT). 2012-13 Calderdale PCT 1,787 Data on waiting times for CAMHS is not available centrally. 2006-07 Barnsley PCT 1,879 2007-08 Barnsley PCT 2,396 Table 1: Estimated expenditure on CAMHS for PCTs in Yorkshire and Humber SHA 2008-09 Barnsley PCT 2,824 £ million 2009-10 Barnsley PCT 2,435 2010-11 Barnsley PCT 2,749 2006-07 25 2011-12 Barnsley PCT 3,476 2007-08 34 2012-13 Barnsley PCT 1,865 2008-09 46 2009-10 54 2006-07 Leeds PCT 530 2010-11 43 2007-08 Leeds PCT 1,155 2011-12 67 765W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 766W

Table 2: Mental health spend 2006-07 to 2012-13—PCT totals Table 2: Mental health spend 2006-07 to 2012-13—PCT totals Estimated expenditure on child and Estimated expenditure on child and Financial adolescent mental health services Financial adolescent mental health services year PCT name (£000) year PCT name (£000)

2008-09 Leeds PCT 1,291 2009-10 East Riding Of 2,860 2009-10 Leeds PCT 10,807 Yorkshire PCT 2010-11 Leeds PCT 1,004 2010-11 East Riding Of 3,030 Yorkshire PCT 2011-12 Leeds PCT 2,225 2011-12 East Riding Of 5,221 2012-13 Leeds PCT 2,752 Yorkshire PCT 2012-13 East Riding Of 3,078 2006-07 Kirklees PCT 2,576 Yorkshire PCT 2007-08 Kirklees PCT 96 2008-09 Kirklees PCT 3,030 2006-07 Hull Teaching PCT 82 2009-10 Kirklees PCT 4,500 2007-08 Hull Teaching PCT 1,716 2010-11 Kirklees PCT 2,214 2008-09 Hull Teaching PCT 3,842 2011-12 Kirklees PCT 2,998 2009-10 Hull Teaching PCT 4,018 2012-13 Kirklees PCT 3,152 2010-11 Hull Teaching PCT 3,703 2011-12 Hull Teaching PCT 6,417 2006-07 Wakefield District 196 2012-13 Hull Teaching PCT 2,997 PCT 2007-08 Wakefield District 2,115 2006-07 Bradford and 4,784 PCT Airedale Teaching 2008-09 Wakefield District 3,177 PCT PCT 2007-08 Bradford and 6,003 2009-10 Wakefield District 3,442 Airedale Teaching PCT PCT 2010-11 Wakefield District 705 2008-09 Bradford and 6,161 PCT Airedale Teaching 2011-12 Wakefield District 5,023 PCT PCT 2009-10 Bradford and 2,983 2012-13 Wakefield District 6,197 Airedale Teaching PCT PCT 2010-11 Bradford and 2,445 Airedale Teaching 2006-07 Sheffield PCT 5,672 PCT 2007-08 Sheffield PCT 7,388 2011-12 Bradford and 8,819 2008-09 Sheffield PCT 7,122 Airedale Teaching PCT 2009-10 Sheffield PCT 7,425 2012-13 Bradford and 7,443 2010-11 Sheffield PCT 9,739 Airedale Teaching 2011-12 Sheffield PCT 11,481 PCT 2012-13 Sheffield PCT 12,638 2006-07 North East 1,450 2006-07 Doncaster PCT 1,491 Lincolnshire PCT 2007-08 Doncaster PCT 2,143 2007-08 North East 1,021 Lincolnshire PCT 2008-09 Doncaster PCT 2,723 2008-09 North East 1,564 2009-10 Doncaster PCT 2,673 Lincolnshire PCT 2010-11 Doncaster PCT 3,152 2009-10 North East 727 2011-12 Doncaster PCT 5,626 Lincolnshire PCT 2012-13 Doncaster PCT 6,224 2010-11 North East 3,155 Lincolnshire PCT 2011-12 North East 3,393 2006-07 North Yorkshire and 3,799 Lincolnshire PCT York PCT 2012-13 North East 3,965 2007-08 North Yorkshire and 5,880 Lincolnshire PCT York PCT 2008-09 North Yorkshire and 5,004 York PCT NHS: Finance 2009-10 North Yorkshire and 5,034 York PCT Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010-11 North Yorkshire and 2,820 York PCT Health what assessment he has made of the report by 2011-12 North Yorkshire and 5,366 the King’s Fund of May 2014, entitled The NHS York PCT Productivity Challenge and its estimate of a £30 billion 2012-13 North Yorkshire and 7,136 finding gap for the NHS; and if he will make a statement. York PCT [205509]

2006-07 East Riding Of 62 Dr Poulter: The Government has increased national Yorkshire PCT health service funding in real terms in each year of this 2007-08 East Riding Of 83 Parliament investing an additional £12.7 billion over Yorkshire PCT the course of the Parliament. Budgets have not been set 2008-09 East Riding Of 2,732 Yorkshire PCT beyond 2015-16 but we recognise the challenge posed by the pressures of an aging population and the cost of 767W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 768W new investment. The Government is investing in technology, Our national ambition for a downward trend in excess transferring out of hospital care while never compromising weight in adults and children by 2020 requires collective on the quality of care. The NHS is on track to make up action by Government, businesses, health and care to £20 billion in efficiency savings to be reinvested in professionals, and individuals. frontline care, over the period 2011-12 to 2014-15. Obesity: Children Nurses: Wakefield Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Health what progress has been made in achieving a how many nurses were employed in Wakefield in (a) sustained downward trend in excess weight in children 2010 and (b) the latest date for which data is available. by 2020. [205534] [205140] Jane Ellison: Data on the prevalence of overweight Dr Poulter: The information requested is shown in and obesity are published annually by the Health and the following table. Social Care Information Centre. The latest data available National health service hospital and community health services (HCHS) are from the Health Survey for England for 2012 and provisional monthly statistics: GP practice nurses and HCHS nursing, midwifery 1 2 from the National Child Measurement Programme for and health visiting staff as at 30 September 2010 and 31 March 2014 the school year 2012-13, showing that obesity rates in Full-time equivalent children are levelling off. 20101 March 20142 The Government continues to take action through All specified organisations1,2 2,383 2,153 key initiatives such as Change4Life, Change4Life Sports GP practice nurses 100 128 Clubs, the National Child Measurement Programme, HCHS Qualified nursing, midwifery and health 2,283 2,024 School Sports Funding and the School Food Plan. visiting staff 12010 figures are from the annual workforce census, and are an aggregate of GP practice nurses from Wakefield District primary care trust and HCHS qualified Procurement nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff from Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust. 2March 2014 is the latest available data from the provisional monthly statistics, and is an aggregate figure of GP practice nurses (data from September 2013 GP Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Census) from NHS Wakefield and HCHS qualified nursing, midwifery and how much and what proportion of his Department’s health visiting staff from Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust. budget was spent on activities which were contracted Data Quality: The Health and Social Care Information Centre seeks to minimise inaccuracies out in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12, (d) and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy 2012-13 and (e) 2013-14; and how much and what lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being proportion of his Department’s budget he expects to updated to improve data quality where changes impact on figures already published. This is assessed but unless it is significant at national level figures are be contracted out in 2014-15. [205217] not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses. Monthly data: As from 21 July 2010 the Health and Social Care Information Centre has Dr Poulter: The Department contracts for a wide published provisional monthly NHS workforce data. As expected with provisional variety of services to support delivery of its objectives statistics, some figures may be revised from month to month as issues are and is committed to providing services in the most uncovered and resolved. The monthly workforce data is not directly comparable with the annual workforce census; it only includes those staff on the Electronic efficient way possible to provide the best value for Staff Record (i.e. it does not include primary care staff or bank staff). There are taxpayers. also new methods of presenting data (headcount methodology is different and there is now a role count). This information is available from September 2009 The Department’s central procurement system does onwards at the following website: not have a separate category nor any central means of www.hscic.gov.uk Source: consistently identifying spend on activities where they Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census. are contracted out for each year. To provide comprehensive Health and Social Care Information Centre General and Personal Medical spend would mean going back to each business area Services Statistics. Health and Social Care Information Centre Provisional Monthly Workforce and Directorate in the Department and consulting on Statistics. which of the contracts they commissioned are activities considered to be contracted out. This would incur Obesity disproportionate costs. The Department publishes information on newly awarded Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health contracts on Contracts Finder, the government on-line what recent steps he has taken to reduce obesity; and if facility for the publication of tendering opportunities he will make a statement. [205097] and contract information. Contracts Finder may be found at: Jane Ellison: We have a well-developed and wide-ranging http://contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk/ programme of actions to reduce levels of obesity. These include working with a wide range of partners including Prostate Cancer Public Health England, NHS England, Government Departments, including the Department for Education and Department for Transport, and industry through Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health the Public Health Responsibility Deal. Key initiatives how many people in Hemsworth constituency are currently include Change4Life, the National Child Measurement being treated for prostate cancer, what the average waiting Programme, NHS Health Checks, Change4Life Sports time for treatment of such people is; and what steps his Clubs, School Sports Funding and the School Food Department is taking to raise awareness of prostate Plan. cancer. [205102] 769W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 770W

Jane Ellison: The information is not available in the Dan Rogerson: Labour presided over the longest and format requested. The following table shows the number deepest recession since the war. of finished admission episodes (FAEs) with a primary We have taken action to elevate the impact on households. diagnosis of prostate cancer, and the average time these patients waited in Hemsworth constituency in 2012-13. For example, rural households spend a large proportion of their income on travel. FAEs1 Average time FAEs with valid We have reduced fuel duty meaning pump prices are waited (days)2 waiting time3 13p per litre lower than they would have been under 2012-13 64 32.6 39 Labour’s plans. 1 An FAE is the first period of admitted patient care under one consultant This means it is £7 cheaper for motorists every time within one health care provider. FAEs are counted against the year or month in they fill their tank. which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the period. 2 Time waited (days) statistics from Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) are not the same as published Referral to Treatment (RTT) time waited statistics. HES EU Discard Ban provides counts and time waited for all patients between decision to admit and admission to hospital within a given period. Published RTT waiting statistics measure the time waited between referral and start of treatment. 12. Sheryll Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for 3 The total number of eligible admissions from which the mean and median Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress time waited are derived. This includes waiting list and booked admissions, but she has made in implementing the EU discard ban. not planned admissions. A waiting list admission is one in which a patient has been admitted electively into hospital from a waiting list, having been given no [904931] date of admission at the time a decision to admit was made. Booked admissions are those in which the patient was admitted electively having been given a date at the time it was decided to admit. Planned admissions are excluded as they are George Eustice: The landing obligation will come usually part of a planned sequence of clinical care determined mainly on into force in January 2015 for pelagic fisheries, and for clinical criteria, which, for example, could require a series of events, perhaps other fisheries beginning in 2016. Much progress has taking place every three months, six months or annually. It is the case that some providers do not supply the data required to calculate a time waited on eligible been made on implementation. episodes. The UK has now agreed discard plans for pelagic Note: The parliamentary constituency uses the patient’s normal home address. This fisheries with other member states in both the North sea does not necessarily reflect where the patient was treated as they may have and North West waters, and these were recently submitted travelled to another parliamentary constituency for treatment. Source: to the European Commission. Work is also under way Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre. with the fishing industry and others on the demersal “Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer”, published landing obligation, with a consultation to be launched in January 2011, committed over £450 million over the early in 2015. four years up to 2014-15 to achieve earlier diagnosis of cancer. This included funding for centrally-led Be Clear Food Prices on Cancer campaigns, which aim to raise awareness of the symptoms of cancer, get symptomatic patients to 13. Lisa Nandy: To ask the Secretary of State for present earlier, and work to help support general Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment practitioners (GPs). she has made of the effect of changes in food prices on Prostate cancer is challenging from the perspective of household budgets. [904932] driving early diagnosis through a social marketing campaign, as the symptoms of prostate cancer are the George Eustice: The Family Food Survey shows that same as for other benign prostate disease. However, due the proportion of income spent on food by the poorest to their increased risk, we are actively considering prostate 20% of households has remained relatively static over cancer within African-Caribbean men as the subject for the last ten years, 16.8% in 2008 to 16.6% in 2012. The a local pilot activity. In addition, awareness is raised average price of food remains lower than some other through the Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme, European countries including France, Germany and which is in place to ensure that men over 50 without Ireland. The annual rate of food price inflation was symptoms of prostate cancer can have a prostate specific 0.0% in the year to June 2014, compared to an overall antigen test free on the national health service after rate of 1.9%. careful consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of the test and after a discussion with a GP. Air Pollution

14. Mike Kane: To ask the Secretary of State for ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to reduce levels of air pollution. [904933] Rural Cost of Living Dan Rogerson: The Government has invested heavily 11. Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State in measures that will help reduce air pollution from for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans transport, energy and industrial sources. We are providing she has to reduce the cost of living in rural over £2 billion to promote the use of ultra-low emission communities. [904930] vehicles and sustainable transport, and are funding clean bus technology and modal shift programmes to 16. Albert Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for encourage cycling and walking. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she Nationally we support local authorities in England to has to reduce the cost of living in rural communities. deliver local measures and work with devolved [904935] Administrations to improve air quality across the UK. 771W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 772W

Japanese Whaling The core Department has spent the following on buildings it owns but which are occupied by Executive 15. Mr McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for agencies, non-departmental public bodies and other Environment, Food and Rural Affairs What steps she is Government Departments taking following the International Court of Justice’s ruling that Japan’s Antarctic whaling activity was not £ conducted for the purpose of scientific research. 2013-14 2014-15 [904934] Gymnasium and leisure 0 0 Cafeteria 0 0 George Eustice: We will continue to make it clear at Interior Decorations 25,508 0 every appropriate opportunity that we see no justification for lethal scientific research on whales. We are now working within the EU and with other key parties to try Food Supply Networks Review to ensure that the findings of the International Court of Justice are reflected in the working practices of the Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Whaling Commission, as the competent Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the body for the conservation of whales. answer of 8 July 2014, Official Report, column 178W, on food supply networks review, and with reference to Beavers: Devon the statement in the terms of reference for the Elliot review published on 4 June 2013 that the final report of Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for that review would be published in spring 2014, for what Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the reasons that final review has not been published. answer of 26 June 2014, Official Report, column 330W, [205615] whether she considers the population of wild beavers in Devon to be a non-native species. [205378] George Eustice: Professor Elliott’s final report of the review into the integrity and assurance of food supply George Eustice: European beavers were once present networks is being finalised and will be published soon. in the British Isles and are considered a previously native species. However, the species has not been ordinarily Forests resident for several hundred years, since it was hunted to extinction in the 16th century. Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Bovine Tuberculosis Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her policy is on the future of the public forest estate and on ways of putting this on a sustainable footing for the future; Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for and whether she plans to bring forward legislative Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to his proposals to achieve those policy objectives. [205008] answer of 3 July 2014, Official Report, column 727W, on Bovine Tuberculosis, whether planned further Dan Rogerson: The Government’s policy on the future research into the use of carbon monoxide as a potential of the Public Forest Estate is set out in its Forestry and sett-based means of humane culling will be conducted Woodlands Policy Statement of January 2013. The on live badgers; [205453] Government is committed to maintaining the Public Forest Estate in public ownership and to establishing a George Eustice: There are currently no plans to use new operationally independent public body to manage live badgers in research on the use of carbon monoxide the estate for the long-term benefit of people, nature as a potential sett-based means of humane culling. and the economy. Buildings There were many proposals competing for the limited space within the Fourth Session programme and the proposed forestry measures could not be accommodated. Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for However, the Government stands by its commitment to Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has establish the new public body as soon as parliamentary been spent on refurbishing (a) gymnasium and leisure time allows. facilities, (b) cafeteria and (c) interior decoration in (i) her Department and (ii) buildings owned by her Department in (A) 2013 and (B) 2014 to date. [205356] Fracking

Dan Rogerson: The core Department has spent the Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for following amounts on its occupied buildings. The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment expenditure in 2013-14 relates to a major restructuring she has made of the number of water treatment and reduction in use of office space in central London facilities in the UK capable of processing waste water to realise estates costs savings of £8.7 million per annum, from shale gas extraction; and what the (a) name, (b) location and (c) capacity is of each such site. [205582] £ 2013-14 2014-15 Dan Rogerson: There are a large number of waste

Gymnasium and leisure 2,446 0 treatment facilities across the UK that could potentially Cafeteria 28,482 0 treat flow-back fluid, including water produced from Interior Decorations 466,889 3,009 shale exploration and hydraulic fracturing, subject to holding the relevant permits. 773W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 774W

Currently, in England there are three facilities with The Spectator permits that would allow for the treatment of such Veterinary Record waste water: Veterinary Times Castle Environmental in Stoke-on-Trent; Waste Management and Research FCC Environment at Knostrop in Leeds; and (b) Core DEFRA does not hold any subscriptions to Bran Sands in Middlesbrough (owned by Northumbrian Water). television channels except for the Houses of Parliament Core DEFRA does not hold information on the TV channel; non-terrestrial television is received via treatment capacity of these facilities. Freeview. Ground Water: Methane Procurement Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for she has made of the concentration of methane in Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many groundwater in mg/l in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland, (c) contracts (a) her Department and (b) its agencies and England, (d) Wales and (e) Northern Ireland. [205586] non-departmental public bodies (i) have let and (ii) plan to let that are worth (A) between £1 million and £3 Dan Rogerson: The British Geological Survey (BGS) million and (B) over £3 million since 2010; how much is surveying the current distribution of methane her Department has spent on monitoring each such concentrations in UK groundwater, focusing on areas contract; and how many officials in her Department where aquifers are underlain by shale units that may be monitor each contract. [205368] exploited for shale gas. The BGS website provides a summary of the methane baseline results up to April Dan Rogerson: The numbers of contracts let since the 2014 and links to regional summaries: start of financial year 2010-11 are set out as follows www.bgs.ac.uk/research/groundwater/shaleGas/ methaneBaseline/results.html Number of contracts with start date after Depending on the geology of a particular site and the Ref Question 31 March 2010 pre-existing data available, the environmental regulator (the Environment Agency in England) could also require (a) (A) Core DEFRA: between £1 million and 61 such monitoring by the operator before a site became £3 million (a) (B) Core DEFRA: over £3 million since 28 operational. 2010 (b) (A) DEFRA agencies and NDPBs: between 107 Mass Media: Subscriptions £1 million and £3 million (b) (B) DEFRA agencies and NDPBs: over 73 Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for £3 million since 2010 Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what subscriptions to (a) magazines and (b) television channels her We cannot predict all future contracts and could provide estimates of contract management costs only at Department funds. [205341] disproportionate cost. Dan Rogerson: The information requested is as follows: (a) Core DEFRA subscribes to the following magazines. Rodents Please note that these subscriptions are for the Private Office, Press Office and the Core DEFRA Library only. Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Amateur Gardening Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent Angling Times representations she has received on increased numbers Country Life of infestations of rats in a domestic setting; and if she Country Living will make a statement. [205590] Economist Farmers Guardian George Eustice: I have not received any recent representations on the number of rat infestations in a Farmers Weekly domestic setting. Rats have no special legal protection Field and people are free to control them by legal means. Fishing News Grocer Training Harvard Business Review Horticulture Week House Magazine Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much has ITI Bulletin been spent on what (a) media training and (b) social Material Recycling World media training for (i) her and (ii) Ministers in her Meat Trades Journal Department since May 2010. [205309] Poultry World Ranger Dan Rogerson: No additional costs have been incurred Research Fortnight on media and social media training for Ministers since Science May 2010. 775W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 776W

HOME DEPARTMENT James Brokenshire: As the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member Cannabis for Maidenhead (Mrs May) made clear in the statement made to the House on 10 July 2014, Official Report, columns 456-59, communications data is an absolutely David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the fundamental tool in the investigation of serious crime. Home Department what steps her Department is The Crown Prosecution Service Organised Crime Division taking to reduce the number of cannabis factories has indicated that communications data plays a role in across the UK. [204714] 95% of the serious and organised crime cases that they Norman Baker: The Government works closely with handle. An Association of Chief Police Officers’ survey the police to support the policing of illegal cannabis from 2012 demonstrated the wide range of serious cultivation. The police response to tackle commercial crime types that communications data is used to investigate, cannabis cultivation includes proactive operations to including terrorism, drugs trafficking and child abuse. identify and close down these farms and disrupt the Total crime figures, recorded by the police, and including organised crime groups behind them. The police also breakdowns by crime type, can be found on the Office work to improve their knowledge and understanding of for National Statistics website. the trade through activity-led intelligence gathering. Law enforcement agencies do not routinely make a Cannabis farms are often established by organised record of all of the investigatory techniques that they crime groups in residential properties, bringing criminality use when investigating individual crimes, as there is no into communities. The Government is therefore also operational reason to do so. However, Keith Bristow, working with other partners with an interest in this Director General of the National Crime Agency, made area, such as energy companies and the property sector, clear in his speech to the Police Foundation on 24 June to promote co-operation and the sharing of best practice that communications data is most commonly used in in tackling cannabis farms. the investigation of the most serious offences, such as murder, rape and kidnap, and that communications We have also worked in partnership with Crimestoppers data is overwhelmingly the most powerful tool available on a ‘scratch and sniff’ cannabis card campaign, which to those investigating child sexual exploitation. I launched on 26 June and which will run for three months. This involves distributing ‘scratch and sniff’ HM Passport Office cards to the public to inform them about the signs to spot and the specific smell of cannabis when it is growing. Hot spot areas, as informed by police intelligence, Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for the have been targeted by police forces throughout the UK. Home Department what steps she is taking to increase A similar campaign last year led to information passed the consistency of information issued by HM Passport to Crimestoppers on cannabis cultivation increasing Office staff. [205104] 28% in the month following the launch, which led to the dismantlement of cannabis farms and a number of James Brokenshire: On 12 June 2014, the Home Secretary arrests across the country. announced to the House that an operational review would be undertaken to ensure that Her Majesty’s Civil Servants: Codes of Practice Passport Office works as efficiently as possible, with better processes, better customer services and better Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for the outcomes. Home Department how many (a) internal and (b) external complaints have been received by her Department HM Passport Office: Belfast about alleged breaches of the Civil Service Code of Conduct since 2010; and what actions her Department Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the has taken in response to each such complaint. [203956] Home Department what additional support she is providing to the passport office in Belfast. [202621] Karen Bradley: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. James Brokenshire: The Belfast Office Full Time Complaints are normally dealt with by the line Equivalent (FTE) workforce in June 2014 was 216.29 management chain within Departments in the first instance, compared with 147.76 FTE in June 2012. The increase with the most serious cases escalated to senior managers, in staff has been to deal with the introduction of HR or the Permanent Secretary. processing of work from overseas in 2013-14 and the Where a Civil Servant is not satisfied with how the introduction of an evening shift in January 2014 to matter has been handled by a Department, he or she assist in dealing with UK applications. Currently there can raise the matter with the Civil Service Commission. are 20 additional staff redeployed to Belfast to assist in The Commission publishes details of the number of the examination function. complaints received annually. Immigrants: English Language Crime Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were arrested Home Department how many serious crimes were following the recently uncovered English language test solved by communications data since 2010; what the fraud; and how many of these people have been (a) classification of those crimes was; and how many held as an immigration detainee and (b) released. serious crimes there were in that period. [205171] [204657] 777W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 778W

James Brokenshire: A criminal investigation and Norman Baker: Home Office Statistics does not collect immigration enforcement action are ongoing and arrests information on sexual abuse cases involving children. have been made. As I stated to the House on 24 June While the Home Office does hold data for offences 2014, Official Report, column 206, the Home Office will covered by the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (which may provide regular updates to the House. cover some sexual abuse offences), we do not hold data These updates will be provided as part of the regular on how many cases there are. publication of data on the Department’s work on borders The Department for Education collects and publishes and immigration. The next update will be published in information on the numbers of children referred to and August. assessed by children’s social services in England. This includes statistics at local authority level on the number Invalid Vehicles of children who are subject of a child protection plan by category of abuse, including sexual abuse. Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of Passports the efficacy of scooter safety schemes run by police forces for mobile scooter users. [205502] Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many applications for (a) Mike Penning: No assessment has been made of the passport renewal and (b) new passports were received effectiveness of mobile scooter safety schemes run by by the Passport Office in each month between (i) 1 police forces. This is an operational matter for chief January and 31 May 2013 and (ii) 1 January and 31 officers of police. Relevant guidance is also set out in May 2014; [198907] the Highway Code. (2) how many passport applications processed by the Members: Correspondence Passport Office between 1 January and 31 May 2014 which missed the three week target for processing; [198906] Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she intends to reply to the (3) how many telephone calls were received by the letter to the Immigration and Security Minister dated 4 Government’s passport helpline (a) in each month of June 2014 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, 2013 and (b) between 1 January and 31 May 2014; [198903] Gorton with regard to Ms M Dawson. [205550] (4) what total income was received by the Passport James Brokenshire: I wrote to the right hon. Member Office in fees for (a) fast track and (b) premium on 14 July 2014. service (i) in 2013 and (b) between 1 January and 31 May 2014; [198904] Metropolitan Police (5) how many (a) permanent and (b) agency staff were employed by the Passport Office in (i) 2012, (ii) Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for the 2013 and (iii) 2014. [198905] Home Department how many Metropolitan police officers were deployed on the streets in each year since James Brokenshire: Table A sets out the requested 2010; and if she will make a statement. [204525] information in respect of how many telephone calls were received during the requested periods. Mike Penning: The data held by the Home Office Table B shows income received in fees for premium cannot separately identify officers deployed on the streets. and fast track services. The deployment of officers in the Metropolitan police Table C provides information on the number of full is an operational matter for the commissioner, who is time equivalent staff employed by HM passport Office held to account by the Mayor of London. on 31 December for each of the years from 2010-13. Table D sets out the number of first time passport Morecambe applications and the number of passport renewals received during each month between January 2013 and May David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for the 2014. Home Department if she will estimate how much In the period between 1 January and 31 May 2014, money her Department has spent in Morecambe and 31,188 straightforward passport applications processed Lunesdale constituency since May 2010. [204778] by Her Majesty’s Passport Office were not processed within the 3-week target. Karen Bradley: The Home Office’s financial system Table A: Number of telephone calls received by the Government’s passport does not record how much is spent by constituency and helpline (a) in each month of 2013 and (b) between 1 January and 31 May 2014 therefore we are unable to answer the question. Number

Offences Against Children 2013 January 216,286 February 201,647 Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for the March 242,097 Home Department how many sexual abuse cases April 288,482 involving children there have been in (a) Bolton, (b) May 322,489 Lancashire, (c) England, (d) Scotland and (e) Wales June 317,534 in each of the last five years. [201142] 779W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 780W

Table A: Number of telephone calls received by the Government’s passport Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for the helpline (a) in each month of 2013 and (b) between 1 January and 31 May 2014 Home Department what assessment she has made of Number the causes of delays in issuing passports; and if she will July 366,514 make a statement. [199498] August 265,396 September 197,342 James Brokenshire: Her Majesty’s Passport Office October 178,466 (HMPO) is dealing with the highest level of demand for November 155,426 passports over the first six months of 2014 than in any December 148,244 comparable period over the last 12 years. To date, HMPO has received over 4.4 million applications and 2014 has issued over 3.8 million passports. HMPO has January 275,514 progressively introduced contingency measures since February 307,932 January 2014 to ensure passport production matches March 415,352 the high level of applications. The Secretary of State April 464,875 announced on 12 June to the House a range of additional May 728,639 measures to ensure that people who need to travel get their passports in good time. Table B: Income received in fees for premium and fast-track services Month/year Fast Track Premium Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the 2013 Income Total 28,050,512 42,242,816 Home Department with reference to her contribution January 2014 1,883,971 2,825,088 of 12 June 2014, Official Report, column 693, which February 2014 1,797,000 2,269,440 countries have agreed to accept the one year extension March 2014 2,412,529 2,687,872 passports to be issued to UK citizens living abroad. April 2014 2,702,626 2,896,000 [202319] May 2014 3,566,181 3,145,088 James Brokenshire: The list of countries that will The number of full-time equivalent staff employed accept British passports extended by 12 months is set by HM Passport Office as of 31 December in each year out on the gov.uk website and can be found at: was as follows. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/list-of-countries- Table C: Number of full time equivalent staff employed by HM Passport Office that-will-accept-passports-extended-by-12-months as at 31 December The following table sets out the current list of countries Number which have already agreed to accept the extended British 31 December 2010 3,700 passports. The list is updated on a daily basis. 31 December 2011 3,286 Countries and Territories that have confirmed they will 31 December 2012 3,164 accept passports that have been extended by 12 months: 31 December 2013 3,333 11 July 2014: All passport extensions are valid to enter the UK. A number of These figures are for permanent civil servants employed other countries and territories, set out in the table, have already by HMPO, including part year appointments and officially confirmed through diplomatic channels that they will permanent members of staff employed on contracts for accept passports that have been extended by 12 months. This list will continue to be updated as further official confirmation is nine months of the year. This excludes staff on secondment received. We advise you to check with the consulate before you or loan, and agency and temporary staff-with these book travel. staff included, the March 2014 figure is 3,444. In addition, it is your responsibility to check the visa requirements Table D: Number of applications for (a) passport renewal and (b) new of any countries or territories you will be visiting. You can find passports were received by the Passport Office in each month between 1 January more information in our travel advice. 2013 and 31 May 2014 Month First Time Applicants Renewals Country or territory Additional information (if applicable) January 2013 98,685 365,980 Albania — February 2013 127,014 433,754 Algeria — March 2013 137,265 413,887 Antigua and Barbuda — April 2013 157,570 474,055 Argentina — May 2013 159,301 488,679 Armenia — June 2013 145,931 449,916 Australia — July 2013 148,513 408,667 Austria — August 2013 109,425 275,759 Bahrain — September 2013 88,663 245,211 Bangladesh — October 2013 84,482 241,364 Barbados — November 2013 74,995 210,083 Belarus — December 2013 81,658 227,003 Belgium — January2014 106,198 427,652 Belize — February 2014 130,255 472,436 Bosnia and Herzegovina — March 2014 157,224 525,820 Botswana — April 2014 154,924 504,769 Brazil — May 2014 164,715 540,071 British Virgin Islands — 781W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 782W

Country or territory Additional information (if applicable) Country or territory Additional information (if applicable)

Bulgaria — Peru — Burundi — Philippines — Cambodia — Portugal — Cameroon — Qatar — Canada — Romania — Cayman Islands — St Kitts and Nevis — Central African Republic — St Vincent and the Grenadines — Chad — San Marino — Chile — Saudi Arabia — China — Serbia — Colombia — Singapore — Costa Rica — Slovenia — Croatia — Solomon Islands — Cyprus — South Korea — Czech Republic — Spain — Dominican Republic — Sri Lanka — Ecuador — Sudan — Egypt — Sweden — El Salvador — Switzerland — Estonia — Taiwan — Finland — Tanzania — France — Thailand — French Polynesia — Tunisia — Gabon — Turkey — Georgia — Uganda — Germany — Ukraine — Ghana — United Arab Emirates If you wish to apply for a first time Greece — residence permit you should contact the local authorities for advice. Guatemala — USA You will need to hold a valid visa or Guinea — residency permit. Extended passports Guyana — are not valid for entry into the United Honduras — States under the Visa Waiver Programme. Hong Kong (SAR) — Uruguay Hungary — Iceland — Venezuela Ireland — Vietnam Israel — Italy — Jamaica — Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Japan — Home Department how many passports have been issued Jordan — under the Government’s new passport fast-tracked free Kosovo — policy since that policy came into effect. [202389] Kyrgyzstan — Liberia — James Brokenshire: As of 13 July 2014, 12,325 passports Libya — have been fast-tracked as a result of the measures Liechtenstein — announced by the Home Secretary to the House of Luxembourg — Commons on 12 June 2014. Macao (SAR) — Malawi — Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Malta — Home Department how many applications by overseas- Mauritius — based British citizens for the extension of an existing Mexico — passport for one year have been received by the Passport Moldova — Office since her recent announcement on changes in Montenegro — passport policy. [202390] Morocco — Mozambique — James Brokenshire: As of 13 July 2014, 1,721 applications Nauru — by overseas-based British citizens for the extension of New Zealand — an existing passport for one year have been received by Nicaragua — the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Nigeria — Oman — Pakistan — Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Panama — Home Department how many applications for emergency Papua New Guinea — travel documents for children have been received by the Passport Office since 16 June 2014. [202391] 783W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 784W

James Brokenshire: As at 6 July 2014, 151 emergency James Brokenshire: There are no plans to use the travel documents (ETDs) have been issued to children passport to identify parental relationships as this would free of charge as a result of the measures announced by change the fundamental purpose of the document which the Home Secretary on 12 June 2014. is for travel. Guidance on children travelling to the UK, including children travelling with a parent who may Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for the have a different family name to the child, can be found Home Department what recent assessment she has at: made of the accuracy of the forecast of an increase of https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/children-travelling- 350,000 additional applications in 2014 in the Identity to-the-uk and Passport Service Annual Report and Accounts 2012-13. [203484] Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether people who urgently need James Brokenshire: The 2012-13 IPS Annual Report to travel within seven days are charged for upgrading and Accounts refers to the predicted demand for overseas their passport application. [205199] passport applications following the transfer of services from overseas to the UK. The Annual Report indicates James Brokenshire: The Home Secretary announced a demand for overseas passport applications of to the House on 12 June 2014, Official Report, columns approximately 350,000 additional customers annually. 693-708, that people who need to travel within the next As the Chief Executive of Her Majesty’s Passport seven days and who have waited more than the three Office told the Home Affairs Select Committee on 17 weeks standard processing time for straight-forward June, the overall intake of overseas applications for passport renewals through no fault of their own, will 2014 is expected to be in the order of 390,000 to have their application fast-tracked at no extra cost. 400,000. Passports: Northern Ireland Mr Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of customers using Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for the the passport check and send service had their passport Home Department what assessment she has made of application rejected due to (a) completing the application the effect on people in Northern Ireland of delays in form incorrectly, (b) providing incorrect supporting handling passport applications. [204609] documents and (c) providing the incorrect fee in the last period for which figures are available. [203606] James Brokenshire: Her Majesty’s Passport Office monitors performance at national level as it distributes James Brokenshire: According to data obtained from work across the UK estate. The Belfast Office Full Time Her Majesty’s Passport Office in respect of customers Equivalent (FTE) workforce in June 2014 was 216.29 using the passport check and send service for the period compared with 147.76 FTE in June 2012. The increase April 2013 to March 2014: in staff has been to deal with the introduction of (a) 0.36% had their applications rejected by Her Majesty’s Passport processing of work from overseas in 2013-14 and the Office due to completing their application form incorrectly. introduction of an evening shift in January 2014 to (b) 0.22% had their applications rejected due to providing incorrect assist in dealing with UK applications. Currently there supporting documents. are 20 additional staff redeployed to Belfast to assist in (c) No customer using check and send services had their applications the examination function. rejected due to providing the incorrect fee. Passports: Warrington Mr Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many passport applications Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the were defined as work in progress on 7 July 2014. Home Department how many passport renewals for [204442] people in (a) Warrington borough and (b) Warrington North constituency were completed within three weeks James Brokenshire: Information obtained from of receipt in each year since 2009 and in 2014 to date. management data from Her Majesty’s Passport Office [204790] (HMPO) indicates that passport applications which were work in progress at close of business on 7 July James Brokenshire: Her Majesty’s Passport Office 2014 stood at 508,625. HMPO have been working to does not collect performance data at this level. Performance address this year’s significant increase in demand for is monitored at a national level as HMPO distributes passports. According to HMPO data, work in progress work across the UK estate to manage variation in local as at close of business on 16 July was 450,340. levels of passport demand. The cost of identifying the information in the format requested would be Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for the disproportionate. Home Department (1) if she will make it her policy that appropriate information about parents is included on Surveillance children’s passports and collected to reduce difficulties at border control for children whose surnames differ Mr Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the from their parents’ surnames; [204704] Home Department if she will make an assessment of (2) if her Department will amend the official the extent to which requests made by local authorities observations section of children’s passports to allow a under part I, chapter II of the Regulation of Investigatory note when a holder’s parent has a different surname to Powers Act 2000 to date have been proportionate; and if that of the child. [204702] she will make a statement. [201767] 785W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 786W

James Brokenshire: Under the Regulation of Investigatory Karen Bradley: The work of the UK Border Agency Powers Act 2000, local authorities must follow a robust is now undertaken by the UK Visas and Immigration, internal authorisations procedure in order to ensure Border Force and Immigration Enforcement Directorates that requests for communications data are both necessary of the Home Department. For border security reasons, and proportionate. The Protection of Freedoms Act it is not possible to provide a breakdown of staff 2012 also introduced judicial approval for local authorities’ numbers by location. Furthermore, staff are deployed requests; a magistrate will make an additional judgment flexibly according to demand and therefore move between in each case whether an application to access locations. As at 31 May 2014, however, there were 164 communications data is proportionate. members of staff based in Northern Ireland across the The Interception of Communications Commissioner’s UK Visas and Immigration, Border Force and Immigration office has oversight of the communications data access Enforcement Directorates. regime and, in the commissioner’s 2013 report, he noted that the National Anti-Fraud Network (which provides Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for the a data acquisition service to 85% of those authorities Home Department how many UK Border Agency staff that used their powers that year) ‘showed very good employed in Northern Ireland (a) are recruited locally compliance’ with the legislation. and (b) reside in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. [204925]

Training Karen Bradley: The work of the UK Border Agency is now undertaken by the UK Visas and Immigration, John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Border Force and Immigration Enforcement Directorates Home Department what professional development of the Home Department courses are made available to staff of her Department; The Home Office does not centrally hold data on and what the cost to the public purse is of each such locations that staff are recruited from. To identify this course. [204346] information, we would therefore need to review each individual recruitment campaign, which would incur Karen Bradley: 26 recognised civil service professions disproportionate cost. exist across government to ensure civil servants are able Staff are deployed flexibly according to demand and to develop and deliver a professional service. Civil servants move between locations and regions. In order to provide can find resources and information to support their information therefore on staff in the UK Visas and professional development on the Civil Service Learning Immigration, Border Force and Immigration Enforcement portal which is accessible to all civil servants. Directorates who reside in Northern Ireland, locally All professions have a head of profession; appointed held deployment plans would need to be collected and for their experience, knowledge and skills, who support analysed against individual employee’s home addresses. the development of the profession and work with key This would incur disproportionate cost. partners to develop timely learning curricula, which are aligned to the Civil Service Competency Framework (CSCF), and civil service priorities. Each of the frameworks and curricula offer a wealth of learning opportunities WOMEN AND EQUALITIES including qualifications, workshops, and masterclasses. Within the Home Office, opportunities for professional Equal Pay development are linked closely with business requirements. The Home Office has 18 established professions. They Gloria De Piero: To ask the Ministers for Women and are: Communications, Corporate Finance, Government Equalities what recent meetings she has had with Economic Service, Government Finance, Government ministerial colleagues on the gender pay gap. [205141] IT Profession, Government Legal Service, Government Property Profession, Government Social Research, Jo Swinson: The Government’s Womenand the Economy Government Veterinary Profession, Human Resources, action plan sets out a clear programme of work to Internal Audit, Knowledge and Information Management, maximise women’s contribution to economic growth Operational Delivery, Policy Profession, Procurement, and address the gender pay gap. I have oversight of this, Project Delivery, Science and Engineering, Statistical as well as being the Minister responsible for key elements Services. Given the differing range of learning opportunities of it, such as extending flexible working, introducing available for individual professions, there is no single shared parental leave, and increasing the number of source which can identify exactly what development courses women on company boards. I regularly meet with are available to staff and what the cost to the public ministerial colleagues and others to discuss these issues, purse of every professional development course is. and the Ministers for Women gave a joint presentation to Cabinet in April on these issues. UK Border Agency: Northern Ireland Equality and Human Rights Commission Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many UK Border Agency staff Gloria De Piero: To ask the Ministers for Women and are based at (a) its Belfast public enquiry office, (b) Equalities what the average salary was of (a) male and Belfast City Airport, (c) Belfast International Airport, (b) female employees of the Equalities and Human (d) City of Derry Airport and (e) ports and harbours Rights Commission (i) of each ethnicity and (ii) at each in Northern Ireland; and if she will make a statement. grade for the latest period for which figures are [204924] available. [205157] 787W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 788W

Jo Swinson: The Equality and Human Rights Jo Swinson: The Government Equalities Office (GEO) Commission is an independent body and is responsible embraces flexible working. All posts are advertised on a for its own staff management, including staff salaries. I flexible basis and GEO employees have always had the have therefore asked the chief executive of the Commission opportunity to request temporary or permanent changes to write to the hon. Member with the information to their working patterns at any time. This approach requested. significantly reduces the need for GEO employees to make a statutory application for flexible working and we have no record of any such request having been made. Gloria De Piero: To ask the Ministers for Women and Equalities how many non-permanent staff of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission are paid a daily sum of (a) £1,000 or more, (b) between £750 and £1,000, (c) between £500 and £750 and (d) between £250 and £500 TRANSPORT inclusive of VAT for their work with that body. [205575] British Transport Police Authority

Jo Swinson: The Equality and Human Rights Mary Creagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Commission is an independent body and is responsible Transport when he expects to publish the Part 2 report for its own staff management, including non-permanent of the Triennial Review of the British Transport Police staff salaries. I have therefore asked the chief executive Authority. [205580] of the commission to write to the hon. Member with the information requested. Claire Perry: We expect to publish the Part 2 Report in the autumn.

Procurement Flexible Working Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much and what proportion of his Department’s budget was spent on activities which were contracted Gloria De Piero: To ask the Ministers for Women and out in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12, (d) Equalities (1) what steps she has taken to encourage 2012-13 and (e) 2013-14; and how much and what flexible working in the Government Equalities Office; proportion of his Department’s budget he expects to be [205147] contracted out in 2014-15. [205226] (2) how many women have made a statutory application to request flexible working in the Government Equalities Claire Perry: The amount and proportion of the Office; and how many of those applications have been Department’s budget spent on contracted out activities granted. [205155] is given in the following table.

2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15

Amount (£ million) 20 17 11 15 24 22 Proportion of total DEL budget (%) 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2

Railways: Bus Services Railways: Cumbria

Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how much Network Rail has paid to First Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Bus, its subsidiaries or companies where First Bus has Transport (1) what plans his Department has to introduce an ownership stake for the provision of rail replacement driver-only operation on trains on the Cumbrian Coast bus services in each train operating company area during railway line in the new Northern franchise; [205699] disruption caused during the recent winter storms; [205526] (2) what plans his Department has to (a) close and (b) reduce the opening hours of station ticket offices (2) how much Network Rail has paid to First Bus, its on the Cumbrian Coast railway line. [205698] subsidiaries or companies where First Bus has an ownership stake for the provision of rail replacement bus services in each train operating company area. [205527] Claire Perry: The Department for Transport is currently Claire Perry: Under Schedule 4 of the Track Access conducting a joint public consultation with Rail North Agreements between Network Rail and the train operating on a range of options for the future Northern and companies, Network Rail compensates train operators TransPennine Express franchises; no decisions have yet on a formula basis for the estimated overall cost impact been taken. The consultation concludes 18 August 2014 of network possessions. It is the train operator that is and can be found at: responsible for providing and meeting the cost of any https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/future-of- rail replacement bus services, not Network Rail. northern-and-transpennine-express-rail-franchises 789W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 790W

Railways: North of England Officials at the MCA were consulted and provided data for the report prepared for the Department for Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Welsh Transport what the projected passenger numbers are Government in May 2013. for the Northern and TransPennine franchises for (a) 2014 and (b) each of the next five years. [205694] Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport with reference to the definition of ‘incidents’ on page 18 Claire Perry: In response to (a) the projected passenger of the report Sky lanterns and helium balloons, published numbers for 2014 are as follows: by his Department in May 2013, how many such incidents Northern franchise—circa 97 million passenger journeys were caused by sky lanterns in 2013. [205662] TransPennine franchise—circa 28 million passenger journeys. Mr Hayes: In 2013, the number of reported incidents In response to (b) I refer the hon. Member to the likely to have been caused by sky lanterns was 129. This written answer given to the hon. Member for Stockton figure was collated using the same definition of an North (Alex Cunningham), on 3 July 2014, Official incident as used in the statistic of an incident in the Report, columns 696-98W. report prepared for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Welsh Government in Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for May 2013. Transport what plans his Department has to introduce smart ticketing for rail services in the North of Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport England. [205695] with reference to the definition of ‘incidents’ on page 18 of the report Sky lanterns and helium balloons, published Claire Perry: The Department remains committed to by his Department in May 2013, what estimate he has rolling out smart ticketing across the rail network. We made of the cost to the Maritime Coastguard Agency want the whole experience of travelling by rail to be of such incidents in 2013. [205658] modern, seamless and easy, starting with buying a ticket to travel. Mr Hayes: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s The Department’s plans for delivering smart ticketing HM Coastguard (HMCG) does not, as a matter of on rail were set out in last year’s ‘Rail Fares and routine, estimate the cost of individual incidents. However, Ticketing: Next Steps’. This document set out our statistics reveal that in 2013, HMCG received 129 reported commitment to deliver on the current South East Flexible alerts. There is a high probability that these reports were Ticketing (SEFT) programme and, subject to project of sky lanterns. This represents a drop in number from success and future funding, to extend this approach, previous years. probably with a focus on cities outside London with a significant rail commuter base. This represents part of Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport the long term aim for smart enablement of the entire (1) what assessment he has made of the implications for rail network. the Coastguard service of the conclusions in the report Since the publication of this review we have made Sky lanterns and helium balloons, published by his substantial progress with the SEFT programme. The Department in May 2013; [205660] approach has underlined the value and importance of (2) what discussions he has had with the Maritime working collectively with train operators, city transport Coastguard Agency on (a) initiatives to increase authorities and the Department. In addition, the DFT, public awareness of the effects sky lanterns can have on in partnership with nine Passenger Transport Executives coastguard services and (b) what action can be taken and Cities predominantly in the North, and with input to discourage the use of red sky lanterns. [205659] from operators, has established the Smart Cities Partnership programme. This programme comprises eleven work Mr Hayes: The report acknowledges the rise in incidents streams focused on accelerating the delivery of smart involving sky lanterns up to 2010 and the fall in incident and interoperable ticketing in cities. numbers since that date. This trend continued into One of the work streams is focused on the interface 2013, with 129 attributable incidents. between smart cities and rail, in particular what should The MCA believes that this reduction is likely to have be done in relation to the Northern and Trans Pennine been assisted by the following mitigation: Express (TPE) franchises. This work is at an early stage but it will inform the Northern and TPE franchise Since 2009, the vast majority of manufacturers of sky lanterns requirements. appear to have complied with the request to place a warning on their packaging advising users not to release lanterns in the Rescue Services: Sky Lanterns and Helium Balloons marine environment, and asking users to pre-warn the emergency authorities in the area if they intend to release lanterns. Some users have also complied with this request. Mr Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport The MCA has distributed a short film via ‘YouTube’ giving what discussions he has had with representatives of the advice on the use of sky lanterns near the coast. Maritime Coastguard Agency about the effect of sky The MCA has also improved the instructions given to HMCG [205661] lanterns on the Coastguard’s operations. watchkeepers to assist their questioning of callers and information gathering, so that they can quickly establish the nature and Mr Hayes: No discussion have been held between particular characteristics of what the caller has observed in the Ministers at the Department for Transport and sky. representatives of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Volunteer and full-time Coastguards include advice on the use (MCA) about the effect of sky lanterns on the Coastguard’s of sky lanterns in the safety information they provide to members operations. and organisations in their local communities. 791W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 792W

The report shows no evidence of any adverse impacts Shetland Island Council—Sullom Voe; of helium balloons on coastal rescue services. Cromarty Firth Port Authority—Nigg Oil Terminal; and Currently there is no legislation to prevent the use of Port of Grangemouth. sky lanterns. However, the MCA will continue to assess The fourth application for the Finnart Ocean Terminal how to minimise the implications of their use generally. (Loch Fyne) has completed consultation and has been No discussions have been held between Ministers at assessed by the MCA. A final decision is pending, the Department for Transport and representatives of awaiting legal clarification. the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) about The fifth application, for ship-to-ship transfers in the awareness and use of sky lanterns on the Coastguard’s Scapa Flow, has just been received and went out to operations. public consultation on 10 July 2014.

Roads Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what role is played by (a) Ministers in the Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Scottish Government, (b) Scottish Natural Heritage Transport what guidance his Department gives to local and (c) the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency authorities on (a) the number of times grass verges in the consenting process for oil transfer licences made should be cut and (b) the quality of the cut; and if he under the Merchant Shipping (Ship-to-Ship Transfers) will make a statement. [205248] Regulations 2010. [205410]

Mr Goodwill: Local highway authorities have a duty Mr Hayes: The local government authority, in whose under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain area the proposed site is situated, is always consulted as the highways network in their area. This includes the part of the public consultation process that accompanies cutting of grass, verges, shrubs and trees. It is for each an application for an Oil Transfer Licence within the individual local highway authority to decide on the UK. Members of Parliament or the Scottish Parliament number of times that grass verges should be cut and the may get involved in the public consultation, as may quality of the cut based upon their local knowledge and Ministers in the Scottish Government, by replying to other circumstances including taking into account safety, the consultation. environmental and conservation considerations. Both Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish The Department for Transport encourages good practice Environmental Protection Agency are among the in highway maintenance through channels such as ‘Well- mandatory consultees for all applications for an Oil maintained Highways’, the Code of Practice for highway Transfer Licence, where the application is for a location maintenance by the UK Roads Liaison Group. It is in Scotland. available at the following weblink: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency, acting on behalf www.ukroadsliaisongroup.org of the Secretary of State for Transport, is the Competent The Code advises local authorities on a wide range of Authority for managing, assessing and issuing Oil Transfer highways maintenance issues, including grass cutting Licences within the UK. This is a reserved matter for and highway verge management. Central Government the UK Government. has no powers to override local decisions in these matters. Shipping: Pollution Shipping: Oil Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what role the Scottish Government plays Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for in ensuring compliance with the International Convention Transport which oil transfer licences applied for under for the Control of Ships’ Ballast Water; [205436] the Merchant Shipping (Ship-to-Ship Transfers) Regulations 2010 have required determination under Schedule 1 of (2) what recent steps his Department has taken to likely effects on European wildlife sites. [205408] ensure compliance with the International Convention for the Control of Ships’ Ballast Water. [205411] Mr Hayes: To date four applications for oil transfer licences have required determination under Schedule 1 Mr Hayes: The International Convention for the of the Merchant Shipping (Ship-to-Ship Transfers) Control of Ships’ Ballast Water is not yet in force Regulations 2010. internationally. A fifth oil transfer licence application went to consultation In order to achieve its widespread adoption member on the 10 July 2014. During its assessment it will require states of the International Maritime Organisation including determination under Schedule 1 of the Merchant Shipping the UK are finalising the enforcement regime associated (Ship-to-Ship Transfers) Regulations 2010. with the convention. Shipping is a reserved matter. The UK Government sought input from the Scottish Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Government in the development of the convention and Transport which oil transfer licences have been (a) the Scottish Government is being consulted on the applied for and (b) consented under the Merchant negotiating position taken by the UK. Shipping (Ship-to-Ship Transfers) Regulations 2010 as Transport: Northern Ireland amended to date. [205409] Mr Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport Mr Hayes: To date the Maritime and Coastguard what steps his Department has taken to assist the Northern Agency (MCA) has received five applications for an oil Ireland Executive to encourage investment through both transfer licence. regional and international routes to Northern Ireland. Of these three have been consented. These are: [205009] 793W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 794W

Mr Goodwill: The right hon. Member will be aware As recommended by the Parliamentary Commission that many areas of transport policy, such as ports, are on Banking Standards, the Government is currently devolved to the Executive. taking forward discussions with the banking sector to The Chancellor announced in this year’s Budget that seek a voluntary agreement on renewed minimum standards funding to maintain existing air connectivity to London— for basic bank accounts. first announced in the 2013 Spending Round last June—will increase from £10 million to £20 million per year. It Child Tax Credit would also be expanded to include provision for start-up aid for new air routes from UK regional airports, including Mr Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer those in Northern Ireland, which handle fewer than if he will make it his policy to allow child tax credit 5 million passengers per year. The Department will awards to continue for children over the age of 19 where publish guidance that will clarify how the Government their school education has been delayed by ill health. will expect to interpret the European Union State aid [204997] guidelines on start-up aid for new air routes, and explain how the funding process will operate across the UK. Priti Patel: Child tax credit is payable in respect of Previously, reflecting the wishes of the Northern young people in full time non-advanced education providing Ireland Executive, the Government devolved to Northern that it started before their 19th birthday. Ireland the power to set Air Passenger Duty rates for long haul flights departing Northern Ireland. The zero Income Tax: Westmorland rate for direct long haul flights departing from Northern Ireland took effect from 1 January 2013. This enables airports in Northern Ireland to compete effectively with Tim Farron: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer airports in the Republic of Ireland. how many people in Westmorland and Lonsdale constituency have paid less in income tax since the Travel: Concessions changes to the income tax threshold since 2010. [205050]

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Gauke: By April this year this Government’s Transport how much was spent on concessionary travel increases in the personal allowance (for those born after in Warrington in each year since 2008-09. [205522] 5 April 1948) are estimated to have taken over 3 million individuals out of the income tax system altogether. Mr Hayes: The annual amount spent by Warrington 343,000 of these individuals live in the North West and council on concessionary travel, including the statutory Merseyside region, which includes the parliamentary concession and any relevant discretionary enhancements, constituency of Westmorland and Lonsdale. is as follows: These estimates are based on the 2011-12 Survey of Personal Incomes, projected to 2014-15 using economic £ million assumptions consistent with the Office for Budget Responsibility’s March 2014 economic and fiscal outlook. 2008-09 3.464 HM Treasury does not publish this information at 2009-10 3.695 constituency level. 2010-11 3.902 2011-12 3.544 2012-13 3.77 Mapeley

These figures are adjusted for inflation to give expenditure Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Chancellor of the at 2012-13 prices. Figures for 2013-14 are still being Exchequer when HM Revenue and Customs last issued collated. revised non-binding estates strategies to Mapeley Further data (including non-inflation-adjusted figures) STEPS Contractor Limited under 10.14 of the private are detailed in transport statistics table BUS0812, which finance initiative contract between HM Revenue and can be viewed at: Customs and Mapeley STEPS Contractor Limited. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/bus08- [205617] concessionary-travel Mr Gauke: The Department last advised Mapeley STEPS Contractor Limited of its non-binding estate TREASURY strategy at the STEPS management meeting on 22 May Bank Services 2014.

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Charlie Elphicke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of people when HM Revenue and Customs will next carry out without a bank account in (a) Hounslow, (b) London period monitoring and spot checks of Mapeley STEPS and (c) the UK in each of the last five years. [205275] Contractor Limited in respect of Mapeley STEPS Contractors Limited’s compliance with its other obligations Andrea Leadsom: The Government has made no such under 17.2 (c) of the private finance initiative contract estimate. between HM Revenue and Customs and Mapeley STEPS The Government is committed to improving access Contractor Limited. [205618] to financial services. To this end the major UK banks voluntarily offer basic bank accounts alongside their Mr Gauke: Periodic monitoring and spot checks of other retail current accounts. Mapeley STEPS Contractor Limited are ongoing. 795W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 796W

Organised Crime: Northern Ireland The Government recognises that tourism is vital for many coastal towns and an important part of the UK Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Chancellor of the visitor economy. The 2013 Great Britain Tourism Survey Exchequer what change there has been in the level of estimated that day and overnight visits by British residents fuel laundering and organised crime in border areas of to the seaside brought £9.5 billion of spending to coastal Northern Ireland over the last five years.. [205622] areas in 2013. Coastal towns also benefit from inbound visits. 2013 was a record year with 33 million visits, Priti Patel: HMRC does not measure the different resulting in £21 billion of spend in the UK. forms of fuel fraud such as fuel laundering. HMRC does measure the tax gap for fuel, published in the document at the following link. In Northern Ireland DEFENCE (NI) this has in the past included cross border shopping but in October 2013 HMRC for the first time published Armed Forces: Bullying and Suicide an estimate of the illicit market share for fuel in Northern Ireland for the period 2011-12, at 12-13% for diesel and Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for negligible for petrol. Defence what recent steps he has taken to prevent (a) bullying and (b) suicide in the armed forces. [204882] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/measuring-tax- gaps-tables Anna Soubry: The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has a HMRC contribute and support the multi-agency zero tolerance policy in respect of bullying in the Armed approach to organised crime in NI as detailed in the Forces and our aim is an inclusive working environment Organised Crime Strategy 2014 published by the that delivers opportunities for all, recognises and values Department of Justice NI and reproduced in the following diversity, and eradicates bullying. link: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave on 24 http://www.dojni.gov.uk/index/publications/publication- February 2014, Official Report, column 65W, to the categories/pubs-policing-community-safety/community-safety/ hon. Member for Bridgend (Mrs Moon), for details of organised-crime/organised-crime-strategy-2014.htm recent steps taken to prevent bullying. HMRC fights fraud on a wide range of fronts, from Every suicide is a tragedy and our thoughts remain special units performing thousands of roadside checks with the families of all those who have sadly taken their to raiding laundering plants. The UK has recently own lives. Suicide among members of the armed forces announced, jointly with Ireland, an improved new marker remains rare and is lower than comparative rates in the for rebated fuel, which will make it much harder to civilian population. launder marked fuel and sell it at a profit. The MOD is committed to providing our service personnel with the highest level of mental health and Remittances welfare support. Commanding officers in each of the services are given clear guidance on the management of Jonathan Edwards: To ask the Chancellor of the individuals who are potentially vulnerable or at risk for Exchequer how many UK non-domiciles were paying a variety of reasons, including the risk of suicide or the remittance charge in each of the last five years. deliberate self-harm. [205569] The Suicide Vulnerability Risk Management (SVRM) policy is a preventive strategy used by the Army that Mr Gauke: The number of non-domiciles that paid allows the identification of individuals who may be at the remittance basis charge in each of the last five tax risk and signposts appropriate responses and management years is as follows (rounded to the nearest 100): tools to be used by the chain of command. In autumn 2014, a number of mental health study days will be Number launched across the Army with particular emphasis on SVRM and training on post-operational stress 2009-10 5,200 management, trauma risk management and debt awareness. 2010-11 5,500 2011-12 5,500 Royal Navy Medical Officers now employ structured 2012-13 5,100 mental health assessments as a tool for assessing the mental health of officers and routinely employ the tool The figure for the tax year 2013 to 2014 is not during Service Medical Examinations. This service is available as the filing deadline has not yet passed. readily accessible at all baseports and urgent assessments are offered within one working day. Tourism: VAT The Royal Air Force has recently revised its Management and Resilience Policy. Since November 2013, the RAF Stress Management and Resilience Team (SMARTT) Caroline Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the has been producing and trialling a ‘Suicide Awareness’ Exchequer if he will estimate the effects of VAT at 20 package in association with Mental Health professionals. per cent on visitor accommodation and attractions on SMARTT is due to begin a training programme to the cost of an average family holiday in the UK; what enable units to deliver the package to their personnel. assessment he has made of the contribution of tourism in coastal towns to the UK economy; and if he will Army Reserve make a statement. [205606] Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Mr Gauke: No estimate has been made of the effects what the current trained strength is of the Army Reserve. of VAT. [205592] 797W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 798W

Mr Brazier: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer the Mr Dunne: The E-Scan Radar Development Programme Minister of State for Defence Personnel, Welfare and for Typhoon is currently still within the Assessment Veterans, my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe Phase, prior to its main investment decision. I am (Anna Soubry), gave on 23 June 2014, Official Report, withholding the full development costs of this programme column 86W, to the hon. Member for Barnsley Central as its disclosure would be prejudicial to the commercial (Dan Jarvis). interests of the Ministry of Defence. However, a £72 million Extended Assessment Phase contract has been Defence: Expenditure awarded to BAE Systems, to de-risk UK specific requirements as part of the pre-main investment decision Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State work. At this time, it is not possible to say how many for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the units will be purchased or when they will be installed on NATO definition of defence expenditure. [205677] UK aircraft.

Mr Brazier: NATO defines defence expenditure as HMS Protector payments made by a national Government specifically to meet the needs of its armed forces. NATO publishes Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the defence expenditure of NATO countries regularly Defence (1) for how long HMS Protector was leased; on its website at: and what the cost was of that lease; [205665] http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_49198.htm (2) where HMS Protector was built; and what the The published figures represent payments actually cost was of her purchase. [205666] made or to be made during the course of the financial year. Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State renting the use of HMS Protector for each year since for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of his 2011. [206099] Department’s returns to the annual United Nations Report on Military Expenditure in each of the last 15 Mr Dunne: HMS Protector was built at Havyard AS years. [205678] in Norway in 2001 for GC Rieber. From April 2011 Mr Brazier: Copies of the Ministry of Defence’s until September 2013, the ship was leased from GC return to the United Nations Report on Military Rieber, to provide the Ministry of Defence (MOD) with Expenditure covering the period 2002-11 are available an Ice Patrol Ship capability. The annual cost of the on the UN’s website at: lease was £8.7 million, which included the cost of support. http://www.un-arm.org/Milex/ HMS Protector was purchased by the MOD from CountryProfile.aspx?CountryId=205 GC Rieber for £54 million in September 2013, which We are investigating whether returns for 1999-2001 included the cost of one year’s contract support. and 2012-14 were required to be submitted, and I will Procurement write once this has been verified.

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of his how much and what proportion of his Department’s Department’s returns to the annual NATO defence budget was spent on activities which were contracted expenditure survey for each of the last 15 years. out in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12, (d) [205679] 2012-13 and (e) 2013-14; and how much and what proportion of his Department’s budget he expects to be Mr Brazier: The UK returns to the annual NATO contracted out in 2014-15. [204887] defence expenditure survey are based primarily on the MOD’s annual report and accounts. In order to meet Mr Dunne: Expenditure on contracted-out services is the NATO definition of defence expenditure, they also summarised in the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Annual include the payments made via the armed forces pension Report and Accounts and has been as follows since scheme, all of which are already in the public domain. 2009-10: NATO also publishes the defence expenditure of NATO countries regularly on its website at: Financial Expenditure as a percentage of year Expenditure (£ billion) Defence budget1 http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/topics_49198.htm The published NATO figures represent payments 2009-10 2.1 5.3 actually made or to be made during the course of the 2010-11 2.2 5.5 financial year. 2011-12 2.5 6.6 2012-13 2.7 8.0 European Fighter Aircraft 1 Total DEL: Annual Report and Accounts. The audited out-turn for 2013-14 will be published in Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the MOD’s 2013-14 Annual Report and Accounts which Defence with reference to the Prime Minister’s are due to be laid before Parliament in mid September announcement on 14 July 2014 of £1.1 billion investment 2014. Our in-year forecast for 2014-15 does not identify in the armed forces, what proportion of that investment expenditure on contracted-out services discretely. will be spent on E-Scan radar for Typhoon; how many This expenditure represents the cost of the MOD’s units of that radar will be purchased; and when they Service Concession Arrangements (formerly know as will be installed on the aircraft. [205667] Private Finance Initiative Service Charges), Contractor 799W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 800W

Logistic Support and Integrated Operational Support Financial records are retained for seven years. contracts, finance lease service charges and External Information held by the Ministry of Defence indicates Assistance. This expenditure does not include those that over the last seven financial years the UK Government contracted-out services not reported centrally. has made the following payments to CWGC for the maintenance of graves of those who died during the Sexual Harassment first and second world wars. The figures include UK VAT.

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for £ Defence how many complaints of sexual harassment have been (a) formally reported and (b) upheld in each 2007-08 34,799,000 service and his Department’s civil service in each year 2008-09 35,153,000 since 2010. [205161] 2009-10 46,545,000 2010-11 43,341,000 Anna Soubry: Figures on the number of complaints 2011-12 46,288,000 of sexual harassment made by Service personnel since 2012-13 44,636,487 2010 are published in the Service Complaints 2013-14 47,318,041 Commissioner’s (SCC) Annual Reports. The full reports are presented annually to the House and are also located With regard to future funding, the UK will continue on the SCC website at the following link: to meet its obligation to pay the appropriate percentage (currently 78.43%) of the total CWGC funding. http://armedforcescomplaints.independent.gov.uk/ newsandpublications.htm The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is Information on complaints from each service can be discussing with the CWGC the scope for enhancing found in the relevant pages: information and interpretation at burial sites as part of the centenary commemorations. 2013 Annual Report-page 72, appendix 3. 2012 Annual Report-page 62, appendix 3. 2011 Annual Report-page 59, appendix 3. 2010 Annual Report-page 89, appendix 6. EDUCATION Since 2010, there have been five reported complaints of sexual harassment amongst civilian staff at the Ministry Children: Daycare for Defence. Due to the small number of cases of sexual harassment Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State reported by service personnel and civilian staff, providing for Education pursuant to the answer of 3 July 2014, a breakdown of this information by year might breach Official Report, columns 757-8W, on children: daycare, Data Protection legislation. The outcome of complaints (1) who the five providers are who have registered with against sexual harassment is considered sensitive personal Ofsted as performing childcare services on behalf of data and the disclosure of this information would be local authorities excluding fostering and adoption; unreasonable. [205026] (2) which local authorities use external contractors War Graves to assist with the delivery of childcare services other than fostering and adoption. [205027] Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much his Department (a) has given in each of Mr Timpson: As of 14 July 2014, the following the last 10 years and (b) plans to give in the next three organisations were listed in Ofsted’s register of social years to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission work providers as discharging functions for looked to (i) mark and (ii) maintain the graves of those who after children and care leavers: died during the world wars; and if he will make a 1. Evolve YP, acting for Staffordshire County Council. statement; [202186] 2. Redbridge Leaving Care, acting for the London Borough of Redbridge. (2) how much his Department (a) spent in each of the last 10 years and (b) plans to spend in each of the 3. Mancroft Advice Project, acting for Norfolk County Council. next three years on maintaining war graves; and if he 4. Catch 22, acting for Kent County Council. will make a statement. [202022] 5. Vista Social Work Practice Ltd, acting for Bristol County Council. Anna Soubry: As the centenary of the outbreak of Full details of the listed organisations (including the first world war approaches, it is right that we dates of registration) are published on the Ofsted website acknowledge the important work undertaken by the at: Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) to www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/register-of-social-work-providers commemorate those who gave their lives during both world wars. Education: Assessments The CWGC receives financial contributions from its member nations based on the number of graves it Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for maintains on behalf of each nation. Accordingly, the Education when her Department will publish the UK Government contributes 78.43% to the total CWGC experimental data for the 16 to 19 2012-13 performance funding. tables. [205517] 801W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 802W

Mr Laws: Experimental statistics were published on Mr Laws: The available information on local authority 26 June 2014 on the destinations of key stage 4 (KS4) expenditure on home to school transport is published and key stage 5 (KS5) students1. The statistics remain online. experimental with new institutions, such as independent For 2008-09 and 2009-10: and special schools, being included for the first time. webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130903115029/http:// KS4 education destinations are included in performance education.gov.uk/schools/adminandfinance/ tables, but the employment, training and characteristics financialmanagement/schoolsrevenuefunding/section251/ data need to be fully tested and evaluated before the rest archive/b0068383/section-251-data-archive/outturn-data--- of KS4 and all of KS5 data can be published in detailed-level-2008-09-onwards performance tables. The next publication is due in early For 2010-11: 2015 and will cover 2012/13 destinations. www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-authority-and- Experimental statistics on level 1 and 2 attainment in school-expenditure-on-education-childrens-services-and-social- English and mathematics by 16 to 18 students for care-2010-to-2011 academic year 2012/13 will be published by October For 2011-12: 2014. www.gov.uk/government/publications/expenditure-on- 1 Available at: education-children-and-young-peoples-services-academic-year- www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-destinations 2011-to-2012 For 2012-13: Pre-school Education: Brighton www.gov.uk/government/publications/la-and-school- expenditure-financial-year-2012-to-2013 Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for University Academy Birkenhead Education how many nursery places were available in (a) Brighton and Hove and (b) Brighton, Kemptown Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for constituency in each year since 2010. [205244] Education when she expects to decide on the new sponsorship for University Academy Birkenhead. Mr Timpson: I have asked Ofsted to respond using [205705] the data they hold on registered nursery places. Sir Michael Wilshaw, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, will Mr Timpson: We are still considering the best sponsorship write to my hon. Friend, and a copy of his response will option for this academy and will make a decision on its be placed in the House Libraries. Some providers, such future in due course. as schools with nursery provision for children aged three or over, are exempt from registration. The number of places therefore may not include the full range of early years provision available in the area. NORTHERN IRELAND The Department for Education’s Childcare and Early Years Providers Survey1 collects data on all registered Banking and Access to Finance Joint Ministerial Task child care places, including those in maintained schools Force and nurseries. These figures are therefore more comprehensive than the Ofsted figures; however data Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for are only available at a national and regional level, and in Northern Ireland how many times the Joint Ministerial this case only for the South East. Task Force on Banking and Access to Finance has met 1 Available at: since its formation in 2013; and what actions this body https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/childcare-and- has taken. [205101] early-years-providers-survey-2011 Mrs Villiers: The Joint Ministerial Task Force on Schools: Finance Banking and Access to Finance has formally met twice since its formation and is due to meet again in the autumn. I have also held a number of separate discussions Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for with individual members of the task force. Education when she plans to confirm the level of extra funding for 2015-16 that will be allocated as a consequence Significant progress has been made on task force of her consultation on fairer school funding earlier in priorities to encourage the effective operation of the Business Bank; promote the effectiveness of national 2014. [205589] finance initiatives; and secure the availability of local bank lending data for Northern Ireland. This data, Mr Laws: We have today published our consultation from the British Bankers’ Association, was published response confirming the level of extra funding that each for the first time on 2 July alongside the update on the local authority will receive. economic pact: Building a Prosperous and United Community: One Year On. Schools: Transport Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission Oliver Colvile: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what figures her Department holds on total Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for local authority spending on school travel in each of the Northern Ireland how many (a) permanent and (b) last five years, including the amount spent on (a) non-permanent staff were employed at the Northern discretionary services, (b) statutory services and (c) Ireland Human Rights Commission on 1 July 2014. travel for SEN and other eligible groups. [205536] [205591] 803W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 804W

Mrs Villiers: I am advised by the Northern Ireland Estate Agents: Outdoor Advertising Human Rights Commission that there are 13 permanent and three non-permanent members of staff employed Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for at the Commission. Communities and Local Government how many local Parades Commission authorities currently operate restrictions on the display of to-let boards in all or part of their areas; how many applications he has received from local authorities for Mr Ivan Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for the removal of deemed consent to to-let boards since Northern Ireland how many (a) permanent and (b) 2010; and how many of these applications he has non-permanent staff were employed by the Parades approved. [205069] Commission on 1 July 2014. [205520] Brandon Lewis: A sensible balance needs to be struck Mrs Villiers: Staffing issues are primarily an operational between letting people advertise their home for sale and matter for the Parades Commission as per Schedule 1 of allowing forests of boards which disfigure the street the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998. The hon. Gentleman scene. Councils have powers to tackle the proliferation may therefore wish to write directly to the commission of such boards where it is an acute local problem. on this matter. 10 local authorities are known to operate restrictions on the display of to-let boards. Eight applications have been received since 2010 of which two were to renew CHURCH COMMISSIONERS previous Secretary of State Directions. All applications have been approved either in full or with modifications. ICT Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when he expects Mr Bradshaw: To ask the right hon. Member for to announce a final decision on the Regulation 7 Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, how application by Newcastle City Council for the removal many mobile telephones, BlackBerrys and laptops were of deemed consent to to-let boards. [205070] lost by the Church Commissioners in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014 to date. [204465] Brandon Lewis: A hearing into this proposal was held on 20 May 2014 and we expect to receive an Inspector’s Sir Tony Baldry: The number of mobile telephones, Report shortly. A final decision will be issued as soon as BlackBerrys and laptops lost by members of the National possible following careful consideration of the Inspector’s Church Institutions which in includes the Church Report. Commissioners for the year 2013 is as follows, data was Fires: Safety not yet available for the year 2014: Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Mobile/BlackBerry Laptop Communities and Local Government what guidance is 2013 5 1 given by his Department on safety of havans in Hindu 2014 Data not yet available Data not yet available community, cultural and religious events and the compatibility of such instruments with existing fire regulations. [205132]

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT Penny Mordaunt: This Government strongly supports faith communities being able to celebrate and mark Affordable Housing: Construction religious festivals and exercise their freedom of religion. Any event involving fires requires the application of Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for some sensible planning. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Communities and Local Government pursuant to the Safety) Order 2005 applies to all commercial premises answer of 7 July 2014, Official Report, column 118W, and others to which the public have access. It requires on housing construction, whether he anticipates that the employer or building owner to assess the risk of fire affordable housing starts will rise or fall in 2014-15 to any occupants and put in place adequate fire safety compared to 2013-14. [205552] measures to remove or reduce the risk to as low as reasonably practicable. Brandon Lewis [holding answer 14 July 2014]: My We have not produced any specific guidance on Havan, Department does not publish forecasts or targets for although we have produced more general guidance on overall house building, including for individual years of fire safety, including advice on open-air events, and on specific programmes. As mentioned in the previous small and large assemblies. These can be found online answer, we are taking practical steps to encourage starts at: on site of affordable homes funded by the Homes and www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities/fire- Communities Agency in order to avoid any hiatus caused safety-advice-documents by the ending of the current Affordable Homes Programme Fracking in March 2015. Our 2011-15 Affordable Housing Programme is on Tom Greatrex: To ask the Secretary of State for course to deliver 170,000 new affordable homes and our Communities and Local Government what assessment 2015-18 Affordable Housing Programme will deliver a he has made of the cost to a local authority of further 165,000 new affordable homes (the fastest rate processing an environmental impact assessment for of affordable house building for 20 years). unconventional oil and gas extraction. [204827] 805W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 806W

Brandon Lewis: Our expectation is that the costs to The Community Right to Challenge is also recognised minerals planning authorities of processing an by the voluntary and community and parish sectors as environmental impact assessment linked to a planning being helpful in opening up relationships with local application for unconventional oil or gas extraction will authorities. A survey of 188 inquirers to the advice be broadly comparable to those already incurred in service indicated that 25% were in negotiation with their respect of conventional oil and gas extraction applications. council on potential commissioning and said negotiation had come about as a direct result of the challenge Housing: Construction legislation and 48% felt that their local authority was more open to contracting with eligible bodies than Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for before the legislation came into force. Communities and Local Government what proportion of new dwellings in England were built on previously Mortgages: Government Assistance developed land in each year since 2008. [205554] Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Brandon Lewis [holding answer 14 July 2014]: The Communities and Local Government how many house proportion of new dwellings in England built on purchases have been funded through the Help to Buy previously-developed land in each year since 2008 can scheme in (a) Brighton, Kemptown constituency, (b) be found in Table P211 of the Live Tables on Land Use Sussex and (c) South East England to date. [205245] Change Statistics, which is available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live- Brandon Lewis: This Government is committed to tables-on-land-use-change-statistics supporting people’s aspirations to own their own home. I also refer the right hon. Member to the written The Department’s official statistics on sales for the Help ministerial statement of 16 June 2014, Official Report, to Buy: Equity Loan scheme, as of 31 May, broken columns 71-72WS, which outlines the steps we are down by local authority and postcode sector for England, taking to increase house building on brownfield land. are available at: www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/help-to-buy- Local Government Services equity-loan-scheme-monthly-statistics Figures are not available by constituency. In the areas Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for of Brighton and Hove, and Lewes which covers all of Communities and Local Government how many times the Brighton, Kemptown constituency, the number of the Community Right to Challenge has been used since families buying a home with the support of the Help to it came into force on 27 June 2012; how many such Buy: Equity Loan scheme is four and zero, respectively. challenges have been against a private contractor; and Equivalent figures for Help to Buy: NewBuy are two what proportion of all claims have been unsuccessful. and six. [205103] The number of families buying a home with the support of the Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme in Stephen Williams: The Department does not collate Sussex is 591. 104 families have bought a home with the information on the number of Expressions of Interest support of Help to Buy: NewBuy. submitted to local authorities to take over council run services or the number of service contracts won as a My Department does not publish regional statistics. result of a procurement exercise under Right to Challenge The Help to Buy: Mortgage Guarantee scheme is provisions. Therefore we are unable to say how many managed by HM Treasury and the data is available at: challenges have been made against a private contractor; www.gov.uk/government/publications/help-to-buy-mortgage- or what proportion of all claims have been unsuccessful. guarantee-scheme-quarterly-statistics-october-2013-to-march- Right to Challenge enables community groups to 2014 exercise their powers to submit challenges to councils on current contracted services that they manage but Parking Offences: CCTV may be delivered through a third party. The challenge powers cannot force breaks in contracts but it does Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for enable community organisations to submit Expressions Communities and Local Government pursuant to the of Interest bids for council services when contracts are answer of 10 July 2014, Official Report, column 408W, due to expire. on parking offences: CCTV, what proportion of (a) We are aware of 37 Expressions of Interest submissions organisations and (b) individuals responding to his to councils, however, this is not a comprehensive figure. consultation on local authority parking (i) agreed with, This soft intelligence has been collected through (ii) did not agree with and (iii) expressed no view on the conversations with individual local authorities and Government’s intention to abolish the use of closed community groups who have accessed the challenge circuit television cameras for parking enforcement. support programme. [205553] Our support has helped a number of groups looking to or thinking about taking on service delivery. We have Penny Mordaunt: I have placed in the Library of the supported 316 groups through specialist referrals and House, a copy of the Government response to the 212 went on to access financial assistance through the consultation which outlines the feedback to the questions grants programme. We understand 40 groups were intending asked. For the Government’s public policy rationale for to approach their council with a service proposition. A our reforms, I refer the right hon. Member to the further 55 groups were expecting to bid in procurement previous answer he received on 10 July 2014, Official rounds and another 11 wanted support with their bids. Report, column 408W. 807W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 808W

Planning Permission Shared Ownership

Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many dwellings Communities and Local Government what steps his with approved planning applications remain to be Department is taking to identify the barriers which developed. [205264] prevent tenants in shared-ownership properties from staircasing up to increase the share of the property that they own. [204793] Kris Hopkins [holding answer 15 July 2014]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 14 July 2014, Brandon Lewis: The Government is committed to Official Report, columns 530-31W. helping people meet their aspirations to rent or own their own homes through current affordable home ownership schemes, including shared ownership and Private Rented Housing: Complaints Help to Buy. Shared ownership continues to be an extremely popular and effective way of helping households who are priced out of the housing market to get on the Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for ladder. We are open to representations on any practical Communities and Local Government how many complaints steps that can be taken to promote such schemes. have been made to his Department in (a) 2010-11, (b) 2011-12, (c) 2012-13 and (d) 2013-14 against landlords Travellers: Caravan Sites and letting agents by tenants in the private rented sector. [205528] Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he Brandon Lewis [holding answer 14 July 2014]: My is taking to assist Peterborough City Council and Department does not hold this information. others in preventing incursion by travellers onto public land for the purpose of encampment; and if he will Local authorities have extensive powers to take action make a statement. [205587] against landlords who do not fulfil their legal obligations to tenants, or who fail to maintain their properties Brandon Lewis: The Government is concerned about adequately. All complaints about landlords should be unauthorised sites and the effect they can have on local directed towards the relevant local authority. communities. In August 2013, the Government sent all Letting agents are required to comply with Consumer council leaders updated guidance (see the following Protection Legislation, and anyone who has concerns link), and setting out the strong powers councils and about a letting agent can raise this with Trading Standards. landowners have to remove illegal and unauthorised sites on both public and private land. However, to strengthen the hand of consumers, we https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dealing-with- have introduced new legislation which will require all illegal-and-unauthorised-encampments-a-summary-of-available- letting and managing agents in England to belong to an powers approved redress scheme. The Government is also introducing legislation which will ban letting agents from charging hidden fees. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS Buildings Public Works Loan Board Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Department has spent on refurbishing its entrance hall Communities and Local Government what support his in the last year. [205052] Department provides to local authorities which cannot repay their loans to the Public Works Loan Board; and Jo Swinson: The Department of Business, Innovation if he will make a statement. [205025] and Skills has spent £56,250.49 refurbishing the entrance hall in the last year (rolling 12 month period). The Kris Hopkins: Under the prudential capital finance following is a breakdown of this expenditure: system, local authorities are free to borrow for any capital expenditure without Government consent, provided Expenditure Cost (£) that they and their auditors are satisfied that they can BIS TV reception installation and 6,320.00 afford to meet the borrowing costs. equipment Authorities have a statutory duty to make an amount of debt provision which the authority considers prudent. Reception wall frames 8,130.00 My Department has issued simple guidance on setting Reception display stands the level of prudent provision (Minimum Revenue Signage Provision), and authorities must have regard to these recommendations. Backdrop for the exhibition space 968.00 The Guidance on the Minimum Revenue Provision is within the main reception available on the DCLG website at: Building works carried out in 1VS 40,842.49 reception https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/capital-finance- Total 56,250.49 guidance-on-minimum-revenue-provision-third-edition 809W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 810W

The reception area has been reconfigured in order to The UK Space Agency has no contracts worth (i) between £1 maximise the opportunities for exhibitions and displays million and £3 million and (ii) over £3 million. There are no to showcase UK businesses. finance staff dedicated to monitoring the Agency’s contracts; they do so as part of wider finance duties and therefore the Procurement individual costs are incalculable but will be immaterial. Letter from Ed Lester, dated 17 July 2014: Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for I write on behalf of Land Registry in response to Parliamentary Business, Innovation and Skills how many contracts Question 205196 which you tabled and which asked the following: (a) let since 2010 and (b) about to be let by his To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Department and its agencies are worth (i) between £1 Skills, how many contracts (a) let since 2010 and (b) about to be million and £3 million and (ii) over £3 million; how let by his Department and its agencies are worth (i) between £1 much has been spent on monitoring each contract let million and £3 million and (ii) over £3 million; how much has by his Department since 2010; and how many officials been spent on monitoring each contract let by his Department in his Department monitor each contract let since since 2010; and how many officials in his Department monitor 2010. [205195] each contract let since 2010 by his Department since 2010. Since 2010 Land Registry have let 6 contracts in the £1-£3m Jo Swinson: The Department complies with the range and 12 in the over £3m range. There is one contract over Government’s transparency programme. As part of this £3m which is about to be let. all of the Department’s contract opportunities with a There were 16.6 staff working on letting and monitoring value greater than £10,000 and all contracts subsequently contracts from 2010 to the present. The staff costs amount to awarded are published on Contracts Finder. £4.5m. These are based on the Land Registry full staff cost table, The maintenance of central records of all contracts which includes internal overhead costs as well as salary and other associated costs. let by the Department commenced from August 2012. Therefore, I can provide information on the contracts I hope that you find this information useful. let in the period August 2012 to date only. Letter from Ann Lewis, dated 17 July 2014: According to these records one contract has been let I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary in the £1 million to £3 million range and two contracts Question tabled 14 July 2014, UIN 205195 to the Secretary of have been let with a value in excess of £3 million. I am State for Business, Innovation and Skills. not aware that any contracts are about to be let with a Since 2010, Companies House has let four contracts worth value above £1 million. between £1 million and £3 million. It has not let any worth more Records are not kept on the numbers of officials than £3 million. monitoring these contracts or the cost of so doing. Information on how much we have spent on monitoring each I have approached the chief executives of the contract is not available: the officials monitoring each contract Department’s executive agencies (Insolvency Service, carry out a wide range of duties of which contract monitoring is Companies House, National Measurement Office, just a part. Intellectual Property Office, UK Space Agency, Ordnance There are two officials monitoring each contract. Survey, Met Office, and the Land Registry) and they Letter from Neil Ackroyd, dated 14 July 2014: will respond to the hon. Member directly. A letter from the Skills Funding Agency will be placed in the Libraries As Acting Director General and Chief Executive of Ordnance of the House. Survey, I have been asked to respond to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation Letter from David Parker, dated 16 July 2014: and Skills ″how many contracts (a) let since 2010 and (b) about to Thank you for your question addressed to the Secretary of State be let by his Department and its agencies are worth (i) between £1 for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills how many million and £3 million and (ii) over £3 million; how much has contracts (a) let since 2010 and (b) about to be let by his Department been spent on monitoring each contract let by his Department and its agencies are worth (i) between £1 million and £3 million since 2010; and how many officials in his Department monitor and (ii) over £3 million; how much has been spent on monitoring each contract let since 2010 by his Department since 2010.″ each contract let by his Department since 2010; and how many Ordnance Survey has a number of contracts let which fall officials in his Department monitor each contract let since 2010 within the above ranges. Details are provided on the attached by his Department since 2010. sheet. The UK Space Agency became an Executive Agency of the Should you have any further questions, please let me know. Department of Business, Innovation and Skills on the 1st April 2011. I hope this information is helpful.

Ordnance Survey data summary

Number of Number of staff contracts placed Number of involved in contract Number of staff between £1m and contracts placed Total cumulative How much spent on management between involved in contract £3m over £3m value (£m) monitoring contracts £1m and £3m management over £3m

2010 2 1 9.550 This information is 22 not collected/ collated

2011 2 3 10.383 This information is 25 not collected/ collated

2012 1 0 2.850 This information is 2n/a not collected/ collated

2013 8 0 10 This information is 11 n/a not collected/ collated 811W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 812W

Ordnance Survey data summary Number of Number of staff contracts placed Number of involved in contract Number of staff between £1m and contracts placed Total cumulative How much spent on management between involved in contract £3m over £3m value (£m) monitoring contracts £1m and £3m management over £3m

2014 2 0 3 This information is 6n/a not collected/ collated 2014 to be 3 1 10 This information is 33 done not collected/ collated

Letter from John Hirst, dated 17 July 2014: The information you requested is shown in the following table. I am replying on behalf of the Met Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 10 July 2014, UIN 205195 to the Secretary of State for Business, innovation and Skills.

Estimated total number of Contracts let since hours monitoring Estimated total spent Contract value 2010 Contracts about to be let Officials per contract1 contracts monitoring contracts (£)2

>£1m to £3m 4 0 1 1,069 24,729 >£3m 2 0 1 768 17,664 1 Officials whose job descriptions include contract monitoring. 2 Internal pay costs

I hope this helps. However these staff typically spend only a portion of their time on this activity, and we do not have the information to estimate Letter from Richard Judge, dated 17 July 2014: the total time spent by these staff on monitoring activities. The Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Innovation In summary, £400k would probably be a reasonable estimate of and Skills has asked me to reply to your question, how many the annual salary costs of staff involved in contract monitoring. contracts (a) let since 2010 and (b) about to be let by his Department and its agencies are worth (i) between £1 million and £3 million How many officials in his Department monitor each contract let and (ii) over £3 million; how much has been spent on monitoring since 2010? each contract let by his Department since 2010; and how many There are currently 10 staff within the procurement, contracts officials in his Department monitor each contract let since 2010 and service delivery team. As noted above, these staff are involved by his Department since 2010. in a range of activities, including contract monitoring. In addition, In the period in question, the Insolvency Service has let the other staff within the organisation spend a proportion of their following contracts: time on monitoring activities. (a) Let since 2010 Letter from Richard Sanders, dated 17 July 2014: (i) £1-£3M—1 I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Office (NMO), an executive agency of the Department for Business, (ii) >£3M—1 Innovation and Skills (BIS) to your Parliamentary Question (b) About to be let tabled on 10 July 2014, asking the BIS Secretary of State how (i) £1-£3M many contracts (a) let since 2010 and (b) about to be let by his (ii) >£3M—1 Department and its agencies are worth (i) between £1 million and £3 million and (ii) over £3 million; how much has been spent on All the above were advertised by means of an OJEU notice monitoring each contract let by his Department since 2010; and published prior to the procurement process. how many officials in his Department monitor each contract let How much has been spent on monitoring? since 2010 by his Department since 2010. The annual total salary costs for procurement, contracts and Our responses are as follows: service delivery staff (located within the Finance and Commercial Question a) (i) 4 contracts Directorate) within the Agency are £404k. These staff are responsible Question a) (ii) 12 contracts for the full range of procurement, contract and service delivery activities across the Insolvency Service, and therefore costs for Question b) (i) Nil contracts monitoring alone would be significantly less than £404k. However Question b) (ii) Nil Contracts. we are not able to analyse time spent by these staff across the The following table shows how much has been spent on the activities noted above. monitoring of each contract by NMO and how many officials In addition, there are a number of staff who monitor supplier monitor each contract between 1st April 2010 and 31st March contract performance who are located within the wider organisation. 2014:

Contract £ spent on monitoring the contract1 Number of officials (headcount) monitoring the contract2

TUV SUD NEL Contract 1— Scientific Metrology 3—2 TUV SUD NEL Contract 2—Scientific Metrology 3—2 TUV SUD NEL Contract 3—Scientific Metrology 3—2 TUV SUD NEL Contract 4—Scientific Metrology 3—2 LGC Ltd Contract 1—Scientific Metrology 3—2 LGC Ltd Contract 2—Scientific Metrology 3—2 LGC Ltd Contract 3—Scientific Metrology 3—2 LGC Ltd Contract 4—Scientific Metrology 3—2 LGC Ltd Contract 5—Scientific Metrology 3—2 813W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 814W

Contract £ spent on monitoring the contract1 Number of officials (headcount) monitoring the contract2

LGC Ltd Contract 6—Scientific Metrology 3—2 LGC Ltd Contract 7—Scientific Metrology 3—2 LGC Ltd Contract 8—Scientific Metrology 3—2 LGC Ltd Contract 9—Scientific Metrology 3—2 LGC Ltd Contract 10—Scientific Metrology 3—2 SGS Ltd—to test disputed gas and electricity meters 2,475 2 HDR, Inc—Estates (construction work) 2,750 1 1 This refers to the staff costs of civil service officials engaged in contract monitoring activities which include the verification of invoices, ensuringthatkey performance indicators are met, dealing with queries or requests for variation to the contract, attendance at meetings and maintaining the community group of expert advisors. 2 This refers to the number of civil service officials involved in the monitoring of the contract and excludes contractors who may or may not be involved. 3 The total cost of monitoring the listed scientific metrology contracts is £197,978.

Letter from John Alty, dated 17 July 2014: This consultation received 627 responses and the I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office to Government published its response on 16 June 2014. your Parliamentary Question, to the Secretary of State for Business, http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/ Innovation and Skills, how many contracts (a) let since 2010 and 91626/Govt-Response_Report-on-Wider-Powers-LLC- (b) about to be let by his Department and its agencies are worth Consultation-16-6-14.pdf (i) between £1 million and £3 million and (ii) over £3 million; how This response highlights all of the representations much has been spent on monitoring each contract let by his made by respondents. Land Registry has engaged extensively Department since 2010; and how many officials in his Department monitor each contract let since 2010 by his Department since with stakeholders throughout its research into Local 2010. (205195) Land Charges and this engagement is ongoing. Since 2010, the IPO has (a) let three contracts between £1 million and £3 million, and two contracts over £3 million, with Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, one contract between £1 million and £3 million about to be let. Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of Further information on IPO contracts numbers and values are the effect on completion times for LLC1 local searches published on Contracts Finder as part of the government transparency as a result of centralising the local land charges register agenda. in line with proposals in the Infrastructure Bill [Lords]. The IPO do not record how much has been spent on monitoring [204751] each contract let since 2010, or how many officials in the IPO monitor each contract let since 2010. Matthew Hancock: Creating a single, digital Local Land Charges register will lead to a reduction in search Property Searches turnaround times on average. Searches currently take between 1 and more than 20 days and Land Registry intends to reduce this to minutes. In 2013/14, Land Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Registry dealt with 11.5 million requests for registers of Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has title and title plans, of which 98.2% were delivered made of the effect of centralising local land charges electronically to the customer: Local Land Charges registers on small and medium-sized enterprises and searches are similar and Land Registry will utilise its micro-businesses currently providing such services as expertise to provide them in a similar way. local land charges searches. [204724]

Matthew Hancock: A Regulatory Impact Assessment relating to the provision of Local Land Charges has HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION been produced by Land Registry and approved by BIS Computer Software and the Regulatory Policy Committee. http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/ Thomas Docherty: To ask the hon. Member for 91627/LR_Impact-Assessment_Wider-Powers-and-LLC- Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross representing the Consultation_FINAL.pdf House of Commons Commission what assessment the This takes into account the potential benefits of a Commission has made of the effectiveness to date of fully digitised service with improved turnaround times, the introduction of Office 365; and on what evidence greater efficiencies and a lower fee for the customer. The and measures the Commission based that assessment. Impact Assessment states that creating a single, digital [204885] Local Land Charges register will result in the significant majority of customers, including businesses, paying a John Thurso: The Commission has made no formal lower fee per purchase for a faster service. assessment of the effectiveness to date of the introduction of Office 2013 and Microsoft 365 email. Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Parliamentary ICT (PICT) acknowledges that the Business, Innovation and Skills what representations he implementation has not been as simple and straightforward has received on the effect of changes to be made in the as was hoped, and is aware that it has caused problems Infrastructure Bill [Lords] on improving completion for some hon. Members. PICT is working to resolve times for LLC1 local searches. [204750] most of these problems, the most common of which are described below. The lessons learned from these problems Matthew Hancock: Land Registry undertook a full are being implemented to improve deployment and public consultation on Local Land Charges and Wider support arrangements. PICT apologises for the Powers between 16 January 2014 and 9 March 2014. inconvenience experienced by hon. Members. 815W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 816W

Following the upgrade to Office 2013, PICT received Mr Maude: Expenditure incurred by my Department a large number of support calls, including from users on subscription to magazines can be obtained only at who found that the process of upgrading to Office 2013 disproportionate cost. remotely took much longer than expected. Some Members I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the have also commented negatively on the look and feel of hon. Member for Barnsley East (Michael Dugher) on 8 the new product. October 2013, Official Report, column 170W. Access to 365 requires an update and reconfiguration of both desktops/laptops and mobile devices. In some cases the upgrade to the desktop and user profile has Procurement needed adjustment once the migration has been completed. In a greater number of cases hon. Members who have Sadiq Khan: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet mobile devices have required assistance to reconfigure Office (1) how much No. 10 Downing street paid to (a) the devices to receive the 365 services. All BlackBerry G4S, (b) Serco, (c) Sodexo, (d) GEOAmey, (e) Capita, owners have needed assistance to do this because it is a (f) Atos, (g) Mitie, (h) Working Links, (i) A4E, (j) technical task and, depending upon the ownership of MTC Amey, (k) GEO Group and (l) Carillion in (i) the model and its software version, some hon. Members 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12, (iii) 2012-13 and (iv) 2013-14; have had real difficulty with the migration process. [205857] 365 has a limit on the number of people who can be (2) how much the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office added to a single email distribution list, and some hon. paid to (a) G4S, (b) Serco, (c) Sodexo, (d) GEOAmey, Members have found this causes difficulty. PICT have (e) Capita, (f) Atos, (g) Mitie, (h) Working Links, (i) offered assistance and advice has been offered to work A4E, (j) MTC Amey, (k) GEO Group and (l) Carillion around this issue. in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2011-12, (iii) 2012-13 and (iv) 2013-14. Once successfully migrated, the Office 365 service [205853] offers significant benefits to users, including a much larger email box, an easier to use login process, and Mr Maude: The Prime Minister’s Office and the access to services from any location and device as long Deputy Prime Minister’s Office are an integral part of as there is an internet connection and a modern browser. the Cabinet Office. As part of my Department’s transparency programme, any spend over £25,000 is available on the Department’s website. Since January 2011, all contracts over £10,000 CABINET OFFICE in value are published on Contracts Finder http://www.contractsfinder.co.uk/ Alcoholic Drinks

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Procurement: EU Law Office what his Department’s policy is on alcohol consumption on the premises (a) in general and (b) Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet during parties being held in his Private Office. [205085] Office what cross-governmental guidance his Mr Maude: There is no prohibition of alcohol in my Department has issued on new European procurement Department. This includes ministerial and official private directives. [205108] offices. Mr Maude: Hon. Members can monitor progress via the transposition page at: Government Departments: Legal Opinion https://www.gov.uk/transposing-eu-procurement-directives Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether the Government offers non-executive Social Networking directors of government-owned companies or arm’s- length bodies independent legal advice if they believe a conflict of interest may arise if such advice is provided Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet internally by Government Departments. [205557] Office how many Twitter accounts are run by his Department; how much his Department spends annually Mr Maude: Government-owned companies and arm’s on (a) Twitter accounts and (b) all social media; and length bodies are responsible for obtaining their own how many people in his Department are employed to legal advice; some may obtain legal advice from work on social media. [206049] Government Departments. Potential conflicts of interest are considered on a Mr Maude: A list of official Twitter accounts run by case by case basis. Cabinet Office, including those used by senior officials, can be found at: Mass Media: Subscriptions https://twitter.com/cabinetofficeuk/cabinet-office-teams/ members Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet The Department also runs the @Number10gov and Office what the cost is of each subscription to (a) @Number10press accounts. magazines and (b) television channels his Department No member of staff is employed to specifically work funds. [205084] on social media. 817W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 818W

Third Sector Mr Vaizey: I am satisfied that the West Yorkshire project is on scheduled to deliver, within the agreed Mr Thomas: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet timetable, superfast broadband to nearly 59,000 premises Office (1) who has received funding for organising the in West Yorkshire by September 2015. The local broadband 2014 Big Society Awards; and if he will make a project team provide information about the roll-out statement; [205555] timetable, including a postcode checker on the local authority website, which can be found at: (2) when he expects to hold the 2014 Big Society Awards; and if he will make a statement. [205556] http://www.superfastwestyorkshire.co.uk/coverage With respect to the Green Lane Industrial Estate, my Mr Maude: All Big Society Award winners are listed Department has been informed the local cabinet connecting on: that site is scheduled to be upgraded to fibre broadband www.bigsocietyawards.org by the end of September 2014. Training Public Libraries

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Office how many away days his Department has held Culture, Media and Sport if he will estimate the total for its officials in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014 to date; and number of books currently held in public libraries. what the cost of each such event has been. [205075] [205012]

Mr Maude: 11 away days were held outside of the Mr Vaizey: The annual public library statistics compiled Cabinet Office Estate in 2013. These cost a total of by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and £19,386. Accountancy based on information provided by the One away day has been held outside of the Cabinet individual library authorities indicates that the total Office Estate so far in 2014. This cost £668. book stock for public libraries in England at 31 March It is worth noting that although complete data for the 2013 was 72.4 million. Cabinet Office prior to 2010 is not available, this Department’s spend on away days was at least £227,680 in 2009-10. WORK AND PENSIONS Access to Work Programme CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Broadband: Rural Areas and Pensions what evaluation his Department has conducted of effects of changes made to the Access to Mr Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Work scheme since 2010. [205551] Culture, Media and Sport what progress his Department has made in upgrading fibre-optic broadband infrastructure Esther McVey: A formal evaluation of the changes in (a) Copeland and (b) other rural areas. [205697] has not been conducted; but we have made a range of positive changes over the last two years and have seen Mr Vaizey: The Cumbria project will deliver superfast an increase in the number of people helped and an broadband to nearly 110,000 premises in Cumbria by increase in expenditure. March 2015. The local broadband project team provide information about the roll-out timetable, including a Buildings postcode checker on the local authority website, which can be found at: Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work http://www.connectingcumbria.org.uk/when-and-where and Pensions how much has been spent on refurbishing With respect to the Copeland area, the local project (a) gymnasium and leisure facilities, (b) cafeteria and team report that, combined with the BT commercial (c) interior decoration in (i) his Department and (ii) roll out, it has already delivered superfast broadband to buildings owned by his Department in (A) 2013 and 10,500 premises to date. By June 2015, the fibre broadband (B) 2014 to date. [205364] roll-out will be completed and in Copeland over 90% of premises will have access to superfast broadband. To Mr Harper: Since 1998 the Department occupies the date, the Connecting Cumbria project has delivered majority of its accommodation under a Private Finance superfast broadband to nearly 40,000 and the national Initiative (PFI) known as the PRIME Contract. Under programme has delivered to over 600,000 premises and the terms of the contract, the Department sold all its that number will rise to 1 million by the end of summer. property interests (and risk) to our Estates private sector partner, Telereal Trillium. The Department does not, Broadband: West Yorkshire therefore, own any property but occupies fully serviced accommodation in return for the payment of a unitary Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, charge. Media and Sport when Superfast West Yorkshire will be The unitary charge includes payment for all Life (a) finished and (b) ready to use by businesses in Cycle Works which covers the maintenance and upkeep Green Lane Industrial Estate, in Featherstone; and of facilities including interior redecoration. It is not what assessment he has made of the length of time possible to disaggregate the costs for individual maintenance taken to complete this work. [205110] tasks. 819W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 820W

We have not spent any monies (outside of the unitary Domestic Visits: Wrexham charge) on refurbishing (a) gymnasium and leisure facilities, (b) cafeteria and (c) interior decoration in Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and 2013 or 2014 to date. Pensions what the purpose was of his visit to Wrexham Benefit Centre on 7 July 2014. [205530] Carers Esther McVey: When the Secretary of State is visiting a region, if his diary allows, he also likes to visit local Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for DWP staff. Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of kinship carers who are (a) affected by the Jobseeker’s Allowance under-occupancy penalty and (b) in receipt of discretionary housing payments. [205230] Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to move Esther McVey: The information requested is not available. vulnerable people without the capability for work from Local authorities administer discretionary housing jobseeker’s allowance onto a more permanent form of payments. Decisions are based on claimants’ individual benefit. [205000] circumstances. This may include consideration of the specific circumstances that have led to the need for a Esther McVey: It is already the case that people who kinship carer. DWP guidance recommends that local have limited capability for work receive Employment authorities give priority to foster and kinship carers (in and Support Allowance rather than Jobseeker’s Allowance. Scotland) in allocating discretionary housing payments However, we should not see this as a permanent form of if more than one extra bedroom is required. Regulations benefit as it is our policy that nobody should be written already allow an additional bedroom for foster and off. kinship (in Scotland) carers. Land

Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for Heidi Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will take steps to ensure that Work and Pensions how much land his Department kinship carers with children aged under 18 are has released for the purpose of building new homes exempted from conditionality requirements; and if he since May 2010. [205485] will make a statement. [205231] Mr Harper: The Department does not own any buildings Esther McVey: Where work-related requirements do or land for release. apply, work coaches should already take account of a person’s caring responsibilities and the particular Mass Media: Subscriptions circumstances of kinship carers who have older children— for example, ensuring that the work coach considers the Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work impact of any Residence Orders or Special Guardianship and Pensions what subscriptions to (a) magazines and Orders on a claimant’s capacity to look and be available (b) television channels his Department funds. [205350] for work. Mr Harper: The information is as follows: Dame Anne Begg: To ask the Secretary of State for (a) Subscriptions to magazines are included within the Work and Pensions (1) what estimate he has made of Department’s contracts for journals and newspapers. The Department receives the following titles via these contracts: the number of kinship carers in receipt of employment Net support allowance; [205233] Able Magazine (2) what estimate he has made of the number of kinship carers who are subject to conditionality Adviser requirements under job seeker’s allowance. [205232] BMJ—British Medical Journal—General Practice Edition— Internet Bookseller—Internet Esther McVey: The information requested is not readily Business Transfers and Employee Rights available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Butterworths Civil Court Precedents Civil Service World Conditions of Employment Community Care Common Market Law Review—Print and Internet Community Care Law Reports Mr Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Credit Collections and Risk and Pensions with reference to the answer of 2 April 2014, Official Report, column 722W, on conditions of Credit Today employment, whether current guidelines allow claimants Current Law Complete Service A through Jobcentre Plus to be found zero-hours contract Daily Express jobs which include exclusivity clauses. [206038] Daily Mail Daily Mirror Esther McVey: No claimants are required to sign up Daily Star for zero hour contracts which require exclusivity. Daily Telegraph 821W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 822W

Disability and Rehabilitation—Full Set—Internet and Print SEN Magazine Disability and Society—Internet Social Care Law Today Economist—Internet and Print Social Policy and Society and Journal of Social Policy—Print Encyclopedia of Data Protection and Privacy—Including CD and Internet ROM Solicitors’ Journal Equal Opportunities Review Spectator Equality Law Reports—E-Mail and Internet and Optional Sun Print Sun on Sunday EU Public Procurement—Law and Practice Sunday Express European Journal of Social Security—Internet Sunday Mirror European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology—Print and Internet Sunday People Financial Times Sunday Telegraph Freedom of Information Journal—E-Mail Sunday Times Gazette—Law Society London Sweet and Maxwell’s Law of Pension Schemes Guardian Time Magazine Health and Safety Bulletin Times Health Service Journal Tolley’s Pensions Law Service Housing Studies—Internet Tolley’s Social Security and State Benefits Housing Theory and Society—Online Archive Incl Current Transfer of Undertaking Year—Internet Vacher’s Quarterly Human Rights Practice Welfare Rights Bulletin IDS Pensions Law Reports Work and Stress—Internet In House Lawyer Work Employment and Society—Print and Backfile Lease— Independent Internet Independent on Sunday Working Brief—PDF—E-Mail Inside Housing (b) This information is not centrally collated and could not be International and United Kingdom Report—Privacy Laws provided without incurring disproportionate costs. and Business International Journal of Housing Policy—Internet Pension Credit: Warrington Journal of Community Care Law Journal of Social Security Law Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Journal of Welfare Benefits Law and Practice and Pensions how many people in (a) Warrington and Judicial Review (b) Warrington North constituency were in receipt of Juncture—Internet pension credit in each year from 2008-09. [205521] Kemp and Kemp—Quantum of Damages Legal Action—Legal Action Group Steve Webb: Statistics on pension credit are available Mail on Sunday from 100% data and are published on the Department’s Medical Law Reports—Academic—Internet and Print and website at: Bound Volume http://tabulation-tool.dwp.gov.uk/100pc/pc/tabtool_pc.html Mental Health Law Review Guidance for users is available at: Modern Law Review—Print and Internet https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-tabulation- Money Marketing—London tool-guidance NAPF Pension Legislation Service—including CD ROM National Institute Economic Review—Internet Personal Independence Payment New Law Journal New Statesman Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Newsweek and Pensions how many claims for personal independence Observer payments submitted by individuals in Hemsworth in 2013 are still yet to be determined; and what steps his Occupational Pensions Department has taken to reduce delays in processing Oxford Economic Papers—Internet personal independence payment claims. [205105] Pensions Management Pensions Expert Mr Harper: There are several reasons why a registered Pensions World claim may not yet be determined. For example, the Private Eye claimant has not yet returned their additional information Professional Pensions—Print and Internet form or is awaiting their assessment date, DWP have not yet made a decision on their claim or the claimant Public Private Partnership and PFI has advised that they wish to withdraw their claim. At Records Management Journal—Print and Internet the end of December 2013, around 500 people in Renton and Brown—Criminal Procedure Hemsworth had registered a new claim for PIP and Renton and Brown—Criminal Procedure Legislation around 100 decisions had been made. 823W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 824W

I also refer the hon. Member to the written answer Mr Harper: Between 1 January 2010 and 14 July the previous Minister for Disabled People, my right 2014, the Department for Work and Pensions awarded hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike 71 contracts with a value of between £1 million and Penning), gave to the hon. Member for Halton (Derek £3 million and 191 contracts with a value of over Twigg), on 7 July 2014, Official Report, column 110W. £3 million. At 14 July 2014, our current commercial planning Michael Dugher: To ask the Secretary of State for data indicates we intend to let 47 contracts with a value Work and Pensions how many claims for independence of between £1 million and £3 million and 30 contracts payments submitted by people in (a) England, (b) with a value over £3 million. South Yorkshire, (c) Barnsley and (d) Barnsley East The award timelines on future contracts stretches to constituency have taken longer than 11 weeks to be 2017 and beyond. As conditions change, some of these determined. [205518] contracts may not yet proceed to the procurement stage. Also, award values are not yet firm for those at the Mr Harper: I refer the hon. Member to the answer earliest of planning stages. given by the former Minister for Disabled People, the The Department does not record the numbers of right hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning), staff and their length of assignment in monitoring on 8 July 2014, Official Report, column 278W. individual contracts, therefore the answer to this part of the question could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Procurement Between 1 January 2010 and 14 July 2014, the non- departmental public bodies (NDPBs) awarded the following Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work contracts within the requested values: and Pensions how much and what proportion of his Number of contracts with Number of Contracts Department’s budget was spent on activities which Contract Value £1 with Contract Value were contracted out in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) NDPB million-£3 million over £3 million 2011-12, (d) 2012-13 and (e) 2013-14; and how much Pensions 10 and what proportion of his Department’s budget he Ombudsman expects to be contracted out in 2014-15. [205228] The Pensions 00 Advisory Service The Pensions 21 Mr Harper: Contracted out expenditure has been Regulator (TPR) interpreted as all third party expenditure. Figures are Health and Safety 33 net of income and recoverable VAT. Figures cover the Executive (HSE) central Department and its non-departmental public National 12 Employment bodies (NDPBs). Savings Trust The relevant figures for the periods 2012-13; 2013-14; (NEST) and, 2014-15 taken from our General Ledger are set out Social Security 00 Advisory as follows. Committee (SSAC) Industrial Injuries 00 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 Advisory Council Outturn Outturn Plans (IIAC) Independent Living 00 Commercial Expenditure 3,211 3,102 3,187 Fund (ILF) (£ million) Proportion of total DEL 41 39 40 Expenditure (percentage) Pensions Ombudsman estimate the cost of monitoring its contract at £7,000 per annum with a dedicated Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) expenditure resource of 0.1 FTE. has been used to calculate the proportion of total TPR have a planned contract to start in 2014-15 expenditure. These figures have been taken from the value £1 million-£3 million. Department’s Annual Reports and Accounts 2013-14, Annex 7 – Expenditure Tables. TPR do not hold information regarding the total amount spent on monitoring the contracts and it would Data are not available for prior years on a comparable be disproportionate for it to calculate this. However, it basis. The Department has changed the way it reports has 2 FTE staff dedicated to monitoring the contract commercial expenditure in the last couple of years, valued over £3 million. which makes later years incomparable with earlier years. NEST-The Scheme Administration Services contract has a Contract Manager (commencing August 2014) Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and is supported by a Procurement and Contract Specialist. and Pensions how many contracts (a) his Department HSE is in the process of letting one contract with a and (b) its agencies and non-departmental public bodies value of between £1 million and £3 million. (i) have let and (ii) plan to let that are worth (A) between £1 million and £3 million and (B) over £3 million since HSE does not record the numbers of staff and their 2010; how much his Department has spent on monitoring length of assignment in monitoring individual contracts, each such contract; and how many officials in his therefore the answer to this part of the question could Department monitor each contract. [205377] be provided only at disproportionate cost. 825W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 826W

Schools: Asbestos Social Security Benefits: Disability

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Work and Pensions what discussions he or his ministerial and Pensions if he will publish the most recent information colleagues have had with the Department for Education on the amount of time taken by (a) Atos and (b) about the prevalence of asbestos in schools. [205638] Capita to process claims for disability benefits in different regions and constituency parts of the UK. [205640] Mr Harper: There have been no such discussions at ministerial level. However, DWP Ministers have been Mr Harper: We have interpreted your question as informed of significant work that HSE has done to being in respect of Personal Independence Payment, as assist the Department for Education’s review of their the question relates to Atos and Capita processing policy on asbestos in schools. For example, HSE has in disability benefits. the last three years conducted initiatives on the standard Information relating to Personal Independence Payment of management of asbestos in schools and copies of the processing times is not currently available. Statistics on reports have been provided to DFE and published. processing times are intended for future publication but releasing them at this stage would give an incorrect representation of the process since the system has not Social Security Benefits: Ayr yet reached maturity, and further quality assurance of the data is required. Sandra Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Ayr, Carrick Training and Cumnock constituency have had their benefit sanctioned in each of the last 12 months. [205405] Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many awaydays his Department has Esther McVey: The available information as requested held for officials in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014 to date; and is shown in the following table. what the cost was of each such event. [205302] Number of individuals with an adverse benefit sanction applied in Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock parliamentary constituency by each month, January to December 2013 Mr Harper: The Department for Work and Pensions Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock does not have a separate or identifiable account code in parliamentary constituency departmental finance records to distinguish expenditure on staff away days. Details of such expenditure could January 2013 160 be provided only at disproportionate cost. February 2013 100 March 2013 130 April 2013 160 Unemployment: Young People May 2013 160 June 2013 150 Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for July 2013 180 Work and Pensions how many 16 to 24 years olds were August 2013 180 referred by Jobcentre Plus to the Movement to Work September 2013 160 initiative in 2013. [205702] October 2013 190 November 2013 210 Esther McVey: Movement to Work is an employer-led December 2013 150 initiative and Jobcentre Plus does not collect information Notes: 1. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10. on the number of referrals made. 2. The number of benefit sanctions applied is the number of claimants with a sanction or disallowance referral where the decision was found against them for those in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance, employment and support allowance Universal Credit and income support for lone parents. 3. Figures may include individuals who have been sanctioned in more than one month, ie if the same individual had received adverse sanction referrals in May Rachel Reeves: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and November, they would appear in both months in the above table. 4. Data is up to December 2013 which is the latest available. and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number 5. Income support lone parents receive a fixed sanction of 20% of the personal of universal claimants who will be self-employed once allowance rate of a single claimant (not aged less than 25) for each failure to universal credit is fully rolled out. [205692] attend/participate in a Work Focused Interview until 10p is left in payment. This sanction lasts until the individual attends and participates in a work focused interview. In the case where there is more than one sanction in place the Esther McVey: It is estimated that there will be claimant need only attend/participate in one work focused interview in order for all related sanctions to be removed from their benefit. approximately 600,000 households with at least one 6. New sanctions rules came into force for JSA and ESA from 22 October 2012 individual whose main employment is self-employment and 3 December 2012. The number of JSA sanctions applied for the new regime entitled to Universal Credit when it is fully rolled out. is the number of low, intermediate, and high level referrals where the decision was found against the claimant. Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/jobseekers-allowance-overview- of-sanctions-rules Work Programme 7. The information for JSA and ESA sanctions is published at: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/ Source (JSA and ESA): Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for DWP Information, Governance and Security Directorate: Sanctions and Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of Disallowance Decisions Statistics Database. Source (IS): the effectiveness of the Work Programme for young Income Support Computer System black men. [205639] 827W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 828W

Esther McVey: The proportion of Job Outcomes The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service achieved across the ethnicity groups is consistent with (CPS) does not maintain a central record of the number the proportion of referrals, attachments and Job Outcomes or outcome of prosecutions conducted by Crown on the Work Programme as a whole. Prosecutors or Associate Prosecutors (paralegals) in A detailed breakdown of Work Programme referrals, magistrates courts. To obtain details of the conviction attachments and Job Outcomes by ethnicity can be rates for each would require a manual exercise of reviewing found at: individual case files to be undertaken at a disproportionate http://tabulation-tool.dwp.gov.uk/WorkProg/tabtool.html cost. Guidance for users is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dwp-tabulation- CPS Direct tool-guidance Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General in Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for how many and what proportion of CPS Direct-charged Work and Pensions what plans his Department has for cases the charge was subsequently (a) varied, (b) officials to canvass customer feedback from Work dropped pre-trial, (c) subject to a prosecution decision programme participants; and if he will make a statement. to offer no evidence at trial and (d) dismissed by the [205701] court in 2013-14 and each of the three preceding years. Esther McVey: DWP has commissioned a consortium [205153] of independent research organisations to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the Work programme, which The Solicitor-General: The CPS holds no central records includes research with participants. A report of findings of the number of cases where one, or more, charge was from research in 2012 has been published at: varied subsequent to a charging decision made by CPS Direct. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/work- programme-evaluation-findings-from-the-first-phase-of- The proportion of cases dropped by the CPS in cases qualitative-research-on-programme-delivery-rr821 where the original charging decision was made by CPS A further report is currently planned for publication Direct is as follows: at the end of 2014. 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14

Number of dropped CPSD cases 19,107 17,423 14,959 22,944 LEADER OF THE HOUSE charged Percentage of CPSD Charged 15.90 15.30 14.90 14.30 Pay cases dropped

Mr Bradshaw: To ask the Leader of the House how No record is held of the number of cases where the many officials employed by his Office, of each grade, prosecution decided to offer no evidence specifically at have remained at that grade since 2010 but received a trial. pay rise; and how much of a rise each such person at The following table shows the number and proportion each such grade has received. [205463] of prosecutions where the original charging decision Mr Hague: The Office of the Leader of the House of was made by CPS Direct which subsequently resulted in Commons is part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the right a judge directed acquittal or the court dismissing the hon. Member to the answer by the Minister for the case at trial, either of its own motion, or on a defence Cabinet Office of 16 July 2014, Official Report, column submission of no case to answer, without hearing evidence 734W. for the defence.

2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14

ATTORNEY-GENERAL Number of CPSD 512 531 444 760 cases—JDA or NCTA Confiscation Orders Percentage of CPSD 0.40 0.50 0.40 0.50 Charged cases—JDA or Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General NCTA what the value is of outstanding debt under Key: JDA—Judge Directed Acquittal confiscation orders obtained by the Crown Prosecution NCTA—No Case to Answer Service; and what recent estimate he has made of how Included here are cases where an acceptable guilty much such debt is realistically recoverable. [205134] plea was submitted for one or more charges and the The Solicitor-General: As of 3 April 2014 the total prosecution proceeded on other charges which resulted amount of outstanding debt in confiscation orders where in a judge directed acquittal or a verdict of no case to the CPS was the lead enforcer was £501,450,120 (excluding answer. interest). 31.8% of this debt has been assessed as recoverable which relates to £159,416,384. Criminal Proceedings Convictions Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General what Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General what proportion of cases were charged by (a) the police, (b) the conviction rates were in the magistrates’ courts for the Crown Prosecution Service and (c) another agency cases prosecuted by (a) Crown prosecutors and (b) in (i) 2013-14 and (ii) each of the previous three financial paralegals in each of the last five years. [205187] years. [205182] 829W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 830W

The Solicitor-General: The Director’s Guidance on The proportion of Police charged cases that resulted Charging, issued under the provisions of S37A of the in the other requested outcomes are as follows: Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE), sets out the requirements for police officers and prosecutors during Percentage the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases, 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 including those offences which the police and the CPS Dropped (includes offered no evidence) 7.7 8.1 8.3 are responsible for the charge decision. Offered no evidence 2.1 2.5 2.6 Under these arrangements the police are responsible No case to answer (incl. mixed pleas) 0.1 0.1 0.2 for the charge decision in approximately 70% of all Dismissed after summary trial (incl. mixed 1.8 2.1 2.4 cases, with the CPS retaining the decision to charge in pleas) the remaining 30% of cases which are the most complex and serious. The CPS is responsible for making the Public Expenditure charging decisions in cases brought by other agencies such as DWP, HMRC and DEFRA. Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General how The proportions for the last three years are as follows: much the (a) Serious Fraud Office and (b) Crown Prosecution Service spent on (i) travel, (ii) furniture Percentage and fittings and (iii) any dilapidation claims arising Police Charged CPS Charged from the quitting of premises in each year since 2008. [205094] 2011-12 68.4 31.6 2012-13 71.0 29.0 2013-14 69.0 31.0 The Solicitor-General: The Serious Fraud Office moved from its premises at Elm House on Elm Street and part of the ITN building on Gray’s Inn Road at the end of Emily Thornberry: To ask the Attorney-General 2012. It is now located on one site in Cockspur Street. what proportion of police-charged cases in each of the last three financial years were subsequently subject to a The information requested is set out in the following (a) decision by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) table. There were no relevant costs in 2008-09 or 2009-10. to vary the charge, (b) decision by the CPS to drop the charge, (c) decision by the CPS to offer no evidence, £000 (d) dismissal by the court on grounds of no-case to 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 answer and (e) dismissal by the court after trial. Travel — — 9 24 [205184] Furniture and fittings — — 23 — Dilapidations 750 290 — — The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not hold data that would allow the identification The Crown Prosecution Service spent the following of individual charges that had been varied at any point amounts on furniture and fittings and dilapidations in from the original charge. each year since 2008.

£000 2013-14 2012-13 2011-12 2010-11 2009-10 2008-09

Furniture and Fittings 386 497 957 4,210 4,462 3,197 Dilapidations 1,992 917 1,595 201 362 185

Expenditure incurred on dilapidations occurred as a Mr Ellwood: Consumption of alcohol is permitted in result of quitting premises. Expenditure on furniture FCO premises for social occasions amongst FCO staff. and fittings covers all such expenditure. To identify Staff are responsible for the cost of alcohol and refreshments spend that relates solely and specifically to quitting for these events. The Department has a zero tolerance premises would involve the checking of thousands of policy on the misuse of alcohol by FCO employees. invoices and would incur a disproportionate cost. Bahrain From records held it is also not possible to identify spend on travel arising from quitting premises without Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for incurring a disproportionate cost. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment his Department has made of the human rights situation in Bahrain. [205253]

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE Mr Ellwood: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 26 June 2014, Official Report, column 253W. Alcoholic Drinks Burma

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Sir Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions Department’s policy is on the consumption of alcohol he has had with the Burmese government on a ceasefire during social occasions held in his private office. in conflict zones and the withdrawal of military forces. [205240] [204998] 831W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 832W

Mr Swire: We are supporting the continued peace Mark Simmonds: The security situation in the Central talks between the Burmese Government and ethnic African Republic (CAR) continues to be severely unstable. armed groups and the agreement to work towards a Sectarian violence continues, and there is widespread nationwide ceasefire and political dialogue. However, displacement of civilians. The UK is playing a strong we remain concerned by continued fighting in Kachin role as part of the international community’s response. State and Northern Shan State, and reports of human We provided early support to the deployment of the rights violations. African Union mission (MISCA), as well as to the EU I discussed the peace process with the Burmese security mission (EUFOR), and co-sponsored the UN Government and the military Commander in Chief Security Council Resolution that authorised a UN during my visit to Burma in January 2014, and in Peacekeeping Operation (PKO), which will deploy in Kachin with the army’s Northern Commander and September. Through DFID, the UK has also provided ethnic and religious leaders. Our ambassador in Rangoon £23 million in humanitarian aid to a range of NGOs regularly raises both our concerns and our support for a and UN agencies, providing access to protection, food, sustainable peace through ceasefire and political dialogue water and sanitation, shelter and healthcare. with Burmese Government Ministers, officials and ethnic leaders. Middle East Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will raise Mr Khalid Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State with the Burmese authorities the arrest and sentencing for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he to 10 years hard labour of journalists in that country. is taking to decrease violence between Israel and [205641] Palestine. [205251]

Mr Swire: We welcome the overall widening of media Mr Ellwood: I refer to the statement made by the then freedom under this Burmese Government. However, we Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth are deeply concerned by the intimidation, detention and Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond sentencing of several reporters in Burma in recent months, (Yorks) (Mr Hague), to the House on 14 July 2014, which contrary to the longer positive trend is further Official Report, column 581-83. restricting Burma’s media environment. Our ambassador has raised our concerns about the Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign detention of journalists with Deputy Minister of and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has Information YeHtut, and the cases of the five journalists made of the implications for his policy of the report by sentenced to 10 years hard labour were also discussed the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian during the first EU-Burma Human Rights Dialogue in Affairs on the number of casualties among young May. We will continue to raise the issue of media people and other civilians during the recent Israeli freedom in discussions with the Burmese Government military operation in Gaza. [205657] and in international fora. Mr Ellwood: I refer the hon. Member to the Statement Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State on Gaza made by the then Secretary of State for Foreign for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the he has received of recent changes in the Burmese Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), to the authorities’ attitude to freedom of expression. [205642] House on 14 July 2014, Official Report, columns 581-83. This statement both underlines the terrible human Mr Swire: We welcome the overall widening of media cost of the conflict and outlines our policy objectives to freedom under this Burmese Government. However, we end this cycle of violence and devastation once and for are deeply concerned by the intimidation, detention and all. Our objectives are to secure a ceasefire, to alleviate sentencing of several reporters in Burma in recent months, humanitarian suffering and to keep alive the prospects which contrary to the longer positive trend is further for peace negotiations. restricting Burma’s media environment. Our ambassador has raised our concerns about the Ms Ritchie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign detention of journalists with Deputy Minister of and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has Information YeHtut, and the cases of the five journalists received of the number of Palestinian civilian sentenced to 10 years hard labour were also discussed casualties during the recent Israeli military operation in during the first EU-Burma Human Rights Dialogue in Gaza. [205663] May. We will continue to raise the issue of media freedom in discussions with the Burmese Government Mr Ellwood: I refer the hon. Member to the statement and in international fora. on Gaza made by the then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), to the Central African Republic House on 14 July 2014, Official Report, columns 581-83. As of the morning of 16 July, it is reported that 197 Stephen Phillips: To ask the Secretary of State for Palestinian civilians have been killed in Gaza and up to Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent 1,265 injured since Israel started Operation Protective assessment he has made of the security situation in the Edge. The UN estimates that 77% of those killed are Central African Republic. [205543] civilians. 833W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 834W

Recruitment Mr Ellwood: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) Disability Policy and Support Team arrange disability awareness sessions for staff. Between September Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for 2010 and June 2014 we held 205 sessions reaching an Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost was estimated 2,460 staff as follows: of his Department’s Black and Minority Ethnic campaign. [204743] Sessions Staff

Mr Ellwood: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office 2010 12 144 (FCO) spent £21,968 on the Black and Minority Ethnic 2011 68 816 (BME) Campaign in the financial year 2013-14, excluding 2012 61 732 staff costs. We expect to spend a further £20,000 in 2013 50 600 financial Year 2014-15. 2014 14 168 The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is The Civil Service Learning (CSL) Disability Awareness committed to promoting diversity and inclusion for all and their Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) its employees. Further diversity and equality information awareness e-learning courses were made available from is available from the FCO’s Diversity and Equality February 2013 and April 2013 respectively. Based on Report. those staff completing evaluation records, at least 142 staff have completed these so far as follows: Secondment Disability Awareness e-learning: 2013 – 51; January to 10 July 2014 – 30. LGBT Awareness e-learning: 2013 – 28; January to 10 July Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for 2014 – 33. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff of FCO staff associations for people with disabilities his Department have been seconded to (a) other Ministries (ENABLE) and LGBT staff (FLAGG) also hold regular of Foreign Affairs and (b) international organisations awareness raising sessions and external speaker events in each year since 2010; and to which (i) other Ministries each year, across a range of topics, which all staff are of Foreign Affairs and (ii) international organisations welcome to attend. Further information on FCO initiatives such staff have been seconded. [204741] to promote diversity and equality information is available in the FCO’s Diversity and Equality Report. Mr Ellwood: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff can be seconded to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for (MFA) or international organisations on agreement Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what professional between the Directorate, Post and the MFAor international courses civil servants in his Department have attended organisations. These secondments are a valuable tool since 2010; and how many officials attended each such for the FCO to meet objectives, increase ties with partner course. [204739] Governments or international organisations and develop staff skills and experience. Mr Ellwood: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Faversham There is no centrally held record of each of these and Mid Kent (Hugh Robertson), 14 July 2014, Official secondments since 2010 and to answer this question Report, column 483W. would incur disproportionate costs.

Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many secondees Afghanistan from which other Ministries of Foreign Affairs his Department has received in each year since 2010. Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for [204742] International Development pursuant to the answer of 11 June 2014, Official Report, column 181W, on Mr Ellwood: Foreign Service Officers from other Afghanistan, for what reason her Department did not Ministries of Foreign Affairs (MFA) are seconded to engage with the Afghan Investment Support Agency the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on on the Bost airfield project. [205006] agreement between the Directorate, Post and MFA. These secondments are a valuable tool for the FCO to Justine Greening: The Bost Airfield and Agri-Business meet objectives and increase ties with partner Governments. Park project comprised two separate components. On the airfield upgrade component, DFID worked closely There is no centrally held record of each of these with the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, secondments since 2010 and to answer this question which operates airfields and airports in Afghanistan, to would incur disproportionate costs. complete the upgrade. All works have now been handed over to the relevant authorities. Training Alcoholic Drinks

Sheila Gilmore: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many International Development what her Department’s policy individuals in his Department have participated in (a) is on alcohol consumption on the premises (a) in disability awareness and (b) lesbian, gay, bisexual and general and (b) during parties in her Private Office. transgender training in each year since 2010. [204738] [205328] 835W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 836W

Lynne Featherstone: I refer the hon. Member to the Developing Countries: Health Services answer provided today by the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend the Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Member for Horsham (Mr Maude). International Development if she will support the inclusion of universal health coverage in the goal on health in the Sustainable Development Goals. [205607] Buildings Justine Greening: The UK supports a post-2015 target Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for on universal health coverage. This language is included International Development how much has been spent in the most recent draft goals and targets list released by on refurbishing (a) gymnasium and leisure facilities, the co-chairs of the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 (b) cafeteria and (c) interior decoration within (i) her June. Department and (ii) buildings owned by her The final targets in the post-2015 development framework Department in (A) 2013 and (B) 2014 to date. [205071] will be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active role. Lynne Featherstone: No refurbishment was made to facilities in 2014. Developing Countries: Poverty The east Kilbride office carried out refurbishment to facilities mentioned at a cost of £5,790 during 2013. Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will support the inclusion in the Sustainable Development Goals of a Commonwealth target on reducing the number of people living on less than $2 a day under the goal on poverty. [205610]

Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Justine Greening: The UK supports a target to reduce International Development if she will takes steps to the number of people living on less than $1.25 a day adapt her Department’s budget to favour Commonwealth and a target on reducing poverty according to national countries. [205529] definitions. This language is included in the most recent draft goals and targets list released by the co-chairs of Lynne Featherstone: DFID’s development programming the Open Working Group (OWG) on 2 June. is concerned with extreme poverty everywhere, but the The final targets in the post-2015 development framework Department focuses its financial investments on poor will, however, be subject to international negotiations in people in countries where extreme poverty is currently a the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active problem, with relatively weak future prospects of the role. poor, and for which a self-financed exit from poverty is not feasible at this stage. Developing Countries: Sustainable Development DFID has 28 priority countries, 14 of which are Commonwealth countries. The UK is committed to its Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for strong relationships with the countries of the International Development with reference to the report Commonwealth and in the financial year 2013-14, of the High Level panel of Eminent Persons on the approximately one third of the Department’s bilateral Post-2015 Development Agenda, what steps she is expenditure went to Commonwealth countries. These taking to ensure that the pledge to leave no-one behind figures exclude the UK Government’s contribution to is effectively translated into the target language of the multilateral organisations and regional programmes which proposed Sustainable Development Goals. [205608] also benefit Commonwealth countries. Justine Greening: The UK, through our Troika, have made statements in the Open Working Group on Developing Countries: Climate Change Sustainable Development Goals on the importance of “leaving no one behind” as an overarching principle for Mr Jim Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for the post-2015 framework. International Development if she will support the inclusion The final goals and targets in the post-2015 development in the Sustainable Development Goals of a standalone framework will be subject to international negotiations goal on climate change, in addition to targets on in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an environmental sustainability integrated across the active role. framework, accompanied by a measure to keep the rise in global temperatures at 2° C on pre-industrialisation Mass Media: Subscriptions levels. [205609] Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Justine Greening: The UK supports a target to hold International Development what subscriptions to (a) the increase in global average temperature below a 2° C magazines and (b) television channels her Department rise in accordance with international agreements. funds; and what the annual cost is of each of those The final targets in the post-2015 development framework subscriptions. [205257] will, however, be subject to international negotiations in the United Nations, in which the UK will play an active Lynne Featherstone: DFID’s communications team role. subscribes to following magazines: 837W Written Answers17 JULY 2014 Written Answers 838W

-for-international-development&official_document_ status=all £ per annum &world_locations%5B%5D=all&from_date=&to_date=& commit=Refresh+results The Economist 136 The Spectator 129 The New 92 Training Statesman The New Scientist 149 Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Private Eye 28 International Development how many away days her Marketing 155 Magazine Department has held for its officials in (a) 2013 and PR Week 99.50 (b) 2014 to date; and what the cost of each such event PR Week Global 119.50 has been. [205074]

A figure for magazine subscriptions across the entire Lynne Featherstone: Information on the number of Department cannot be compiled from our accounting DFID away days and the costs incurred is not held records without incurring disproportionate cost. centrally and precise information is not readily available. Television channels are paid for via the parliamentary Away days for Department for International feed. DFID pays £6,728.90 each year for maintenance Development (DFID) staff are overwhelmingly undertaken of the parliamentary TV system and £13,500 a year for on DFID or other Government Department premises rental of the telecomms link from 22 Whitehall to the where there is little or no cost involved. Palace of Westminster. Ministers’ Private Offices Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much her Department Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for has spent on (a) media training and (b) social media International Development what her Department’s training for (i) her and (ii) other Ministers in her policy is on the consumption of alcohol during social Department; and what specific training was provided in occasions held in her private office. [205241] each such case. [205243]

Lynne Featherstone: I refer the hon. Member to the Lynne Featherstone: DFID operates a decentralised answer provided today by the Minister for the Cabinet learning and development system and does not hold Office and Paymaster General, my right hon. Friend the central records of course attendance or small scale Member for Horsham (Mr Maude). expenditure. DFID publishes all expenditure over £500, which can be found on our website: Procurement http://www.dfid.gov.uk/About-us/How-we-measure-progress/ DFID-spend/ Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Producing any other type of report would incur International Development how much and what proportion disproportionate costs. of her Department’s budget was spent on activities which were contracted out in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12, (d) 2012-13 and (e) 2013-14; and how Mr Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for much and what proportion of her Department’s budget International Development how much has been spent she expects to be contracted out in 2014-15. [205220] on what (a) media training and (b) social media training for (i) her and (ii) Ministers in her Department Justine Greening: Under this Government’s transparency since May 2010. [205312] programme, contracts and future contract pipeline information is published on Contracts Finder which is Lynne Featherstone: DFID operates a decentralised available at: learning and development system and does not hold https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder central records of course attendance or small scale expenditure. DFID publishes all expenditure over £500, In regards to the proportion of my Department’s which can be found on our website at: contracted spends to overall budget, full copies of the annual accounts are available at: http://www.dfid.gov.uk/About-us/How-we-measure-progress/ DFID-spend/ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications?keywords =annual+accounts&publication_filter_option=corporate- Producing any other type of report would incur reports&topics%5B%5D=all&departments%5B%5D=department disproportionate costs.

7MC Ministerial Corrections17 JULY 2014 Ministerial Corrections 8MC

ensures that anyone who has committed an immigration Ministerial Correction crime, not knowing that they would end up being abused as a slave, will be protected. Thursday 17 July 2014 [Official Report, 8 July 2014, Vol. 584, c. 259.] Letter of correction from Karen Bradley: An error has been identified in part of the speech I HOME DEPARTMENT gave during the Second Reading debate on the Modern Slavery Bill on 8 July. Modern Slavery Bill The correct statement is as follows: The following is an extract from the speech made by the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, Karen Bradley: The hon. Member for Arfon highlighted the hon. Member for Staffordshire Moorlands (Karen the interesting disparity between income levels in the Bradley) during the Second Reading debate on the countries from which trafficking victims often travel. Modern Slavery Bill. Again, one of the strange parts of the crime is that the victims of trafficking often want to be trafficked, if that Karen Bradley: The hon. Member for Arfon highlighted makes sense, because they feel that they are leaving the interesting disparity between income levels in the something worse to go to something better. It is only countries from which trafficking victims often travel. when they get to their destination, having committed an Again, one of the strange parts of the crime is that the immigration crime by allowing themselves to be trafficked, victims of trafficking often want to be trafficked, if that that they are exploited as a slave. I am pleased that we makes sense, because they feel that they are leaving have introduced a statutory defence in the Bill ensuring something worse to go to something better. It is only that victims of modern slavery who have been compelled when they get to their destination, having committed an to commit immigration crimes have additional protection. immigration crime by allowing themselves to be trafficked, The court will be able to take into account all the person’s that they are exploited as a slave. I am pleased that we circumstances when determining whether compulsion has have introduced a statutory defence in the Bill that taken place.

ORAL ANSWERS

Thursday 17 July 2014

Col. No. Col. No. CHURCH COMMISSIONERS ...... 1008 ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Cathedral Repairs Fund...... 1008 AFFAIRS...... 989 Human Trafficking ...... 1008 Bovine TB...... 998 Food Banks...... 1004 Climate Change ...... 999 Heritage Lottery Fund (Church Repairs)...... 1006 Flood Defences (Gloucestershire) ...... 992 Women Bishops ...... 1009 Flooding ...... 995 Food and Drink Exports...... 992 Kosher and Halal Meat...... 991 Plant and Tree Health ...... 994 ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE ...... 1007 Regulatory Burden (Farmers) ...... 999 Individual Electoral Registration ...... 1007 Rural Mobile Coverage ...... 989 Individual Electoral Registration ...... 1009 Shooting Sports ...... 997 UK Voters Overseas...... 1005 Topical Questions ...... 1000 WRITTEN STATEMENTS

Thursday 17 July 2014

Col. No. Col. No. DEFENCE...... 84WS HOME DEPARTMENT—continued Government Pipeline and Storage System...... 84WS Forced Labour Convention...... 90WS Forensic Science Regulator (Appointment) ...... 91WS EDUCATION...... 85WS School Funding...... 85WS JUSTICE...... 91WS FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 86WS Deaths of Service Personnel (Inquests) ...... 92WS Foreign Affairs Council and General Affairs HMCTS Framework Document ...... 91WS Council ...... 88WS Government Wine Cellar ...... 86WS TREASURY ...... 81WS International Justice (UK Support and Funding) .. 87WS Counter-Terrorism Asset Freezing Regime...... 81WS HOME DEPARTMENT...... 90WS British Citizenship Applications (War Crimes WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 93WS Screening) ...... 90WS Disabled People’s Right to Control...... 93WS WRITTEN ANSWERS

Thursday 17 July 2014

Col. No. Col. No. ATTORNEY-GENERAL ...... 827W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 803W Confiscation Orders ...... 827W Affordable Housing: Construction...... 803W Convictions...... 827W Estate Agents: Outdoor Advertising ...... 804W CPS Direct...... 828W Fires: Safety ...... 804W Criminal Proceedings ...... 828W Fracking...... 804W Public Expenditure...... 830W Housing: Construction...... 805W Local Government Services...... 805W BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 808W Mortgages: Government Assistance...... 806W Buildings...... 808W Parking Offences: CCTV...... 806W Procurement...... 809W Planning Permission ...... 807W Property Searches ...... 813W Private Rented Housing: Complaints ...... 807W Public Works Loan Board...... 807W Shared Ownership...... 808W CABINET OFFICE...... 815W Travellers: Caravan Sites ...... 808W Alcoholic Drinks...... 815W Government Departments: Legal Opinion...... 815W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 817W Mass Media: Subscriptions ...... 815W Broadband: Rural Areas ...... 817W Procurement...... 816W Broadband: West Yorkshire ...... 817W Procurement: EU Law ...... 816W Public Libraries...... 818W Social Networking ...... 816W Third Sector...... 817W DEFENCE...... 796W Training ...... 817W Armed Forces: Bullying and Suicide ...... 796W Army Reserve ...... 796W CHURCH COMMISSIONERS ...... 803W Defence: Expenditure...... 797W ICT ...... 803W European Fighter Aircraft ...... 797W Col. No. Col. No. DEFENCE—continued HEALTH—continued HMS Protector ...... 798W Continuing Care ...... 760W Procurement...... 798W Health Professions: Wakefield...... 760W Sexual Harassment...... 799W Health Services ...... 761W War Graves ...... 799W Health Services: Foreign Nationals ...... 761W Health Services: Wakefield...... 762W EDUCATION...... 800W Hospitals: Scotland...... 762W Children: Daycare ...... 800W Infant Foods: Northern Ireland ...... 762W Education: Assessments ...... 800W Mental Health Services: Yorkshire and Pre-school Education: Brighton...... 801W Humberside ...... 763W Schools: Finance...... 801W NHS: Finance ...... 766W Schools: Transport ...... 801W Nurses: Wakefield ...... 767W University Academy Birkenhead...... 802W Obesity...... 767W Obesity: Children ...... 768W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE...... 737W Procurement...... 768W Affordable Warmth Programme ...... 737W Prostate Cancer...... 768W Climate Change: Northern Ireland ...... 738W Climate Change: Seas and Oceans ...... 738W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 775W Electricity Generation...... 738W Cannabis...... 775W Energy Company Obligation: Fuel Poverty...... 738W Civil Servants: Codes of Practice ...... 775W Energy: Prices ...... 739W Crime...... 775W Green Deal Scheme...... 739W HM Passport Office ...... 776W Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Northern Ireland...... 739W HM Passport Office: Belfast ...... 776W Housing: Carbon Emissions...... 740W Immigrants: English Language ...... 776W Housing: Insulation ...... 740W Invalid Vehicles ...... 777W Insulation...... 741W Members: Correspondence ...... 777W Land ...... 741W Metropolitan Police ...... 777W Mass Media: Subscriptions ...... 741W Morecambe...... 777W Ministers: Government Cars...... 741W Offences Against Children ...... 777W Morecambe...... 742W Passports...... 778W Nuclear Innovation and Research Advisory Passports: Northern Ireland...... 784W Board...... 742W Passports: Warrington ...... 784W Nuclear Innovation and Research Office...... 743W Surveillance...... 784W Pay...... 743W Training ...... 785W Renewables Obligation...... 744W UK Border Agency: Northern Ireland...... 785W Solar Power...... 744W Wind Power: Nottinghamshire...... 745W HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION...... 814W Computer Software...... 814W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS...... 769W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 834W Air Pollution ...... 770W Afghanistan ...... 834W Beavers: Devon ...... 771W Alcoholic Drinks...... 834W Bovine Tuberculosis ...... 771W Buildings...... 835W Buildings...... 771W Commonwealth ...... 835W EU Discard Ban...... 770W Developing Countries: Climate Change ...... 835W Food Prices ...... 770W Developing Countries: Health Services ...... 836W Food Supply Networks Review ...... 772W Developing Countries: Poverty...... 836W Forests ...... 772W Developing Countries: Sustainable Development... 836W Fracking...... 772W Mass Media: Subscriptions ...... 836W Ground Water: Methane...... 773W Ministers’ Private Offices ...... 837W Japanese Whaling...... 771W Procurement...... 837W Mass Media: Subscriptions ...... 773W Training ...... 838W Procurement...... 774W Rodents...... 774W JUSTICE...... 745W Rural Cost of Living...... 769W Buildings...... 745W Training ...... 774W Burial...... 746W Civil Disorder: Greater London...... 746W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 829W Courts: Children ...... 747W Alcoholic Drinks...... 829W Courts: Video Conferencing...... 747W Bahrain ...... 830W Domestic Violence ...... 748W Burma...... 830W Electronic Tagging ...... 748W Central African Republic ...... 831W Employment Tribunals Service...... 749W Middle East ...... 832W ICT ...... 749W Recruitment ...... 833W Judges: Conflict of Interests...... 750W Secondment ...... 833W Legal Aid Scheme ...... 750W Training ...... 833W Legal Aid Scheme: Nottinghamshire ...... 751W Missing Persons: Guardianship...... 752W HEALTH...... 757W Pay...... 752W Cancer ...... 757W Prisoners: Repatriation ...... 753W Cancer: Sussex ...... 759W Prisons: Libraries...... 754W Community Hospitals...... 760W Public Defender Service ...... 754W Col. No. Col. No. JUSTICE—continued TREASURY—continued Sentencing...... 755W Organised Crime: Northern Ireland ...... 795W Sentencing: West Yorkshire...... 755W Remittances ...... 795W Squatting: Reoffenders...... 755W Tourism: VAT ...... 795W Terrorism ...... 755W Training ...... 756W WALES...... 756W Buildings...... 756W LEADER OF THE HOUSE ...... 827W Land ...... 756W Pay...... 827W Mass Media: Subscriptions ...... 756W Procurement...... 756W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 802W Training ...... 757W Banking and Access to Finance Joint Ministerial WOMEN AND EQUALITIES...... 786W Task Force ...... 802W Equal Pay...... 786W Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission...... 802W Equality and Human Rights Commission...... 786W Parades Commission...... 803W Flexible Working...... 787W TRANSPORT ...... 788W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 818W British Transport Police Authority...... 788W Access to Work Programme ...... 818W Procurement...... 788W Buildings...... 818W Railways: Bus Services ...... 787W Carers ...... 819W Railways: Cumbria...... 788W Conditions of Employment...... 819W Railways: North of England ...... 789W Domestic Visits: Wrexham ...... 820W Rescue Services: Sky Lanterns and Helium Jobseeker’s Allowance...... 820W Balloons...... 789W Land ...... 820W Roads...... 791W Mass Media: Subscriptions ...... 820W Shipping: Oil...... 791W Pension Credit: Warrington ...... 822W Shipping: Pollution ...... 792W Personal Independence Payment...... 822W Transport: Northern Ireland ...... 792W Procurement...... 823W Travel: Concessions...... 793W Schools: Asbestos...... 825W Social Security Benefits: Ayr ...... 825W TREASURY ...... 793W Social Security Benefits: Disability...... 826W Bank Services...... 793W Training ...... 826W Child Tax Credit ...... 794W Unemployment: Young People...... 826W Income Tax: Westmorland ...... 794W Universal Credit...... 826W Mapeley ...... 794W Work Programme...... 826W MINISTERIAL CORRECTION

Thursday 17 July 2014

Col. No. HOME DEPARTMENT ...... 7MC Modern Slavery Bill...... 7MC Members who wish to have the Daily Report of the Debates forwarded to them should give notice at the Vote Office. No proofs of the Daily Reports can be supplied. Corrections which Members suggest for the Bound Volume should be clearly marked in the Daily Report, but not telephoned, and the copy containing the Corrections must be received at the Editor’s Room, House of Commons,

not later than Thursday 24 July 2014

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PRICES AND SUBSCRIPTION RATES DAILY PARTS Single copies: Commons, £5; Lords, £4. Annual subscriptions: Commons, £865; Lords, £600. LORDS VOLUME INDEX obtainable on standing order only. Details available on request. BOUND VOLUMES OF DEBATES are issued periodically during the session. Single copies: Commons, £105; Lords, £60 (£100 for a two-volume edition). Standing orders will be accepted. THE INDEX to each Bound Volumeof House of Commons Debates is published separately at £9·00 and can be supplied to standing order. All prices are inclusive of postage Volume 584 Thursday No. 26 17 July 2014

CONTENTS

Thursday 17 July 2014

Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 989] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Church Commissioners Speaker’s Electoral Commission Committee

Child Abuse [Col. 1011] Answer to urgent question—(Mrs May)

Business of the House [Col. 1023] Statement—(Mr Hague)

Hallett Review [Col. 1040] Statement—(Mrs Villiers)

“A New Magna Carta?” [Col. 1056] Select Committee statement—(Fabian Hamilton)

16-plus Care Options [Col. 1062] Select Committee statement—(Mr Graham Stuart)

National Insurance Contributions [Col. 1068] Bill presented, and read the First time

Backbench Business Universal Postal Service [Col. 1069] Motion—(Katy Clark)—agreed to Children with Autism (Education) [Col. 1098] Motion—(Gordon Birtwistle)—agreed to

Royal Assent to Acts passed [Col. 1118]

Vince Morgan [Col. 1119] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Westminster Hall Middle East and North Africa [Col. 317WH] Debate on motion for Adjournment

Written Statements [Col. 81WS]

Written Answers to Questions [Col. 737W] [see index inside back page]

Ministerial Correction [Col. 7MC]