Wednesday Volume 502 16 December 2009 No. 17

HOUSE OF COMMONS OFFICIAL REPORT

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES (HANSARD)

Wednesday 16 December 2009

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David Simpson (Upper Bann) (DUP): The Minister House of Commons will be aware that there has been an increase in burglaries right across the Province of Northern Ireland. In my constituency, there have been at least 15 burglaries in Wednesday 16 December 2009 three weeks in the town of Portadown, and in Lurgan and Banbridge. Does he agree that the reduction of 90 officers in Upper Bann and the closure of the Portadown The House met at half-past Eleven o’clock police station are unacceptable at this time?

PRAYERS Paul Goggins: I share the hon. Gentleman’s concern about any crimes that take place in his constituency, or indeed anywhere. However, he has referred to the loss of 90 posts in H district, but these are not police officers [MR.SPEAKER in the Chair] who are being cut out of the police provision for his area. These are 90 police officers who have been identified by the Chief Constable as officers whom the hon. Oral Answers to Questions Gentleman’s constituents never see because they do jobs in the back office. The Chief Constable wants to get them out of the back office and into the community, where they will be more visible and able to deliver a more personal policing service. NORTHERN IRELAND Weapon Decommissioning (Loyalist Paramilitaries) The Secretary of State was asked— 2. Mr. Eddie McGrady (South Down) (SDLP): What recent assessment he has made of progress on Older People (Security) decommissioning of weapons by loyalist paramilitary organisations. [306251] 1. David Taylor (North-West Leicestershire) (Lab/Co-op): What steps he is taking to increase the security of older The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. Shaun people in Northern Ireland. [306250] Woodward): The Government remain optimistic that, building on the success of decommissioning already The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Paul this year, further acts will be completed before the Goggins): I recently launched the “Safer Ageing” strategy deadline of 9 February 2010. for older people, which was developed in partnership with representatives from older people’s groups, the Mr. McGrady: I thank the Secretary of State for his Police Service of Northern Ireland, and the Policing reply. Will he tell the House what approaches have been Board. The strategy sets out how Government and made to the Northern Ireland Office by, or on behalf of, partners will work together to reduce the crime and the Ulster Defence Association for funding in anticipation antisocial behaviour experienced by older people in of decommissioning? Is he aware of loyalist paramilitaries Northern Ireland. making similar approaches to the Irish Government for multi-million pound funding? David Taylor: While I welcome the new “Safer Ageing” strategy, is it not the case that the recent spate of Mr. Woodward: The hon. Gentleman will appreciate burglaries and attacks on older people in Northern that my focus is on decommissioning, and that my Ireland has had a devastating impact on the individuals concern is to ensure that decommissioning takes place affected, and will it not in turn have created a deeper by 9 February of next year. As for discussions between fear of crime across the older population? What practical those engaged in legitimate political activity and the measures are there in the new plan to reduce that Northern Ireland Office, we will of course be happy to corrosive level of fear? talk to people who are wholly engaged in legitimate political activity and who have eschewed violence of Paul Goggins: My hon. Friend is absolutely right. every kind. There has been considerable public concern in Northern Ireland about the spate of attacks on older people there, Mr. Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP): and the impact on individual older people is devastating. Obviously, the entire community wants there to be He is also right to say that not only does it have an further progress on loyalist decommissioning. However, impact on them as victims, but that it has a wider will the Secretary of State continue to work in the impact in terms of the fear of crime. loyalist working-class estates, where some paramilitary Two elements are very important here. The first is to groups have had a stranglehold in the past, to try to have highly visible policing, which is certainly happening ensure that the young people in those communities are in the wake of the attacks. The second is the practical not weaned into paramilitarism, but are weaned away initiatives to which my hon. Friend referred, and I draw from it in favour of the democratic principles that we all his attention to one in particular—the HandyVan scheme, espouse? which provides free locks, door chains, smoke alarms and other safety devices for older people. It helps them Mr. Woodward: The hon. Gentleman makes a very to feel safer, and it is an important initiative that my important point about the grip in which some communities Department supports. were held in the past by the activities of those who do 949 Oral Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 950 not respect the rule of law and order. Regrettably, The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Paul communities in some areas are still held in that same Goggins): Since the introduction of the temporary grip. We will do everything that we can, including recruitment provisions in November 2001, there have encouraging and working with the Northern Ireland been 3,751 appointments to the Police Service of Northern Executive, to help all communities that have been held Ireland. Catholic composition within PSNI regulars in the grip of violence. We will continue to work with currently stands at 27.69 per cent. We remain on track them so that they too are able to enjoy the fruits of a to reach the target of 30 per cent. Catholic composition normal society. by March 2011.

Lady Hermon (North Down) (UUP): In its discussions Mr. Mackay: That is extremely good news and everybody with loyalists about decommissioning, can the Northern involved should be congratulated. It has not been easy. Ireland Office explain to the House what efforts it has Can the Minister give an assurance to the House that made to glean any information about the whereabouts once we reach the 30 per cent.—the sooner, the better—the of Lisa Dorrian, a constituent of mine who was murdered special arrangements will cease and we will return to and disappeared almost five years ago by people with straightforward recruiting? loyalist connections? Paul Goggins: I welcome the endorsement from the Mr. Woodward: The hon. Lady has on many occasions right hon. Gentleman. That is deeply appreciated. It is a raised constituency issues, not least but not only that of mark of how far things have come that we have gone Lisa Dorrian. I remember dealing with this when I was from 8 per cent. Catholic representation to 27 per cent. a junior Minister, and the hon. Lady never gives up on and on to 30 per cent. I give him the assurance that he behalf of the family. It is a tribute to her that she seeks. We intend to come to the House in March next continues to work so hard for her constituents. Of year to ask for a renewal of the temporary powers for a course that remains an ongoing case. Decommissioning further year. We are confident that we will get to 30 per is a matter for the Independent International Commission cent. within that year. Indeed, if we reach that level on Decommissioning. We may set the framework and before the end of the year, Ministers intend to come the deadline of 9 February, but when that deadline back to the House and rescind the special arrangements. comes to an end, I can promise the hon. Lady that our interest and concern for the family of Lisa Dorrian will Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd) (Lab): In a reply to a continue. parliamentary question that I received yesterday, the Minister informed me that there are currently 5,305 Mr. Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con): Given Protestant police officers and 1,904 Catholic police that this is the last Northern Ireland questions before officers. Does my right hon. Friend agree that more the end of the arms amnesty on 9 February, can the needs to be done to correct this imbalance? Secretary of State give reasons for his reported belief that the UDA will decommission some weapons over Paul Goggins: I repeat to my hon. Friend the progress Christmas, when it is also reported that the UDA is that has been made. There were only 8 per cent. Catholic seeking assurances on the future of power-sharing before officers in 1998; that figure is now 27 per cent. and it does so? Does the Secretary of State agree that laying moving to 30 per cent. It was essential that we got a down such conditions is unacceptable, because there is more representative police service in Northern Ireland no reason or excuse for illegal arms to exist in any part so that there could be confidence in all sections of the of the United Kingdom? community. It is worth saying that when we go back a decade ago, a plan for policing was emerging in Northern Mr. Woodward: May I take this opportunity to wish Ireland that many people thought was barely possible. not only the hon. Gentleman but the entire House a Today we have almost 30 per cent. Catholics; we have happy Christmas on this important occasion? I hope every party represented on the Policing Board; and we the amnesty means that all hostilities between us will have all parties unanimously choosing a new Chief cease. That may be a slightly premature Christmas Constable. These are amazing achievements in Northern present, so I am not expecting anything in that box. Ireland, and they have come about because of the political will to deliver them. On decommissioning, I am interested only in making two things clear: first, that illegally held weapons have no place in society in Northern Ireland or anywhere Mr. Nigel Dodds (Belfast, North) (DUP): Does the else, and secondly, that on 9 February the arrangements Minister accept that before the introduction of a 50:50 for decommissioning will come to an end for good, for quota system, the level of Catholic applications to the ever—the end. The IICD will be engaged with a number Royal Ulster Constabulary stood at 25 per cent., so it is of organisations. At the end of that process, I hope to not all down to the 50:50 rule? Does he accept that report to the House further progress on decommissioning. people want to see the rule done away with and there to I am not interested in discussing conditions with any be a move towards selection and appointment on merit, group. untrammelled in that sense? Does he agree that recruitment is important, but that it is also important to retain experienced police officers, both regular and full-time Police Recruitment reserve?

3. Mr. Andrew Mackay (Bracknell) (Con): What Paul Goggins: The hon. Gentleman makes the point recent assessment he has made of trends in the level of that people from the Catholic community applied to police recruitment in Northern Ireland; and if he will join the Royal Ulster Constabulary, and there were make a statement. [306252] many fine Catholic officers in the RUC, but not enough 951 Oral Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 952 of them. That is why the temporary provisions were put Paul Goggins: There are today 1,406 prisoners in in place. I can tell him that the application rate from prison in Northern Ireland, and that is lower than the Catholics is now at 38 per cent., so it has moved on. figure on this day last year, when there were 1,481 prisoners That is encouraging, because once the special provisions in prisons. We are making available to the courts community are removed, we will want to encourage applicants from sentences, electronic tagging and other measures that all sections of the community so that the police service mean that, where appropriate, there is an alternative to remains fully representative of the community that it prison. However, the hon. Gentleman is right to point serves. to the need to improve accommodation. This year we have a new 60-cell block at Magilligan prison and a new Mr. Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD): 120-cell block at Maghaberry prison, and he and his To pick up on the Minister’s very last point, may I ask hon. Friend the Member for East Londonderry what the Government are doing to ensure that the drive (Mr. Campbell), who is sitting next to him, will know towards a representative police force goes beyond the that there is a clear commitment to rebuilding Magilligan question of simply Protestant or Catholic communities prison. It badly needs rebuilding. The plans are in place, in Northern Ireland? It must include and embrace all the work can begin in 2012 and the Government are communities. mindful of the fact that it needs to be delivered. In all discussions between the Prime Minister and politicians Paul Goggins: The hon. Gentleman makes a point from Northern Ireland, the need for a sustainable capital that is not mentioned often enough: we want a police commitment to a new prison on the Magilligan site has service that is representative of the whole community. It always been on our minds. is therefore encouraging that, broadly, ethnic minorities are represented in the police service in the same proportion Dissident Republican Groups as they are present in Northern Ireland. Crucially, in the lifetime of the PSNI, the number of women regular 5. John Robertson (Glasgow, North-West) (Lab): What officers has doubled from 12 per cent. to 24 per cent. recent discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland That is also an indication of the influx, the interest and Executive on the threat posed by dissident republican the commitment of women who want to be effective groups; and if he will make a statement. [306254] police officers, and it is ensuring that the police service is fully reflective of the community that it serves. 8. Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Con): What recent Prison Estate assessment he has made of the security threat in Northern Ireland from dissident republicans. [306257] 4. Mr. Henry Bellingham (North-West Norfolk) (Con): What the capacity is of the prison estate in Northern 9. Dr. William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP): What Ireland. [306253] steps are being taken to reduce the level of activity of dissident republicans in Northern Ireland. [306258] The Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office (Paul Goggins): The Northern Ireland Prison Service has a 10. Angela Watkinson (Upminster) (Con): What his capacity of 1,775. The prison estate comprises two most recent assessment is of the level of activity of dissident adult male prisons and a third establishment that houses republicans; and if he will make a statement. [306259] both young offenders and women. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. Shaun Mr. Bellingham: I am grateful to the Minister of State Woodward): While the self-styled criminals remain a for that reply. Will he tell the House how many prisoners serious threat, their cowardly actions have been rejected in Northern Ireland suffer from either drug addiction by the majority of people in Northern Ireland. None or mental health problems? the less, the Government are not complacent about the threat that those people continue to pose. Paul Goggins: The hon. Gentleman makes a very important point. The point of the question is to highlight John Robertson: My right hon. Friend will be aware how many vulnerable prisoners there are in Northern of the concerns of the people of Northern Ireland, Ireland’s prisons, and how many suffer from mental particularly with reference to a minority dissident republican health problems and personality disorders. There are group that appears to be causing trouble to try to put a high numbers of such people in prison in Northern stop to the peace process. Will he assure me that that Ireland, but he will be encouraged, I am sure, by the fact will not happen, that he is working with everybody in that about 18 months ago the health service in Northern Northern Ireland to ensure that it will not, and that that Ireland took over responsibility for the delivery of group will be named and dealt with in the appropriate health care, including mental health care. I expect to see manner? substantial improvements in the support and service that is provided to vulnerable prisoners as a result of Mr. Woodward: I am pleased to report that that that measure. group is, indeed, being dealt with in the appropriate manner. That follows in part as a result of the extensive Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) (DUP): Prisons in co-operation of the community, whose members do not Northern Ireland are operating at close to full capacity, wish to see Northern Ireland plunged into anything like and for a long time now there have been discussions the chaos they saw in the past. I will also say this to my about the provision of a new prison in Northern Ireland. hon. Friend: the dissident groups may wish to undermine Will the Minister update us on that situation? Will the the peace process, but they will do so only if they planned new prison be affected by the budget difficulties undermine confidence in the political process. If we that are going to lead to capital cutbacks? succeed with the politics, we will preserve the peace. 953 Oral Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 954

Andrew Rosindell: Given the recent resignation of the dissident so-called republican groups? Does he further prison governor and the sale of a judge’s home owing to agree that the sooner we can agree on the devolution of dissident threats, what can the Secretary of State tell us justice and policing, avoid any threat of the collapse of about the action that the Government are taking to our institutions, and reject any speculation that Sinn ensure the protection of prominent public figures? Fein may be planning to withdraw from policing arrangements such as district policing partnerships, the Mr. Woodward: The prison governor made it clear sooner we will defy the agenda of the dissident groups? that his reasons for resignation, which we regret, were a matter of personal circumstances. My hon. Friend the Mr. Woodward: I very much agree with the hon. Minister is making the appropriate arrangements in Gentleman’s remarks. I wish to note, and the House will relation to that. As regards threats to individuals posed wish to record, that only in the past few weeks those at by the self-styled dissident groups, we will do everything Stormont have completed the passage of the Department we can to protect people in Northern Ireland. It is clear of Justice Bill, which would enable a Justice Department that this small minority of people, who have no support to be created, and invite the identification of a Justice in the community, would like to undermine public Minister. Progress is being made. Let us not allow the confidence. We will ensure that those who promote dissidents any voice at all; let us have a show of confidence peace and the politics and the institutions of Northern and complete the devolution of policing and justice. Ireland have the appropriate protection that they deserve. [Interruption.]

Dr. McCrea: I am sure that the Secretary of State is Mr. Speaker: Order. There are far too many private aware that the media have been endeavouring to connect conversations taking place in the Chamber. The House the devolution of policing and justice with dissident must come to order. I know that hon. and right hon. republican activity. What steps are the Government Members will want to listen intently to the Chairman of taking to defeat dissident republicans? Does the Secretary the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee—I call Sir of State understand that no political stunts or intimidation Patrick Cormack. of Unionists will weaken our resolve in ensuring that policing and justice are devolved when there is community Sir Patrick Cormack (South Staffordshire) (Con): confidence, which means dealing with and resolving the Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and a very merry Christmas. issues, including the parades issue? Does the Secretary of State agree that 2009 would have been a very much blacker year had it not been for Mr. Woodward: The hon. Gentleman will know that the achievements of the PSNI in defusing some terrible following the attacks at Massereene in his constituency bombs that could have caused enormous harm? Will he in March, measures of public confidence were extremely give the House the categorical assurance that the PSNI high, not least because the public in Northern Ireland will be kept up to strength and increased in strength to saw politicians across the divide come together with a combat that terrible threat? unity of purpose. I believe, as the Independent Monitoring Commission report recently observed, that early completion Mr. Woodward: May I first take this opportunity on of the devolution of policing and justice from Westminster behalf of the House to record our thanks to the hon. to Stormont would be a potent intervention against Gentleman for his tireless work in Northern Ireland these people. I understand the hon. Gentleman’s concerns and with the Select Committee? I say that conscious of about community confidence, but there could be no the decision that he has announced in relation to next greater sign of confidence than the completion of the year. We thank him for what he has done, and the devolution of policing and justice. people of Northern Ireland are extremely grateful for his work and that of his Committee. Angela Watkinson: The Secretary of State will know that some in the security services believe that there is an The work of the PSNI in 2009 has been tireless and intelligence deficit with regard to dissident republican successful, despite enormous provocation. The House groups. Does he share that concern, and what steps is he will wish to know that had the bomb intended for the taking to overcome that problem? Policing Board headquarters gone off, it would have caused certainly severe damage to the building and Mr. Woodward: First, many of these matters relate to probably severe loss of life. Brilliant work by the PSNI the operational independence of the Chief Constable, and the services across the board continues to ensure which I am sure that all hon. Members would respect. that these criminals who call themselves dissidents do We are ensuring that the resources are there for the not succeed. I only hope that next year will be an even security services in Northern Ireland and the PSNI. The better year for the PSNI. hon. Lady will know that in order to meet this challenge, the Prime Minister has made additional reserves available Mr. Owen Paterson (North Shropshire) (Con): May I to the PSNI this year and guaranteed it additional strongly endorse the comments of the Secretary of money next year. As for intelligence about these dissident State and the Chairman of the Northern Ireland Affairs groups, I congratulate the PSNI and the security services, Committee about the performance of the PSNI this who have consistently managed to thwart these people, year? whose objective is to undermine confidence and damage We do not underestimate the threat posed by dissidents, the peace process itself. but we firmly believe that the response must be proportionate. Does the Secretary of State agree that it Mark Durkan (Foyle) (SDLP): Does the Secretary of is vital that every part of Northern Ireland is policed on State agree that any threat to the stability of our political a regular basis to ensure the confidence of all parts of institutions feeds into the warped thinking of the so-called the community in the effectiveness of the PSNI? 955 Oral Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 956

Mr. Woodward: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his Northern Ireland, particularly in social housing? What remarks and join in his observations. The objective of is the NIO doing to remove the dreadful physical barriers these criminals is not damage to a building or even the that divide the two communities? loss of life but to undermine confidence in the politics and damage the peace process. We must all bear in mind Mr. Woodward: My hon. Friend will know that many that they seek to wreck the political process and in turn of those matters have now of course been devolved. the peace process, and I can confidently say that this However, I simply say this to him: established in the House will not allow them to succeed in that. Good Friday agreement and endorsed in the St. Andrews agreement were the principles of equality and justice for Mr. Paterson: A few weeks ago, the Conservatives everybody in Northern Ireland, regardless of faith and agreed to endorse the substantial financial package that geography, to ensure that they enjoy shared power and a would follow the devolution of policing and justice. shared future that is fair. Given the current threat, has the Secretary of State considered drawing on parts of that package in advance to enable the Chief Constable to deliver more effective policing? PRIME MINISTER

Mr. Woodward: My hon. Friend the Security Minister The Prime Minister was asked— and I are in regular discussions with the Chief Constable, who of course has operational independence on these Engagements matters. The hon. Gentleman will know that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made available nearly £30 million of extra money this year for the PSNI and Q1. [307388] Mr. Andrew Mackay (Bracknell) (Con): If has offered more than that for next year. That money he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 16 has not been exhausted, but my right hon. Friend has December. made it very clear to the Chief Constable that he is always open to representations from him because regardless The Leader of the House of Commons (Ms Harriet of circumstances, this Government stand with the people Harman): I have been asked to reply. of Northern Ireland. I am sure the whole House will join me in sending our profound condolences to the families and friends of the Peace Process (Ministerial Discussions) two soldiers from 3rd Battalion The Rifles who died in Afghanistan yesterday. We send our deepest sympathies to their families. This Christmas, we will all be thinking 6. Mr. Simon Burns (West Chelmsford) (Con): What of the bravery and dedication of our armed forces recent discussions he has had with the US Secretary of overseas, and especially at this time of year, of the State on the peace process in Northern Ireland. families who support them. [306255] My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is in The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. Shaun Copenhagen. This morning he met the UN Secretary- Woodward): I regularly have discussions with Secretary General; this afternoon he will address the assembly. of State Clinton and also with the US special envoy, Declan Kelly. Mr. Mackay: The whole House will endorse what the right hon. and learned Lady said about those fallen Mr. Burns: Does the Secretary of State fully appreciate soldiers, and our thoughts will very much be with their the support of the Conservative party for the tremendous families. efforts of the Americans, and particularly the Clinton However, may I turn to the home front and other Administration, in keeping the peace process on track? families who will be desperately worried that their own Following Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s recent loved ones might not return home for Christmas because visit to Northern Ireland, does he anticipate further of the British Airways cabin crew strike? Although economic investment there? there has been good news this morning that Unite and British Airways might now be talking, may I have an Mr. Woodward: The people of Northern Ireland are assurance from the deputy Prime Minister that she will extremely grateful for the investment that has been use her considerable influence with the trade unions to made by the United States, which has allowed several ensure that this damaging strike is called off as soon as hundred new jobs to be created this year in Northern possible? Ireland despite the international recession. The decision by Secretary of State Clinton to create a special economic Ms Harman: Both the Prime Minister and the Transport envoy, Declan Kelly, meant that only last week, 14 top Secretary have said that they, like I am sure everyone in American companies made presentations to the the whole House, want to see that a strike does not take Administration in Northern Ireland looking at investment place. That is important not only for those who have for next year. Secretary Clinton and President Obama travel plans this Christmas either to go abroad to see have made it clear that their support will be as unstinting their families or to have their families join them, but for and relentless as that of Presidents Bush and Clinton the long-term future of BA. I hope that when the talks before them. take place this afternoon, they will reach a settlement.

Mr. Brian H. Donohoe (Central Ayrshire) (Lab): What Judy Mallaber (Amber Valley) (Lab): We wish the work is being undertaken by the Northern Ireland Prime Minister well in the current talks in Copenhagen. Office further to integrate the areas across the divide in We need a united position with our European partners 957 Oral Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 958 to reach agreement in those vital talks. How much EU financial support should be given to developing harder does my right hon. and learned Friend think it countries to halt deforestation. Will the Government would be to reach such an agreement if we were isolated now also agree with one of the proposals I made three in Europe? Does she share my concern at the divisions weeks ago—to set an example to other nations and in the group of allies of the Conservatives in Europe—more show that we will take determined action under domestic than half of their group opposes the European targets? law by making the import, possession and distribution of illegally harvested timber an offence under UK law? Ms Harman: As the Prime Minister said, it is an uphill task at Copenhagen, but there could not be a Ms Harman: I am sure that we will take every action more important task than to get all the countries of the possible, and we have already taken action to ensure world to agree on tackling climate change. As my hon. that only sustainable timber is used. I did make a Friend says, there is indeed a contrast between the comment about the right hon. Gentleman’s party, and Prime Minister at the centre of events—[Interruption.] this week 11 Conservative Members have been party to He was the first world leader to decide personally to go the production of a report entitled “Climate change is to Copenhagen. What a contrast, as he works with natural: 100 reasons why”, claiming that it is nothing to other world leaders, that the shadow Foreign Secretary worry about. We will deal with domestic law to protect has not even been able to persuade his own side that timber and we will ensure that we take the action climate change is important. internationally to tackle deforestation: he should deal with Conservative Members who are climate change Mr. William Hague (Richmond, Yorks) (Con): May I deniers. join the Leader of the House in recording our sadness at the news last night of the death of two British Mr. Hague: I hope that the Leader of the House will soldiers from 3rd Battalion The Rifles serving in indeed take seriously what we have proposed and look Afghanistan? Over Christmas and the new year, the at what I have just put to her, because it may help the untiring efforts of our servicemen and women serving Government to take the issue seriously, as well as the their country in a theatre of war must never be far from Opposition. We look forward to that. our minds. On another issue that requires urgent attention in this The House of Commons is today rising unusually House, does the Leader of the House agree with the early for Christmas—the earliest we have risen for Christmas Foreign Secretary that, following the issuing of an for 31 years—and I want to ask the Leader of the arrest warrant for the Israeli Opposition leader Mrs. Livni, House about three particular pressing issues on which Parliament needs to look urgently at ways in which the the Government will not be able to report to Parliament system might be changed? While we all agree that over the next three weeks. One indeed is the vital allegations of human rights violations by all sides in the negotiations at Copenhagen, in which we wish the Prime Gaza conflict need to be addressed, how is Britain Minister and other British representatives every success, meant to play a leading role in the middle east peace although we should have been able to hear about the process if Israeli politicians cannot visit Britain without outcome next week, not just the prospects this week. fear of arrest? Does she share our concern about the comments by the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, reported this morning, that a firm commitment on the proposed fund Ms Harman: I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his for developing countries to tackle climate change may support for the Foreign Secretary’s words. We should be be set aside and not addressed until next year? After the in no doubt that it is important for Israel’s leaders to be Prime Minister spoke to the Secretary-General this able to talk to Ministers in this country. Israel is an morning, what were the chances of that major setback important strategic partner and we need to ensure that the being averted? situation is as the Foreign Secretary said it should be.

Ms Harman: The point that the right hon. Gentleman Mr. Hague: Can the Leader of the House shed a little makes about the House is somewhat spurious. We are more light on this? When the International Criminal rising early, but we are coming back early. Court Act 2001 was introduced, it was never meant by It is indeed important that we have not only a political any one in this House to obstruct normal diplomatic agreement at Copenhagen, but legally binding targets business such as the vital work of the middle east peace that are independently verifiable and this $10 billion process. Senior serving politicians, to whom we all need fund to ensure that the developing countries—the emerging to talk every day, were not meant to be affected in this economies—can play their part in the effort to tackle way, as we understand it. Can she say whether magistrates climate change. That is a difficult challenge. The Prime are applying the law correctly? If they are not interpreting Minister, the Secretary-General of the UN and world the law correctly, will the Government give fresh advice leaders are working on it today, and I hope that the on that point. If they are interpreting the law correctly, whole House will wish them well. what will the Government do about it and when will a Minister come to the House to report on this and say Mr. Hague: Well, we do wish them well, and I know what they propose to do? that the Leader of the House will agree with me that in particular we must address the serious issue of the Ms Harman: I think that I am in a position to tell the destruction of the world’s rainforests. As she thinks that House that we agree. Our objectives are the same as we are not addressing this issue seriously, it is good to those set out by the right hon. Gentleman, and Ministers know that what we proposed last month the Government will be looking at the matter and ensuring that the have since agreed to propose —that additional significant situation is resolved. 959 Oral Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 960

Mr. Hague: I thank the Leader of the House for that, Dr. Vincent Cable (Twickenham) (LD): May I add and I hope that they will do so quickly and report to the our condolences in respect of the two servicemen who House when it returns. died serving this country in Afghanistan? On a further issue needing urgent attention, and One of the Government’s achievements is that the which might become the biggest threat to world peace share of tax revenue in the economy has now fallen to in 2010, do the Government agree that Iran’s the lowest level since the days of Harold Macmillan. continued failure to come to an agreement on its nuclear Yet, this week, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs programme, and the mounting evidence of its pursuit of estimated that about £40 billion is not being collected a nuclear weapons capability, make the need to agree and is being evaded. Where is that money? [Interruption.] vastly strengthened sanctions of immense and pressing importance? Will the Government commit during the Ms Harman rose— recess to do their utmost to accelerate agreement on European Union sanctions and the new UN Security Mr. Speaker: Order. I ask the Leader of the House to Council resolution that is urgently needed? wait. Government Back Benchers are in an especially boisterous mood today, but I want to make progress Ms Harman: Yes, I think that we can agree that we down the Order Paper and get as many people in as want to ensure that the threat from Iran, which we have possible. never underestimated, is recognised with increasing sanctions. I would certainly agree with the right hon. Ms Harman: As the hon. Gentleman knows well, tax Gentleman. Once again, that is something else that the revenue has fallen because if fewer houses are being Foreign Secretary will be taking forward. bought and sold, stamp duty falls, and if unemployment increases, there are fewer people paying taxes. Corporation Mr. Hague: We know that the Foreign Secretary will tax has also fallen. Tax revenue has fallen because this be taking that forward, but the Prime Minister has country has been hit by a global economic recession. twice announced new sanctions against Iran without We have been determined to take measures to stop them ever taking effect. Is it not time for the Prime tax avoidance, and we think it important that an example Minister to ensure that an effective new wave of sanctions be set not only in this House, but in the House of Lords. is set out, including a ban on any new European investment According to an old saying, there should be no taxation in Iranian oil and gas—something that he announced in without representation. What about no representation the middle of last year—and serious financial sanctions without taxation? We will introduce legislation to ensure such as those that exist in the United States? Will she that people are domiciled, resident and ordinarily resident ensure, as Leader of the House, that a statement will be in order to sit in this House or in the House of Lords. made to Parliament early in the new year by the Prime Minister or the Foreign Secretary about what this country, Dr. Cable: I take that point, but perhaps make it in a the European Union and the UN Security Council are less partisan way—[Interruption]—and perhaps commend prepared to do at this critical point? the leader of the Conservative party for the helpful suggestion of new legislation, based on Liberal Democrat Ms Harman: Indeed, the Prime Minister mentioned proposals, so that Members of the Houses of Commons that in his statement following the European Council, and Lords who are non-doms should not sit in Parliament. and as Leader of the House I ensure that the House is May I welcome the fact that there is such enthusiasm, kept updated on this important issue. from turkeys voting for Christmas, and suggest that the How telling it is, however, that on this day, when we Leader of the House give immediate effect to their have seen employment rise, the number of people in wishes, by bringing in an amendment to the Constitutional work increase and the number of people claiming Reform Bill, so that non-doms such as Lord Ashcroft unemployment benefit fall for the first time in two can leave Parliament immediately? years, those things have not had a mention. I would have thought that today was the day when the shadow Ms Harman: We certainly need transparency on the Foreign Secretary would come to the House and admit issue, and as I said, we will bring forward legislation. that the Tories had got it wrong. The hon. Gentleman is busy commending the Conservative party; at the risk of being accused of being partisan, I Mr. Jim Devine (Livingston) (Lab): Has my right would like to complain about the Conservative party. hon. and learned Friend seen today’s Daily Record, The deputy chairman of the Conservative party made a which exposed a legalised lending company charging an promise to the honours committee—this pertains to the annual percentage rate of 2,639,538.9 per cent? Is it not need for legislation—that he would make his tax affairs about time that we followed the lead of European on shore. The Foreign Secretary—[Interruption]—the countries and put a cap on interest charges, especially in shadow Foreign Secretary—can tell us what the shadow the run-up to Christmas? Chief Secretary to the Treasury says he knows. Has Lord Ashcroft— Ms Harman: I congratulate the Daily Record on its campaign against loan-sharking. It is important that we Mr. Speaker: Order. I am grateful to the right hon. inform everybody that Government-funded money advice and learned Lady, but we need not pursue that point centres are there to help people, that in all areas there any further. are loan-sharking investigation teams and that people can look to their credit unions for help. For many Linda Gilroy (Plymouth, Sutton) (Lab/Co-op): The families, there is a lot of pressure at Christmas, so they Efford community in my constituency is a strong should take advice and use credit unions. community, but does my right hon. and learned Friend 961 Oral Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 962 understand the shock, horror and dismay at the crimes Meg Munn (Sheffield, Heeley) (Lab/Co-op): Yesterday, for which a nursery worker received an indeterminate the Secretary of State for Transport said that the sentence yesterday? Will she work with me to ensure electrification of the midland main line was a matter that the lessons of the serious case review, which can not of whether but of when. Will my right hon. and now move rapidly to a conclusion, are fully and speedily learned Friend give her support to ensuring that that learned? happens as soon as possible, as it is vital to the economy of the country? Ms Harman: I agree with my hon. Friend. Everybody Ms Harman: I give my strong support to the proposal has the utmost sympathy for the parents whose children that my hon. Friend has mentioned. It is important that were at that nursery and will expect, as there have been, we invest in our economic infrastructure—transport is stiff sentences in that case. If there are any lessons to be an important part of that—as we have done consistently learnt, from what we hope is an exceptional incident, I over the past 10 years. am sure that they will be learnt by the serious case review panel. Q4. [307391] Mr. Mark Francois (Rayleigh) (Con): This morning, I visited a homelessness project run by the Q2. [307389] Mr. David Heathcoat-Amory (Wells) (Con): charity Crisis. One in 20 of the people that it is likely to In 1998, the Government put into law their code for cater for this Christmas will be homeless ex-service fiscal stability, since when the so-called golden rule on personnel. Given everything that those people have borrowing has been broken in every year since 2001. If already done to serve their country, is there more that we are to have any confidence in the announced Fiscal the Government can do to honour the military covenant Responsibility Bill, can the Deputy Prime Minister tell and to focus on serving the health and welfare needs of us what penalties will apply to Ministers who break those people who have so bravely served us? that law? Will there be fines or loss of office—or worse—for such Ministers, or is this just another Ms Harman: I absolutely agree with the hon. Gentleman Labour gimmick? that we should do everything possible, as part of the military covenant, to support our serving military forces Ms Harman: The Fiscal Responsibility Bill lays out a in the field, our ex-servicemen and women, and their statutory responsibility and a statutory duty, and this families. If he would like to make any suggestions about House will hold Ministers to account. I would say that this, I am sure that they would be well received by the it is fiscally responsible to ensure that the economy Defence Secretary. grows and that we do not pull the plug on it. Although Albert Owen (Ynys Môn) (Lab): My constituent, we are seeing encouraging signs, the recovery is still Leon Jones, was just 21 when he was killed in a fatal fragile. We want to ensure that we have fiscal responsibility stabbing near his home recently, devastating his family, when it comes to taxation to help the public finances friends and the local community. Already, that local and that those who are best off pay most. As well as community has been proactive in raising awareness of putting the public finances back on a proper footing, we the possession of knives, and of knife crime. Does my want to ensure that we protect public services. All of right hon. and learned Friend agree that such campaigns those are the fiscally responsible things to do. are needed, along with tough laws? Will she give the House an assurance that this Government will raise the Mr. William Bain (Glasgow, North-East) (Lab): Does minimum sentence for murder by knife from 15 to my right hon. and learned Friend agree that one of the 25 years? best measures for tackling inequality of assets in this country is the child trust fund, which benefits 3,941 Ms Harman: First, I would like to express my sincere children in my constituency? Does she also agree that condolences—as my hon. Friend has done—to the family the very worst measure would be an inheritance tax cut of Leon Jones for the terrible loss that they have suffered for millionaires? as a result of his tragic death. We have to take knife crime very seriously, and we are upgrading the sentencing Ms Harman: The reason why none of my hon. Friend’s to put it on a par with gun crime. Everything must be constituents would benefit from the Conservatives’ tax done to protect people and to send out the message that cuts for millionaires is because they live in Glasgow, not knife crime cannot be accepted. in Notting Hill Gate. He can rely on this Government to Q5. [307392] Mr. Gerald Howarth (Aldershot) (Con): protect his constituents with measures such as the child Is the Leader of the House aware that a planning trust fund. application to build a massive distribution centre at Pyestock, on the border of my constituency and that of Q3. [307390] Simon Hughes (North Southwark and my right hon. Friend the Member for North-East Bermondsey) (LD): On equality, given that in the past Hampshire (Mr. Arbuthnot), was refused by the local parliamentary decade, which ends today, Labour authority? The appeal was rejected by the inspector, yet Cabinet Ministers have paid themselves an increase of an unelected Minister, Lord McKenzie, who knows more than £30,000, how does the Leader of the House nothing about the area, allowed the planning application justify the fact that the increase in Cabinet salaries to go through. Is this what the Government mean by alone is greater than the annual take-home wage of the supporting local democracy? people she is elected to represent? Ms Harman: The hon. Gentleman will know what Ms Harman: The pay of all Cabinet Ministers—and, the planning processes involve. They have been laid out indeed, of all Ministers—has been frozen, and Cabinet and agreed under statute by this House, and if he had Ministers and Ministers have also agreed to forgo their any proposals, he should have put them forward in the pay increase as Members of Parliament. Planning Bill. 963 Oral Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 964

Mr. Anthony Wright (Great Yarmouth) (Lab): All the the interests—[Interruption.]—because the jobs the schools in my constituency have benefited immensely Minister suggested might be created are very doubtful—but from the investment of this Government in terms of against the interests— both staffing and capital costs. Just last week, the Great Yarmouth high school heard an announcement that it Mr. Speaker: Order. The question was too long. was going to receive £12.5 million from the Building Schools for the Future fund. Can my right hon. and Ms Harman: I cannot assist the right hon. Gentleman learned Friend guarantee that any future Labour further except to repeat my answer to the hon. Member Government will continue with that Building Schools for Aldershot (Mr. Howarth). These are decisions made for the Future fund to ensure that investment in education under a legal framework. They are made as ministerial continues? decisions, but in the public interest. One public interest that the planning system is determined to promote is Ms Harman: The Building Schools for the Future employment, and I would have thought that the right fund has been important not only to make up the hon. Gentleman agreed with that. backlog and legacy of disrepair in our schools but in ensuring that our young people and children are educated Mr. Robert Marshall-Andrews (Medway) (Lab): On in the best possible facilities. It has also provided much- the subject of the Geneva Conventions Act, will my needed help for the construction industry at a time right hon. and learned Friend take this opportunity to when private sector construction has been facing reassert the principle of judicial independence and, in tremendous difficulties. That is one of the reasons why particular, the power of the courts to issue criminal we have not pulled the plug on public investment in process against anybody—whatever side they are on, construction in the way that the Conservatives have whatever their status, rank or influence against whom insisted that we should. good prima facie evidence has been laid?

Q6. [307393] Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York) (Con): Ms Harman: Of course that is the case. The courts Copenhagen is the land of make-believe and fairy tales. act judicially and independently under the framework Does the Leader of the House have a favourite fairy of law, both national and international, and we have to tale? Could it be the Emperor’s new clothes? Is she the make sure that we not only guarantee judicial independence, little robber girl or is she really the princess? but have the right legal framework.

Ms Harman: We could learn a lesson from fairy tales, Q8. [307395] Mr. Roger Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire) which is that you need to avoid the brothers Grimm, (LD): Today, the UK Payments Council meets to determine which we would get if they—[Laughter.] the future use of cheques and it is anticipated that it will recommend their phasing out by 2018. Many older people and small businesses, especially those without Mr. Speaker: Order. I say to right hon. and hon. access to the internet, continue to use cheques and value Members that good humour is one thing, but disorder their convenience. What steps will the Government take is another. We have to try to impress and reassure the to save the cheque and to ensure that vulnerable people public, not to disgust them. and small businesses can continue to use this form of payment? Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock) (Lab): The Leader of the House may recall on that on 7 May I drew to her Ms Harman: The hon. Gentleman has made a significant attention the plight of migrant workers and those people point, particularly in relation to older people. The Equality whose papers are languishing in Lunar house, Croydon, Bill ensures that public authorities making those changes where a parlous state is prevailing. Will she arrange for must take account of the interests of older people, and a meeting with the charity London Citizens and faith must not take steps that discriminate against them. We groups, including Bishop Patrick Lynch and his Anglican need to look to the future, but also to ensure that older and Methodist colleagues, to discuss the problems of people do not suffer as a result. migrant workers and those people whose status here is yet to be determined? Q9. [307396] Mr. Clive Betts (Sheffield, Attercliffe) (Lab): Will my right hon. and learned Friend join me in Ms Harman: I will ensure that there is a meeting of welcoming the measures in the Local Transport the relevant Minister with London Citizens, which is a Act 2008 that enable elected local transport authorities very good organisation to whose work I would like to to introduce quality contracts giving them power to pay tribute. I am sure that it will be reassured to know determine local bus routes, frequencies and fares? Does how fast the backlog is being reduced under the leadership she agree that any proposal to revoke those powers of the Home Secretary. would remove from local communities the right to make decisions about their own bus services, and would Q7. [307394] Mr. James Arbuthnot (North-East Hampshire) be entirely contrary to the principle of local democratic (Con): My hon. Friend the Member for Aldershot accountability? (Mr. Howarth) has mentioned the mega Pyestock warehouse on the borders of our constituencies. Ms Harman: I think that those quality contracts Is the deputy Prime Minister aware that the decision of represent an important step forward, and that it would the noble Lord, overruling 12,000 local residents and the be folly for the Local Transport Act powers to be local councils and her own inspector, was taken in the revoked. That is one of the things that the Conservative rather doubtful interests of employment, but against party is threatening to do, and it should not happen. 965 Oral Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Oral Answers 966

Mr. Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley) (Con): Is not part of essential for the Government to reduce the burden of the problem the fact that we have an Administration regulation, and can she tell me what the Government run by Tweedledee and Tweedledum? As we approach are doing about it? 2010, if the Prime Minister really does want to give the people of this country a great new year cheer, he will Ms Harman: We are ensuring that the Government announce a general election sooner rather than later. help business, both big and small. One of the things that we have done is help businesses to defer their tax under the time-to-pay scheme. I think that the most Ms Harman: I do not think that that turkey is going important announcement for small business over the to fly. past few weeks was the Chancellor’s announcement in the pre-Budget report that that scheme would continue. Q10. [307397] Mr. Adrian Bailey (West Bromwich, West) We want to do all that we can to help small businesses. (Lab/Co-op): I frequently receive representations from One of the things that we will not be doing is abolishing small businesses in my constituency about the costs of the regional development agencies, which are so important Government regulation. Does my right hon. and to helping small businesses but which the Tories would learned Friend agree that, in these difficult times, it is abolish. 967 16 DECEMBER 2009 Nimrod Review 968

Nimrod Review environment, some adjustments are necessary. The single service assistant chiefs of staff must retain responsibility 12.32 pm for determining that our aircraft can be safely released into service. The MAA will provide full assurance, but it The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Bob Ainsworth): will not carry out this release-to-service role directly. Seven weeks ago, I addressed the House about Mr. Charles For operational emergency clearances, I have decided to Haddon-Cave’s report on the events leading to the loss opt for a tighter regime than Mr. Haddon-Cave proposed, of 14 service personnel aboard Nimrod XV230 on under which the assistant chiefs—not those who fly the 2 September 2006. As I said then, it was a tough read. It aircraft at the front line—will be responsible for any spelt out in detail the many failings both in the MOD clearances. The MAA will play an assurance role in this and in industry that led to the tragedy. I wish again to area, too. This refinement of the Haddon-Cave model express my sorrow for what happened that day, and to will deliver his intention while retaining operational reiterate my sincere apologies to the families of those agility, and improve on both our current and his proposed who died. I know that nothing I can say will bring those governance arrangements. 14 men back. What we must do now is learn all the Mr. Haddon-Cave also recommended a new approach lessons, and take all the actions that are necessary to to aviation safety cases. He was critical of our current implement them. approach, saying that it was bureaucratic and, frankly, Mr. Haddon-Cave’s investigations were wide-ranging. missed the point. I agree. We need to make it simpler His report was thorough and detailed. I want to thank him and more relevant. The MAA will rewrite our instructions again for his efforts, and for helping us to identify the to include the improvements that the report recommends. changes that we need to make. Today I shall explain to I have instructed that we examine how to apply this best the House how we are implementing his recommendations. practice appropriately across the whole of Defence. We Some of them are complex, and I am therefore placing are also auditing the standard of our current aviation in the Library of the House a more detailed written safety cases to check that they are fit for purpose. Most response to the 84 recommendations. of this work has been completed, and it will be finalised This afternoon I want to focus on three areas: the in the next couple of weeks. creation of a military aviation authority, the changes I now turn to the criticisms of our relationships with that we are making to the management of airworthiness, industry. The Department has been working with BAE and our relationship with industry. Systems and QinetiQ to address their failings identified The Nimrod XV230 was lost as a result of a number in the report. BAE Systems has announced the appointment of failings in the MOD and industry over a period of of Dr. Chris Elliott to provide independent support to some three decades. Opportunities to discover and avoid the group managing director in undertaking a review of the dangers, particularly during the development of the the company’s approach to product safety. QinetiQ has safety case, were missed. That was due in part to specific appointed Sir Robert Nelson QC to oversee the company’s errors, but it was also due to the fact that the MOD’S formal investigation, which will include a review of aviation safety processes had become too cumbersome processes, structure and reporting. All their findings and complex, and lacked transparency and accountability. will be shared with us. Despite the efforts of many hard-working men and Partnership with industry has always been part of women in the MOD and the private sector to deliver ensuring that our troops are provided with the best safe aircraft, the result was simply not good enough. possible equipment and support. We recognise that The report recognised—and indeed welcomed—the partnership does not mean that we can just transfer many improvements we had made since the loss of the work to industry; we still have a role to play. That is why XV230, but it also made it clear that we needed to go we are improving the skills of our people to ensure that much further. I agree, and I am today announcing the we manage industry’s activities on our behalf more most radical reform of the MOD’s airworthiness procedures effectively. A review of the contract conditions that we since military aviation began. put in place with industry is also being conducted. We First, we are creating a new independent military will institute improved checks and audits by the MAA aviation authority that will regulate, audit and assure all on industry compliance. However, I acknowledge that military aviation activity. It will be led by a senior—three- we need to do more, so I have asked my noble Friend star—military officer, supported by a staff of about the Minister of State, Ministry of Defence, Lord Drayson, 250 personnel. He will provide the leadership on as part of the work that he is doing on defence acquisition airworthiness, and also the independent assurance that reform, to establish a much clearer understanding of we and our industry partners are all operating to the the different roles and interests of industry and of the highest safety standards. He will have been identified MOD, and to be sure that industry’s efforts meet our and appointed by February, and the new authority will needs. begin its work from April next year. The MAA will be In the course of his report, Mr. Haddon-Cave also independent of those who fly and maintain our aircraft criticised the personal conduct of a small number of day to day, ensuring that they operate fully within the civilians and service people who held positions in the regulations and are properly equipped, trained and MOD and in industry in the period leading up to 2006. resourced to deliver safe aircraft to the services. A number of those individuals work for BAE Systems In proposing this new organisation for the management or for QinetiQ, both of which are conducting their own of airworthiness, Mr. Haddon-Cave wanted to ensure investigations, and a number of others are now retired. that there would be responsiveness in the face of changing Neither of the two serving RAF officers who were operational circumstances, and that a safe approach named currently holds a position related in any way to would be adopted at all times. I agree, but in order to safety. An RAF police investigation is being conducted make his recommendations effective in the military into the issues raised by Mr. Haddon-Cave. I hope that 969 Nimrod Review16 DECEMBER 2009 Nimrod Review 970

[Mr. Bob Ainsworth] I do not think that anybody in this House wants a witch hunt. No one is seeking scapegoats for the sake of hon. Members will understand that I am unable to having scapegoats, but as well as ensuring that, as the comment further on these matters at present. There is Secretary of State said, no repetition occurs, we also an expectation that in some such situations, investigations need to know who takes responsibility for what are accompanied by blameless suspensions of the happened—responsibility as regards the families who individuals under investigation. We will re-examine this have lost loved ones, and the armed forces. As we have area to develop a common practice for all MOD often said in this House, we have two duties to our personnel—military and civilian. armed forces—to ensure that we do everything we can Mr. Haddon-Cave’s analysis and conclusions on safety both to provide them with the maximum chance of management in aviation have wider relevance, and we success in their mission, and to minimise their risk in are looking to see what changes we may need to make carrying out that mission. We have to ensure that they across other domains in defence. He made a number of have confidence in the high-tech equipment on which broader observations on areas that were not the main they increasingly rely. focus of his report. Mr. Haddon-Cave did not take I welcome the measures set out in the Secretary of evidence on the Department’s approach to change State’s statement and in the Government’s wider detailed management. However, I will ensure that his observations response, including the setting up of the military aviation on these important issues are reflected in our planned authority. However, given the complexity of the issue, I work on the organisation and culture of the MOD, as am sure that the Secretary of State will understand that part of the preparations for the future defence review. we will want to look at this in greater detail, and in Every effort is being made by the Department to particular at the recommendations that the Government ensure that our armed forces are the best trained and do not want to implement. It is worth praising MOD the best equipped, but we must recognise that the work staff for having acted expeditiously in going through of defence is inherently dangerous. We ask our armed the report and ensuring that these items can be implemented forces to place themselves in harm’s way, and that as soon as possible. entails risk. At the same time, any organisation that I have some specific questions, but before I come to wants to learn and improve must change and develop; them let me say that overall, responsibility for technical our armed forces cannot stand still in the face of developing issues needs to lie with technical experts. I have to threats and the need to work in hostile environments. It say—as I did seven weeks ago—that I still have worries is also vital that we do everything possible to use public about the quality of advice being passed up the chain. money effectively and efficiently. However, I am clear Is the Secretary of State satisfied that sufficient and that change and development and the management of independent assessment of technical advice is being risk cannot be incompatible with a clear commitment given to Ministers? There is no point in making Ministers and approach to safety. responsible if they are not safeguarded in the quality of My hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces the advice that they receive. and I have been clear throughout that the Ministry of The MOD pays to be an intelligent customer, so how Defence will be open and honest about our shortcomings, does the Secretary of State specifically assess the role of and we will respond vigorously and face the challenge QinetiQ in making the MOD an intelligent customer in to improve performance. I regret enormously the deaths this case? Why the delay in the QinetiQ and BAE of those on the XV230, and apologise for the part the responses? They knew that the report was coming, they Department played in failing to prevent them. The had ample time to make their case and it is simply not measures that I have announced today reflect a personal good enough. We in this House and the families deserve commitment to improving safety in military aviation a full and proper explanation, and delays and excuses and the safety of our armed forces. about who has retired simply will not wash. Let me turn to the specific issues. Will the Secretary Dr. Liam Fox (Woodspring) (Con): I am grateful to of State first tell us how much the setting up and the Secretary of State for his statement and for prior running costs of the MAA will be, and which budgets sight of it, as well as for details of the recommendations they will come from? Will he explain in a little more that the Government intend to implement and those detail than he did in his statement why the new MAA that they intend not to accept. will not have release-to-service responsibility? Is it, as I Charles Haddon-Cave’s report was, for many of us, think he implied, because it is not just about the safety the most damning thing that we had ever seen in our of the aircraft but about the fact that the environment time in Parliament. His criticism of the Nimrod safety in which they will have to operate will be taken into case was excoriating. Let me remind the House that he account, as will the specific circumstances at the time? said that it If that is so, how do we avoid the risk of cutting corners “was a lamentable job from start to finish. It was riddled with and finding ourselves with the potential of another errors. It missed the key dangers. Its production is a story of tragic event? In a culture—whether we like it or not—of incompetence, complacency, and cynicism.” increasing legal liability, it is a worry to all of us in this House as well as to our armed forces that we seem now It is a report that I think we will all remember, however to be compounding warfare with lawfare. long we serve in this House. The bottom line is that 14 men died in a tragedy that was wholly avoidable. I have three other specific questions that I would like There were previous warnings and previous incidents, to put to the Secretary of State. Does he accept, and but appropriate action was not taken, and two major does the MOD accept, that it was a mistake to abolish companies with international reputations, as well as the the post of chief engineer of the RAF? To amplify what MOD, are involved. he has said already, can he give a categorical assurance, 971 Nimrod Review16 DECEMBER 2009 Nimrod Review 972 given that the airworthiness regime is consistent across The hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox) also the air domain, that all air assets in all three service are asked about compensation. My hon. Friend the Minister “safe to fly”? Can he guarantee that the imperative of for the Armed Forces has met the families repeatedly, so speed in introducing urgent operational requirements he gets the criticisms and pressures directly, as did I to platforms for theatre has in no way degraded the when I used to hold that job. I hope—indeed, I am airworthiness case of the aircraft being deployed? repeatedly assured—that we are not the cause of any I turn briefly to the question of compensation. No delay in settling compensation claims. That is what I am sum of money can compensate for the loss of a loved told, but my hon. Friend is sitting front and centre on one. None the less, compensation is at least in part an this, trying to make absolutely certain that we are not act of atonement that recognises responsibility for failure. the cause of delay. In no way do we want to aggravate in Does the Secretary of State agree that any level of any way the sorrow and the loss suffered by the families. compensation set has to reflect that concept adequately? We need to be seen to be getting on with this job. If Will he ensure that the process of compensation occurs blame has to be apportioned between us and the companies expeditiously and accurately? At the same time, will he involved, that is something that we can sort out. It also ensure that the same applies to pension arrangements, should not affect our ability to get on and make offers because, as he will be aware, some of the families have to the families. concerns about the accuracy of the system? We are driving the matter forward as fast as possible. I shall end as I started, by speaking about the avoidable We have made an offer of interim payments, but I am deaths of 14 of our service personnel. Their families afraid that the legal representatives of some of the will bear their loss for ever, and this is a very difficult families have turned their faces against that. However, time of year for them. I am sure that the whole House we will do everything we can to reach a settlement as will want to join me in wishing the families, to the best soon as possible. We accepted responsibility a long time extent that circumstances will allow, a happy and peaceful ago, and we do not demur from that in any way. Christmas. Nick Harvey (North Devon) (LD): The Defence Secretary called the Haddon-Cave report “a tough read”, and it Mr. Ainsworth: I thank the hon. Gentleman for many certainly was, describing as it did the tragic and avoidable of the comments that he has made, a large number of deaths of 14 of our personnel. It was a damning indictment which I totally and absolutely agree with. Equally, I of procedures in the Ministry of Defence and in industrial want to thank him, on behalf of the staff of the MOD, partner companies, so I welcome the tone of the right for the kind comments that he has made about how hon. Gentleman’s response, both seven weeks ago and they have responded to the report. I think that their again today. response has been exemplary. At the centre of what the Defence Secretary announced The hon. Gentleman asked about speed, but in these today, I particularly welcome the formation of the new circumstances it is important to balance speed of reaction military aviation authority. He described the authority with thoroughness and not making mistakes. That is as independent, but it is obvious that the safety of something that we have to think about, but I hope that particular aircraft will differ according to the theatres in we have got the balance right by establishing the MAA which they operate. The right hon. Gentleman has and looking at these complex issues to try to get a new refined the Haddon-Cave recommendations on precise system in place. I know that the families want us to release to service, but will he say whether the MAA will move as quickly as possible to learn the lessons of what have personnel on the spot in theatre at all times? Will led to the loss of their loved ones, but equally they want he guarantee that there will be enough of them, and at a us to learn those lessons genuinely and thoroughly. senior enough level, to be able to retain their independence The hon. Gentleman asked me about the advice that I and not get swept up into the emergency of a particular get within the Department. I have been in the MOD for situation? two and half years now, and I find it to be packed with Will the Secretary of State also assure us that the new talented and dedicated people who are prepared to arrangements will be more responsive and attentive to look, learn and challenge the perceived wisdom all the feedback from the crews of particular aircraft than has time. I try to encourage that attitude and atmosphere, sometimes been the case in the past? so that people are not stifled in what they say and do, The report was scathing about the two companies and so that we get as broad an internal view on these involved. Industrial partners are important to us, and I issues as we can. welcome the steps that the Defence Secretary said that From time to time, however, we need to use outside the two companies were taking, but will he tell the expertise to enable us to see through our own failings, House whether they will step up to the plate and share or, as the hon. Gentleman mentioned, the failings of with the Ministry of Defence both the responsibility others. That is when we bring in someone like Mr. Haddon- and the liability that emerge from this tragic event? Cave to help us. I think that he has done a thorough job, and that he has identified lessons that badly need to be Mr. Ainsworth: The hon. Gentleman is right to say learned. that there was a glaring risk to this aircraft that went I cannot talk in detail about the exact reaction of undiscovered by many experts over 30 years. Most QinetiQ and BAE Systems. I spoke to Mr. Haddon-Cave particularly, however, it was not discovered during the again only yesterday, and I think that both companies safety case that was supposedly put together to identify are now moving in the right direction. I cannot say exactly such risks, but which failed so to do. whether they were as shocked as we were by the report’s The hon. Gentleman also asked about the appropriate findings in the initial days, and I do not want to dwell level of authority on release to service, and we have on that. I think that we need to look forward. spent a lot of time over the last seven weeks trying to 973 Nimrod Review16 DECEMBER 2009 Nimrod Review 974

[Mr. Bob Ainsworth] inquests and deaths of service personnel, I have already seen a change of culture. There are areas where it does talk about that. As the hon. Member for Woodspring not reach, but there is a desire to make sure that the said, in the military environment we need to make right culture exists. We have made progress over time. absolutely certain that authority lies in the right place. I The pressure to which the Department has been subjected do not want to remove that authority: the release to from the level of scrutiny required by inquests and the service will be vested in the appropriate level of the new service inquiries has put that in a better place. It chain of command, but we will also make sure that no still is not right; it still needs to be driven. There is more, one lower than that will take operational risk. Therefore, and the MAA will be a major tool in ensuring that that if operational circumstances demand that a particular happens. platform ought to be allowed to fly, that level of release will be needed before any such course of action can be Robert Key (Salisbury) (Con): The Secretary of State taken. In addition, the MAA will have the authority to will know that, since this tough report was published, oversee and audit all the decisions that are taken. morale among those involved has taken a considerable The reason why Mr. Haddon-Cave wanted to make knock. Does he agree that it is imperative that we sure that these matters were led at the appropriate level acknowledge that, as well as the uniformed work force, was to ensure the kind of authority and independence there are thousands in the civilian work force throughout that the hon. Member for North Devon is looking for. the country, including more than 2,000 in Boscombe That is why we are saying that three-star officer level is Down in my constituency alone, who work for QinetiQ, appropriate. whose reach goes from Boscombe Down to Benbecula, That structure might change in time. We may well and who support our uniformed military personnel find that bringing other parts of MOD safety within every day? Does he agree that we must ensure that they such a construct is the right thing to do, in which case regain the trust and confidence of Her Majesty’s forces? the authority would broaden to cover other areas. However, Will he tell us where the headquarters of the military for the initial period while we are setting up the MAA, aviation authority will be and where the 250 military the focus needs to be on aviation safety, and the organisation personnel will come from? needs to be led at the appropriate level. Mr. Ainsworth: I accept that there is a point in what Mr. Ian Cawsey (Brigg and Goole) (Lab): I thank my the hon. Gentleman says. When people and the Department right hon. Friend for his statement and the characteristically are criticised to the degree that they were in the report, frank and candid manner in which he addressed the that is bound to worry even dedicated people who are House, which is appreciated. Will he assure the House trying to do their job. Equally, there is well founded that an independent military aviation authority will evidence from up and down the ranks of our employees have full access to any information that it requires to do that they want to make sure that we learn all the lessons a comprehensive job, and that it will be truly independent as well. They are not just feeling the crush and the so that it can make any comments or criticism that it pressure of the criticism. In many cases they are urging considers necessary in the interests of our service personnel, us to put systems in place that make sure that we are as without pressure on it for financial or political effective as we can be. They know that they are part of considerations? the system and they take huge pride in the work that they do. We have not decided a location yet. Haddon-Cave Mr. Ainsworth: That is precisely what we are trying to wants to make sure that we have a separate location. It achieve. I hope that my hon. Friend understands—I will take time to put the team together and allocate have heard this, understandably, from the families who appropriate premises to them. have lost their loved ones—that the independent military aviation authority should be outside the Ministry of Mr. James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): Will the Defence, with the Civil Aviation Authority playing its MAA, rather like the CAA, have responsibility not only role. We cannot bring a civilian authority into the for airworthiness, but for safety on the ground and at military environment, so what we are trying to do, and air bases? Is it not time that we had an independent what Haddon-Cave recommended, because he saw that military air accident investigation board? that was not the way forward and did not recommend it, is to mirror the level of authority in the CAA but with people who recognise the military environment. Of Mr. Ainsworth: I will write to the hon. Gentleman on course, we must monitor their performance to ensure the detail. I want the MAA to be able to take a complete that they are doing their job appropriately over time overview and audit all aspects of air safety. I will write and that they have the independence that my hon. to clarify the detail. Friend wants. Mark Hunter (Cheadle) (LD): Just yesterday I and a Mr. James Arbuthnot (North-East Hampshire) (Con): cross-party group of MPs met the Under-Secretary of Is not the most difficult thing to change the culture of State for Defence, the hon. Member for Grantham and the Ministry of Defence, away from ticking boxes? How Stamford (Mr. Davies), to discuss the future of the do we do that? Nimrod project. There are still 1,000-plus skilled workers at Woodford in my constituency building the new generation Mr. Ainsworth: There are still changes that need to be of Nimrod aircraft. What message does the Secretary of made and we still have a way to go, but in the two and a State have today for those loyal and dedicated workers half years that I have been in the Ministry of Defence, who stand to lose their jobs when the current Nimrod during which I have dealt with many boards of inquiry, project is completed? 975 Nimrod Review16 DECEMBER 2009 Nimrod Review 976

Mr. Ainsworth: The decisions that I announced yesterday Mr. Ainsworth: I pay tribute not only to those whose and those that the Minister was talking to the hon. lives were lost on that XV230, but to the rest of the Gentleman’s group about were not connected to the crews and servicemen who keep and have kept such Haddon-Cave review, as I tried to make clear yesterday. planes flying for a long time. I pay tribute also to the They related to prioritisation issues and budgetary measures families, whom I have met on more than one occasion. within the MOD. Mr. Haddon-Cave was very clear. We Yes, of course there is anguish and grief, but there has asked that if, at any point in the course of his investigation, been a determination on their part—a laudable he found reason to question the airworthiness of planes determination—to drive us to learn the lessons so that currently flying, he should come to us immediately. the loss of their loved ones is not in vain and we get to a He did not do that. He says that in his report, and he better place in our systems and safety capability. They says that the Nimrod is now the most scrutinised military are to be applauded for that. aircraft flying anywhere in the world. We still need On the criticisms that were made, there is no doubt the capabilities of many of the Nimrod variations. that in this area aviation safety suffered. None of us can [Interruption.] We still need other variations of the say—I do not believe that any proper reading of Haddon- Nimrod and we will need to look carefully at how we Cave says—that we should not be driving for efficiency. use that aircraft in the future. We will do so during a Everybody wants an efficient service, and everybody strategic defence review. wants to make sure that we are at the cutting edge in our methods as well as the equipment that we fly. But safety Mr. Bernard Jenkin (North Essex) (Con): I very much cannot be compromised in that regard. welcome the Haddon-Cave report and I commend the Secretary of State’s response to its findings, but will he confirm that he has had independent, third party Bob Spink (Castle Point) (Ind): I thank the Secretary representations from people who are concerned about of State for bringing these sensitive and difficult issues one or two of the report’s more subjective findings on to the House for scrutiny, for his tributes and for his individuals in the command chain, where conclusions honest and caring approach, which the whole House appear to have been drawn without substantial evidence? recognises. However, will he confirm, given that he has I do not wish to tempt him to comment on any not yet done so, that the resources required to set up the investigations in progress, but can he say anything about MAA will not be drawn from front-line services, and that part of the report and will he undertake to give that they will be new resources? those individuals a fair hearing at some stage during the investigation? Mr. Ainsworth: Many of the responsibilities already exist within various parts of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Ainsworth: I have had representations, as the but they really need to be brought together, given authority hon. Gentleman knows. I hope that he understands and leadership and, therefore, put in a position to make that, for the reason that I mentioned in my statement, I sure that the lessons we need badly to learn are learned. do not want to say anything about any of the individuals. The resources will be ours, but many of them already Two are still current employees who are undergoing exist in various other places, and we need to bring them investigation. It would be wrong for me to go into that together in the way that Mr. Haddon-Cave has suggested. area.

Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP): I thank the Secretary Dr. William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP): We all of State for his statement and prior sight of it. Today we acknowledge that no review or reaction to such will be pay tribute to the 14 service personnel who died aboard able to bring back the 14 service personnel whose lives Nimrod XV230 and to their families. We hope that no were lost. Nor can we remove the pain that their families more loved ones will have to go through the same sort have suffered. However, will the Secretary of State of tragedy. assure the House that no aircraft will be allowed to fly, We will look closely at the MOD’s detailed response. and no other equipment will be used, that endangers It is important to recognise the personnel at RAF our servicemen and women whether they be in theatre Kinloss who have worked extremely hard to maintain or preparing for theatre. the safety of the ageing Nimrod fleet, as well as the wider community in Moray who give such great support. Mr. Ainsworth: That should not happen—it should There are many lessons to be learned from the Haddon-Cave not be happening now. There are lots and lots of dedicated report, as well as from the treatment of the families, people in the RAF, the Army and the Navy and in our which left a lot to be desired. I welcome the creation of civilian staff at the Ministry of Defence whose responsibility the military aviation authority, but we should not lose it is—and they take it very seriously—to see exactly that sight of the fact that the report criticised that does not happen. However, the complexity and the “a shift in culture and priorities in the MOD towards ‘business’ lack of accountability—the things that were identified and financial targets, at the expense of functional values such as in the report—could undermine the best of individuals safety and airworthiness”. who are trying to do the job that we give them to do. So Given this week’s military cuts and the continuing defence bringing out this matter, giving clear lines of accountability privatisation agenda, how could the MOD even begin and establishing the authority ought to put our own to claim that it will get to grips with the deep-seated people in a place where they can work more effectively failed culture that led to the loss of Nimrod XV230? for the safety of the people for whom we have responsibility. 977 16 DECEMBER 2009 978

Point of Order BILLS PRESENTED

1.13 pm MORTGAGE REPOSSESSIONS (PROTECTION OF TENANTS Andrew Rosindell (Romford) (Con): On a point of ETC.) BILL order, Mr. Speaker. Further to my point of order on Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) 12 November 2008 to Speaker Martin, my subsequent Dr. Brian Iddon, supported by Rob Marris, Mr. Neil point of order on 12 November this year, to your good Gerrard, John Austin, Chris McCafferty, Mr. Andrew self, Sir, and my general comments and remarks over Dismore, Mr. David Curry, Peter Bottomley, Mr. Edward the eight and a half years that I have been a Member Leigh, Mr. Phil Willis, Bob Russell and Paul Holmes, regarding the flying of the Union flag—the flag of our presented a Bill to protect persons whose tenancies are country—from the flagpoles on the parliamentary estate, not binding on mortgagees and to require mortgagees will you now give a progress report and explain what is to give notice of the proposed execution of possession going to happen in the future on this matter? orders. Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Mr. Speaker: I am grateful to the hon. Member for Friday 29 January, and to be printed (Bill 15). Romford (Andrew Rosindell) for his point of order and, indeed, for giving me advance notice of it, and I LOCAL AUTHORITIES (OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY)BILL am very happy to provide the progress report that he Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) seeks. He should be aware and the House is now informed that the Chair of the Administration Committee wrote Mr. David Chaytor, supported by Mr. David S. Borrow, to me on 25 November to inform me that Mr. David Crausby, Mr. David Drew, Dr. Brian Iddon, Mr. Paul Truswell, Mark Fisher, Mr. Michael Clapham, “the Administration Committee considered a paper from the Helen Southworth, Mrs. Betty Williams, Fiona Mactaggart Parliamentary Director of Estates on flag flying on the Parliamentary Estate.” and Joan Walley, presented a Bill to make further provision about the functions, powers and constitution Following a discussion of this important matter, the of local authority overview and scrutiny committees; Committee agreed to recommend to me that and for connected purposes. “flags should be flown on all three flagpoles on the Estate every Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on day of the year, taking account of the usual ceremonial occasions.” Friday 5 February, and to be printed (Bill 16). The Chair of the Administration Committee, the hon. Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Doran), helpfully DEBT RELIEF (DEVELOPING COUNTRIES)BILL pointed out to me in the letter: Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) “This would bring Parliament into line with other Whitehall departments. In the case of the Victoria Tower, agreement would Andrew Gwynne, supported by Ms Sally Keeble, be necessary with the House of Lords.” Anne Snelgrove, Mr. David Drew, Sir Gerald Kaufman, I wrote back to the hon. Gentleman on 30 November, Mr. Andy Reed, Hilary Armstrong, Mr. Peter Lilley, agreeing to his recommendations, including those relating Peter Bottomley, Anne Main, Andrew Stunell and Tom to shape, dimensions and a change to “three by five”, Brake, presented a Bill to make provision for or in which I know will be of close interest to the House. connection with the relief of debts of certain developing countries. I hope that the hon. Member for Romford feels a Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on proper sense of triumph at what he has achieved in this Friday 26 February, and to be printed (Bill 17). matter, which he has, as he indicated, pursued over a lengthy period with, if I may say, a tenacity reminiscent of a Staffordshire bull terrier. GROCERY MARKET OMBUDSMAN BILL Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) Albert Owen, supported by Andrew George, Nick ROYAL ASSENT Ainger, Mr. David Drew, Mark Durkan, Daniel Kawczynski, Mr. Elfyn Llwyd, Peter Bottomley, Mark Mr. Speaker: I have to notify the House, in accordance Williams, Alun Michael, Mr. Lindsay Hoyle and Dr. Hywel with the Royal Assent Act 1967, that Her Majesty has Francis, presented a Bill to make provision for the signified her Royal Assent to the following Act: appointment, functions and powers of a Grocery Market Consolidated Fund Act 2009. Ombudsman; and for connected purposes. Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Friday 5 March, and to be printed (Bill 18).

SUNBEDS (REGULATION)BILL Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) Julie Morgan, supported by Mrs. Siân C. James, Mr. Kevin Barron, Mrs. Betty Williams, Frank Dobson, Jessica Morden, Rosie Cooper, Dr. Evan Harris, Sandra Gidley, Mr. John Baron, Miss Julie Kirkbride and Dr. Richard Taylor, presented a Bill to make provision about the use or supply of tanning devices that use artificial ultra-violet radiation; and for connected purposes. Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Friday 29 January, and to be printed (Bill 19). 979 16 DECEMBER 2009 980

ANTI-SLAVERY DAY BILL NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE PUBLIC INTEREST Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) DISCLOSURE SUPPORT BILL Mr. Anthony Steen, supported by Clare Short, Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) Sir Michael Spicer, Michael Connarty, Sir Paul Beresford, Dr. Richard Taylor, supported by Mr. Kevin Barron, Dr. Evan Harris, Keith Vaz, Mr. Peter Bone and Mr. Graham Brady, Mr. William Cash, Mr. Dai Davies, Mr. Andrew Dismore, Mr. Peter Luff, Mr. Angus Robertson Frank Dobson, Sandra Gidley, Patrick Hall, Dr. Doug and Lady Sylvia Hermon, presented a Bill to introduce Naysmith, Mr. Robert N. Wareing and Dr. Tony Wright, a national day to raise awareness of the need to eradicate presented a Bill to make provision for the appointment, all forms of slavery, human trafficking and exploitation; functions and powers of independent Support Officers and for connected purposes. for NHS employees who wish to make certain disclosures Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on in the public interest; to place a duty on NHS trusts and Friday 5 February, and to be printed (Bill 20). others to co-operate with such Support Officers; to make consequential amendments to the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998; and for connected purposes. SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ACT 2007 (AMENDMENT) BILL Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) Friday 12 March, and to be printed (Bill 25). Alistair Burt, supported by Mr. David Drew, Mr. Andrew Dismore, Mr. Martin Caton, Joan Walley, Dr. Brian TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 Iddon, Tom Levitt, Julia Goldsworthy, Mr. Oliver Heald, (AMENDMENT)BILL Robert Neill and Mr. Nick Hurd, presented a Bill to Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) amend the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 to make Simon Hughes, supported by Lorely Burt, Tim Farron, provision regarding town and parish councils, local Lynne Featherstone, Nick Harvey, John Hemming, Paul decision-making and expenditure and the consideration Holmes, Mr. John Leech, Mr. Adrian Sanders, Andrew of proposals; and for connected purposes. Stunell, Stephen Williams and Jenny Willott, presented Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on a Bill to amend the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 Friday 26 February, and to be printed (Bill 21). to enable local planning authorities to use sums received under section 106 of the Act for the building and WARSAW CONVENTION (CARRIER LIABILITY)BILL improvement of housing; and for connected purposes. Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on John Smith, supported by John Barrett, Mr. Elfyn Friday 29 January, and to be printed (Bill 26). Llwyd, Mr. Martyn Jones, Jim Sheridan, Mr. Desmond Swayne, Sir Nicholas Winterton, Mr. Brian Jenkins and CARE HOMES AND SHELTERED ACCOMMODATION Dr. Richard Taylor, presented a Bill to require the (DOMESTIC PETS)BILL Secretary of State to propose amendments to Article 17 Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) of the Warsaw Convention for the purpose of extending carrier liability to cases of detriment to health or Mr. Nigel Waterson, supported by Miss Ann psychological well-being; and for connected purposes. Widdecombe, Andrew Rosindell, Mr. Roger Gale, Paul Flynn, Mr. James Gray, Mr. Denis MacShane, Dr. Nick Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Palmer and Ann Clwyd, presented a Bill to make provision Friday 5 March, and to be printed (Bill 22). for residents of care homes and sheltered accommodation to keep domestic pets in certain circumstances; and for SAFETY AND CONSERVATION (BYELAWS)BILL connected purposes. Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Mr. Crispin Blunt, on behalf of Chris Grayling, Friday 5 March, and to be printed (Bill 27). presented a Bill to empower the Secretary of State to delegate certain powers in respect of safety and conservation EUROPEAN UNION MEMBERSHIP (REFERENDUM)BILL to conservators and other specified bodies; and for connected purposes. Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Mr. Douglas Carswell, supported by Philip Davies, Friday 23 April, and to be printed (Bill 23). Mr. Philip Hollobone, Mr. Peter Bone, Mr Austin Mitchell, Mr. Mike Hancock, Dr. Evan Harris, Mr. Richard Shepherd, Kelvin Hopkins and Ann Winterton, presented LISBON TREATY (REFERENDUM)BILL a Bill to require the holding of a referendum on the Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union; Mr. Nigel Dodds, supported by Mr. Peter Robinson, and for connected purposes. Mr. William Cash, Mr. Ian Davidson, Mr. Mike Hancock, Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Lady Sylvia Hermon, Kate Hoey, Kelvin Hopkins, Friday 26 February, and to be printed (Bill 28). Dr. William McCrea, Bob Spink, Ann Winterton and Sir Nicholas Winterton, presented a Bill to require the holding of a referendum on the Treaty of Lisbon and to DEVELOPMENT ON FLOOD PLAINS (ENVIRONMENT require the repeal of the European Union (Amendment) AGENCY POWERS)BILL Act 2008 if the decision to ratify is not approved in the Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) referendum; and for connected purposes. Bob Spink presented a Bill to empower the Environment Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Agency to prevent development on flood plains to Friday 26 February, and to be printed (Bill 24). which the Agency objects; to require planning authorities 981 16 DECEMBER 2009 982 to comply with Environment Agency advice when of Local Education Authorities to provide school transport; considering development on flood plains; and for connected to improve the safety of users of school transport; and purposes. for connected purposes. Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time Friday 29 January, and to be printed (Bill 29). tomorrow, and to be printed (Bill 32). Mr. Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): On a point LOCAL GOVERNMENT (INFRASTRUCTURE of order, Mr. Speaker. We have just heard a lot of hon. REQUIREMENT PLANS)BILL Members presenting private Members’ Bills and, with Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) the exception of the last Member, giving dates for Mr. Mark Hoban, supported by Mr. Mark Francois, Second Reading when the House has not yet been given Mr. Mark Prisk, Mr. Paul Goodman, Mr. David Gauke, any dates when Second Readings are to be available. Mr. Brooks Newmark, Mrs Maria Miller, John Howell How can that be in order? How can Members know and Mr. Charles Walker, presented a Bill to require that they will actually be able to debate their business local authorities to assess the infrastructure needed to on that day? support future housing and commercial development and to prepare plans for its provision; and for connected Mr. Speaker: That is a matter for the Government, as purposes. I think the hon. Gentleman knows. I think it would be accurate to say that he is engaged in a continuing Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on altercation with the Government on this important Friday 12 March, and to be printed (Bill 30). matter. Once again, he has taken the opportunity to register firmly on the record his disapproval of the MARINE ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BRANCH Government’s handling of the matter. (REPORTS)BILL Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) Mr. David Heath (Somerton and Frome) (LD): Further to that point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is not the fact that David Cairns presented a Bill to make provision to the consideration of private Members’ Bills is a matter oblige shipping companies, port operators and other for the Government rather than the House an illustration bodies to comply with recommendations made in reports of why we need an early debate on the proposals from of the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents and of the the Wright Committee? Marine Accident Investigation Branch; and for connected purposes. Mr. Speaker: The hon. Gentleman is taking the Bill read the First time; to be read a Second time on opportunity to instigate a debate. As he knows, I have Friday 5 March, and to be printed (Bill 31). myself indicated on previous occasions a desire that the matters to which he has referred should come before the House before very long. After the festive season, I have SCHOOL TRANSPORT BILL no reason to suppose that he will be disappointed. Presentation and First Reading (Standing Order No. 57) If there are no further points of order—I know the Mr. David Heath presented a Bill to make provision House is in a very “point of order” mood—we now for a dedicated school bus network; to amend the duties come to the main business. 983 16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 984

Christmas Adjournment is started without direct notification to the people concerned, and then, when it is under way and the Member of Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House Parliament undertakes his duties, as anyone else in this do now adjourn.—(Mr. Blizzard.) House would have done, there is an admission from the chief executive that a public meeting should have been Mr. Speaker: As hon. Members will probably be held in the first place. If such a meeting had taken place, aware, I have imposed a 15-minute limit on Back-Bench the residents would have had their say. contributions. In March, after considerable difficulty, I managed to get an on-site meeting. It is almost impossible to appreciate 1.23 pm how difficult that was. The situation involves the publicly funded Highways Agency, the private contractors and Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North) (Lab): I want to the rest, but the Highways Agency, in particular, gave raise a matter concerning work that is being undertaken me all kinds of reasons why it would not meet me on the on parts of the M6 motorway in my constituency. I am site itself. It was happy to have a meeting with a Member doing so because I am very disappointed that the Highways of Parliament, but why should it not be an on-site Agency has not shown proper regard and consideration meeting? It was only as a result of an intervention by for my constituents, whose properties are virtually next the relevant Minister’s private office that finally, in to the motorway. Graham Dalton, the chief executive March, an on-site meeting took place, which councillors of the Highways Agency, which has authorised the and I went along to. It took a great deal of trouble and work through the Department for Transport, has now, effort to get that meeting going. at long last, visited the borough, some nine months after the work started. Obviously, I expected that he In the past few weeks, Mr. Dalton, the chief executive would take the opportunity to visit my constituents, of the Highways Agency, told me that he was going to who have been so adversely affected. He knows the visit the borough. Excellent news—at long last he was position, because during the past nine months I have going to visit. Then, last week, I got a phone call from written to him and faxed letters, sometimes twice or his office asking if I would arrange a meeting with him. three times a week. Yes, there have been replies, but I said, “We will be meeting, will we not, on the site there has been a reluctance on his part to come and see where the work is taking place?” “Oh no”, I was told, what is happening. “that can’t happen. It will be a very brief visit. It’s going to take place this coming Monday”—that is, two days Another reason for raising this issue on the Floor of ago. So at long last, the chief executive of the Highways the House is that the residents were given no proper Agency decides to come and visit to see what is happening notification that the work was going to take place. That with the work on the motorway—but as for meeting the is accepted by the agency, which says that it was a residents, that is out of the question. The visit must be mistake. All that happened was that some advertisements brief—he is too busy and cannot spare the time. What were placed in the regional press that residents were about my constituents, who have suffered such a nightmare? unlikely to see. Why were they not told beforehand that “Oh well, too bad,” seemed to be the attitude. He was the work was going to take place? It is pretty obvious willing to meet me and wanted to make an appointment why not—it is because they would have put forward as quickly as possible, but what about meeting my proposals to try to safeguard their position during the constituents? Hence I decided that it would be right to various stages of the work. The public liaison officer for raise the issue on the Floor of the House. I believe that the contractors carrying out the work for the Highways the action of the Highways Agency has been absolutely Agency has admitted that a mistake was made in not despicable. It did not inform the residents beforehand, letting people know about this beforehand. He said, and for that matter it did not let me know so that I interestingly, that nowhere else had they come across could tell the residents. There was great reluctance even properties so close to the carriageway, and obviously to have the on-site meeting, which finally took place in they should know because they do a lot of work on March, and then the chief executive said that he did not motorway construction and repairs. have the time on Monday, when I assume he made a Hundreds of trees were taken down that had previously visit, to meet the people concerned. acted as a kind of barrier to the motorway, minimising I have raised the issue and I hope that the Minister noise and giving some protection for properties that will perhaps persuade Mr. Dalton accordingly. I have no were built before the motorway came into existence criticism of the private office of the Secretary of State some years ago. Since then, the noise has been unbearable. for Transport, because there was the on-site meeting in We can only imagine the position of someone who lives March, which I mentioned, in my constituency arising just by the motorway where trees and other measures from all this, which I imagine was due to his intervention. that provided some sort of protection have been taken Last week’s effort by his private office and civil servants to away. They have to live through it, sometimes during the persuade Mr. Dalton to change his mind came to nothing. night as well. I have sent several letters urging that at least night work should not take place, and to some The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Leader of extent that has stopped, but not entirely. That is the the House of Commons (Barbara Keeley): My hon. nightmare situation—there is no other way to describe Friend should know that he could not be talking to a it—that several of my constituents have faced during more sympathetic person, because I am currently struggling the course of this year. in my own constituency with the M60 junction 11 to 15 lane gain. I hope to give him a very sympathetic In April, the chief executive of the Highways Agency response later. wrote to tell me that he admitted that this was wrong and that a public meeting, or “exhibition”, as it is Mr. Winnick: I am grateful to my hon. Friend. described, had not taken place to explain the scheme Incidentally, it is interesting that Mr. Dalton said that beforehand. That comes rather late in the day. The work the on-site meeting in March was “helpful and positive”. 985 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 986

[Mr. Winnick] believe that it is a robust and independent process of checking whether the inspector has done the job properly. If it was helpful and positive in March for one of the So far in the appeal process, points that I, the school more junior officials to attend a meeting—perhaps not and the local authority have raised have been disregarded. all that junior, but certainly junior to the chief executive The inspectors’ version of events seems to have been or deputy chief executive—why would not a meeting accepted without question, and when alternative points with the chief executive himself be helpful and positive? of view are put forward they seem to be set aside if the The chief executive was not willing to turn up at the inspectors’ notes do not include any evidence of them. meeting in March, and one of his officials got the short That does not seem to be in any way fair or natural straw. justice. All in all, I hope that Ministers at the Department for I finally wrote a letter to the chief inspector on behalf Transport will pursue the matter. It could be argued of the school and others. She has not replied to it that the chief executive of the Highways Agency has no herself, but in the reply that I have received, many of the role in meeting the public, but I argue that in such questions that I posed were not answered by Ofsted. It situations as the M6 work in my constituency and the was little more than a cut-and-paste version of the reply work that my hon. Friend the Minister described, the that was sent to the head teacher, who asked a number chief executive has not acted properly. I am sure that he of questions that were similar but not completely the is an honourable person and does his duties efficiently. I same. do not question that in any way, but he has been I ask the Minister: where is the accountability, quality insensitive, to say the least, to the plight of my constituents. control and robust independent complaints procedure, That is why I have raised the issue on the Floor of the and how can we accept a situation in which damage can House. be done to a school’s reputation by a rogue Ofsted report? I am concerned that the school could be done 1.32 pm harm by the process. I have been delighted by how the Mr. Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam) (LD): I shall school and parents have worked together and by the follow the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) fact that the school has reassured parents, not least in making a number of local points. That is the nature because it has been so robustly supported by the local of these debates, which provide an opportunity to raise education authority. I hope that justice will be done in with the Minister some issues that constituents have the new year and that there will be some serious engagement brought to my attention. by Ofsted in that serious problem. I start with an education issue: the role that Ofsted The second matter that I wish to raise was mentioned has played in discharging its inspection responsibilities. by the Leader of the House in Prime Minister’s questions Earlier this year it undertook an inspection of Robin today. She referred to the need for credit unions to deal Hood junior school in my constituency and rather used with the pressures that come from loan sharks. I have it as a guinea pig for a test run of its new inspection been supporting the efforts of the London borough of regime and a new inspector. The inspectors’ conclusions Sutton to set up a credit union to promote a culture of match neither the school’s view of itself nor the view of savings and offer secure low-cost loans. The route that the local education authority and particularly the executive the borough chose was to extend an existing credit head responsible for school improvement. There has union from the London borough of Croydon to cover been unprecedented unanimity of view that the inspectors’ both Sutton and Merton as well. That would cost less conduct and review have led to a judgment that is false than other options and could be done more quickly. and damaging to the school. Just last week, on 2 December, we learned that the When the inspectors came to the school, they seemed application to extend the common bond to permit the to have a predetermined view about what was going on Croydon Savers Union to operate in Sutton and Merton there. That was an incomplete picture based on a partial had been rejected. It would seem that it ticked all the reading of the data that were available about the school’s boxes except one—it did not meet the locality rule that educational performance. They proceeded very selectively currently applies. The view of the Financial Services to gather evidence that seemed to reinforce the hypothesis Authority was that although Sutton, Merton and Croydon that they had already arrived at, disregarding evidence share borders, they are not a sufficiently clear and that would in any way contradict it. The inspectors took coherent locality to warrant ticking that box. I suspect just one year’s data to form a view and projected that to that many hon. Members will accept that, when conclude that there was widespread underachievement administrative boundaries are drawn, the areas that fall in the school. That was not true and is not fair, and the within them are not automatically and always seen as a data do not support that conclusion. The inspectors common locality. When it comes to finding a cost-effective seemed wilfully to overlook positive achievements while way of extending the benefits of a credit union, it seems they were in the school, and by taking just one-year’s rather strange that that one rule is becoming such a data rather than the normal three-year average, they barrier. misled themselves, and could mislead parents who are We have been told that changes to the rules that are deciding whether to send their children to that school. I due to come in by next July mean that the credit union would argue that, in some ways, they misdirected themselves will be able to go ahead then. However, I hope that the in how they conducted the inspection. Minister will pass on to colleagues in the Treasury my There is an appeal process to challenge Ofsted judgments view that hard-pressed families who are struggling under and how inspectors have come to their conclusions, and a burden of debt and financial pressures of one sort or it has been used to challenge the judgment in that case. another would benefit from a credit union as soon as However, from my direct experience of the process so possible. I hope that something can be done to ensure far and discussions with the head teacher, I do not that one comes to Sutton sooner rather than later. 987 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 988

Decent council homes are a concern for many of my is a genuine process of restoring trust and building constituents, not just those who live in them but those peace, rather than continued intimidation of, and misery who work in them to make them decent. It was a real for, many Tamils. blow to hear the announcement in July that the Government I end where I began—with education. There has been were to switch resources out of the decent homes a 29.4 per cent. rise in births in my borough since 2001, programme and into the building of new council homes. which means that an additional 300 children per year One can understand the case for investment in new will turn up at reception classes across Sutton. Indeed, homes, but that should not in any way undermine the in the past three years, there has been a 21 per cent. absolute need to ensure that existing properties are increase in Sutton and a 24 per cent. increase in Worcester properly maintained, renovated and improved. A Park in my constituency. Based on those figures and devastating blow has been dealt to tenants, and to the other data, there is a need, I believe, for anything staff who have been working so hard to ensure that they between 170 and 200 more places in September of 2011 get a two-star rating through the assessment, and that and over 300 more by 2012. the programmes to meet the need are in place. Despite having the largest birth rate increases in That money would have been used to replace a number London and the lowest numbers of surplus places of things, including life-expired, asbestos-ridden box nationally, Sutton has recently been told that it will bathrooms that are literally coming away from the sides receive nothing of the £271 million that has been allocated of the properties to which they were attached 40 years by the Department for Children, Schools and Families ago, and electrical and plumbing works. New boilers as a safety valve to help to cope with such unexpected and home insulation will go a long way to help to tackle and increasing pressures. It therefore has to find up to fuel poverty in my constituency. Given that the stock £18 million itself to fund the additional accommodation condition has been put in the bottom quartile of London that will be needed to ensure that those children have a councils, the decent homes programme is much needed school place to go to. The real concern now is that the in my area. accommodation will not be of the right sort—temporary accommodation—and that schools, governors, head A team has been set up to do all that work, but they teachers and others will understandably object to it, are now at risk of being sacked, because the work will thus causing even more delays in delivery. I have been not be available to them. The contractors who have trying to get a response to an e-mail that I sent to the been lined up, who would have employed 27 new Minister for Schools and Learners to arrange a meeting apprentices, are also now having to be stood down. We to discuss my local education authority’s concerns and need that £120 million programme, to lift the standard its case for additional funding, but I have not yet had of living of many of my constituents. I had a very one. I would like the opportunity to meet the Minister successful and useful meeting just last week with the in the new year to see whether we can find a way Minister for Housing and local tenants leaders, who through the funding problem. made a very powerful case. The talks were productive. I In conclusion, I wish you, Madam Deputy Speaker, certainly hope that the Minister will reflect on the Mr. Speaker, the staff of individual Members of Parliament matter over the Christmas period and that we will have and those who work in the service of the House, the a change of heart so that that resource becomes available. compliments of the season. I am sure that we all look I have spoken in the House on a number of occasions forward to a very prosperous and successful new year. about Sri Lanka. The Tamil community in my constituency is concerned about relatives and others given what is Several hon. Members rose— happening in the country. I shall address only one issue today—the camps—and I hope that Foreign Office Madam Deputy Speaker (Sylvia Heal): Order. May I Ministers will continue to pursue it vigorously. The just remind hon. Members that Mr. Speaker has imposed camps are seen by many Tamils as detention camps. a 15-minute time limit on Back-Bench contributions? People are not allowed free movement and certainly not to go home. There is a lack of information about who is being detained and why, and a lack of access for 1.45 pm independent human rights and humanitarian agencies. Twelve thousand alleged Liberation Tigers of Tamil Meg Munn (Sheffield, Heeley) (Lab/Co-op): I am Eelam members are held in them without access to sure Members on both sides of the House will be those agencies or even the Red Cross. They have now hoping for a positive outcome from the Copenhagen been incarcerated for seven months without any form of meeting as it draws toward a close. It is vital that an charge and certainly without any promise of being agreement is reached that will commit the countries of released. the world to work seriously together to tackle this international problem. During the summer I led a small The Government are doing much to put pressure on Commonwealth Parliamentary Association delegation the Sri Lankan Government to honour their commitments to study the effects of climate change on some of the on international law and human rights, but can more be smallest countries in the world. The group visited Kiribati, done to ensure that, through the European Union, Tonga, Vanuatu and Tuvalu in the south Pacific, which where we have leverage and which has recently reported have populations ranging from 11,000 to just over 200,000. on human rights violations, the renewal of the generalised We heard from many people about how the effects of system of preferences plus does not happen? That would climate change are making their daily lives much more be a way of signalling to the Sri Lankan Government difficult. The Pacific islands are relatively poor, and the that they must strive more to ensure that Tamils are local people lack the resources to cope well with the treated fairly and equally in that country, and that there extreme weather that is becoming more frequent. Some 989 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 990

[Meg Munn] many aspects to this which could and should be addressed, I particularly want to address the matter of heating and were angry that they suffer the effects of increased electricity. greenhouse gas emissions having contributed virtually I commend the Government for announcing a boiler none themselves. scrappage scheme in the pre-Budget report last week. Most people imagine that rising sea levels lead to Around 125,000 households will be able to upgrade low-lying islands disappearing under water, causing local their boiler when the scheme starts early next year. I hope populations to relocate, but local inhabitants move long that we can allocate further funds in due course as part before that happens. Already in Vanuatu, the population of a rolling programme to replace the large number of of one small island has had to do so. old and inefficient boilers in use. The Chancellor said: High tides and rising sea water contaminate the drinking “Inefficient domestic boilers add over £200 to household bills water, meaning that the only option for populations is and 1 tonne of carbon to the atmosphere each year.”—[Official to collect rain water to drink. On Funafuti, the main Report, 9 December 2009; Vol. 502, c. 365.] island of Tuvalu, the local council told us that owing to That scheme will be a positive step in reducing household low rainfall, families are currently rationed to six buckets emissions. It has an added attraction in that it will bring of water each morning and evening. Although the down the average household energy bill, which will be European Union has been able to help with the provision especially important to those caught in the fuel poverty of large rain water collection tanks on the main island, trap. as yet no means have been found to transport similar It is important that we have financial incentives in tanks to the outer islands. It is therefore perhaps place to encourage the next generation of low-carbon unsurprising that representatives from Tuvalu have made and renewable electricity. I know that the Government themselves heard at the summit in Copenhagen. have been consulting on two mechanisms: the renewables Over time the land becomes saturated with salty obligation and feed-in tariffs. I want to concentrate water, making it impossible to grow food. At the moment, today on feed-in tariffs: the money paid for electricity around 70 to 80 per cent. of the people on those islands supplied to the national grid. I think that we can make are reliant on agriculture. We heard in Tuvalu that the more progress. The Renewable Energy Association states island now frequently experiences high tides that lead to that the Government are planning to meet just 2 per flooding. How can a small farmer keep animals or sow cent. of the UK’s electricity needs from technologies crops when fertile soils and fresh water are contaminated supported through the current tariff scheme. That figure with salt water? is far lower than the potential and considerably lower Pressure will grow for the larger countries in the than other countries are achieving or working toward. Pacific to take in climate change refugees. The reality is If we pay more attention to that aspect of electricity that no Pacific nation will be unaffected, no matter how production, we can encourage many more individual large. More than half the population of the islands of households and small businesses to become involved. the region lives within 1.5 km of the shore. We were The expansion of small-scale electricity production would shown maps that showed that within 20 years, the help us in tackling climate change. It would also encourage heavily populated areas of many countries will be technological innovation, followed in due course by the uninhabitable. manufacture of the newly designed equipment. The visit brought it home to the delegation that Around the world, tariff schemes have had positive climate change is having a profound impact now, and effects on cutting costs of renewable technologies, as that the prospects for the people of the region are poor. well as creating employment opportunities. They offer Whatever the result of the Copenhagen discussions, I an incentive for individuals and companies, particular think it important that we in the UK continue to take those already focused on products aimed at low carbon what action we can to tackle the problem. emissions. I understand that the proposed clean energy All Pacific island nations have drawn up national cash back tariff, scheduled to launch in April, will pay adaptation plans with the support of funds from the households which generate their own power from wind United Nations, but we were told that the lack resources turbines and solar panels. They will receive money for to implement the plans causes those nations a great deal each unit of electricity that they use in their own home, of concern. Climate change experts at the university of and also for the surplus energy that they provide to their the South Pacific were clear that without significant local energy company. Both payments will be tax free. adaptation now, the longer-term prospects for the countries I know that the Government’s consultation on renewable are bleak. electricity financial incentives is now closed, and they Earlier this week, I asked the Prime Minister whether have yet to issue their response. I hope that they will European Union money that has been allocated for seriously consider increasing the proposed level of tariffs. assistance can be made available for adaptation. In his The suggested return on investment of between 5 per response he clearly recognised the importance of taking cent. and 8 per cent. is not likely to be sufficient to action. For many people in the world climate change is encourage significant take-up. According to the modelling not an issue for the future: it is affecting them now. commissioned by the Department for Energy and Climate In the UK we are lucky not to face such immediate Change, tariffs that deliver a 10 per cent. return on problems. However, we do have a responsibility to reduce investment would result in three times the amount of our carbon emissions to mitigate the future effects of renewable electricity generation by 2020 than will be climate change. I believe strongly that by focusing more delivered by the proposed scheme. on energy efficiency we could begin to see dramatic Over the past few months, I have been working reductions. Houses in the UK are responsible for a closely with one small Sheffield company in this field, significant amount of carbon emissions. While there are Disenco Energy plc. It is close to the commercial production 991 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 992 of the first viable micro combined heat and power I was shadow Leader of the House when the Government appliance suitable for the domestic and commercial introduced the increase in the use of the guillotine at all market. Currently the size of a washing machine, Disenco’s stages of a Bill. I opposed it then and, given our patented HomePowerPlan is a highly efficient boiler experience of that process, I believe that the House and anda3KWelectrical system at 92 per cent. efficiency. our legislation is the poorer for not having more time— That appliance will supply all the hot water and heating especially in Committee and when a Bill returns from requirements of a home, and up to 70 per cent. of its the Lords—for scrutiny and examination on a clause-by- electricity needs at peak times. That is obviously beneficial clause, line-by-line basis. It is possible for large chunks for the consumer as costs and efficiency savings result in of legislation to be added in the other place and, reductions to annual electrical bills. Importantly, it can because of the guillotine, to reach the statute book cut the carbon footprint of a home by about 70 per without this House having considered the detail of it at cent., reducing C02 emissions. all. That is not democracy or what most of us came into The product is targeted at the domestic market as a this House to do. I hope that that will be addressed in direct replacement for the boiler. The company estimates the reforms that are needed, so that MPs feel that they that the cost could be around £3,000 when production can play a much more active and influential role in the gets into commercial gear. That would put them in the way in which legislation passes through this place and, same market as many current new boilers, obviously as a result, represent their constituents better. Constituents important when trying to entice people to replace their often write to us, but increasingly one finds oneself old boiler with a new energy-efficient appliance. writing back and saying, “I’m very sorry, but when we got to this on the Floor of the House last night, the The other significant benefit of micro combined heat guillotine fell and the issues that you have concerns and power units is that they assist with electricity generation about were not discussed, even though the Speaker might at precisely the times when there is significant demand, have listed the particular amendments and clauses for helping the grid to cope with peak periods. They also debate.” make a significant contribution to tackling fuel poverty. Elderly and vulnerable people, who currently hesitate to The hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) put the heating on for fear of the cost, will be able to began the debate by outlining his experience in dealing heat their homes, knowing that by doing so they are with the Highways Agency. There, too, something needs also generating electricity and being paid for it. to be done. All too often Members of Parliament find themselves unable to stand on the Floor of the House Emerging small businesses such as Disenco need the and ask a Minister to respond to a problem in their support that the Government can provide. They need a constituency. Instead they find themselves dealing with revenue system in place that provides incentives for quangos, which can be bureaucratic and elusive in householders to replace their old boilers with new products responding. That can be extremely time-consuming. If that can generate sufficient electricity that surplus can a Minister has ministerial responsibility for a brief, be sold to the national grid. They also of course need despite all the quangos, many of which I would like to money to get their products to market. At a time when see go, the Minister should be able to give an answer. we have supported banks with billions of pounds, a few One should not have to keep phoning a chief executive million pounds of investment could see these important to get an answer to a local problem. new technologies in place in months. We face the challenge of meeting the UK targets of I would like to flag up my concerns regarding two reducing energy use, while at the same time bringing to pieces of paper that were on my desk this morning and an end the excessive use of fossil fuels. Feed-in tariffs which were sent to all Members of Parliament. The first are one way of helping us to get there. Encouraging is today’s parliamentary ombudsman report entitled, change is a huge challenge, particularly so during this “Cold Comfort: the Administration of the 2005 Single difficult economic time. However, the possibilities of Payment Scheme by the Rural Payments Agency”. The these new technologies fill me with optimism. They will House has addressed that matter on many occasions, reduce carbon emissions, ensure that people can stay and I and other members of the Public Accounts warm in their homes, and importantly we will use less of Committee have studied it in detail. It is worrying. The the planet’s resources. If we can encourage and help ombudsman is an important person to whom Members along this process, we can also help to generate future of Parliament ultimately can take constituency problems prosperity for the country. for adjudication. Today, however, we see something quite extraordinary. Having looked at case work relating On that note, I wish you, Madam Deputy Speaker, to rural single payments, the ombudsman made everybody else in the House and all the staff a very recommendations to Parliament, but the Government happy Christmas and all the best for the new year. have not accepted the ombudsman’s determination. This is not the first time that has happened—we saw it with 1.57 pm Equitable Life, for example, which we debated on the Floor Angela Browning (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con): I of the House. The letter from the ombudsman reads: enjoy these end of term Adjournment debates in which “It is a rare occurrence for the Government to refuse to accept we can talk about almost anything, but this will definitely all of the Ombudsman’s recommendations in full and for the be my last one, as I am retiring. As a result, rather than Government to lay a special report before Parliament on that talk about various local matters, I thought that I would basis. This report is only the sixth such special report laid before discuss an issue that concerns me, as someone leaving Parliament by the Ombudsman since the creation of the Ombudsman’s this House after 18 years. I know that those who will be Office in 1967.” here after the general election intend to make changes The time has come for the House to exert its power and to the way in which this House works, especially to the to say to the Government that when an ombudsman work that Back Benchers do and their power—or perhaps makes a determination, the Government of the day I should say lack of power. should abide by it, not ignore it. 993 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 994

[Angela Browning] a valuable debating Chamber. It perhaps does not have quite the clout of a debate with a vote in the House, but In slight contrast, I also received from the Department we would not want to see votes down in Westminster for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs a handy little Hall. However, I agree with him. I am not saying that I pocket guide to the environment containing thousands am opposed to all change or that I am not a moderniser. of statistics. For example, on page 17, I can read about Some areas of modernisation are good. Equally, however, the 2007 EU municipal waste management programme I would always apply the test of whether they take for every country in the EU—fine if one is going on a powers away from Back Benchers and give them to the quiz programme! The same Department that is refusing Executive. Whether we are Government Members or to accept the ombudsman’s determination apparently not, we are here to challenge and scrutinise the Executive has the resources to produce these colourful little pocket and to get answers for our constituents. I think that guides, however useful they might be. I do not know litmus test needs to be applied. what they cost, but it seems that some of the priorities in some Departments are wrong. I want to mention something that I raised in an earlier debate. Sometimes, in the House, Members In the 1990s, when I was a Minister at the Ministry of repeatedly make certain points to the Government, but Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, a constituent came to when the relevant policies are put into practice it becomes me with a complaint about the Ministry. As is the rule clear that they have not taken account of the concerns for Ministers, I could not consider the matter because espoused by Members. That is of concern to me. We he was my constituent; I had to hand it to my colleagues. hear a lot about invitations to stakeholders and Government They considered my constituent’s complaint, but eventually consultations that never come anywhere near the House the word came back that they did not think that there when the Government are implementing policies and was a case and would not do whatever it was that my legislation, particularly in relation to secondary legislation constituent was asking MAFF to do. and guidance. I thought about the matter for a nanosecond. I was a Minister in that Ministry because the people of my I want to flag up another matter. Over the past constituency in Tiverton and Honiton had elected me couple of years, we have had legislation on disabled to represent them in this place. I decided that my duties people who stop work or lose their jobs because of their as a Back-Bench Member of Parliament meant that I disabilities and who then get into the cycle of going should refer my own Department to the parliamentary back to work. That critical area of returning to work ombudsman, because I thought that my constituent worries me. I have asked the Jobcentre Plus in my had a good case. I had an interesting conversation with constituency for a meeting with the people who assess the permanent secretary. I went to his office and explained whether somebody is ready to return to work. I am not to him that I was going to refer MAFF to the parliamentary necessarily talking about people who have been out of ombudsman, and he turned a whiter shade of pale. I did work for many years—the long-term unemployed—because it because I thought that my priority was to represent there are different schemes for them. I am more concerned my constituent’s interest, whether I was a Minister or a about people who have been out of work because of a Back Bencher. We should be doing more of that. However, serious illness—in particular, cancer—perhaps involving we need the Government to understand that when an a lot of treatment and surgery, and who, as a result, are ombudsman has a power, it is not for the Government quite weak. I am also concerned about people with to dismiss it and ignore what the ombudsman says. obvious disabilities. Obviously, given that I sit on the Conservative Benches, I have found the recent experiences of some of those I have a view on whom I want to form the next Government. people to be quite brutal and cruel—I would use that I will not be coy: I really hope it will be a Conservative word—as I have explained to the House before. I saw a Government. However, in the coming Parliament, after lady who had had a lot of chemotherapy and radiography the election, whoever are in government will have a following a double mastectomy. This was her test: she golden opportunity to improve how the House works went into the room and they asked her to raise her arms and to improve the representation of the people through above her head. She could, so they said, “Right, back to the House, particularly through Back Benchers. I hope work!” Her doctor said that she needed to go back part that they will reverse many of the things done in recent time and to do it gradually, but they dismissed that. years and strengthen the powers of those who come to That is why I asked for the meeting. represent their constituents in trying to get results and answers and make life better for them. I have sat through many debates in the House on the need to get people back into work and on what happens when people return to work having been ill. During Mr. Winnick: I am grateful to the hon. Lady for such debates, hon. Members on both sides of the House mentioning my remarks. However, does she agree that, have told Ministers that we need to ensure that the apart from the other changes that have taken place—in assessors have the knowledge, expertise and medical my view for the better, but time will tell—Westminster background required to carry out proper assessments, Hall debates have given Back Benchers an opportunity and to ensure that they do not ride roughshod over that they did not have before? That is an added forum in hospital consultants and general practitioners who clearly which issues, whether national or local, can be raised. know the patient much better than they do. It is not that those people are workshy or shirking; rather, they have Angela Browning: I must say to the hon. Gentleman had legitimate reasons not to be in work. I intend to that, at the time, I was one of the people who were follow that point up, but I am concerned that although I extremely sceptical about how Westminster Hall would have heard it mentioned many times by colleagues function and whether it would be of value. I do believe, across the House, for some reason what should have however, that he was right and I was wrong. It has been happened in practice has not happened. 995 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 996

It would not be Christmas or the holiday season if I we were given the greatest of promises: lots of investment did not invite colleagues from all parts of the House to to come; people to get new kitchens, new bathrooms come and visit the glorious county of Devon during this and renovated homes; people to be supported in their three-week recess. They will be made very welcome in homes. The Willows is a little special: it is a sheltered Devon. We have the most wonderful entertainment—I housing scheme. Chorley Community Housing said can almost hear the log fires crunching away in the that it would invest heavily in the scheme and that, in background—and lovely food and drink from our fact, it would be not just a sheltered scheme, but an wonderful farms. Hon. Members would be made very extra care scheme, which makes sense for Chorley, welcome, and they do not need to rely on British because there are only three sheltered accommodation Airways to get to Devon from wherever they live in the schemes operating in the whole borough. country, because we have an excellent airline based in Hon. Members can therefore understand how important my constituency at Exeter airport called Flybe. It flies the Willows is to us and to the people who live there—it from all parts of the country into Exeter. We also have is their home. They felt that it was the right thing for an airport in Plymouth. So I say this to hon. Members: Chorley Community Housing to vote for, but they now do please come, you will be made very welcome. feel that it was the wrong thing. What has Chorley I have mentioned BA, so let me conclude with this. Community Housing done, through and with the board My telephone has a ringtone that I know is incredibly of Adactus, the parent company? The chief executive of irritating to colleagues and which has become known as Adactus told everybody how well he would look after the BA tune—it is actually “The Flower Duet” from the people in those houses or in the sheltered scheme, Lakmé. As it is Christmas, I have brought in my phone, only for us to find that people had gone down there—there in case you felt that you wanted me to hold it up and was some spare accommodation—and been told that it share the tune with the House, Madam Deputy Speaker. was going to close. I am at your disposal, although I can see that you are That is a sad situation, which has happened within probably not going to let me do that. two years. It is totally unacceptable for Chorley Community Housing, through its Adactus board, even to consider Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. I appreciate the hon. closure. I have to tell them: they have got it wrong. What Lady’s offer, but even at this time of good will to all, I they should be doing is investing the money that they think that I would have to refuse. have promised and putting the extra care in. Closure is not acceptable to the House, not acceptable to the Angela Browning: I rather thought that you might do people of Chorley and certainly not acceptable to the that, Madam Deputy Speaker. I just thought that people people who live there, who call it home. They should might like to hear the tune, because today is the last not be bullied and intimidated. Hon. Members should time that it will be played on my telephone. I intend to beware when such companies come along and make a replace it tonight with Rod Stewart’s “Do Ya Think I’m lot of promises. Sexy?” “The Flower Duet” from Lakmé will not be It is important that we think about those in every played on my telephone again. area with no roofs over their heads and no homes, and Madam Deputy Speaker, may I wish you, all colleagues no more so than in the Christmas period. When we in the House and all members of staff in the House a think about people who are living rough on the streets, very happy and peaceful Christmas? we can be thankful that the Churches and the charities will play their part to give them shelter and food over 2.12 pm the Christmas period. However, in the case of Chorley—a wealthy community and a great place to live—it is Mr. Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley) (Lab): Follow that! Let absurd that we have a shortage of social housing and me reassure you, Madam Deputy Speaker, that I do not that, somehow, the council’s responsibility to provide have with me my mobile or the BA tune, or for that more is not taken seriously. In fact, the council has matter Rod Stewart—I may go along with the sentiments section 106 money sat there, not being spent, that could of the song, but that is about it. be used to provide social housing. It is wrong and it This is an important time, when Back Benchers can is—how shall say this? I could make it a lot stronger, but raise important issues, whether they be world issues, all I will say is that it is totally regrettable. national issues or local issues—the point is that we can get them on the record. None is more important than Mr. Mike Hancock (Portsmouth, South) (LD): It is our troops who are serving on the front line. It is always criminal. difficult for those troops who are serving, but more so at this time for their families and friends. I am sure that Mr. Hoyle: “Criminal” is another word; it is regrettable the best wishes from all parts of the House go to our that Chorley council will not do right by the people who brave armed forces serving overseas. In addition, there need that support and shelter, especially as the money is are also the emergency services in this country—people there. in hospitals who work on Christmas day and people Within that context, people need jobs. We have gone who work in power stations to ensure that the rest of us into a recession. All the signs are that we are now have a wonderful Christmas. We all ought to give thanks coming out of it, but that usually brings another body to them, too. blow, which is further increases in redundancies. The I want to raise a local issue and take us to a village in one thing that we have to learn from the recession is that Chorley, where the Willows sheltered housing can be we must not be reliant on the service and financial found. Chorley has its own council housing, like everywhere industries. We have to reinvest in manufacturing. We else, but it decided to offload its housing and set up a have to make this country great once again, so that company called Chorley Community Housing. Of course, when we export around the world, we are exporting 997 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 998

[Mr. Hoyle] should be taken to Lincolnshire, and that Lincolnshire carrots should come to Lancashire. We could stop all products that were made and manufactured in this that. Supermarkets such as Booths, a good quality local country. It is not too late. There are cynics who say, “It’s supermarket, buy regionally to support our local farmers, too late. We can’t put it back,” but we can put it back. and that is what we need the great national supermarkets We have the skills, the technology and the know-how. to do. They do a lot of talking, but talk is cheap. We must not miss this great opportunity to ensure that Actions speak louder than words, and I expect action our manufacturing is made great again. from the major supermarkets. Nowhere is that more true than at Leyland Trucks, a The dairy farmers have also had it rough, and we big employer in the area and a great, historical name. need to ensure that they get the right price for their Quite rightly, Leyland Trucks should be looking for products. Setting the right price at the farm gate will support as well. I know that the company will get a new ensure that farming has a future in the UK. There is training grant—that is welcome—and there are talks also the question of labelling, which matters to me and about the hybrid truck. We talk about Ministers riding to most people, because we care about the welfare of round in their Japanese-built hybrid cars, with no British livestock such as chickens reared for egg production, jobs involved and no British components; but in this poultry reared as broilers, and beef. We expect the case we have a hybrid truck, developed by Leyland for highest possible welfare standards for that livestock. the benefit of the climate, to which we should give real There is nothing wrong with that. We must not allow support. poor welfare standards to be imported. Any imports I ask hon. Members: do you know what the tragedy should also meet the welfare standards that we expect of this truck is? Leyland Trucks wants to get partners to our farmers to observe. Anyone who wants to export trial the truck, and this Government are a shareholder their products to this country should match the welfare of a big company called Royal Mail, which uses a lot of standards that we set for our farmers. The nitrate scheme trucks. Royal Mail has been asked to trial the hybrid is another area that we need to look at. A lot of pressure truck, but believe it or not, Royal Mail has said no, it has been put on farmers over a period of time, and that does not want to trial it. That is absolutely absurd. We matter needs to be looked at and reconsidered. have Royal Mail and a British truck manufacturer There was a tragedy in my constituency when a leading the world in clean technology with a hybrid young schoolgirl, Jessica Knight, was in the park at the truck, and we find that, as a shareholder, we are not wrong time and was savagely attacked by a maniac with putting the pressure on. I know that my hon. Friend the a knife. She was severely stabbed and is now scarred all Deputy Leader of the House will take that on board over. She survived—that was the good part—but her and rattle the cages of Royal Mail, and certainly the life has almost been destroyed and her family have Secretary of State’s cage too. It is important that if we suffered as a result of that awful attack. Compensation have a good product, we use it, develop it and export it. was paid, and of course it is the taxpayer who pays it. She received £18,000 for what she had gone through, I do go on about our armed forces and how brave and for the lifelong suffering ahead. That worries me, they are—I touched on that at the beginning of my because it is impossible to judge, so soon after the remarks—and about the tragedy of what is happening. attack, what she will need. There should have been an The Royal British Legion has launched an election interim payment, followed by further payments when manifesto. I know that a lot of MPs have signed up to we can judge what her requirements are. it—I dare say that a lot of candidates will as well—and it is important that we register our support. The Royal We need to look at the compensation scheme. We British Legion is calling for an independent legal advisory take away the assets of drug dealers and give them to service for bereaved armed forces families and an the police or the Home Office, but why do we not put independent advisory committee on military deaths to criminals’ assets into the compensation scheme? In that give the families a voice. It is also issuing a call to keep way, we could pay real compensation to constituents the armed forces compensation scheme under continual such as Jessica Knight. She has suffered so much, review, to bring all single and family accommodation through no fault of her own. She was simply in the park up to the highest standards, to introduce health screening at the wrong time. I hope that that can be looked at. for all service personnel and to introduce more effective Another issue that I want to talk about is allotments. prevention and treatment strategies to tackle mental Local authorities have waiting lists for allotments, but health problems, drinking and drug abuse, as well as they never take them seriously. That is certainly true of calling for support after people leave the armed forces. Chorley, where more than 200 people are waiting for an That fits in with the convention that we expect to see allotment, including the mayor herself. Let us take this followed. Quite rightly, the Royal British Legion is challenge to the councils. People have a right to an championing the rights of our armed forces. It is only allotment, and the councils are failing the people, including right that we put support for that on the record. those in Chorley. My constituency is both urban and rural, and there are farms there. Farming matters, not only to our Mr. Hancock: Hear, hear! community but to all the other countries around the world. Local farming is important to us all, and reducing Mr. Hoyle: Thank you. It is important that we take the number of miles that our food has to travel will on those councils. make a significant improvement to climate change. Having My next point is about a UK border force. We should local products on sale in local supermarkets can make a put such a force in place and support it. People come real difference. Let us stop buying from all around the into the UK illegally, and drugs and guns come in and world. There is nothing wrong with that—I believe in women are trafficked over our borders. We need to put trade—but it seems daft that carrots grown in Lancashire a border force in place. Severely injured service personnel 999 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1000 come back from Afghanistan who do not want to give and pick people up at the bottom of Great Knowley. up their uniform. They might not be able to go back That bus now goes via the hospital, which is good. into theatre, but we could use them to set up a border However, a lot of people in Lower Wheelton and other force if they wished. That would make a real difference, areas can no longer use that connection. When bus and give those people a future. They would be able to routes are changed, we need to talk to the people who keep their uniform and help to protect our borders. We use them to find out which routes would be the most ought to look into that as a matter of urgency. beneficial, rather than asking someone who sits in an Another issue that I am greatly concerned about is office in a white tower somewhere who says, “I think the child care voucher scheme. It has been widely welcomed, this is the best route because I looked at it on a map.” but it is delivered by private companies. How well are That is not good enough. We need to empower local they doing? When I asked that question, the Minister people so that they can say which bus routes they want, who responded told me that the Government do not and where they should go. know the answer because they do not administer the Madam Deputy Speaker, it is the season of good will, scheme. That is an absurd position to have got ourselves and I wish you and all the staff of the House all the best into. Ministers should be on top of their brief. They at Christmas. Let us have a better year next year in the should be pursuing those companies for their failures. House. I look forward to that, and I wish all hon. People are waiting up to 12 months to find out whether Members on both sides of the House all the best for their child care voucher payments have been made. It is Christmas and the new year. not good enough, and Ministers cannot shy away from ensuring that those companies deliver. This is taxpayers’ money. I hope that that matter can be taken on board as 2.28 pm well. Mr. John Horam (Orpington) (Con): Like my very My next topic is the great question of electrification. good friend, my hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton It was good to hear the pre-Budget report, and the and Honiton (Angela Browning), I shall not be standing announcement that the Preston to Manchester line is to at the next general election, so this could be the last time be electrified, because between the two lies Chorley. I I participate in one of these debates. My knowledge of know that the Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the procedure might be rather shaky, but presumably there Leader of the House of Commons, my hon. Friend the will be some kind of debate at the end of the Parliament Member for Worsley (Barbara Keeley) will benefit from that I shall be able to take part in. Perhaps I can look it as well; it will make a real difference. We have that up. overcrowding. We will get new, faster rolling stock, and I should like to follow my hon. Friend’s inspired there will be an increased ability for the trains to stop example, although I shall not be changing the ring tone not only at Chorley but at Adlington. At the moment, on my mobile. I shall, however, make a point of ringing we have the absurd situation of trains not stopping her when she gets her new tune. I shall hope to hear her because of overcrowding. The answer is to put more dulcet tones, rather than Rod Stewart, who I think is a trains on, and that is something that Network Rail and rather aged act these days. I would rather hear my hon. the train operators need to consider. Electrification will Friend than that song. I shall follow her example in give us a lot more options. We are also getting the new making a point not about local issues—although I station at Buckshaw village, with the new park-and-ride think that it was Tip O’Neill who said “All politics is scheme. Electrification will mean cleaner, greener trains. local”—but about national and international issues. I We can build on that development, and I am pleased particularly want to put on record my views on Britain’s that the Government have listened to my campaign and place in the world, and its interest in the European are delivering on it. I know that my hon. Friend will Union. agree with me on that. I recently read an article that made the point that The Coppull railway station on the west coast main there are now a large number of regional groupings in line was closed under Beeching. It is now time for that the world. South America, for example, has the organisation village to be reconnected, through the re-opening of called Mercosur or Mercado Común del Sur in Spanish—I that station. think it is Spanish, although it may be Portuguese. It is the group of south American nations originally started Dr. John Pugh (Southport) (LD): Unfortunately, the by Argentina and Brazil, mainly because there was a hon. Gentleman has not made such good progress with potential arms race going on between them, but it his campaign for better carriages on the northern franchise, eventually developed into a trade, investment and, ultimately, and neither have the Government. democratic group. Any member that wants to join has to be a bona fide democracy. That group of south Mr. Hoyle: I cannot disagree with the hon. Gentleman. American countries was originally based on the inspiration There is a lot of room for improvement, especially in of the European Union. There is also ASEAN—the the standard of rolling stock. After electrification, our Association of Southeast Asian Nations. rolling stock could be handed over and used elsewhere on the train network. It is not old; it is just too small Mr. Hoyle: Uruguay is also a member of Mercosur, and cannot carry enough passengers. The major line but there are associate members that wish to join. Does between Preston and Manchester needs longer, faster the hon. Gentleman agree that we should encourage trains with greater capacity. more south American countries to join? My next point is about bus routes. The county council has been looking into them, and we have now lost the Mr. Horam: I totally agree. I think that Mexico is direct link that existed for a long time between Blackburn now considering joining, along with Venezuela, which is and Chorley. The buses used to come along Eaves lane an associate member. 1001 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1002

[Mr. Horam] Prague when the European nations met together and discussed issues in a rather squabbling and disagreeable Returning to east Asia, there is ASEAN, and south sort of way. He was not impressed, and I gather he said Asia has the South Asian Association for Regional that he would not come back until Europe was more Co-operation. The Pacific has APEC—the Asia-Pacific united on some of the issues that he was concerned Economic Co-operation group—while Africa has the about. I thought that that was a reasonable comment African Union, and there is now talk of changing the from an incoming President. Arab League into an Arab Union. All these, originally Equally, we must be less subservient to the United inspired by the European Union, are essentially States. A stronger voice from a Europe that is less concentrating on issues involving security, trade and, in subservient to America helps both America and ourselves. many cases, democracy. The world is breaking up into Still on the subject of the relatively new President regional blocs based on continents. That indicates the Obama, nothing was more embarrassing than seeing all clear necessity for a medium-sized European country of those European Prime Ministers scrabbling to be the our kind to be involved in its bloc—in our case, the first through the door to the oval office to speak to the European Union. Without that, we would simply be President or Secretary of State or whatever. It is diminished, and would have much greater difficulty in embarrassing: it embarrasses America and it does us no making our voice heard in the world. good either. It will be much better if Europe can get its That puts into context the backward-looking nature act together and present a clear and distinctive point of of a party like the UK Independence party, for example, view, to which America will listen. On trade, for example, which wants us to pull out of the European Union. Europe has a point of view—a united point of view—and Thank God all three major parties in this Parliament America is forced to listen, at least much more so than want us to stay in the EU; there may be differing with some of the foreign policy initiatives of recent emphases from different parts of the spectrum, but none times. the less, that is a common wish. I certainly hope that we On Iraq, for example, Europe was not united, and will never, ever think about pulling out of the EU. there was a visible divide between countries such as I notice that someone—the Foreign Secretary, no Britain and Spain on the one hand and Germany and less—quoted Baroness Thatcher giving a clear indication France on the other. America still went ahead. We of what it meant to a country to be part of the European hoped that we would exert some influence on the decision Union. He quoted her as saying: of America, but we had no influence whatever. I personally “The Community opens windows on the world for us that voted against the war in Iraq, because at the time I did since the war have been closing”. not see that the weapons of mass destruction were any The Foreign Secretary’s response was: threat to this country, even if they existed; I knew no “I never thought I would say this but Mrs Thatcher was more than anyone else, but I thought they posed no prescient and right.” threat to this country. Many of us believe that Mrs. Thatcher was prescient It seems to me that if a country presents no threat to and right in many respects, so it was interesting to find the UK, we should not invade it; it is as simple as that. that particular quotation in praise of her. We are now seeing what is coming out of the Chilcot We all know that there are many detailed things inquiry, and it is astonishing to me that that fundamental wrong with the EU, and things go particularly wrong mistake was made, way back in the early part of this when it tries to get into what Douglas Hurd, now Lord century. We are paying the price for that now, and the Hurd, described as the “nooks and crannies” of British Government are paying a price for the diversion of the life. That is part of the problem, as it becomes unpopular time and effort of the Prime Minister and the people in dealing with all those detailed matters in a rather from the legitimate concerns about reforming public ham-fisted way—and the Government then apply gold services and similar matters in this country. plating. I trust that when a Conservative Government The Government paid a heavy price for that elementary eventually—I hope—take office next year, they will be foreign policy mistake, and the truth is that we gained able to deal with those issues. I am sure that my right no extra pressure or influence as a result of what we did. hon. Friends on the Front Bench will do their best to There was a point at which the Americans called the bring some common sense to those controversial areas. French “cheese-eating surrender monkeys”, but they The European Union is at its best when it is dealing are now back in favour. The Germans voted against with larger global matters, whether those be trade or, as approving the Iraq war, and they are back in favour, the hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Meg Munn) while Britain has no greater standing with America mentioned, climate change and the environment, and it than before. That is something that this country has to is making a sensible fist of trying to take the lead get right strategically: we must understand the role of globally on such issues. In some ways—although on Europe in maximising the power and influence we can energy, despite many efforts, it is has not yet got its act have in the world, while at the same time distancing together—the EU is way ahead of China and America ourselves and being less subservient to America, which, on those issues, particularly in dealing with civil and fundamentally, pursues its own interests. military actions all around the world by backing up its There are areas where Europe can play—and indeed actions with European resources and in dealing with already is playing—some sort of role. At the recent foreign policy issues. In that area, Europe has a role and Council, for example, Europe produced a statement on it is important that it play to its full strength. To do that east Jerusalem that was prodding America, which in my properly, it must first of all get its act together. view has been rather tame on this subject, into taking It was apparent to me during a Foreign Affairs some sort of further action, adopting a tougher line Committee visit to Washington this year that President with Israel. Secondly, on Iran, the European E3 plus 3 Obama was not visibly impressed by what he found in has proposed a series of sanctions over timing, and it is 1003 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1004 now clear that a sanctions regime is necessary to try to much happier Christmases and new years. I refer not get the Iranian regime to see any sense, to abide by its just to mainstream education, but the range of obligations under the non-proliferation treaty and more complementary policies that need to be introduced in generally to abide by international law, which it is certain areas to add value to the substantial investment breaking. If we can get some support from China and that has been made in our mainstream education system. Russia in this instance, we will have an effect, and New Labour’s mantra in 1997 was “Education, education, Europe is playing a role in achieving that. education”, and rightly so, because education is the Things are clearly much more difficult with Afghanistan. route out of poverty for so many people. It is also a Whatever we do, America has taken the lead and there route to self-fulfilment. Above all, it is the driver for is very little we can do to influence American policy. achievement of the skills base that we need in order to However, as a wide coalition is now dealing with the secure the public services and industry that will enable situation in Afghanistan, the sense of the policy, now us to survive in the modern economy. coming through more strongly from European public My constituency and the neighbouring black country opinion than from American public opinion, is that in constituencies provided object lessons, being classic the end there will have to be some sort of negotiation or examples of areas requiring that approach. Historically political deal. It is not possible to achieve a military they have been manufacturing constituencies, but the victory alone, and it is not possible to rely on military closure of heavy industries during the 1980s and 1990s progress alone, although I support the current surge as consigned a generation with relatively low educational a necessary part of a long and difficult process of qualifications to long-term unemployment. There was a securing something more stable in that country. Europe danger that a new generation would grow up in households is clearly beginning to play a role, even though I accept that had never known employment, or education and that America is in the lead on this matter. the aspirations that go with it. It was for areas such as Europe must pay more attention to its immediate mine that Labour’s priorities were so important in 1997, neighbours, particularly Russia, which, after all, is partly when unemployment was higher, there was more poverty, a European nation. I do not know whether Members and educational achievement was lower—much lower— saw a wonderful television programme called “The Art than the national average. of Russia”, broadcast recently, in which Russians said, I am indebted to a project on poverty conducted by “We are neither European nor Asian: we are simply students at St Michaels school—which is in an area Russian.” That is true. Russia, plus the countries that neighbouring my constituency and yours, Madam Deputy surround it—Belarus, Ukraine and the “stans”, for Speaker—which highlighted some of the issues confronting instance—is an enormously important part of our people in my constituency. I hope to present the result geopolitical sphere. If Britain and Europe together to the Minister during the next parliamentary Session. could help to bring it more into the context of European We have seen an enormous amount of investment in policy, they would play a huge part in stabilising the education in local schools. It has risen by some 50 per world, enabling America, Europe and Russia to act cent. in real terms since 1997, and that has been reflected together. Of course that would be difficult; of course in achievement. The number of pupils obtaining five there would be all sorts of drawbacks. Not every initiative good GCSEs has almost doubled. The number at key prompts a response. None the less, I think that we stage 1 achieving level 5 in English and maths has risen should try. by a third, and the number achieving that level at key Let me end by saying that we need a strong Britain stage 2 in English, maths and science has risen by two and a strong Europe, despite all the disadvantages that thirds. Meanwhile, the number of students entering that may involve. higher education has risen by nearly 27 per cent.—but although those are significant improvements that reflect Mr. Andrew Pelling (Croydon, Central) (Ind): As the an enormous change in the aspirations and quality of hon. Gentleman is about to end his speech, may I say to life of those who have succeeded, our area still lags well him—bearing in mind the comments that he has made, behind the average in the national league tables of with which I entirely agree—that this House will greatly education authorities. It is important to focus on the miss his sagacity and experience after the next election? extra problems that prevent areas such as the black country from attaining the higher educational achievements Mr. Horam: I feel that I ought to sit down at that that are found in other areas. point, with the hon. Gentleman’s praise ringing in my I know of the work that the Government have done. I ears. Splendid! I am very grateful to him. want to pinpoint one or two areas—one of them in my We need a strong Europe to play a role, and within constituency—which provide a lesson that could be that role we need Britain to play a significant part. used in other areas. My constituency contains an estate However, it will only be able to play such a part if it has that stood out according to all the normal indices of a more coherent view of the policy that it can follow deprivation: the Tibbington estate, or the “Tibby”, as it and the position that it can take. is affectionately called. It is among the worst 1 per cent. in terms of poverty and low educational achievement, and unemployment is well above the average even for an 2.41 pm area with above-average unemployment. Mr. Adrian Bailey (West Bromwich, West) (Lab/Co-op): Three years ago, the Safer and Stronger Communities I join others in wishing everyone a very happy Christmas project secured three years of funding to set up a and new year. project involving the use of local people with aspirations In my brief contribution, I want to talk about education and a commitment to improving their area to act as and the potential for us to offer many more people, in mentors for people on the estate. Over those three years the medium and long term, the opportunity to enjoy they have helped some 400 families with a range of 1005 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1006

[Mr. Adrian Bailey] alienation that often manifested itself in criminal behaviour. It is no coincidence that 80 per cent. of the young support mechanisms, but above all they have provided people in the criminal justice system have been identified access to both intermediate and higher education for a as having speech and language difficulties. number of people. The most significant statistic that I Interestingly, Lord Ramsbotham, a former chief inspector have found is the information that 41 received bursaries of prisons, was recruited to this cause by a prison for colleges and universities. That would have been governor saying to him, “Whoever else you take out of unthought of before the implementation of the project. my prison, keep the speech and language therapist That funding is coming to an end, and successor funding here.” If the young people who go through the youth must be considered if the fragile growth in regeneration justice system do not receive the education to give them in the area is to be sustained. On Monday I was pleased the confidence and abilities to get back into mainstream to hear the announcement of the Connecting Communities society once they are released, all we are doing is project, which will enable 20 young citizens, under a recycling criminality. Speech and language therapy has successor scheme, to be recruited to train and implement an important role to play in this, and I compliment the environmental and other initiatives on the estate, continuing RCSLT for providing the template for support—and the work on raising aspirations that has already been indeed the support itself—that is required in terms of done. screening and other mechanisms. I want to emphasise the importance of that development. I should also briefly mention my visit to Rampton, Given the deterioration in the economy, areas of that the secure hospital in Nottinghamshire where there is a kind, which were beginning to emerge from years of team of speech and language therapists dealing with recession, are obviously more fragile than some others. some of the most difficult and challenging patients, and It is vital not to throw away all the progress that has pay tribute to the work that they have done. I was taken been made on the Tibbington estate. I am confident around by a patient who had acquired the ability and that the work being done by Skills Link and the Murray self-confidence to talk about his problems, and to escort Hall Community Trust will not be wasted. There is people around the hospital explaining what the staff considerable evidence that when on one estate it is and patients did and how they dealt with different possible to recruit a critical mass of people who are problems. That is a reflection of the Rampton staff’s committed to improving their local environment and commitment and the valuable work that they do to bettering themselves, that commitment is transmitted to improve the quality of life of others. other people. Projects such as these are not just a frill; they are not There is another area of policy that needs to be acted just additions bolted on to our system. If we are to get on if we are to make the most of our investment in full value from all the money that the Government have mainstream education. I have been working with the invested in education, they are essential. That is because Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, and we can only go so far by providing good schools, City university, on incorporating speech and language attractive buildings and inspirational teachers and head screening in the educational process, so as to secure the teachers, because there will always be groups of people specific support needed for certain categories of young with special problems that need to be addressed. There people who fail to make the most of education because will also always be communities with no history of of inherent speech and language difficulties. participation in education, and changing that culture These difficulties can emerge for all sorts of reasons. and level of aspiration will complement all the good Young people’s home background might hinder them schools and inspirational teaching that we have provided. from acquiring normal levels of comprehension or I ask the Minister to take this point away with her, articulacy, or they might have health problems or particular because money spent on improving young people’s conditions that hold them back. Identifying and addressing education at the earliest stage in their development will the causes of these difficulties is a specialist skill, which make huge savings, both by reducing the number of has not until now been fully incorporated in the education people in the criminal justice system and by enhancing system. Work to address them is being done by organisations educational qualifications, and therefore the skills base such as the RCSLT and City university, and I wish to of our country, which we need in order to survive in the highlight the work being done at City university by modern world. Professor Joffe and the ELCISS—enhancing language and communication in secondary school—programme. 2.55 pm It has conducted a project in Redbridge and in Barking Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold) (Con): I am and Dagenham, training teaching assistants to identify pleased to follow the hon. Member for West Bromwich, pupils with communications problems and the policies West (Mr. Bailey), but I am particularly pleased to needed to address them. It is too early to assess fully the follow my hon. Friends the Members for Tiverton and outcomes of this programme, but all the evidence so far Honiton (Angela Browning) and for Orpington is that comprehension, speaking and confidence is (Mr. Horam). We will miss their presence in Parliament. improving, and antisocial and disruptive behaviour is They have both made serious contributions to this dropping, as a result. House over the years that they have been Members. I There is a similar, and much-needed, programme for started my ministerial political career with my hon. the criminal justice system. All too often in the past, Friend the Member for Tiverton and Honiton, when young people with speech and language difficulties she was a junior Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, became disruptive and alienated from the education Fisheries and Food and I was a ministerial special process because they could not access education in the adviser. I have therefore worked with her closely over a same way as their fellow students. In time, many of number of years, and I know that she has made a them became alienated from mainstream society—an terrific contribution to this House. 1007 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1008

I vie with my hon. Friend, however, in representing build a regional control centre. That was initially expected one of the most beautiful constituencies in the country. to cost £100 million, but this Government are so While she was exhorting everybody to go and spend incompetent at managing finance that the latest estimate their Christmas in the villages and towns of Devon, I is that it will cost £1.5 billion. Why they could not have can say that the honey-coloured villages of the Cotswolds just left things alone when they were working perfectly look particularly picturesque at this time of year, especially properly, I do not know. if it snows, and I encourage everybody to come and The seventh year of Labour gave us the regional spend time in the Cotswolds over Christmas. spatial strategies, despite my best efforts on behalf of In the few minutes that are available to me, I shall the Opposition to oppose them. I was told by the Government, concentrate not on singing “The twelve days of Christmas”, who were putting them through Committee—one can but on discussing the 12 years of this Labour Government see this if one looks through Hansard—that they were a and how that has affected my constituency. I have to say creature of the Deputy Prime Minister. In other words, that it will not be a flattering account. the then Deputy Prime Minister, the right hon. Member In the first year of Labour, we witnessed the beginning for Kingston upon Hull, East (Mr. Prescott) was desperately of the move away from local authority power, with the trying to get control of the rural areas and, in particular, introduction of the regional development agencies. The of planning in those areas, and so he invented the South West of England Regional Development Agency regional spatial strategies. I am delighted that my colleagues had the wisdom not to appoint a single member from who are shadowing the Department for Communities Gloucestershire to its board. It is therefore no surprise and Local Government will scrap them, and I hope very to me that Gloucestershire has ever since lost out in much that they have the opportunity to do so. These RDA grants. The RDAs are not particularly good at strategies are an unnecessary and unwanted tier of local objectively stating how they come to their decisions, government. and they tend to make inconsistent decisions between The eighth year of Labour saw the introduction of a themselves. I therefore look forward to the coming of a most shambolic piece of legislation: the Hunting Act 2004, Conservative Government, who will bring about changes which came into force on 18 February 2005. It wasted in the RDAs. more than 700 hours of time in this House. Whatever In the second year of Labour, there was the refusal to one’s views on hunting, one must say that the process fund what I have dubbed the missing link. One can drive has led to a shambolic and unworkable Act, which is on a dual carriageway all the way from Palermo in Sicily unsatisfactory. in southern Italy to Perth in the middle of Scotland, In the ninth year of Labour, the Government’s action except for a little missing link in my constituency, weakened health care provision across the Cotswolds. joining the M4 to the M5. Although I have campaigned In that year, Fairford hospital closed because of the consistently since becoming a Member of Parliament severe financial constraints imposed on Costwold and for that link to be built, it never has been, and the cost Vale primary care trust. Gloucestershire county council’s of doing so is ever rising, while there are more deaths health overview and scrutiny committee noted that the and there is more congestion. I urge this Government—or move perhaps I shall soon be needing to urge another Government “has had a detrimental effect on the health and experience of the of a better political hue—to build it. local residents”. The third year of Labour gave hope to many of my Far more seriously in that year was the Government’s constituents, because the Government published a rural imposed merger of the excellent Gloucestershire ambulance White Paper. At first, we thought they were a sinner trust with Wiltshire and Avon’s ambulance trusts. I who had repented, because although they were not warned at the time that that would cost lives and I take known for helping the rural areas, it seemed to promise no pleasure in saying that it did cost lives. It delivered a some real hope for the future. Unfortunately, that was poorer service, but I am glad to say that because of the very quickly followed by the fourth year of Labour, pressure that my colleagues in the county and I have when the foot and mouth crisis took hold throughout brought on that trust, it is beginning at long last—several the country. Many of my farmers were very severely hit years later—to improve its service. My best Christmas and, unfortunately, they are still reminded of that as the wish to my constituents—in fact, this is four years Government are now saying that they must bear the overdue—is that the long-promised new hospital in cost of any future such outbreaks. My farmers are Moreton-in-Marsh will come to fruition in 2010. extremely worried about that because the Government The flood damage in the 10th year of Labour was, of do not have control over what may cause foot and course, not the Government’s fault. I cannot lay the mouth in the first place, as we saw from the outbreak in blame for that at their door, much as I would like to do the Government’s own research institute in Surrey. so—I am sure that they can control all acts of God! The fifth year of Labour gave my county its biggest What I can blame them for is their lack of action. Some ever increase in council tax. An increase of 8.3 per cent. 300 homes in my constituency were flooded, as were across the country spawned a rise—this is the correct several schools, doctors’ surgeries and other institutions. figure—of more than 50 per cent. in the police precept Two years on from the horrific floods that hit for the county in that year. The sixth year of Labour Gloucestershire in 2007, I still do not have total confidence brought the beginning of the regional fire control centre, that the same thing would not happen again. Some to be built in Taunton. That is a massively unpopular work has been carried out, but I am not totally confident enterprise, given that Gloucestershire has one of the that the incidents that brought about the cutting off of best working tri-centre control rooms, in Quedgeley, Mythe water works, which left many thousands of just outside Gloucester, where the police, fire and ambulance people without water, and that almost took out the services work superbly together. Having seen the benefits substation in Gloucester—that would have left 500,000 of that, the Government decided in their wisdom to people without electricity—would not be caused again. 1009 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1010

[Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown] and it reflects how this country treats its disabled people. I hope that the Government will be able to find the In the 11th year of Labour came a decision to exclude money. the Swindon to Kemble railway line doubling, which is The final issue that I wish to raise will affect all much needed and would be a very beneficial piece of Members of this House next year: rating revaluation. infrastructure improvement at a relatively reasonable Many Members of Parliament will have already been cost. I am glad to say that as a result of the pressure that lobbied by businesses in their constituency that will find I have been able to apply, Network Rail still hopes to that their rates will be hugely increased next year. That include that in its improvement projects and it has until comes in the middle of a recession when many of those the end of the year to come up with the full costing for businesses, particularly the small, rural ones, are already the scheme. I hope that, through a bit of careful accounting, suffering. That seems to be a crass time to introduce we have managed to find within the region the funding rating revaluation. to do that. Again, it would be very good news for my I wish to draw the House’s attention to a particular constituents if that were able to be delivered in 2010. quirk in the rating revaluation: the way in which petrol Also in the 11th year of Labour came the devastating stations are rated. They are rated on their turnover. I closure of 12 post offices in my constituency. I ran a cannot think of a more daft way to rate an industry, massive campaign to try to oppose those 12 closures, because that in effect taxes success: a property tax that which were completely daft and without foundation. taxes success! The rating system was never in business One of the post offices turned over £500,000 in the to tax success; it was in business to tax the size of a month in which it was closed—despite that, it was still property. Ironically, Tesco has managed to get a cap on closed. The daft thing about the decision is that in order its turnover for rating purposes of £1 million. In other to use a main post office people across more than words, it is all very well to tax small petrol stations on 100 square miles now have to be funnelled into the their turnover, but the big ones are getting away with centre of Cirencester, all making extra car journeys and making huge profits and not being taxed on them. I having difficulty parking. It was one of the daftest have no problem with Tesco’s making profits in its decisions since Beeching. One Labour Member has petrol stations—I wish it well in that—but I want to complained today about the Beeching cuts, wanting the ensure that all the small petrol retailers in my constituency station in his area to be reopened, and I am sure that the stay open so that they can provide a service to my same thing will happen over some of these post offices. constituents. As well as considering all the closures in my constituency, In my constituency over the past 12 years of Labour, we need to consider the national situation. In 12 years, there has been a catalogue of shops closing, pubs closing, Labour has delivered 200 fewer rural schools since it hospitals closing, libraries closing, magistrates courts came to power and 384 fewer police stations in the closing and ambulance service mergers. In short, the shires. Worst of all, 50 public houses are closing a week Government have brought the country to its knees. at the moment because of Labour’s high taxation system. They have weakened our standing internationally and, In the 12th year of this Government, Labour’s recession as far as the people of the Cotswolds are concerned, has meant that Renishaw, a leading plc in my constituency, have shown a disgraceful attitude to the rural way of sadly had to make 308 people redundant in Wotton- life. The recent pre-Budget statement brought home under-Edge, Stonehouse and Woodchester, in the what a parlous state this country’s economy is in. As constituency of the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew). countries such as Turkey, France, Germany and the That was a tragedy for those involved, and I hope that United States are crawling out of recession, but we are 2010 will bring better news for them and they will be still in recession—with very high rates of unemployment, able to find jobs again. The Cotswolds has been badly as well as high numbers of youngsters without a job and hit by unemployment; the area had the 23rd highest rise not in training, which is such a waste of talent—I wish in the number of claimants of all the 646 constituencies, you, Madam Deputy Speaker, all Members and all the and it had the 61st highest rise since 1997, when this staff of the House a very happy Christmas. Political Government came to power. hostilities will end over Christmas, but come the new year they will be back with a vengeance and I hope that I wish to finish by discussing two local matters. At we will get a change of Government. Prime Minister’s questions, I raised with the Prime Minister the issue of the funding of the further stage for 3.11 pm the national star college. That college provides probably the finest residential training for disabled people in this Colin Burgon (Elmet) (Lab): I shall try to follow the country, and it is an exemplar throughout the world. speech of the hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton- The Prime Minister sent me to see the Minister for Brown) and the Christmas cheer that so obviously Further Education, Skills, Apprenticeships and Consumer emanated from it. Affairs, who promised me that he would urgently look Over the past 18 months we have lived through a into the matter. The net result was that the 13th Labour financial and economic crisis of international capitalism college was funded, but not the star college. The Learning that is unprecedented since the great depression of the and Skills Council produced criteria that the star college ’30s. Historically unmatched levels of state intervention was never able to meet, because it was national by its have been required to stabilise the western economy, nature, not local or even regional. I hope that the which at many times has stood on the verge of collapse. Government will find funding for that college. If they How ironic it is that the agency of government has done cannot, I hope that an incoming Government will do the rescuing—an idea that is anathema to all those so. There is a desperate shortage of specialist residential neo-liberal free-marketeers who took as their guiding training colleges for disabled people in this country. As mantra Ronald Reagan’s comment that government is I say, the college is an exemplar throughout the world not the solution, but the problem. 1011 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1012

The Government’s intervention has crossed the political Of course, the national debt should be reduced in the divide. George Bush’s right-wing Government nationalised future, not least as interest repayments soak up vital the two giant US mortgage market companies and in resources that could be better spent on schools, hospitals Britain the Labour Government have made bank and elsewhere, but contrary to the claim of those on the interventions that have so far cost us about £140 billion, right, increasing the deficit has been necessary during which is equivalent to more than 10 per cent. of our the worldwide recession—especially as it was so deep. I GDP and more than will be spent on the national noticed that William Keegan explained it in The Observer health service this year. in the following way: The state interventions have ended any supremacy “the large deficit…is not the problem: it is an integral part of the claimed by those ideological fanatics who previously solution. It is the reason why we have not experienced the kind of argued that unrestrained free markets were the answer full-scale 1930s-style depression which would have been on the to all economic problems. They have spent the past cards without drastic fiscal action.” 30 years seeking to extend the market into more and Furthermore, anyone seriously wishing to address more areas of our life and have also promoted the the debt rather than to pursue outdated and ineffective domination of finance over all other sectors of our ideological goals might first want to look at how the economy. Yet just one year later, the same free market debt has come about. Were they to do that, they would zealots in the world of politics and their friends in their find that it is the consequence of three things: declining media now want to take the axe to the public sector, Government revenues; the large bank bail-outs, which allegedly to address the problems faced by the economy. amount to more than 10 per cent. of GDP; and, to a much lesser degree, an increase in Government expenditure. At this point we should ask ourselves three questions. Treasury figures estimate an increase in public sector First, how did a financial collapse that brought such net debt of 18.9 per cent. of GDP between April 2008 damage to the wider economy suddenly become the and April 2010, excluding the bank bail-outs. fault of such people as nurses, teachers, carers and other working people? Secondly, why should the majority The majority of the increase in the debt has been of the population suffer, as they will if public services caused by a fall in Government receipts. As the House are severely cut? Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, of Commons paper “The outlook for the public finances” will severe cuts help solve the economic problems that explains, it is normal during a recession for revenues to we face? fall. Similarly, Government expenditure has also risen, as expected in a recession. That inevitable rise in I want to state that the debate on economic recovery Government expenditures is due to the so-called has wrongly and harmfully become dominated by those “automatic” processes that take place in a recession, who argue that only by cutting public services can the such as, for example, the fact that we see more benefits issue of growth and the national debt be addressed. paid out. However, only a minority of the deficit has That has now become accepted wisdom; it is the received been caused by the increase in Government expenditure, orthodoxy. However, it was once the received medical so I would argue that the calls to cut the public sector orthodoxy that the bleeding of patients was a necessary display economic incoherence. As Professor David step to recovery.Thankfully, that orthodoxy was overthrown Blanchflower, former member of the Bank of England’s due to the experience of its deadly effects. It therefore monetary policy committee, told the Opposition: needs to be said somewhere, loud and clear, that national debt is the symptom, not the cause, of the recession. To “Cutting public spending in a recession is a really bad idea.” seek to address the debt by attacking Government I urge even those people on the Government Benches expenditure fails to tackle the real causes of the economic who are tempted by it to reject it. crisis that have created a deficit. So, what is the way forward? What practical polices By engaging in the cuts agenda, either now or in the do we need to address the vital issues of investment and next few years, we will cause long-term damage or risk a growth? First, we need the Government to use their Japanese-style lost decade—or, as some economists are majority holdings in a number of banks to force the calling it, a zombie economy. Such an economic situation banks to increase investment and lending levels to businesses would hit the public finances even more dramatically, and to families to revive the economy and housing leaving us with even larger debts. Instead of the obsession market. I am one of those who think that there is an with cuts we need a growth agenda that will allow element of gutlessness in the way that our Government Government revenues to rise and unemployment to fall have dealt with the banks, but we may come on to that and that will, in turn, reduce the debt. later. As such an approach breaks with the consensus that Secondly, in those areas where market failure is greatest has emerged on cutting public services, it may be helpful and private investment has collapsed the most, the to put the current levels of national debt into an historical Government need to step in and invest directly themselves. and international context. Government debt, which is Large-scale state investment in transport and housing at 55 per cent. of GDP in this financial year, is estimated in such areas would be economically as well as socially to peak at 78 per cent. in 2014. Although that figure is useful. high, it is far from unprecedented historically. According to the recent House of Commons paper “Background Thirdly, in the really long term, we desperately need to the 2009 Pre-Budget Report”, Government debt was to rebalance the economy away from its reliance on more than 100 per cent. of GDP every year from 1945 finance and develop the industries of the future. The until 1963. The same paper adds: UK has the potential to generate something like 400,000 jobs in green industries, but to fulfil that potential we “UK debt would still be below that of Italy, Japan and the US, need state-led investment on a green new deal that and broadly similar to that of France and Germany” would be of tremendous immediate economic benefit at the end of 2010. and of long-term environmental benefit. 1013 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1014

[Colin Burgon] On that positive note, Madam Deputy Speaker, may I wish you all the best at Christmas? I also wish all the Fourthly, we can help reflate the economy through best at Christmas to all hon. Members, and especially to increasing levels of consumption by putting money into all the staff who work so hard for us here. the pockets of those most likely to spend it. The last 30 years of neo-liberalism have witnessed a smaller and 3.23 pm smaller proportion of the economy going to wages. If the Government were to reverse that by raising taxation Bob Russell (Colchester) (LD): If modern buildings on the super-rich and then handing over exactly the and state-of-the-art facilities are the ingredients to make same amount of money to ordinary families, overall a school successful, then Bishops Park college at Clacton consumer spending would rise, helping the economy to would have been the jewel in the crown of Essex county move out of recession. council. However, it lasted little more than five years before it was judged to be a failure, with some of the Finally, for those who advocate cuts, there are areas poorest examination results in Essex. of public spending that can be cut. We do not need to renew Trident and, although I used to support them, I Projected figures for pupil admissions did not materialise. no longer think that we need ID cards. By cutting those Who is now paying for this colossal miscalculation? The projects, tens of billions of pounds could be saved at a college was a costly private finance initiative project; I stroke. understand the cost totalled £30 million, a debt which, no doubt, the public purse continues to pay excessively The package that I have outlined is only a small to service. example of what could be done. It would be a popular message—I know that sometimes Governments do not Bishops Park has now merged with another secondary like to be “populist”, but never mind—and it would school in Clacton, and has become an academy. It is deal with the debt and the much larger issue of restoring one of five secondary schools in Essex transferred to economic growth. the Academies Enterprise Trust—whose patron at the time of the transfers was, by an extraordinary coincidence, The alternative to going for growth is a cuts agenda, the Conservative leader of Essex county council. but cuts are not savings. They would remove demand from the economy and the recession would worsen as I think that the Department for Children, Schools the negative multiplier effect kicked in. On this, we need and Families should hold an investigation into that to learn the lessons of history. Roosevelt announced his trust, which has also taken over other secondary schools new deal in 1933, and things went well for three years in different parts of the country. It looks more like a after the banks were regulated and there was a big business operation using state funds and state-funded increase in public spending. Then, afraid of public debt buildings. It is based on an industrial estate next to and under pressure from the right, he began to cut, Hockley railway station. sending the economy back into a recession from which Bishops Park is not in my constituency, but the it did not recover until just before the second world war. relevance to Colchester is this: the same idiotic forward We can also learn from countries that are a bit closer planning by Essex county council threatens future secondary to Britain than America. If we look just across the Irish school provision in Colchester, which is the fastest sea, we can see the slash-and-burn tactics being employed growing borough in the country. Whereas at Clacton by the Irish Government. The Fianna Fáil Government the county council hopelessly overestimated the number have overseen savage cuts to the public sector and a real of pupils, leaving it with the white elephant of the most fiscal tightening—something so beloved of the right modern secondary school buildings in Essex, at Colchester, wing in this country. That has been to the detriment to the incompetence is in the opposite direction—a woeful the wider economy in Ireland, which has continued to underestimate of pupil numbers, which is being used to worsen. So the debt continues to rise while the Governments justify the closure of two secondary schools in south have become more unpopular as the majority have Colchester in what is, I repeat, the fastest-growing borough suffered. Colleague and comrades on the Labour Benches in the country. should learn the economic and political lessons from The latest figure that I have, provided by Colchester Ireland. borough council’s strategic policy unit, shows that there I mentioned Roosevelt in a slightly pejorative way were 1,932 live births in Colchester in 2006, an increase earlier so, in an attempt to balance that, I want to say of 276 a year since 2001. The population of Colchester that I believe that we are in a period of great ideological is expected to grow by 30.9 per cent. to 223,500 people debate—and that is as it should be in a period of great by 2021, a population increase of more than 3,000 economic crisis. Basically, the debate boils down to people every year. Despite that, Essex county council these questions: has the neo-liberal consensus of the claims that the number of children of secondary school past 30 years been correct, and what is the role of age will fall. The truth is the opposite. Government? In the “south growth area”—that is, the CO2 postcode By way of an answer, I shall draw on the words of area, where the two threatened schools are located—the Roosevelt himself. He said: number of new dwellings totals 3,000, to be built in the period 2001 to 2021. How does that square with the “What is the State? It is the duly constituted representative of an organized society of human beings, created by them for their county’s contention that there are not enough children mutual protection and well-being. ‘The state’ or ‘The Government’ in south Colchester to justify the continuation of the is but the machinery through which such mutual aid and protection two secondary schools? are achieved.” The consequence of the county’s idiotic strategy is As we have this huge intellectual debate, I hope that that two communities will each lose their community those ideas are remembered. I also hope that we are school, in direct contravention of the Government’s moving into a period that sees the demise of neo-liberalism. declared policies, such as the sustainable communities 1015 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1016 and safe routes to school initiatives. Hopefully, the Colchester is not only the fastest-growing borough in Government will find the determination to intervene the country, but the second largest shire district in and prevent the closures when they know that the England. Many smaller places have a unitary council, county council’s case is based on false statistics. and if Colchester were a unitary authority, neither of The closures will create a postcode lottery of secondary the two threatened schools, Thomas Lord Audley at school provision in Colchester, with no secondary schools Monkwick, and Alderman Blaxill at Shrub End, would in postcode CO2, but six in CO3 and two in CO4, with close. the forward planning people of Essex county council—yes, There is growing support in Colchester for the unitary there are some sensible officers at county hall—already status that Southend already has. A survey that is intimating that there will be a need for a third secondary currently under way reveals that 80 per cent. of the school in CO4 to cater for the huge housing developments population want to get away from the control of Essex planned in north Colchester. county council. Such a high figure for county council As I stated, however, there is also massive new distrust comes as no surprise—a report this week, to be development in south Colchester, principally at the debated by the council on Monday next week, shows former Colchester garrison. A quick look at the map that Colchester is less satisfied with the county council shows the stupidity of closing two schools in this part than any other part of Essex, except Harlow. of Colchester and consequently hugely expanding Philip The so-called “Overall Satisfaction with Essex County Morant school, possibly to as many as 2,500 pupils, and Council” survey shows that in Colchester, only 39.5 per Stanway school, with some 500-plus children being cent. of people said that they were satisfied—and that bussed across town during the busiest times of the day comes from the county council’s own survey. Colchester when, like most other towns, there is already huge borough council wants both schools to be kept open. traffic congestion. Tory-run Essex county council has ignored the borough Does it make financial sense at any time, but particularly council, and the huge opposition from residents within when there are huge pressures on public expenditure, to the borough, and proceeded with the closure process, spend millions on expanding schools while closing others? but it is not too late for the Government to intervene. As we saw with Bishops Park, it is not new buildings After all, Essex county council promised the Secretary which make a good school. It is the quality of the of State for Children, Schools and Families that it leadership, the teachers and other staff, and the ethos. would not shut either school. On 19 May 2008, the This may appear to be purely a local matter, but it has Secretary of State told the Commons: national significance because it highlights— “Essex county council has explained that its preferred approach is to build on the existing partnership with Stanway school and to pursue a trust. We will support the council in its decision”.—[ Official Bob Spink (Castle Point) (Ind): I am grateful to the Report, 19 May 2008; Vol. 476, c. 3.] hon. Gentleman for giving way. It is not just in Colchester that Essex education authority is making one unholy Within weeks the county council broke that solemn mess. The authority is closing a secondary school on pledge—given to the Government and given on the Canvey Island, where the borough council is planning Floor of the House. The Secretary of State gave a to build hundreds more houses. It is selling off the genuine observation and statement, but the pledge was school playing fields to build the houses on that land. It wilfully broken by the county council within weeks, so I is moving the most delinquent youth from all over Essex hope that the Government will insist that it sticks to its to a special school on Canvey Island, which has opened, original promise. The Secretary of State did not deliberately without residents being consulted, in the middle of a mislead the House; rather, he and his officials were residential— misled by Essex county council. I urge him to prevail upon the county council to fulfil the promise that it gave last year and to drop the closure proposals for Alderman Madam Deputy Speaker: Order. Interventions, as the Blaxill and Thomas Lord Audley schools. hon. Gentleman knows, are meant to be brief. There is clearly a problem of democratic accountability, with the passing of Government control to quangos, Bob Russell: I thank the hon. Member for Castle such as the Office of the Schools Adjudicator and Point (Bob Spink) for highlighting the incompetence of Partnerships for Schools, the latter being responsible Essex county council. It spreads across the whole of for Building Schools for the Future. Local residents and Essex. even Colchester borough council cannot get the schools The issue is of national significance because it highlights adjudicator or Partnerships for Schools to look at what how a deceitful local authority can ride roughshod over is clearly a miscarriage of the truth by Essex county the views of the overwhelming majority—96 per cent. council, so the Secretary of State and his officials must of respondents to the county’s own consultation were surely exercise powers of intervention. We are talking against the proposals, which the county Tories dismissed about politically motivated discrimination by the Tory-run as being irrelevant. President Mugabe would love to county council, and that will be to the detriment of have had 96 per cent. future children of secondary school age throughout my With such arrogance, it is perhaps not surprising that constituency. It will be a costly blunder, leaving others the Conservatives have a minimal electoral mandate in in a few years’ time to pick up the consequences of the Colchester. With the school closures a major issue, the Chelmsford-based, Tory county hall vendetta against Tories lost five seats—and control of the borough Colchester. council—in May last year; and in this year’s county I do not object to investment in schools in my elections they managed to hold only one seat in my constituency. I am, however, opposed to wasteful constituency, seeing a majority of more than 1,000 slashed expenditure. Essex county council says that £130 million to just 19 votes. will be invested from Building Schools for the Future. 1017 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1018

[Bob Russell] Recess Adjournment debates, either in the summer or at Christmas, used to be occasions where Members During the consultation, however, the council quoted a encouraged other Members to come to their constituencies. figure of £100 million, and as recently as August this That has always been a feature of the speeches by the year official council minutes referred to £150 million. hon. Member for Tiverton and Honiton (Angela Browning). The county council has failed to give a breakdown of We were given such invitations, in a way, by the hon. how it arrived at any of those figures, and Partnerships Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) and my for Schools has not been given a breakdown, either. hon. Friend the Member for Elmet (Colin Burgon). Can anyone really trust anything that Essex county However, they then related tales of woe, one about the council says? The people of Colchester do not. There is collapse of capitalism and the other about the vicious no guarantee that what the county council has promised 12 years that the poor people of Cotswold have experienced. the head teachers will actually materialise. I do not think I can go to the Cotswolds this Christmas The Government have spoken about super-heads, but after that sad speech by the hon. Gentleman—I will that is meaningless unless they take action. In Colchester, simply stay in Leicester with my hon. Friend the Member we have just such a person—the inspirational Mr. Jonathan for Leicester, South (Sir Peter Soulsby). Tippett, who has transformed Stanway school into one These debates have always been an opportunity for of the best in Essex and removed Thomas Lord Audley Members to say that the House should not adjourn and Alderman Blaxill schools from special measures. until it has been able to consider certain matters. We Last summer he led Thomas Lord Audley to its best never have a vote at the end of the debate—partly, I am exam results in its history, with September’s year 7 intake sure, because whichever Minister sums up is able to being the largest it has seen in several years, making satisfy us that all our concerns have been met, so there is nonsense of the county council’s claims that it is a no need to prevent the Adjournment of the House. I failing school with falling numbers. One man is running live in hope that one day someone will oppose the those three schools in such an inspirational way that the Adjournment of the House just to see what would county council should let him get on with it, and the happen—that has not happened in my 23 years here. I Government should insist that he be allowed to continue hope that it does not happen tonight, however, because this overwhelming success story at minimal cost to the I am sure that we all have important constituency public purse. engagements to get to. In May last year, the Secretary of State informed the House that the three schools under Mr. Tippett’s executive I wish briefly to raise four issues, the first of which headship should go forward as a trust or a federation. concerns the case of Gary McKinnon. It is very important Let us have happen what the Government were led to that we have some clarity from the Government as to believe by Essex county council would happen as recently precisely what they are doing in relation to that case. as last year. That would be the most cost-effective The hon. Member for Tiverton and Honiton has been resolution to secondary school provision in Colchester. one of the champions of Gary McKinnon in his fight to It would allow the communities of Shrub End and be able to satisfy the legal authorities in this country Monkwick to retain their local secondary schools while rather than in the United States of America. She has allowing a much better value-for-money injection of campaigned strongly to enable his case to be dealt with funds into secondary school education across Colchester, here, as has his own Member of Parliament, the hon. notably a new building for Sir Charles Lucas arts college Member for Enfield, Southgate (Mr. Burrowes). at Greenstead, in preference to the county council’s Of course, the Home Secretary has said that he has wasteful and otherwise unwanted proposals. considered the evidence that Gary McKinnon’s lawyers put before him, but that he is of the view that the 3.36 pm extradition can proceed and that Mr. McKinnon should be able to be tried in the United States of America. Keith Vaz (Leicester, East) (Lab): It is always a pleasure Only yesterday, Mr. McKinnon’s brave and honourable to follow the hon. Member for Colchester (Bob Russell), mother Janis Sharp led a protest outside the Home especially as he serves on the Home Affairs Committee. Office, which Members of all parties attended. She was He is always able to bring important issues of concern urging the Home Secretary to think again about the to do with Essex, especially Colchester, here to the matter. In this closing debate before the recess, I urge Chamber. I think the House would wish to congratulate him to look again at the case and to do what he did a him on being the runner-up in “The X Factor” few weeks ago, which was to stop the clock on the competition—not he himself, of course, although he extradition. could be a rival to SuBo if he tried very hard, but one of his constituents, Olly, who was pipped at the post by I know that the Home Secretary has said on a number this year’s winner. of occasions, as he repeated to the Home Affairs Committee yesterday, that he feels that he does not have the power Mr. Brooks Newmark (Braintree) (Con): I believe to intervene and that it is up to Mr. McKinnon’s solicitors that Olly came from my constituency, Braintree, rather to make an application for judicial review. However, I than that of the hon. Member for Colchester (Bob wonder whether he will consider instructing different Russell). lawyers from those on whose advice he has reached his conclusions. A number of people, including Mrs. Sharp Keith Vaz: I am so glad that the hon. Gentleman and the Select Committee, have seen legal advice from came into the Chamber just to tell me that; I am sure we solicitors and leading counsel other than those on whom are grateful for the clarification. However, Olly is an the Home Office relies suggesting that the Home Secretary Essex boy, is he not, so he and the hon. Member for does have the discretion to intervene in this case if he Colchester can both claim a bit of him. chooses to do so. 1019 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1020

Surely a fundamental principle of how we are governed I know that you are a grandfather, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is that at the end of the day, Ministers have the power to so you know a number of young children. The children intervene. There must be an inherent power that rests of the hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire with the Crown and is exercised by Ministers, which (Mr. Vara), the shadow Deputy Leader of the House, ought to allow them to intervene in cases when they feel attended the Christmas party only last week. I hope it is in the public interest for them to do so. I am sure that he noticed that there was no food for those like me that that applies not just to the Home Secretary but to at the party—this is my reason anyway—because the other Ministers. When I was a Minister at the Foreign food offered was very sweet. That would not have Office responsible for entry clearance, I was given largely helped the children who were trying to fight a predisposition the same advice as the Home Secretary on the matter of to diabetes. We have to be on the alert. Ministers should Ministers intervening in entry clearance cases. Because understand that spending money on preventive work I was not satisfied with the advice that I received, I now will mean that we save not only a lot of money in sought other legal advice. Lo and behold, the advice the long run, but many lives. that I received was that of course it was possible to Thirdly, on policing costs, the hon. Member for intervene in such cases. Colchester will know, because he attended the Home I say to the Deputy Leader of the House that it is Affairs Committee sitting yesterday, where he was able important that we pause and think about this case, to cross-examine, with his usual forensic skill, the Home which has a lot to do with the pride of the American Secretary and the head of the National Policing Government. I understand that, and I recently met the Improvement Agency, that the Home Office has spent American ambassador, Mr. Susman, who was recently £400 million in the past four years on consultants—people appointed by President Obama. He was very courteous who advise the permanent secretary how to run his and respectful about the powers of this House and the Department better and how to get better value for remit of Select Committees, and I said to him that in money. The chief constable of the NPIA, Peter Neyroud, our view, whether our Ministers could intervene was a told us that last year, which was the year before his fundamental principle. Interestingly, although the American appointment, the NPIA, which exists to provide police Secretary of State has not intervened in the case of forces with advice on how they can improve efficiencies, Amanda Knox—I take no view on that case, except that spent £71 million on consultants. He did not believe she has been convicted in a criminal court in Italy, and that that provided value for money for the NPIA. if we accept the rulings of EU courts she is guilty of her criminal offence—even the American Government are The problem for those in positions of responsibility—the prepared to make supportive statements about their decision makers as far as the public purse is concerned—is citizens. I hope that our Government, and the Home whether to spend money on more consultants. The Secretary in particular, will be prepared to intervene in Home Office and the NPIA have spent nearly half a Mr. McKinnon’s case, and I hope that he will think billion on consultants, and goodness knows what individual again about his decision. police forces spend on them. If we look at the amount of savings that must be achieved by every police authority The second issue that I wish to mention is the crisis in the country and at the constant desire of Members affecting the health services in respect of diabetes. We on both sides of the House for visible policing, we see are facing a pandemic of diabetes in this country. As where the problem lies. Our police budgets will face you know, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I have declared on a severe challenges next year. If we are looking to cut the number of occasions the fact that I was recently diagnosed overall budget for local police forces, which I am against— with type 2 diabetes. Late diagnosis is a problem. I am the Government say that they are not doing that, but a now in my early 50s, and if that diagnosis had taken number of police authorities claim that they are—it is place earlier I could well have avoided becoming a important to look at things such as the amount of diabetic. There are currently 7 million people in this money spent on consultancies and consultants and to country who have pre-diabetes. In other words, they try to reduce it. have a disposition to diabetes, but have not been tested and therefore have not been warned, and they have the My final point concerns Yemen, the country of my possibility of developing diabetes in later years. birth. I declare an interest—I recently visited the country, There are many causes of type 2 diabetes. Stress is partly as a guest of the Yemeni Government, as I have one, so any Member of the House probably has an done over the past few years as chairman of the all-party immediate predisposition to diabetes. Obesity is another, group on Yemen. I was born there and left with my although I do not cast any aspersions on any Member. sisters and mother when I was nine years of age. As I However, type 2 diabetes is also related to the intake of have gone back, I have seen a country that has developed sugar. in certain areas. However, at the moment, Yemen faces It is important that the health service understands the a crisis, and the problem is that al-Qaeda has decided problem. The fact that we spend £1 million an hour on that it wishes to occupy parts of the country and to act diabetes—£980 million a year on treatment for the against the Government of President Ali Abdullah condition—and that one in 10 people in our hospitals Saleh. The result is instability. suffers from some form of diabetes should alert Ministers The American Government and our Government to the problem. have sought to try to ensure that the YemeniGovernment At the moment, 2.3 million have diabetes, and it is are supported. The US Government have sent people to possible that some of our children, even those as young train Yemeni troops, and our Government have done as two or three, according to university of California much to increase the amount of aid that the Yemeni research, also have a predisposition to the condition Government get, but every day we read about problems because they have access to fructose, which is a sweetener in that country. It is the second biggest country in the sometimes used in children’s products. If the predisposition Gulf, but it is often forgotten, because it is very poor. is not checked, it will lead in later life to diabetes. Everybody concentrates on Dubai, which is having its 1021 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1022

[Keith Vaz] money. However, it is not clear how the pay of other public servants, especially at senior levels, will be judged great bubble—some say that it has burst, and others say and scrutinised under the freedom of information that it has not—and it is a great holiday destination for legislation. Some of them seem to be completely impervious British citizens, but it is important that we provide to such scrutiny. whatever support the President and Government of The electorate employ us as Members of Parliament Yemenneed to maintain the stability of that vital country. and they renew, or end, our contract at a general For example, we have been trying for 20 years to get election. However, it has not yet been determined how the Queen Elizabeth hospital—I was born there—rebuilt. other senior public servants and leaders of these umpteen We have gone to the EU to try to obtain resources to quangos can be removed from office if the general fund the hospital. South Yemen was part of the British public are dissatisfied with their performance. As long Empire, eventually obtaining independence, and there ago as 2000, I raised the issue of public appointments in is therefore a post-colonial tie between the UK and South Essex health authority in a Westminster Hall Yemen. We have a responsibility to help with projects debate. It was all about the merger of two trusts and that would be of benefit to the people of Yemen and we how people with mental health problems would be must reassert our support for that important country. I regarded in the future. I mentioned the potential know that the recess is upon us and it will be difficult appointment of a chief executive, and I remember for Ministers to ring up the Foreign Office and get clearly how the then Labour Minister dealt with the briefings on the issue, but I hope that the Deputy issue. Basically, I was told that Southend and Thurrock Leader of the House will say something positive about would be merged, but it turned out to be a takeover by our support for that important country. If anything the Thurrock trust. The person to whom I referred in happened to Yemen,it would seriously affect the stability that debate was appointed as chief executive, and recently, of the whole Gulf region, and therefore of the world. under the Freedom of Information Act, it has been Finally, I wish you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, everyone in found that nine years on that gentleman is paid more the House and all the wonderful people who serve us in than £200,000 and received a bonus of £17,500. This is this magnificent Palace a happy Christmas and new absolute madness! year. We hear constant reports in the press about Members’ allowances, and quite rightly there will be changes to 3.51 pm the proposed system, and of course there is the furore Mr. David Amess (Southend, West) (Con): In a similar surrounding bonuses for bankers working for the financial vein to my hon. Friend the Member for Cotswold institutions bailed out by the British taxpayer. Yet where (Mr. Clifton-Brown), I wish to raise several issues. This is the scrutiny of public sector pay of senior people in, is the last Christmas Adjournment debate before we for instance, the health service and police? The right face a general election, and this has been a dreadful hon. Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz) alluded to year. Labour has succeeded in destroying the country that point. The payment of public sector executives is and it has destroyed this place. The place in which we completely cut off from the harsh realities of the UK work has been greatly diminished. We are seen as an economic situation. The average family is struggling at irrelevance and no longer as an attractive ornament. the moment. The Government should pay more attention What has happened in the past year is an absolute to that situation. travesty. Over the past three years, Essex has had three chief Underlining everything, we have the state of the constables. The first chief constable’s contract was not British economy.It is in a terrible state. We owe £178 billion renewed, the second took early retirement and a third and the Government are trying to kid us all that they was appointed this year. The third was apparently one have done a splendid job in running the finances and of three candidates, but the other two dropped out of the problems are just part of the world phenomenon. the competition. In other words, there was a choice of Every Wednesday the Prime Minister used to come to one, and he was appointed. I and, presumably, my Essex the Dispatch Box and tell us that he had abolished colleagues were never told of the appointment until boom and bust. Well, my constituents are puzzled about 26 October, when I received a letter from the new chief where the boom has been, and they are convinced that constable’s personal assistant stating: this country is bust. I lay the blame entirely at the feet of “You may like to amend your records to reflect that Mr Jim this Government. Barker-McCardle was appointed as substantive Chief Constable As chairman of the all-party group for small shops, I with effect from the 8th September 2009”. spent the summer visiting every small shop in my There was no embarrassment at all. My goodness! constituency. My goodness, times are tough for them. When this place had some standing, on the appointment The slogan “If you don’t use ’em, we’ll lose ’em” is true. of a new chief constable, Members would, out of common They are having a very tough time in competition with courtesy, be sent a letter from that person informing the larger supermarkets, as several of my hon. Friends them of the appointment. We have become such an have mentioned. I hope that colleagues on both sides of irrelevance that we do not get any letters from chief the House will rally round at a reception early next year constables—we are not even told that a new one has to support small businesses. I am very worried about been appointed—and when we complain to Ministers, the state of our finances, and we will not come out of they simply say that they have no responsibility in the recession until next year. matter. It is disgraceful! A related issue is the pay of public servants. The Even the former chairman of the Police Federation allowances and payment of parliamentarians have come has, in a Home Office-commissioned report, criticised under great scrutiny this year for several reasons. Many the complex organisational and decision-making structure suggestions have been made about how we could save at the top of the policing system, which generates 1023 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1024 confusion about accountability among police officers. I Another constituent, Kevin Jones, raised with me the must say that although the Independent Police Complaints issue of tax credits. Having phoned the so-called helpline, Commission is very well led, in reality its judgments I could not have found the person who answered to be have no teeth. Any judgment is simply given to the chief ruder. When I said, “This is a helpline,” and told her constable, who does not seem to be responsible to that I was an MP, she said, “So what?” If anyone wants anyone. I cannot see the purpose of Essex police authority. proof of how diminished we are out there, there it is, on As we all know, the cost to the country of the war in the so-called helpline. What has happened with tax Afghanistan and our previous involvement in Iraq has credit claims that were overpaid is an absolute shambles been very high, not just financially, but—much more and has certainly caused enormous difficulties for many importantly—in the loss of young lives. Many of us had constituents. the honour of greeting troops returning from Afghanistan Last Friday I met the Southend Association of Voluntary last month. They are doing an incredible job under Services, whose job it is to advise and support local very difficult circumstances. Last Monday we lost the not-for-profit groups. It does a wonderful job under 100th British soldier in Afghanistan, and two more difficult circumstances. However, as with many third have been killed recently. sector organisations, budget cuts have forced the association All of us are watching the Chilcot inquiry very carefully, to cut down on a number of its activities. One of the but however soft the questioning is, it seems certain that most worthwhile projects that it runs is the vinvolved the previous Prime Minister did not tell the truth to the project, a volunteering project for 16 to 25-year-olds. House of Commons about why we should get involved The funding is secured only until March 2011, and I with Iraq. The former Director of Public Prosecutions, would be grateful if the Deputy Leader of the House Sir Ken Macdonald, said that the ex-Prime Minister could see what she can do to encourage the Treasury engaged in an “alarming subterfuge” with the then and others to give that excellent organisation some American President. The former Prime Minister has support. now told us, in an interview with a celebrity, that he Last week I spoke at the National Audit Office’s would have gone to war regardless of whether Iraq rheumatoid arthritis conference, in my capacity as the possessed weapons of mass destruction. I am one of joint chairman of the all-party group on inflammatory those Conservative Members of Parliament who were arthritis. A National Audit Office report entitled “Services stupid enough to believe what the then Prime Minister for people with rheumatoid arthritis” was published in said, but it was not his choice to make; it was the choice July, and it makes it clear that services are very patchy of this House of Commons. It is an absolute disgrace throughout the country. I hope that the Health Secretary that he has come out with that statement in a soft will do whatever he can to bolster support for people interview with a celebrity. suffering from arthritis. I hope that when the former Prime Minister gives During the summer Adjournment debate, I raised the evidence next year, some action will be taken as a result issue of seat belts. We all remember the row that took of what he says. I think that he deliberately misled place in the House when we first voted to make seat Parliament on that issue, and why oh why he was so belts compulsory. A number of Members of Parliament sycophantic to the United States of America I cannot thought that it was not the right thing to do, although it imagine. Even the new American President, who in the turned out to be completely the right thing to do. build-up to the American election talked about cutting However, some people, in order to be more comfortable, troop numbers in Afghanistan, is now sending another do not wear their seat belts as they should. Instead of 30,000, which is more than his predecessor sent. What is the collar bone taking the full force in an accident, going on now is absolutely crazy. Why the American damage can be done to the ribcage and to vital internal President got the Nobel peace prize, before he had organs. I hope that the Deputy Leader of the House done anything whatever, I do not know. Again, that will pass on my concerns on that issue to the Secretary astonishes me. of State for Transport. I am the chairman of the all-party group on solvent We often think about animals at Christmas time, and abuse. Solvent abuse is an area that receives very little I hope that there will not be the usual number of attention, despite the fact that NHS research shows that unwanted pets this year. I was recently at a gathering volatile substances are the most common entry-level organised by the International Fund for Animal Welfare substances among young people who choose to take to celebrate the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009. drugs. More children aged 13 and under use volatile That organisation does a wonderful job of looking after substances than use any illegal drug. St. George’s, university animal welfare. As the animals are unable to speak for of London has done some excellent work in its report, themselves, I hope that at this time we will do all that we “Trends in Death Associated With Abuse of Volatile can to support their welfare and to ensure that there are Substances”, and I hope that the Deputy Leader of the not too many unwanted pets this Christmas. I join all House will urge a Secretary of State to have a meeting others in wishing everyone a very happy Christmas and with the all-party group. a much better new year. A constituent, Mr. Congdon, has raised the issue of Vioxx with me. He very much wants compensation for 4.6 pm UK users of Vioxx from Merck, Sharp and Dohme. Sir Peter Soulsby (Leicester, South) (Lab): Last Tuesday, Tragically, his wife died as a result of taking that I was called by an excited researcher from one of my prescription painkiller. From 1999 to 2004, Vioxx was local radio stations who asked me if I was aware that widely prescribed as a painkiller for arthritis, migraines Leicester had been named as the crime capital of the and menstruation. There have been many lawsuits in east midlands. While I was trying to catch my breath, America, but in this country nothing whatever has been following that astonishing announcement, the young done about giving compensation. researcher went on to tell me that it was a city in which 1025 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1026

[Sir Peter Soulsby] I have to say that that description of the city is not one that those involved in the various partnerships and public services do not work well together and in which bodies that provide services to the city would recognise—and not enough was being done to tackle the major problems it is certainly not one that I recognise either. It does not that many local people face. She also told me that represent what any reasonable person who knows the people’s health was worse there than anywhere else in city would consider to be a balanced judgment about it the east midlands, and that too many of them were and the services it receives. The press release is based on dying early—[Interruption.] Yes, it sounds like Essex, broad generalisations and contains, frankly, headline- doesn’t it? grabbing snippets. No doubt that was done with the I simply did not recognise the city from the description very best of intentions and no doubt it was done with that the researcher was giving me, although I would not the intention of drawing people’s attention to the launch suggest for a moment that it is without problems. When of the new initiative, to the website that lies behind it I had caught my breath, I asked her for the source of and the overview that it seeks to give. Frankly, however, her information. She told me that it was the Audit it does nothing for the reputation of the Audit Commission Commission. As a former member of the Audit or the other inspectorates that contributed to it. Commission, I took that fairly seriously and agreed to The Audit Commission has raised a lot of questions go on air to talk about the matter. Before doing so, I did about the data lying behind the news release that described some research into the background. Leicester in that way and led the researcher to conclude The description had come from a person called Mary that the city was the “crime capital” of the east midlands, Perry, who is rather grandly titled the Oneplace but it has not helped to point the way to those who seek spokesperson for Leicester. I understand that she is also to find answers to the questions, which include: what the Oneplace spokesperson for a number of other places crime sort of crime figures—are they recorded crime in the east midlands. My research allowed me at least to figures, reported crime figures, or crime figures as perceived understand the context of the description. The work by the victims of those crimes? None of those questions that it was announcing is very worth while. It is an is answered, so I believe that to be shoddy work from attempt to bring together the results of the various the Audit Commission. inspection regimes that look at local authorities, including It would indeed be perverse if Leicestershire constabulary, the Audit Commission—the lead body involved—the which has such an excellent record of encouraging Quality Care Commission, Her Majesty’s inspectorate people to report crimes and of encouraging its officers of constabulary, Her Majesty’s inspectorate of prisons to record them when they are reported, were to be and Ofsted, and to bring all the data that they produce penalised as a result of the success of those policies on in their reports together in one place, to make it accessible encouraging the reporting and recording of crimes, yet to the public on a single website. That is of course very that is precisely the sort of conclusion that the casual welcome. reader would reach from that news release. It would also be perverse indeed if this led to Leicestershire It is some years since I was a member of the Audit constabulary doing what I understand other constabularies Commission. At that time, we used to look forward to sometimes do—actually encouraging people not to report the prospect of what was then described—it might still and officers not to record crimes. It seems to me that, on be—as joined-up inspection. That would involve bringing this occasion, the Audit Commission has made a serious the various regimes together in a way that made sense to mistake in the way it has sought to promote that new website the bodies that were being inspected, and to the public, and the excellent initiative in which it plays a lead part. on whose behalf the inspections were taking place. I have tried to look behind the figures, but in looking The principles that the Audit Commission followed at the website, I have frankly not been able to find out then, and does now, involve ensuring that the performance how those conclusions were reached or what sort of indicators used in the inspections are relevant, that they crime figures were used in reaching them. I have discovered avoid creating perverse incentives, and that the conclusions from talking to those who are part of the community that are drawn at the end of the inspection processes are safety partnership in Leicester that there are a lot of firmly evidence-based. Of course, in looking at the very unhappy and very committed people who were inspection, as I hope the Audit Commission and the involved in the promotion of community safety in the other regimes that inspect our local authorities and our city, but who are deeply disappointed, deeply upset and local bodies now do, I hope that the approach will be deeply distressed by the resulting publicity that followed robust and independent when necessary, while also the news release. being a critical friend rather than a hostile outsider I am deeply unhappy by the approach that has been when that is the more appropriate approach. adopted. I am particularly unhappy because, while it It was with that in mind that I looked at the news may get a headline, it certainly does not do justice to the release from which the researcher was drawing a picture city, and it certainly does not do justice to those who are of the city of Leicester. Indeed, Mary Perry, this Oneplace concerned for its well-being. spokesperson for Leicester, described the city as one The Audit Commission and the other inspectors have where the partnership come up with a very simplistic way of describing services “is not giving crime a high priority.” in the city of Leicester and, indeed, in other local authority areas up and down the land. It boils down to She continued: the use of flags: red flags and green flags. Other hon. “Recent crime figures are the worst in the East Midlands. Members may well be familiar with such arrangements Community safety partners need to work together more effectively in their areas. While the use of such simplistic devices to reduce crime and make the city safer for local people.” may be attractive in terms of drawing attention to I could go on and refer to other elements that the things—for instance, the new website—it is over-simplistic researcher had drawn out from the press release. in this context, and difficult to justify. 1027 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1028

I have noted the green flags given to the areas around speech? As I represent a constituency in Portsmouth, Leicester, and the lack of green flags relating to any of which has one of the largest populations of service the services in Leicester itself; I have noted the red flags personnel, may I also wish all our service personnel given to the areas around Leicester, and the red flags around the world a happy Christmas, and in particular given to the city itself; and I have reached the conclusion may I wish those who are in Afghanistan a peaceful and that the choice of green or red flags is entirely subjective. pleasant festive season? I also want to wish service personnel families a happy Christmas, as this can be a Dr. Pugh: There has been a certain amount of mission very difficult period for them, and assure them that the creep in the Audit Commission. Perhaps it should stick thoughts of the entire House—of Members of all parties— to what it is supposed to be doing, examining councils’ are with them. finances—or perhaps not, following the “Icelandic saga” I pay tribute to the Royal British Legion, too. I doubt fiasco. if its work has been as important as it is today since it was founded in the aftermath of the first world war. I Sir Peter Soulsby: For a long time the Audit Commission urge all Members to give their support to the British has had a much wider role than that of simply examining Legion in the forthcoming election. I am sure that not a the finances of local authorities, which was originally single candidate in the entire country will decline to the role of the District Audit Service. It has been given back it, but let us set an example by backing it first now. that wider role by both the last Government and this I should also declare an interest, as I want to talk one. I think it has long aspired to bring some order to about certain issues affecting the city of Portsmouth the plethora of inspection regimes covering local services, and, as is stated in the Register of Members’ Financial and I think it is right to wish to do that, but I believe Interests, I am a member of Portsmouth city council that on this occasion it has gone too far in its enthusiasm and its executive. The first issue is Portsmouth’s serious for bringing order and simplicity, and has over-simplified. housing problem. I agree with the hon. Member for The work that the Audit Commission has done is Chorley (Mr. Hoyle) and my hon. Friend the Member unreasonable in the circumstances. There is a total lack for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) about the importance of consistency in the way in which it has presented of housing. Portsmouth’s current housing problem is Leicester and other local authority areas, and it has left probably as bad as it was in 1945, when a third of the unanswered far more questions than it has answered. Its buildings in the city had been demolished or severely approach has done a disservice to Leicester, and to its damaged by the Luftwaffe, sizeable chunks of it had to own work on behalf of recipients of services in Leicester be bulldozed down, and tens of thousands of people and other areas. were moved outside the city. As I have said, it is vital for inspectors who look at The Government have promised a lot on housing, cities such as Leicester and other towns, cities and and particularly on council housing, yet they have not counties up and down the land to seek performance delivered. We have heard the words, but they have yet to indicators that are relevant and avoid perverse incentives. walk the walk and provide the money. Even at this late Above all, they must ensure that their conclusions are stage, as we approach a general election, I ask the firmly based on evidence. The flag system that the Government to give powers to use section 106 moneys inspectors have used and the press releases that they to improve and construct council properties, and to give have issued do not meet those tests. They do not local authorities back the initiative to be able to build demonstrate a regime that is robust and independent, the sorts of properties that they know they need to and they certainly do not demonstrate one with an satisfy their housing demand. In contrast to private entirely objective approach. This is not a regime that developers who want to build only what they know they appears to be a critical friend rather than a hostile or can sell, local authorities have a responsibility to house even bullying outsider. all sorts of people, such as families of various sizes and The Audit Commission, and those involved in the those with lifestyle difficulties such as disabilities, who other inspection regimes, should look closely at the way might need special adaptations in their properties. We in which they have handled the launch of the Oneplace need to free up local authorities, and we need the initiative. Although the initiative has much to commend Government to give assistance, not cut it, as is being it, they need to recognise that a single snapshot—which suggested by some commentators. is how they themselves have described the work that The second issue affecting Portsmouth was raised in they are doing—can be simplistic and even damaging. the House yesterday: defence spending, particularly in It may produce a headline for them, but it does not get the context of the Royal Navy. Month after month, I anywhere near the truth as it is actually experienced by am depressed by the indecision and the briefings that people in the city of Leicester or, I would suggest, are given or the leaks that are allowed to be made, elsewhere. especially about the aircraft carrier programme. One Finally, Mr. Deputy Speaker, let me join other hon. minute it is on, the next minute it may be off, or it is Members in wishing you and, of course, the staff of the being reconsidered, reorganised or delayed. What effect House a very happy Christmas and a prosperous and do Ministers think that sort of indecision has on the peaceful new year. morale of the work force in Portsmouth who have been loyal to the Ministry of Defence and the national interest for generations, and whose city’s main industrial 4.19 pm backbone is based on support for the MOD? Mr. Mike Hancock (Portsmouth, South) (LD): First, may I follow the hon. Member for Leicester, South Dr. Julian Lewis (New Forest, East) (Con): Unusually, (Sir Peter Soulsby) in wishing everyone present a happy I have to say that the hon. Gentleman is being unfair to Christmas, just in case I forget to do so at the end of my the Government. I am a Front-Bench spokesman on 1029 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1030

[Dr. Julian Lewis] I am perfectly supportive of the idea that people who do not deserve, or do not have a right, to be here should defence and I have heard the Government say over and be removed, but for goodness’ sake let us do it in a way over again that the carriers will go ahead, so for once I that everybody understands. We should not pick people feel that he is being unduly alarmist. up, detain them in a detention centre and threaten them daily that they are about to leave the country, when we Mr. Hancock: I am convinced in my heart that the know that we are not in a position to deport them to carriers will go ahead, but why do the Government another country because they do not have the papers allow the speculation to continue? Why do they not, that would allow us to do so. How on earth can that be once and for all, give proper dates and stick to them? logical or in anyone’s interests, least of all those of the Yesterday, I asked the Secretary of State whether he Treasury, which must be at its wits’ end with the UKBA’s could categorically assure the House, the country and, performance in dealing with such cases? more importantly, people whose livelihood depends on I should tell the hon. Member for Leicester, South the carriers that the dates that the Government have (Sir Peter Soulsby) that, sadly, Leicester is not alone announced will be stuck to. It simply is not good when it comes to the operations of the Audit Commission. enough to treat people in this way. My city was criticised for having a high number of We have to make a proper analysis of what we need reported rape cases. We, the police and other agencies to spend on defence. The Royal Navy is as important had actively encouraged women to come forward, and today as it has been in past generations, and the future the next thing we knew we were accused of being the of the naval base in Portsmouth is important in that rape capital of the south. What on earth is up with an respect. We should be looking to give the Royal Navy organisation that tries to co-ordinate an approach to the resources that it needs to provide the punch that the certain issues but fails to understand the simple basics? Government demand of it by their overseas commitments If we encourage and give support to women to come and their use of force on occasion. Again, we cannot forward and report rapes or attempted rapes, that will talk the talk without producing the right sort of resources. push the number—or the indices—of reported rape We should give clear direction to show our armed forces cases up. The commission failed to understand that. that there is a future for people who enlist in the Royal The hon. Member for Leicester, South is dead right Navy, and to show those on the industrial side, in to criticise the Audit Commission’s understanding of shipbuilding, that their careers will not be affected the background to many of its statistics. It beggars because the Government have changed their mind. belief that an agency that has so much clout, and that Thirdly, I wish to discuss the way in which we deal the Government listen to, is allowed to get away with with some immigration cases. I deal with a phenomenal such statements— number of these cases, and I would imagine that half the people in the two advice centres that I hold each Bob Russell: Not accountable. week have an immigration case or a problem related in some way to one. I am amazed at the number of times Mr. Hancock: My hon. Friend—not for the first that I have been able to get people removed from time—makes the important point that the commission detention. Some of these people have been picked up is not accountable, and it is about time it was. off the street, or have been detained when they have My final point is a bit of sour grapes, from my point gone to report to the police station, as they have to do of view, and concerns the England 2018 world cup bid. on a weekly or fortnightly basis. My city enthusiastically got behind the campaign and Most recently, I encountered the case of somebody supported it to such an extent that we set up a team and who was detained in the city of Portsmouth, taken to invested close to £250,000. But when it came to the Heathrow the same day, and told that they were to be crunch—make-your-mind-up time—the appalling deported within 48 hours I spoke to the relevant Minister’s behaviour of FIFA, the Football Association and, to a office, and I was delighted that the Minister was able to lesser extent, the Government persuaded the city council stop that. More importantly—this was beyond belief—I not to pursue its bid to be a host city. discovered from the immigration officer dealing with I was disappointed, yet I too voted to abandon the the case at the Heathrow holding centre that the person bid. We would have ended up needing an on-paper could not be deported because his papers were deficient potential outlay of £24 million, perhaps more, with and the country to which he was to be deported would little or no evidence that any of the return on it would not have accepted him. We had probably spent several come back to us. Even before we could be selected, we hundred—if not thousands—of pounds detaining that were asked to sign a contract on 26 November that person, only for him to be freed again, returned to live suggested that we would have to pay another £250,000 at home and told that he had to continue to report. I to the FA for its marketing bid. Members will have seen asked why that had been done, but nobody has yet been some of the FA’s expenditure, such as buying expensive able to give a satisfactory answer. luggage and other gifts to bribe people to vote for us. The problem is that that case is one of a dozen or so We were also told that we would have to provide the cases in the past three months of people being detained, finance for one person to spend 36 days in South Africa sometimes for a week or a fortnight, only to be released as an active part of the campaign team. subsequently with no real account having been given of We were told that if we were successful, we would be why they were detained in the first place and why they expected to do an awful lot of things, including guaranteeing were subsequently released into exactly the same a stadium for the games to be played in. The football circumstances as before they were detained. Again, club in Portsmouth desperately needs a new stadium, there appears to be a lack of coherence in the UK but it could not give a cast-iron assurance. The city Border Agency’s way of dealing with these cases. council was told that if it wanted to make this bid, it 1031 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1032 had to guarantee the stadium or it would have to election—when, as I trust, there will be a change of compensate FIFA for another city’s having to take on government—I shall be very surprised indeed to find the responsibilities that Portsmouth could not. We were that the contracts for the carriers have not been drawn already being told that if we had a new stadium in up with sufficient rigour and comprehensiveness to Portsmouth, built by the club, we would have to put ensure that the classic strategic argument that always £6 million of council tax payers’ money into it to convinces a Treasury team that a vital military asset increase its capacity to meet FIFA’s standards, with no must be bought, will come into play. That argument is, guarantee that we would get any gain, or even any of course, that it would cost more to cancel the carriers kudos, from it. than it would to proceed with them. We were told that we would have to ban all existing advertising, for the duration of the competition, for 1 Mr. Hancock indicated assent. km around the stadium and 1 km around the fans area. We would have to pay compensation to everybody who Dr. Lewis: I am glad to see that the hon. Gentleman is now displays adverts in those areas. No one within that nodding. He is right to make criticisms, but he should zone would have been allowed to sell food or beverages, not fly the kite of suggesting that the carriers will not either, because FIFA had made its own arrangements happen. I shall be amazed if the carriers do not happen, for food and beverage deals around the ground. whatever else we have reason to criticise this Government We were originally told that if we signed that contract for in respect of the Royal Navy. we could get between 10 and 15 per cent. of the gate At Christmas-time, we think about the people whom receipts of all the 64 games that would be played in we have lost. We think also about the people whom England during the world cup competition. Then we other people have lost, and in particular of the service were told, “No, we’ve changed our minds. You’ll get personnel who have been lost this year. I think in between 10 and 15 per cent. of the receipts that your particular of Olaf Schmid, and I wait with interest to ground gets for games played there.” Then that changed see what posthumous gallantry award he will be given—it too, and we were told, “No, you’ll get whatever they should come sooner rather than later—for the magnificent choose to pay you after they’ve taken out all their costs, bomb disposal work that he did. The courage and because in effect, FIFA is hiring the ground.” dignity shown by his widow Christina were an example It was a complete and utter fiasco. The FA wrote to to us all. It is an example that none us would probably the city council on 18 November, giving even more be able to follow if, heaven forbid, we were placed in conditions. We were advised by lawyers that it would be such a situation, but it is one that we as a House can helpful if we put money aside for a judicial review of admire and acknowledge, and of which we can stand the legality of signing such a one-sided contract. When in awe. we sought the Government’s assistance and asked them I think of two people whom I have lost in the course to step in on behalf of all 16 local authorities that were of the past year. One was my cold war comrade and bidding at that stage, they turned their back on us. They friend George Miller—or George Miller-Kurakin, to said, “It’s down to you, but be careful what you sign.” give him his full inherited name. He died on 23 October, I hope that the 2018 World cup bid is a success for the aged just 54. I am grateful to the obituaries editor of UK, but for local authorities it could be one of the The Independent, who gave him pride of place with a biggest financial disasters ever to befall them. The city half-page obituary that I had written, spelling out some of Portsmouth made a wise decision to get out before of the work that George did to help NATO remain we were too far committed. It is a sad reflection on strong while he waited for Russia—his country of descent, FIFA, the FA and the Government that they treat our shall we say?—to see the back of communism. He was national game in such a disrespectful way—and FIFA an inspirational figure, and I was glad also that The in particular have a lot of questions to answer. Daily Telegraph similarly accorded him a half-page tribute written by Harry Phibbs, who was part of George’s network of couriers, who also did so much to keep the 4.36 pm flame of freedom alive in Russia. George died too Dr. Julian Lewis (New Forest, East) (Con): I had not young, but among those who knew him and among intended to begin by saying anything about the Royal those who have a dim perception of some of the work Navy, but the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South that went on below the surface to undermine Soviet (Mr. Hancock) raised the subject and kindly let me communism, he will be honoured as a hero. intervene, so I shall just say that the Government can be The other person whom I lost was my father, Samuel criticised about plenty of things in connection with the Lewis, who died at exactly this time last year. He died Royal Navy, such as the reduction in the number of on 16 December at the great age of 95. On the day he frigates and destroyers. That number has been reduced died, I spoke in a debate, because I had undertaken to from 35 to 23 and, by some counts, to as few as 19. do so, and I am glad to find myself speaking again on In addition, the number of nuclear-powered attack the first anniversary of his passing. The best tribute that submarines has been cut from 12 to seven. The hon. I can give to a man who worked as a tailor for 71 years Member for Portsmouth, South referred to the date and who, like my friend George Miller, never earned when the carriers will come into service, but it was revealed any real money, is to go on doing the work that I know only yesterday that that was postponed to enable a he was proud to see me engaged in. temporary saving of some £600 million, but that the I well remember being sworn in to serve in the House cost of the postponement will be £1.1 billion later on. in 1997. My father was 84 and sitting in the Gallery. I It is a dire situation indeed, but I think that I can mentioned that to Speaker Boothroyd. She said to me, reassure the hon. Gentleman, his constituents and “Well, I think we’ll make an exception. Normally we are supporters of the Royal Navy. After the next general not supposed to pay any attention to anyone outside the 1033 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1034

[Dr. Julian Lewis] “eating disorders, self-injurious behaviours and”— I cannot stress these words too much— boundaries of the Chamber, but as this is a special “high risk cases including clients with active suicidal behaviours.” occasion, let’s give him a wave.” So Speaker Boothroyd and I made that little gesture to my dad, and I know he The document continued, stating that was very touched and satisfied by it. “this is a good time for the Student Mental Health Service to move to the Hampshire Partnership Trust as provider of the Both George and Sam—George with his too short service. It will enable the integration of the Student Mental life and Sam with his very long life—had one great Health Service as a discrete specialist service”— benefit: almost till the end, they kept full command of a separate specialist service— their faculties. My father’s short-term memory was shot, but right up until the day he died, he was still very “within the totality of the Mental Health Provision in Southampton.” much himself. What I want to talk about in this short As a result of that, the document also referred to the contribution to the debate is what happens when one’s people who are seen as those who suffer from faculties and one’s personality are affected by illness— “severe and complex Mental Health problems”. mental illness—at too early an age. All that makes it absolutely clear that the service was I have spoken in Adjournment debates and in for young people who were seriously ill. However, I Westminster Hall debates recently about the activities have, as always, given the Hampshire Partnership trust of the Hampshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust an opportunity to explain why it has done what it has in respect of the supposedly temporary closure of the done, and Mr. Nick Yeo, the head of the trust, said that psychiatric intensive care unit at Woodhaven hospital in it was my constituency. It is called Ellingham ward and it “part of a new development” provides a vital service. It has been “temporarily” closed and a specialist team has been dispersed. I intend to to set up a scheme called IAPT, or improving access to continue in the months and, hopefully, years ahead, if psychological therapies. IAPT, the letter states, the general election gives me another mandate to do so, “is a therapy based service aimed at providing for the adult to campaign and fight to make sure that that ward is population, including students of Southampton…covering steps not lost. 2/3 of the stepped care approach,” As a result of that campaign, I have been contacted which I will explain in a moment. Mr. Yeo went on to by people who were involved in another specialist unit, say that the service was put out to tender, Dorset known as the student mental health team. It was operated Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust won and it is now a by the Southampton City primary care trust for the matter for that organisation. The trouble with all that, benefit of students in Southampton and Solent universities. however, is that the student service never was a step 3 Those include a number of my constituents. In a nutshell, service. A step 3 service is for people with moderate to that specialist team was set up in 1997 and did valuable mild mental health problems, but the student service work saving young lives for a decade, but after those was at least a step 4 service, which is for moderate to 10 years it was decided by the Southampton City PCT severe and complex mental health problems where serious and the Hampshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, interventions are necessary and there is a serious risk to which provides the adult mental health services for the life. whole of our area, that it would be better to transfer the The service was transferred from one provider to team from the one to the other. It was alleged and another and eventually ended up with the Dorset trust, assured at the time that nothing really would change. which supplies the new service called IAPT. However, However, not long after the transfer, we find that the IAPT, as it has been explained to me, is only a primary team has been dismantled and its personnel have been, care service for people with basic anxiety and depression; for the most part, made redundant. The students have it is not geared for complex and serious cases. The lost an important service and a lifeline. students will therefore have to take their chance with The point about the student mental health team is the ordinary community mental health care teams who that students went to see them as a secondary care go out in general for people with severe problems in service. In other words, the students were pretty ill—in society; there will be no specialist treatment for students danger of overdosing or doing other things that might whatever. The trouble is that that service, which is not lead to suicide. As one member of the team said, they supplied by the Dorset trust but continues to be supplied dealt with complex, serious stuff: students with bipolar by the Hampshire trust, is already bursting at the seams. syndrome or manic depression, psychosis—students in Yet all the students who used to go to the student crisis. There were five therapists plus an administrator. service were people who were so ill that it is beyond doubt that they would never have been accepted for the The measure of the seriousness of the team’s work IAPT service that has now been transferred to Dorset. comes from the document that the Southampton City primary care trust and the Hampshire Partnership NHS In effect, what has happened is the destruction of a Foundation Trust produced when the service was transferred specialised service for seriously ill young people in the from one to the other. The document stated: Southampton area. At the time when the service was set “The Student Mental Health Service is a very dynamic and up, it was said that it was intended for severely ill experienced team who undertake complex and specialised clinical people. It has been transferred out of existence by being work. The team consist of highly skilled practitioners… Since its merged with a service that is not for severely mentally ill inception the student mental health service has seen a significant people, with the result that four of the five therapists growth in the number of students seen with severe and enduring have been made redundant. The effect of that is disastrous. mental health problems including personality disorders, psychosis, Those who self-harm, those who are suicidal, and those bipolar disorder, OCD”— who suffer from enduring mental health problems will obsessive compulsive disorder— not get a service. It has been closure by the back door; 1035 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1036 nobody has noticed it or understood it because it has At present, the Land Registry business case bizarrely been a process of institutional manoeuvring and covert advocates the recruitment of 594 new, inexperienced destruction. staff across the 12 retained offices post-2011, but the I am sorry to have brought up such a grim subject at removal of 1,500 experienced, dedicated and skilled what should be a happy time of the year, but I hope that staff by compulsory redundancy at a cost to the Exchequer by my doing so the media in the Southampton area will of £186 million. Those plans do not stand up to scrutiny take an interest and young lives will be saved that would and are wrong-headed, short-sighted and flawed, as I otherwise be lost. will demonstrate with particular reference to premises, staffing, the implications of the Lyons review and the economic impact on the city of Peterborough. 4.51 pm We all accept that the building occupied by the Peterborough Land Registry office is too big and expensive Mr. Stewart Jackson (Peterborough) (Con): It is, as for the staff complement currently occupying it, and the ever, a pleasure to follow my hon. Friend the Member Government must of course address issues of cost and for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis). This is an surplus estate. However, there is capacity to let the opportunity for me to raise two important issues, one excess space to other Departments such as the Department substantive and one slightly less so. for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The lease I begin with my grave misgivings about the proposals expires in 2013 and will need to be paid whether or not by the Ministry of Justice and the chief executive of the the building is occupied after 2011. Early surrender of Land Registry, the chief land registrar, to close five the lease would be at a premium. Land Registry offices in the so-called greater south-east. Valuation Office Agency data show that in rental Bizarrely, that includes the loss by compulsory redundancy terms, Peterborough is significantly less expensive than of 302 jobs in Peterborough by September 2011—a many other localities. Headline rental values are £125 timetable that may preclude my constituents, if they are per square metre in the city, compared with £145 in made compulsorily redundant, from receiving as Leicester, £150 in Nottingham, £240 in Croydon and advantageous severance payments as people doing equal more than £1,000 in central London. There is no reason jobs in three other Land Registry offices. why the Peterborough office would not be able to move to alternative, smaller rental premises in the city on the Last month, I had the opportunity to speak to the expiry of the lease in 2013. chief land registrar, Peter Collis. I also had a round-table meeting with a couple of dozen members of staff in the Peterborough city council and the East of England Peterborough office, at Touthill close in the city centre, regional assembly published a study in August 2004 on 25 November. There is significant concern about the that maintained that it was an ideal location for civil evidential basis that is being used by the Land Registry servants locating out of London and the south-east in putting forward the business case that was published under the auspices of the 2004 Lyons review. The case by Ministers on 22 October 2009. The former chief land for maintaining an office in Peterborough is that it registrar, John Manthorpe, has prepared a detailed would be considerably cheaper than maintaining one in document called the accelerated transformation programme, London, and the office in Peterborough already has the which I commend to the House. That document puts a necessary IT, telephone and furniture requirements for very different slant on the information provided by the such a relocation. In the view of the property consultancy Land Registry. Mr. Manthorpe—who is, incidentally, a King Sturge, in its report for Sir Michael Lyons, and gentleman who served with distinction in his position according to the Lyons review and the Office of from 1985 to 1996—has described the plans for closures Government Commerce guidance, it makes sense for as the head office functions to be located in the existing Peterborough office. That would reduce the Land Registry’s “quite disproportionate and unnecessarily expensive”, underlying cost base. The Peterborough building is based as they are on the historically low level of property leased and there is no capital asset value to be unlocked, and mortgage market activity. I will focus my remarks and it would otherwise be a continuing drain on resources on the implications for the Land Registry office in through redundancy payments. We are talking about Peterborough; no doubt other hon. Members will argue people’s jobs, including older workers who have shown the case for their own Land Registry offices in Stevenage, dedication and loyalty over the years to this important Portsmouth, Croydon and Tunbridge Wells. Mr. Manthorpe work. It is about human capital and human resources, has provided those Members with his detailed rebuttal and especially lawyer resources. Lawyers are extremely document. expensive for the Land Registry to recruit and train. The current proposals pay no heed to the long-term In short, the Lyons review has been interpreted wrongly experience of the staff at the Peterborough Land Registry in the Land Registry’s business case. It can be argued office who are to be forced to accept compulsory that in order to comply with the review, it is not necessary redundancy, at considerable cost to the public purse. to close the Peterborough office. It is wrong to allocate Under Mr. Manthorpe’s alternative plan, all 19 current a so-called red marking to the office to suggest that it is offices would remain open, with a continuation of the non-compliant with the Lyons agenda. By that I mean natural wastage programme through retirements, that Peterborough has been allocated a position as part resignations and transfers to other Government offices of the greater south-east, but it is not Oxford, Milton and departments such as Jobcentre Plus and English Keynes, Hampshire or Kent. It is on the border with the Nature in the city, plus the continuance of the highly east midlands, in the eastern region. It is not in the successful voluntary severance scheme, and the sale and greater south-east, and there was a misapprehension lease of surplus office capacity across the entire Land about that in the decision taken and the case made for Registry estate nationally. closure. I am glad that the hon. Member for Leicester, 1037 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1038

[Mr. Stewart Jackson] Mrs. W came to my surgery. She is a trained nursery nurse. About three years ago, she worked in a care South (Sir Peter Soulsby) is no longer in his place, home. One day in 2006, a lady who worked with her, because if the criteria had been correctly applied, both who was off duty, came into the care home and accused the Nottingham and Leicester offices would have been Mrs. W of roughly handling a patient. Mrs. W was deemed more suitable for closure than Peterborough. immediately reported to the manager and suspended on The case for closing Peterborough in preference to full pay. She denied roughly handling the elderly patient, other offices has not been correctly made. but was quite rightly subjected to a proper disciplinary The closure of the Peterborough Land Registry office process and took her Unison representative along. Due will have a significant impact. I will be presumptuous process was observed and Mrs. W was completely enough to speak for my hon. Friend the Member for exonerated from the charge of inappropriate and North-West Cambridgeshire (Mr. Vara), who is my unprofessional behaviour and of roughly handling the neighbour. Many of his constituents will be affected, lady concerned. and no doubt he will add his own words in his closing However, the story does not have a happy ending, remarks. Of all the proposed office closures, the because a misinterpretation of section 113 of the Police Peterborough one will cause the greatest pain to staff, Act 1997 means that the statement made by the then due to the limited employment prospects in comparable manager of the Bupa facility—I will not name it or say work in the city, with no capital gain to the organisation. what area of the city it is in—remains in Mrs. W’s It is understood that advice was sought by the accelerated Criminal Records Bureau records. She subsequently left transformation programme team on the basis of socio- the facility later in 2006 and trained to be a nursery economic profiling of the areas that currently have a nurse. However, even though she really wants to do that Land Registry presence and with reference to the job, she has been unable to secure employment because Government’s regeneration framework, to which all no one will take a chance after they have seen the Departments are signed up and which OGC is keen to statement in the CRB record. see applied in decisions on the location of Government It is in the gift of the chief constable of Cambridgeshire agencies. Although it is apparent from DCLG advice to change that statement or remove it completely. Until that the level of deprivation in Peterborough is not the something is done, that woman cannot secure employment, same as that in Hull or Birkenhead, the local economy and it cannot be right that people can be accused of and job market should be carefully considered. something, completely exonerated and return to work, Peterborough is a city with significant areas of deprivation. but when they want to change jobs a sword of One area, Dogsthorpe ward, is among the most deprived Damocles—in the form of a tangential reference—is in England, some other parts of the city are within the held over their heads for years to come, blighting their 3 per cent. most deprived and a further seven are lives. I have another constituent, a schoolmaster, who is deemed to have high levels of deprivation. in exactly the same position. Rightly, he is very angry The east of England region may be seen on some and bitter about the aspersions that have been cast on indexes as comparatively affluent, but it is important him. In his case, it was disciplining a teenage girl pupil properly to assess the characteristics of specific locations. that got him into difficulty. I hope that the Minister will Currently, the male unemployment rate in the city of address that issue. Peterborough is 10.1 per cent. We have seen significant Finally, I wish everyone well, especially my constituents, job losses over the past two years, involving companies John and Rosie Sandall, who are travelling to Ukraine such as Pearl Assurance, Peterborough city council, for the 26th time in 20 years to take money and presents Freemans, the catalogues company, Perkins Engines, to needy children whose families suffered in the terrible Norwich and Peterborough building society and Ideal Chernobyl tragedy in 1986. I also look forward to Shopping Direct, the home shopping channel. Others helping to serve the Christmas dinner, with turkey and will empathise with the fact that Woolworths and other all the trimmings, with the Salvation Army at Bourges retail outlets have closed. In short, the social dynamic, boulevard in Peterborough on Christmas day to help and the economic impact and ramifications, have not the needy and elderly of the New England and Millfield been taken fully into account when Peterborough has areas. I wish you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and all officers been compared with other parts of the country. A blunt and Members of the House a happy Christmas. instrument has been used. That is a dismal picture to paint for the dedicated and hard-working Land Registry staff. 5.6 pm I hope that the Minister answers my questions in her Paul Holmes (Chesterfield) (LD): Like other hon. winding-up speech, and that she discusses the matter Members, I wish to raise local issues, but first I want to seriously with her colleagues in the Ministry of Justice, talk about an international issue. In 2003, this Parliament because the proposals do not stand up to scrutiny. They voted to invade Iraq. That was an illegal invasion and a are ill conceived and short-termist, and Ministers should disastrous decision. In 2003, I was one of the MPs—as reject them. The people of Peterborough who have were all of my colleagues—who voted against that given their dedicated service to the Land Registry over invasion. I also came down to London one Sunday the years should be allowed to make their case—it is shortly before the vote, with my then nine-year-old coherent and cost-neutral to the Exchequer—and to daughter and 1 million other people, to march outside continue their good work. this building to protest what was clearly about to happen. In the time left to me, I shall raise an important Hans Blix and his team of UN weapons inspectors matter that affects only a relatively small number of had spent some months going to more than half—some people, but which is vital to them, their lives and their 60 per cent.—of the sites that the British and US future prospects. On Saturday, a lady whom I shall call intelligence services had identified as possible sites for 1039 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1040

WMD, and they had found nothing. Hans Blix reported have they waited until now to say, “We’ll do it for next that openly and publicly, and he said that if he had year”? It is too late. It is eight years too late. If we send another three months, they could finish going to all the our servicemen and women out to risk their lives, they sites, but that they expected to find nothing. Instead, of should be properly equipped from the start, not eight or course, we took a different course of action. nine years in. Already we are seeing, in the early days of the Chilcot Chesterfield has been relatively lucky so far in that, as inquiry, evidence confirming the view that many of us far as I know, we have only had one death in the armed had back in 2003 that the flimsy evidence of an Iraqi forces in Afghanistan. However, others have been injured, taxi driver and an online student dissertation was sexed some of them disabled for life. The young man who up to make a false case for war. We now have the vision died, Ben Ford, was 19. I was about to call him a young of the Prime Minister at the time, Tony Blair, appearing boy because he was exactly the same age as my son. on television and admitting openly that he would have They were in the same year group at the same school, taken this country to war anyway, regardless of what and when my son was 19, I still thought of him—wrongly, case could or could not be made on WMD. But only I suppose—as a boy. Ben Ford died because his Snatch days before the vote that took us into Iraq, he stood at Land Rover was blown up by an improvised explosive the Dispatch Box and told this House that if Saddam device. Had it been a properly armoured patrol vehicle, Hussein and his sons were willing to give up their he might have survived. Neither did the vehicle have any weapons of mass destruction, they could stay in power. electronic warfare counter measures—the sort of measures Tony Blair categorically stated that it was not about that can intercept the radio signals that set off IEDs regime change, but about WMD. How can someone from a distance via remote control. Had it been properly give up WMD that they do not possess because they do equipped, he might have survived. not exist? Military personnel know, when they join the armed The Iraq war—a wrong and illegal war—went ahead. forces, that they risk their lives—that is part of the It alienated the Muslim world which, only 18 months job—but they should be entitled to know that they are earlier, had largely rallied around the US after the being sent with the best equipment possible and for a disgraceful 9/11 attacks. It led to 500,000 to 600,000 clearly defined and legal purpose and objective, and people in Iraq dying by UN estimates and up to 1 million that the politicians in charge are fully focused on the dying by other estimates. Bombings continue to wreak endgame that will end the conflict, not that after eight havoc in Baghdad and across Iraq, as we saw tragically years the Government will suddenly wake up to the only a few days ago. Iraq became a recruiting sergeant drift that has characterised this country’s presence in for international terrorism. Afghanistan since 2001. It is a drift that has led to On the other hand, the Afghan war in 2001 was unnecessary deaths. different. The Afghanistan invasion was justified and legal, and as a newly elected MP at the time I argued On more local issues, last Wednesday, I and other that case against the Stop the War coalition at a public Derbyshire MPs met a wide-ranging delegation that meeting in Chesterfield. Eighteen months later, I argued included the police and fire authorities, and various at a similar public meeting that the Iraq war was wrong. councils, including Chesterfield borough council and North East Derbyshire, Bolsover and South Derbyshire Afghanistan was justified because 9/11 had been planned district councils. They came to lobby us on various and executed from safe bases there, and of course there issues. Also, this morning, I met the Minister of State, had been attacks around the world before 9/11, most Department for Transport, the right hon. Member for notably on the US embassy in Kenya where the American Tooting (Mr. Khan) to discuss the chronic underfunding targets were missed and 60 Africans, who were in the of Chesterfield borough council as a result of the wrong place at the wrong time, were cold-bloodedly Government’s bus fare scheme. slaughtered. The great majority of the Muslim world rallied around and supported the USA after the disgraceful What was the common thread between those two 9/11 attack, and supported the invasion of Afghanistan. meetings, two weeks apart and covering a range of In general, the coalition troops who went into councils, police and fire authorities, and bus fares? It Afghanistan were welcomed in much of the country as was that none of that lobbying involved any special liberators, not just by the Kurds and the Northern pleading. Nobody was asking for something extra or for Alliance, but in many other parts of the country. But what other people did not have. Nobody was saying, then all attention was taken away from that country and “Give us something new. Give us more on top.” Each disastrously diverted to the illegal invasion of Iraq—the lobbying group—whether a council, fire brigade, police eye was taken off the ball. Eight years later—almost as authority, Chesterfield borough council or with an interest long as world war one and world war two put together—the in bus fares—was saying, “Give us the money that you Government say that they will provide enough helicopters as a Government say that we should have but will not and armoured patrol vehicles by next year and train up give to us.” the Afghan forces to take over from western troops I will provide an explanation, although hon. Members some time in the future. will be familiar with the details. Derbyshire police are What on earth have the Government been doing for underfunded by £5 million a year. It is not the police the past eight years? Why did they not provide enough saying that; it is the Government. However, the Government helicopters at some point over the past eight years? Why will not give the police that £5 million a year. The fire did they not provide suitable armoured patrol vehicles service in Derbyshire is less badly affected than the over the past eight years? Why did they not embark on a police are, but it is also underfunded. All the councils in serious, large-scale programme of training up Afghan Derbyshire, from the district and borough councils up security forces so that they could do the jobs currently to the county council, are also underfunded, according done by western troops over the past eight years? Why to the Government’s own figures. 1041 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1042

[Paul Holmes] In the short term, the Government should solve the problem by providing the money that they say those Many hon. Members will be familiar with the f40 councils should have for those services, but which they campaign, which I was part of as a councillor, long will not provide them with. In the longer term, but not before I was elected as an MP. When the Government after too long—this should happen as soon as the next were first elected in 1997, the f40 campaign was promised general election is over—the next Government should that the problem of shire counties in particular being reverse the whole system. We are so centralised that badly underfunded by the complex formula used to 90 per cent. of the taxation raised is taken to London devise central Government funding would be resolved. and then handed out with strings attached. The Government In 2006, the Government finally revised the funding in London try to micro-manage everything that councils formula. From 2006, they said, “Yes, you should have do and everything that schools do, through Ofsted, more money”—you being the police authority, the fire league tables and the national curriculum. service or the council—“but you can’t have it, because That should be reversed, and it is not what happens of the floors and ceilings in operation.” Derbyshire in the rest of the western world. It does not happen police, which is the fifth worst funded police force in the anywhere else in Europe, apart from Malta, which is a country and has hundreds fewer police officers than small island and can be excused, nor does it happen in equivalent shire counties such as Nottinghamshire or Canada, the USA or Australia. As with proportional Durham, therefore continues to suffer. representation, we are the odd ones out. So the rest of In 2008, the Government introduced an excellent the world has got it wrong and we have got it right? I do national bus fare scheme, which is of great value in not think so. The Government should change the system enhancing older people’s lives, but they failed to fund it to the benefit of democracy in this country—and, for properly for around 30 of the 263 authorities that were that matter, for more efficient local government. involved. At first the Government just denied that there The hon. Member for Leicester, South (Sir Peter was a problem, although I am pleased to say that the Soulsby) mentioned the Oneplace reports that are online. meeting that I had this morning with the Transport From the sounds of it, the report for Chesterfield was Minister was much more positive than the one that I much more optimistic than the one for Leicester, but had last year with his predecessor. Last year the Government two things in it stood out. The first was that, in talking denied that there was a problem; this year they have about the problems facing Chesterfield borough council, accepted that there is one. They are proposing to give which was praised for its work on boosting the open-air Chesterfield borough council and the other 30 authorities market, attracting employers, bucking the recession to that have been badly hit their money for next year, from some extent and doing a grand job in all sorts of ways, 1 April 2010, although that is not a guarantee, because the report pointed out—over and over, on the first five other councils that were given too much money are of the nine pages in the report—that the council faces a complaining bitterly that they do not want that money huge problem because of the underfunding of bus fares. taken away from them. Last year and this year, 11 per cent. of the council’s budget How do councils deal with that general situation, was diverted not into anything to do with the borough involving the police, the fire service, bus fares, council council, but into paying for the Government’s underfunded funding and so on, when 75 per cent. of funding for scheme. I hope that the Government will rectify that local authorities basically comes from the Government next year, but there is no mention at all of paying back grant, not the local council tax? Most local voters the £3.5 million that has been taken away in the past simply do not understand that. How do local authorities two years, much to the detriment of Chesterfield services. deal with things when the direction on how to spend most of that money comes from central Government, The report states: rather than from local decision taking? Local voters just “Councillors must decide soon where to get the necessary do not understand that. If the Government refuse to investment of around £43.8 million to bring its council houses up pay up, as they have in all the cases that I have mentioned, to the required standard”. what can the local authority do? Where indeed? The Government will not provide that In Surrey, where the police force was in the same money. They will not give back the rent, the right-to-buy situation with its funding, the decision was made to money or the money that they have taken away from increase the council tax by more than the recommended Chesterfield over the years to pay housing benefits and level. There was a wide consultation with the public and to build the Olympic infrastructure in London. They businesses, who said, “Yes, we’d rather increase the are not going to give any of that back, so where is the council tax than have fewer police on the beat,” and as a money to come from? result a cap was introduced. The council could go to an arm’s-length management Derbyshire police force has gone down the same organisation, which is one of the Government’s options, route, consulting widely and receiving overwhelming but the ALMOs are now being told that they cannot feedback from across Derbyshire saying, “Yes, we’d have any money either. The only option is complete rather pay more council tax than cut our police force,” privatisation, by handing housing over to the housing which is already the fifth worst funded in the country. associations. As with nearly half the councils around However, the Government have said, “No, you can’t the country, however, 70 per cent. of the people of take that decision. We don’t care what local people, Chesterfield have said no to privatisation. What is the local councils or the police force say in Derbyshire; council to do in the face of policies from a Government we’re going to underfund you. And, to rub your nose in who say, “If you don’t privatise and transfer out, we will it, we’re going to cap you.” That means that Derbyshire effectively starve you out by taking money away from is facing the loss of front-line police officers next year, your council rents and not allowing you to maintain when it is already one of the lowest staffed forces in the your stock in the way that the people of Chesterfield country, albeit a very efficient one. want”? 1043 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1044

5.20 pm play there, and I wish I could have bottled and taken away the energy and the confidence of those young Linda Gilroy (Plymouth, Sutton) (Lab/Co-op): I want children. They gave a very professional performance, to talk about several matters affecting my constituents many of them good enough to appear in musicals on on which there have been recent decisions, reviews or the London stage; it was a real tonic to be able to share consultations. If I have time, I want to cover student that with them. Incidentally, I was lobbied by a member funding, the outcome of the Walker review on water of the school council about getting some funding to metering and charging, and capital funding for schools visit Parliament and see how it works. I hope that we and housing. can arrange that next year. It was also very good to be Before I turn to those matters, however, I want to talk able to welcome the Thames Gardens and Horseshoe about Efford, the community in my constituency that I residents associations here in Parliament earlier this mentioned at Prime Minister’s questions today. As I week. said then, that community has been strong and resilient I now want to deal with student fees. The Government in the face of six months of very distressing press promised that the current policy on tuition fees and coverage about the nursery worker who was given an funding would be reviewed after the first cohort of indeterminate sentence yesterday for her horrible crimes students studying under the system had graduated. against children at Little Ted’s nursery in my constituency. That means now. The timing ensures that, far from Like most of my constituents, I am pleased that she was anyone sneaking things through, this issue will be very given an indeterminate sentence. The tariff for crimes of much in the spotlight as we approach the next election. this nature simply does not deal with people’s feelings of When the National Union of Students recently lobbied disgust, anger, loathing and incomprehension at such us, they presented me, and, I suspect, other Members an unbelievable breach of trust, and such evil behaviour. with large student communities, with a copy of “Funding Every Member of the House faces the difficult job of Our Future”—a blueprint with some really interesting explaining why judges and sentencing are independent ideas in it. I instinctively like the idea of having a trust, of the role of MPs, and also distanced from the Government which they put forward, although I have a range of and Ministers. Democracy and the rule of law demand questions, particularly about the costings and whether that that be so, and anyone who stops to think about it the proposals will take into account the position of can see why that is the case. No one would want women, who seem to me to be better taken care of politicians to be able to interfere with sentencing. As a under the present arrangements than under the proposed female colleague said to me earlier today, that would set new ones. I am open-minded about suggestions at this us on the road to becoming a banana republic. In the stage; I recently met some of my local university of context of what has happened in Efford, however, it is Plymouth student union officers, and I hope to meet sometimes difficult to deal with people’s deep-seated others to discuss the matter. anger and the emotions that are aroused by these events, and it is not easy to explain the rather dry subject of the At the time when fees were introduced, I was interested Sentencing Guidelines Council. in the graduate tax approach to dealing with student funding, and I am pleased that the Government review There is one thing that I can do, however. That is to is wide and will, I hope, be able to look at the proposals commit myself to making it a top priority to ensure that being made. I would love to see stronger student the serious case review, which will produce its conclusions representation on the review panel; the National Union in the next month or two, learns lessons from this of Students is making a case for that. There is a student situation, for the sake not only of the 100 or more representative, albeit not one in which it has total families in Efford who have suffered over the past confidence, and I think that that representation could six months, but of every parent in this country who do with some strengthening. wants to ensure that nursery care is of a high quality. The review has already been at work for several months, I am pleased that there has been a 67.3 per cent. and its findings have been delayed to ensure that the increase in the number of students going to university views of the affected families could be taken into account. over the past 10 years—435 from my constituency this It was right to delay it, because serious case reviews year, compared with 260 in 1997. It is an important benefit hugely if the experience of close family members debate to have, as we must continue to find a way to are taken into account. support and fund our higher education institutions. Although I am delighted that so many young people are Efford is a strong and resilient community. It has at now able to access higher education and have the its heart the Heart of Efford Community Partnership, qualifications to do so, we must also ensure that the and I want to pay tribute in particular to its chair, Kath higher education institutions have the funding that they Hancock, who has done amazing work over the past need to maintain their high standards of tuition. The six months in providing a link between the people of UK, of course, has—or at least, had until recently—23 of Efford and the public services. the world’s top 100 universities. I attended a breakfast The hon. Member for Peterborough (Mr. Jackson) briefing, which discussed the challenges faced in some just mentioned the Oneplace assessment. In fact, Plymouth of the devolved areas where universities with a different has received one of the few green flags handed out for set of student funding arrangements are struggling to the way in which it has handled several crises, this most keep up with the funding they need to maintain their recent crisis being one of them. position in the global league tables. I am really pleased that there is to be a new primary Similarly, we must ensure that other forms of student school in Efford; no community could deserve it more. support are adequately funded and resourced, as highlighted The two schools of Highfield and Plym View have come by the recent problems with handling student finance together as High View in one of the old premises while applications. None of this comes cheaply, and it is the new one is built. Last week I attended the nativity important to remember that more public money is 1045 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1046

[Linda Gilroy] The decision is a real boost for the whole community. Good schools not only shape the future of our children spent on universities than on any other level of education, but help everyone in the locality, and the jobs involved with some three quarters of the cost of higher education in the building work will be very welcome too. This is borne by the taxpayer. I am lobbied for better funding exactly the sort of news that it is good to receive just by representatives of pre-school, primary and secondary before Christmas. Tamarside community college will education as well as further education—and that is, of have 50 to 70 per cent. new build, Lipson community course, only the education sector. college will have 20 to 50 per cent. new build, Stoke I believe that the United Kingdom university system Damerel college in my constituency will have 100 per represents good value for money when our fees are cent. new build, John Kitto community college will have compared with university fees internationally. Those of 50 to 70 per cent. new build,, and Sir John Hunt us who from time to time have American interns passing community college will have a major ITC programme. through our offices know that the costs in America are All that is very welcome. amazing compared with ours, although it goes without We heard today that the Minister for Housing had saying that I am not suggesting that we want the United shortlisted the Redrow Vision housing scheme in Devonport Kingdom system to become like the American one. We for a Kickstart grant of just under £3 million. That should bear in mind that there has been a large increase comes after funding was agreed a few weeks ago for in the number of students applying for part-time or Kerr street in Devonport and Cargo in Millbay. That is shorter courses, and that those students may include a real tonic for jobs in the city. Although 50 per cent. of people with families to look after. the funding must be paid back to the Government, Apart from climate change, perhaps our biggest challenge developers will have the cash that they need to get sites for the future is the skills race. We need to maintain our up and running again. There will be a rigorous final excellence in those fields. Fewer jobs will be manual or check before the final go-ahead, but 22,500 houses will unskilled. If Britain is to remain competitive in the be built nationally as a result of this Labour Government’s world economy, the development of a skilled and highly investment. We will continue to invest through the trained professional work force is key. For every five downturn, in order to secure both homes and jobs. manual jobs today, there will be only one in 2020. Within the last hour, we have learned of one final Further education has a vital role to play in the development tonic: Plymouth has been chosen as one of the host of vocational skills, along with renewed emphasis on cities in England’s 2018 World cup bid. If the bid is apprenticeships and, of course, business funding. successful, that will bring huge opportunities, not only by promoting the strong tourist attractions of our city, I am pleased that the final report of the Walker but in terms of jobs and getting young people involved review has at long last been published. I am also pleased in the sport of football. I hope Members on both sides that, having examined the economic, social and geographical of the House, and people throughout the country, will circumstances of the South West Water area, the review join me in hoping that England’s bid to host that World team has concluded that current bills in the south-west cup is successful. relate to the poor state of the sewerage assets at the time of privatisation, and that 20 years ago—as many of us 5.36 pm have said for a long time—the Conservative privatisation Dr. Richard Taylor (Wyre Forest) (Ind): May I begin was badly botched. To address the root cause directly by adding my tribute to those who have been killed or would need a specific one-off adjustment of £650 million, wounded on active service in Afghanistan? My thoughts or annual transfers funded either by Government or by and sympathies are especially with the families who for other water customers across the country. None of that the first time this Christmas will miss their loved ones. I will be easy to achieve. Anna Walker suggests that think in particular of the family of Lance Corporal Ofwat would be best placed to consider the options for Richard Brandon, whose funeral was on 2 October, and implementing either a one-off or another kind of at which his partner and fiancée moved us all to tears adjustment, and advising Ministers accordingly. with her amazingly composed and courageous tribute Last week I met the Under-Secretary of State for to that serving soldier. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my hon. Friend Having said that, the main purpose of my contribution the Member for Ogmore (Huw Irranca-Davies). I am this afternoon is to ask the Deputy Leader of the House pleased to say that he has wasted no time in asking to convey my serious concerns about the future of and Ofwat to investigate Anna Walker’s proposals and report what is happening at a school in my constituency. to him. He has been very helpful both to me and to Baxter college in Kidderminster has been labelled a other Members of Parliament from Devon and national challenge school without considered justification, Cornwall—predominantly Liberal Democrats, but also and with potentially dire consequences. A consultation my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Devonport on replacing the college with a national challenge trust (Alison Seabeck)—who have campaigned relentlessly school has recently ended and a decision is due before throughout this and previous Parliaments. Christmas, which is why a message must urgently be got The Government’s recent decision to give the go-ahead through to the Minister for Schools and Learners. for Plymouth to spend £78 million through the Building To my knowledge, the school has an impressive history. Schools for the Future programme on secondary schools I visited it first as an MP in 2001, when it was called the and to upgrade ICT equipment has been very welcome. Harry Cheshire high school, and I was appalled. The We were originally to receive it in five years’ time, but I graffiti, the behaviour of the kids, the untidy classrooms campaigned, alongside my hon. Friend the Member for and the rowdyism were all unacceptable. The local Plymouth, Devonport—and we were pleased that our authority spotted what was going on and did several case was recognised following a visit from the Minister things to improve it. First, it changed its name. Richard for Schools and Learners earlier this year. Baxter was a cleric in the 1600s who spent much of his 1047 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1048 time working in Kidderminster, and he was one of the system, Baxter college had two years of children coming earliest and most influential non-conformists—a very from five feeder schools, three of which are among the famous person, therefore, to lend his name to the school. worst performing locally because of the deprivation of The local authority also brought in an inspirational the area in which they are situated. Thus, Baxter college head teacher from elsewhere, who brought with him suddenly had to absorb 11 to 13-year-olds largely from some expert teachers, and together the staff, the governors poorly achieving schools. In addition, there was a and the head have turned the school around. It is now a tremendous shortage of maths teachers. Despite all joy to walk around it: it is tidy, with no graffiti, and the those problems, this year the college has done well in A* behaviour is excellent. In the classes, there is an atmosphere to C GCSE results, including in English and Maths, and of friendship, co-operation and learning. has got over these issues. On the filing cabinet in the headmaster’s office are the However, the college is still being forced into the following words: educational trust. That has had a devastating effect on “Passion, flexibility, camaraderie, integrity and kindness.” morale, staff and pupils, and governors have been sacked. That is exactly what the school exemplifies. He has There has also been an effect on prospective parents; I increased the number of pupils from just over 400 to will again get letters from people who do not want their more than 1,000, and the sixth-form cohort from just children to go to the school just because it has been 23 to 150. The proportion of five grade A* to C GCSEs labelled as “failing” in this way. Very significant is the achieved when he took over the school in 2003 was effect on the ContinU trust, which, as I have said, is 13 per cent. By 2007, he had increased that to 54 per unique in its success. The school is being taken out of cent. The letters that I was receiving from parents that trust, so it will no longer be co-operating in the pleading that they should not have to send their children same way. to this failing school have completely stopped; people There are even rumours and allegations that the are now pleased that their children go there. Ofsted school has been forced into this national challenge trust rates the school as satisfactory, and it has received because of the effect, in some way, on the Building awards from Investors in People and the national training Schools for the Future programme—I do not know centre of excellence. whether that is significant. I wrote to the Minister for Significantly, with six other secondary schools in my Schools and Learners on 26 October to express my area and with Kidderminster college, Baxter college is a concern, and I also submitted my response to the member of a new trust that started on 1 September consultation. I had a reply on 17 November, accepting 2008—the ContinU trust. People are amazed that that my concerns but not offering any particular action or possibly unique example of co-operation between eight help. On 25 November, eight days later, I was staggered educational establishments allows them to share their to receive a letter from the same Minister, giving me the services and to build up their expertise in one thing and news that the school would become a national challenge share it across all the senior pupils in my area. When I trust school, and asking: was I not delighted that it was walked past Kidderminster college recently, I noticed a going to be transferred into that form? The letter concluded: sign saying, “ContinU transport pick-up point”. The trust even has transport to take the students between “I am sure you will be delighted about this new development for Wyre Forest.” these schools to receive their specialist lessons. Secondary education is developing with co-operation between the I have never been a Minister, and I do not see many schools and the college in my area. prospects of my becoming one, but I would have thought However, when I made a routine visit on 23 October that even if the Minister could not remember that to see the head of Baxter college—this was not at his particular example, at least some of his staff would have request—I was staggered to see that he was not his realised that one cannot write to an MP only eight days usual bright, cheerful self. He gave me the news that not after the last letter, congratulating him on something only had the college been labelled a national challenge that he obviously deplored. I was very cross to read school, because of one slip—I will explain why the that. I have written back to the Minister and have not results declined for that one year—but that there was a had a reply. proposal to push it into a national challenge trust. That My aim in raising these issues after the consultation would mean that it would be abolished in name and has ended but before the decision is made is to appeal to would become a trust with another school. At first the Department to reconsider what the head, staff, sight, that appeared to be cut and dried, and hard to governors and students have achieved and the consequences contest, but nobody at government level appreciates if the school is abolished and becomes a national challenge exactly what the new head, staff and governors have trust school—and even to consider reversing the proposal. done—as I have said, the improvement in the school has been staggering. I am not criticising the chief executive of the county council or its director of children’s services, Mr. Pelling: What are my hon. Friend’s expectations because they are both relatively new appointments and as regards the disruption to students’ learning from they did not know what the school was like before all these changes? this happened. However, the proposal is an absolute kick in the teeth for the head, the governors, the staff Dr. Richard Taylor: I thank my hon. Friend for that and the pupils, who have transformed the school. Even intervention. Any major change, particularly one affecting worse, this inspirational head has been taken by the the morale of teaching staff and of other children, can same education authority to pull round schools in other have a disastrous effect. The college is being paired with parts of the county, and he has done so successfully. a school in a village in another part of Worcestershire. I I come to the reasons for the blip. A review of cannot see that the staff and the governors there have education in Wyre Forest took us from a three-tier the same experience of coping with a school that takes system to a two-tier one. In the first year of the new children from disadvantaged areas. 1049 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1050

[Dr. Richard Taylor] The charges are not related to the cost of processing spontaneous overdrafts, and are just a way to claw Let me finish with some of the usual messages. I am back money. In fact, the overdraft charges make up a very concerned for the children who visit my patch, large proportion of banks’ profits, and they are often because they go on the Severn Valley railway and meet applied to very vulnerable people. Given the court Father Christmas, and they go to the safari park to see decision, I would very much like the Government to the white lion cubs and they meet Father Christmas. bring forward legislation to ensure that banks are able What do children think about Father Christmas these only to levy fair charges that relate to the costs of the days when they can meet him everywhere they go? additional administration work incurred when people I started my education right on the top of Ilkley go overdrawn. moor and the temperature today reminds me of what it was like at my prep school. Those who were listening to Mr. Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD): the “Today” programme two or three days ago will have My hon. Friend may be aware that the point decided in heard that the marvellous carol, “While Shepherds Watched the Abbey National case was a very narrow one. The their Flocks by Night”, can be sung to the tune of “On Supreme Court gave a clear steer that the Government Ilkley Moor Baht ‘at”. Earlier on, before you took the and Parliament may wish to revisit the matter, and that Chair, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the hon. Member for Tiverton the Office for Fair Trading could bring proceedings and Honiton (Angela Browning) threatened to play her under section 140 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. mobile phone ring tone, with the tune from “Lakmé” Would she join me in making that call for early action? which is, I think, something to do with British Airways. Until she did that, I was almost tempted to ask whether Jo Swinson: I certainly would, and my hon. Friend we could have a go at singing “While Shepherds Watched” makes his point very well indeed. This matter is something to “On Ilkley Moor Baht ‘at”, but I am sure that you that requires urgent action, especially in a recession, would not approve of that. When hon. Members go from the Government and bodies such as the OFT. home to carol services, it is worth asking whether they can have that tune. I have mentioned redundancy, which has affected I conclude by wishing a happy Christmas and a many of my constituents, but the fear of unemployment happy new year to you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, your staff, hanging over many people adds to stress and creates other hon. Members and, in particular, the staff who problems in the home. It is something that our constituents look after us in the Terrace cafeteria and—as a Member all face on a regular basis. who does not have a Whip—the marvellous Doorkeepers, On a slightly more positive note, there has been good who tell me exactly what is going on and when. news on the unemployment figures in my constituency 5.49 pm of East Dunbartonshire: a slight drop has been recorded in the past two months. I hope that that is a trend but Jo Swinson (East Dunbartonshire) (LD): It is a great fear that it may not be, as we all know that unemployment pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Wyre Forest tends to be a lagging indicator in recessions. There (Dr. Taylor), and I want to focus my remarks on issues could be more pain to come, especially given that there that have been at the forefront of my constituents’ may be future strictures on the public sector. concerns over the past year. A great many of my constituents employed in the Obviously, the recession has been one of the biggest civil service have been concerned by the proposed changes problems that my constituents have faced, and I am to the civil service compensation scheme and how their sure that the same is true for the constituents of many, if potential compensation if they were made redundant not all, hon. Members. It has had a tremendous impact: would be altered. I accept that the scheme needs to be I have spent a lot time speaking to local businesses in amended, but the proposed changes are causing concern my constituency, and I continue to be very frustrated by about the inequity between different types of workers. I the stories that I hear from viable concerns—the ones hope that the Government will listen to the representations with sound order books that would be able to get that are being made, and come forward with amended through the recession if it were not for the threats plans for the scheme. hanging over them. Those threats include the possibility that their banks might suddenly withdraw credit, or The recession is hitting savers particularly hard. The charge huge interest on overdrafts. low interest rates may be good for those with mortgages, Like many hon. Members, I have made many but their effect is quite the opposite for people who rely representations to the Chancellor about those threats, on interest payments on their savings for their basic, but it seems that the Government are unwilling to use day-to-day living. That is causing problems for many their influence, even with those banks in which the state older people in my constituency in particular. is a major shareholder, to get the banks lending to viable Many of those older people are also victims of the businesses. Some of the companies in my constituency Equitable Life saga. They put their savings into a well have gone to the wall, with people made redundant as a respected institution, and I am one of many MPs to be result, and I would hate to see more viable businesses that frustrated in our attempts to make progress in this could survive the recession having to suffer the same fate. matter. I have called an Adjournment debate on the I have also been dismayed by the result of the recent issue, and I have attended other Adjournment debates court case on bank charges, and I know that that on it, including one secured by my hon. Friend the sentiment is widely shared. The banks charge punitive Member for Northavon (Steve Webb). In addition, the fees when a person goes even slightly overdrawn, and hon. Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Daniel those fees compound because they are charged daily. Kawczynski) has been very active on the matter, as have The result is that a person who goes £1 overdrawn can hon. Members on both sides of the House through the accrue more than £100 in charges in just a few days. all-party group on Equitable Life. 1051 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1052

It seems that there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Jo Swinson: Indeed. We also need some kind of There is continual delay, and we know that people with appeals system. I am frustrated by the way the system Equitable Life policies are dying before getting the works at present. It does not serve local interests well opportunity to receive any possible compensation. I when the views of the people who know best—those urge the Government to deal with the matter and to who represent a local area—are overturned. I firmly recognise that, when they have a parliamentary ombudsman believe that the Kilmardinny development as currently and she has given a firm ruling on the issue, it makes proposed should not and must not go ahead. sense that that should be followed. Elsewhere in my constituency, Tesco, which is well East Dunbartonshire is often seen as an affluent known in the context of planning, has a current application constituency, but that does not mean that there is no to expand its Milngavie store—to knock down the poverty. It is often hidden. Pensioners in particular may existing store and more than double it in size, in effect live in a large house that has been their family home, but placing one of its Tesco Extra stores, I imagine, right they face difficulties with fuel poverty in trying to heat next to the town centre. That is a massive expansion. I that home, and with large council tax bills because the have surveyed my constituents on the matter—the 5,500 council tax system is not related to ability to pay and is households affected in the town—and had more than very unfair. 800 replies. The majority said that the proposed size of We have had concerns for other elderly people in my the store is far too big, and its location will result in its area who require care at home or who are living in protruding more than 7 metres above the road, whereas sheltered housing. Like some other local authorities, at present it is set below the road and away from it, so it East Dunbartonshire council has tried to introduce is not an eyesore on the landscape. charges for sheltered housing wardens, among other As is often the case with large supermarket developments, things. Wardens are an essential part of living in such people are also concerned about the impact on local accommodation, which helps people to maintain an shops. We are still lucky in Milngavie to have a great independent life for far longer and is much better value range of independent stores, such as a butcher, an than going into more supported accommodation. I ironmonger,a fabulous independent bookshop, confectioners know that local authorities will have difficulties balancing and others. More than doubling the size of a large the budget during the recession, but I hope that some supermarket in that vicinity could have a very negative of the most vulnerable people in our society are not impact on those shops. I hope that those concerns will seen as the first port of call for savings. That would be be taken into account when the application is considered, very unjust indeed. although I must note that, from the experiences of other It is sometimes said that all politics is local. There hon. Members, companies such as Tesco do not necessarily have recently been various controversial local issues in have a great track record when it comes to changing my constituency.The Kilmardinny development is proposed their plans. for a piece of land between Milngavie and Bearsden in In Bishopbriggs, the town centre is also being my constituency. Much of the land, such as the old bus redeveloped, but again the plans seem to be arranged station site, has been derelict for some years, although entirely around creating a Morrisons superstore and a other parts of it have been used for golf and other large car park, rather than focused on other aspects that purposes. People accept that the land should be developed, make up a town centre, such as community facilities. In and the local council’s local plan suggested that 330 fact, the proposals involve knocking down a sports hall houses would be appropriate, but a proposal came that was built only a few years ago at significant expense— forward for 550 houses, which is clear overdevelopment. despite a group of volunteers in the community getting Despite the proposal being overwhelmingly rejected by together and putting forward a business plan to run the the local council more than two years ago, the decision hall for community gain, which is surely something that will ultimately be taken by one unelected official, the we should all encourage in our local areas. Nevertheless, reporter. that development has not received final approval, either, I see other hon. Members nodding. They will have so I urge developers and the council to take heed of had such experiences in their constituencies. In the case local concerns. in East Dunbartonshire, the community gain is limited The situation is not all doom and gloom, however, and the traffic improvements will probably only counter and I should like to share an excellent example of the increase in traffic problems that would come from community action in Kirkintilloch in my constituency. the impact of an additional 550 houses on local roads. The In 2003, a group of young people decided that they £10 million planning gain for a new local leisure centre would like to have a skate park in the town. They got does not cover the £70 million cost, at least, of building together with like-minded people and lobbied politicians, such a centre. If the reporter recommends that the including me—although in 2003 I was standing for the scheme go ahead under those conditions, the council Scottish Parliament. They lobbied MSPs and the council; could be put under pressure to accept a development they raised funds and managed to secure grants of that would leave it out of pocket. £500,000; they were involved in community activities Mr. Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): I am grateful such as litter picks and gala days to raise their profile. to the hon. Lady for giving way; she has had an extremely Just a couple of weeks ago, the skate park opened. It long day. I saw her very early this morning on television, has been well used—a healthy activity whereby young and she was working late last night. In Wellingborough people can socialise and learn mutual respect. we have exactly the same issue. People are against the I pay tribute to Susan Murray for driving forward the Wellingborough North development, the council is against project, and to Alex Baylis, who is a skater. When he it, and lo and behold, someone from the Government started out on the campaign, he was at school, and in who knows nothing about it can overturn it. Does she the six years that it has taken to build the park he has agree that these decisions should be left to local councils? gone through university, graduated and set up an 1053 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1054

[Jo Swinson] Friend the Member for Somerton and Frome (Mr. Heath), that he had no reason to believe that these proposals increasingly successful band called the Acutones. Without would not be coming to the House and, I hope, voted those people and many other volunteers, the park would on in the new year. That will be a very important piece simply not have been possible. of reform for the House to get through. I shall touch on a couple of national issues before I would like to give sincere thanks to the members of concluding. I had hoped to raise the first in Prime my staff—Hannah Wright, Karen Hurst, Jamie McHale Minister’s questions, but sadly time sped away and we and Mark MacDonald—who have been absolutely fantastic just missed out on reaching my question on the Order this year in helping me to serve my constituents through Paper. It is the important issue of body image. Some my Bishopbriggs and Westminster offices. Members will know that today the Advertising Standards I wish you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, colleagues and all Authority upheld a complaint, made through a campaign the staff in the House a very merry Christmas and a website that I co-ordinated, about an advert that had happy new year. been digitally retouched. The advert was for an Oil of Olay anti-wrinkle cream, and it is clearly misleading for Several hon. Members rose— such adverts to retouch wrinkles out of the picture. Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Alan Haselhurst): Order. I I am glad that the ASA upheld that complaint, but think that three more hon. Members would like to there is a wider issue. There is a lot of academic evidence participate. I therefore hope that they will suspend from showing that the idealised and heavily retouched images their minds the idea that they have 15 minutes each, that we see in the media damage the health and self-esteem because we have to get the wind-ups in, starting at of not only young people, but people of all ages and approximately half-past 6, if there are to be responses both women and men. I should like adverts to be to all the speeches that have been made. I hope that labelled to show the extent to which they have been those three Members will try to help each other. digitally retouched, and I very much hope to return to the issue in the new year and, possibly, to secure a fuller debate about the subject. 6.6 pm I should also like to mention political reform. We all Mr. Eric Joyce (Falkirk) (Lab): It is a pleasure to accept that 2009 has been a somewhat difficult year for follow the hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire politics and democracy. Having had the expenses scandal, (Jo Swinson). Let me start by wishing everyone a happy the public are understandably quite angry about what Christmas and a good new year, because I am so has happened, but I am sure that I am not alone in infuriated by what I am about to talk about that I will thinking that quite a lot of MPs are quite angry about probably forget to do it at the end. what has gone on, too. I am sure that many of us were This afternoon I read an article on the BBC website unaware of the extent to which expenses were being that it is important to mention here. It flagged up a used for unexpected purposes. We need to grasp this programme that finished about seven minutes ago; it opportunity to rebuild our politics and to make changes was on the World Service and intended for Africa. It that make our politics much stronger in the long run. was on a part of the website, newsforums.bbc.co.uk, We must ensure that we make progress on reform of the which does what it says on the tin—it is a forum about House of Lords, for example, and the Prime Minister the news. It lists the most popular topics that people are recently said that he was in favour of votes for 16-year-olds. talking about at the moment. No. 1 is: That is Liberal Democrat party policy, Labour party “What impact will the BA strike have?” policy and Scottish National party policy, so let us That is a topical issue, and I guess one could look at it introduce either an amendment to existing legislation or either way. No. 3 is: a short Bill and put it into practice. “When does self-defence go too far?” There have been private Members’ Bills on the right No. 4 is: of recall, and there is increasing consensus on the issue. “What are the chances of a deal at Copenhagen?” We should make such changes so that, if an MP is No. 5 is: “Are airbrushed adverts misleading?” One found to have done something wrong, their constituents could say that each of those issues is interesting, there have some power in between elections. They should not could be a debate about it, and it could be seen both have to lump it; they should be able to take action and ways. No. 2 is: “Should homosexuals face execution?” prompt a by-election. I strongly believe that electoral That is not really a question to which one can answer reform should be back on the agenda, as indeed should anything other than no. It is one of those 10 million reform of this House. questions to which the answer is no, although I do not I urge Members to look carefully at the Wright wish to make light of it. Committee proposals to help to ensure that the agenda The first person who has responded says, very sensibly: of Parliament is set by a cross-party Committee—by Parliament rather than the Government—and that Select “What kind of question is this?” Committee Chairs are elected rather than stitched up in A whole bunch of people have responded; the string has smoke-filled rooms. We should look at more ways in now been closed to contributions. Someone who has which the public can interact with Parliament; perhaps grasped the issue very clearly says: they can even initiate proceedings in Parliament, whether “I can’t believe I’m actually reading a debate on whether through suggestions for topical debates or other methods. someone…should be executed, for their expressing their sexuality.” The Wright proposals are not the entire solution, and Initially I was completely mystified as to why on they do not go far enough, but they are a step in the earth the BBC would have put this string up. I have the right direction. I welcomed Mr. Speaker saying earlier privilege of being the chair of the all-party group on the today, in response to a point of order from my hon. Great Lakes region and genocide prevention. It has a 1055 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1056 couple of hundred members from this House and the I hope that the BBC will pay attention. I have had other House. We are very active on issues to do with this opportunity to raise the matter, and perhaps that Africa, and we are aware that Uganda, sadly, is trying will have some modest impact. As I was sitting here I to put through a piece of legislation that would send e-mailed Mark Thompson, the director-general of the people to jail for seven years if they are caught committing BBC, and I hope that others might be moved to do the a homosexual act. Some people think that this will same. apply only if they have AIDS or HIV, but there is also a criterion whereby if they are a repeat offender they Mr. Deputy Speaker: I am not sure that e-mailing could be executed. from the Chamber is any more in order than the House The BBC has chosen to deal with that issue by putting breaking into “While Shepherds Watched their Flocks on its website a forum that asks us to consider and by Night”, but in the spirit of Christmas we will let debate it, suggesting that one could see it both ways. Of it go. course, it probably imagines that it is communicating mainly with people in Uganda and the rest of Africa. 6.12 pm However, every person who has responded comes from Mr. Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD): somewhere else, such as Winchester, which is not known You will doubtless be relieved to hear that I will refrain for being in Africa unless there is a Winchester in from both activities, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Uganda, and Alberta. N. F., a chap from Alberta, or perhaps it is a woman, writes: A number of hon. Members have paid tribute to the “Can I move to Uganda? At least one country in the world is work of the emergency services, which will be working taking moral values seriously… It may sound extreme, but that over the Christmas and new year period. So far, everybody shock value will allow more people to think about their actions who has referred to them has spoken of the fire, police beforehand.” and ambulance services. It pains me slightly that I have The BBC certainly engendered a bit of discussion on to remind the House that there is a fourth emergency both sides of the argument. service, the coastguard, which will also be on duty as we My instinct is that the BBC has tried to tap into the tuck into our turkey with the trimmings on Christmas kind of discussion that is going on in Uganda at the day. It provides cover 24 hours a day, every day of the moment. We should be looking at it, as most people are, year. with abhorrence. President Museveni is tacitly encouraging That status as a forgotten emergency service vexes me a Back-Bench Bill that has a chance of becoming law somewhat, because the recent history of the coastguard and that is homophobic, brutal and savage. We should service has not been happy. Last year, it came to the condemn it, and so should the BBC, just as we do point at which members of the coastguard staff went on sexual violence in the Congo or genocide in Rwanda or strike for the first time in their history. I know that that Darfur. Instead, the BBC seems to have thought it caused many of them real anxiety, because they see appropriate to come up with something that suggests themselves as having a vocation and being there to that it is a subject for discussion. I believe that the BBC provide a very important service for those of us who has done that because it is a subject for discussion in live in coastal and island communities and use the sea, Uganda. But if it can do no more than suggest that either for leisure or our living. They were forced into there should be even-handed discussion—actually, it that position because their pay and conditions had can and often does do more—there is something badly fallen behind those of comparable workers in other wrong. emergency services to such an extent that in the past few As it happens, the BBC World Service does much years the most junior grades have had to have pay fabulous work in Africa and across the world. It was settlements imposed on them, because otherwise their recently closed down in Rwanda and the BBC spent a pay would have fallen foul of the minimum wage legislation. great deal of time and effort eventually getting the BBC That is what we are paying the watch assistants, who are Kinyarwanda service opened up there. Everyone recognises responsible for some of the most important, detailed its great service to people who listen to it in the UK and and stressful work available to coastguards. across the world. However, there is something deeply That is little short of a disgrace, but worse we have wrong with the presentation on the website. As I said, it subsequently discovered from the Maritime and Coastguard advertises a radio programme, which I have no doubt Agency’s 2008-09 annual report that the same senior was mediated, and I am sure that whoever ran, produced management and board members who insisted that the and presented it tried to be even-handed in some way. I increase for watch officers and watch assistants could hope that they gave some sense that a decent, sensible not go above the 2 per cent. ceiling set by the Government debate about banning homosexuality and sending people for public sector pay were in fact awarding themselves to prison for it in Uganda should surely end up with our increases of, on average, 15 per cent. The chief executive condemning it out of hand. That clearly has not happened of the MCA saw his wage increase from £127,000 per on the website, and I hope that the BBC takes note. annum in 2007-08 to £137,000 in 2008-09. That adds It occurs to me that there is another result of what I insult to injury for very dedicated people who provide a consider to be this grave error by the BBC, which I crucial service, and highlights how the MCA has lost suspect was made by someone fairly junior, because a sight of its core functions and the sort of leadership more senior editor would have seen the problem before that it needs and that is valued in constituencies such as it went up on the website. The BBC knows who reads mine. The morale of staff and many watch officers is and responds to the website, and almost every person through the floor, which can be seen from the turnover who has responded lives in England. One or two live of staff. If I have a hope for the new year, it is that abroad. It has engendered debate on the subject of somebody will take control of the agency and introduce whether we should execute homosexuals, and it has proposals that will allow the staff to be paid a wage that done so in Britain with UK taxpayers’ money. truly reflects the value of their work. 1057 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1058

[Mr. Alistair Carmichael] 6.22 pm

In my constituency, there is growing concern about Mr. Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): May I start the Government’s proposals for changes to the furnished by thanking the two previous contributors for reducing holiday lettings rules. I hope the House will bear with the time of their speeches? I was amazed by the me because the matter involves a fairly detailed piece of extraordinary story that the hon. Member for Falkirk tax legislation—in all my years as a solicitor, I was never (Mr. Joyce) told about the BBC, and if it had not come particularly fond of tax law, but it is important. At the from him I would have doubted that it was true. The moment, people who offer property as a furnished hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael) holiday let are entitled to a particular set of advantages made two powerful points, but I was unaware of his under the furnished holiday lettings rules: any losses first point, and I hope that that situation is sorted out. they incur can be treated as a trading loss and set One of the wonderful things about sitting in this Chamber against other income; capital allowances can be claimed is learning the things that matter. The hon. Member for on furniture and furnishings; any capital gain made on East Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson) also spoke powerfully the disposal of furnished holiday letting property can about the need to reform Parliament, and that is an be rolled over; and the deemed capital gain on the gift of issue that I wish to address tonight. a furnished holiday letting property can be held over. It would be wrong of me not to thank our armed The proposal is that furnished holiday lettings should forces who are serving overseas at the moment, especially be treated the same as ordinary let accommodation, those in Afghanistan. I declare a personal interest in which is to say that they will be treated as a furnished or that, and for the parents of officers serving abroad this unfurnished long let. Those who hold the advantage is a particularly difficult time. I pay tribute to all our would make the case that they do more than just armed forces. provide a furnished property. They would say that they I also wish to thank Mr. Speaker, the Deputy Speakers provide laundry services, crockery and the full range of and the staff of the House for looking after us so well in other services on a weekly or fortnightly basis, and that the last year. that sets them apart from those who provide normal let I would like to extend that thanks to the Deputy accommodation. Leader of the House, who is a genuine and well-respected The matter is of particular importance to many in my Member, but unfortunately she is sitting on the Treasury constituency, because many who are engaged in letting Bench tonight, and I am not a happy bunny. We need to the furnished holiday lets I have described are farmers. reform this House, we need more democracy and we For as long as I can remember, we have been telling need to bring power back to Parliament. However, over farmers that they need to diversify and find new ways of the last few weeks the Government have been doing the using their assets. Indeed, over the years, we have seen a reverse. The Executive have been taking more and more massive decrease in the number of farm workers and power away from this House and reducing the time for the need for tied accommodation in farm cottages has debate. also diminished, so for many farmers holiday letting In particular, I want to talk about private Members’ has been an obvious diversification, and they have Bills. Earlier today I had the pleasure of sitting here taken it on with great enthusiasm. They are now having while 18 private Members’ Bills received their First the rug pulled out from under their feet, at a time when Reading. The Bills cover a range of very important margins for farmers are already very tight. issues: the Mortgage Repossessions (Protection of Tenants The problem for a constituency such as mine is that if Etc.) Bill, the Anti-slavery Day Bill, to which I am—I these properties are to be taken off the letting market, believe—a signatory, the Lisbon Treaty (Referendum) all the other tourist-dependent businesses—arts and Bill, which I could not get my name on because it was crafts, food and beverage, and tour buses—that rely on so popular, and the European Union Membership tourists coming to Orkney and Shetland and staying (Referendum) Bill, which I did manage to get my name on. locally will suffer the knock-on effects. I hope that the Treasury will see sense. I cannot believe that the measure The problem is that at the moment we do not know if will provide a massive tax take for the Government, but any of those Bills will even get debated. I listened with it will have a significant impact on some of the most amazement as Members chose the dates for Second economically fragile communities in the country. Reading; in fact, one Member chose tomorrow. The I am mindful of the pressures of time and, although problem for Members is that the Government have there are other matters about which I would have liked failed to bring forward the days on which private Members’ to speak, I shall refrain from doing so in order to allow Bills are to be heard in the House. Standing Orders do the hon. Member for Wellingborough (Mr. Bone) an not ask that the Executive might perhaps bring forward opportunity to have his say. I wish all hon. Members those days; it is a requirement that the Executive bring present the very best for the festive season. Today is a forward 13 days in the Session when private Members’ particularly welcome occasion, because it is not often Bills have precedence over Government business. That that I can say in December that I look forward to is to protect Back Benchers so that they have a right at escaping the cold blast of London weather for the much least to get a hearing for issues and Bills about which more temperate climate of the northern isles. Other they really care. No such naming of the 13 days has hon. Members have suggested that we should come and occurred. It is unprecedented in parliamentary history see their constituencies as we rush headlong towards the for private Members’ Bills to be presented to the House shortest day. It is very difficult to see much in my when the dates on which they are to get their Second constituency at this time of year, as we only have about Reading have not been heard. six hours of full daylight, but it is worth seeing in any You will know, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that the Government event. You, Mr. Deputy Speaker, or any other hon. have been trying to alter Standing Orders every night Member would be more than welcome. for what seems like the past month. Every night hon. 1059 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1060

Members have objected to the motion, and it is just executive of the Highways Agency. It is a matter of possible that the motion will be objected to this evening concern that the Highways Agency held no public meeting as well. The ridiculous situation is that the Government before it started work. Indeed, it was even more concerning are trying to change Standing Orders to reduce the that the chief executive was not happy to have a meeting length of time that Members have to discuss private with the hon. Gentleman at the site where the work is Members’ Bills, without having a debate on changing taking place. I suspect that that fight between the hon. them. Standing Orders are here to protect this Parliament. Gentleman and the chief executive of the Highways As the hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire said, the Agency will continue, and I wish him well in that Executive already have too much power, and if they are regard. The hon. Gentleman also raised an interesting to take away some of the rights of Back Benchers by point that was subsequently picked up by my hon. amending Standing Orders, the very least that the Friend the Member for Tiverton and Honiton (Angela Government could do is have a debate. I have not heard Browning), when she commented on the power that one reason why we should amend Standing Orders. quangos have. Ministers will sometimes keep quangos I would be delighted if the Deputy Leader of the at arm’s length, so that they do not have to get involved House could get up at the end of the debate and say, in difficult issues. “We’ll have those 13 days, and table a motion on the The hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) first day back.” However, at the moment, we have a raised a number of local issues, among which was the ridiculous situation in which Members are having to fact that there is concern at the withdrawal of funds for guess when they can have a Second Reading. Of course, council housing in his area. That is an issue, Mr. Deputy if the days are different Members can put their dates Chairman, on which I suspect many of us in the Chamber back, but they cannot bring them forward. From the can sympathise with the hon. Gentleman, because it is beginning of January 13 Fridays, which would not one that we have all felt acutely in our postbags, given interfere with recess dates, are available, on which those the current economic crisis. I speak as a Member private Members’ Bills could be debated. The Government representing Cambridgeshire, where there has been a are just being arrogant and stubborn in not allowing cut in funding for housing. those 13 days. The hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Meg Munn) This is the first time in five years that I have spoken in made a timely and thoughtful speech, particularly given such an Adjournment debate, and I would like to mention what is happening in Copenhagen at present. I was a couple of things about my constituency. In my particularly interested in her visit to the small Pacific constituency unemployment is more than double what nations, which do not regularly have a powerful voice; it was in 1997. In my constituency a secondary school in fact, often they simply do not have a voice on the has been demolished and not replaced. The Government international scene at all, let alone regularly. I am sure are creating 52,000 new homes in north Northamptonshire. that the House will have taken on board what she said The police force in my constituency has one of the worst about the fact that no Pacific nation will be able to ratios of police officers to population in the country. avoid the consequences. Even more startling, however, Worst of all, my constituency does not have a hospital. was the fact that climate change is already beginning to My constituents have to go to Kettering or Northampton affect some of those nations, particularly Tuvalu, where, general hospital, but the hospitals there are overcrowded as she mentioned, salt water is contaminating fresh and cannot deal with my constituents adequately. In water and water is already being rationed. In the light of fact, Kettering was, unfortunately, named as one of what she said, we can only hope that the conference in seven hospitals that have had a higher standard mortality Copenhagen, which is now turning into a summit, will rate than the national average for five years. What we prove fruitful, for the benefit of mankind. need in Wellingborough is our own hospital, but—can My hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton and Honiton, you believe it, Mr. Deputy Speaker?—this Government who is a veteran of these recess Adjournment debates, have closed the hospital out-patient facility in my will be sorely missed. Let me put it on record that she constituency and moved it. Where do you think they has been a powerful advocate for her constituents have moved it to? They have moved it to the marginal throughout her time as a Member of Parliament, and Labour constituency of Corby. The Government should her successor will have to do a powerful job in trying to be ashamed of themselves. We need a hospital in match her. I very much hope that one of the first things Wellingborough. that her successor will do is to remember that they must come to all the recess Adjournment debates and give a plug to the local tourist industry, because that is something 6.30 pm about which my hon. Friend has been diligent. My hon. Mr. Shailesh Vara (North-West Cambridgeshire) (Con): Friend also covered a number of other subjects, including May I take this opportunity to thank all Members who the need for reform in this place. As the shadow Deputy have made contributions today? I give particular thanks Leader of the House, I have taken them on board, as I to those Members who have said that they are stepping am sure the Deputy Leader of the House has, too. down at the next general election. Despite the time limit My hon. Friend the Member for Orpington (Mr. Horam), on speeches, I felt that all Members were able to get in too, mentioned that he was stepping down, and we were all the points that, had there not been a time limit, they sorry to hear that. He, too, has a proud record of service would probably have taken longer to say, but probably to his constituents—[HON.MEMBERS: “Distinguished!”] without making any further points. I have been corrected. His record is not only proud but As usual, we have had local, regional and national distinguished. Again, his successor will have quite a job issues, as well as touching on some international matters. to do in following him. The hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick) Mr. Deputy Chairman, my hon. Friend made a powerful started off by telling us of his struggle with the chief point— 1061 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1062

Mr. Deputy Speaker: Order. The hon. Gentleman than cure. I have some sympathy for him, given that his must get this right: I am the Deputy Speaker. constituency has a large Asian element to it. Asians are renowned for giving considerable quantities of sweetmeats Mr. Vara: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I apologise most to everyone who visits them, particularly Members of profusely for giving you a promotion—[HON.MEMBERS: Parliament, and he must find it quite tempting to eat “No, no!”] Perhaps I should just carry on, Mr. Deputy them instead of giving them away to his children. Speaker. My hon. Friend the Member for Southend, West My hon. Friend the Member for Orpington made a (Mr. Amess) gave a powerful speech, raising a number powerful contribution, in which he pointed out the fact of topics. He rightly raised concern about the cost of that the world is arranging itself into groups and clusters, quangos and public sector salaries. I certainly wish him and said that that was all the more reason for Britain to well in achieving some stability as far as chief constables be part of the European Union if it is to have a in Essex are concerned. He also spoke passionately powerful voice on the international scene. I thank him about Tony Blair’s comments on the invasion of Iraq—a for his contribution. theme subsequently taken up by other Members. It is The hon. Member for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle) gave a fair to say that we all await with considerable interest typically robust and spirited performance. He certainly the outcome of the Chilcot inquiry. My hon. Friend is spoke well in support of British manufacturing. He had right to point out that at Christmas-time, people should a message for Lord Mandelson about the Royal Mail’s not give unwanted pets to children—or indeed adults—who refusal to try out the new hybrid trucks. Of course, may subsequently be unable to take care of them. Lord Mandelson is the de facto Deputy Prime Minister. The hon. Member for Leicester, South (Sir Peter He does not listen to a lot of people, but I hope that the Soulsby) spoke as a former member of the Audit Commission hon. Gentleman’s message will get through to him. and questioned the balance of a report that described The hon. Member for West Bromwich, West (Mr. Bailey) Leicester. I am glad that he was able to put his views on made a speech based on education, and spoke of the that issue on the record. disparity in educational attainment in different parts of The hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) the country, as well as describing the specific features in spoke with considerable feeling about the families of his own constituency. I have to say that I did not agree service personnel at Christmas. I am sure I speak for the with all that he said, but I was reminded of the occasion whole House in saying that we certainly agree with his when Mahatma Gandhi said—I shall paraphrase the sentiments. He also praised the work of the Royal quote—that if we educate a man, we educate an individual, British Legion, spoke about the impact of defence but if we educate a woman, we educate a whole family. spending decisions—or indecisions—and criticised the My hon. Friend the Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton- UK Border Agency for its handling of many immigration Brown) made a powerful speech about the adverse cases. As the number of immigrant cases being handled effects of 12 years of Labour rule that his constituents is uncertain, I am not surprised that there is so much have had to put up with. His speech had considerable uncertainty about how the Border Agency deals with support on this side of the House—but given the response those cases. that many Labour Members will have received on the My hon. Friend the Member for New Forest, East doorstep recently, I imagine that some of them were (Dr. Lewis) gave a moving speech. He spoke of the need minded to agree with him as well, quietly if not publicly. to remember those who are no longer with us. He I am pleased that he will be getting his new hospital, rightly mentioned the bravery of Olaf Schmid and the and that Network Rail is carrying out a feasibility study courage of his widow. We also heard about the work of for the new railway station. Also, it is only right that the George Miller. My hon. Friend also mentioned his late Government should start to think seriously about father, Sam Lewis, this year being the first anniversary supporting the National Star college. A society is judged of his death, and we heard how he managed to wave to on how it treats its disabled people, and I very much him when he was in the Strangers Gallery. In my maiden hope that the Government will take that on board. speech I not only managed to refer to my parents but to The hon. Member for Elmet (Colin Burgon) made a give them a wave—and got away with it. I was subsequently detailed speech on the present economic crisis. I disagreed told that we can get away with most things in our with much of what he said, but I can certainly agree maiden speeches, but thereafter we cannot. with his point that the banks are not lending money to My hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough businesses and individuals. His points about bank charges (Mr. Jackson), a constituency neighbour of mine, spoke and about banks abusing their authority were echoed about the proposed closure of Peterborough Land Registry by the hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson). and the possible loss of 302 jobs. I share his concern The hon. Member for Colchester (Bob Russell) made and agree wholeheartedly with his campaign to try to a typical Lib Dem speech. It was full of political point save those jobs—a campaign of which I am also part. scoring and light on substance. Perhaps a friend of his The hon. Member for Chesterfield (Paul Holmes) will take him to one side and point out that the woes of gave a passionate speech on Iraq. A lot of questions the country are due to a Labour Government, and have were asked, and we certainly hope it will not be too long nothing to do with a Conservative Administration. before answers are provided. He also covered local The right hon. Member for Leicester, East (Keith issues such as funding for the local police and the Vaz) always contributes to these Adjournment debates. underfunding of local services. He rightly spoke about the serious matter of Gary The hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Linda Gilroy) McKinnon, with which I know he has been involved. spoke at length on educational matters, and was quite He also spoke as a determined advocate on the subject keen to praise the Government for their achievement in of diabetes, and pointed out that prevention is better that area. I am sorry to say that I do not agree with that 1063 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1064 praise; in fact, it was noticeable that the hon. Member First and most importantly, let me join all the Members for Wyre Forest (Dr. Taylor), who spoke after her with who have paid tribute to our armed forces: those serving no party perspective, did not agree with the Government’s in Afghanistan, those who have fallen and their families, education policies either. While the hon. Lady spoke and those who have been injured. Let me mention in glowingly about the funds given to her local educational particular Simon Annis from Salford, of 2nd Battalion establishments, I have to tell her that it is a pity that The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, who died earlier this some of that money could not come to the Great year trying to save an injured colleague. Let me also Gidding primary school in my constituency, which was express support for the fire, police and health service promised £4 million for a new school, which was then staff and the coastguards who will help us to get through stopped just weeks before work was due to commence. the Christmas season. There is now no prospect whatever of that new school Let me touch briefly on events that have taken place coming over the horizon. in the House since the last pre-recess debate. The Chamber The hon. Member for Wyre Forest is, as I said, having was opened to the UK Youth Parliament on 30 October. difficulties with the education department concerning There were five debates, and I am sure that Members in an excellent school that he described, and I certainly all parties will agree that the young people conducted wish him well in his efforts. themselves very well. I hope that that may become a more regular event in the House. The hon. Member for East Dunbartonshire raised a number of issues, but I shall focus on a couple of the Members touched on the fact that, following the good ones. She rightly spoke about Equitable Life. The crisis that engulfed the House in connection with the Government’s handling of the ombudsman’s report is way in which in which some Members had used their shameful; they gain no credit for the way in which they allowances, we had passed the Parliamentary Standards have handled this whole affair. The hon. Lady also Act 2009, which was given Royal Assent on the day of spoke about the reform of Parliament and a debate that the last pre-recess Adjournment debate. We have now took place in Westminster Hall only yesterday—a debate established the Independent Parliamentary Standards noteworthy for the fact that the Government completely Authority, which has a chief executive, a chair and failed to say where they stand on the Wright report. other board members. It is preparing to make changes which I trust will restore the credibility and standing of Thanks are due to the last three speakers for the the House in the face of what has been a critical period brevity of their comments, and my own comments for this place. The need for that was raised by the hon. about them will also be brief. The hon. Member for Member for East Dunbartonshire (Jo Swinson). Falkirk (Mr. Joyce) raised some strong issues concerning Very late the other evening, we established the London the BBC, the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland Regional Committee. Let me take this opportunity to (Mr. Carmichael) spoke of the need to review the wish its members well in their work. There have been furnished holiday letting rules, and my hon. Friend the other achievements, but I shall pass over those. Member for Wellingborough (Mr. Bone) was able to record his views on the proposal to reduce the number Some Members used their speeches to engage in what of days on which private Members’ Bills can be debated. the shadow Leader of the House, the hon. Member for North-West Cambridgeshire (Mr. Vara), described as Finally, let me take this opportunity to wish you, political point-scoring—he was right: we heard quite a Mr. Deputy Speaker—along with all Members, all lot of that today—rather than raising issues that required Members’ staff, and indeed all staff of the House—a a response from me. Others raised entirely local issues. very happy Christmas and happy new year, and to send My hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle) a particular Christmas greeting to all our armed forces mentioned 13, which I think must be a record for him. I serving abroad. am afraid that I lost count of the number raised by the hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess), but he did his usual sterling job. 6.45 pm My hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, North The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Leader of (Mr. Winnick) is not in the Chamber now. However, I the House of Commons (Barbara Keeley): I, too, thank have already told him how much I sympathise with his all Members for their contributions. We have heard difficulties with the Highways Agency. I consider it from 23 Members on subjects ranging from the demise intolerable that his constituents were not informed of of neo-liberalism to the apparently terrible years in the the work before it started, particularly the removal of Cotswolds. We have heard about climate change and tree screens. I shall work hard to try to help my hon. decent council homes, about allotments and aircraft Friend. I understand that he has a contact for meetings, carriers, about speech and language therapists, and that the chief executive of the Highways Agency is now about inspirational head teachers. The Essex Members willing to meet him, and that the Secretary of State for have fought over Olly from “The X Factor”, and we Transport will write to him shortly. have heard that we should go to Devon but probably The hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) not to the Cotswolds. We have also heard Members’ raised a number of issues. He will understand that I views on Sri Lanka, the Yemen, and the role of Europe cannot comment on the outcome of Ofsted inspections in the world. I think that that is about as wide-ranging because that is a matter for an independent inspectorate, as we were able to become, but in addition we almost but I will ensure that the chief inspector writes to him. heard the flower duet from “Lakmé”—as well as something He also mentioned credit unions. My right hon. Friend about Rod Stewart which I shall gloss over very quickly— the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced the and a version of “While Shepherds Watched” sung to creation of a social investment wholesale bank and the tune of “On Ilkley Moor Baht ’At”. We have been further support for credit unions, but I will write to him very seasonal. about the issues in his constituency. 1065 Christmas Adjournment16 DECEMBER 2009 Christmas Adjournment 1066

[Barbara Keeley] The hon. Member for Orpington (Mr. Horam) talked about a number of global issues, particularly the importance I understand that the hon. Gentleman met the Homes of the role of the EU in the world, and I will make sure and Communities Agency and the relevant Minister his comments are passed on to Foreign Office Ministers. last week, to discuss his concerns about funding for I hope he can make that point about the importance of decent homes. This is a difficult issue. Other Members the EU and our membership of it to his party colleagues have talked about the need for new council housing, as well, however. The hon. Member for Harwich and to meet that need there are to be 22,500 new council (Mr. Carswell) has today introduced a Bill questioning homes. I thank the hon. Gentleman for his recognition our membership of the EU and seeking a referendum of the Government’s work in Sri Lanka. Several other on that, so the hon. Member for Orpington might want Members talked about that subject. There is still concern to do some proselytising on his own political side. in the Chamber about this matter, and I shall get a My hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich, response to the specific issues raised. West (Mr. Bailey) raised a number of issues, in particular In this week of the climate change conference, my about the importance of education as the route out of hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Meg poverty. I feel that strongly, too. When he was talking, I Munn) made an important contribution—as she always almost thought I was listening to events in parts of my does when she speaks in the House. She knows that this constituency, such as schools getting more good GCSEs is a critical period for securing a deal at Copenhagen, and more pupils going to university. These are all vital and the Prime Minister is working on achieving that achievements. I was interested to hear about the successful today. She will also know that the Prime Minister mentoring scheme on the Tibbington estate in his proposed a Copenhagen launch fund of $10 billion to constituency, and I hope it continues. I will certainly assist developing countries—such as those she mentioned— help to make the relevant Minister aware of it. It is also to deal with climate change, with a ¤2.4 billion contribution very good that schools are taking steps such as conducting from the European Union. the survey on local factors that my hon. Friend mentioned. My hon. Friend also referred to the boiler scrappage Finally, my hon. Friend complimented the Royal scheme, which did not get a fair press when it was College of Speech and Language Therapists. My sister announced in the pre-Budget report, and national grid is a speech and language therapist, so I should probably tariffs for people in fuel poverty, and I shall pass her not pass on without complimenting it, too. Speech and comments on to the relevant Ministers. She made a very language therapists do a vital job, and there is great strong case on that. support in this House for the work they do. On the contribution of the hon. Member for Tiverton The hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) and Honiton (Angela Browning), I have already said began his speech rather amusingly by referring to the that we should all go to Devon over Christmas, and I song, “The twelve days of Christmas”, reflecting the am sure that I would if I could. The hon. Lady has had musical theme we have had today. However, I am unsure a distinguished 18-year career. Recently, since I have where his series of complaints will take us. In fact, I am been a Member, she has been vice-chair of the all-party very glad that the Labour Government provided time to group on carers, of which I was also vice-chair. It does bring in the Hunting Act 2004; that was time well spent. vital work. I would like to pass on my sympathies to those affected by flooding, including those who were recently affected The hon. Lady discussed the reform of the House, in Cumbria. Some streets in my constituency can flood and I am pleased to hear of her change of heart on the when there is excess rain, and I know that we must keep use of Westminster Hall. She also talked about the thinking of the families and of the devastation that number of quangos and the importance of supporting flooding causes. I am pleased that we are legislating to disabled people going back to work. She might know reduce the risks of serious flooding through the Flood that there is an independent review of the work capability and Water Management Bill. assessment, which is due to report in 2010. Clearly, her My hon. Friend the Member for Elmet (Colin Burgon) own meetings at local level will be of help, but she may talked about the demise of neo-liberalism. What he said want to contribute to the review as well. was very interesting and we will have to review that by My hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle) re-reading Hansard. He will be glad to know that the touched on so many issues that I will not be able to Treasury said in the recent statement: discuss all of them. Among them were sheltered housing, “We will make first-class standards in public services not a British manufacturing and new technologies, support privilege for the few but the right of all, by setting out—in health, for service families—we have rightly heard about that education, policing and, in time, social care—new entitlements to time and again in this debate—local farming and child high-quality public services, backed where appropriate by the care vouchers. He also mentioned the awful attack on force of law.”—[Official Report, 7 December 2009; Vol. 502, Jessica Knight, and I will pass on the compensation c. 29.] issue he raised. That ties in very well with what he said. On the electrification of the north-west railway line, The hon. Members for Colchester (Bob Russell) and my hon. Friend is right to say that both his and my for Castle Point (Bob Spink) both raised the issue of constituents will benefit from that greener and more school closures. I have found the schools adjudicator to comfortable and reliable mode of travel. My hon. Friend be a useful stopping point, so it is a shame that the hon. also mentioned a local shop. I shop at the Unicorn Gentlemen cannot make the case there. However, we co-operative, which is in Chorlton, not Chorley, but, note and will pass on what they have said. like Booths, it has good policies on local buying and not A number of hon. Members mentioned the Building selling products brought in by aeroplanes from far Schools for the Future programme—that very large distant places. capital investment programme for the next 50 years, 1067 Christmas Adjournment 16 DECEMBER 2009 1068 which will provide world-class teaching. Even though The hon. Member for Wyre Forest (Dr. Taylor) discussed there are difficulties in some places, that programme is inspirational teachers, and a very good thing that is too. very worth while. I will have to move over all the other things that were My right hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East mentioned, as I must come to the end of my contribution, (Keith Vaz) talked about Gary McKinnon, and we shall but I shall write to hon. Members about those. pass on his comments to the Home Secretary. However, We have much work to do when we return to the I understand that Mr. McKinnon’s lawyers have applied House after the Christmas recess. I should like to wish, for judicial review of the further decision. My right as other hon. Members have done, a relaxing Christmas hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East also talked and a happy new year to all the staff who provide so about Yemen, and I can tell him that the UK has much support to us throughout the year, particularly contributed an additional £2 million to the UN appeal the staff of Hansard, the staff in the Library, everyone for emergency aid. I should add that there is a Yemeni in the Tea Room, the other catering staff, the cleaners, community of 600 to 700 people in Eccles, so Yemen is the Clerks of the Committee, the police, the Serjeant at a concern to us in Salford, as it is to him. Arms and her team, and the doorkeepers. We really appreciate the work that they all do to ensure that this The hon. Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess), place runs as smoothly as possible. A number of Members who is the most regular attender of these debates, raised were successful in obtaining Royal Assent for their a number of points. I shall not deal with the political private Members’ Bill last year, and we hope that many ones, but on his point about the scrutiny of senior more will be. I also want to wish a merry Christmas and public servant pay, he might wish to note the smarter a happy new year to Members on both sides of the Government initiative, which was announced by the House, despite the political point scoring that we had, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, and the fact that there and finally to you, Mr. Deputy Speaker— will be publication and scrutiny of those very high salaries that he mentioned—most of us think that it is Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Alan Haselhurst): Order. I about time. I wish to commend the work of the all-party think that we have heard sufficient from the hon. Lady group on drugs misuse—some of the House’s all-party to get her drift. Her remarks are appreciated. groups do very worthwhile work—and the mention of the importance of seatbelts and animal welfare at this 7pm time of year. Motion lapsed (Standing Order No. 9(3)). The contribution from the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock) ranged across a number of topics, Business without Debate including the Royal British Legion—which had already been mentioned by my hon. Friend the Member for SITTINGS OF THE HOUSE Chorley—housing, the Navy and the Audit Commission. Motion made, I was sorry to hear that Portsmouth was not chosen to That— be a host city for the 2018 world cup—if we get it—but (1) Standing Order No. 14 (Arrangement of public business) as Plymouth was chosen we do not have to be too shall have effect for this Session with the following modifications, concerned. namely: I was also sorry to hear about the passing of the In paragraph (4) the word ‘eight’ shall be substituted for the word ‘thirteen’ in line 42 and in paragraph (5) the word ‘fifth’ father of the hon. Member for New Forest, East (Dr. Lewis). shall be substituted for the word ‘eighth’ in line 44; The hon. Gentleman went on to mention Afghanistan, (2) Standing Order No. 90 (Second reading committees) shall the Royal Navy and the closure of hospital wards, and I have effect for this Session with the following modification, shall write to him on those issues. namely: The hon. Member for Peterborough (Mr. Jackson) In paragraph (2) the word ‘fifth’ shall be substituted for the raised the issue of the closure of the Land Registry word ‘eighth’ in line 21; and office in his constituency, which he redefined as not (3) Private Members’ Bills shall have precedence over Government being in the south-east but in the east midlands. We will business on 29 January; 5 and 26 February; 5 and 12 March; take those representations forward for him. I am sure 23 and 30 April; and 7 May.—(Mr. Mudie.) that everyone will be saddened to hear of the case that Hon. Members: Object. he mentioned; it is right that those who are exonerated should not be treated unfairly, and I shall write to him about the case. PETITIONS The hon. Member for Chesterfield (Paul Holmes) Badman Report (Tiverton and Honiton) raised a lot of issues relating to loca1 councils and bus fare funding, and I shall write to him about those. 7pm My hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Sutton Angela Browning (Tiverton and Honiton) (Con): The (Linda Gilroy) talked about the deeply shocking case in House has received many petitions on the Badman her constituency, which has provoked revulsion across report and I would like to present one tonight on behalf the country. I know that she found it difficult not being of my constituents. able to talk about the case in this place as it was The petition states: progressing. It is a very good thing that Plymouth city The Petition of persons resident in the Tiverton and Honiton council has been able to support that community and parliamentary constituency, the families. I expect that serious case review to be Declares that they are concerned about the recommendations completed as soon as possible, and I am glad that my of the Badman Report, which suggests closer monitoring of hon. Friend recognises the need for that. I shall ensure home educators, including a compulsory annual registration scheme that I write to her about any other issues that she raised. and right of access to people’s homes for local authority officials; 1069 Business without Debate16 DECEMBER 2009 Business without Debate 1070

[Angela Browning] Badman Report (Sutton/Cheam) further declares that the Petitioners believe the recommendations are based on a review that was extremely rushed, failed to give due 7.3 pm consideration to the evidence, failed to ensure that the data it Mr. Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam) (LD): I am collected were sufficiently robust, and failed to take proper account presenting this petition on behalf of Samia Tossio and of the existing legislative framework. a group of home educators in my constituency of The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons Sutton and Cheam and in Worcester Park. It is one of a urges the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to withdraw, proposed legislative number of petitions to be presented to the House measures providing for tighter registration and monitoring of over the past few weeks that address the issue of the children educated at home in the absence of a thorough independent Government’s plans dramatically to extend the state’s inquiry into the condition and future of elective home education power over family life, calling into question the freedom in England; but instead to take the steps necessary to ensure that of parents responsibly to choose what is best for their the existing Elective Home Education Guidelines for Local Authorities children. The proposal would effectively nationalise are properly implemented, learning from current best practice, in home education, requiring all parents who choose to all local authorities in England. home educate to seek permission every year to do so. I And the Petitioners remain, etc. believe that that is a disproportionate, ill-conceived and [P000642] illiberal measure. I shall not read the text of the petition Equitable Life (Reading East) as other Members have already done so. Following is the full text of the petition: 7.2 pm [The Petition of persons resident in the Sutton/Cheam Mr. Rob Wilson (Reading, East) (Con): I want to parliamentary constitution, present this petition from 20 residents of my constituency Declares that they are concerned about the on the Government’s response to the parliamentary recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests ombudsman’s report on Equitable Life. closer monitoring of home educators, including a compulsory The petition states that annual registration scheme and right of access to people’s “the Petitioners either are or they represent…members…of the homes for local authority officials; further declares that Equitable Life Assurance Society who have suffered maladministration the Petitioners believe the recommendations are based on leading to injustice, as found by the Parliamentary Ombudsman a review that was extremely rushed, failed to give due in her report upon Equitable Life” consideration to the evidence, failed to ensure that the It further states data it collected were sufficiently robust, and failed to “the Petitioners or those whom they represent…have suffered take proper account of the existing legislative framework. regulatory failure on the part of the public bodies…from the year 1992 onwards, but have not received compensation for the resulting The Petitioners therefore request that the House of losses” Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, and Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for tighter “The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to uphold the constitutional standing of registration and monitoring of children educated at home the Parliamentary Ombudsman by complying” in the absence of a thorough independent inquiry into the condition and future of elective home education in England; in full but instead to take the steps necessary to ensure that the “with the findings and recommendations of her Report upon existing Elective Home Education Guidelines for Local Equitable Life.” Authorities are properly implemented, learning from current Following is the full text of the petition: best practice, in all local authorities in England. [The Petition of residents of the constituency of Reading And the Petitioners remain, etc.] East in the Berkshire region of the U.K. regarding the Government’s response to the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s [P000652] reports on Equitable Life, Bristol Refugee Rights Declares that the Petitioners either are or they represent or support members, former members or personal representatives of deceased members of the Equitable Life Assurance 7.3 pm Society who have suffered maladministration leading to Stephen Williams (Bristol, West) (LD): I want to injustice, as found by the Parliamentary Ombudsman in present a petition that is signed by 845 people, mainly her report upon Equitable Life, ordered by the House of residents of my Bristol, West constituency, who have Commons to be printed on 16 July 2008 and bearing signed a petition gathered by the Bristol refugee rights reference number HC 815; and further declares that the campaign. Petitioners or those whom they represent or support have The petition states: suffered regulatory failure on the part of the public bodies The Petition of supporters of Bristol Refugee Rights and responsible from the year 1992 onwards, but have not others, received compensation for the resulting losses and outrage. Declares that Britain has an international obligation to provide The Petitioners therefore request that the House of sanctuary to people fleeing conflict or persecution; declares that Commons urges the Government to uphold the constitutional three quarters of those seeking safety here are refused protection, standing of the Parliamentary Ombudsman by complying but that many cannot go back to their home country; further with the findings and recommendations of her Report declares that people in this situation are not allowed to work or upon Equitable Life. claim benefits, and frequently become destitute rather than go back to countries where they would be in real danger; further And the Petitioners remain, etc.] declares that the Petitioners believe that such people deserve to be [P000629] treated fairly, humanely and with dignity. 1071 Business without Debate 16 DECEMBER 2009 1072

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons Birmingham City Council (Financial calls on the Government to grant temporary protection to people who cannot return to their countries of origin; to end the threat Reporting) and use of destitution as a tool of Government policy against Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House refused asylum seekers; and to allow asylum seekers, including do now adjourn.—(Mr. Mudie.) those whose application has been refused, the right to work if they have not been given a decision and/or they cannot leave the UK after six months. 7.7 pm And the Petitioners remain, etc. Richard Burden (Birmingham, Northfield) (Lab): I [P000655] am grateful for the opportunity to have this debate, Badman Report (Portsmouth, South) although I guess that the fact that it is the last debate before Christmas means that it is in something of a 7.6 pm graveyard slot. However, it gives me the opportunity to wish you season’s greetings, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and to Mr. Mike Hancock (Portsmouth, South) (LD): This endorse the comments of my hon. Friend the Deputy petition is signed by a number of residents of Portsmouth, Leader of the House about expressing season’s greetings South, including Frances Vigay, Ella Mokhtari and and thanks to all members of the House of Commons many others. It deals with the Government’s actions staff. and responses in respect of the Badman report. I personally believe that the report went a lot further than it was I should also like to take this opportunity to welcome meant to, and that it will cause long-term damage to the Under-Secretary of State for Communities and home education. Local Government, my hon. Friend the Member for Stevenage (Barbara Follett), who will respond to the The petition states: debate, and my hon. Friends the Members for Birmingham, The Petition persons resident in Portsmouth South, Edgbaston (Ms Stuart) and for Birmingham, Selly Oak Declares that they are concerned about the recommendations (Lynne Jones), who are also present. of the Badman Report, which suggests closer monitoring of The debate’s title shows that it is about transparency home educators, including a compulsory annual registration scheme and right of access to people’s homes for local authority officials; in financial reporting and Birmingham city council, further declares that the Petitioners believe the recommendations which sounds rather technical, but the debate is really are based on a review that was extremely rushed, failed to give due about accountability. It is about how far the local consideration to the evidence, failed to ensure that the data it authority—which provides or commissions some of the collected were sufficiently robust, and failed to take proper account most important services, the ones that my constituents of the existing legislative framework. depend on—is really prepared to level with people such The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons as me. I am elected by my constituents, and I want to urges the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families know how the council spends public money in my area, either not to bring forward, or to withdraw, proposed legislative who decides the priorities for spending the money that measures providing for tighter registration and monitoring of is controlled by the council in the short and medium children educated at home in the absence of a thorough independent inquiry into the condition and future of elective home education terms, and what those priorities should be. in England; but instead to take the steps necessary to ensure that Those are issues that I am only now bringing before the existing Elective Home Education Guidelines for Local Authorities the House by means of this specific debate, but I have are properly implemented, learning from current best practice, in been raising them with the city council not for weeks or all local authorities in England. months but for years. I know that the fact that I have And the Petitioners remain, etc. raised those issues, and that I continue to do so, is a [P000586] source of irritation to key figures in the city council—both in the central cabinet that the Conservatives control city-wide, and among some of the 12 Conservative councillors that represent wards in my Birmingham, Northfield constituency. I sometimes get the feeling that they are wondering, “What’s the Labour MP doing poking his nose into these issues? Why is he wasting our time asking all these questions? We are the council. We have quite enough to do getting on with what we have to do as a council without him constantly going on at us. Why doesn’t he just stick to his own job?” Actually, I think that that is my job. Part of the reason is that, according to its own rhetoric, the council does not just want scrutiny of what it is doing. The council also says that it wants the public—the people whom councillors and I are elected to serve—to be able to comment on services in their communities, and to influence their shape. The council has a series of committees at constituency level, theoretically all with devolved budgets. As a city with 1 million people—the largest local authority in England—Birmingham is simply too big to try to do everything from the centre. Theoretically, all parties 1073 Birmingham City Council (Financial 16 DECEMBER 2009 Birmingham City Council (Financial 1074 Reporting) Reporting) [Richard Burden] “Community Arts”. It is true that, at local level, there was a small community arts budget last year. It was for sign up to that principle—an acceptance that greater about £3,000. However, when I looked at the service efficiency and effectiveness are achieved by getting decisions plan for the coming year, £301,000 was listed as being made closer to the ground. But devolution is about cut from a budget that was only £3,000 in the first place. more than setting up different city council structures to So I asked what it was all about. I did not understand. negotiate internally with each other, whether that is “Don’t worry,” I was told. “It doesn’t mean that. You between different parts of the city council’s operation at see, most constituencies don’t have a community arts constituency level or at the centre, or one department budget at all, so we have been told by the centre”—the negotiating with another. centre of the council—“that this is where we should park the efficiency savings that we have to make.” Ms Gisela Stuart (Birmingham, Edgbaston) (Lab): I was not too happy about that. When I raised the Does my hon. Friend share my frustration that those matter again at the meeting of the city council’s constituency devolved constituency meetings are invariably scheduled committee for Northfield, which I was able to attend, for days when Parliament is sitting, to prevent Members on 22 September this year, I got a similar explanation. of Parliament from being there? The minutes of that meeting record my response fairly accurately. They state: Richard Burden: It is funny that my hon. Friend says “The Member of Parliament considered that this method of that. When the constituency committees were introduced accounting made the figures completely meaningless and he in Northfield, they always met on a Saturday, which is requested that it be placed on record that he considered this not ideal in many ways, but it meant that I as a Member arrangement to be unsatisfactory.” of Parliament was able to get to most of them. Interestingly, As I say, those minutes capture my sentiments exactly. once the Conservatives gained a majority on that committee, However, I did not get anywhere nearer knowing what they moved the meetings to weekdays. I can get to very was going on—either at that meeting or when the few of them now. I occasionally attend meetings when minutes came out. they are held in the recess. Probably, after this debate, we will find that none is held during the parliamentary Another example of what I am talking about is a recesses. My hon. Friend makes a good point. project called business transformation, which the city According to what I believe, and according to the council says is about developing a fundamentally different council’s own rhetoric, devolution is also about consultation approach to running its services, so that it will be more and engagement with the people whom public institutions efficient and save millions of pounds. We are told that such as Birmingham city council serve in making the the programme is about getting resources to the front decisions that they make. If we are really brave, devolution line and saving on central bureaucracy. It may even be may even be about taking those first steps along the one of those projects where the council has nominated road of empowering local people to make a difference itself for awards, and it may even have won one or two to the shape of services in their areas and their of them. Indeed, it may be an excellent programme, but neighbourhoods. I simply do not see the evidence on the ground—in my constituency. Everyone seems to sign up to the rhetoric of consultation and engagement, and often even empowerment. We see I do know—from figures that I managed to extract it scattered around goodness knows how many city from the city council after a lot of pushing, prodding council publications. Councils nominate themselves for and trying—that financing the cost of the business goodness knows how many awards, praising their own transformation programme means a cut to Northfield’s achievements and creativity in these areas. Sometimes budget in net terms of £55,000 in 2007-08, £89,000 in they even win those awards because their self-promotion 2008-09 and an anticipated £241,000 in 2009-10. I have often seems to make a compelling case. also been told by the council that the business transformation project will not hit front-line services, Of course there are examples of good practice in and that no savings will be made that are not, as the Birmingham, but when I try to relate all the rhetoric to council put it, “encashable”. But when I have asked what I see happening on the ground in my constituency, who is doing the encashing, and how much saved money there is a huge gap. Put bluntly, if it is difficult for a will go back to serve the people of Northfield and, in Member of Parliament to get a clear picture of what the particular, go back to the budgets over which, at least city council is doing when, generally, MPs can get hold theoretically, there is some local control, the responses of financial reports, write letters to this committee or have been esoteric to say the least. that cabinet member, or even hold a debate here in Parliament, what chance is there for an individual The entire devolved budget for the Northfield constituent in Birmingham, Northfield? What chance is parliamentary constituency is about £9.37 million, so a there for the voluntary or community group that relies cut of £241,000, on top of other efficiency savings, is on funding controlled or commissioned by the city potentially pretty serious. Surely, therefore, it is not too council under programmes such as the supporting people much to ask for some straight answers to the question, programme—for groups that are scared that if they “Exactly where has that money gone?” There is no rock the boat or question the city council too much, evidence that only Northfield is experiencing such problems; they will be out on their ear? my impression is that similar problems exist in every one of Birmingham’s parliamentary constituencies. Let me give a few examples to show how difficult it is to find out what is going on in Birmingham. A couple Rumours abound about big changes to the way in of months ago, looking at a financial statement relating which leisure centres in Birmingham are run and managed, to the service plan for my constituency of Northfield but most of us will not know much about what is going for the coming year, I found a budget heading called on until contracts have been signed and things are 1075 Birmingham City Council (Financial 16 DECEMBER 2009 Birmingham City Council (Financial 1076 Reporting) Reporting) presented as a fait accompli. In that context, I shall ask neighbourhoods fund will bear fruit and that the results my hon. Friend the Minister some questions. She will be will be widely shared. I ask the Minister to ensure that aware of the concern—it has attracted considerable in the DCLG’s dealings with Birmingham city council, press comment—about the millions of pounds of working she reminds it that it has a responsibility to be far more neighbourhoods fund money that the Government provide open than it is being, including with the city’s MPs. I to Birmingham. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of also ask her to ensure that next time Birmingham city State for Communities and Local Government recently council nominates itself for a best practice award or for wrote to Birmingham city council’s deputy leader, who praise on an issue where there is DCLG involvement of chairs the Birmingham strategic partnership, to express some sort, she will look beyond the rhetoric and self- his disappointment at the slow progress in using those promotion to see if what it is saying in theory is reflected funds. in what is happening on the ground. Although I know of projects up and running in my constituency which simply would not exist if the 7.21 pm Government had not invested that money, I too am The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for concerned about the pace of spend. All too often, Communities and Local Government (Barbara Follett): trying to get a handle on what is going on is about as My hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Northfield easy as trying to knit fog. It is not easy to sort out why (Richard Burden) is to be congratulated on securing the things are so painfully slow, and it is not easy to see last debate of the year and on using his time to raise an whether, overall, working neighbourhoods fund money issue that concerns him, his constituents, many hon. is being spent on what it should be spent on. Members and the Government. For the avoidance of doubt, I must state that I want My hon. Friend stressed the importance of transparency the investment to continue. Indeed, I welcome the extra and accountability in the finances of Birmingham city support that Birmingham has received from the Secretary council. I absolutely agree. It is incumbent on all of us, of State in recent weeks, but that does not absolve the in any type of public service, be it in Birmingham or city council or, to some extent, its partner organisations anywhere else, to ensure that we provide the information from being far more transparent in what they do. I do that citizens need and deserve. This is a priority for the not think that the city council is deliberately obtuse Government and for me. After all, that information is about these matters—either with me, with its partners the property of the citizens who employ us to deliver it. in the Birmingham strategic partnership or with the As our recent White Paper, “Putting the Front Line people of Birmingham. Rather, the council is such a First: smarter government”, makes clear, we want to large bureaucracy, and so obsessed with its own rules give people the tools they need to help to shape the and procedures, that it ends up understanding accountability services they depend on. only between different bits of itself, rather than to We also want to give people the tools they need to anyone else. That is a problem, and I say again that if a hold Government to account at all levels, as my hon. Member of Parliament often cannot find out what is Friend has done today. Technology has a key role to going on, what real chance do the public stand? If local play in building this new relationship. It is liberating people cannot even find out what is happening, how and illuminating. It opens two-way channels of will they have the chance to exercise any real influence communication between citizens and professionals and over local decisions that affect them and their area? helps to provide the increased transparency that he is I am not saying that opaque decision making comes seeking. The Government will help with this transparency out of only Conservative-controlled institutions such as by publishing unprecedented amounts of information Birmingham city council. These days the Conservatives and data about the institutions, expenditure and people spend much of their time talking about a “new localism” that serve the public. However, the mere publication of or a “radical decentralisation” of power, but we need to data is not enough—we have to contextualise them and remember that there is still a huge gap between their ensure that they are understandable and allow for rhetoric of decentralisation and the reality on the ground in comparisons, particularly across front-line services. We Tory-led authorities such as Birmingham. The Leader want to stress outcomes, delivery and value for money in of the Opposition, the right hon. Member for Witney that data, which will be available in reusable form by (Mr. Cameron), talks about giving real power to local 2011. We will work with local government to develop people, but his own Conservative colleagues on Birmingham comparable measures of value for money across a range of city council cannot seem to manage to deliver that in local government services. We will consult on those practice. What does that say about how a Conservative measures from spring 2010 and publish them in 2011. Government would behave given that the Conservative My hon. Friend made particular reference to party chairman, the hon. Member for Brentwood and Birmingham’s working neighbourhoods fund. I can Ongar (Mr. Pickles), has said: assure him that we are working extremely closely with “Our Conservative Councils will demonstrate how we will run the city council and the local strategic partnership, Be the country”? Birmingham, to ensure that we move on from the slow start and slow delivery that led to the underspend in the I guess that how the Conservatives deal with the gap £118 million or so of grant. We want to ensure that between rhetoric and reality is up to them. People will spending gets back on track. Birmingham city council have the chance to make a judgment about that in due has said itself that the underspend is not good enough, course. and when 37 per cent. of the working age population For now, I would like to ask for help from the are workless, it certainly is not good enough. However, Minister. I recognise that she cannot run Birmingham it is not right to penalise the people of Birmingham by city council. However, I hope that the inquiries that the holding back funding that their deprived areas desperately Secretary of State has made about the working need. 1077 Birmingham City Council (Financial 16 DECEMBER 2009 Birmingham City Council (Financial 1078 Reporting) Reporting) Ms Gisela Stuart: Will the Minister advise us on what Future local spending reports will be published online we can do? It is not just a question of the money not in a clear and user-friendly format that will enable easy being spent. If Members of Parliament cannot even interrogation of the data. They will include a wide find out how the decisions were arrived at and who range of public data on local spending by public bodies, made them, it becomes extremely difficult to hold to including local authorities, and information will be account people in a position of power. made available on the local data exchange. An analytical capability will be available on the places databases. Greater transparency will make it easier to look across Barbara Follett: I agree, and having experienced all local services in a specific area and to spot evidence something similar myself in the years in which I have of duplication or waste. It will help authorities and worked in the eastern region, I assure my hon. Friend citizens to do a health check on the public spending in that the Government’s White Paper is aimed at addressing their areas. that problem. So is our work on Total Place, in which we are mapping public sector spending in different It is of course already a legal requirement that local areas. The spend in Birmingham is a mind-boggling authorities produce a statement of accounts for each £7.5 billion per annum, and we need to keep track of it. financial year which sets out their income and expenditure The Government are well apprised of the need to do and gives a year-end balance sheet. The timely publication that. As my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, of high-quality year-end accounts is fundamentally Northfield reminded us, in our dealings with councils important to sound financial management in every including Birmingham we must urge them to be more walk of life, not just local authorities. However, in local open and ensure that they truly deserve best practice authorities, the statements must be presented fairly and awards. give a true view, from 2009-10, of the authority’s financial position. That means that the accounts must comply The review by Be Birmingham of the working with the highest standards of accounting practice applicable neighbourhoods fund underspend identified problems to company accounts in the private sector. in the appraisal process, programme and project management, recruitment procedures, and the tailoring Local authority accounts achieve that, but they also of neighbourhood and constituency employment and incorporate some modifications that are required by skills plans to local needs. Some of what happened can statute, largely to recognise the distinct nature of public be attributed to careful preparation—none of us wants sector bodies that are financed by taxation. The need to huge amounts of money to be spent badly. However, as meet private sector standards and the statutory requirements my hon. Friend mentioned, the Secretary of State for makes local authority accounts rather complicated to Communities and Local Government has written to say the least, but some authorities provide very useful Birmingham city council and to Birmingham’s MPs, summary accounts that give a clear presentation of saying: their finances. “We have of course been disappointed with the slow delivery Birmingham city council failed to meet the timetable of existing spending plans, and have recently highlighted our set down for the publication of those accounts this year. concerns about this in public.” Accounts must be approved by council members by He added: 30 June and published by 30 September. As I said, Birmingham city council failed to meet the timetable “However, I am determined that the people of Birmingham last year, and its audited accounts for 2008-09 had still should not be penalised for slow action by their local authority, not been published by 30 November 2009. We understand and should still receive the allocation on the same basis as all the that the Audit Commission is to report on its concerns targeted authorities.” about the late publication of audited accounts very I understand the concern of my right hon. Friend the shortly. Secretary of State. I recently visited Birmingham and Finally, I should like to touch briefly on the local saw in action one of the projects that the money is government finance settlement, which of course makes funding. It is called Enta, which has worked in the city the delivery of local authority services possible. The for many years to help get people back into employment year 2010-11 will be the final year of the first ever and enjoying working life, particularly those who have three-year settlement for local government in England. been unemployed for many years. Allocations of formula grant and area-based grant have Thanks to section 6 of the Sustainable Communities been published for all authorities for all of those three Act 2007, which requires the Secretary of State for years. We have also published allocations for all authorities Communities and Local Government to make of 100 per cent. by value of all specific grants that can arrangements for the production of local spending reports, be announced in advance. In other words, we have been local spending reports provide information on expenditure as transparent as we can about the supply side, and we by bodies exercising public functions in a particular have given local authorities more certainty about available area over a specific period. The first local spending resources than has previously been available. report was published this April and covered a substantial Over the current three-year settlement, we have also proportion of local public expenditure. It represented provided an additional £8.6 billion to local government—an an important but, I stress, initial step. average 4 per cent. increase per year in funding. However, The Government are continuing to strengthen the we do expect local authorities such as Birmingham to information provided and to ensure that it is accessible ensure that the citizens to whom they are accountable and easy to use. However, as I said, given such a mass of know exactly, and in a timely fashion, how that money information, it is important to produce not only volume, has been spent. That is their responsibility, and it is but quality, and that the reports are practical, useful our responsibility to ensure that they fulfil it well and and cost effective. properly. 1079 Birmingham City Council (Financial 16 DECEMBER 2009 Birmingham City Council (Financial 1080 Reporting) Reporting) I thank my hon. Friend for this timely reminder of the Leader of the House to all the people who work in this House work that we still have to do to ensure that we are as to make things easier for the rest of us. Happy Christmas! transparent and accountable as we can be. I also thank Question put and agreed to. him for giving me the opportunity on the occasion of my final Christmas in this House to wish all the hon. Members a happy Christmas and a peaceful new year. I 7.36 pm also wish to add my thanks to the those of the Deputy House adjourned.

247WH 16 DECEMBER 2009 Child Support Agency 248WH

would not believe, where I could not understand why Westminster Hall the calculations were coming out the way they were. A woman was getting an incredible amount of money and Wednesday 16 December 2009 I found out that the reason for that was that she had five children to five different fathers. As a consequence, the calculations were done in that way, which bamboozled [FRANK COOK in the Chair] me. I agree with everything the hon. Gentleman has said in that sense. Child Support Agency I shall now turn to my constituents’ cases, and the Motion made, and Question proposed, That the sitting first is that of Marian Morris from Prestwick. Marian be now adjourned.—(Mr. Watts .) has been coming to see me since January this year. She has been pursuing the CSA against her ex-husband 9.30 am and, to this date, is owed more than £44,000 by him. The man concerned is a charlatan. He has managed to Mr. Brian H. Donohoe (Central Ayrshire) (Lab): I am disappear—to go offshore—and has run rings round all grateful for the opportunity to take part in this important the agency’s staff. Later, I will come to some of the debate on the Child Support Agency. Let me start with elements that concern me about how the agency does a bit of history. As everyone knows, the CSA was things. established in 1993 under the Child Support Act 1991. I was not a Member of Parliament when the Act was Marian’s ex-husband deserted her and her two daughters passed—that was just before I became an MP—but I back in November 1999, which is more than 10 years have talked to those who were here and took part in the ago. The lady immediately put in a claim to the CSA, examination of the Bill in Committee. The problem at but to this day she has not received a single penny, either that time, which remains a problem to this day, was that in child support payments or through any other support. there was not the investigation and scrutiny that there Her ex-husband left suddenly, wiped out all the joint should have been of the mechanics of the Act that was accounts and assets, and left her without a penny, yet he put on the statute book. There has not been sufficient has not repaid a single thing to her. scrutiny in this place of what was proposed or of all the During the past 10 years, Marian has worked and still alterations that have taken place over the years. does so. She has had three jobs in order to support and There is constant talk of simplifying the child support raise her daughters without assistance, and she feels system. The Government have made more and more extremely bitter that her daughters, now aged 16 and new proposals over the years, but that does not seem to 14, have had to grow up so quickly and fend for themselves have been reflected at the sharp end, where I work as a while she worked long hours—often 15 hours a day— constituency MP. Every week, I have at least two new because she had little money to pay for quality child cases where there are major problems. As I make my care and has no family nearby to help. speech, I will demonstrate through at least six examples As I say, Marian is owed more than £44,000 to date that some of my constituents face a major problem. and the man concerned has run rings round the relevant Surprisingly, when it was explained to those constituents agencies. I had a meeting with agency staff on Friday. that I was taking part in this debate and that, if they The agency sent three officers down to see Marian and wanted, I would use their names, they were more than all they could do was constantly apologise for the happy for that to happen. I am surprised that that is the current system. She has had a one-off consolatory case, given that most people would want to hide away payment of £150 from the agency itself in respect of from the publicity that such a debate engenders. Yet the ongoing delays, but I find such gestures derisory—in constituents concerned were adamant and insisted that fact, it could be argued that they are a slap in the face to I use their cases to demonstrate what is wrong with the the individual. system. Many of those cases are known to the Department, Marian’s case keeps dragging on and no one seems to because I have written directly to the Secretary of State be able to do anything about it, so she keeps writing to and had replies from the Minister who is here today. me, and staff in my office have to be constantly on the phone to the CSA—I will come back to the problems Bob Spink (Castle Point) (Ind): I congratulate the associated with that. hon. Gentleman on initiating the debate. Christmas is a More than anything else, the problem has been summed time when all families should be together and fathers up in an e-mail sent to me by Marian, in which she and mothers should have access to children. However, writes: the CSA is getting in the way of that. Although he talks about the action that the Government rightly have “Once again, I feel that my case is being bounced from one incompetent team to another. I have yet to be assigned a case taken to try to simplify the Act, does he agree that that officer who sees any action through from start to finish.” has led to inconsistencies, because different fathers, different people and absent parents are treated differently, That is the nub of the problems I am seeing and those particularly in relation to the financial calculations? are the difficulties we face as far as Marian is concerned. That issue is leading to major difficulties and should be resolved. Mr. Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP): I also commend the hon. Gentleman on introducing the Mr. Donohoe: I think I will show that in the six cases debate. I am listening with great interest to the case that I am about to put to the Minister in order to get studies he is describing. Part of the nub of the problem some answers. There is absolutely no doubt that we in Northern Ireland—I do not know whether it is live within a complicated state of affairs in the the same in Scotland—is that staff retention is low and modern world. I had one case that hon. Members turnover of staff in the CSA is inordinately high. That 249WH Child Support Agency16 DECEMBER 2009 Child Support Agency 250WH

[Mr. Gregory Campbell] she earns money from tenants in her house that is not taken into account. As far as Euan is concerned, nothing means that time is not given for good-quality training with the case seems right. of staff to ensure that the problems he is outlining are In August 2009, the CSA wrote to me, stating that it dealt with at the coal face. would like to offer an assurance that the officer concerned in Mr. Loutit’s case had Mr. Donohoe: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman “investigated the parent-with-care’s, Louise White, current for that intervention. I will cover that point, because circumstances and she was correctly treated as having no assessable something that was working some time ago was the income for the £107.34 assessment, completed on 11 June 2009.” geographical distinction. For example, staff in the agency in Falkirk had various parts of Scotland to deal with. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work As a result, not only the Member of Parliament, but the and Pensions (Helen Goodman): Perhaps I have not been individual, had five or six members of staff dealing listening hard enough, but is Mr. Loutit the parent with with, for example, Ayrshire. That meant there was a care or the non-resident parent? good chance that they knew what was going on in Ayrshire, whereas now staff deal with all areas. The Mr. Donohoe: Mr. Loutit is the non-resident parent. I geographical distinction was one part of the old set-up raise that case because it demonstrates a universal problem. that worked to the advantage of my constituents. The CSA’s letter went on to state that “we cannot negotiate the regular maintenance payments as this Bob Spink: Does the hon. Gentleman agree that one figure has been calculated in accordance with legislation.” of the problems is that the CSA is not listening to That ties the hands of the CSA and does not let it see a Members of Parliament who make representations? I bit of common sense. It gives no flexibility at all. That is made representations for a constituent who was being the difficulty as far as Mr. Loutit sees it. When there is taken to court after allegedly not paying for two years. such confusion in the system, the arrears build up, so That father was eventually taken to court, even though Mr. Loutit has enormous arrears and, as a consequence, I asked for a stay of those proceedings because I had the the CSA claims that it all must be paid back within two evidence that he had been paying. years. At the same time, there is a restriction on the After the court proceedings and judgment, the CSA amount of money that can be taken from an individual—I accepted that a mistake meant that his payments were think it is 40 per cent. of take-home pay. put down as being made by someone with the same My final point about that case, which beggars belief, name. The agency had also used the new man’s national is that the CSA now claims: insurance number by mistake, and it now accepts that it was totally in error. The CSA failed to listen to common “It is not possible for Mr Loutit’s case to be transferred to the sense from the MP, proceeded with the court case and is new rules legislative system, which is calculated using a straight percentage of a parent’s take home pay. This is because we have still proceeding against the man concerned. Hon. Members no legislation in place at present to allow such a transfer.” can imagine what that has done to his relationship with his ex-wife and children—destroyed it. That is just We need legislation in place, and that is what I ask the not on. Minister to consider. In November 2008 our transition to the new Child Mr. Donohoe: I agree, and that is another example of Maintenance and Enforcement Commission commenced. the aspects of the CSA that, even after all the organisational It is anticipated that a single statutory maintenance and structural change, require a much closer look. The calculation will be introduced from 2011, with the transition hon. Gentleman’s intervention gives me the opportunity of all existing cases to that new system taking approximately to say more on that: clearly, were the same officers to three years. All parents involved will be kept abreast of deal with the same cases right through the procedures, how those changes will affect their situation. That, in at least there would be an opportunity to introduce an itself, is something I would like the Minister to address ounce of common sense to the scheme. That is what is as soon as is practical. wrong with it, and I do not think it will ever recover to The third case is that of Andrew and Jacqui Jess. the position that once existed, even though in the olden Andrew’s problem is that they have been to the CSA days there were court cases as a result, which was not a over the years, arguing on the basis of a system that great idea either. I accept what he says and trust that the they settled amicably between them, but Jacqui and the Minister will take it on board. children now live in Australia. The CSA will not take The second case I would like to mention is that of that into account when making the calculation because, Euan Loutit, a police officer who was married to another it claims, if they had gone through the court, or if the police officer. He thought that he was to be taken from case had been through a court or a similar system in the old scheme to the new, with all that entails, but it Australia, he would be fine and that would be taken transpired that the confusion involved did not allow into account, but because the children are in Australia that change to take place. He came to see me many and he settled things of his own volition, the CSA says, years ago about the problem he faced and indicated that “Sorry, we are not taking that into account at all.” he had major concerns about the parent with care. The Another problem that that case highlighted, and CSA has investigated his case over the intervening which was also mentioned at a meeting just last Friday period and concluded that everything is in order, but with the CSA officers who came to my office, is that the Euan has indicated to me that he does not believe that CSA will not take the clear evidence individuals provide the CSA, as it could and should have done, investigated of their communication with the CSA. A parent might his wife’s income. She had an accident while a police have telephone records showing clearly that there were officer and was awarded £250,000 in compensation, and conversations, and the CSA tells everyone who phones 251WH Child Support Agency16 DECEMBER 2009 Child Support Agency 252WH that their calls are likely to be monitored, so why is within the CSA who is in a position to do something about my there no track and why are no records kept? There must problem. I believe this may be Janis Crook, Client Services be records that are kept, and they are just not telling the Director? Failing that I believe there is still an option to involve truth to my constituents; that must be looked at much an independent party to look at my case. more closely. Unfortunately the people I have dealt with so far seem content The other element of that case concerns the office of to hide behind unfathomable formulae and appear to be using “new” legislation to justify incompetency in instances when “old” the independent case examiner, who is looking at the legislation applies. My main example of this would be that my situation of Andrew and Jacqui Jess. The examiner travel to work costs were not considered when a re-assessment apparently arbitrates, but the CSA can still revisit the was carried out in February using the old legislation however situation later and overrule the examiner’s decision. when I queried this I was palmed off and told that under the new There needs to be more consistency in the whole system. legislation (which my case is now on) travelling to work costs are not considered. This is unacceptable. Andrew Selous (South-West Bedfordshire) (Con): For Once again I find I am repeating myself and nobody appears the purposes of clarification, is the hon. Gentleman to be listening. The main issue is the re-assessment carried out in saying that in that case the CSA overruled an agreed February using the old legislation. There does not seem to be court order? alarm bells ringing anywhere that up until this date I was paying £52 per month on the old legislation and from June 2009 it was Mr. Donohoe: No, the independent case examiner calculated I should pay £150 per month on the new legislation, yet obviously will not be overruled on the conditions that in a short space in between, in February 2009 it has been calculated are put to them, but it is possible that after the event that I should have been paying £650 per month (effective from situations will change so that we are back to square one. April 2009, so in reality only for two months) and the knock on I have had such cases, and that is a problem. One would effect this calculation has had is that I am now paying £500 per think that, once the independent case examiner had month in a “phasing period” for the next year at least. There made what they thought was a ruling, that would stay needs to be some common sense applied here and I need somebody for ever more; but the case can be revisited and altered, who is in a position to apply common sense, and not hide behind an obviously flawed calculation system, to look at my case. which does not seem particularly fair. Again I raise the point that this phasing period exists so as The fourth case is that of Tom Tait, who has worked there is not a financial impact on the resident parent when diligently all his life. His company went into administration, changing from the old legislation to the new legislation. Again I and during the course of his employment his wages highlight that I was paying £52 per month from May 2005 until were arrested. He was paying and has proof of the March 2009. I paid £105 per month from April 2009 until June fact—the wage slips are there for all to see. Money was 2009. I paid £152 at the start of July 2009. Again I raise the taken from him, the company went into administration question, how could”— and the CSA told him that the employer had never let us call her Miss X— written a cheque to it. He is being held responsible and “possibly experience any financial impact given the trend of the has to pay the arrears, so we are told. aforementioned amounts that would result in her requiring £500 There is something absolutely, ridiculously wrong per month? There was no negative financial impact on her. There with the system if that is the case. The man is paying for has, however, been a huge financial impact on myself going from one of his sons, who is 19 years old. He has shown his the stated monthly sums to the now ridiculous £500 per month. pay slips to the CSA. The son is an apprentice in a local When I raise this point nobody at the CSA seems to be able to factory, yet because he serves some of his apprenticeship apply common sense and realise how valid a point I have here and in full-time education, the father has been told that he instead reply as they always do by spouting confusing figures and formulae in the hope I will just disappear and accept this nonsense. still has to pay for him. That individual’s case must be I am not an idiot and I will not accept this. If you contact the looked at much more closely. He feels aggrieved about CSA they will confirm the above stated reason for the “phasing his position, as he has every entitlement to do. period” and they will also confirm the payments I have made up We move to the fifth case, that of Paul McKendrick. until July 2009. I would ask that you do that and I would ask that He is not in the highest-paid job. He has been paying you question how they can justify taking £500 per month from £30 a week, but arrears have accumulated, which means me. that the calculation has been worked out at £33. However, The agency is named the CHILD support agency.” he cannot afford to pay any more, so his arrears are Again, let us call her Miss X, running up and nobody seems to want to do anything. He has all kinds of pay slips to show what his salary is, “is now splashing out on pedigree pets, luxury holidays and full Sky television packages. I can no longer afford to take my but nobody is taking into account his real circumstances. children to the cinema or the zoo or ten pin bowling without He states: having to rely on hand outs from my parents. How is that in the “They constantly come back to us saying there is nothing more best interest of either of my children?” they can do because they ARE applying the rules set by the Government!” Mr. Mallinson then asks how he is supposed to support The CSA is blaming the Government as an escape his children in such circumstances. That is a typical route. That means that when I am sitting with letter from a parent who is at their wits’ end. Mr. McKendrick, he is blaming me. If the Government cannot look at these cases as they should, set better Steve Webb (Northavon) (LD): The hon. Gentleman parameters and apply a bit of common sense, the has raised many important issues, but he has used the position will continue to be difficult. phrase “common sense” several times. Is this not a bit The final case I have this morning is that of Steven difficult for the CSA, which is given legislation that we Mallinson, who is also a policeman. The latest letter pass and has to implement it? Surely, if it were to say, that I received from him is dated 11 November and is “We just don’t think that feels right. We’ll come up with worth reading to give a flavour of his problem: a different number”, would it not be vulnerable to “To get straight to the point, yes I still remain unhappy and I challenge from the other party, who would say, “No, would like you to continue with your efforts to contact somebody that is the law. You should have applied it”? Is it not 253WH Child Support Agency16 DECEMBER 2009 Child Support Agency 254WH

[Steve Webb] could be overpaying and the calculation may be wrong. If I were in an agency that had an upper-level target, I rather hard on the CSA to say that it is not using would not be examining that position too closely. Has common sense when it is actually applying the laws that that been taken into account inside the agency as a we have given it to apply? matter of course? If it just shies away from examining a case where an individual is challenging the amount, Mr. Donohoe: The hon. Gentleman has hit the nail on because doing so means it will not meet its target for the the head, because that is the problem. When courts month, there is a problem. were dealing with these matters, the judge sat there and My next point has already been made in an intervention, did the act of Solomon, and both parties had to accept but it is worth while reinforcing it. It would be useful for what he or she said. The position now is that there have hon. Members to deal with the same staff when phoning been many changes to the legislation, people are very the MP hotline, and it would be useful if our constituents confused and cases are very complicated. That is why dealt with the same staff when they phoned. At least we are getting what we are getting, and why I say that that happened under the old system, but no longer, as I perhaps common sense should apply. I am grateful to found out in my office when talking to both my members the hon. Gentleman for intervening. of staff, Ruth Brown and Samantha Mair. They told me In summary, in the first case I mentioned, everything they are not getting the same service now that they were had been involved: all the agencies, bailiffs, everybody getting six or nine months ago. from outside. Can the Minister tell me what the cost of all that was? Perhaps she cannot today, but I would like Mr. Nigel Dodds (Belfast, North) (DUP): I congratulate to know what the cost is of bailiffs coming into cases the hon. Gentleman on securing this important debate. when it is clear they are not getting any satisfaction. Staff turnover and not being able to contact the same They run around all the time, probably getting a fair person are common complaints. Part of the problem is amount in fees, but they are not delivering any of the morale and staff turnover in the agency. When I had outstanding money. some ministerial responsibility in Northern Ireland, in the Department for Social Development a number of I would also like to know in a general sense why the years ago, that was an issue even then, but it still compensation is so derisory. I heard this morning that appears to be a problem. Has the hon. Gentleman any farmers are looking for compensation, and they are suggestions about how that could be addressed? talking about literally tens of thousands of pounds, but in this case, a Government agency is making fundamental Mr. Donohoe: I have to say something as an ex-trade mistakes and delaying matters, and people are whacking union official: I emphasise “ex”, because it is more than up enormous arrears. At the same time, compensation 20 years ago. I was responsible for housing officers in of sometimes £75, sometimes £150, is given. If there is local government, who were under such enormous pressures to be what I would consider satisfactory compensation, that they had to put up screens between themselves and the Government will have to revisit the matter. the public. A parallel could be drawn with how those Apparently, no legislation is in place at present to working at the sharp end in the CSA must feel, going allow transfer from one scheme to the other, and the into work and being hammered every minute of the day Government should address that. I am told that the by people who are irate because they think things are reason for the three-year changeover date is a problem wrong. That is why we are in the situation we are in in the Department, which operates three different computer today. systems that cannot be married together. Is that so? Is I should like the Minister to tell me, although perhaps that why we are talking about a three-year delay? In that not today, what the staff turnover is in the CSA. There circumstance, somebody surely needs to revisit the issue were 8,700 members of staff as of September, but I saw far more quickly. a worrying figure showing that as many as 600 members There is a broader, cross-government issue that has of staff have been transferred out of the CSA, which always been of concern to me: the apparent lack of must put more pressure on the agency. Why has that joined-up thinking between all the agencies and been allowed to happen? There are pressures in Jobcentre Departments involved. It only takes a micro-second to Plus, but why have so many staff been taken out of the find out whether somebody has a driving licence or a CSA, when it is dealing with people’s lives? That point national insurance number, or what the Treasury is is worth making. I am grateful to the hon. Member for taking from them in tax, but none of that happens. That Belfast, North (Mr. Dodds) for his intervention. is an outstanding issue as far as self-employed people I worry about the driving disqualification element— are concerned, because although those on pay-as-you-earn taking away the driving licence—putting people in jail are caught easily, those who are self-employed and have and taking away their passports. On more than 900 a smart accountant can, and often do, run rings round occasions in 2007-08, the CSA applied at hearings for the agency. I have seen that at first hand on at least a the most serious sanctions at its disposal: imprisonment couple of occasions in my constituency case load. or driving disqualification. On 695 occasions—a fifth of all such hearings that year—the defendants did not If someone’s wages or salary is arrested, who is even bother to turn up, at a significant cost to the responsible for making that happen? In certain cases, taxpayer. In such circumstances, the agency surely must that course of action has not been continued. I cannot endure further delay and the expense of taking out an understand that. arrest warrant to bring the defendant forcibly before the There is always talk in the agency about targets, court. Is that not a waste of public money? At the end which it speaks of in glowing terms. There is talk about of all this, there is unnecessary further delay, and the how it is now bang on target regarding the income from parent caring for the child is still without his or her the parents. But there are two sides to a target. People maintenance. 255WH Child Support Agency16 DECEMBER 2009 Child Support Agency 256WH

All those issues are of major concern to me and have not without trying to charge him £2,400. Why is it become more so over the past few months. That is the charging him when it was found that he could not main reason why I asked for this debate. I look forward possibly have been the father? The fundamental point is to hearing the Minister’s response. that he is infertile, and has been declared so by eminent doctors, but his life has been turned upside down by the CSA. i have seen him in harrowing circumstances. 10.7 am i have been in correspondence with the Minister, her Mr. Angus MacNeil (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP): I predecessors, and a number of people at the csa. i plead congratulate the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire with her to get the case sorted as best she can, so that (Mr. Donohoe) on securing the debate and I thank him. someone who has lost a decade of his life because of the I should briefly like to outline for the Minister an difficulties in the CSA can get it back on track. issue involving a constituent of mine who has been shown to be infertile, but is still being chased by the 10.11 am CSA even though it has now dropped the main case against him. I cannot name the man because in the Steve Webb (Northavon) (LD): I congratulate the community I am from, which he is also from, he is hon. Member for Central Ayrshire (Mr. Donohoe) on probably known by about 80 to 90 per cent. of the raising this important and under-debated issue. All of people. Also, the grown-up child and the grandmother us, including Ministers, have constituents at our surgeries in question do not know about the non-paternity. complaining about the Child Support Agency, and several Mentioning his name would effectively shatter lives. attempts have been made to reform it. The Liberal I have been in correspondence with the Minister on Democrats have often been critical of those attempts, the main point, and the outline is as follows. In 2001 the and one of our concerns has been the very point that Child Support Agency started requesting maintenance the hon. Gentleman made. In my view, the ideal system from my constituent. In early 2002 he denied paternity, would have a simple baseline assessment with a safety but because he had signed the birth certificate the CSA valve for hard cases. That seems to be the right combination, decided that he was the father. Despite his denying his however it is administered and enforced. paternity the CSA started to charge him some £73 a I am a father, and I think one tends to underestimate week as well as a penalty. In 2006 his maintenance the cost of bringing up a child, so it is important to have charges were adjusted and levelled out to about £127.60 a a benchmark figure on which to base the system. In week. He did not pay maintenance to the CSA and it many cases, that will be more or less fair, but there will then placed a bill of inhibition on him and attempted to always be individual circumstances in which common freeze his bank accounts. Over the period 2006-09, sense shows that the formula does not do justice to the maintenance charges were at about £27,000 and the story, so there needs to be an exceptional safety valve to CSA attempted to have him incarcerated. However, he provide a fairer assessment in a small number of cases. produced a doctor’s letter in court stating that he was The hon. Gentleman talked about the wisdom of Solomon, infertile. Two leading figures in the British Medical and that is sometimes needed. We need a mechanism by Association in Scotland have been supporting and helping which the bulk of cases are assessed or do not go him, and the letter they produced put the arrest warrant through the CSA, based on a fairly simple set of guideline on hold. figures, but a safety valve is needed for exceptional In February, the mother of the child was asked to circumstances. That would deal with many of the issues produce DNA samples from herself and the child to that have been raised this morning. prove paternity. She refused. My constituent then began I thank the hon. Gentleman for describing the six a process of declaration of non-parentage in court. In cases, which highlight a number of issues common to August, the mother declared that she did not want many of us, and I have some sympathy with some of his payment of arrears, and the CSA dropped the case, but points. He mentioned the woeful inadequacy of consolatory it is still pursuing my constituent for £2,400 in fees. The payments, and the CSA’s line will be that they are not bill of inhibition still stands against him, so he cannot replacement for maintenance that should have been sell any property to pay off the debt. I met him in provided, but a few pounds to say sorry. That is not October, having met him many times previously. His much consolation when hundreds or thousands of pounds house was under threat of repossession, and in November are involved, and we should consider more carefully he was denied legal aid for declaration of non-parentage. whether, in extremis, the agency should replace the The process has been long and difficult for him, and I maintenance that should have been paid if it was at shall give an idea of how long it has been. The former fault and the person who lost out has done everything Prime Minister was in power, the Afghan war had not possible. If the agency has clearly failed, there must be a started, and Saddam Hussein was in charge of Iraq. case for its having a duty to replace the maintenance That is a long period in someone’s life, and a number of that should have been collected. That should not be the questions arise. norm, because it would be an extreme position, but Why did the CSA not go after the mother who made sending someone £50 and saying sorry several years the claim against my constituent? Why is he being later is not good enough. I agree with the hon. Gentleman made to repay some funds? Where is the apology after about that. 10 years of persecution? Where is the compensation I was interested in the hon. Gentleman’s comments from the CSA? His house was nearly foreclosed, his about the independent case examiner. The history is social life was destroyed because it is difficult in his that the CSA was so awful that cases were swamping the community to lead a normal life with the stigma hanging parliamentary ombudsman, so we had to have an over his head, and his career has been severely hampered. ombudsman just for the CSA. I value and respect the The CSA has effectively walked away from the case, but work of the independent case examiner, but I was 257WH Child Support Agency16 DECEMBER 2009 Child Support Agency 258WH

[Steve Webb] shrugging of shoulders and the attitude that it was just put in the wrong account, which is no big deal. However, slightly disappointed about a recent case in which the it is a big deal for the families concerned. The attitude case examiner found in favour of my constituent, and seems to be that the CSA is a big organisation with the CSA ignored that. The only answer was to go to the millions of payments coming and going, and the odd ombudsman, which was complete nonsense. Will the one will go astray, so get over it. That is not good Minister clarify whether the independent case examiner enough. Just describing what has gone wrong and saying is advisory or has teeth? Constituents are frustrated that it will be put right next month is not good enough. when they go to what seems to be an independent third Having said all that, I noticed that five of the six party, but months go by, evidence is collected, it finds in cases that the hon. Gentleman raised—this may be their favour, and the CSA then fails to act on the coincidence—involved non-resident parents. The first recommendations, so the case goes to an ombudsman involved vast arrears of £44,000, and the others involved and the process may take another year. That is in no dads complaining about how their arrears and so on one’s interest, and I hope the Minister will clarify the had been handled. There is a balance to be struck. status of the independent case examiner’s conclusions. When a family with a CSA case are sitting in front of I was interested in the hon. Gentleman’s comments me, I try to remember that the spouse or the children about, for example, members of the public phoning the may also be constituents. What we want is fairness for CSA and reaching a different person every time. There the person who must pay the money, and proper money is bound to be an element of that, because people work and support for the child and the family. Clearly, it part time and so on, so the same person will not always would be wrong, unfair and distressing if the hon. be available, but the principle of people having a case Gentleman’s constituent had his “deduction from earnings load would provide some continuity, and that is important. order” money snaffled by the company, and I cannot A constituent who came to see me recently had phoned comment on how the arrears arose, but in general if the CSA time and again over a year and had spoken to a someone has arrears, it may be because the CSA has different person every time. People kept promising to messed up or because the money to be provided for phone him back, but did not do so, and when he their children has not been paid. We need a balance. phoned again someone else promised to phone back. I raised that with the CSA, and pointed out that there Mr. Donohoe: In my constituency, there have been was a problem because there seemed not to be a trigger. occasions when I have had one parent sitting in front of Someone may say that a matter has been passed to me, and the other parent sitting outside waiting to come another section and that when it responds that person in. There might be an imbalance in the six cases that I will contact the member of the public, but there seems have spoken about today, but both parties come to see not to be a trigger if that section does not respond until me, normally at different times. the applicant chases it up. Steve Webb: I am sure that is right—the same thing The agency told me that there is a casework system has happened to me. My point is that whenever somebody and a trigger, but when the chief executive looked at the has to pay arrears that seem unfair, it is important to case to which I referred, he said it was a clerical case—one bear in mind the fact that there is a child at the other where things have gone wrong and are a mess. The end of the transaction. In the first case mentioned by answer was that clerical cases are just different. They the hon. Gentleman, arrears ran into tens of thousands may be different, but surely people whose cases are of pounds. That is tens of thousands of pounds that being dealt with clerically should expect the same standard were meant for the welfare of the child but did not get of customer service as everyone else. It is not their fault through. if the data on a computer are wrong, for example. Basic Typically, that is apparent when one sees the mother, customer service is not sufficiently in place. for example, but when a father is in front of me, When I asked for account breakdowns, the chief occasionally I will say, “Where do these arrears come executive told me that they will take 20 weeks, and that from? Why didn’t you pay for the past 18 months?” that is the customer service standard. When I asked him Sometimes the answers that I receive are not as convincing whether that appalled him, he said, “If you want them as they might be. We need a system that is seen to be done quicker, what do you want us not to do? If the fair, transparent and responsive to the individual case, figures are wanted quickly and the task is a difficult but we must always remember that the welfare of the clerical one, people must stop doing something else. child is central. What do you want us to do—stop chasing maintenance?” As I said in an intervention, we cannot condemn the That raises the issue of resourcing the CSA, which CSA for implementing the laws that we have given it to the hon. Gentleman touched on. I appreciate that serious implement. We must take responsibility and, as the hon. money goes into it and that staff have been transferred Gentleman intimated, CSA legislation was scrutinised out to deal with the rise in unemployment, but I wonder appallingly when it was introduced—there was a feeling whether an assessment has been made of the adequacy that something had to be done. Everybody was in of the CSA’s resourcing to do its job. If it takes nearly favour of the legislation, and I always think that the five months just to obtain a statement, something is not worst laws passed in the House are those that everyone right. If that is the performance standard and all that it supports, as they do not get the scrutiny they deserve. is expected to do, something has gone wrong. Perhaps, together with our predecessors, we are all A problem I sometimes come across is the money responsible in different ways for having allowed the having gone to the CSA but not being allocated to the situation to get to this point. right person. The hon. Gentleman mentioned a case of One of my concerns for the future regards those money going to someone else with the same name. families who no longer go through the CSA. I have When one contacts the CSA, one sometimes detects a tabled some questions on that issue, and have received 259WH Child Support Agency16 DECEMBER 2009 Child Support Agency 260WH some helpful letters from the CSA. The presumption My constituents say to me—I am sure this is the case now is that partners should try to make a deal, and in for other hon. Members—that the CSA wants them to an ideal world that is how things would proceed. Someone turn into private investigators. If someone says “My ex once famously said that when it comes to family breakdown, is working,” the CSA says, “Prove it.” How should they the CSA has never been part of the healing process, and prove it? They are asked to go and stand outside the that is correct. Obviously, it is a good thing if a couple, gates and take photographs and so on. When I told the albeit separated, can agree on a fair assessment for a CSA that my constituents feel that they have to don a child that can be implemented without acrimony or the dirty mac and turn into private investigators, its response need for enforcement. I welcome the fact that that is was, “We don’t have the powers or the resources to do it happening more. ourselves.” That creates a tension. My concern is about when there are two partners, one We do not want malicious allegations, but where of whom is perhaps articulate and well-lawyered, as it serious and well-founded allegations are made, we need were. An initial deal might be struck and, for the sake of a system whereby the CSA can investigate more vigorously, argument, the mother might be offered a cash lump instead of putting so much onus of proof on the person sum and a modest monthly maintenance assessment. who makes the claim. I understand that a balance is On day one, it might seem like a lot of money—£5,000 required, but sometimes people know a lot about what or something—and beyond the dreams of avarice. A their ex-partner is doing—where they work or where year later, the lump sum is gone, the monthly maintenance they go to the pub. They also overhear conversations is not much and money is needed for a new pair of and so on, especially if they are still living in the same trainers, a school trip or whatever. community. It might be too early to know whether such a thing is Where a reasonably substantiated allegation is made happening, but I worry that, at that point, the mother about undisclosed earnings or something similar, perhaps might be in a poor negotiating position. She might talk the CSA errs too much towards saying, “Until you to her ex-husband or ex-partner and say, “I need more show us cast-iron, black and white, verifiable proof, we money”, and he might reply, “I gave you £5,000. What won’t do anything.” Given a well-founded allegation, I have you done with that? I give you money every would like the CSA to be more proactive and say, “Yes, month; you get benefits. Go away. I have lawyers who there is something in this. We will take it seriously and say you can’t have any more.” use our data sources to act on it.” That would be a fairer system. Clearly, that is not true, and such a woman could go to the CSA, ring the options helpline and so on. I hope Let me repeat my appreciation for the hon. Member she would do that. However, I want the Minister to for Central Ayrshire, who has given us the opportunity ensure that we closely monitor what happens to people to debate this issue. As MPs, we always see the bad who in the past would have gone through the CSA cases, and I suspect that there are many instances of process, but who have made a deal and fallen off the people getting their maintenance assessed and paid on official radar because they do not need contact with the time. Such people think the system is fair and the authorities. children get the money. Those cases never come across our desks, and we should place on the record our I am pleased that the CSA has done some internal appreciation of those who ensure that hundreds of survey work, and that over the first quarter of next year thousands of children in this country receive child it will do some formal surveying and look at the terms maintenance that they might not otherwise get. of the agreements of those people who have private Nevertheless, there is considerable room for improvement, arrangements. However, that work needs following up especially in areas such as the derisory consolatory six or 12 months down the track to see what has payments, the powers of the independent case examiner happened to those who have gone off the radar. I worry and continuity of staffing and contact with members of that a small number of people will fall through the gap the public. I hope that the Minister will help the CSA to and not realise that they have the right to go back to the improve the service that it provides for the public. CSA, even if a private deal has been made. I was interested in the comments made by the hon. Member for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Mr. MacNeil). 10.27 am Returning to the point about common sense, we sometimes Andrew Selous (South-West Bedfordshire) (Con): I, find that the CSA is slow to back down when things too, congratulate the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire have gone wrong. The hon. Member for Central Ayrshire (Mr. Donohoe) on securing this timely and important mentioned a case that had to go to court. I am aware debate. As a Back Bencher, I did exactly what he has that the CSA regards measures on driving licences and done, and brought seven or eight of my constituency passports as a last resort for somebody who has probably cases to the attention of the Minister who was then evaded payment and tried to avoid every means of responsible for the CSA. It is sad that an hon. Member paying, and sometimes extreme approaches are taken. still needs to do that after considerable efforts have been If someone does not turn up in court, that is not made by all parties to try to improve the CSA. necessarily the fault of the CSA, but it raises issues We all agree that a well-functioning child support about joint working between different Government agencies. system is vital. The Government will not meet their In such cases, we need the Government and the CSA child poverty targets for 2010 or 2020 unless the CSA is to be able to tap in more smoothly to Inland Revenue effective and does its job well. The CSA can play a part data, which I know happens to some extent, as well as in ensuring that there are fewer unwanted pregnancies if benefits and other data, to ensure that when an allegation fathers know that the agency is effective and will come is made about someone’s income or job, it can be after them, and that they will have to pay for 18 years verified. for the child that they brought into the world. There is 261WH Child Support Agency16 DECEMBER 2009 Child Support Agency 262WH

[Andrew Selous] have happened long ago, but I am not convinced that we are yet reaping the full benefit in data transfer and also a little evidence to suggest that an effective CSA tracking all income available to non-resident parents to has some influence in reducing relationship breakdown, make the CSA as effective as it could be. according to Professor Nick Wikeley. I was struck by a I shall refer briefly to the case of one of my constituents, comment made by the journalist Polly Toynbee in The who is also calling for greater co-operation between Guardian on 27 January this year. She said that HMRC and the CSA. Her ex-partner signed on as “the big story is the mass refusal of so many fathers to pay unemployed. She says that when Mr. X signed on earlier anything—ever.” this year, Earlier in the article, she said that “it should have been quite simple to take the measly £5 a week “two-thirds of all absent fathers pay nothing at all.” from his benefit but still all I have received since April is… £10 or That figure is a little too high, according to the latest £15… this system is quite simply failing children. My children go information that I have seen. The 2007 families and without because of this terrible situation”. children study produced by the Department for Work She says that all she wants is and Pensions showed in table 15.1 that 61 per cent. of all parents with care were not receiving child maintenance. “justice for my children who have… holes in their… shoes… until I can afford to get some more!” It is important when we consider the CSA that it tells us its performance on the number of cases for which She goes on to say that she is convinced that her there is a child maintenance liability, but as politicians ex-partner is working, even though he is signing on. She we need to be aware of the situation throughout the has pretty good evidence of that and is extremely frustrated country. That matters hugely, because if a clear majority that that information does not seem to have been captured of non-resident parents—about 60 per cent. or, for and taken forward. argument’s sake, somewhere between 60 and 70 per This is just a practical point. I would like to know cent.—are not paying child maintenance, the word on from the Minister why e-mail communication with the the street, or the culture, is that people can avoid paying CSA is not now an option. That point was raised with it. That is deeply unhelpful to what all of us in the me by Families Need Fathers, whose representatives I Chamber are trying to achieve. met on Monday.As they put it to me, e-mail communication I commend the attempts that we heard about yesterday would save considerable time, money and anger, not to inculcate a greater sense of financial responsibility least when assessments are sent to old addresses, resulting among non-resident parents, and sometimes even among sometimes in huge child maintenance liabilities arising parents with care. In a recent survey, 22 per cent. of without the non-resident parent’s knowledge. May we parents with care were saying, rather surprisingly and please move into the 21st century and ensure that e-mail counter-intuitively, that they did not really want child communication can happen between the agency and maintenance. Perhaps the relationships had broken up parents with care and non-resident parents? That would very badly. That figure surprised me, but it was from a be practical and helpful. piece of work undertaken by the Department. We need strong and robust enforcement powers in the CSA. For many years during the previous Parliament, I Mr. Donohoe: I would like to get my mind clearer on used to question DWP Ministers about the number of that point, because I had understood that if the parents driving licences that had been taken away. I think that, did not want the CSA involved and were not on benefits, although the agency had the powers, only two licences there would be no need for the CSA’s involvement at all. had been taken away. However, the effect of threatening to take such action can be beneficial. I understand from Andrew Selous: The hon. Gentleman is correct. Now the helpful House of Commons Library debate briefing that there are voluntary arrangements and we have pack that, in the state of Maine in the USA, $89 million repealed section 6 of the 1991 Act, people do not have was collected through threatening to remove driving to come within the CSA’s net. I was trying to make a licences and that, in Australia, an extra 11 million slightly broader point and saying that if we look across Australian dollars was raised through threatening to society as a whole—not just at the CSA cases and the stop non-payers travelling abroad. voluntary arrangement cases, but at those cases in which neither applies—we see that there is unfortunately a I do not want anyone’s driving licence or passport to clear majority of cases in which parents split up and no be taken away, but if the threat of that is effective when money is moving. That worries me and we need to bear all other options have failed, those are tools that, sadly, it in mind. Polly Toynbee was right to draw attention to the CSA needs in its armoury—there must be consequences. it earlier this year. Indeed, when Sir David Henshaw Child support matters. Children’s lives and futures are produced his excellent report in 2006, he said that in at stake, and we will not meet our child poverty targets only 30 per cent. of cases was some maintenance paid. I unless we have a CSA that works. think that the figure has improved slightly, but we need The system needs to be fair, however. Fairness to to be aware of the broader picture. non-resident parents—fairness to, in the main, fathers—is I want better co-operation between Her Majesty’s critical to a well functioning CSA that has broad public Revenue and Customs—the Inland Revenue, as we used support. A couple of practical issues worry me in that to know it—and the CSA. I agree with the comment regard. One is the fact that liability orders are not that many parents feel that they are forced to act as stayed if the application is appealed. We need a quick private detectives to establish the non-resident parent’s and fair appeal system so that cases are not held up income. Will the Minister tell us what further co-operation indefinitely, but it seems to go against natural justice is in the pipeline between HMRC and the CSA? That that the liability order keeps on going if there is an was one of the best things that we put in the Child appeal. That should be looked into quickly and fairly, Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008. It should and an adjudication made fast. 263WH Child Support Agency16 DECEMBER 2009 Child Support Agency 264WH

It also seems odd that non-resident parents should has got nothing for years feels when a cheque for have to pay the costs of challenging the use of administrative £15,000 or £20,000 comes through. The difference that powers even if they have been wrongly used. There was that can make to a young person’s life is phenomenal. provision in the 2008 Act; I remember debating that These things matter. Ideally, we want the income to be point when it went through the House. I have a great there as people go through their childhood, but if they deal of sympathy for the case raised by the hon. Member have not had that income, we must not give up on the for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Mr. MacNeil), in respect of collectable debt. If the non-resident parent has assets, I the £2,400 that his constituent has been asked for when would support the CSA in going after those assets. he never could have been a father. It is worrying that in On the debt, I am worried that up-to-date information such cases the mother has the right to refuse a DNA has not been published. Gingerbread has pressed for test. What if his constituent had not been proved to be the publication of client fund accounts throughout infertile? Would those liability assessments have gone October, November and December. It worries me that on piling up if the mother could refuse a DNA test? We there is no official published deadline. Many Government have the technology to decide these things decisively figures come out at set times of the year; indeed, the now. That issue worries me as well and possibly needs to unemployment figures came out at 9.30 this morning. be examined. The DWP cannot say, “Sorry, we don’t feel like doing I am concerned about the 25 per cent. variation of them this month. We’ll do them next month.” That is income figure that was mentioned when we were putting simply not good enough. We need the figures to come the 2008 Act on the statute book. Will the Minister out regularly, because lobby groups such as Gingerbread confirm whether the Department still has that figure in study them carefully. Maintenance arrears matter, and mind? we must make sure that we do not lose sight of them. I think that cases will soon be hitting the press of As the CSA grows in confidence, I hope that it will people who have lost their jobs and who are now on take a leaf out of the Australian CSA’s book by trying benefit, but whose maintenance liability has not been to ensure that the relationship between separated parents reduced, because the fall in their income was just below is as good as it can be. I say that because there is the CSA’s 25 per cent. variation figure. I appreciate that evidence that if the relationship is better, rather than the CSA went for such a high figure because it was so worse, more money is likely to flow. I understand why scarred by the amount of work caused by very minor the CSA has been wary of going down that route, but I variations. However, as it gains in confidence and its hope that it will look at the issue as it gains in confidence. systems become more robust, the 25 per cent. figure will I have with me two booklets from the Australian CSA need to change. If someone’s income drops by 24 per called “Me and my Kids—Parenting from a distance” cent., should they really go on paying maintenance at and “Me, my Kids and my Ex—Forming a workable the level at which they were first assessed? That seems to relationship for the benefit of your children”. The Australian go against natural justice. CSA produces those because it recognises that if we can I want briefly to mention the one-year rule, which I make relationships better, make contact amicable and thought the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire would help with parenting from a distance, more money is bring up. It is a concern that parties who have happily likely to flow. That is also better for children. I therefore and voluntarily gone to court to produce flexible commend that approach. arrangements that suit them to deal with their assets Finally, I share the concerns raised by the hon. Member and income can see those arrangements unwound within for Central Ayrshire. It will be five years before we get a year, to the detriment of either the parent with care or the gross-income scheme. We passed the Child Maintenance the non-resident parent. All parties raised that issue and Other Payments Act in 2008, and it will be five when the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill years—2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013—before we get went through the House, and it is a bit of unfinished to 2014 and one gross-income scheme. We all back the business, so I leave it on the Minister’s radar screen. scheme, because it is simpler and easier. It will also net Child maintenance arrears, or the debt as they are the self-employed and take in rental and dividend income. commonly known, have recently come down slightly, It is scandalous that the original legislation did not which is excellent—let us give credit where it is due. include such income—I do not know what MPs were They are now just under £3.8 billion, although that is a doing when we passed it. That was wrong, because all slightly fictitious figure because a lot of the assessments income should be included. Why have these changes were not really accurate. Furthermore, about half that taken so long? Five years seems a very long time. We sum is owed to the Secretary of State, rather than to have seen the differences between the old scheme, the parents with care. However, it matters that we collect new scheme and the future scheme, so let us move ahead those arrears. as quickly as we can. It also matters that we collect arrears where the children are over 18, and I am a bit concerned that the focus seems to have been on collecting debt only where 10.45 am the children are under 18. If someone has been deprived The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work throughout their childhood, the fact that they can get a and Pensions (Helen Goodman): MayIsaywhata lump sum when they are 19 or 20—perhaps to help pleasure it is to serve under your chairmanship, Mr. Cook? them to go through college or university or to get a I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Central small deposit on a house—is important, and we must Ayrshire (Mr. Donohoe) on securing this important not forget that. debate. Over the years, he has done a lot of work on I recently visited a CSA office and talked to some of these matters for his constituents and he is completely the staff, who work extremely hard in difficult circumstances, committed to seeing a better system introduced. Yesterday, as was said earlier. I heard of the joy that someone who a lot of hon. Members went to an event run by the 265WH Child Support Agency16 DECEMBER 2009 Child Support Agency 266WH

[Helen Goodman] entitled. First, the level of resources going into CMEC and the CSA must take account of the state of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission in public finances. We must look for efficiencies just as we the House and they saw the huge amount of work that are doing throughout the public services. Secondly, the is going on to improve the situation. reductions have been achieved while increasing the efficiency One of the key issues that has been raised this morning of the organisation. It is not as if we have been taking is enforcement powers. Judging the rights and wrongs resources from the organisation and finding that service as between the parent with care and the non-resident provision has collapsed. parent will always be a difficult balancing act. Over the One of the main points raised by my hon. Friend was past 10 years, however, we have discovered that the the question of why people cannot move from the old balance was previously in the wrong place. The points scheme to the current scheme. There is a fundamental that the hon. Member for South-West Bedfordshire reason why we do not do that. We do it only after a (Andrew Selous) has just made about there being a significant change of circumstances, by which I do not significantly problematic culture are absolutely right. It mean someone’s income going up or down, but rather a is a problem if, as is currently the case, only 45 per cent. new child in the family or one or other of the parties of non-resident parents pay their maintenance in full. making a new partnership. We cannot allow people to In the measures that we have recently introduced, we choose the scheme they want to enter, because for every have therefore strengthened enforcement powers. In parent who would choose to move there would be one October 2008, it became an offence for the non-resident in an equal and opposite position of not wanting to parent to withhold information pertaining to a change move. Giving people that choice would intensify the of address. In August this year, CMEC assumed the degree of conflict. I accept that that means people being power to deduct payments from non-resident parents’ treated differently, but in running a system we must bank accounts without recourse to the courts. It also consider the level of justice being achieved overall. has the power to ask the court to impose a curfew on a My hon. Friend and the hon. Member for South-West non-resident parent. Under the Welfare Reform Act 2009, Bedfordshire asked why it was taking so long to introduce which secured Royal Assent last month, the commission the future scheme. We have the legislation and we must now also has the power to remove the passports and embed the new computer systems. We are doing that on driving licences of parents who have wilfully or culpably a different basis from previously and are learning from failed to meet their child maintenance obligations. Those the bad experiences we had. Now we are using off-the-shelf powers are controversial, but it is important that we computer systems rather than building our own, which have them, given the context in which we operate. should make them more economical and flexible. We Hon. Members are clearly still getting a large number intend new cases to go on to the future scheme from of extremely complex cases in their constituency mailbags, 2011 and everyone to be transferred to it in 2014. and those cases have not been handled properly or as well as any of us would wish. Leaving aside those Mr. Donohoe: Will the Minister confirm that under complex cases, however, the number of complaints against the new system it will be possible to have cross-fertilisation the CSA has fallen by more than half since 2004-05, of thinking between the agency, the Treasury and all the which is an indication of its improved performance, as driving agencies? If that is the case, many of the are the other performance statistics. The number of complications that I have encountered would be overturned. children benefiting from the CSA’s work has increased by 250,000 over the past five years. The number of cases Helen Goodman: Among the main benefits of the in receipt of maintenance has gone up from 400,000 to future scheme will be the fact that it will get data from 600,000. HMRC and that we shall move from a formula using net income to one using gross income. That system has Hon. Members have talked a lot about the quality of been used in other countries with significant success. the administration, where there have also been significant improvements. In 2004, only 27 per cent. of cases were I am sorry that I shall not be able to comment on dealt with within 12 weeks, but that number has gone every case that hon. Members have raised this morning, up to 84 per cent. In 2005, the average time it took to because there is not time to do so in detail, and I do not answer the telephone was one minute 40 seconds, but it have all the information. However, hon. Members can, is now down to eight seconds. I fully understand hon. if they have not already done so, write to me about Members’ concerns about their constituents telephoning cases, which I can look into. I shall comment on a the CSA and getting different people answering. In couple of cases of particular concern, starting with the essence, the reason is that we have extended the CSA’s company going into liquidation and the man who was opening hours so that it can be more available to people. asked to pay twice. The non-resident parent remains The problem is that of course people cannot work the liable to pay child maintenance, but he should be able to entire 60 hours a week during which the agency is open. claim the payments that have been deducted from the liquidator. If he is unsuccessful, the CSA will discuss with him how to handle the arrears. Mr. Donohoe: Will the Minister address the issue that I raised of the apparent reduction in staffing? I believe Mr. Donohoe: Surely it should not be his responsibility. that 600 people have been transferred out of the CSA Given that he has done all he should, the agency should into Jobcentre Plus. pursue the liquidator for the money. He has already paid it. Helen Goodman: My hon. Friend is right about that. However, there are two things I want to say—and I do Helen Goodman: My hon. Friend makes his point not want to wipe away the frustration of his constituents with characteristic force and I shall take that thought when they do not get the service to which they are away with me. 267WH Child Support Agency 16 DECEMBER 2009 268WH

The hon. Member for Na h-Eileanan an Iar GP Practice Boundaries (Mr. MacNeil) raised another case of some concern, about a non-resident parent whose name was on the 11 am birth certificate, but who could not possibly have been the father. Once the non-resident parent has provided David Taylor (North-West Leicestershire) (Lab/Co-op): proof of his infertility or a DNA test has shown that he I am pleased to see you in the Chair, Mr. Cook, presiding is not the father, the CSA can revise its original decision, over a debate on a subject that is highly important to all extinguishing all liability for child maintenance, and our constituents. It is good that the Minister responding any payments may be refunded. to the debate is my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. O’Brien), who is Mr. MacNeil: Would that include the fees of £2,400 my constituency neighbour to the south-west. that the agency is asking my constituent for? That is the If we look at the Government’s policy on the NHS point that is causing him quite some concern at the since 1997, we can see that a welter of statistics confirm moment. the excellent and vital progress that has been made in many areas. For example, we have over 44,000 more Helen Goodman: The honest answer, I am afraid, is doctors and almost 90,000 more nurses, and 3 million that I do not know, and I shall have to get back to the more operations are carried out each year than in 1997, hon. Gentleman on that point. with the number of heart operations more than doubling. The hon. Member for Northavon (Steve Webb) gave Net public spending on the NHS has nearly tripled a characteristically well- informed speech and set out a since 1997. Then it was £35 billion; it is now more than general schema in which we would deal in a fairly £90 billion. Waiting times are at the lowest level in NHS automatic way with straightforward cases, but pay greater history. attention to the hard cases. Generally, that is a good The risk, however, is that the effectiveness and durability way of administering the scheme, and that is what we of those fantastic achievements may be undermined by are attempting to do. I guess that the difficulty is in an obsession with organisational and administrative discussing which cases are hard. reform of the NHS. In the view of many NHS workers, The hon. Gentleman also made a valid point about of patients and indeed of Members of Parliament and people moving off the system altogether and whether community representatives, the commercial mantra of people will get everything to which they are entitled choice is being used as a cloak for the marketisation and from the options service. Gingerbread, for example, is privatisation of the NHS. particularly concerned about the re-establishment of At the Brighton Labour party conference in September, what I shall call traditional gender relations, in which the Secretary of State for Health said: for the sake of peace women might not push as hard as “I cannot see why families shouldn’t register with the GP they ought. I agree that that is an issue, and I am on top practice that suits them best. So, I’ve said we’ll abolish GP of it. We are considering how we can monitor that practice boundaries within a year.” effectively. That did not exactly come out of the blue, but it caused The hon. Member for South-West Bedfordshire made a great deal of concern among GPs in my constituency a good point about the overall culture in which we and elsewhere. Even those GPs who saw some benefits operate and the difficulties that we face. I hope that from that rather rushed reform, such as Dr. Theresa hon. Members feel that we are making significant Eynon of the Hugglescote surgery, were quick to express improvements to the child support system overall. We to me their fear that abolishing GP practice boundaries are succeeding at the moment in lifting 100,000 children could worsen the plight of those patients most vulnerable out of child poverty because of the way in which the to serious long-term health problems. system currently runs. The Government’s plans provide further proof that the inverse care law is alive and well. As the Minister will know, the idea was first proposed by Julian Tudor Hart in 1971. His law states that the availability of good medical care tends to vary inversely to the need for it in the population that it serves. Put simply, those who need health care services the least use them more, and more effectively, than those with the most need. That is not to say that there is anything inherently wrong with allowing people to register with a GP practice closer to their workplace, thus enabling easier access to the surgery during the working week. Of course there is nothing wrong with wanting to offer more convenient NHS primary care, although I would quietly suggest that employers could be more flexible in allowing their employees to attend GP appointments; the wheels would not come off the local or national economy if such flexibility were more readily available. If that was what was being proposed, I would not argue with it, and would not be debating the matter today, but that is not the full story. The Minister said in a speech to the Royal College of General Practitioners conference last month: 269WH GP Practice Boundaries16 DECEMBER 2009 GP Practice Boundaries 270WH

[David Taylor] It goes without saying that widening health inequality is a national concern, and I am pleased that the Government “The focus has to be on responding to the needs of have commissioned Professor Sir Michael Marmot of patients…Enabling people to choose a different practice near University College London to consider how we could home. Or one near to where they work. Or one with better overall tackle health inequalities more effectively. We should all quality scores and patient satisfaction but in a different location look closely at his findings and recommendations, and I altogether.” hope that we will have an opportunity to debate them in That confirms that the Government’s intentions are the Chamber. much more fundamental than an improvement to GP accessibility. Men and women in our poorest communities are dying on average a decade or more before those of their The proposal is more to do with the promotion of generation in the most affluent areas. Putting it at its competition among GP services, supplemented by initiatives mildest, that is deeply troubling. However, that is due as such as NHS Choices that utilise the information gleaned much to the increased and inherent politicisation of this from the quality and outcomes framework to give the totemic institution since the 1980s. That culminated in public somewhat simplistic statistics on GP practice the Labour Government putting up the money—but performance. Crucially, given all the academic talk of rarely the arguments—for maintaining the NHS wholly quality and values, is the future of the truly local within the public sector. services that GPs provide, particularly the invaluable home visits that they make to the homes of the long-term With the abolition of practice boundaries, we will sick, the immobile and the terminally ill. undoubtedly increase competition within the NHS. That will be especially so in urban areas, as GP practices have In the rush, in the words of the Health Secretary, to to compete for patients with NHS walk-in centres and turn the NHS from “good to great”, the Government one-stop primary care centres—the polyclinics championed risk ignoring the needs of that most vulnerable group of in the Darzi review. That will merely distract the NHS patients. I note parenthetically that the next debate in from tackling health inequalities, as consistent and lengthy this Chamber is about age discrimination in health care. patient records will become more difficult to compile. I shall read the Hansard report of that debate with great interest. The proposed reform does not seek to end As someone with three decades in public sector IT, it home visits, but there is a very real risk that the needs of would be remiss of me not to acknowledge that computer our fellow citizens with the most complex health problems systems have a role to play in solving the problem, but will be put in direct competition with the health-care the less said about the benighted NHS agency Connecting requirements of the more affluent workers and families. for Health the better. There is little doubt in my mind, Each will have a QOF score, but there are no prizes for however, that we would have had greater success in guessing who attracts the most points and, therefore, tackling health inequalities since 1997 if we had trusted funding. and promoted the efficiency of the public sector over I regret to say that the potential of the change to that of the private sector and its unseen and unaccountable worsen health inequalities goes even deeper than that. backers and exploiters. Those with the most complex health needs, particularly I mentioned the Darzi Review a moment ago. We are psychiatric ones, rely on social services that are all familiar with its aim of putting quality at the heart geographically tied to the local authority. It does not of the NHS. Who could disagree with that? I certainly take much imagination to realise that the consequences would not, although I would question the use of other of abolishing GP practice boundaries may include an commercially-loaded terms by a senior Government increase in the administrative complexity and cost of appointee, who is supposed to be a clinical health providing appropriate care packages for all who need specialist and not a management guru. Those phrases them. Dementia patients living at home will be particularly are more likely to come out of the mouth of the Chief vulnerable to instability and uncertainty. Secretary to the Treasury, my right hon. Friend the All Labour Members hope that the Personal Care at Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr. Byrne), Home Bill, which received its Second Reading this than one of our most successful and respected surgeons. week, and the national care service will together ride to However, when my right hon. Friend the Member for the rescue of all those with social care needs, but a Darlington was Health Secretary, he said in a speech to period of uncertainty could result from the abolition of the Commonwealth Fund in Washington 2002 that GP practice boundaries. I urge the Government and the “health care works best…when it harnesses the commitment and Minister to think again, on these grounds alone. I knowledge of clinicians to improve care for patients.” should be most grateful if the Minister made a specific Private health insurer Kaiser Permanente of the US is response about the impact of the reform on social care cited as an example of that health care harmony, but I provision. shall resist the temptation to be lured down that profitable I turn to the intellectual threads of this reform. The but politically promiscuous avenue. spiritual leader of private health care in the NHS and The Darzi review is the foundation for these troubling former Health Secretary, my right hon. Friend the proposals in primary care, with a specific quote from Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn), has rightly stated Lord Darzi’s summary letter in “High Quality Care for on numerous occasions that the health gap between rich All”establishing the foundation upon which the Secretary and poor has grown inexorably since the creation of the of State decided to proceed. NHS. However, that inescapable conclusion has little to do with structural failings within the NHS, as he would Lord Darzi said: be quick to assert; it has more to do with the wealth of a “Patients will have greater choice of GP practice and better small number of individuals and the private companies information to help them choose.” that respond to their every ailment, whether cosmetic That raises the role of primary care trusts in designing or chronic. and commissioning local primary care services, as they 271WH GP Practice Boundaries16 DECEMBER 2009 GP Practice Boundaries 272WH also have a vital role to play in the democratisation of What he meant is that it is sustainable only when the health care. By that I mean involving patients in the local commissioning arrangements allow and indeed decisions that most affect their health, which is a welcome favour private sector bids for NHS work. He also talked development. Leicestershire County and Rutland PCT about seems to be going out of its way to illustrate to patients “new private sector providers becoming a permanent feature of the worst excesses of the catchment area system that the NHS landscape.” currently operates. For example, patients registered at Finally, he said: Whitwick surgery who lived four miles or so away in “The NHS scores well on fairness but is weak on choice.” Hugglescote were told by the PCT that they would have to leave that practice and re-register at Hugglescote. Those quotes are all from the same 2002 speech, but That was immensely distressing to the patients concerned, seem more akin to a sales pitch than a policy debate. Let particularly pensioners who had built up a good relationship us not forget that from 2001 to 2004 our former Prime with the GPs at Whitwick over a number of years. Minister and right hon. Friend, Tony Blair, was advised on the NHS by Simon Stevens, who promptly joined the At this point, it is worth quoting Dr. Orest Mulka of US firm UnitedHealth Group, which made $78.85 billion the Measham medical unit. He is a highly respected GP from health care services in 2008, after leaving the at a well-regarded surgery in my constituency, and he Downing street policy unit. By way of a footnote, let me said: say that at the same time as vehemently opposing “Of course boundaries can be misused...but boundaries aren’t President Obama’s modest health care reforms in the just for the management of GP workload. They are there to allow US, UnitedHealth, with Simon Stevens on board, is a practice to identify with a community and see the health of their bidding for and winning NHS contracts, and will no community as more than just the sum of individual conditions doubt regard the abolition of GP practice boundaries that are brought to them. They allow practices to develop a sense as welcome “mood music” at the very least. of pride of caring for their patch.” To return to the local impact of the Government’s I repeat: plan, Dr. Eynon has concluded that, once again, the “They allow practices to develop a sense of pride of caring for change is one that suits the well, working person. That their patch.” brings to mind the inverse care law that I cited at the start of my speech. We must not shape our primary care He went on to say: system around the needs of the middle-class, peripatetic, “ In my practice we don’t discriminate—anyone living in our urban elite who go to their local paper and MP every area is accepted on our list.” time they cannot get an appointment to treat their I shall use Dr. Mulka’s comments as evidence against squash injury, as we should not normalise or accommodate the Government’s claim that abolishing practice boundaries the social and environmental impact of fundamentally will increase local accountability. If a patient is not a selfish lifestyles. member of the local community, their needs may well By 2018, when the NHS reaches its biblical span of be at odds and even in competition with those who live three score years and 10, we shall have seen GPs closest and who may have greater clinical need. metamorphose from the avuncular community leaders of “Dr. Finlay’s Casebook” to profit-generating assets Whatever the number of patient participation groups, in a Dr. Foster’s cost centre. The NHS was not created welcome though they are, they cannot hope to replace to serve a minority who shout loud enough to see a that local link. That reminds us of the consumer-led doctor whenever they want, wherever they are. This nature of the Government’s proposal, which has been proposal is designed to satisfy the few, not the many. To described as a move toward a “medical supermarket” abolish practice boundaries is to hasten the demise of where increasing numbers of patients are routinely seen, the family doctor. not by GPs, doctors or nurses, but by “health care professionals” such as “nurse consultants”. We are some way from such dystopian scenarios, but the Government’s 11.15 am obsessive delivery of pro-private policies in the NHS The Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr. Mike inevitably leads in that direction. Many people see the O’Brien): I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member death knell of a publicly resourced and run NHS in for North-West Leicestershire (David Taylor), my proposals such as abolishing GP practice boundaries; constituency neighbour, on securing the debate and on creating polyclinics; making PCTs commissioners rather his lively and interesting speech. than providers of health care; encouraging NHS hospitals Although practice boundaries will be the main focus trusts to apply for foundation status; local improvement of my remarks, I also want to address the wider issue of finance trusts; and—do not get me going on this—private competition and choice within the NHS, because my finance initiatives. Moreover, there are other inappropriate hon. Friend has made his feelings so plain. It will not and unnecessary market devices. surprise him to know that I have some sympathy with a Such reforms are the logical conclusion to the brave few of his points. I, too, am very conscious of the fact new world of health care partnerships piloted by my that our party founded the NHS. It was a service to be right hon. Friend the Member for Darlington when he paid for from taxation, free at the point of need and was Health Secretary. The frequent speeches made during primarily provided through the public service. his tenure in Richmond house seemed intent on sending However, in respect of some of the comments about a chill down the spine of GPs and patients and included marketisation in primary care, we need to bear it in such baleful gems as the following examples. He said mind that the NHS has always been a deal between the that private and public sectors, because most GPs operate “tax funded health care can only be sustainable if it sits side by independent private businesses that contract with the side with diversity in provision and choice for patients.” NHS, and have done since 1948. Therefore, we must be 273WH GP Practice Boundaries16 DECEMBER 2009 GP Practice Boundaries 274WH

[Mr. Mike O’Brien] There is a tradition of sorts that the relationship between patient and doctor is sanctified. For some a little careful when we discuss the private sector, because people it is, but for others it is not, and we must provide some GPs talk about the private sector as if it were an NHS that enables those people who want to see a something different from them. Actually, they are in the particular doctor to see that doctor and those people private sector, but they contract with the public sector. who are not bothered in the least about which doctor We have an excellent record in primary care, as confirmed they see not to have to see the same doctor continually. by a report earlier this year from the prestigious Some people I know do not want to see their allocated Commonwealth Fund, but we should never be satisfied. doctor at all. They happen to have been allocated to Although many GP practices are excellent, not all are. I that doctor and end up seeing them. I remember that at agree with my hon. Friend that the most deprived parts some point in the past, although thankfully not at the of the country sometimes have the poorest provision of moment, that was the case for people in my family. primary care with fewer doctors and greater demand— Therefore, we need to ensure that people are able to poorer areas tend to have people with a number of see the GP who best suits them. My hon. Friend is medical conditions that need urgent care. absolutely right that many people want to see the same We cannot simply rely on current general practice to GP, but some are not bothered about which GP they address such problems. That approach has been tried see. for 60 years and it just has not worked. In some places, We need to provide people with choice, because choice patients may be restricted to a single practice. They may and competition can both make a difference to patients wish to move, but find it difficult to do so. That is all and improve the quality of care. The polyclinics are very well if their practice is good, but what if it is not? based in London; we do not have them elsewhere. We We are now pursuing a different approach, investing in have GP-led health centres elsewhere and many are very 112 new GP practices delivered by any willing provider successful, but the development of polyclinics, which with a strong track record on reducing health inequalities. was restricted to the capital, has been enormously successful, particularly in deprived areas. Polyclinics have brought Choice and competition can drive up access and GPs to deprived areas and improved the quality of care quality, which is important. We are working to improve in those areas, which we want to continue to work on. the quality of primary care in different areas. One thing that GP-led health centres have done is locate in some We have pushed power away from Westminster and of the most deprived areas in the country. We have had Whitehall into the hands of primary care trusts, through great difficulty in getting GPs to work in such areas. the world-class commissioning programme, and directly They find the work hard and the profits small, because to individual and groups of GPs, through practice-based the amount of private work that they get is limited. We commissioning. That is all about providing the best have invested huge sums over the past decade in new possible service for patients—an aspiration that I am premises, new technology and many more doctors, nurses sure my hon. Friend shares. and other health care professionals. As the Secretary of State has set out, where NHS Yesterday, I went to Barking where a new family services are providing excellent quality and performing centre has been set up. GPs and dentists were encouraged at the level of the very best, there is no ideological to locate in a deprived area to ensure that it offered the predisposition to look to the market. On the contrary—we quality of care that local people needed. As a result of want health care provided in the best way that the NHS many of those people training in that area—I also can possibly provide it. The public service is our preferred visited a centre in the Isle of Dogs—some GPs and provider, but if it is not providing we have to look dentists have chosen to come back and work there elsewhere, because the patient comes first. because the facilities are good and the buildings new, Where NHS services can deliver, that is good—we and they realise that deprived areas can bring a great want them to deliver—but we are also saying that deal of job satisfaction. patients need more power to choose the service that suits them. We in the Labour party created patient David Taylor: I am listening very carefully to what the choice, precisely because we believe that it should be the Minister has to say. Does he agree that the bigger interests of patients, rather than those of providers, that polyclinics that are envisaged—where a patient may go determine how health care is provided in this country. and, in a sense, be allocated at random a doctor from a We have already given people far greater choice through very large panel—will make it very difficult indeed to the introduction of 90 NHS walk-in centres, which are build a relationship of the type that has been the used by 3 million people every year, and, more recently, foundation of our health service since 1948, which is through the introduction of GP-led health centres, which that between a patient and a family doctor? enables someone to walk in to see a GP or a nurse while remaining registered at their own GP practice. People Mr. O’Brien: I think that the NHS and the relationship can go to the GP-led health centre if they have a between patients and GPs have changed since 1948. random or minor health issue, but if they have a long-term Some patients want to see the same doctor, particularly health issue they can still go to see their own GP. They if they have a long-term medical condition and they do have a choice. Despite fierce opposition to GP-led health not want to have to explain their problems all over centres from some parts of the medical profession and again to a new doctor. However, some patients are not from elsewhere, they have, by and large, proved very worried about whether they see the same doctor. If a popular with patients. Overall, nearly 3 million people patient does not have a long-term condition and is, in have used such a centre already. effect, seeing a GP at random—they might have developed Evidence from the UK and from overseas shows that a condition that they just want advice on—they may treatments are more effective if patients choose, understand not be bothered about which GP they see. and control their own care. We are putting ever more 275WH GP Practice Boundaries16 DECEMBER 2009 GP Practice Boundaries 276WH information about services in the hands of the public. attached to it. The key thing is that the funding formula That information will include the waiting times for a is weighted in favour of those people with long-term particular hospital and the personal comments of patients medical conditions and the elderly. Indeed, there is clear at a GP practice, so patients can comment on how good evidence that, since QOF was introduced, health inequalities their GP practice is. have narrowed—that is what it is all about. Money This process is slowly transforming the traditional follows the patient, so offering people a choice gives doctor-patient relationship, in a way that gives the practices a strong incentive to improve and attract new patient more power. Some GPs do not like it, but it patients and retain existing ones. gives patients more power. A more empowered and Similarly, part of the positive impact of the new informed patient can take a more active role in their GP-led health centres has been that they have led other own care. They can decide, with their own doctor, which practices to open for longer and to expand their practice hospital to be treated at, and they can take a rational boundaries, so that they can compete with new services decision about which GP practice is best for them. such as the GP-led health centres. Choice means better The NHS constitution already gives people the right access to higher-quality medical care and I cannot see to choose their own GP practice, but for many people how anyone would want people not to have choice, if that choice is severely limited. Most patients can choose that is what choice indeed means. between only a few practices and some patients have no choice at all. That limited choice reduces the competition Of course, given a choice most people will stay exactly between practices to attract patients and weakens the where they are; I believe that that is what most people incentive for some GP practices to improve quality. will do. Only a limited number of people want to Under the constitution, a GP practice must accept a exercise choice in this regard and, yes, sometimes they patient’s choice unless there are reasonable grounds for are well, middle-class people who just want the choice. not doing so. At the moment, being outside a practice’s Why on earth should they not have it? If they want it, boundary counts as reasonable grounds. the NHS should be able to provide them with it. As my hon. Friend said, in September the Secretary I do not want people to have to go off somewhere of State set out our intention that, within 12 months, and pay privately to get a choice that they really ought people should be able to register wherever they choose. to have within the NHS. Frankly, if people are well, For now, the practice that lies closest to someone’s young and middle-class, I want them to use the NHS home may not be the easiest for them to get to. and stay with it. I want them to realise that the NHS I ask my hon. Friend to consider his constituents who will give them a choice, so that later on, when they commute to work and who may find it far simpler to see perhaps really need the NHS for their kids or for a GP near their work rather than taking half a day off themselves when they develop a long-term condition, to see a GP closer to their home. It is all very well to say, they will stay with the NHS—those are the people we as he did, that employers should be more understanding, want too. but some employers just are not so understanding. In However, my hon. Friend is right that we also need to addition, many people get paid by the hour, so they ensure that we care for the people who really need the would lose money if they had to take more time off NHS. They include people from the mining community, work to see a GP. such as some of his constituents and some of mine, who I also ask my hon. Friend to consider people with have long-term health care conditions. We want to children who go to school beyond the boundary of their ensure that such people receive the service and the GP’s practice. Those people may find it easier to register priority that they need. with a GP nearer the school, keeping time off school to a minimum should their child need to see a doctor. People with complex long-term medical conditions Furthermore, some of his constituents may want to will want to maintain the continuity of being registered change their GP practice because of the better quality with their local GP, especially when so much of their of services available at other practices in their area. care will involve other local organisations such as social They may even want to register with the practice closest services, community nursing and diagnostic services. to their home but cannot do so because it lies just the We want to ensure that where patients want choice, other side of a line or boundary, or perhaps because of they get it. However, most patients who do not need the “closed shop” arrangements that exist in some that choice should not have it forced upon them. In the areas, because a GP practice’s list of patients is full or end, it remains something that patients should choose because lines have been agreed about where the boundary or not choose for themselves. It is a matter for them. between practices will exist. The qualities and outcomes framework—the new arrangements to ensure that GPs provide greater health 11.29 am care—has attracted a lot of attention, because money is Sitting suspended. 277WH 16 DECEMBER 2009 Age Discrimination (Health Care) 278WH

Age Discrimination (Health Care) not just harmful to the individuals concerned; it wastes taxpayers’ money on late and inappropriate interventions 2.30 pm and treatment. To illustrate, in a typical 500-bed district hospital, an Mr. Paul Burstow (Sutton and Cheam) (LD): I am average of 330 beds are occupied by older people, 220 of grateful for the opportunity to address this important whom have a mental illness. A shortage of trained staff issue on the day on which we rise for the Christmas and age-appropriate services mean that those patients recess. One curious thing about the lottery process for remain in hospital for longer and are more likely to be Adjournment debates is that one can apply assiduously readmitted as emergencies later. The Government have for a topic for many a week, then find that one has the focused on dementia, with good reason; I have no pleasure of securing it on the last day before we adjourn objection whatever to that. The national strategy is for Christmas. I am sure that we can therefore look welcome, as was the recent announcement on anti-psychotic forward to a quality debate but not a quantitatively drugs. I thank the Minister for getting in touch with me long one. on the day of that announcement. However, a much Many aspects of health care give rise to concerns broader approach to the development of age-appropriate about how age is used as a proxy to determine—or, in mental health services is required in order to drive some cases, deny—access to health care, even when the change. evidence does not support such practices. There is plenty of evidence that age discrimination takes place in cancer The World Health Organisation forecasts that depression and stroke care, cardiology, foot care and continence will be the second biggest contributor to health costs by and palliative care. Rather than going through the 2020, just 10 years from now. The rate of depression is evidence for discrimination relating to each of those set to rise by 30 per cent. among over-75s, and by 80 per conditions, I will focus on one area that demands urgent cent. among over-85s by 2026, just 16 years from now. attention—mental health. Depression is three times more common than dementia and it increases with age, with the poorest most at risk. After reviewing the literature and evidence, it is hard It is linked to a greater reduction in health than any not to reach the conclusion that the national health other long-term condition, and it leads to a sharper service is institutionally ageist. That is certainly the view decline in overall health when combined with any other of doctors specialising in the care of older people, so I long-term condition. welcomed the Secretary of State’s admission in October that age discrimination is still commonplace in health Nevertheless, just one in six older people with depression care a decade after the national service framework for receives any treatment, compared with one in two younger older people was meant to have banned age bars and people with depression. It is a major risk factor for age discrimination across the NHS. It is clear that suicide and the cause of 80 per cent. of suicides. Although relative to mental health services for people of working it is good news that the suicide rate has fallen in the past age, the mental health services available to older people decade, it has not changed among older people. As a have got worse. I stress the word “relative” because result, the suicide rate in people over 65 is double that of there have been clear improvements in some aspects of people under 25. Research evidence also shows that mental health care for working-age people. older people with mental illness stay in hospital longer and are more likely to die in hospital or to lose their I recently hosted a reception in the House on behalf independence and be discharged to a care home. of the Royal College of Psychiatrists to highlight its call to action at a local level and on the part of individual clinicians. I am grateful to the Royal College for providing Mr. Stephen O’Brien (Eddisbury) (Con): I have been me with a briefing for this debate. If we took what we listening to the hon. Gentleman’s remarks, and I accept know from the published research and applied it to a that he might be about to develop this point. However, typical group of 10,000 people over 64, this what we does he agree that one concern, which I suspect we would find: 2,500 would have a diagnosable mental share, is that the amount of research effort, particularly illness. Of those, 1,350 would have depression, 500 into dementia, Alzheimer’s and the mental health of the would have dementia and 650 would have other mental elderly, needs to match the demographic curve? We illnesses. Most of those people would go undiagnosed need to put the research effort behind where things are and untreated. According to the King’s Fund, older going. At the moment, there is some question in most people are the only part of the population in which the people’s minds about that. Is he equally concerned? number of people with mental illness will increase by 2026. If nothing else, we are required to address that Mr. Burstow: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right demographic demand. A concerted response from to raise that concern, which I hope is shared by all Government and the NHS at all levels is necessary. parties. He is two pages ahead of me, but I will return to that point, if I may. Inevitably, debates such as this—I am sure that the Minister has experienced this on many occasions—turn One study found that a person suffering from on what is wrong and needs to be put right rather than undiagnosed dementia is three times more likely to die dwelling on what is good and wonderful. I make no in hospital than other older people. The same research apology for that, as I hope that he understands that this also found that a large number of admissions were debate is about raising concerns. I accept that the present inappropriate and could have been prevented by prompt Government have not been idle. National service medical care in the community.Lack of specialist assessment frameworks, New Horizons, psychological therapies and is a recurring theme linked to poor-quality care, poor the national dementia strategy are just a few of the outcomes and waste of taxpayers’ money. initiatives that they have taken. However, I am concerned Why are things like this, and what needs to change? that insufficient attention has been paid to the mental The introduction of a national service framework on health needs of older people. That lack of attention is mental health in 1999 kick-started change and investment 279WH Age Discrimination (Health Care)16 DECEMBER 2009 Age Discrimination (Health Care) 280WH in new services, but the drafting of the frameworks concluded that counselling is effective with older people, reflects an age bias. One need only look at the fact that particularly in the treatment of depression. 149 pages in the NSF for mental health are devoted to It is disappointing that mental health services are not the mental health of people of working age, compared included in the Government’s new entitlements regime with just 17 pages on mental health in the older people’s that replaces the existing framework. For example, if a national service framework. What does that tell us person is waiting for cognitive behavioural therapy and about relative priorities a decade ago? The national the 18-week milestone is passed, there is no redress. directors of both mental health and older people’s There is no funding to allow them to get the provision services accepted in 2004 that not as much progress had elsewhere. Why were mental health services left out of been made in developing new mental health services for the entitlements approach? I am sure that will be of older people, and I am told by the Royal College of interest to many people outside the House. Psychiatrists that little has changed since then. An evidence-based approach to developing age- As I said earlier, the progress made for working-age appropriate mental health services would save money people means that older people with mental health and deliver better outcomes for older people. Older issues are worse off now in relative terms than they were people’s hospital liaison services save money. They reduce 10 years ago. A serious lack of equity remains in access the length of hospital stays, cut readmissions and result to mental health services. My point is not to claim a in better outcomes. For example, a Liverpool hospital lack of good intent on the Government’s part; policy that had a high readmission rate for older people set up initiatives and national guidelines exist. However, the a specialist liaison mental health team for older people evidence is compelling that none of that has gained any in 1999. An analysis of 324 high-risk people who were traction on resource allocation and practice. The National referred to the team’s social worker because they had Audit Office has documented how older people have complex needs found that they had a 7 per cent. lower been denied access to assertive outreach, crisis resolution, six-month readmission rate than the hospital’s older home treatment and early intervention services available patients in general. It also found that 96 per cent. of to adults of working age. Other research has revealed a referrals were assessed on the day of referral and, similar pattern of exclusion from hospital liaison, of the readmissions, only 13.5 per cent. were considered rehabilitation and psychotherapy. inappropriate. What needs to be done? As I said, the national Care home liaison can save time and money. It can dementia strategy is welcome. It is an essential although also help to reduce anti-psychotic drug prescribing— insufficient response to the mental health needs of older something on which I have campaigned for many years, people. The Minister and the hon. Member for Eddisbury so I welcome the recent announcements. It is estimated (Mr. O’Brien) will know that I have a keen interest in if we made the changes needed in that area we would dementia research. Only yesterday, I had the pleasure of save £55 million a year. A specialist older people’s receiving an answer to a written question to the Minister mental health care team in Doncaster runs a home about the new ministerial taskforce on dementia research. liaison team to provide services to care homes. That has I was fascinated by the answer: helped to reduce admissions to hospital, improve the “The remit of the group will be to maintain the momentum quality of care and provide training to care home staff. begun at the summit by developing a new vision for the future of In its first year, the team received 460 referrals and dementia research and advising on practicable ways to achieve admissions to hospital reduced by 75 per cent. that vision.” Crisis home treatment teams can cut hospital admission Visions are all well and good. They are useful because rates by a third, reduce the length of hospital stays and people can be pointed towards them. However, a taskforce reduce admissions to long-term care. In west Suffolk, a on research must assemble the building blocks of the crisis resolution home treatment team for working-age additional cash that needs to be invested in the area. adults was extended to include over-65s. Older people The answer goes on to say that the first part of the had previously had no alternative to being admitted to body’s remit is hospital. Most people with whom the team dealt were “to devise ways to use available resources more effectively to help suffering from depression. The number of older people increase the volume and impact of high quality dementia research”.— admitted fell by 31 per cent. as a result of the extension [Official Report, 14 December 2009; Vol. 502, c. 739W.] of the scheme, without any loss in patient or carer That implies that existing cash is to be used, rather than satisfaction. There is huge potential to unlock resources that more will be allocated, and we know that there is a and reallocate them to services that deliver better outcomes huge gulf between the amounts committed to dementia for patients. research and to conditions such as stroke, heart disease Delivering age-appropriate mental health services requires and cancer. Finally, the answer states that membership a more informed work force in primary care, general of the body has yet to be finalised. It was announced in hospitals, care homes and social care, as they must be July. Five months on, it has not met and its membership able to tailor services to fit individual and age-specific is not yet set. Will the Minister say when it will begin its needs. The last remaining barriers within and between task? health and social care need to be torn down. Integration Investment in improving psychological therapies is of services is essential to delivering equity and efficiency. welcome. However, time will tell whether we will see an Mechanisms such as local area agreements should play equitable roll-out. One in five older people’s mental a part in ensuring that we have seamless services with health services report having no access to clinical psychology integration and multi-agency working on the ground. and one in three community teams do not include Older people’s mental health should be a national clinical psychologists. The British Association for priority in the NHS operating framework. I was Counselling and Psychotherapy commissioned an disappointed to read today in a written answer from the independent review on counselling older people, which Secretary of State that the new operating framework for 281WH Age Discrimination (Health Care)16 DECEMBER 2009 Age Discrimination (Health Care) 282WH

[Mr. Burstow] clarity regarding age discrimination that there rightly is for other forms of discrimination. In a less obvious way, 2010-11 is silent on that and that mental health services prejudice plays a part in the health and social care do not register as a national priority. Not even the systems. Unfortunately, we still hear examples of older dementia strategy registers as a national priority. That people facing neglect, receiving second-class services, is a missed opportunity and a great shame. If guidance, being socially segregated and having restricted opportunities. policies and strategies are to get traction, they need to Far more needs to be done to address that. be backed up. The figure to which my hon. Friend referred is shocking: almost half of all geriatricians think that the NHS’s Mr. Stephen O’Brien: I did not spot the written failure to provide older people with the level of care to answer, as I was engaged on something else this morning. which they are entitled amounts to institutional ageism. However, if the framework suggests that mental health, That is according to the leading geriatricians in the let alone dementia, is not a national priority, does the country, and we should all be deeply concerned about hon. Gentleman think that that is an admitted change such comments. More than half of those same from what was promulgated under previous Secretaries geriatricians—55 per cent.—said they were personally of State, which was that cancer, cardiac and mental worried about their own prospects for receiving adequate health services were the three priorities that the Government care from the NHS when they are over 65. Alex Mair, were seeking to address? chief executive of the British Geriatrics Society, was quoted in The Guardian as saying Mr. Burstow: That was my reading of the Secretary of State’s written answer. If there is a misunderstanding, “the NHS is currently failing older people”. I would rather the Minister cleared it up today. Certainly, The figures show that people over 65 already account my reading of the written answer that was published for more than 60 per cent. of hospital bed days, and today is that mental health services, including dementia therefore are responsible for the greatest proportion of services, do not feature at the top level of the operating expenditure on health and social care. In 2007, 8.2 million framework. They have to be placed at the top level to people were aged over 65 in England and Wales. That get the traction that I assume the Government and the figure is projected to increase to 11.6 million by 2026, Department want the national strategy to have. I know which is an extraordinary increase of 46 per cent. that there is a debate over whether such decisions should Similar rises are projected for the prevalence of disability be devolved locally. However, the Government clearly and dependency. The burden on the health and social intend to drive change in dementia services. The only care system will therefore increase. way to signal that intention is by making it clear in the framework. I want to get that on the record, and I hope A number of reports are worth mentioning: first, the that the Minister will clarify this matter in his response. report on the barriers facing older people, which was undertaken by Sir Ian Carruthers, the chief executive of In conclusion, the biggest challenge to our health and NHS South West, and the Bristol council chief executive, social care system is the ageing population, as it has Jan Ormondroyd. It found that older stroke patients been for a decade or more. In particular, the challenge is received less adequate care than young sufferers, and the mental health of our ageing population. Currently, that almost half of doctors who cared for older people need is not being meet and evidence is not being translated believed that the NHS was institutionally ageist. I was into practice. There must be a shift in Government concerned to see that the report goes on to show in policy to the health needs of older people and a some detail the treatment that my hon. Friend has comprehensive approach must be developed. That must outlined, particularly regarding mental health. The report be a clear and unambiguous national priority. It is “Equality in Later Life” also demonstrates that older unsustainable to do nothing. There are huge opportunities people are discriminated against regarding access to in unlocking resources to make improvements. The case out-of-hours and crisis services, psychological treatment for concerted action is unanswerable. I look forward to and alcohol services. the contributions of other hon. Members and to the Minister’s response. I am afraid that there still appears to be institutional ageism within some of the main NHS services. On cancer, women aged over 70 are not automatically called 2.47 pm for breast cancer screening, despite firm medical evidence Greg Mulholland (Leeds, North-West) (LD): It is a of a clinical need for that service. Older women with pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr. Cook, breast cancer receive a lower level of care than younger and to speak in this important debate on the last day women, and are less likely to be diagnosed via needle before the House rises. I congratulate my hon. Friend biopsy and triple assessment. They are also less likely to the Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) on undergo surgery or receive radiotherapy than younger securing the debate and on his consistent and vigorous women. When compared with a 65 to 69 year-old leadership on older people’s issues. Long may he continue woman, a woman aged 80 or older is five and a half to be such a champion for older people. times less likely to receive triple assessment for operable According to leading older people’s organisations, breast cancer, and 40 times less likely to undergo surgery. age discrimination remains the most common form of Even women as young as 70 or 74 are more than seven discrimination in this country. We must take it much times less likely to receive radiotherapy following breast more seriously. Perhaps this point is for a different conservation surgery. debate, but that is largely due to the failure to put age Department of Health figures suggest that compared discrimination on the same footing as other forms of with other comparable countries, the UK experiences discrimination. Although there are attempts to address 15,000 extra deaths from cancer a year in the over-75 that, concerns exist that there will not be the same age group. In relation to that figure, the gap between the 283WH Age Discrimination (Health Care)16 DECEMBER 2009 Age Discrimination (Health Care) 284WH

UK and other countries appears to be widening, as I share my hon. Friend’s passion for pushing the does the gap between older and younger age groups dementia issue up the agenda, both in our hospitals and in UK. care homes and on the research side. That point was made by the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. O’Brien), On stroke treatment, older people are less likely to who speaks for the Conservatives. Unless we can start receive cholesterol-lowering treatments recommended to ameliorate the effects of the many distressing conditions for the secondary prevention of stroke, despite the that come under the umbrella of dementia—and hopefully treatment being equally medically effective across all prevent those conditions and perhaps even find the age groups. Although rates of secondary drug prevention cure—the real concern remains not only that we will fail are generally low—26.4 per cent. of patients aged 50 to to tackle the problem of inadequate health care for 59 received treatment compared with 15.6 per cent. of older people, but that we simply will not deal with the patients aged 80 to 89, with a figure of just 4.2 per cent. financial time bomb that will affect the NHS and the for those aged 90 or over—there are lower rates of care system. treatment to prevent stroke in older people, and substantial under-investigation in routine clinical practices for patients The amount of funding for dementia care—I have aged 80 or over. raised this issue directly with the Prime Minister—remains inadequate. We are all aware that the recession and the On cardiology, according to Age Concern and Help reduced funds available to the Government and to us all the Aged, 46 per cent. of GPs and care of the elderly is an issue; nevertheless, we must look at the impact of specialists and 48 per cent. of cardiologists treated not investing more in dementia research. Dementia still patients aged over 65 differently from other patients. receives only 3 per cent. of the medical research budget. People aged over 65 were less likely to be referred to a I suspect we would all agree that that simply does not cardiologist, given an angiogram or given a heart stress add up to a sensible proportion, considering the number test. Cardiologists were less likely to recommend operations of people currently suffering from forms of dementia, to open up blocked coronary arteries for older patients, the effect on their families and on their ability to work, and older patients were less likely than younger people and the huge demographic increase in the number of to be prescribed cholesterol-lowering statins. older people projected to take place in the coming years. I make those points before coming to the main topic The report, “New Horizons: A shared vision for covered by my hon. Friend: mental health. According mental health”, states that funding for mental health to Age Concern and Help the Aged, mental health is research will triple. Will part of that be research on the clearest example of age discrimination in health and dementia, or is that a separate budget? Where will that social care policy. A report published in 2009 by the money come from: is it from the existing research Royal College of Psychiatrists states that tens of thousands budget or a different pot of money? Can he say where of people over the age of 65 are being denied access to the money will be targeted specifically? Will it deal with specialist mental health services because of arbitrary some of the mental health issues facing older people age limits. That is primarily because the national service that we have raised today? framework for mental health extends only to working This is an important debate and I am pleased to have adults up to the age of 65. There is simply not enough been able to contribute; it is a shame that more hon. cross-over between such frameworks for mental health Members have been unable to do so, perhaps because of and older people. What steps will the Minister take to the timing, as I am sure it is a matter of concern to try to ensure that the frameworks work together more many of us. Until older people receive the same care coherently, to ensure that older people cease to get a and service from our national health service as everyone rough deal by apparently falling outside those frameworks else, there will still be a feeling that the institutional and falling between two stools? ageism that has been commented on by our leading In a survey carried out by the Royal College of physicians does exist. Psychiatrists, members of the old-age faculty reported having been 3.1 pm “told of evidence that specialist services for older people with Mr. Stephen O’Brien (Eddisbury) (Con): I am well mental health problems, including dementia, are being cut purely aware that St. Nicholas will be rushing down chimneys to meet the financial pressures created elsewhere in the NHS, and to meet the demands of the Secretary of State that financial across the country in the coming week. He was born in balance must be achieved”. 270 A.D. and is still going strong, so he should be a model for us all as we head into mature age. I have also Will the Minister say whether that survey finding is discovered that the etymology of Nicholas is “victory correct, because clearly that is of real concern? We are of the people”—it may sound amazing, but it is—so it having a debate about already inadequate mental health seems fitting to invoke him here in the mother of services for older people, yet the Royal College of Parliaments. Whether he is a redistributive socialist or a Psychiatrists survey shows that concern exists that services right-wing philanthropist is a debate for another time, I will be cut further. suspect, however much hon. Members might encourage The Government have of course invested extra money me to stray from our subject. All that allows me to wish to fund working-age adult mental health services up to you, Mr. Cook, the Minister and the hon. Members for the age of 65 during the past three years. Clearly, that is Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) and for Leeds, North- welcome, and I think that people would say that services West (Greg Mulholland) a very merry Christmas. are improving. However, why should that stop at 65? If The issue we are discussing is serious and one on the framework is going to stop at 65, why is there not which it is our job to hold the Government to account. I more of a mental health strategy for older people from hope that the Government’s response will be redolent of the age of 65 onwards? the spirit of good will to all men, and all women, and 285WH Age Discrimination (Health Care)16 DECEMBER 2009 Age Discrimination (Health Care) 286WH

[Mr. Stephen O’Brien] the reform with his attempted but failed dividing lines, they might never have caused that confusion over the not disproportionately to some who are not old. It is issue in the policy world, in charities and, above all, in also right during our debate, in thinking about the minds of older, and often vulnerable, people. discrimination, age, health care and general well-being, The reforms of social care being debated by the that we remember that many people cannot look forward Government have also failed to address carers and their to Christmases as we do, because of poverty or loneliness benefits. Nothing has been done about the cliff edge in this country or due to war abroad. that exists for carers who earn; I am focusing on the However much we disagree in this place, we are all reference to age discrimination in the title of the debate. here with equal mandates to make a difference and, There is no ability set out in the reforms to smooth through our aspirations, in their diverse ways, to make benefits to reward work. More pertinent to the debate is this country, and indeed this world, a better place for all the Government’s failure to instigate a discussion of the people of all ages. I congratulate the hon. Member for fact that carer’s allowance stops at 65. Where will the Sutton and Cheam on securing the debate and giving equality legislation leave that issue? I hope the Minister the matter the airing it indubitably merits, and the hon. clarifies that. Member for Leeds, North-West on the reinforcement he provided. Mr. Burstow: Would it not also be helpful if the With the Equality Bill having received its Second Minister said whether he is minded to bring forward the Reading in the other place only yesterday, it seems apt timetable for doing something about benefit reform? to begin with the Government’s pronouncements in The carers strategy refers to 2018, which is a rather long that Bill on age discrimination. The Opposition have time to wait. made it clear that we welcome the Government’s inclusion of age discrimination in the debate surrounding the Mr. O’Brien: That is a fair request, so perhaps the Bill. The Minister for Women and Equality asserted on Minister will take the opportunity to address it. It is Second Reading of the Bill in this place: particularly fair in the light of how the social care “No one should suffer the indignity of discrimination—to be reform Green Paper has been transmuting and transforming told, ‘You’re old, so you’re past it’”.—[Official Report, 11 May itself over recent days, rather than over a planned 2009; Vol. 492, c. 553.] period of years, or even weeks or months. It has undergone Although she no doubt intended her words to apply the most radical transformation of policy in the past primarily to the workplace, they highlight a chasm in few days, some would say on the hoof. the Government’s thinking on age discrimination—the The hon. Gentleman’s point is fair, because the NHS and social services. Government seem to be inconsonant with the timetable, Our social care system is still predicated on age which seems to be advancing rapidly on one side, but banding, at 18 and—topically—at 65. Indeed, the with the benefits not being addressed effectively and Government are clutching somewhat desperately to the being postponed until 2018. The Minister will have the 65 cliff edge in their rapidly collapsing attempts to opportunity to respond to that. reform social care. Disability living allowance has been Only last month a report commissioned by the former safeguarded for those under 65, but not for those over Secretary of State for Health, the right hon. Member 65, under the recent pronouncements and the very for Kingston upon Hull, West and Hessle (Alan Johnson), words of the Secretary of State for Health. I say “rapidly found that elderly people frequently receive worse health collapsing” because last week the Secretary of State care than their younger counterparts—a point that has said, as we all heard, that there would be “no cash already been referred to. It laid the serious charge that, losers” among those currently receiving attendance in an institutional sense, the NHS discriminates against allowance and disability living allowance. Given that those people. That was covered fairly extensively in the reforms in the Green Paper are based on the roll-up media reports at the end of October. Doctors identified of such benefits into the funding package, presumably patients over the age of 65 and suffering from mental the Government are not planning to reform social care illness as particularly prone to discrimination, as has for those in receipt of those benefits. been emphasised. Furthermore, the Government have given no pledge I turn now to mental health. A Royal College of that people in the future who have needs similar to Psychiatrists report found that tens of thousands of those who currently receive attendance allowance and people over 65 are being denied access to specialist disability living allowance will receive an equivalent mental health services because of the “arbitrary” age cash benefit. That is why we continue to hold them to limits, which is precisely the point that has already been account over that issue. To pick up on the Prime Minister’s referred to. Mental health services have traditionally pre-election report, we will soon be fighting an election been configured by age, which means that someone to protect not only today’s pensioners, but those of the aged 65 can receive a wide range of support through future. adult mental health services, but a person who is only The great irony is that if the Government had not one year older, regardless of their need, might be placed played politics with the Green Paper; if they had been in an older people’s service where the same support is open and honest and published the full modelling that simply not available. we and all the charities in the Care and Support Alliance The over-65s are also denied access to a range of called for in advance of the deadline for responses to services available to younger adults, including psychological the Green Paper consultation, but which was not therapies, early intervention, and rehabilitation and forthcoming—I stress that point in case they reply that addiction services. The hon. Member for Sutton and they have published something; and if the Prime Minister Cheam placed particular emphasis on that point. I had not decided to run an election manifesto through should therefore emphasise equally the fact that I hope 287WH Age Discrimination (Health Care)16 DECEMBER 2009 Age Discrimination (Health Care) 288WH that the Minister will clarify the situation, particularly over their need for help with feeding. Above all, however, given that several interventions were made, which have we need enough capacity so that nurses can sit at an been answered. older person’s bedside and help them feed, rather than The written answer that the hon. Gentleman received sitting behind a screen filling out target forms. restates the Government’s priorities, but omits mental It is important to explain how we create a stronger health, which we thought was one of the three issues to voice for patients, particularly the elderly and the vulnerable. have been promulgated as being of great importance Legislation may make the NHS accountable to the over the past decade. Government, but the patients should be given the real The other question that has arisen relates to the power to hold the NHS to account. The local involvement priority that will be given to different areas. Will there networks initiative, or LINks, betrays the Government’s be a reallocation of resources? Will there be any extra failure to create an effective and prominent platform to resources? The issue cropped up during our most recent allow patients to voice their views about the NHS. The proceedings on the Personal Care at Home Bill in our Government have not been prepared to make the initiative debate about the potential for an increase or a reduction independent of the NHS. It has been a mark of this in the cash available to dementia research, commensurate Government that they have consistently sought to with the demographics. We would expect the research undermine the patient voice. effort to match the curve of rising demand. In that respect, I am particularly critical of the I hope that the Minister explains what impact the Government. At Prime Minister’s questions, I exposed Equality Bill will have. I hope, too, that he tells us what the former Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who said that he work his Department is doing to change cultures in our had consulted before axing community health councils. NHS. He will readily agree that the blunt weapon of He then had to write me a grovelling three-page apology legislation is simply not enough to bring about systemic to say that the Government had done no such thing and change. that they just did not like CHCs because they criticised the NHS. All but four of the 107 CHCs were excellent, Earlier this year, as a result of a large exercise involving but Labour abolished them without consultation. They written parliamentary questions and freedom of did not like the criticism from CHCs, which were able to information requests, the shocking number of older amalgamate much of the evidence. In that respect, people who suffer malnutrition in our NHS hospitals things such as Bedwatch were very important. became clear to me, and I decided to expose it. The figures show that 70 per cent. of all malnutrition deaths The CHC system was not particularly comfortable occur among the elderly. The Minister will know that for the Government or, let us face it, the previous every year—certainly over the past 12 years—an average Conservative Government, because CHCs were of 204 people have died of malnutrition. In 2006-07, the independent. However, patients trusted them because number of patients discharged from hospital with a they felt that they could have their hands held without diagnosis of malnutrition, nutritional anaemia or other being put offside with the NHS, whose services they still nutritional deficiencies was 139,127—an 84 per cent. needed because they were vulnerable. Patients needed increase over 1997-98 levels. There was a 12 per cent. the respect that they could get from organisations that increase in the number of patients discharged from they could trust, and that was possible because CHCs hospital in such a state in the last year alone. were independent. Having replaced CHCs with patient and public Such things matter because the number of patients involvement forums, the Government found that those, leaving hospital with a diagnosis of malnutrition was too, were too outspoken—particularly the Commission 8,533 more than the number of people entering hospital for Patient and Public Involvement in Health, which was in a malnourished state. That includes those who, the national voice. The Government therefore abolished unfortunately, went into hospital and, whatever their those forums and replaced them with LINks. The contempt condition, died there, so the number is all the more in which the Government held the patient voice was worrying. The figures suggest that the nutritional status shown by their tagging of the issue on to another of at least that number of patients worsened while they portmanteau Bill—this time, a local government Bill. were in hospital in 2007. Now, Ministers are starving LINks of the resources Malnutrition is not a condition that we associate with that they need to become established and effective. I Britain, and least of all with our NHS, but the Government dare say that many hon. Members are receiving have presided over that increase. My colleagues and I representations from LINks that are trying to make it have exposed the figures, and we wait to see what the clear that they do not have the resources that they need Government response will be to these malnutrition to do the job that they are required to do. cases, particularly those among the elderly. Surely, such things can be avoided. Mr. Burstow: How does the hon. Gentleman see the The rise of malnutrition among the elderly points to arrangement with LINks going forward? One reason underlying problems in the most basic forms of care why CHCs were successful and trusted was that they that our elderly receive. If our elderly cannot even had been around for a long time—a feature that we have guarantee that they will be fed well in hospital, no not seen for the past decade because of the constant wonder an increasing number of older people and their changes. Do we not now need some stability and an relatives are expressing concerns about the standard of opportunity for LINks to bed down? That is certainly care that the elderly receive through the NHS. true in my patch, where they have been delivering some That is not to run down the NHS. There are solutions quite interesting reports, including on age discrimination. and there are some absolutely marvellous examples of best practice, such as the red tray system, which provides Mr. O’Brien: I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for an alert without the need to face down the older person raising that important point. Some of the better-performing 289WH Age Discrimination (Health Care)16 DECEMBER 2009 Age Discrimination (Health Care) 290WH

[Mr. Stephen O’Brien] older people who are terminally ill and who want a dignified and comfortable death. It was with great regret LINks have often been those that bravely stuck with it that I witnessed the Government voting against the through the changes. They have provided continuity Palliative Care Bill presented by my hon. Friend the and a sense of expertise, and they have benefited from a Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) earlier this year. familiarity with the labyrinthine processes of the NHS, The Bill was intended to give people the right to choose social care and other areas. where they die, whether at home, in a hospice or in Rather than completely abandoning LINks, the solution hospital. Too many older people do not have that is to ensure that they develop healthily and fit into the choice and are forced to die in hospital because palliative context of the Health Watch policy, which the hon. care cannot be made available elsewhere. Gentleman will know well, because the Conservative I have already mentioned the case of Stafford and the party has had it in the public domain for the past four more recent revelations about the standards of care at years, and I will describe it in a second. That will help to Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS cover the point. Foundation Trust and elsewhere. Those cases have One lesson to be learned from what recently took emphasised the fact that a hospital’s foundation trust place in Stafford relates in part to the Government’s status does not offer patients a guarantee of quality poor support for LINks and to the lack of a strong health care. It is more important than ever that we local patient voice that can hold trust executives, NHS should have an effective and rigorous system of regulation executives and, ultimately, Ministers to account. That is at an appropriate level to ensure that hospitals that are an ongoing problem. The Conservative party has therefore failing vulnerable patients such as the elderly do not slip suggested a national and local independent voice to through the net. What is more, regulation must penetrate allow patients to highlight their concerns, as well as deeper into standards of care than tick-box targets. The increased choice over services, which will enable patients news headlines of recent months only accentuate further to vote with their feet. the disparity that can exist between a hospital’s record on paper and the reality of the care it delivers. So often As we begin to move towards a system of payment it is the elderly who are caught in the vortex. under which local NHS services are funded according to the outcomes that they achieve for patients, rather It is vital that inspections should be carried out in than top-down bureaucratic targets, the patient’s perspective person by professionals equipped with the expertise on their treatment will become increasingly important. needed to identify poor care. Serious questions have been raised about the effectiveness of the Care Quality As I made clear to the Older People’s Advocacy Commission, and the Government must prove to patients Alliance earlier this year, we must ensure that older that they can establish a robust and trusted regulator people, particularly those who lack the capacity to who can act on their complaints and root out poor express concerns about their care, are given equal access practice in the NHS—a regulator who is not at anyone’s to forums through relatives and appointed advocates. beck and call, least of all of politicians, but who acts Again, we return to the important distinction between independently on the basis of evidence. Effective regulation central legislation and grass-roots activity. Legislation is more important than ever in the case of many elderly can go only so far before older people require local people who are not in a position to stand up for their advocates and trained, sympathetic staff—sometimes own rights or treatment. NHS staff—to ensure that the care they receive off the national radar is of a high quality. I want to touch on the subject of cancer care. It goes without saying that older people’s health needs are As a corollary to that, I am pleased that the Government typically more complex than those of other NHS patients, are finally conceding that quality is a far better indicator yet it is older people who face the brunt of discrimination of improved health care than activity-based targets. in the NHS. Cancer predominantly affects older people, However, cases such as that of Staffordshire general and the risk of developing many cancers increases with hospital and, most recently, that of Basildon and Thurrock age. Nearly two thirds of cancer diagnoses occur in University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust demonstrate those over the age of 60, yet despite the high proportion the distance that there is to travel before the rhetoric of elderly people who face a cancer diagnosis, access to penetrates to the grass roots of patient care. treatment is far from fair. Conservatives strongly advocate a shift towards clinical Women aged over 70 are not automatically called for outcomes as a measure of performance in the NHS. breast cancer screening, despite evidence that eight out With that shift comes a great deal of responsibility of 10 breast cancer cases occur in post-menopausal towards vulnerable older people, in whose cases it may women. What is more, a Roche report reveals that only not be possible to achieve a better outcome or a full 30 per cent. of oncologists would prescribe the cancer- recovery. That is an important qualification. fighting drug Herceptin for breast cancer in a 73-year-old We must ensure that measures such as dignity, nutrition patient, compared to 90 per cent. who would prescribe and comfort are rewarded as highly as clinical outcomes the drug to a 55-year-old. in caring for the elderly. There must be no disincentive Inequalities are also prevalent in the treatment of to delivering quality care to a person whose health is lung cancer. The findings of the national lung cancer unlikely to improve. On the contrary, we must incentivise audit indicate that the proportion of lung cancer patients NHS staff to ensure that older people receive the care in England and Wales who receive active anti-cancer that is appropriate to their needs, regardless of their treatment falls with age from more than 60 per cent. for health. those under 54 to 50 per cent. at 70 to 74 and less than Our pledge, of which the Minister is well aware, to 30 per cent. at 80 to 84. Older people also struggle to get introduce a payment by results tariff for palliative care access to stroke treatment and cardiology services—a will help to ensure that there are services on offer for point that has already been made in the debate—and 291WH Age Discrimination (Health Care)16 DECEMBER 2009 Age Discrimination (Health Care) 292WH find that they are frequently pushed to the back of the Before I come to the specifics, I want to highlight the queue for referral to a specialist and for preventive broader sweep of the action that we are taking. The treatments. recent age equality review by Sir Ian Carruthers and Jan In conclusion, in the next 20 years the number of Ormondroyd will help us to make further inroads. It people over the age of 65 will double, and the number contains many of the sentiments expressed in the Age over the age of 100 will quadruple. As pressure on the Concern and Help the Aged report published yesterday. NHS increases, it is more important than ever to iron It has also been commended by the Equality and Human out discrimination and ensure that health care is delivered Rights Commission, which produced a briefing for on the basis on need, not age. I hope that the Minister today’s debate, and which has welcomed the fact that its will today give a firm pledge to tackle discrimination recommendation of a 2012 deadline for implementation head on and ensure that our elderly people, many of of the ban has been taken up by the Government. It is whom come to the NHS in a vulnerable and fragile good to know that the commission is powerfully on the state, are treated with the dignity and respect that they side of the Government in this case. I hope that it is not deserve, and above all equally. among the organisations that the Opposition threaten to close if they ever return to power. 3.23 pm The age equality review recognises that the national The Minister of State, Department of Health (Phil health service has made progress on reducing age Hope): I congratulate the hon. Member for Sutton and discrimination and provides sensible ideas on how to Cheam (Mr. Burstow) on securing this debate. move things forward. We are consulting on the best way The Government believe—we always have believed to put those recommendations into practice. One of the and will always believe—that we must do everything we important messages coming out of the review was that can to end discrimination against all age groups, including reducing discrimination first and foremost means improving older people. Today’s debate focuses primarily on the quality of the existing services. If we can create the discrimination against older people, which is a defining preventive, person-centred NHS described in Lord Darzi’s issue of our times. It gives me an excellent opportunity, report, “High quality care for all”, and more recently in unlike some other Westminster Hall debates, to lay out another report that hon. Members have failed to refer the breadth of the Government’s response to the issue to in the debate, “From good to great”, which is the new of discrimination in health care for older people and five year plan for the NHS, we shall automatically what we are doing to address it, as well as to deal with remove many of the problems that hon. Members have some of the issues that hon. Members raised during the spoken about today. debate. Specific aspects of treatment and care for older people It has been interesting for me to hear the views of the have been a problem in the past, but we have taken Front-Bench spokesmen—the hon. Member for Leeds, measures to address them. The main engine of change North-West (Greg Mulholland) for the Liberal Democrats is the 2001 national service framework for older people, and the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. O’Brien) for a 10-year programme to improve access to screening, the Conservatives—on what their priorities are, or are treatments and other services. I am delighted to say, as not, and the commitments that they are making at this others have not, that the framework has led to significant stage in the electoral cycle. Older people will be paying increases in the number of hip replacements and cataract attention to that. I did not hear a single commitment operations, and a more than doubling in breast screenings from either party, but it is for those listening to and for the over-65s, for instance. The next steps for the observing the debate to draw their own conclusions. framework will be to address shortcomings in audiology As demography reshapes society, Governments, and to improve the commissioning of services in connection employers and public services have to find new ways to with falls, fractures and osteoporosis. improve the support that is available to older people, not just in sickness but in health. We need to create a Alongside the framework, many other Government society of all ages, and that is the explicit goal of our programmes are directly or indirectly improving the new ageing strategy, which none of the hon. Members quality of care for older people. No mention has been who have spoken in the debate have mentioned. I agree made this afternoon, for example, of the dignity champions that high-quality, patient-centred health services are a campaign. We have 11,000 dignity champions in every key to that. part of our health and social care system, from front-line care workers to chief executives of primary care trusts Hon. Members will know that when the Equality and local authorities, making sure that older people are Bill, which is now being considered in the other place, is treated with respect and dignity. There is a drive to enacted—and I hope that it will be—it will make age abolish mixed-sex accommodation, which is a particular discrimination illegal across all sectors, including health concern for older patients. All hospitals must abolish and social care, and will extend the public sector equality mixed-sex wards next year unless they are clinically duty to cover age. We plan to bring the new public necessary, or face a financial penalty. That is another sector equality duty into force from April 2011 and the important milestone for the Government. discrimination ban from 2012. Hon. Members have failed during the debate to mention the NHS constitution, As hon. Members said—this is something that has which makes the commitment to a been mentioned—we introduced the national dementia “comprehensive health service, available to all irrespective of strategy, which I was proud to launch earlier this year. It gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief.” will deliver real change in the quality and scope of Those are powerful statements of intent from the services for people—mainly older people, as we know—who Government and will certainly sharpen minds in the are affected by dementia. “Living well with dementia” is years ahead. However, they must be backed up by real the title of the strategy, and it includes new measures for action on the ground. diagnosis so that we can get earlier intervention and 293WH Age Discrimination (Health Care)16 DECEMBER 2009 Age Discrimination (Health Care) 294WH

[Phil Hope] with a list of people. In practice, I am sure that we can engage many of the people out there, not just in this treatment for older people and support them at the country but abroad as well. outset. New ideas such as memory clinics are being developed around best practice, better services and care. Mr. Burstow: Perhaps I sat down prematurely. The point I am making is that that Department has an The issue that Members have particularly highlighted overall brief in respect of science and technology.Therefore, is dementia research, which is one of 17 key objectives having ministerial input from it is rather important. in the national dementia strategy. I opened and launched a national summit on dementia research in July. It was Phil Hope: The hon. Gentleman makes a good point, not then but in November that I announced the creation and I shall certainly liaise with ministerial colleagues. of a ministerial group on dementia research. I am However, it will be my group. I will run it and ensure putting the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam right that it works well. on the date on which I made the announcement in Harrogate. It is my intention that the first meeting of Another key aspect and plank of Government policy the group will be held on 24 February. I hope that that that hon. Members failed to mention is the end-of-life specifically answers his question. He has a habit in care strategy.It is worth mentioning in the tour d’horizon— debates like this of getting information out of me on the line of work that we are carrying out—as something specifics, and I am always delighted, if I can, to take the that the Government are taking forward. The strategy is opportunity to give him such information. improving how older people are treated at the end of their lives, and deals with how and where they die. In Spending on dementia research is the key issue that addition, we are undertaking vital work in social care as the group will look at. The hon. Gentleman read out well as health care. the group’s terms of reference—what it is all about. We The putting people first programme provides know that by next year there will be a £1 billion ring-fenced £500 million of extra resources to local councils. It is budget for research on health services in this country. ring-fenced and helps them to build more personalised The question is how much of it will be allocated to care services, not least for older people. In the partnerships dementia. This is not about Ministers saying, “This for older people project, health and social services have amount of money will be put in.” It is about independent joined charities and community groups to take action clinicians looking at the bids coming in from the various to reduce the incidence of people falling in their own sectors that seek research funds. Part of the problem homes, and to increase older people’s independence. that we have had is that the dementia researchers have not been putting in quality bids to win cash from the Of course, as mentioned by the hon. Member for large pot of money, which has been growing year on Eddisbury, we have introduced radical proposals for year, that we spend on research in this country. social care which involve creating a national care service for the future. Despite all the arguments made in the My concern is that the Dementias and Neurodegenerative House on Monday on Second Reading of the Personal Diseases Research Network, or DeNDRoN, is fully Care at Home Bill, both Opposition parties decided not equipped and supported to improve the quality of its to oppose it and, I am delighted to say, it has gone to bids and to win more of the resource for dementia Committee. Clearly, this Government have touched on research, whether on analysis of the causes of dementia—we something, and we are leading the way and ensuring are a long way from finding a cure—on the care of that those people with the greatest needs—mainly older people with dementia, on how people are treated using people living in their own homes—are supported so dementia drugs and so on. There is a great deal of work that they can continue to live in their own homes to be done. Dementia is where cancer was 20 years ago independently, with choice and control over their life. in terms of there being a talented group of individuals Another strategy that the Opposition parties failed to in research who are coming up with good ideas. The give the credit it deserved is the carers strategy. We will work that the third sector does in raising money and not be bringing it forward because it is a 10-year strategy—it resources in its own way, international collaboration is defined by that length of time. We have a three to five and co-ordination are all things that need to be driven year delivery programme in place to make it a reality. It forward, which is why I created a ministerial group to includes extra cash—not least for respite care—for local do just that, and to ensure that we raise our game on authorities, primary care trusts and groups in the dementia research. community. The hon. Member for Eddisbury raised a particular Mr. Burstow: One thing that was not clear from the issue concerning carer’s allowance. I was intrigued by written answer I received was whether there will be his query, because, as we know, carer’s allowance is an direct involvement at a ministerial level by the Department income replacement benefit. Someone cannot be paid for Business, Innovation and Skills. two benefits at the same time, which is why carer’s allowance comes to an end when somebody receives a pension. The pension is paid, and there are premiums Phil Hope: I am happy to take suggestions of any on top of that—the carers premium—for pensioners in kind about how we make the group work well. I want to particular circumstances. ensure that it covers the broadest aspects around dementia research and involves all the key players such as researchers Mr. Stephen O’Brien: Will the Minister give way? in the public sector and the private sector, if that be the case, and advice from the business community—frankly, Phil Hope: I will be intrigued if the hon. Gentleman wherever and whenever we can do the work that we is about to tell me that his party will do something need to do. We need to make the group manageable, so different with the carer’s allowance from what is occurring we must think about its membership. I have come up at present. I am all ears. 295WH Age Discrimination (Health Care)16 DECEMBER 2009 Age Discrimination (Health Care) 296WH

Mr. O’Brien: As the Minister seeks to challenge me, I give the hon. Gentleman the assurances he requires, so was drawing an analogy to show where a great deal of that the Liberal Democrat policy is as consistent as we age discrimination is institutionalised within the process. all would like it to be. I did not make any of the allusions that he spoke about. The hon. Member for Eddisbury mentioned malnutrition. It is well known that carer’s allowance is an income He is right. We established a working group that produced replacement benefit, although it is often perceived very a report earlier this year. We are preparing our response differently by those who are in receipt of it. That is one to that—he will just have to wait a little longer until we of the challenges and issues that he and, indeed, all of can make clear how we wish to take matters forward. I us face. agree that practical steps can happen now to deal with On the subject of respite care, the Princess Royal issues relating to malnutrition. The hon. Gentleman Trust for Carers has come up with the shocking finding mentioned a couple of good examples—red trays, and that, of the £50 million out of the £150 million allocated so on. I have visited hospitals where picture menus are under the Government’s strategy to cover respite care—we used. Asking people to look at a picture of food rather would hope planned care as much as emergency respite than a description of it on a menu is a practical way of care—£40 million has gone missing, yet the only response getting them to choose the food they really want. When so far from Ministers is that it is up to all MPs to the food arrives, it matches the picture. The cooks have harry their local trust. That is obviously an inadequate to ensure that it actually matches the picture that is answer, and I hope that the Minister can tell us where chosen, which raises the quality of the food provided. the £40 million has gone. There are many other aspects of the dignity campaign, including dignity champions. Phil Hope: So no change on carer’s allowance. When parliamentary representatives from the Opposition ask Mr. Burstow rose— me questions, it implies that they are going to do something, but clearly not in this case. Phil Hope: I give way to the hon. Gentleman. I am On respite care spend, the hon. Gentleman is right to giving way a lot, given the time available to me, and I highlight the question raised by many carers organisations: have more to say on the issues he has raised. is the money that we have allocated to the non-ring-fenced devolved budget being spent? The Liberal Democrats Mr. Burstow: I am grateful for the Minister’s time have fought very hard for that in their localist agenda, and, in the spirit of Christmas, for his generosity. yet they press me hard in the national setting on why it What will the future be of the board that was set up is not being spent locally. However, to point out that to write the report on malnutrition to which he is contradiction, I would need to repeat something that I considering a response? Writing a report is one thing, have already said in many debates in the past. There is but there is a need to see its recommendations implemented. an obvious contradiction in the Liberal Democrat position. Will that board be in place afterwards? In fact, I have met the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and others from the carer’s allowance unit to discuss Phil Hope: The hon. Gentleman will have to wait just this particular concern, to see whether we can do more a little longer. I am generous in giving him answers in to monitor the work that is being done on the spend of these debates, but on this occasion he will have to wait the resource, to find out where there may not be sufficient for my analysis of the recommendations regarding what allocation, as they would see it, and to see what more needs to happen and how that might be pursued, so that strategic health authorities, for example, might do with action happens on the ground. It is not a question of the PCTs in their area to ensure that the respite care our not knowing what to do; what matters is making that is needed is properly commissioned through the things happen on the ground, and that is what I am new guidance that we are issuing to PCTs on how to bending my mind to as I take my considerations forward. commission services for carers, and to see that that The hon. Members for Leeds, North-West and for happens in practice. Eddisbury mentioned cancer treatment. There is more to do here. I am pleased to say that cancer death rates Mr. Burstow: That is all very well. In previous debates across all age groups have declined over the last decade, on this issue I have mentioned the need for transparency although the decline among older people has been to the Minister. If we are to have local accountability much less significant than for other ages, as hon. Members for decisions made by local primary care trusts about have mentioned in detail. That is why we have established the spending of this money, we need transparency locally. a national cancer equality initiative to tackle all inequalities However, that is missing, which is why we have not been in cancer care, including improving the treatment and able to hold PCTs to account locally. Surely the Minister services offered to older people. Early next year, there can help with transparency. will be a new practical guide on reducing inequality, including detailed analysis from the national cancer Phil Hope: Of course, transparency is an essential intelligence network of data by cancer type, age and part of how a good national health service will work geography, so we can show where our efforts need to be locally—being accountable to local people. Many things focused in future. We are also looking at pilots to have been put in place to ensure that commissioners are improve the way that older people are assessed for given guidance on how to carry out good commissioning cancer treatment, to ensure that that is always done on for services for carers, including respite care. Those the basis of clinical safety and effectiveness and never local groups can take that guidance to their PCTs and on the basis of age alone. discuss it with them and ensure that the local PCT is Other questions were raised about cancer screening. commissioning to the best quality practice that we can Our screening programmes are well respected make available. A number of steps are in place. I can internationally, with high-quality services and high levels 297WH Age Discrimination (Health Care)16 DECEMBER 2009 Age Discrimination (Health Care) 298WH

[Phil Hope] historic differences, which hon. Members were right to highlight, in the way some older people are treated of coverage. It is vital that we base all our screening compared with working-age adults. programmes on the best international evidence. We The new strategy will build on firm foundations. must weigh up the effectiveness of screening certain age Spending is up by £2 billion over the past decade. We groups against the harm that may be caused—the possibility have two thirds more psychiatrists, a fifth more psychiatric of false positives and false negatives—and the stress nurses and more than 700 new community mental health and anxiety that screening can lead to. It is not for teams, giving us a firm foundation and meaning that we Ministers to make any decision on the age range for can help people of all ages to access the services they are screening; it is, rightly, a decision for the clinical experts. going to need. As the age equality review recommended, we will For the avoidance of doubt, I have brought a copy of commission a programme of research into the upper “New Horizons” with me. I shall mention annexe A age limits on breast screening. particularly for the benefit of the hon. Member for I want to put hon. Members right on something that Leeds, North-West, whom I do not think has read the has been mentioned today. We are now extending our detail. Annex A is entitled, routine screening programmes for breast cancer to include “Characteristics or Descriptors of Non-discriminatory Services women aged up to 73, and extending the programme for for Older People”, bowel cancer for men and women to those aged up to and that is mentioned in the main body of the text, 75. It is important to get those facts on the record. I which also covers primary care, mental health services, remind hon. Members that people beyond those age physical health problems, issues to do with research, ranges can still self-refer to these screening programmes, and so on. It specifically refers to and I strongly encourage them to do so if they have a history of cancer in the family. “community mental health teams”, The hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam began with which I think the hon. Gentleman mentioned, mental health, and that is where I should like to conclude. “Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment services, assertive outreach I am grateful to hon. Members for mentioning that we services, Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) have launched “New Horizons”, our new national strategy and psychological services”, for mental health. However, before I get into that, I and so on. All older people should have the same access should like to say something about the national operating to these services that we have been building up over the framework, which the hon. Gentleman mentioned. past few years. I hope that that gives the hon. Gentleman I am at a loss to know what the hon. Gentleman is the assurances that he and the hon. Member for Sutton referring to that suggests there has been some kind of and Cheam want about older people, who feature large change. Perhaps he and I can correspond on this issue in the strategy and are an important part of the future afterwards. Mental health is explicitly mentioned a number of mental health services. It is not only about mental of times in the national operating framework, and is health services; it is also about preventing mental ill specifically mentioned in “New Horizons”. In the health in the first place, through a cross-government framework we highlight the importance of intervening strategy. earlier in mental health problems so that we get better Let me provide some specifics. I will be doing a lot of outcomes and better value for money. There are five work over the next few years, chairing a new ministerial explicit references to mental health in “New Horizons”, advisory group on mental health inequalities to lead although I will not read them out, and two explicit this agenda. We will work with the Royal College of references to dementia. The whole of the “New Horizons” Psychiatrists and other professional bodies to help providers strategy is a lifespan approach. I do not think there has re-design these services and tackle some of the cultural been a change of the kind the hon. Gentleman mentioned. issues that mean that older people sometimes lose out. Perhaps afterwards, through correspondence, we can Training programmes for general practitioners and practice confirm what I know to be true: that we have not nurses, for example, will be developed, helping them changed the priorities in the way he suggested. become more sensitive to signs of depression among older people. This may also mean longer consultations Mr. Burstow: I was trying to clarify whether mental by GPs, so they have more time to check on an older health has become a “must do”in the operating framework. person’s mental well-being and on the physical health I understand that it has tiers, and that there are some reason about which they may have attended the surgery things that are nice to do but which are not mandatory in the first place; and strengthening the availability of for local NHS organisations to deliver on. Has mental services for older people living in residential care homes, health been elevated to a “must do”? as was mentioned earlier, where depression issues can be strong. Phil Hope: That is a different question from the one the hon. Gentleman raised in the debate. I thought he For clarification, the 18-week wait to which reference asked whether it had been downgraded in some way— was made applies to consultant-led mental health services, [Interruption.] I understand now. With that in mind, is so there is an element of this in the present system. I important to note that mental health services and the believe that there are signs that mental health services operating framework are where they were before, with are changing for the better. We have seen some great vital signs listed and five references made. We have examples of GPs, therapists, social workers and care moved on from the 10-year mental health service providers working together to provide the integrated framework, which is now over—this is its last year—to personal support that we need. “New Horizons”, which went out to consultation and I am delighted that this debate on the last day before has now been published. That supersedes the old national the House rises for the Christmas recess has provided service framework for mental health and will tackle the an opportunity to air the matter of support for older 299WH Age Discrimination (Health Care) 16 DECEMBER 2009 300WH people and of tackling age discrimination in health Teesside Steel Industry care. It has given me the rare opportunity to spell out at length the Government’s high and strong track record 4pm on such matters, which is all about quality and consistency. Age discrimination, like any form of discrimination, is Dr. Ashok Kumar (Middlesbrough, South and East unacceptable. We have taken some important steps to Cleveland) (Lab): It is a pleasure to see you presiding remove it from health and social care, but there is of over this important debate, Mr. Cook. Had you not course more to do. I look forward in the months and been presiding, I am sure you would have joined in the years ahead to addressing the many issues that I have debate, as I know that this subject is close to your heart. set out today as we move closer to what everyone First, I thank Mr. Speaker for granting me this debate supports—a full ban on age discrimination across all on what is an important subject for my area—steel is services. the lifeblood of our economy. Nearly a fortnight ago, Teesside was rocked by the disastrous news about the 3.51 pm mothballing of the integrated iron and steel plants of Sitting suspended. Redcar and Lackenby. That news has destroyed the festive spirit of thousands of families across Teesside. The plants are in constituency of my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Redcar (Vera Baird), who is taking a lead on this matter and has been fighting hard. However, many of the job losses are in my constituency. I was once one of the many thousands of people who worked at that plant. As a young graduate engineer, I worked on bringing the Redcar blast furnace—the biggest blast furnace in western Europe—online in 1978-79. I worked on that furnace for eight months, and many years later I remember my many trials and experiences with it. Therefore, I have a deep, emotional attachment to this matter. I shall talk generally about the steel industry on Teesside, including the importance of research and development. Then I shall say a few words about the steel industry in my own constituency, in particular the Skinningrove works. Then I shall raise the big issue that I mentioned earlier—the mothballing of the integrated plants in Redcar and Lackenby. The importance of the manufacturing industry for our economy has been underestimated. We cannot survive as a nation on an economy that seems to range from pizza parlours to DVDs or sportswear retail warehousing. Manufacturing accounted for more than 20 per cent. of the economy in 1997 when Labour came to power and criticised the country for having too narrow an industrial base. However, by 2007, that share had declined to 12.4 per cent. Why is manufacturing important? Quite simply, it acts as a multiplier across all boundaries of the economy. It encourages the development of human skills, and the development of an infrastructure to support those skills. It also encourages research and development and the spread of innovation. I will say a few words about steelmaking on Teesside. Steelmaking has been central to our economy since the mid-Victorian age, and has evolved over the decades to the position that it is now in. The main works line the River Tees and the core of those works is found in the Teesside Cast Products iron and steelmaking complex, whose mothballing has been announced. At Grangetown, we have a fully functioning and impressive steel technology centre. That centre has an international reputation with an outstanding pilot plan, and many brilliant metallurgists, engineers, technologists and scientists work there. I must declare an interest, as I am a former employee of the research centre, and I had 14 happy years working there. Some of the work that I undertook at the Teesside technology centre was connected with the completion of what was then the British Steel Redcar works, and the commissioning of 301WH Teesside Steel Industry16 DECEMBER 2009 Teesside Steel Industry 302WH

[Dr. Ashok Kumar] I come to the subject of Teesside Cast Products and the disastrous news about the mothballing of the integrated the new blast furnace. At that time, the furnace was iron and steel plants of Redcar and Lackenby. There is considered the biggest in the UK; I seem to recall that it also the sad news that 1,700 steelworkers might be made was the biggest in Europe. unemployed. Furthermore, it is estimated that 8,000 The furnace in Redcar was a great British achievement. people down the supply chain will lose their livelihoods. It was to make iron for feeding to the Lackenby basic The autonomous complex within Corus called Teesside oxygen steel plant, and the associated continuous casting Cast Products was once seen as the future of plant. Both were then state-of-the-art steelmaking and steelmaking—not just in the north-east, but in the processing plants and, due to regular upgrading, they whole country. The future of Teesside Cast Products are still world-class plants today. They deserve more was secured by a deal with a consortium that agreed to than merely being consigned to the scrap heap of past purchase almost 80 per cent. of the plant’s output until manufacturing glories, left to be of interest only to the 2014. That consortium included steel traders from Korea, industrial archaeologists of the future. Mexico and Italy. However, when the demand for steel across the world dried up, the partners, led by the Mr. David Anderson (Blaydon) (Lab): It is an honour Italians, tore up the agreement and announced that to be here with you today, Mr. Cook, and I congratulate they would not buy any more steel. my hon. Friend and praise him for the great work that I place on the record my great praise for all the efforts he and other Teesside MPs have done on this issue. made by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for The reality is that we need to keep this plant going. If Redcar to reach commercial solutions with the consortium we are ever to deliver the low-carbon economy that we to preserve production at Teesside Cast Products. In have promised for the north-east, and develop things fact, she went to Italy to try to persuade the Italians to such as underground gasification of coal, carbon capture come back to the table. She displayed great courage. and storage, and sequestration of CO2, we need to On Teesside, all is not lost. After all, the Teesside develop skills, not lose them. We should not consign Cast Products plant has not been closed completely them to history as has happened to so much of our and, according to Corus, will be kept in a state of total industry in the north. readiness for any possible restart. A full maintenance team will be kept in employment purely for such an Dr. Kumar: I agree with every word and thank my eventuality. I need to stress the fact that bringing a blast hon. Friend for his support. He must have read the rest furnace back online can be done. It was recently done at of my speech, as he is way ahead. I concur with the Port Talbot, after a year’s shutdown. It was also done at tenor of everything he said. the associated Corus plant at IJmuiden in the Netherlands. I recognise that the Government have said that they Greg Clark (Tunbridge Wells) (Con): I must declare are prepared to help Corus on Teesside, but that seems an interest because members of my family work at to be limited to the same recipe of cash for training and Corus on Teesside. The Copenhagen summit is taking retraining. That support is important and helps those place as we speak, and a low-carbon future for the displaced by the Corus announcement to find other world is being discussed. Does the hon. Gentleman employment in the local labour market. Positive action agree that there is no better place than Teesside, with in finding other industrial uses for the Redcar and the skills, industrial heritage and facilities that it has Lackenby site is also welcome. That could be one of the available, to lead the world in that? Is this news not a new generation of carbon capture power stations recently bitter blow that must be overcome so that we can use given the go-ahead by Government, or used for other that fantastic potential on Teesside? low-carbon applications. However, I still believe that that is not enough.

Dr. Kumar: I agree with every word that the hon. Ms Dari Taylor (Stockton, South) (Lab): I am delighted Gentleman has said. I hope he is saying that we have to that my hon. Friend has secured the debate; I am only keep the works open. If he is, I am wholeheartedly with sad that it lasts just 30 minutes. References have been him all the way. The sentiments he expresses are similar made, and he is now making them, to the amounts of to those expressed by my hon. Friend the Member for money that we require to ensure that we keep steel Blaydon (Mr. Anderson). making on the Tees. Reference has also been made to In my constituency, we have the world class Skinningrove the European globalisation adjustment fund, which we rolling mills, which until now have concentrated on could tap into. That is a seriously large sum of money. small sections for the construction machinery sector. In his opinion, will that be the next step that we take to They have recently moved into supplying sections for ensure that we retain and maintain steel making on the wind farm industry, which is seen as a sector where the Tees? exponential growth can be expected. The mills have a vigorous and dynamic management and a committed Dr. Kumar: I thank my hon. Friend for being here work force who want the plant to grow and prosper. and supporting me. I agree with her on the globalisation I have helped the mills over recent months by brokering adjustment fund. That is one of the questions that I an offer from the local authority, Redcar and Cleveland intend to raise with the Minister. borough council, for business rate relief. That offer is We need to keep the plant alive and making a substantial, and I hope the Minister will join me in contribution to the regional and national economy, praising the dynamic management and the work force both as we go into the economic upturn in the new year of Skinningrove works for their hard work and and in the coming years. I feel strongly that there is a commitment. 10 per cent. chance of keeping the Redcar steel complex 303WH Teesside Steel Industry16 DECEMBER 2009 Teesside Steel Industry 304WH open and we must do everything possible to keep it I urge the Prime Minister to approach that meeting as open. Also, to realise the vision originally held for he did the meetings with the bankers, to ask Mr. Tata Teesside Cast Products of a high-quality producer of what the Government can do to keep the plant open, bulk steel for the world re-rolling market, we must and to do it for the sake of all the people on Teesside urgently search for new partners. The responsibility for whose livelihoods are threatened. I can tell the Minister that lies with Corus and the Government. that I have spoken to the representatives of the Tata There are still, I believe, windows of opportunity. I board and they are willing to come to No. 10 Downing am told that the Pacific rim, for example, has hardly street to discuss with the Prime Minister a rescue package been affected by the downturn in terms of infrastructure to keep the Redcar steel complex open. projects. Granted, new steel-making capacity will be Steel and Teesside are inseparable in the consciousness coming on stream in future years in that region, but that of my constituents. In more practical terms, the livelihoods will take a long time to bed in. Teesside is an existing of tens of thousands of Teessiders and their families world-class iron and steel-making complex and its products depend on steel. I hope that the Labour Government, are tried and tested. whom I have supported passionately on every occasion While my hon. and learned Friend the Member for since 1997, will join me and give further support to the Redcar has taken the lead with Corus, I have made ideas that I have suggested today, because the opportunity every effort and used all my links with Tata to find exists. I want our Prime Minister and his Ministers to possible solutions. In the many conversations that I take that opportunity. Do not let us down at this time. have had with the members of the Tata board, it has been clear that they feel that the Government have not 4.19 pm done enough to help the industry; they had lost confidence in the Government’s support for steel. The Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills (Mr. Pat I welcome the announcement that the Government McFadden): I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member allocated £60 million in a response package, but the for Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland (Dr. Kumar) Minister will know that there has been some concern in on securing this debate. I know how much the steel the media and on Teesside about that announcement. I industry means to him personally—as he said, he worked shall therefore ask some important questions and seek for many years in the steel industry at Teesside—and to reassurances. How much of that cash will come from his constituents. It is in his blood, as it is in theirs. existing budgets within his Department and the regional I note the presence here today of other Members development agency, One NorthEast, and is that cash from the area, including my hon. Friends the Members guaranteed for Teesside? for Blaydon (Mr. Anderson), for Stockton, South Will the Minister reassure me that the cash allocated (Ms Taylor) and for Hartlepool (Mr. Wright), and my to help apprentices is safe, and will he name the agency hon. and learned Friend the Member for Redcar (Vera that is to handle that work? Will the cash from the Baird)—and you, Mr. Cook. As my hon. Friend the strategic investment fund, boosting efforts to build a Member for Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland low-carbon economy in the region, come to Teesside, said, as a constituency MP you too have a great interest given that previous commitments to the new and renewable in the subject. energies cluster were for the whole north-east? Are If anyone doubted the strength of feeling in the local those low-carbon funds as yet unallocated? Will the community about what is happening at the Teesside cash for biotechnology initiatives be used to offer new plant, they need only to have seen the demonstration of employment openings for displaced process workers support at Middlesbrough’s Riverside football ground affected by the Corus mothballing? over the weekend. I understand that. I understand the Companies such as Progressive Energy, bidding to pain caused by the loss of a steelworks in a local build an 850 MW power station on a site nearby, have community, as steel runs through my constituency too. suggested that their work could keep the Corus plant It is now 30 years since the Bilston steelworks closed, open by capturing carbon dioxide from Corus operations, but local people remember it as though it was yesterday. thereby allowing Corus to bid for carbon credits. Will It has taken a long, long time for the area to recover. the Government, through the Department of Energy The current recession has hit the steel industry hard. and Climate Change, examine that possibility, along Three specific factors serve as the backdrop for Corus’s with similar opportunities? decision to mothball the Teesside plant. The first is a Will the Government apply for financial assistance fall in demand. This year, steel production at Corus is under the European globalisation adjustment fund, expected to be some 33 per cent. down on 2008, and mentioned by my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton, only about 60 per cent. of capacity. Teesside Cast South (Ms Taylor)? That could be used to lessen the Products—TCP—makes steel for export, but if we compare blow to individuals by allowing cash from the fund to the first nine months of 2008 with the same period in supplement the training packages being devised. Will 2009, we see that steel demand throughout Europe has the Minister accept the Government’s role in providing fallen by 40 per cent. The potential for the company to match funding for that if it is required? trade its way out of its difficulties in this country is Crucially, even at this late stage, I urge my right hon. severely limited. Friend the Prime Minister to pick up the phone and call The second factor is a fall in price. Between July Ratan Tata, chairman of the Tata Group, and 2008, when prices peaked at just over $1,000 per tonne, Mr. Muthuraman, former managing director of Tata and December 2009 the price per tonne of the kind of Steel who is now the vice-chair of the Tata board, to steel produced at Teesside has fallen by nearly 60 per invite them, along with Corus chief executive Kirby cent. That has left Corus struggling to cope with the Adams, to an urgent steel summit in No. 10 Downing twin problems of a fall in demand for its product and a street with the trade unions. fall in price. Not surprisingly, that has put severe pressure 305WH Teesside Steel Industry16 DECEMBER 2009 Teesside Steel Industry 306WH

[Mr. Pat McFadden] some short-term export work. Eventually, however, the three factors that I mentioned earlier took their toll, on Corus’s finances and the economics of its steelmaking and the decision to mothball the plant was announced. operations, hence the announcement of large-scale job Throughout, the Government did what we could to losses twice this year, even before the Teesside announcement keep up demand for steel. We brought forward capital a couple of weeks ago. spending on construction, which accounts for about half the steel used in the UK. Without that investment, Greg Clark: Given the time that is available, I do not the UK construction industry would be flat on its back. think that Teesside wants an explanation of the problems We also committed £400 million to the car scrappage faced by Corus; it wants to know why the Government scheme to underpin the vital automotive sector, another have failed to act in bringing together the right sort of very large user of steel. Again, I stress that those people in a summit to save Corus. Will the Minister stimulus measures were opposed every step of the way move on to that? by the Opposition. Had we taken their advice—if they Mr. McFadden: If the hon. Gentleman wants to talk had had their way—demand for steel would have been about failure, I simply turn to the Opposition’s continued hurt even more than was dictated by the market conditions. opposition to the fiscal stimulus that has boosted demand I set out the background in order to make it clear that for steel products. I am not going to take any lessons on Corus’s decision of a couple weeks ago was not taken as inaction from a party that, throughout the recession, a result of Government inaction. We went the extra has consistently called on us to cut spending. That mile to try to boost demand and to resurrect the off-take would have hurt steelmaking even more than the difficulties agreement upon which TCP depended. Corus has not I have outlined. asked for aid to keep the plant open, which in any case is not possible under state aid rules. The fact is that Ms Dari Taylor: Will my hon. Friend give way? Corus cannot run the plant without customers and without demand for the product it makes. Mr. McFadden: I will give way, but I am keen to answer some of the questions posed during the debate. Mr. David Anderson rose— Ms Taylor: It is important for us to hear from the Mr. McFadden: I am keen to press on if my hon. Minister. The press say that the Government are apparently Friend will forgive me. blocking attempts by the regional development agencies As a result of Corus’s decision, 1,700 people employed to access funds, and are failing to match the support directly by the company will lose their jobs, as will a given by other European countries to their core further 1,000 sub-contractors. manufacturing industries. We need to know this afternoon In the couple of minutes left to me, I want to move on whether there is any truth or credibility in that. to the questions about the support package that have been asked today. The Government have moved quickly. Mr. McFadden: I assure my hon. Friend that we are The Prime Minister and I have both spoken to the chief not in the business of blocking anything that might be executive of Corus. The chief executive has stressed that constructive for the future of the Teesside plant or the the site is mothballed and that no decision has been area. In contrast, our response has been both swift and taken to close it permanently.Of course, market conditions significant in scale. may change, a new partner may be found and steel The third reason for Corus’s decision, to which my could be produced again at the site. I tell my hon. hon. Friend the Member for Middlesbrough, South and Friend the Member for Middlesbrough, South and East East Cleveland referred, is specific to the Teesside plant: Cleveland that if we can help to bring that about, we the collapse of the off-take agreement to buy the steel will do so. produced there. The agreement was reached in December However, those possibilities will not come about easily, 2004. Under it, 78 per cent. of the slab steel produced at and it would be wrong of the Government to stand Teesside was to be sold at cost over a 10-year period to a back and wait for that to happen. The people affected consortium of four foreign steel companies. Earlier this by this announcement need help now. That is why my year, that agreement broke down, in part because the right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced a world market cost of steel had fallen below the cost of £60 million package of support. My hon. Friend asked producing steel at Teesside; the off-takers walked away some questions about that funding. It includes £30 million from the agreement. of new money from the Government’s strategic investment I spoke at the time to Corus chief executive Kirby fund, and £30 million from One North East, the RDA, Adams and to Antonio Marcegaglia of Marcegaglia which is to be reprioritised from within its existing steel, the lead partner in the consortium, to encourage resources. them to resurrect the off-take agreement. I asked the Much has been said about low carbon, rightly so, as two sides to meet again to try to resurrect the agreement, it is critical to the future of manufacturing in the area. and stressed how critical it was to the future of the plant We will use the money to equip Teesside to become part and to the thousands of people of Teesside who depended of our low carbon manufacturing base. We know that for their livelihoods on the continued operation of the low carbon is the future. If we are to succeed, we must plant—the reason for the agreement. Members will have a national low carbon capability. It will include know that that meeting took place in July, but no £6 million of support for research and development of agreement was reached. bio-based materials, £3 million to undertake engineering Against a background of falling demand and a depressed design, and £20 million for infrastructure development. price, and with no partner for its product, the future for We will also support the critical Wilton chemicals cluster; TCP looked bleak. Despite that, Corus tried to keep the we want to see it continue and prosper as part of the plant alive, transferring internal work to it and securing low carbon future. 307WH Teesside Steel Industry 16 DECEMBER 2009 308WH

The Government are committed to the people of the Neuroblastoma (Monoclonal Antibody north-east, and wish to help them recover from this Therapy) decision. I have seen what can happen when whole communities are left on their own. We will not let that happen in this case. Rarely can a Government have moved so fast and on such a scale in response to a 4.30 pm closure, but the people of Teesside deserve it. They Mr. Peter Bone (Wellingborough) (Con): I thank deserve our help, and we will stand by them in future. Mr. Speaker for granting me this debate so quickly. Not many people know about this very nasty form of cancer, which affects a small number of children in this country each year. I welcome the hon. Member for Brentford and Isleworth (Ann Keen) to the Chamber as the Minister who will respond to this debate. We are very fortunate to have her here because she is renowned throughout the House for her compassion, genuineness and her ability to get things done behind the scenes. I will be asking her to employ all those qualities to solve a difficult problem and to give hope to a little boy called Zac. Zac is a constituent of mine who suffers from a rare form of cancer called neuroblastoma. He is five years old and was diagnosed with stage 4 acute neuroblastoma in February this year. Doctors discovered a 10 cm tumour in his stomach, and smaller growths on his thigh and pelvis. Such news would have been devastating to any family, but it was made all the worse by the fact that Zac’s three-year-old cousin Chelsea had been diagnosed with the same horrible cancer 18 months earlier, when she was just two years old. Sadly, after more than two years of bravely battling the cancer, Chelsea passed away on 9 August 2009, just one month before her fourth birthday. The treatment that Chelsea received in the UK gave her a 20 to 30 per cent. chance of survival. Treatment in America would have given her a 70 per cent. chance of survival, but it would have cost her family a quarter of a million pounds. Michelle Tomkins, Chelsea’s aunt told me: “Chelsea passed away because we did not have enough time to raise the money to get her to a hospital in New York offering a treatment that gives a 70 per cent. chance of survival, whereas here in the United Kingdom, it is only 30 per cent. The UK could do no more for Chelsea and this was her only hope, but we struggled so much. I can’t bear seeing them having to go through this all over again. A child’s life should not have a price on it.” I want to emphasise two clear points that Mrs. Tomkins made. She said that the UK could do no more, and that a child’s life should not have a price on it. In this day and age, such statements should never have to be said, but sadly both are true. Neuroblastoma is a rare cancer of the sympathetic nervous system—a nerve network that carries messages from the brain throughout the body. It is usually found in young children, and it is the most common cancer among infants. The solid tumours, which take the form of a lump or mass, may begin in nerve tissues in the neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, or, most commonly, in the adrenal gland. They may also spread to other areas of the body, including bone and bone marrow. The disease affects about 100 children in the UK. Fewer than 30 cases are diagnosed each year, with the majority of cases affecting children aged one to four. Neuroblastoma is the second most common solid tumour in childhood, and makes up 8 per cent. of the total number of children’s cancers. However, the odds on 309WH Neuroblastoma (Monoclonal 16 DECEMBER 2009 Neuroblastoma (Monoclonal 310WH Antibody Therapy) Antibody Therapy) [Mr. Peter Bone] In response, the Under-Secretary of State for Health said: having two cases of neuroblastoma in the same family “The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence are one in 10 million, and sadly that has happened to (NICE) has not issued any guidance on monoclonal antibody Chelsea and Zac. therapy…In the absence of NICE guidance, it is a matter for local Detecting the cancer can be difficult. The first signs national health service organisations to decide whether to fund a particular drug or treatment. The NHS Constitution gives patients are that the child becomes tired and loses their appetite. the right to expect local funding decisions on the availability of The symptoms also depend on where the disease is in drugs and treatments to be made rationally following consideration the body. For example, if the tumour is in the abdomen, of the available evidence.”—[Official Report, 10 December 2009; the belly will swell. However, because many of the Vol. 502, c. 551W.] symptoms can be seen as symptoms of less serious It is therefore quite clear that there is nothing to illnesses, diagnosing it can come at a late stage when the prevent the NHS from providing my constituent with tumour has spread to other parts of the body. monoclonal antibody therapy.In fact, the NHS constitution There are different ways of treating neuroblastoma, would lead my constituents to expect such treatment. It but prognosis is dependent on age, stage of disease, and is also clear that this is an exceptional case. For one the molecular biologic and cytogenetic characteristics family to have suffered two cases of this dreadful killing of the tumour. Surgery is a way of curing the disease, cancer is more than unfortunate. but it is only possible if the tumour has not spread, and Little Chelsea’s final wish to her mummy and daddy is not in a position of high risk. As the disease is hard to diagnose at an early stage, that is rarely a viable option. “was for them to help other poorly children.” However, the next stage would be intensive chemotherapy, Recently, I met Chelsea’s mother and I was amazed at which can reduce the size of the tumour and prepare it her courage and fortitude after what has happened to for surgery, but that, too, can be dangerous to the child. her. This is what she said to me: High-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue can “If we help with making these children smile, our angel will be also be given. If the neuroblastoma has spread to smiling too.” several parts of the body, or is high-risk with MYCN That is exactly what needs to be done. Little Zac needs amplification, high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell this monoclonal antibody therapy. rescue is used after the initial courses of chemotherapy. High doses of chemotherapy wipe out any remaining I have spoken to Zac’s consultant, Dr. Johan Visser, neuroblastoma cells, but they also wipe out the body’s and he believes that the monoclonal antibody therapy is bone marrow, where blood cells are made. To prevent especially helpful to children who have responded well the problems that that causes, stem cells—blood cells at to the traditional treatment of surgery and chemotherapy. their earliest stages of development—are collected from Six weeks ago, Zac had a very large tumour successfully the child through a drip, before the chemotherapy is removed and subsequently he has had more chemotherapy, given. The stem cells are then frozen and stored. After to mop up any remaining cancerous cells. However, to the chemotherapy, the stem cells are given back to the give Zac the very best chance of a full recovery, he needs child through a drip. The stem cells make their way into monoclonal antibody therapy in March or early April the bone marrow, where they grow and develop into next year, so time is of the essence. mature blood cells over a period of 14 to 21 days. Michelle Tomkins, Zac’s aunt, eloquently states: Imagine that treatment, Mr. Cook, for your own “My cousin’s family needs to raise this extortionate amount of child. It would be bad enough for an adult, but for a money to stop another little child in their family dying.” toddler it must be almost unbearable. Radiotherapy is another avenue that sufferers can pursue, but it has high A life, especially a child’s life, should not have a price risks and can harm normal cells. Those options are bad tag, but sadly £250,000 is needed—that sum needs to be enough for any child and any family, but they lead to a raised to send Zac across to the United States to receive survival rate of only 20 to 30 per cent., which is simply treatment. Zac’s family have set up an appeal, which not good enough. people can donate to online at www.zacsappeal.org. Zac’s appeal has raised a fantastic £8,000. Among other Another treatment is available in America that can things, the appeal has sold Zac wristbands and calendars, improve that sad statistic of 20 to 30 per cent. to a and even arranged a charity football game between respectable 70 per cent.-plus survival rate. The treatment two local teams. It has also received media attention, is called 3F8 monoclonal antibody therapy. Normally a with the help of my excellent local newspaper, the person’s immune system makes antibodies to attack Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph. Like my eight- germs such as bacteria or viruses, but unfortunately it year-old son, Zac is a Manchester United fan and he will not attack neuroblastoma because the tumour is was the mascot for the match on 21 November 2009 part of our own bodies. However, an antibody that between Manchester United and Everton. Nevertheless, attaches to neuroblastoma can be made in a laboratory, after all these valiant efforts Zac’s appeal is still short then given intravenously to a patient. That antibody of £242,000, so it has raised only 3 per cent. of what is will circulate in the bloodstream until it finds and needed. attaches itself to a neuroblastoma cell, then the patient’s own immune system will attack and kill that neuroblastoma However, it is not all doom and gloom. There is cell. another solution. This disease affects approximately 24 children a year in the United Kingdom, so treating it On Thursday 10 December 2009, I tabled a parliamentary is not a huge cost to the taxpayer. There is even better question asking the Secretary of State for Health news. The Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group, or “if he will make it his policy that monoclonal antibody therapy is CCLG, has announced a clinical trial using monoclonal available to NHS patients diagnosed with neuroblastoma.” antibody therapy. However, as it is a trial, all the children 311WH Neuroblastoma (Monoclonal 16 DECEMBER 2009 Neuroblastoma (Monoclonal 312WH Antibody Therapy) Antibody Therapy) need to have had the same therapy for the same period However, it is important that we put on record the of time. Unfortunately, Zac misses this trial as he started progress that has been made in treating childhood cancer. his treatment six weeks too soon. Improving the care of children with cancer is one of our Zac is one of a handful of children who have missed country’s success stories and we need to thank the this clinical trial who would have benefited from treatment clinicians, researchers and other scientists for the fact with monoclonal antibody therapy. In future, all children that some of the best children’s cancer services in the who are diagnosed with neuroblastoma will go into world are in the UK. such trials, but there is a small group of about half a However, I am very aware that survival rates for dozen children who are not in the existing trial and who children diagnosed with neuroblastoma are not as high will not take part in future trials. They are the ones as for some other cancers and, of course, even one stuck in the middle. child’s death is too many. We are not complacent and The point or crux of this debate, and the reason why I we are determined to continue to improve survival rates am here today, is to get that treatment for a handful of for all childhood cancers. We are doing that by helping children who need it, but who just miss out on the trial. GPs to identify children who are most likely to have I believe that those half a dozen or so children need to cancer and who therefore need an urgent assessment; by be treated here in our country and treated now. Dr. Visser ensuring that children diagnosed with cancer, including has stated that he is happy to administer the treatment neuroblastoma, receive treatment as quickly as possible, to Zac if funding is provided. The Government spend and by organising services to ensure optimal outcomes £100 billion on the NHS a year. Funding for those half for children and improved experiences, so that a little a dozen or so children would be just a drop in the one’s journey through that clinical work, which the hon. ocean. Gentleman explained can be very difficult and painful, I know that the Minister has close links with the can be improved. We also need to improve our treatment Prime Minister and we all know of her compassion and process and research into children’s cancer, which is that she can get things done. The biggest Christmas essential, and we are doing that as quickly as possible. present that she could give to Zac and these other I would like to say a few words on each of the issues. children is to go from this debate today to the Prime As with all cancers, the earlier that childhood cancer is Minister and get the funding for them sorted out. diagnosed, the better the prognosis for the child. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, 4.44 pm or NICE as we commonly refer to it in debates, published The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health updated referral guidelines for suspected cancers in (Ann Keen): I am pleased to serve under your chairmanship 2005. Those guidelines are aimed at helping primary today, Mr. Cook. care health professionals to identify those patients who are most likely to have cancer and who therefore require Of course, I want to thank the hon. Member for urgent assessment by specialists. The guidelines include Wellingborough (Mr. Bone) for securing this extremely a section on cancers in children and young people. important debate. I also congratulate him on the manner in which he has conducted it. I have also had the Also, as set out in the second annual report of the opportunity to chat with him in his office and that has cancer reform strategy, promotion of early diagnosis been incredibly helpful. for all cancers is a priority for 2010. We have pledged to all patients in England access within one week to tests I am sure that all Members and all of us present that can confirm or exclude cancer, and we will start today will sympathise with Zac and his family, and we rolling that out over five years from 2011-12. Quicker appreciate how heartbreaking it must be for a parent to access to diagnostic tests, alongside work on early detection, discover that his or her child has cancer. In my many will save 10,000 lives a year. Through the national years as a nurse, including my involvement with children’s awareness and early diagnosis initiative, we have committed nursing, I have had what I suppose I would call the £6 million to help GPs diagnose cancer earlier and to privilege of being with children when they have died, make the public aware of the symptoms so that they get and also with their families. them checked out early. It is incredibly difficult for a family to cope with a child who is very seriously ill. It has knock-on effects on However, the distinct needs of children and young that family and the extended family, because of the people with cancer have been recognised increasingly obvious stress that it causes and because of the energy over recent years, which is why we asked NICE to that is taken out of mum and dad, and, indeed, out of produce service guidance for the NHS on improving siblings if there are any. So I fully understand where the outcomes for children and young people with cancer. hon. Gentleman is coming from with this debate. The guidance was published in August 2005 and is aimed at those responsible for planning, commissioning Thankfully, cancer in children is rare, with about and organising services for children and young people 1,700 new cases being diagnosed in the UK in 2007. We with cancer. estimate that about 2 per cent. of those cases were neuroblastoma cases. There have been remarkable The guidance recommends principal treatment centres improvements in the survival rates for most childhood for each cancer type, with associated referral pathways malignancies in the past 30 years. Between 1970 and to centres that might be outside the patient’s area of 2000, the overall five-year childhood cancer survival residence; access and support to clinical trials where the rate in Britain has increased from 28 per cent. to 77 per patient is eligible; care delivered by multi-disciplinary cent. and, in the case of neuroblastoma in the same teams, including all relevant specialist staff, and care period, the childhood cancer survival rate has increased offered in age-appropriate facilities. The cancer reform from 19 to 59 per cent. I do not want my contribution to strategy made a commitment to implement the guidance this debate to consist of stating lots of percentages. by the end of 2011. 313WH Neuroblastoma (Monoclonal 16 DECEMBER 2009 Neuroblastoma (Monoclonal 314WH Antibody Therapy) Antibody Therapy) [Ann Keen] immunotherapy will be available in the UK to eligible UK patients. We will continue our long tradition of The hon. Gentleman highlighted that research into research excellence in helping build on earlier trials and the disease has brought good news that will give children devise even better ways of using the therapy. diagnosed with neuroblastoma the chance to receive The hon. Gentleman said that Zac missed eligibility monoclonal antibody treatment in this country as part by some weeks. I urge the clinicians involved to reconsider. of a European trial announced last week. I will say Trials are trials, and they must have criteria, but it more about the research later, but it is with sadness that became evident to me while researching my reply that it I learned that Zac will not meet the eligibility criteria might be possible to look at the matter. It would be for the trial. wrong to raise hope; I am just asking for clarification of The hon. Gentleman stated that Zac’s consultant is when the trial will commence. Of course, because not happy to administer treatment in this country if funding every child with neuroblastoma will benefit from is provided. As with other unlicensed drugs, it is down immunotherapy, eligibility criteria, as in all well-designed to clinicians to decide whether the drug is the best trials, must be precisely defined. There will be a careful treatment for an individual patient and to clarify the and necessary selection process. The trial will offer new potential risks with the patient. Because the drug is not hope to the children who benefit—it could be as many licensed and the treatment has not been appraised by as 40 a year—and their families. NICE, the primary care trust must take the decision on Children who take part in the Cancer Research UK whether to fund the treatment. I have done my best to trial will join the many other children and adults involved investigate what has been applied for in Zac’s PCT. I am in clinical trials of cancer treatments. It is a tribute to all led to believe that no formal application has been made, those working in the NHS, the cancer charities and the so I urge that one be made. I will take a close interest in commercial sector that the percentage of cancer patients the decision. who enter trials each year is higher in England than anywhere else in the world. Mr. Bone: I am grateful to the Minister for her The existence of the National Cancer Research Network, serious and helpful response to the debate. I am sure which the Government set up in 2001 and continue to that she is right that a formal application has not been fund, has been key to that achievement. Each cancer made, as I do not think that the family realised that it service network receives funds for an integral cancer was possible to do so. My only concern is that, if the research network. The £18 million we put into the treatment costs £250,000 and the local primary care NCRN this year provides dedicated research nurses, trust must fund it, it will be a bit unfortunate. Not many data managers, medical staff sessions and other services children are affected by the disease. Could the cost not such as radiology and pathology. be spread out over the whole NHS? As we all recognise, the new international trial is an Ann Keen: The hon. Gentleman makes a valid point. exciting development, and it is right that we should I know that other such drugs, called orphan drugs, are focus on it, but I also take note of the six other children considered by the strategic health authority for the area whom the hon. Gentleman mentioned. At all times, we or nationally. I would have to take advice about whether urge clinicians—as I urge them today—to apply to the that could happen in this particular case, but I do not PCT where the child lives for funding. If that has been believe that the dialogue on Zac and the other children done and an appeal process is in place, I urge the PCTs affected will be finished during this debate; I would to consider it. expect us to carry on discussing the cases concerned. This is our last debate of the year. It is so important In the past week, the launch of a major new clinical to Zac and his family and to the other children. I thank trial into the use of immunotherapy to treat children the hon. Gentleman for securing this debate. I wish him with neuroblastoma was announced. Cancer Research and his family well this Christmas, as I know that his UK is funding the research costs in this country of the son is serving in Afghanistan. I wish him all the best Europe-wide trial. The Government will provide during this distressing time. infrastructure support via our national cancer research Question put and agreed to. network. I understand that the trial will run in all 20 childhood cancer clinical trial centres across the UK 4.58 pm starting this month. For the first time, that form of Sitting adjourned. 125WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 126WS

Republic, Germany, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Written Ministerial Austria, Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia to do so by 2013, Ireland by 2014 and the UK by the 2014-15 Statements financial year. It also adopted a decision acknowledging that Greece’s response to its April 2009 recommendation has been insufficient. These recommendations are in Wednesday 16 December 2009 line with recent agreements at ECOFIN and the European Council on the EU’s framework for fiscal exit strategies. Preparations for the 10-11 December European Council TREASURY a) Financial supervision ECOFIN The Council took stock of progress made on the legislative proposals aimed at reforming the EU framework for the supervision of financial services following the global financial crisis. The Swedish presidency will report on progress to the December The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Alistair Darling): European Council, taking into account the results of the The Economic and Financial Affairs Council was held Council deliberations on both the micro and macro-supervisory in Brussels on 2 December 2009. The following items elements of the package, enabling Heads to sign off the complete were discussed: package as planned. Regulations establishing three European supervisory b) Contribution from ECOFIN to the discussion on the post-2010 authorities Lisbon agenda Ministers agreed general approaches on draft regulations Ministers agreed a set of conclusions on the direction of a establishing three European Supervisory Authorities successor to the Lisbon strategy. The Government support the (ESAs): the European Banking Authority, the European conclusions, which help build momentum towards the December Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority and European Council, where EU Heads will discuss a set of the European Securities and Markets Authority. principles for a new European strategy for jobs and growth. The UK secured significant additional safeguards for c) Exit strategies both crisis and mediation decision-making by the ESAs, Ministers agreed conclusions on exit strategies from support to including language in line with the June European the financial sector. The UK is content with the conclusions, Council conclusions that decisions taken would not which recognise the importance of starting to design the impinge in any way on the fiscal responsibilities of strategy for the phasing out of support schemes, but emphasised that implementation should wait until markets have fully recovered. member states. ECOFIN will return to this issue in February 2010. Ministers agreed that ECOFIN would retain the power to call a crisis and therefore activate any ESA Financial stability and crisis management powers. Ministers will vote by simple majority on safeguard ECOFIN agreed conclusions on financial stability, clauses applying to crisis powers of a member state focusing on improvements in cross-border crisis seeking an opt-out as well as any ESA decisions on management in the banking sector. The conclusions mediation. Member states seeking an opt-out would recognised the value of co-ordination among member have the option to refer the matter to the European states and with external partners, and endorsed the Council. principles of firm-specific recovery and resolution plans. The Government welcome the outcome, which complements existing national regulation and should tighten up the European regulatory system. The presidency will now start negotiations with the European Parliament Equitable Life with a view to enabling adoption of the texts at first reading. Taxation The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Liam Byrne): a) VAT: Draft Directive on reverse charge on emission allowances I can today provide an update to the House on the and certain goods. progress of Sir John Chadwick’s work in advising the The Council agreed a general approach on the draft directive Government on the establishment of an ex-gratia payment that would allow member states to implement, on an optional scheme for Equitable Life policyholders. and temporary basis, a reversal of liability for the payment of VAT on greenhouse gas emission allowances. The Council will Sir John published his first interim report on 18 August continue to work on other elements of the proposal as regards 2009. He has since received a range of representations the application of the reverse charge mechanism to mobile on the questions he has raised, and is today publishing a phones and electronic circuit devices, with a view to reaching second interim report, which sets out: an agreement as soon as possible. The scope of the work that will be required following his b) VAT treatment of postal services revised terms of reference, which were issued on 27 November. ECOFIN agreed to discuss the VAT treatment of postal services further before the implementation of the third postal directive The case for adopting a “flexible” approach to calculating enters into force on 1 January 2011 (1 January 2013 in some policyholders’ relative loss. Sir John considers that this approach member states). The forthcoming Spanish and Belgian presidencies is fairer, easier to calculate, and quicker to deliver than other were invited to explore all options and report back to Council potential approaches. by December 2010 at the latest. The list of questions that he will need to address in his final Implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact advice. ECOFIN agreed Council recommendations calling Sir John would welcome further representations and on Belgium and Italy to reduce their deficits below the comments from all parties on the issues raised in his 3 per cent. of GDP threshold by 2012, the Czech latest report by 29 January 2010. 127WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 128WS

The Government are committed to establishing a fair Where the remittance is partly income, the rule either payment scheme as quickly as possible. We expect creates an excessively large loss or reduces the taxable Sir John to submit his final report in spring 2010, and gain below the real level of gain. will announce details of a payment scheme to follow, The proposed legislative change will correct this defect also in spring 2010. in the current rules. Where a remittance comprises I will update the House further in due course. wholly income, the change will eliminate the loss arising under the current rule. Where a remittance comprises Investment Banks only partly income, the loss attributable to the income element of the remittance will again be eliminated. In addition, the allowable cost attributable to the non-income The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury (Sarah element of the remittance will be adjusted to ensure it McCarthy-Fry): Today the Government are publishing corresponds to the amount of that part of the remittance. a consultation document on investment bank resolution. Where necessary, the allowable cost of the bank account Copies of the document entitled, “Establishing resolution will also be adjusted to ensure it corresponds to the arrangements for investment banks” have been deposited amount remaining in the bank account after the remittance. in the Libraries of the House and will be available on The result of these changes will be that a double tax the HM Treasury website at: www.hm-treasury.gov.uk. charge will be avoided and no relief will be given where no actual loss has been incurred. House of Lords Select Committee on the Barnett Formula (Government Response) CABINET OFFICE

Government and Third Sector in England (Compact) The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Alistair Darling): The Government are today publishing their response to the House of Lords Select Committee report on the The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Angela E. Barnett formula (CM 7772). This paper and the evidence Smith): I am pleased to announce that the refreshed referred to in it also meet the Government’s commitment Compact, which outlines how the Government will to produce a factual paper on the Barnett formula. work together with the third sector, has been launched today. The new Compact is clearer, shorter and easier to The Remittance Basis use and is a clear symbol of the Government’s continued commitment to working with the third sector. It will be a valuable tool in helping to build partnerships in the The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Stephen years to come. Timms): I am announcing today the Government’s intention Copies of the Compact have been placed in the Library to present to Parliament proposed changes to the capital and on the Cabinet Office website: www.cabinetoffice. gains tax rules which will be legislated as part of Finance gov.uk/third_sector.aspx Bill 2010. These changes prevent the creation of capital gains tax losses which arise in certain circumstances EU Education and Youth Council from transactions of foreign currency bank accounts and will be effective from 16 December 2009. HM Revenue and Customs will publish on their website at: The Minister for Schools and Learners (Mr. Vernon www.hmrc.gov.uk, precise details of the changes as Coaker): Jane Hutt, Minister for Children, Education, soon as possible. Lifelong Learning and Skills in the Welsh Assembly The changes affect individuals who are liable to tax Government, represented the UK at the Education and on their foreign income and gains on the remittance Youth Councils, on behalf of DCSF and BIS. basis. These individuals are liable to income tax on the Education sterling value of the amount remitted at the time of Ministers adopted conclusions on the professional remittance. If the remittance takes the form of a transfer development of teachers and school leaders; the role of from a bank account in a foreign currency, they will education in a fully-functioning knowledge triangle; simultaneously dispose of a corresponding part of that and the education of children with a migrant background. account and a capital gain or loss might arise as a All three sets of conclusions are consistent with UK consequence. domestic policy, and we were able to support them. Associated with this change, I can confirm that HM The latter conclusions also formed the theme of a Revenue and Customs accept that an existing capital policy debate between delegations. While clear that gains tax rule in section 37 of the Taxation of Chargeable there was a wide variation in the levels of migration in Gains Act 1992 removes any element of double tax each member state, all were in close agreement on the charge in this situation. The income remitted is fully approach set out in the conclusions. taxable (subject to any exemption which might apply), There was a second policy debate on quality assurance but a double charge to tax is avoided by this rule which in higher education. This was based on a Commission excludes the income amount from the disposal proceeds discussion paper which argued for early improvements used to calculate the capital gain or loss. in higher education quality assurance and further It is now clear that the rule goes beyond preventing a development of transparency tools. The UK supported charge to capital gains tax and does not produce a fair the approach set out in the Leuven Communiqué of outcome. Where the remittance is all treated as income, April 2009, stressing the need to embed current the rule creates capital gains tax losses that are far in improvements before going further and that the issue excess of any real loss which the individual incurs. should be reviewed at the Bologna HE summit in 2012. 129WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 130WS

This was supported by the majority of member states, The Government welcome the inquiry’s final report. who wanted a measured approach, working through the The inquiry has found that, whilst the SEN framework Bologna process. functions well for the majority of parents, within the Under any other business, the Commission presented same legislative framework there are parents who have the draft joint interim report on the education and been poorly served and have had to battle to get the training 2010 work programme, and the Spanish presidency needs of their child identified and met. This varied briefly noted their upcoming presidency schedule. picture must be redrawn so that it is common practice The Council included a lunch debate on the role of to have access to skilled professionals who understand education in the post-2010 Lisbon strategy.This discussion the needs of children and who have high expectations of was informed by presidency questions, but also the what children can achieve. recently released Barroso EU2020 paper. I have written to Brian Lamb today to thank him for Youth the inquiry and to outline the Government’s immediate Youth Council adopted a Council resolution on a response, which focuses on the concerns of parents who renewed framework for European co-operation in the have least confidence in the present system: youth field (2010-2018). A policy debate followed on Work will begin immediately on establishing a national special educational needs helpline which will provide independent, the short-term implementation and future aspirations expert advice and information to parents directly over the for the framework. All member states supported the phone and through dedicated online support. strategy, with the majority citing youth unemployment The Government will move quickly to strengthen parent and disadvantaged youth as key issues. The UK pressed partnership services by ensuring all advisors are trained in for member states commitment to the open method of SEN and disability law. We will work with the national parent co-ordination process at all levels, noting the need to partnership network, based at the Council for Disabled Children, avoid burdensome reporting structures. to deliver this training in 2010. We will work with professional bodies to make clear that the advice professionals provide to local authorities should not be CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES fettered because of concerns about capacity to deliver. Start-up funding will be provided to the local government Lamb Inquiry ombudsman, to take on parental complaints on SEN about local authorities from January 2010. Statutory guidance to governing bodies and independent appeals The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and panels on exclusions will be strengthened to require a review of Families (Ed Balls): Today I welcome the publication of whether the head teacher had regard to the guidance on special the final report of the Lamb inquiry on parental confidence educational needs and disability. in the special educational needs (SEN) system. Tomorrow, we are inviting local authorities and voluntary The Lamb inquiry was established as part of the sector organisations to bid for a further round of innovative Government’s response to the House of Commons projects to improve parental confidence. These will include Education and Skills Committee report “Special more transparency in LA decision-making and greater independence of assessment, using different service models for Educational Needs: Assessment and Funding”. The providing educational psychology advice. inquiry, under the chairmanship of Brian Lamb, the The inquiry makes a number of recommendations about chair of the Special Educational Consortium, was tasked strengthening the operation of the first-tier tribunal (SEN and with investigating a range of ways in which parental Disability). We agree that guidelines should be issued on the confidence in the SEN assessment process might be provision of professional and expert evidence by March 2010. improved. We specifically asked that the inquiry: It is important that we improve access to justice and so we will commission and evaluate innovative projects; work with the Ministry of Justice and key stakeholders to review the exceptional funding scheme for providing legal aid draw on the evidence of other work currently commissioned by for tribunal hearings and will also aim to re-launch this scheme the Department; and by March. take into account the evidence of the submissions to the two We know that bullying is a particular issue for children with Select Committee reports in 2006 and 2007. SEND and we have published guidance on how to prevent and The inquiry began in March 2008, and has made a tackle it. We will be investing further in a project starting early range of recommendations, which we have accepted in 2010, led by the Anti-Bullying Alliance and working with and acted upon. In December 2008, in response to early key organisations, to identify best practice in tackling SEND-related findings calling for a greater focus on outcomes achieved bullying and how schools can be supported to address it. by children with SEN and disabilities (SEND), we In total the inquiry has made 51 recommendations; announced a £38 million package of measures aimed at the implementation plan which we will publish in the addressing this. At the heart of that was Achievement new year will set out a full response to each of these for All pilots, which are now taking place in 10 areas, recommendations and provide details on how the involving 460 schools to demonstrate how to: raise Government will take them forward. The implementation achievement for children with SEND; better engage plan will say how we will be: their parents; and address issues such as bullying and Putting Children’s Outcomes at the Heart of the System participation in school life1. In April, I committed to The inquiry is clear that parental confidence is strongest ensuring that our 21st Century Schools White Paper where aspirations for children are high and there is a mainstreamed the needs of parents of children with real focus on progress and outcomes. Our implementation SEND. Since the inquiry’s two reports in August, the plan will show how we will help schools develop skills Children, Schools and Families Bill has been introduced and capacity within their workforce and parents will be to Parliament. It proposes a new duty on Ofsted to able to access specialist expertise. The Government’s report on the progress of children with SEND in school pupil and parent guarantees will also make a commitment inspections, now and in future, and gives parents who to all pupils and their parents, including those with have had their child’s statement reviewed but not amended, SEND, that their schools will have effective policies in an additional right to appeal. place to prevent and tackle all forms of bullying. 131WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 132WS

Ensuring a greater voice for parents in the system I am placing a copy of the report and our response in The importance of good communication is well evidenced the Libraries of both Houses. by the inquiry: communication between parents and 1Your child, your schools, our future: building a 21st century schools and better partnerships between parents and schools system (CM 7588), DCSF, June 2009 professionals. The implementation plan will explain how the principles of the Aiming High for Disabled Children Core Offer will be further embedded for children COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT with SEN and how we will see improvements in the information that parents can expect to receive from all levels of the system. Sustainable Homes Establishing a local system in tune with children’s needs The Inquiry has shown that local authorities can and do make a difference to outcomes for children with The Minister for Housing (John Healey): Tackling the SEND. The system works best where schools, local huge challenge of climate change is one of this authorities and parents operate in a true partnership. Government’s highest priorities. The Government have We will build on this good practice. Our implementation committed to ambitious emissions reduction plans and plan will detail how we will build the system’s capacity have set in legislation a target to reduce UK carbon to provide this level of partnership with all parents. emissions by 80 per cent. against 1990 levels by 2050. In This will include further training for children’s services the UK, nearly half of our carbon emissions come from leaders and support for better models of commissioning buildings—27 per cent. of these are from our homes services. We will also offer guidance and training to and a further 17 per cent. from other non-domestic those drawing up statements to help build partnership buildings. Reducing emissions from our homes is therefore and trust with parents. an important part of the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy. Building accountability around children’s progress Code for Sustainable Homes The final report is clear about the importance of accountability in ensuring parental confidence in the The Code for sustainable homes aims to improve the system. Our implementation plan will explain how guidance overall sustainability of new homes by setting a single and training for school governors, school improvement national standard for England, Wales and Northern partners and appeal panel members will be taken forward. Ireland within which the home building industry can I am committed to ensuring that we bring about an end design and construct homes to higher environmental to systematic failures to fulfil statutory duties and will standards, and giving new home buyers better information work with bodies who have information on non-compliance about the environmental impact of their new home and to take firmer action to address failure. its potential running costs. It helps people to cut their carbon emissions and to lead a more sustainable lifestyle The implementation plan will also detail how the in general and provides practical experience to support tribunal will review and develop the information that it future regulatory steps to help achieve the challenging gathers and publishes and arrangements for the guidance commitment of requiring all new homes built from and training for tribunal chairs on telephone and face- 2016 to be zero-carbon. to-face hearings. The inquiry has recommended remedying the exclusion Since its introduction in 2007, over 300,000 homes of schools from the duty in the Disability Discrimination have been registered to be built to Code standards, and Act to provide auxiliary aids and services. We accept nearly 2,000 certificates have been issued for completed this in principle and will look for a suitable legislative homes. We now have our first set of Code level six opportunity. homes. I am immensely grateful for all that Brian Lamb and But while practical experience of working with the his expert advisers have achieved through the inquiry. I Code is informing the development of other aspects of would also wish to thank them for the thorough way in sustainability policy (for example the development of which the inquiry has consulted a wide range of experts surface water management proposals in the current and practitioners and for the way in which the voice of Floods and Water Management Bill), it has also established parents and children and young people has been brought some questions over existing standards and the processes to the fore. I also note the knowledge that has been for assessment. We also now need to revise the Code to developed through the innovative projects and thank incorporate the new regulatory standards we have and the local parents, teachers and officers who have been are putting in place, and plan for more stretching energy testing out new ways of ensuring greater parental efficiency standards, including our 2016 zero-carbon confidence. standard. To ensure the Code can continue to play a central role in supporting more cost effective sustainable I have asked Brian to monitor progress against the housing development in future, we propose to revise actions we have announced today, and those in the the Code. implementation plan we will publish in the new year, and report back to me in April 2010. I am therefore launching a consultation today on the revisions I propose to the Code for sustainable homes. The Government share the inquiry’s call for much The consultation is focused on three broad aims for greater ambition for the nation’s most vulnerable children changes: and the best possible engagement with their parents. Through our response to the inquiry, and the Aligning the Code with the latest developments in the zero-carbon homes policy—to enable it to continue to reflect the future implementation plan early in 2010, I am committed to regulatory trajectory and provide practical experience for developers ensuring all parents have a shared experience of a and inform the development of detailed regulatory proposals system that operates in partnership for the benefit of for 2013 and beyond. This includes consulting on the new their children. energy efficiency standard to be required of zero-carbon homes; 133WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 134WS

streamlining the standard and processes—learning from experience I also said that those local authorities who had existing to date, to ensure that the Code is focused on the issues of places on the Housing Stock Transfer programme at greatest significance and that we eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy; 30 June should continue with their transfer proposals. and Those local authorities were Plymouth, Rutland, Lambeth resolving problems that have arisen in use— seeking to find (Ashmole), Lewisham (Excalibur) Lambeth (Latmos), practical solutions to barriers that have arisen in the use of the Manchester (West Gorton), Merton, Harrow (Mill Farm Code so far, balancing sustainability policy aims with the practicalities of house building in the current economic climate. Estate) Lewisham (Forest Hill), Lewisham (Catford) and Lewisham (Rushey Green). They should ensure Zero-Carbon Homes that their housing transfer is completed within the In my written ministerial statement of 16 July 2009, I requisite two-year period. In my statement, I also undertook confirmed our commitment and approach to zero-carbon to continue to work with councils whose tenants had homes. A zero-carbon home is one with a high standard voted for transfer at that date. Plymouth and Rutland of energy efficiency, a minimum level of on-site carbon have now transferred their housing stock to a registered reduction and whose remaining emissions are addressed social landlord. via a range of further carbon reduction measures known At the date of my statement at 30 June, the following as ‘allowable solutions’. local authorities, Warrington, Oldham, Bolton, Stockton, On 24 November 2009, I set out a further written Dacorum and Hull (North Bransholme), had significant ministerial statement announcing the minimum fabric contact and developed discussions with the Department energy efficiency standard that we would require in or the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) or zero-carbon homes and that we would consult on this both. These authorities had also undertaken preliminary as part of the revision of the Code for sustainable consultation with their tenants. homes. The Code consultation published today therefore seeks views on the fabric energy efficiency standards These councils have continued to develop their options that should apply to all new homes from 2013 and 2016. including for council stock transfer and by today, Work continues to put in place the practical arrangements December 16, all had submitted a full transfer application. that would be required to permit allowable solutions to I can confirm that I am instructing the HCA to offer the be put in place to ensure that standards are achieved in option of a place on the Housing Stock Transfer practice and on setting a guideline maximum price we programme to these authorities. From this date the expect industry to bear in implementing allowable solutions. transfer process, if it is pursued, should be completed We will seek, in line with the Chancellor’s pre-Budget within the required two-year period. report, practical ways of reducing the costs. On 21 July, I published a consultation document on The Government will take full account of the views the reform of Council Housing Finance which proposed received in refining the Code and the zero-carbon definition. the dismantling of the Housing Revenue Account subsidy The consultation will close on 24 March 2010. system and replacing it with a devolved system of responsibility and funding. I am publishing the following documents for this consultation, which together will help the Government Consultation closed on these proposals on the 27 October. take forward the Sustainable Buildings programme. We are carefully considering all the detailed responses “Sustainable New Homes: The Road to Zero Carbon (Consultation received, but there was overwhelming support for the on the Code for Sustainable Homes and the Energy Efficiency principle of self-financing. Local authorities will retain standard for Zero Carbon Homes)”. This is available on our all their rental income, all their capital receipts, and website: www.communities.gov.uk/thecode. have a sustainable level of debt based on a significant “The Draft Code for Sustainable Homes Technical Guide”. increase in the scope to spend on housing services and This is also available on our website later this week. standards. Self-financing will increase local responsibility “The Code for Sustainable Homes Impact Assessment and the for long-term planning, asset management, and for Zero Carbon Homes Impact Assessment (Updated 2009)”. meeting the needs of local people. It will enable local These will be available on our website later this week. authorities to improve the management of their homes I am placing copies of the consultation paper in the and services to tenants, to continue to deliver Decent Library of the House, and will also do so with the Homes, and to secure greater efficiencies through being “Draft Code Technical guide and Impact Assessments” able to plan ahead with greater confidence. later this week. Our work on establishing the structure and detail of a self-financing offer to local authorities with social housing Housing and a housing revenue account is progressing well. In February I expect to be able to confirm the progress we have made and set out in detail the parameters of the The Minister for Housing (John Healey): On my changes we plan. This should enable local authorities to written ministerial statement, 30 June 2009, Official make a more informed assessment about what self-financing Report, column 7WS, I announced proposals to reform might mean for future financing, sustainability and the current system of council house finance and housing standards with the continued ownership of replace it with a devolved system of responsibility and their housing stock. funding. Self-financing will offer an affordable retention option In my statement, I confirmed that transferring council- for all local authorities. If it is generally accepted by owned stock to a registered social landlord remained an local government then I would expect that self-financing option for local authorities. However, I was clear that could be in place for authorities for 2011-12. This there should be equity in the terms of public funding would offer a clear alternative to stock transfer within a whether council homes are transferred or retained in clear time scale that is comparable to the two-year the future under self-financing. period allowed for concluding stock transfer. 135WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 136WS

The six local authorities offered the option of a place Mobile Homes Act 1983 (as amended)”. The response on the Housing Stock Transfer programme should fully paper sets out the reasons for the Government’s decisions consider the self-financing proposals and assess all of not to transfer the “fact finding” role of county courts the options carefully. They should spell out the options to residential property tribunals in respect of termination available, in clear terms, as part of any consultation cases involving a breach of an agreement, or a claim with their tenants. that the resident of the park home is no longer occupying The HCA in approving the offer document for the six it as his only or main residence, but to do so in respect authorities for the stage 1 consultation exercise will of claims relating to the detrimental condition of the ensure that the terms of both the full consultation and home to the amenity of the site. A copy of the response any subsequent ballot are balanced, neutral and factual, paper has been placed in the Library of the House and and that the options available to local authorities, and is available on the Communities and Local Government more importantly their tenants, which have been considered, website at: www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/ include the potential for self-financing. terminationprovisionsresponse The underlying principle is that tenants and others in the local authority area concerned must have accurate Sustainable Communities Act 2007 and full information on the clear options available in order to be fully consulted and be in a position to make their views known. The Secretary of State for Communities and Local In the light of my statement of 30 June, I am now Government (Mr. John Denham): On 28 October I minded to announce a change in policy for all other committed to reporting on the future development of local authorities who may currently be developing transfer Local Spending Reports. That report is being published proposals, but do not have a place on the Housing today on the Department for Communities and Local Stock Transfer programme. Government website at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/ I am proposing that those local authorities who had publications/localgovernment/localpublicexpenditure. not met the above criteria by today will not be considered Copies will be placed in the Library of the House. for a place on the Housing Stock Transfer programme Our aim is to deliver better public services which also until we publish the self-financing offer and as a offer increased value for money. In order to do that, we consequence, they should reconsider their transfer proposals need to ensure that information about how public money in the light of the outline for this new self-financing is spent is clear, accessible and useful. This will make it system. easier for service providers, potential providers, and This will be a very significant opportunity for local citizens themselves to look at how that money is being authorities to consider. Most importantly, it will be an spent, identify evidence of duplication or waste, develop opportunity for tenants to consider and they should alternative solutions and hold service providers to account. have all the options in front of them when they are More fundamentally, ensuring that citizens have the asked for their views. information they need about public organisations is I invite the views of local authorities on the proposed essential to empower communities, make sure their changes to the Housing Stock Transfer programme. I voice is heard, and that they have control over the expect to receive representations by 15 January 2010 services they receive. which I will consider fully. And, I will report to the Local Spending Reports are an important part of the House further on these matters. way in which we will increase the transparency, visibility and accountability of local public spending. They help Park Homes (Transfer of Dispute Resolution) ensure that local authorities, their partners, and citizens have easy access to the information they need about public spending in their area, all in one place. The first The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Spending Report was published in April 2009, Communities and Local Government (Mr. Ian Austin): when we committed to developing these reports further. Further to the statement by the Under-Secretary of The report we are publishing today sets out how we State for Children, Schools and Families, my hon. Friend plan to make Local Spending Reports more useful and the Member for Hartlepool (Mr. Wright) on 30 May informative, by increasing the range of information 2009, in which he announced the Government’s intention they cover; and more practical and accessible, by ensuring to transfer most of the functions of county courts to that Local Spending Reports can be viewed by anyone residential property tribunals under the Mobile Homes on the web in a broader context of quality, performance, Act 1983 (as amended), I am today announcing that, efficiency and value for money. They will form part of subject to parliamentary consent, the residential property the Local Data Exchange which Communities and Local tribunal’s new jurisdiction will come into force on Government is developing as a way for local authorities 6 April 2010. to better share information among each other and with The aim of the transfer of the jurisdiction is to their partners and citizens. It also sets out how we will provide residents of mobile homes (including caravans) ensure that Local Spending Reports offer value for and the owners of sites on which they are located, with money and are not overly costly or burdensome for a level playing field in the resolution of disputes, by local authorities and their partners. providing access to a dedicated, low-cost specialist (housing) Local Spending Reports are just one element of our tribunal, which can deal with cases quickly and without ambitions to make sure that citizens are better informed the parties needing to be legally represented. about the services in their area and how they are performing. I have also today published a paper setting out the Since the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 became Government’s response to the May 2009 consultation law, there have been other important developments “Further consultation on termination provisions in the which will complement and strengthen how they work— 137WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 138WS first, the Government’s wider work to make public data our aims and (b) the appropriateness and capacity of a available to common standards on the internet, led by trade association to combine the compliance auditing Tim Berners-Lee and Nigel Shadbolt; secondly, our and monitoring of a code of conduct with trade promotion proposals to strengthen the capacity of local authorities activities would require careful consideration. to scrutinise local public spending; and thirdly, the The Government remain convinced that their preferred development of Total Place, where local authorities approach is the most viable option, but accept that bring together all the partners responsible for public further work remains to be done in certain respects. spending in an area, challenging how that money is Specifically, we will now take forward work in consultation being spent. Most recently, “Putting the Frontline First: with the industry, non-governmental organisations and Smarter Government”set out a plan to drive up standards others to determine detailed arrangements for the effective by strengthening the role of citizens and civic society, to monitoring/auditing of compliance with a code of conduct. free up public services by recasting the relationship We will aim to publish our thinking on the way ahead, between the centre and the frontline, and to streamline taking into account this work and the key findings of the centre of Government, saving money for sharper the consultation, by March 2010. delivery. Local Spending Reports are one step towards In parallel, my officials will continue to work with these broader goals. partners for an effective international standard supported The next Local Spending Report will contain more by an accountability mechanism. We aim to agree these up-to-date data, across a wider range of sources. In the within the next two years. new year, I will publish a consultation paper to discuss the issues with organisations who will be affected by the arrangements. We also want to make sure that the next Local Spending Report easily links across to the sources HEALTH of the original data wherever possible, so that those interested in the detail of the report can quickly find out more. This will make Local Spending Reports more NHS Operating Framework “alive”: easier to use and more valuable to the user. My intention is to publish the next Local Spending Report (after the consultation) in the summer 2010. The Secretary of State for Health (Andy Burnham): The NHS Operating Framework for 2010-11 was published today. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House and copies are available to hon. Members from FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE the Vote Office. The NHS Operating Framework for 2010-11 describes Private Military and Security Companies (Standards of a stable financial settlement to operate within and makes Conduct) clear what the NHS needs to do to deliver the priorities agreed as part of the comprehensive spending review 2007, and be in the best possible position to move into The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth the new Spending Review period beyond 2011. Affairs (David Miliband): On 24 April 2009, the Foreign The priorities for the NHS in 2010-11 continue to be: and Commonwealth Office (FCO) launched a 12-week improving standards of cleanliness and tackling healthcare public consultation on the Government’s proposed policy associated infections; to promote high standards of conduct in the Private improving access to care through the achievement of the Military and Security Companies (PMSCs) industry 18-week referral to treatment pledge and improving access to internationally. GP services, including at evenings and at weekends; Our overarching aims are to (a) promote high standards improving the health of adults and children and reducing of conduct by PMSCs internationally; and (b) reduce health inequalities, by focusing on improving care for cancer the risk that PMSC activities might give rise to human and stroke, and paying particular attention to children’s health, rights or international humanitarian law concerns, assist and maternity and neonatal services; internal repression, or provoke or prolong internal or improving patient and staff experience, satisfaction and engagement; regional tensions. and preparing to respond in a state of emergency, such as an Our preferred option involves promoting high standards outbreak of pandemic influenza. of behaviour by the industry in the UK through a code In addition to the national priorities, primary care of conduct, agreed with and monitored by the Government, trusts (PCTs) need to continue to improve at understanding using our leverage as a key buyer to raise standards, the particular needs of their local populations and take together with an international agreement on standards concrete steps to address them. In order to meet their covering all aspects of PMSC operation and organisation own local needs, PCTs will need to work in step with worldwide. local government through local area agreements that We received 25 responses to the consultation. The focus on improving health and well-being. FCO is today publishing on its website a summary of Local priorities will build on evidence about current responses to the consultation, including a Government PCT performance and regional variation, and also plan response to the contributions. We will be able to integrate for the future by incorporating work being done in local many of the suggestions into our follow-up work. service reviews. The following key findings emerged: (a) there was no By the end of 2010-11 we expect to see NHS conclusive evidence to demonstrate that the Government’s organisations that have adapted to reflect the quality preferred option of promoting high standards of conduct and productivity challenge while maintaining improved internationally was not the best way of meeting achieving delivery and financial discipline. 139WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 140WS

The NHS must meet the needs of its patients and and greater food security. The UK helps support this their families, the expectations of the public and the progress through the protection of basic services (PBS) aspirations of its staff. At all times, the NHS must be programme, alongside complementary activities. safe, effective, personalised and fair. The more responsive PBS has a proven track record of providing essential and personalised the NHS gets, the better the care it will services for millions of very poor Ethiopians. In the provide and the more confidence the health service will next two to three years, our latest £60 million contribution inspire. will help: The NHS Operating Framework for 2010-11 should provide an extra 150,000 trained teachers be read in conjunction with the NHS 2010-15 document. get 2.8 million more children in school train 6,000 new health workers equip 1,280 health centres with emergency obstetric care INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT vaccinate 4 million babies against killer diseases make sure that 400,000 more children survive to the age of five; Civilian Stabilisation Capacity and provide access to water for 6 million more households. The Secretary of State for International Development We are aware of allegations that some aid provided (Mr. Douglas Alexander): I am pleased to announce through the Ethiopian authorities—including through that the stabilisation unit has now recruited over 1,000 PBS—is being distorted at the local level for political high quality individuals with the right skills and experience purposes. We take all allegations of this nature very to deploy and help rebuild countries emerging from seriously. PBS was deliberately designed to include a conflict. They come from both the public and private range of rigorous checks, including regular financial sectors, including 200 civil servants. This delivers the and impact audits, surveys of the intended beneficiaries commitment made by the Prime Minister last year in to check our support is reaching them, field visits, and his launch of the national security strategy. evaluations to monitor progress. The stabilisation unit currently deploys 70 civilians In addition to these in-built safeguards in PBS, we and 35 police officers either in hostile environments have raised our concerns with Prime Minister Meles such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan and DRC, or on and are taking additional steps to make sure that our secondment to international peace-building missions aid is being used for its intended purpose. These steps such as Kosovo and Georgia. These trained and experienced include jointly commissioning work to look for any individuals are making a valuable contribution to improving evidence of systemic or widespread distortion within security, governance and promoting peace in countries PBS and the other programmes concerned. affected by violent conflict. This has been most evident in Helmand province in Afghanistan where the unit’s ability to find high quality personnel willing to work in the forward operating bases has been a major factor in JUSTICE the success of the UK-led provincial reconstruction team in expanding the reach of the Government of Succession and Wills (Commission Proposal) Afghanistan to the majority of the population. The creation of the 1,000 strong civilian stabilisation capacity will enable the unit to increase the number of The Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor civilians deployed at any one time up to 200 if required. (Mr. Jack Straw): The Government have today decided The unit is also working with UK police forces in not to opt in to the European Commission’s proposed increasing the number of serving senior ranking police regulation on succession and wills. This means the UK officers who are able to deploy. will not be bound by this regulation. This enhancement of the stabilisation unit’s capability Hundreds of thousands of UK citizens live and work is one of a number of ways in which DFID, FCO and in other EU member states, and millions of others enjoy MOD are strengthening the unit. It is also increasing its holidays in the EU. The diversity of rules and systems ability to support cross-Government planning and identify that apply to succession in different member states can and disseminate lessons relating to conflict. make for considerable complications where a person owns property across borders. In principle therefore, Ethiopia efforts to simplify and clarify the rules that apply to international successions could produce huge benefits for UK citizens, and the Government are strongly The Minister of State, Department for International supportive of the project in principle. However, there Development (Mr. Gareth Thomas): Ethiopia remains are potentially significant problems identified with the one of the poorest countries in the world. Recently, it proposal that the EU Commission has published. These has faced additional challenges, including a chronic were set out in a public consultation document, copies humanitarian situation and the impact of the global of which are available in the Libraries of both Houses. economic downturn. That consultation document highlighted two key Despite these additional challenges, the Government problems. The first, and most difficult of those, was of Ethiopia continue to make impressive progress in “clawback”, which describes a legal mechanism where expanding the availability and quality of health, education, gifts made during a person’s lifetime can be recouped water, sanitation and agriculture services across Ethiopia, after their death. The introduction of this concept into with support from international donors. Progress in the UK could create major practical difficulties, particularly these areas is building the foundations for faster growth for the recipients of such gifts including charities. 141WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 142WS

The second key concern was the proposal’s reliance TRANSPORT on “habitual residence” as the sole connecting factor, that is, the factor of a person’s circumstances which determines when the regulation’s other rules apply. Using Liverpool Cruise Terminal “habitual residence” in isolation in this way could mean that the relatives of anyone who lived abroad for a relatively short period of time and then died there, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport would find their estate was subject to a law with which (Paul Clark): The Liverpool cruise terminal is owned they had no real connection. That could lead to unforeseen and operated by Liverpool city council. It receives port and unfair outcomes. of call visits from major cruise lines. The construction The Ministry of Justice’s recent public consultation of this terminal was funded by grant from the European confirmed that these issues are widely considered to be regional development fund and the North West of very significant concern. A report of that consultation Development Agency. The original grant decision was will be published in due course. made on the basis of the benefits to local tourism from port calls, normally lasting a day. It was assessed that The Government have concluded that the potential there was unlikely to be any significant distortion to benefits of this proposal are outweighed by the risks competition in the market for port of call cruise services and have therefore decided that the best course of resulting from the provision of grant. It was however action is not to opt in to the proposal and the UK will judged at the time that changing the use of the terminal therefore not be bound by the outcome. to permit turnaround cruises to operate from that location The Government intend, however, to engage fully could raise competition issues in relation to other ports with the forthcoming negotiations between member operating in this market. Accordingly a condition of states on this proposal, with the aim of removing the the funding was that change of use could only be points that currently cause concern and to deliver further permitted with the agreement of the right hon. and improvements for citizens with links and assets in more noble Friend the Secretary of State for Transport. than one country. If that can be achieved, the Government Earlier this year Liverpool city council sought advice could then decide to seek to adopt the final regulation. from Department for Transport on the possibility of That will be considered and consulted upon as appropriate such a change of use to permit turnaround cruises and at that time. the Department undertook a further competition assessment. The Department has now completed this Legal Aid further assessment and has concluded that the proposed change of use would be likely to have an unfair and adverse effect on competition between Liverpool and The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice other cruise ports. Officials have informed Liverpool (Bridget Prentice): My noble friend, the Parliamentary city council of this decision. Under-Secretary of State, Lord Bach, has made the In making the competition assessment, account was following written ministerial statement. taken of information from a number of other ports “Following a consultation process, the Government intend to which provide cruise opportunities on a similar scale to introduce a number of reforms that aim to rebalance the legal aid Liverpool and serve overlapping customer markets within budget to ensure that the £2.1 billion currently spent every year Britain. The evidence demonstrates that it would be goes as far as possible in favour of civil help for those who need it unfair to allow one port to benefit from a publicly most. funded development when competitors have found, or The reforms are outlined in the Government’s response to the would have to find, private money to achieve the same consultation paper “Legal Aid: Funding Reforms”, which the objective. Ministry of Justice will be publishing later today. The reforms are intended to make better use of the criminal legal aid budget and Liverpool city council has had considerable success include changes that rationalise payment structures. in developing its cruise terminal to attract some of the The reforms will: largest cruise ships in the world. I hope this business continues to thrive. The market for supplying turnaround Contain the cost of legal aid representation at police stations cruises is, however, a different and highly competitive by reducing police station fees in the most expensive and one. It is right that that business within this market oversubscribed areas. should go where customers get best value without distortion Reform the current fee arrangements that remunerate litigators of the market by subsidy. It is for the port of Liverpool for preparation for committal hearings. Litigators will be paid to consider whether there are options to develop the a fixed fee for committals, which will be paid as part of the litigators graduated fee scheme. turnaround cruise business at Liverpool on a purely competitive basis. End the anomaly by which practitioners in criminal cases receive a fee for file reviews which does not apply in civil cases. It is estimated that approximately £23 million in savings will be made through the reforms to police station fees, changes to committal fees and the removal of the file review payments over WORK AND PENSIONS the course of 2010-11. In addition to these reforms, the Ministry of Justice will issue a second consultation paper to explore reforms to advocates fees in Correction (Statement) the Crown court. Copies of the response to consultation and the consultation paper “Legal Aid: Reforming Advocates Graduated Fees” will be The Minister for Pensions and the Ageing Society placed in the Libraries of both Houses, the Vote Office and the (Angela Eagle): During the debate that followed the Printed Paper Office”. up-rating statement on 10 December 2009, in response 143WS Written Ministerial Statements16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Ministerial Statements 144WS to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for “Between 1997 and April 2010 pensioners will have benefited Walsall, North, (Mr. Winnick, I said: from above-inflation increases in the basic state pension, with pensioners better off by £10 or 12 per cent. in real terms in their “we have raised the basic state pension above prices every year basic state pension.” since 1998-99.” [10 December 2009, Official Report, column 521]. The correct answer is as follows: I apologise to the House for the inadvertent error. 45P Petitions16 DECEMBER 2009 Petitions 46P Petitions Badman Report (Bolton South East) The Petition of persons resident in the Bolton South East parliamentary constituency, Wednesday 16 December 2009 Declares that they are concerned about the recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests PRESENTED PETITIONS closer monitoring of home educators, including a compulsory annual registration scheme and right of Petitions presented to the House but not read on the Floor access to people’s homes for local authority officials; further declares that the Petitioners believe the Badman Report (Aylesbury) recommendations are based on a review that was extremely The Petition of persons resident in the Aylesbury rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, parliamentary constituency, failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently Declares that they are concerned about the robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests legislative framework. closer monitoring of home educators, including a The Petitioners therefore request that the House of compulsory annual registration scheme and right of Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, access to people’s homes for local authority officials; Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to further declares that the Petitioners believe the withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for recommendations are based on a review that was extremely tighter registration and monitoring of children educated rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, at home in the absence of a thorough independent failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently inquiry into the condition and future of elective home robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing education in England; but instead to take the steps legislative framework. necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, implemented, learning from current best practice, in all Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to local authorities in England. withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for tighter registration and monitoring of children educated And the Petitioners remain, etc. at home in the absence of a thorough independent [P000683] inquiry into the condition and future of elective home education in England; but instead to take the steps necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home Badman Report (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly The Petition of persons resident in the Carmarthen implemented, learning from current best practice, in all East and Dinefwr parliamentary constituencies, local authorities in England. And the Petitioners remain, etc. Declares that they are concerned about the recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests [P000634] Badman Report (Birkenhead) closer monitoring of home educators, including a compulsory annual registration scheme and right of The Petition of persons resident in the Birkenhead access to people’s homes for local authority officials; Norwood parliamentary constituency, further declares that the Petitioners believe the Declares that they are concerned about the recommendations are based on a review that was extremely recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, closer monitoring of home educators, including a failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently compulsory annual registration scheme and right of robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing access to people’s homes for local authority officials; legislative framework. further declares that the Petitioners believe the recommendations are based on a review that was extremely The Petitioners therefore request that the House of rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for legislative framework. tighter registration and monitoring of children educated at home in the absence of a thorough independent The Petitioners therefore request that the House of inquiry into the condition and future of elective home Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, education in England; but instead to take the steps Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly tighter registration and monitoring of children educated implemented, learning from current best practice, in all at home in the absence of a thorough independent local authorities in England. inquiry into the condition and future of elective home education in England; but instead to take the steps And the Petitioners remain, etc. necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home [P000677] Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly implemented, learning from current best practice, in all local authorities in England. Badman Report (Chingford & Woodford Green) And the Petitioners remain, etc. The Petition of persons resident in the Chingford & [P000670] Woodford Green, 47P Petitions16 DECEMBER 2009 Petitions 48P

Declares that they are concerned about the access to people’s homes for local authority officials; recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests further declares that the Petitioners believe the closer monitoring of home educators, including a recommendations are based on a review that was extremely compulsory annual registration scheme and right of rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, access to people’s homes for local authority officials; failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently further declares that the Petitioners believe the robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing recommendations are based on a review that was extremely legislative framework. rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, The Petitioners therefore request that the House of failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to legislative framework. withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for The Petitioners therefore request that the House of tighter registration and monitoring of children educated Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, at home in the absence of a thorough independent Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to inquiry into the condition and future of elective home withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for education in England; but instead to take the steps tighter registration and monitoring of children educated necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home at home in the absence of a thorough independent Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly inquiry into the condition and future of elective home implemented, learning from current best practice, in all education in England; but instead to take the steps local authorities in England. necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home And the Petitioners remain, etc. Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly implemented, learning from current best practice, in all [P000666] local authorities in England. And the Petitioners remain, etc. Badman Report (Dulwich and West Norwood) [P000661] The Petition of persons resident in the Dulwich and West Norwood parliamentary constituency, Badman Report (City of Chester) Declares that they are concerned about the The Petition of persons resident in the City of Chester, recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests closer monitoring of home educators, including a Declares that they are concerned about the compulsory annual registration scheme and right of recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests access to people’s homes for local authority officials; closer monitoring of home educators, including a further declares that the Petitioners believe the compulsory annual registration scheme and right of recommendations are based on a review that was extremely access to people’s homes for local authority officials; rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, further declares that the Petitioners believe the failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently recommendations are based on a review that was extremely robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, legislative framework. failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing The Petitioners therefore request that the House of legislative framework. Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to The Petitioners therefore request that the House of withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, tighter registration and monitoring of children educated Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to at home in the absence of a thorough independent withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for inquiry into the condition and future of elective home tighter registration and monitoring of children educated education in England; but instead to take the steps at home in the absence of a thorough independent necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home inquiry into the condition and future of elective home Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly education in England; but instead to take the steps implemented, learning from current best practice, in all necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home local authorities in England. Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly implemented, learning from current best practice, in all And the Petitioners remain, etc. local authorities in England. [P000668] And the Petitioners remain, etc. [P000675] Badman Report (East Yorkshire) The Petition of persons resident in the East Yorkshire Badman Report (Derbyshire) parliamentary constituency, Declares that they are concerned about the The Petition of persons resident in the Derbyshire and recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests Derby North and South parliamentary constituencies and closer monitoring of home educators, including a others, compulsory annual registration scheme and right of Declares that they are concerned about the access to people’s homes for local authority officials; recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests further declares that the Petitioners believe the closer monitoring of home educators, including a recommendations are based on a review that was extremely compulsory annual registration scheme and right of rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, 49P Petitions16 DECEMBER 2009 Petitions 50P failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently The Petitioners therefore request that the House of robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, legislative framework. Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to The Petitioners therefore request that the House of withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, tighter registration and monitoring of children educated Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to at home in the absence of a thorough independent withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for inquiry into the condition and future of elective home tighter registration and monitoring of children educated education in England; but instead to take the steps at home in the absence of a thorough independent necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home inquiry into the condition and future of elective home Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly education in England; but instead to take the steps implemented, learning from current best practice, in all necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home local authorities in England. Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly And the Petitioners remain, etc. implemented, learning from current best practice, in all [P000656] local authorities in England. And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mr. Greg Knight .] Badman Report (Glasgow East) [P000665] The Petition of persons resident in the Glasgow East parliamentary constituencies and others,

Badman Report (Edmonton) Declares that they are concerned about the recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests The Petition of persons resident in the Edmonton closer monitoring of home educators, including a parliamentary constituency, compulsory annual registration scheme and right of access to people’s homes for local authority officials; Declares that they are concerned about the further declares that the Petitioners believe the recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests recommendations are based on a review that was extremely closer monitoring of home educators, including a rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, compulsory annual registration scheme and right of failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently access to people’s homes for local authority officials; robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing further declares that the Petitioners believe the legislative framework. recommendations are based on a review that was extremely rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, The Petitioners therefore request that the House of failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to legislative framework. withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for tighter registration and monitoring of children educated The Petitioners therefore request that the House of at home in the absence of a thorough independent Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, inquiry into the condition and future of elective home Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to education in England; but instead to take the steps withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home tighter registration and monitoring of children educated Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly at home in the absence of a thorough independent implemented, learning from current best practice, in all inquiry into the condition and future of elective home local authorities in England. education in England; but instead to take the steps necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home And the Petitioners remain, etc. Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly [P000669] implemented, learning from current best practice, in all local authorities in England. Badman Report (Hackney and Shoreditch) And the Petitioners remain, etc. The Petition of persons resident in the Hackney and [P000658] Shoreditch parliamentary constituencies, Declares that they are concerned about the Badman Report (Falmouth & Camborne) recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests The Petition of persons resident in the Falmouth and closer monitoring of home educators, including a Camborne parliamentary constituency, compulsory annual registration scheme and right of access to people’s homes for local authority officials; Declares that they are concerned about the further declares that the Petitioners believe the recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests recommendations are based on a review that was extremely closer monitoring of home educators, including a rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, compulsory annual registration scheme and right of failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently access to people’s homes for local authority officials; robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing further declares that the Petitioners believe the legislative framework. recommendations are based on a review that was extremely rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, The Petitioners therefore request that the House of failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to legislative framework. withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for 51P Petitions16 DECEMBER 2009 Petitions 52P tighter registration and monitoring of children educated necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home at home in the absence of a thorough independent Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly inquiry into the condition and future of elective home implemented, learning from current best practice, in all education in England; but instead to take the steps local authorities in England. necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home And the Petitioners remain, etc. Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly implemented, learning from current best practice, in all [P000663] local authorities in England. And the Petitioners remain, etc. [P000679] Badman Report (Kent) The Petition of persons resident in Kent and others, Badman Report (Hackney North and Stoke Newington) Declares that they are concerned about the recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests The Petition person resident in the Hackney North and closer monitoring of home educators, including a Stoke Newington parliamentary constituency, compulsory annual registration scheme and right of Declares that they are concerned about the access to people’s homes for local authority officials; recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests further declares that the Petitioners believe the closer monitoring of home educators, including a recommendations are based on a review that was extremely compulsory annual registration scheme and right of rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, access to people’s homes for local authority officials; failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently further declares that the Petitioners believe the robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing recommendations are based on a review that was extremely legislative framework. rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, The Petitioners therefore request that the House of failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to legislative framework. withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for The Petitioners therefore request that the House of tighter registration and monitoring of children educated Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, at home in the absence of a thorough independent Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to inquiry into the condition and future of elective home withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for education in England; but instead to take the steps tighter registration and monitoring of children educated necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home at home in the absence of a thorough independent Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly inquiry into the condition and future of elective home implemented, learning from current best practice, in all education in England; but instead to take the steps local authorities in England. necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home And the Petitioners remain, etc. Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly [P000685] implemented, learning from current best practice, in all Badman Report (Leigh) local authorities in England. The Petition of persons resident in the Leigh parliamentary And the Petitioners remain, etc. constituency, [P000660] Declares that they are concerned about the recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests Badman Report (Holborn and St Pancras) closer monitoring of home educators, including a compulsory annual registration scheme and right of The Petition of persons resident in the Holborn and access to people’s homes for local authority officials; St Pancras parliamentary constituency, further declares that the Petitioners believe the Declares that they are concerned about the recommendations are based on a review that was extremely recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, closer monitoring of home educators, including a failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently compulsory annual registration scheme and right of robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing access to people’s homes for local authority officials; legislative framework. further declares that the Petitioners believe the The Petitioners therefore request that the House of recommendations are based on a review that was extremely Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing tighter registration and monitoring of children educated legislative framework. at home in the absence of a thorough independent inquiry into the condition and future of elective home The Petitioners therefore request that the House of education in England; but instead to take the steps Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for implemented, learning from current best practice, in all tighter registration and monitoring of children educated local authorities in England. at home in the absence of a thorough independent inquiry into the condition and future of elective home And the Petitioners remain, etc. education in England; but instead to take the steps [P000682] 53P Petitions16 DECEMBER 2009 Petitions 54P

Badman Report (Lewisham, Deptford) Badman Report (Maidstone and The Weald) The Petition person resident in the Lewisham, Deptford The Petition person resident in the Maidstone and The parliamentary constituency, Weald parliamentary constituencies, Declares that they are concerned about the Declares that they are concerned about the recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests closer monitoring of home educators, including a closer monitoring of home educators, including a compulsory annual registration scheme and right of compulsory annual registration scheme and right of access to people’s homes for local authority officials; access to people’s homes for local authority officials; further declares that the Petitioners believe the further declares that the Petitioners believe the recommendations are based on a review that was extremely recommendations are based on a review that was extremely rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing legislative framework. legislative framework. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for tighter registration and monitoring of children educated tighter registration and monitoring of children educated at home in the absence of a thorough independent at home in the absence of a thorough independent inquiry into the condition and future of elective home inquiry into the condition and future of elective home education in England; but instead to take the steps education in England; but instead to take the steps necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly implemented, learning from current best practice, in all implemented, learning from current best practice, in all local authorities in England. local authorities in England. And the Petitioners remain, etc. And the Petitioners remain, etc. [P000659] [P000674]

Badman Report (Leyton and Wansted) Badman Report (Market Harborough) The Petition of persons resident in the Leyton and Wanstead parliamentary constituency, The Petition of persons resident in Market Harborough, Declares that they are concerned about the Declares that they are concerned about the recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests closer monitoring of home educators, including a closer monitoring of home educators, including a compulsory annual registration scheme and right of compulsory annual registration scheme and right of access to people’s homes for local authority officials; access to people’s homes for local authority officials; further declares that the Petitioners believe the further declares that the Petitioners believe the recommendations are based on a review that was extremely recommendations are based on a review that was extremely rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing legislative framework. legislative framework. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for tighter registration and monitoring of children educated tighter registration and monitoring of children educated at home in the absence of a thorough independent at home in the absence of a thorough independent inquiry into the condition and future of elective home inquiry into the condition and future of elective home education in England; but instead to take the steps education in England; but instead to take the steps necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly implemented, learning from current best practice, in all implemented, learning from current best practice, in all local authorities in England. local authorities in England. And the Petitioners remain, etc. And the Petitioners remain, etc.

[P000684] [P000680] 55P Petitions16 DECEMBER 2009 Petitions 56P

Badman Report (Perry Barr) Badman Report (South West Surrey) The Petition of persons resident in the Perry Barr The Petition of persons resident in the South West parliamentary constituency, Surrey parliamentary constituency, Declares that they are concerned about the Declares that they are concerned about the recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests closer monitoring of home educators, including a closer monitoring of home educators, including a compulsory annual registration scheme and right of compulsory annual registration scheme and right of access to people’s homes for local authority officials; access to people’s homes for local authority officials; further declares that the Petitioners believe the further declares that the Petitioners believe the recommendations are based on a review that was extremely recommendations are based on a review that was extremely rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing legislative framework. legislative framework. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for tighter registration and monitoring of children educated tighter registration and monitoring of children educated at home in the absence of a thorough independent at home in the absence of a thorough independent inquiry into the condition and future of elective home inquiry into the condition and future of elective home education in England; but instead to take the steps education in England; but instead to take the steps necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly implemented, learning from current best practice, in all implemented, learning from current best practice, in all local authorities in England. local authorities in England. And the Petitioners remain, etc. And the Petitioners remain, etc. [P000678] [P000671]

Badman Report (Rugby and Kenilworth) Badman Report (Stockton South) The Petition of persons resident in the Rugby and The Petition of persons resident in the Stockton South Kenilworth parliamentary constituencies, parliamentary constituency, Declares that they are concerned about the Declares that they are concerned about the recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests closer monitoring of home educators, including a closer monitoring of home educators, including a compulsory annual registration scheme and right of compulsory annual registration scheme and right of access to people’s homes for local authority officials; access to people’s homes for local authority officials; further declares that the Petitioners believe the further declares that the Petitioners believe the recommendations are based on a review that was extremely recommendations are based on a review that was extremely rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing legislative framework. legislative framework. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for tighter registration and monitoring of children educated tighter registration and monitoring of children educated at home in the absence of a thorough independent at home in the absence of a thorough independent inquiry into the condition and future of elective home inquiry into the condition and future of elective home education in England; but instead to take the steps education in England; but instead to take the steps necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly implemented, learning from current best practice, in all implemented, learning from current best practice, in all local authorities in England. local authorities in England. And the Petitioners remain, etc. And the Petitioners remain, etc.

[P000681] [P000662] 57P Petitions16 DECEMBER 2009 Petitions 58P

Badman Report (Streatham) Badman Report (Wallasey) The Petition of persons resident in the Streatham The Petition of persons resident in the Wallasey parliamentary constituency, parliamentary constituency, Declares that they are concerned about the Declares that they are concerned about the recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests closer monitoring of home educators, including a closer monitoring of home educators, including a compulsory annual registration scheme and right of compulsory annual registration scheme and right of access to people’s homes for local authority officials; access to people’s homes for local authority officials; further declares that the Petitioners believe the further declares that the Petitioners believe the recommendations are based on a review that was extremely recommendations are based on a review that was extremely rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing legislative framework. legislative framework. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for tighter registration and monitoring of children educated tighter registration and monitoring of children educated at home in the absence of a thorough independent at home in the absence of a thorough independent inquiry into the condition and future of elective home inquiry into the condition and future of elective home education in England; but instead to take the steps education in England; but instead to take the steps necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly implemented, learning from current best practice, in all implemented, learning from current best practice, in all local authorities in England. local authorities in England. And the Petitioners remain, etc. And the Petitioners remain, etc. [P000673] [P000676]

Badman Report (Twickenham) Badman Report (Wirral South) The Petition of persons resident in the Wirral South The Petition of persons resident in the parliamentary parliamentary constituency, constituency of Twickenham and others, Declares that they are concerned about the Declares that they are concerned about the recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests closer monitoring of home educators, including a closer monitoring of home educators, including a compulsory annual registration scheme and right of compulsory annual registration scheme and right of access to people’s homes for local authority officials; access to people’s homes for local authority officials; further declares that the Petitioners believe the further declares that the Petitioners believe the recommendations are based on a review that was extremely recommendations are based on a review that was extremely rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing legislative framework. legislative framework. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for tighter registration and monitoring of children educated tighter registration and monitoring of children educated at home in the absence of a thorough independent at home in the absence of a thorough independent inquiry into the condition and future of elective home inquiry into the condition and future of elective home education in England; but instead to take the steps education in England; but instead to take the steps necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly implemented, learning from current best practice, in all implemented, learning from current best practice, in all local authorities in England. local authorities in England. And the Petitioners remain, etc. And the Petitioners remain, etc.

[P000657] [P000667] 59P Petitions16 DECEMBER 2009 Petitions 60P

Badman Report (Wirral West) Ombudsman in her report upon Equitable Life, ordered by the House of Commons to be printed on 16 July The Petition of persons resident in the Wirral West 2008 and bearing reference number HC 815; and further parliamentary constituency, declares that the Petitioners or those whom they represent Declares that they are concerned about the or support have suffered regulatory failure on the part recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests of the public bodies responsible from the year 1992 closer monitoring of home educators, including a onwards, but have not received compensation for the compulsory annual registration scheme and right of resulting losses and outrage. access to people’s homes for local authority officials; The Petitioners therefore request that the House of further declares that the Petitioners believe the Commons urges the Government to uphold the recommendations are based on a review that was extremely constitutional standing of the Parliamentary Ombudsman rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, by complying with the findings and recommendations failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently of her Report upon Equitable Life. robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing And the Petitioners remain, etc. legislative framework. [P000687] The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, Badman Report (Sheffield Attercliffe) Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to The Petition of persons resident in the Sheffield Attercliffe withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for parliamentary constituency, tighter registration and monitoring of children educated at home in the absence of a thorough independent Declares that they are concerned about the inquiry into the condition and future of elective home recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests education in England; but instead to take the steps closer monitoring of home educators, including a necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home compulsory annual registration scheme and right of Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly access to people’s homes for local authority officials; implemented, learning from current best practice, in all further declares that the Petitioners believe the local authorities in England. recommendations are based on a review that was extremely rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, And the Petitioners remain, etc. failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently [P000672] robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing legislative framework. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Equitable Life (Chipping Barnet) Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, The Petition of persons resident in the Chipping Barnet Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to parliamentary constituency, withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for tighter registration and monitoring of children educated Declares that the Petitioners either are or they represent at home in the absence of a thorough independent or support members, former members or personal inquiry into the condition and future of elective home representatives of deceased members of the Equitable education in England; but instead to take the steps Life Assurance Society who have suffered maladministration necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home leading to injustice, as found by the Parliamentary Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly Ombudsman in her report upon Equitable Life, ordered implemented, learning from current best practice, in all by the House of Commons to be printed on 16 July local authorities in England. 2008 and bearing reference number HC 815; and further declares that the Petitioners or those whom they represent And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Mr. Clive or support have suffered regulatory failure on the part Betts .] of the public bodies responsible from the year 1992 [P000686] onwards, but have not received compensation for the Badman Report (Mid Worcestershire) resulting losses and outrage. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of The Petition of persons resident in the Mid Worcestershire Commons urges the Government to uphold the parliamentary constituency, constitutional standing of the Parliamentary Ombudsman Declares that they are concerned about the by complying with the findings and recommendations recommendations of the Badman Report, which suggests of her Report upon Equitable Life. closer monitoring of home educators, including a And the Petitioners remain, etc. compulsory annual registration scheme and right of access to people’s homes for local authority officials; [P000640] further declares that the Petitioners believe the recommendations are based on a review that was extremely Equitable Life (Woodspring) rushed, failed to give due consideration to the evidence, failed to ensure that the data it collected were sufficiently The Petition of persons resident in the Woodspring robust, and failed to take proper account of the existing parliamentary constituency, legislative framework. Declares that the Petitioners either are or they represent The Petitioners therefore request that the House of or support members, former members or personal Commons urges the Secretary of State for Children, representatives of deceased members of the Equitable Schools and Families either not to bring forward, or to Life Assurance Society who have suffered maladministration withdraw, proposed legislative measures providing for leading to injustice, as found by the Parliamentary tighter registration and monitoring of children educated 61P Petitions16 DECEMBER 2009 Petitions 62P at home in the absence of a thorough independent by communications from Cyclamax, and do not trust inquiry into the condition and future of elective home the company to be running such a hazardous process; education in England; but instead to take the steps and considers that profit and money-making are being necessary to ensure that the existing Elective Home put before public health and safety. Education Guidelines for Local Authorities are properly The Petitioners therefore request that the House of implemented, learning from current best practice, in all Commons urges the Secretary of State for Communities local authorities in England. and Local Government to do all in his power to oppose And the Petitioners remain, etc. the building of this hazardous waste gasification and [P000690] incineration plant and ensure that this proposed technology is not given permission to destroy a whole area of Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire. OBSERVATIONS And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Natascha Engel, Official Report, 4 November 2009; Vol. 498, c. 961 .] COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT [P000406] Waste Plant (North East Derbyshire) Observations from the Secretary of State for Communities The Petition of residents of Dronfield, and others and Local Government: Declares that a hazardous waste gasification/incineration The Secretary of State for Communities and Local plant is proposed to be built on the site of Sheepridge Government is aware that a planning application has Business Park, only a few miles away from Dronfield; been submitted to Derbyshire County Council in respect further declares that the technology proposed by the of the above development. He is advised that the application newly established company is untested and unproven; to enable the recycling and sorting of waste materials notes that there are no long term case studies on the and generation of renewable energy at the Sheepbridge health effects of these processes, while every day more Resource Park (reference CW2/0708/56) is likely to be and more evidence is coming to light of the harmful considered by the planning committee on 7 December effects of airborne pollution from industry and traffic; 2009. Believes that the site is too close to residents, with The determination of the planning application is 19 schools and around 30,000 people living within just primarily the responsibility of the County Council as two miles of the proposed site; further notes that the the local planning authority and the Secretary of State site is in close proximity to many farms, livestock, cannot comment on the merits or otherwise of any fisheries and allotments, meaning there is a real danger application. of dioxins entering the local food chain; further notes Decisions on planning applications are required to be that the site is bordered by greenbelt land and protected in accordance with the adopted development plan, unless woodland, threatening the devastation of all the wildlife material considerations indicate otherwise. It is the in the area and risking further contamination of the responsibility of the local planning authority to identify watercourses and food chain from the movement of and weigh up all the different issues, in the context of wildlife in and around the site; further declares that the the specific local circumstances, having regard to the site is close to existing businesses that will move away, views of local residents and other interested parties. leading to hundreds of job losses and difficulties attracting The Secretary of State may decide to call-in an any future investment; application for his own determination where he considers Further notes that the waste, coming from a 30 mile that it raises issues of more than local importance but radius, will need to travel past many schools, through his policy is to be very selective about this. As it is small villages and country lanes to reach the proposed possible that the application may, at some future date site; believes this is unsafe, unnecessary and unacceptable; come within his jurisdiction, it would be inappropriate further declares that residents have not been reassured to comment on the matters raised in the petition.

1139W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1140W Written Answers to WALES Departmental Billing Questions Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many and what proportion of invoices submitted Wednesday 16 December 2009 to his Department have been paid within 10 days in each month since October 2008; and if he will make a statement. [307962]

Mr. Hain: Since October 2008, my Department has PRIME MINISTER paid the following number of invoices each month.

Number of invoices Percentage paid Central Ayrshire: Visit paid within 10 days October 2008 47 85 Q13. Mr. Donohoe: To ask the Prime Minister when November 2008 61 90 he next plans to visit Central Ayrshire. [307400] December 2008 52 98 January 2009 58 91 Ms Harman: I have been asked to answer. February 2009 56 98 My right hon. Friend has no current plans to do so. March 2009 74 99 April 2009 84 100 May 2009 75 97 Cabinet: Meetings June 2009 67 75 July 2009 47 96 David T.C. Davies: To ask the Prime Minister what August 2009 54 98 the (a) dates, (b) locations and (c) cost to the public September 2009 61 95 purse have been of each meeting of the Cabinet held October 2009 72 96 outside London since 27 June 2007. [306113] November 2009 44 98

The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to my Departmental Conferences answers of: 29 October 2008, Official Report, column 1017W; 29 January 2009, Official Report, column 738W; Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for 13 March 2009, Official Report, column 802W; 18 June Wales how many (a) away days and (b) conferences 2009, Official Report, column 451W; 3 June 2009, Official that took place outside his Department’s building Report, column 487W; and 7 May 2009, Official Report, attended by civil servants in his Department there have column 378W. been since 2005; and what the cost was of each. The Cabinet met in Cardiff on July 23 2009. This was [307510] linked with a number of ministerial visits across the region; there was a public engagement event with around Mr. Hain: The Wales Office held one away day a year 203 people which was followed by a formal Cabinet from 2006 until 2008 for the whole of the office. The meeting The cost of the public engagement event and cost of these venues was £8,055.40 in 2006, £13,526.04 the Cabinet meeting was approximately £77,433.61, in 2007 and £4,662 in 2008. In 2009, there were two excluding VAT. There are no separate figures for the events held for Legislation Branch and for Policy Branch. Cabinet meeting. The figure includes the cost of hiring There was no cost for the venue for Legislation Branch the venue, catering, associated security and delegate and a charge of £596.75 for the venue for Policy Branch. management. In addition, Departments and agencies will have incurred costs in terms of travel, staff time and Departmental Legislation other support. The cost of any security provided by the police is a matter for the relevant police force. Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales The visit of the Cabinet to Nottingham was on what criminal offences have been (a) created and (b) 20 November 2009. The final cost figures for this event abolished by secondary legislation sponsored by his are not yet available. Department since 1 May 2008. [307792]

Mr. Hain: None. Written Questions: Government Responses Departmental Pay Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Prime Minister when he plans to respond to question 304527, on the 2009 Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, tabled Wales how much funding his Department has allocated on 1 December 2009. [307609] for (a) year end and (b) in year bonuses for its staff in 2009-10. [307022] The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 December 2009, Official Report, Mr. Hain: My Department does not allocate a budget column 548W. specifically for bonuses. 1141W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1142W

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales The Electoral Commission is independent of how many (a) year end and (b) in-year bonuses were Government and its 171 staff members are not civil paid to officials in his Department in each of the last servants. three years; and how much was paid in such bonuses in each such year. [307105]

Mr. Hain: My Department paid the following in year ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS bonuses: Environmental Protection Flood Risk Regulations 2009 One in 2006-07, nine in 2007-08 and two in 2008-09. We paid the following year end bonuses: Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Zero in 2006-07, five in 2007-08 and one in 2008-09. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will delay The total amount paid in each year is as follows: the entering into force of the Environmental Protection Flood Risk Regulations 2009 due to enter into force on £862.30 in 2006-07, £5,200 in 2007-08 and £2,050 in 2008-09. 10 December 2009 until (a) all interested parties have been consulted and (b) both Houses of Parliament Departmental Written Questions have scrutinised the Statutory Instrument. [307383]

Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales Huw Irranca-Davies: The Government consulted on how many and what percentage of parliamentary questions provisions to implement the EU Floods Directive in the tabled for written answer by his Department on a draft Flood and Water Management Bill (Cmnd 7582) named day in session 2008-09 received a substantive published on 21 April. We received nearly 650 responses answer on that day. [307550] and these are summarised on DEFRA’s website and are available from the DEFRA library. The EFRA Select Mr. Hain: There were 22 named day parliamentary Committee also scrutinised the draft Bill. questions tabled for answer representing 88 per cent. which received a substantive answer. Specific reference was made to the regulations in the written ministerial statement on 19 November when the Flood and Water Management Bill was introduced and the Government response (Cmnd 7741) to the EFRA ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE Select Committee report and to the consultation was published. All interested parties, including Parliament, Departmental Conferences have had an opportunity to scrutinise our plans for transposing the directive. Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the hon. Member for Laying the regulations on the day that the Flood and South West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee Water Management Bill was introduced provided an on the Electoral Commission how many (a) away days opportunity for each to be considered in the context of and (b) conferences that took place outside the Electoral the other. The regulations have been considered by the Commission’s buildings attended by civil servants in the House of Lords Select Committee on the Merits of Electoral Commission there have been since 2005; and Statutory Instruments and officials provided clarification what the cost was of each. [307469] to the committee. Mr. Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me Fishing Catches that to provide the information in the format requested would incur disproportionate costs. However, its expenditure Mr. Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for on conference attendance, annual staff conferences and Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how much in team development and planning days for the years tonnes and what percentage of UK fish catch was sent requested was as follows: abroad for processing and then returned to the UK in the latest period for which figures are available; [307499] £ (2) to which countries fish catch is sent for processing Expenditure on team before being returned to the UK; and what weight of development fish was sent to each country in the latest period for Expenditure and planning which figures are available. [307638] on conference Annual staff days held off Financial year attendance conference site Huw Irranca-Davies: Information on UK imports and exports of fish are published in UK Sea Fisheries 2005-06 30,140 14,060 — Statistics, a copy of which is available in the Library of 2006-07 26,720 16,650 14,020 the House. Figures on the amount of fish exported for 2007-08 25,330 22,020 17,770 fish processing are not collected centrally and could be 2008-09 30,920 5,260 18,270 provided only at disproportionate cost. The expenditure on conference attendance typically Floods: Property Development covers the attendance of Commissioners and Commission staff at the following types of events: Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Political Party Conferences Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his most Local political party events recent assessment is of progress in the revision of Planning Association of Electoral Administrators conferences Policy Statement 25 since June 2009; and what estimate Local Government Association conferences he has made of the number of houses to have a flood Continuous Professional Development (CPD) conferences. kit. [306810] 1143W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1144W

Huw Irranca-Davies: The Government agree with Sir and coastal environment of plastics that have been Michael Pitt’s Review of the summer 2007 floods that dumped at sea or on beaches. [307639] found that the policy approach in Planning Policy Statement 25: Development and Flood Risk (PPS25) is sound and Huw Irranca-Davies: DEFRA has been working with should be rigorously applied. the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) to incorporate On 11 August 2009 the Department for Communities the MCS long-term dataset for beach litter levels and and Local Government (CLG) published proposals for sources of litter in the UK to assess UK marine litter public consultation to make a limited number of levels as part of the evidence collection process for the amendments to Annexe D of PPS25 to clarify how Charting Progress 2 report. certain aspects of the policy should be applied. The Charting Progress 2 is an integrated assessment of public consultation period closed on 3 November and the state of the UK seas that will measure progress CLG is now considering the responses received. towards achieving the Government’s marine vision and No estimate has been made of the number of properties will be published in 2010. The report will form an that have prepared a flood kit. As outlined in our recent important building block in the Initial Assessment of Pitt progress report, we have always acknowledged this UK waters, required by 2012 under the Marine Strategy was up to individuals, but would be supported by Framework Directive. communication campaigns taken forward by the DEFRA is working with international colleagues in Environment Agency. The Environment Agency has OSPAR (the Convention for the Protection of the Marine done this in its recent ″Preparing for a Flood″ guide, Environment of the North-East Atlantic) to support which promotes how flood kits should be made up. assessments of marine litter, and the OSPAR Quality Status Report (QSR) due to be published in 2010, will Metals: Waste Disposal contain a regional assessment of litter levels.

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will bring Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he forward proposals to amend the Environmental has made of the cost to (a) his Department, (b) local Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) (No. 2) authorities and (c) non-governmental organisations of Regulations 2009 in respect of their provision for the cleaning refuse from the coast in each year since 1997. metal recycling sector. [306333] [307640]

Dan Norris: The Environmental Permitting (England Huw Irranca-Davies: No estimate of the costs for and Wales) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2009 will cleaning refuse from coastal areas to DEFRA, local come into force in April 2010. The regulations will authorities or non-government organisations has been allow operators to benefit from new or revised exemptions made. that are free to register for, from that date. The regulations Through the Environmental Protection Act (1990) also include transitional provisions for those existing local authorities have a statutory duty to keep their operations that will be required to obtain an environmental beaches clean down to the high water mark and many permit. In the case of the metal recycling sector, operators have beach management plans in place. who need a permit will be required to apply for one by 30 September 2013. This period has been provided to Beaches are regularly monitored through the National allow operators sufficient time to fulfil the requirements Indicator Set and many are signed up to such awards for obtaining a permit. It would, therefore, be inappropriate such as the international “Blue Flag” and England’s to suggest revisions at this time as these changes are “Quality Coast Award”, both administered by Keep being implemented. Britain Tidy. I would also refer the hon. Member to my written Mr. Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for Official Report, answer 14 December, column 655W, on Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information the subject of how we will subsequently review the 2009 his Department holds on the (a) area covered by and Regulations. (b) in weight tonnes of the mass of plastic debris Rights of Way identified in the Pacific Ocean; and what discussions he has had with international agencies on steps to reduce Mr. Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for the effect on the marine environment of that debris. Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many appeals [307660] regarding rights of way the National Casework team has under consideration; and for how long on average Huw Irranca-Davies: The published literature on the such appeals have been under consideration. [306815] Pacific litter gyre indicates that the area concerned is found within the North Pacific Subtropical High, an Huw Irranca-Davies: The National Rights of Way area of international waters, between Hawaii and California. Casework Team has 99 Schedule 14 Appeal cases under Researchers have pointed out that the weight of litter is consideration as at 15 December 2009, averaging very difficult to estimate due to the patchiness of debris 68.6 weeks handling period per case to date. in this expansive area, but could be in the order of 6 million tonnes. Seas and Oceans: Pollution My officials attend the meetings of several international agencies where the reduction of litter in the marine Mr. Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for environment is discussed and where appropriate actions Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent are considered, particularly the OSPAR Convention for assessment he has made of the effects on the marine the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North 1145W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1146W

East Atlantic in which the UK is actively involved in the Question 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 marine litter working group, which focuses on the North East Atlantic. How many occasions Capita 21121 Group Plc tendered for Whales: Conservation contracts with DWP in each of the last five years How many such tenders were 2——11 Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for successful Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations How much DWP paid to 47.79 53.10 54.80 26.71 39.13 Capita Group Plc for the he has made to the governments of other countries on execution of contracts in each whaling since the last meeting of the International such year (£ million) Whaling Commission in June 2009; what plans he has How many contracts which 1———— to make further such representations before the next terminate after 2010 that Capita Group Plc hold with meeting of the Commission in June 2010; and if he will DWP make a statement. [307191] What the monetary value is of The information requested is not collated all outstanding contracts centrally and could be provided only at Huw Irranca-Davies: I wrote to the Japanese Minister between DWP and Capita disproportionate cost. of Fisheries on 24 October expressing the UK’s continued Group Plc opposition to the killing of whales in the Southern Details of the contracts captured in the table are in Ocean and the North west Pacific and to the hunting of the background notes. small cetaceans in Japanese coastal waters. On 2 October, the UK took part in a strong diplomatic Conditions of Employment protest (démarche) to Iceland expressing our extreme disappointment with the killing of almost 200 minke Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State and fin whales this year and called upon the Icelandic for Work and Pensions (1) what recent steps her Government to review Iceland’s Whaling policy. Department has taken to protect employment rights Before the next annual meeting of the IWC Foreign (a) in Coventry and (b) nationally; [303866] and Commonwealth Office posts will again lobby countries (2) whether her Department holds information for in support of the UK’s position, seeking to encourage benchmarking purposes on employment rights in other new anti-whaling nations to join the IWC and endeavouring EU member states. [303868] to change the opinion of Governments which currently support whaling. Jim Knight [holding answer 3 December 2009]: These issues are a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills.

WORK AND PENSIONS Crime

Capita Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many reported crimes there were of Mr. Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Work each type in (a) her Department and (b) each of its and Pensions whether any contracts between Capita agencies in each year since 1997. [306366] Group plc and her Department and its predecessors have been cancelled before completion since 1997; and Jim Knight [holding answer 14 December 2009]: Reports whether Capita Group plc has been liable for any of crimes will normally be made to the local police penalties arising from failings in the administration of forces. Consequently no central records are held, and to contracts since 1997. [303093] obtain the requested level of detail would involve disproportionate cost. Jim Knight: In December 2007, Capita Health Solutions Departmental Data Protection was successful in a competition to deliver an Occupational Health Service for DWP to commence in April 2007. DWP and Capita mutually agreed to disengage from David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Work this arrangement with effect from August 2007. No and Pensions how many thefts of data from the Labour penalties were arising. Market System database have been identified in each of the last five years. [303038] Mr. Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on how many occasions Capita Group Jim Knight [holding answer 30 November 2009]: The plc tendered for contracts let by her Department in Department takes very seriously its responsibility to each of the last five years; how many such tenders were protect personal information. If individual employees successful; how much her Department paid to Capita are found to have misused their position (for example, Group plc for the execution of contracts in each such by accessing without authority information that is recorded year; how many contracts which terminate after 2010 on any of the Department’s databases), then such matters Capita Group plc hold with her Department; and what will be dealt with firmly, including dismissal and, where the monetary value is of all outstanding contracts appropriate, prosecution. between her Department and Capita Group plc. Incidents will normally be investigated and dealt with [303149] locally. However, details of such incidents, and the action taken, are not recorded centrally, and to obtain Jim Knight: The following table provides a summary this information in respect of the last five years would of the information requested. involve disproportionate cost. 1147W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1148W

Departmental Internet Departmental Lost Property

Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for and Pensions how many (a) page hits and (b) visitors Work and Pensions how many (a) laptop computers, her Department’s website received in 2008-09. [301853] (b) desktop computers and (c) memory sticks her Department and its agencies have recorded as having Jim Knight: In 2008-09 the Department for Work and been (i) lost and (ii) stolen from its offices in Scotland Pension website received: in each of the last 10 years. [306695] 68, 298,137 page views, and 9,498,849 unique visitors. Jim Knight [holding answer 14 December 2009]: Details Departmental Legal Costs of items reported as lost and stolen are recorded at departmental level and the information requested cannot Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work be provided in respect of Scotland without incurring and Pensions what expenditure her Department and its disproportionate cost. agencies have incurred on external legal advice and representation in each year since 1997; and for what Departmental Pay purposes such professional services have been commissioned. [300578] John Mason: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what (a) bonuses and (b) incentives have Jim Knight: The information is as follows: been paid to (i) consultants and (ii) contractors DWP legal category spending by year engaged by executive agencies and non-departmental Spend (£) public bodies for which her Department is responsible in each of the last three years. [300634] 2009-101 12,434,882 2008-09 18,854,926 2007-08 18,864,410 Jim Knight: It is not DWP practice for the Department 2006-07 14,851,405 or its agencies and non-departmental public bodies to 2005-06 18,564,671 pay contractors bonuses or incentives. DWP follows National Audit Office advice which recommends that a 2004-05 15,444,475 variety of payment mechanisms should be used in contract 2003-04 17,263,198 1 pricing. This approach is also endorsed by the Office for The 2009-10 spend is for the period 1 April to 31 October 2009. Government Commerce in their Guide to Consultancy DWP’s costs for external legal advice and representation Pricing. are captured under a range of existing commercial contracts that relate to the following areas. A more detailed breakdown of expenditure or the scope of Departmental Recruitment previous contracts from 1997 onwards could be provided only at a disproportionate cost. Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Work 1. IS/IT and Pensions what proportion of jobs advertised by her acts as the strategic legal adviser and provides project support Department in the last 12 months were online only to DWP and its corporate information technology directorate. A applications; and what provision her Department range of legal services for existing and prospective information makes for those wishing to apply for jobs in her service/technology contracts are provided. Department who do not have access to the internet. 2. Human Resources [301540] provides advice, guidance and assistance for HR policy development, training and awareness products, risk assessment, Jim Knight: None of the vacancies advertised in the private prosecution, banning and warning letters to customers, last 12 months were limited to online applications. We injunctions, international law and general legal matters as necessary. encourage the majority of candidates to apply online Where appropriate it conducts litigation proceedings for DWP in employment tribunal claims and personal injury compensation however, where the candidate has a disability, or other claims. reason for being unable to complete an online application, a paper application is accepted. 3. Estates provides advice to the commercial estates function in support of the PRIME estates contract and associated advice in relation Departmental Telephone Services to general property law. 4. Commercial Legal Services Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for provides legal advice and commercial guidance on DWP services Work and Pensions how many telephone lines with the delivered on behalf of welfare to work customers and on general prefix (a) 0870, (b) 0845 and (c) 0800 her Department commercial policy issues. (i) operates and (ii) sponsors; how many calls were 5. In House Lawyers received to each number in the last 12 months; and DWP’s in house lawyers expenditure on external legal services whether alternative numbers charged at the BT local comprises a range of payments, including those to meet other rate are available in each case. [305212] sides’ costs, where these are required to be paid as a result of litigation; payments made to counsel from the Attorney-General’s Jim Knight: The information is as follows: approved list for prosecutions, litigation or advisory services; and payments to local agent solicitors for prosecutions, some civil (i) As at 7 December 2009, the Department for Work litigation and other occasional work. and Pensions operates the following lines. 1149W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1150W

and health care professionals, investments in information Lines technology and Estates infrastructure, overheads and (a) 0870 13 set-up costs. (b) 0845 6,060 DWP is unable to disclose the unit cost of individual (c) 0800 154 medical assessments as to do so would jeopardise the Department’s commercial interests and dealings with (ii) All lines are ‘operated’ by the Department for Atos Healthcare or other service providers when negotiating Work and Pensions (DWP); there are no ‘sponsored’ future re-tenders. lines. With reference to the number of calls received by New Deal Schemes each 08XX number, the complexity of the Department’s telephony network and our current billing arrangement Dr. Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and with our service provider, BT, does not provide us with Pensions what percentage of jobseekers aged between this data as the Department does not require it. To 18 and 24 years old have gone off benefits without provide it, the Department would need to submit a finding a job (a) before and (b) after completing a formal request to BT to give us an estimate of the cost New Deal Gateway to Work course. [303029] of supplying this data. This could not be done within the time scales of this question. Jim Knight: The information requested is not available. Alternative numbers are not available. 0800/0845 numbers Scientists are integral to the Department’s telephony strategy and underpin the delivery of good customer service. The Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work 0800 and 0845 numbers are clearly signposted to customers and Pensions how many (a) scientific advisers and (b) for the services that they wish to access and the service civil servants in scientific posts there are in her is organised so that the customer is routed to the best Department. [302021] agent to help with their call. The Department’s telephony strategy is that calls to Jim Knight: There are no external scientific advisers claim benefit should be free to customers so it uses 0800 in the Department for Work and Pensions, however, free phone numbers for these calls. The great majority there are three civil servants within the Department of the Department’s customers use landlines to contact employed in posts which require them to give scientific the Department’s 0800 free phone lines where the calls advice. The Department also employs a number of are free. The Department uses 0845 telephone numbers statisticians, economists, social researchers and operational where its customers call for other reasons, and these are researchers but these are not classified as scientific calls typically that take less time to resolve. The charges posts. that apply to these calls will be set by the customer’s telephone or mobile operator. Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on how many occasions she has met (a) Where a customer calling our 0800 or 0845 services the Government Chief Scientific Adviser and (b) her asks us, or raises concerns over the cost of the call, we Department’s Chief Scientific Adviser in the course of offer to call them back. her official duties in the last 12 months. [304004]

Employment and Support Allowance Jim Knight: The Department’s chief scientific adviser is also the Department’s chief medical adviser and Mr. Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and health work and well-being policy director and in these Pensions how many people received support from an different capacities has had numerous meetings with the advocate when applying for employment and support Secretary of State during the last 12 months. During the allowance in the latest period for which figures are same period, the Secretary of State has had no meetings available. [304772] with the Government’s chief scientific adviser.

Jim Knight: Information on claimants receiving support Unemployment Benefits from an advocate is not available. Mrs. May: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Employment and Support Allowance: Medical and Pensions how many and what percentage of young Examinations people in each (a) region, (b) constituency and (c) local authority area are claiming out of work benefits. [306373] Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate she has made of the (a) Jim Knight [holding answer 14 December 2009]: The unit cost and (b) cost to date of conducting the medical available information has been placed in the Library. assessment process associated with employment and support allowance delivered under the Atos Healthcare Unemployment: Essex contract; and if she will make a statement. [305269] Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Work Jim Knight: The cost to date of conducting the medical and Pensions (1) how many people in Castle Point assessment process associated with Employment and constituency had been claiming jobseeker’s allowance Support Allowance is £36.2 million covering the period for (a) less than six months, (b) between six and up to 25 November 2009. This covers the costs of the 12 months, (c) between 12 months and two years and medical assessments including Work Focused Health (d) more than two years on the latest date for which Related Assessments, gathering information from customers information is available; [307503] 1151W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1152W

(2) what the average length of time was for which a Table 1: Number of persons1 resident in Castle Point claiming claimant resident in Castle Point constituency to be in jobseeker’s allowance by length of claim, October 2009 receipt of jobseeker’s allowance in each of the last (a) Number 12 months and (b) five years; [307504] (3) how many people aged between 16 and 24 years Over 52 weeks up to 104 weeks 115 in (a) Essex and (b) Castle Point had been unemployed for over (i) six and (ii) 12 months in each Over 104 weeks 20 of the last six months; [307505] 1 Length of claim data is only available for computerised claims, which account for 99.7 per cent. of all claims. (4) how many people aged between 16 and 24 years Note: in (a) Essex and (b) Castle Point constituency were Data rounded to nearest five. unemployed in (i) May 1997 and (ii) each of the last six Source: months for which figures are available. [307509] Jobcentre Plus Administrative System.

Table 2: Median length of claim of jobseeker’s allowance of persons1 Angela E. Smith: I have been asked to reply. resident in Castle Point constituency Median length of claim The information requested falls within the responsibility (months) of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply. October 2004 11.2 October 2005 11.8 Letter from Jil Matheson, dated December 2009: October 2006 12.8 As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your October 2007 11.1 Parliamentary Questions asking how many people in Castle Point October 2008 8.9 constituency have been claiming jobseeker’s allowance for (a) less November 2008 8.2 than six months, (b) between six and 12 months, (c) between December 2008 8.6 12 months and two years and (d) more than two years on the January 2009 9.3 latest date for which information is available; what the average length of time was for which claimant resident in Castle Point February 2009 9.6 constituency to be in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance in each of March 2009 10.7 the last (a) 12 months and (b) five years; how many people aged April 2009 11.0 between 16 and 24 years in (a) Essex and (b) Castle Point have May 2009 12.5 been unemployed for over (i) six and (ii) 12 months in each of the June 2009 13.6 last six months; and how many people aged between 16 and 24 years in (a) Essex and (b) Castle Point constituency were July 2009 14.1 unemployed in (i) May 1997 and (ii) each of the last six months August 2009 13.8 for which figures are available (307503, 307504, 307505, 307509). September 2009 13.7 October 2009 13.1 The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles unemployment 1 statistics for local areas from the Annual Population Survey and Length of claim data is only available for computerised claims, its predecessor the annual Labour Force Survey (LFS) following which account for 99.7 per cent. of all claims. International Labour Organisation (ILO) definitions. Source: Jobcentre Plus Administrative System. However, estimates of unemployment for the requested age band, duration and geographies are not available. As an alternative, Table 3: Number of persons1 age 16 to 24 claiming jobseeker’s questions relating to unemployment have also been answered allowance by duration of claim using Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) data. Essex Castle Point Table 1 attached, shows the number of persons resident in Over 26 Over 52 Over 26 Over 52 Castle Point constituency claiming JSA for (a) up to 26 weeks, (b) weeks weeks weeks weeks over 26 and up to 52 weeks, (c) over 52 and up to 104 weeks and (d) over 104 weeks in October 2009. May 2009 1,450 110 80 5 June 2009 1,575 125 80 5 Table 2 attached, shows the median length of live claims July 2009 1,535 140 85 5 during the last 12 months up to the latest available period in August 1,680 150 85 10 October 2009, and for October of each of the last 5 years. 2009 Table 3 attached, shows the number of persons, aged 16 to 24, September 1,525 160 75 10 claiming JSA, in the requested geographies, for (a) over 26 weeks 2009 and (b) over 52 weeks in October 2009 and the previous 5 months. October 1,390 160 75 10 2009 Table 4 attached, shows the number of persons, aged 16 to 24, 1 claiming JSA in the requested geographies in (a) May 1997 and Length of claim data is only available for computerised claims, which account for 99.7 per cent. of all claims. (b) from May to October 2009. Note: National and local area estimates for many labour market Data rounded to nearest five. statistics, including employment, unemployment and claimant Source: count are available on the NOMIS website at: Jobcentre Plus Administrative System. Table 4: Number of persons age 16 to 24 claiming jobseeker’s http://www.nomisweb.co.uk allowance resident in Essex and Castle Point Table 1: Number of persons1 resident in Castle Point claiming Essex Castle Point jobseeker’s allowance by length of claim, October 2009 May 1997 6,135 425 Number May 2009 8,520 595 Up to 26 weeks 1,265 June 2009 8,240 545 Over 26 weeks up to 52 weeks 400 July 2009 8,440 565 1153W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1154W

Table 4: Number of persons age 16 to 24 claiming jobseeker’s The current challenging economic climate makes our allowance resident in Essex and Castle Point focus on skills ever more important on an individual Essex Castle Point level for people who have been caught up in the downturn. August 2009 8,600 570 As part of our response to the recession, we have September 2009 8,420 580 intensified our support to help individuals identify skills October 2009 8,385 560 needs and make more training available to jobseekers, through the response to redundancy package, the six Note: Data rounded to nearest five. month offer and the Young Person’s Guarantee. The Source: Government have allocated over £350 million in funding Jobcentre Plus Administrative System. over two years for the training element of these programmes. Vacancies

Chloe Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work TRANSPORT and Pensions how many vacancies have been reported to Jobcentres in (a) Norwich North constituency and AP Braking (b) each region (i) in each year since 1997 and (ii) in 2009 to date. [301697] Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of Jim Knight: The available information has been placed 7 December 2009, Official Report, column 31W, on the in the Library. Caparo Group, what the monetary value is of the contract his Department holds with AP Braking Ltd. Vocational Training [307647]

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State Chris Mole: The answer I gave to the hon. Member for Work and Pensions (1) what steps her Department on 7 December 2009, Official Report, column 31W, (a) is taking to promote re-skilling initiatives in about whether the Department for Transport holds (b) [304303] Coventry and the UK; contracts with each company of the Caparo Group was (2) how many re-skilling initiatives there are; and incorrect. how much funding her Department has allocated in The Vehicle Certification Agency previously carried support of such schemes in 2009-10. [304305] out approval work through a third party on AP Braking’s Jim Knight: We are working with the Department for products. However, there was no contract between the Business, Innovation and Skills and partners to implement Department for Transport and AP Braking. a Government commitment to deliver a fully Integrated Employment and Skills (IES) service in England. The Aviation: Carbon Emissions new integrated service will bring together and reform existing employment and skills services to better support Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department skills acquisition, employment and career progression. for Transport what the average carbon emissions were IES trials are currently operating in 12 areas in England, per UK air passenger in each year since 1997. [306972] one of which is in Coventry, and another four of which are in other parts of the West Midlands. Mr. Khan: The following table provides estimates of The vision and principles of IES are shared across aviation carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per passenger Great Britain. However, as skills policy is devolved in for all domestic and international air passengers flying Scotland and Wales, we are working with their Governments from UK airports in each year from 1997 to 2007. to explore how an integrated service can be piloted and 2008 Air Passenger data are available but the 2008 delivered in the devolved Administrations. CO2 emissions data will be released in February 2010.

Table: Estimates of average CO2 emissions per passenger flying from UK airports, 1997-2007 Domestic aviation International aviation

Departing Average CO2 per Departing Average CO2 per Carbon Dioxide passengers passenger Carbon Dioxide passengers passenger (million tonnes) (millions) (tonnes) (million tonnes) (millions) (tonnes)

1997 1.46 16.0 0.09 22.74 57.3 0.40 1998 1.59 16.7 0.10 25.30 62.7 0.40 1999 1.76 17.5 0.10 27.49 66.7 0.41 2000 1.90 18.6 0.10 30.31 71.3 0.42 2001 1.99 19.2 0.10 29.56 71.4 0.41 2002 2.00 21.0 0.09 29.01 73.3 0.40 2003 2.04 22.9 0.09 29.72 77.1 0.39 2004 2.18 24.3 0.09 32.53 83.6 0.39 2005 2.38 25.1 0.09 35.09 89.0 0.39 2006 2.29 24.9 0.09 35.65 92.7 0.38 1155W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1156W

Table: Estimates of average CO2 emissions per passenger flying from UK airports, 1997-2007 Domestic aviation International aviation

Departing Average CO2 per Departing Average CO2 per Carbon Dioxide passengers passenger Carbon Dioxide passengers passenger (million tonnes) (millions) (tonnes) (million tonnes) (millions) (tonnes)

2007 2.14 24.4 0.09 34.97 96.0 0.36 Notes: 1. Domestic aviation includes all departures from UK airports flying to another UK airport. International aviation includes all departures from a UK airport flying to a destination outside of the UK. These will carry both UK and foreign passengers.

2. The aviation CO2 emissions are derived from bunker fuel sales, which broadly equates to all departing aircraft (excluding military aircraft). Therefore the figures in the table do not reflect emissions from surface access nor emissions from airport buildings. 3. Emissions from freighter aircraft have been allocated to passengers in these illustrative figures.

4. The CO2 emissions do not account for non-CO2 climate change effects of aviation emissions. Source: Carbon dioxide emissions—AEA Energy and Environment/DECC. Passengers—Civil Aviation Authority statistics.

The average CO2 per passenger figures in the table These percentage changes are calculated using the have been calculated by dividing total CO2 emissions differences in the average of the bus fares index over from departing flights by the number of departing each year. They therefore reflect the change from the passengers. They do not therefore reflect a weighted average fare level in the previous year to the average fare average of emissions to account for the relative numbers level in the current year. of flights flying different trip lengths. The level of emissions per passenger will be affected by such factors Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Minister of State, Department as load factors, type of aircraft used and fuel efficiency for Transport what formula is used to allocate national changes. concessionary bus fare grants to local authorities. [307579] Biofuels: Imports Mr. Khan: The Department for Communities and Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department Local Government (CLG) provides the majority of for Transport what percentage of biodiesel used in the concessionary travel funding to local authorities through UK was imported from the US in (a) 2007-08 and (b) Formula Grant. This is a block grant, so it is not 2008-09. [306975] possible to say how much of this grant is provided for concessionary travel. Formula grant is largely distributed Mr. Khan: The Department does not hold information using the socio-economic and demographic characteristics on biofuel supplied before the Renewable Transport of the authority, together with the number of band-D Fuel Obligation (RTFO) began in April 2008. equivalent properties within the authority’s area. Provisional data from the Renewable Fuels Agency The Department for Transport provides the remainder show that 38 per cent. of the biodiesel supplied for use through a special grant. This is funding solely to cover in the UK in 2008-09 was reported as coming from the extra costs brought about by the improvement to the US. the statutory minimum concession which gives free Bus Services: Fares off-peak local bus travel England-wide from April 2008. The special grant formula takes into account the Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, eligible local population, bus patronage, overnight visitors Department for Transport what the percentage change and retail space. It is designed to direct funding towards in bus fares in (a) passenger transport executive areas, areas of greater demand, such as coastal towns and (b) other urban areas, (c) London and (d) other areas urban centres. of England was from one year to the next in each year The Government recognise that there are some issues since 2007. [307039] around the distribution of special grant and that some Travel Concession Authorities have genuine funding Mr. Khan: Figures are available for Passenger Transport problems, so we are now consulting on changes to the Executive (PTE) areas and London, but it is not possible distribution of the special grant for 2010-11. The proposed to separate other urban areas and other areas of England revised distribution is based on an analysis of the actual using published statistics. The available statistics are additional costs incurred in 2008-09 as a result of the shown in the following table. improved concession. Year-on-year percentage change in bus fares index in England Bus Services: Yorkshire Rest of Financial year London PTE areas1 England2 Jon Trickett: To ask the Minister of State, Department 2006-07 8 1 -4 for Transport which bus companies his Department 2007-08 5 6 5 subsidises in Yorkshire; and how much funding it provided 2008-09 0 7 6 to each such company in each of the last 10 years. 1 PTE areas are Tyne and Wear, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, [307645] West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and the West Midlands. 2 The negative fares growth in the “Rest of England” in 2006-07 is Mr. Khan: The Government subsidise bus services in largely a result of the introduction of the free local bus travel concession for older or disabled people in April 2006. This generally England through the Department’s bus service operators had a greater impact on fares structures outside of London and the grant (BSOG) which is paid to operators of local bus PTE areas. services. 1157W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1158W

The following table shows BSOG payments made to £ bus operators in Yorkshire in 2008-09 and 2009-10. Operator 2008-09 2009-10 Grand total Data are not available for years prior to 2008-09. Harrogate District 36,378 24,635 61,012 £ Community Transport Ltd. Operator 2008-09 2009-10 Grand total Hodgson and Son — 12,358 12,358 Abbey Travel 8,645 14,918 23,563 Horseless Carriage 38,233 29,099 67,331 Acklams Coaches Ltd. 16,223 49,292 65,515 Services Andrews (Sheffield) 1,094,361 823,279 1,917,640 Hutchinsons 103,195 53,188 156,383 Ltd. J. J. Longstaff and Sons 16,391 7,084 23,475 Arriva Yorkshire Ltd. 2,307,938 1,873,074 4,181,012 Ltd. Arriva Yorkshire North 564,823 452,286 1,017,109 J. Motley and Son 2,165 1,697 3,862 Ltd. J. S. Perry and Sons 7,366 — 7,366 Arriva Yorkshire West 2,042,380 1,551,754 3,594,134 Jacksons of Silsden 14,274 8,408 22,681 Ltd. 1988 Ltd. As Coaches 3,317 2,884 6,201 John Rigby Travel 2,646 2,748 5,394 Atkinson’s Coaches 2,345 2,343 4,688 John Smith and Sons 53,608 36,902 90,510 Aydons Travel Services — 996 996 Ltd. B. L. Travel 55,300 51,193 106,493 JRT 4,505 4,184 8,689 B. Line Travel Ltd. 22,951 — 22,951 Keighley and District 899,593 622,817 1,522,410 Travel Ltd. Barnsley and District 180,517 119,566 300,083 Traction Co. Ltd. Kirkby Lonsdale Coach 54,111 49,681 103,792 Hire Ltd. Bibby’s of Ingleton 2,599 2,020 4,618 Ladyline Services 8,927 3,845 12,772 Botterills 915 549 1,464 Leven Valley Coaches 101,241 67,553 168,794 Brecks International 3,988 2,640 6,628 Linburg Touring Ltd. 25,656 32,075 57,731 Castle Coaches 5,044 3,506 8,550 (Skipton) Loonat Coaches Travel 8,477 3,423 11,900 Ltd. Central Travel Sheffield 9,799 18,462 28,261 Ltd. Lords Coaches 12,293 7,637 19,931 City Travel Yorkshire 13,245 26,330 39,575 M. and D. Mini Coach 3,525 — 3,525 Ltd. Hire Coastal and Country 24,832 19,787 44,619 Manor Travel 9,771 — 9,771 Coaches Ltd. Morse Coaches 1,350 1,798 3,148 Darren Mayes T/A M. 67,598 56,690 124,288 Mount Taxis 8,409 6,504 14,913 Travel Northern Spirit 178 — 178 Denny’s Coaches 24,171 1,220 25,392 Minicoaches Dewhirst Coaches 1,206 — 1,206 Pearsons Coaches 3,011 8,102 11,113 Door to Door Bus Co. 5,516 — 5,516 Pennine Motor Services 80,139 67,330 147,470 E. Stott and Sons Ltd. 94,721 60,174 154,896 Ltd. East Yorks Motor 2,563,648 2,057,546 4,621,194 Pioneer Travel 2,213 — 2,213 Services Ltd. Powells Bus Co. Ltd. 151,779 133,298 285,077 Eddie Brown Tours 38 — 38 Ltd. Procters of Bedale 201,517 149,292 350,809 Esk Valley Coaches —2020R. Drury Coaches 5,992 3,195 9,187 Ltd. R. Handley and Sons 6,128 3,545 9,673 Expressway Coaches 38,801 16,766 55,567 Ltd. Ltd. Rackford Coaches 40 1,348 1,388 Fair Rider 57,757 — 57,757 Rainbow Travel 2,373 1,584 3,958 First Halifax 2,027,006 1,448,793 3,475,798 Reliance Motor 62,061 59,752 121,813 First Huddersfield 1,392,889 1,079,992 2,472,881 Services First Leeds 6,708,944 5,012,644 11,721,588 Roaminey Travel 298 — 298 First South Yorkshire 8,479,453 6,457,669 14,937,122 Ross Travel 47,449 40,334 87,783 Ltd. Route 1 Travel Ltd. — 8,525 8,525 First West Yorkshire 2,990,381 1,868,643 4,859,024 Sheffield Community 263,345 137,669 401,014 Ltd. Transport First York (Rider York) 1,616,168 1,043,766 2,659,934 Shoreline Suncruisers 28,069 23,858 51,926 Ltd. South Yorkshire 34,487 — 34,487 Frank Poppleton and 27,511 16,128 43,639 Motors Co. South Yorkshire Rider 6,238 30,614 36,851 G. and R. Travel — 476 476 Ltd. G Abbott and Sons 121,246 163,095 284,341 Star Travel Holidays 39,585 18,706 58,290 Geldards Coaches Ltd. 42,054 48,681 90,735 Ltd. Godson’s Coaches 3,594 6,986 10,580 Stephensons of 291,389 233,532 524,921 Easingwold Ltd. H. Atkinson and Sons 1,497 1,142 2,639 (Ingleby) Ltd. Stringers Pontefract 15,430 15,480 30,910 Motorways Halifax Bus Co. Ltd. 81,295 86,612 167,907 Sunny Travel 25,819 10,553 36,371 Halifax Joint 155,031 114,088 269,119 Committee Sweyne Coaches and 34,482 25,334 59,816 Co Harrogate and District 979,919 748,601 1,728,521 Travel Ltd. T. D. Travel 17,309 20,046 37,354 Harrogate Coach Travel 131,226 116,204 247,430 Tates Travel 18,347 49,788 68,135 1159W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1160W

Mr. Khan: From 1 August 2008 to 11 December 2009, £ the Department for Transport has received three items Operator 2008-09 2009-10 Grand total of ministerial correspondence specifically categorised Teamdeck Ltd. T/A 207,427 146,230 353,657 as being about the local residents’ discount scheme for K-Line the Dartford crossing. Tetley’s Motor Services 1,732 2,011 3,744 Ltd. In addition the Highways Agency and their service Thornes Independent 16,149 7,499 23,648 providers have dealt with a further 108 e-mails, four Ltd. letters, 15 inquiries to the Highways Agency information TLC Travel Ltd. 25,657 43,726 69,383 line, 14 telephone calls directly to staff at the Dartford TopLineTravelof 25,183 — 25,183 crossing and three complaints in person from members York Ltd. of the public. Transdev York 85,698 123,445 209,143 Travel Master — 8,251 8,251 Utopia Coaches 13,130 10,513 23,643 Departmental Computers Veolia Transport 276,295 14,139 290,435 Wilfreda Luxury 173,406 142,601 316,007 Coaches Ltd. Mr. Goodwill: To ask the Minister of State, Department Woodside Continental 8,111 10,003 18,114 for Transport what guidance is issued to employees of Tours his Department and its agencies on the use of work York Pullman Bus Co. 29,025 66,844 95,869 computers for personal tasks. [306704] Yorkshire Coastliner 483,081 362,801 845,882 Ltd. Yorkshire Traction Co. 2,313,959 1,488,989 3,802,948 Chris Mole [holding answer 14 December 2009]: Where Ltd. the Department for Transport and its agencies allow Grand total 40,379,539 29,865,385 70,244,924 staff to make use of work computers for personal tasks, advise and guidance is available via the intranet for all Cars: Carbon Emissions staff. Staff are not permitted to make inappropriate use of Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, departmental resources such as official time, materials, Department for Transport how many cars with tailpipe information and e-mail/internet system. Staff are advised carbon emissions below 110g/km were sold in (a) 2008 to ensure that personal use does not place excessive and (b) 2009; and what information his Department demands on the Department’s ICT facilities so that holds for benchmarking purposes on the number of business use is impaired. such cars sold in each EU member state in each such year. [306965] Departmental Conferences Mr. Khan: Data on carbon dioxide emissions per km (gCO2/km) from new cars registered in the UK are only Mr. Baron: To ask the Minister of State, Department available up to the year 2008. These data are published for Transport which conferences held overseas have on the Department for Transport’s website at: been attended by civil servants based in his Department http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/ in the last three years; and what the cost to the public vehicles/licensing/ purse was of such attendance at each conference. A total of 75,000 new cars with CO2 emissions under [305860] 110g CO2/km were registered in the UK in 2008. The Department does not collect any data on the number of Chris Mole: The information requested is available similar cars registered in other EU member states. only at disproportionate cost.

Chief Executives: Pay Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many (a) away days Mr. Leech: To ask the Minister of State, Department and (b) conferences that took place outside the Office for Transport what bonuses were paid to each agency of Rail Regulations buildings attended by civil servants chief executive within his responsibility in the last two in that office there have been since 2005; and what the years for which figures are available. [305948] cost was of each. [307453]

Chris Mole: Information on the remuneration of Chris Mole: Because of the format in which data individual agency chief executives in the Department about how the costs of such events are recorded, the for Transport is included in their agency’s annual report total number of away days and conferences held outside and accounts. Copies of these are available in the Libraries Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) buildings is unavailable. of the House. The independent Office of Rail Regulation only holds separate information on expenditure on away days Dartford Crossing: Fees and Charges and conferences since 2007. Any information prior to this date could only be retrieved and provided at Mr. Evennett: To ask the Minister of State, Department disproportionate cost. for Transport what recent representations he has received Since September 2007, the independent Office of Rail on the local residents’ discount scheme for the Dartford Regulation has spent the following on away days and Crossing. [306899] conferences: 1161W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1162W

Table 1 Driving: Research Away days Conference Financial year expenditure (£) expenditure (£) Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department 2007-081 28,027.31 20,115.95 for Transport what recent research his Department has 2008-09 16,667.53 59,427.44 (a) undertaken and (b) commissioned comparing the 2009-102 25,828.71 25,601.40 risks associated with drink driving with those associated 1 From September 2007 (when ORR moved to a new accounting with driving while using a hand-held mobile telephone. system). [307765] 2 From April to November 2009. Paul Clark: The Department for Transport has neither Departmental Publicity undertaken nor commissioned any research on this question. Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how much his Department Ferries: Safety has spent on (a) Ministerial photoshoots and (b) production of videos in which Ministers appear in the Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department last three years for which figures are available. [305525] for Transport what checks are in place to ensure that ferries servicing British ports do not sail with a dangerous Chris Mole: During the last three financial calendar load distribution. [306961] years for which figures are available, nothing was spent by the Department for Transport on ministerial Paul Clark: The Merchant Shipping (Weighing of photoshoots. Goods Vehicles and Other Cargo) Regulations 1988, as The Department has spent the following amounts on amended, require the owners of roll-on/roll-off passenger the production of videos in which Ministers appear: ships on short international voyages operating from £2,752 in 2007-08 and £1,117 in 2008-09. The Department United Kingdom ports to ensure that, with the exception has not retained the figures for 2006-07. of buses, all goods and other vehicles with an actual or maximum gross weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes, and any cargo items exceeding 7.5 tonnes, are individually weighed Departmental Training before loading. Those weights are then used to calculate the stability of the ship. Mr. Baron: To ask the Minister of State, Department As part of the regular survey of UK registered ships for Transport how many overseas training courses were and inspections of foreign ships operating out of UK attended by his Department’s civil servants in the latest ports, marine surveyors from the Maritime and Coastguard period for which figures are available; how many civil Agency may verify that the information required by the servants attended each course; and what the total cost Merchant Shipping (Weighing of Goods Vehicles and to the public purse was of each course. [305892] Other Cargo) Regulations 1988 is supplied.

Chris Mole: The information requested can be provided Heathrow Airport only at disproportionate cost. John McDonnell: To ask the Minister of State, Departmental Written Questions Department for Transport what criteria apply in the determination of planning applications for a third runway Mr. Harper: To ask the Minister of State, Department at Heathrow airport. [307141] for Transport how many and what percentage of Parliamentary Questions tabled for written answer by Paul Clark: Any proposal for a third runway at his Department on a named day in session 2008-09 Heathrow airport would be likely to meet the threshold for a nationally significant infrastructure project under received a substantive answer on that day. [307529] the Planning Act 2008. The Government’s intention is to switch on the new planning regime for transport Chris Mole: In Session 2008-09 the Department infrastructure from 1 March 2010, and any application responded to 669 (72.7 per cent.) of named day made after that date for a new runway caught by the parliamentary questions on the due date. threshold would be considered by the Infrastructure Central guidance on answering parliamentary questions Planning Commission (IPC). Section 104 of the Act is now available in the ‘Guide to Parliamentary Work’, sets out the factors to which the IPC must have regard at when determining an application. In the absence of a http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/parliamentary-clerk- designated national policy statement at the point of guide.aspx decision, the application would be determined by the In the response to the Procedure Committee Report Secretary of State, based on a recommendation by the on written parliamentary questions, the Government IPC. accepted the Committee’s recommendation that Departments be required to provide the Procedure Heathrow Airport: Air Traffic Committee with sessional statistics in a standard format on the time taken to respond to written parliamentary Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department questions, accompanied by an explanatory memorandum for Transport how many short-haul flights landed at setting out any factors affecting their performance. This Heathrow airport in 2008, broken down by (a) internal will be taken forward as soon as possible. and (b) near-Europe flights. [306976] 1163W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1164W

Paul Clark: The number of internal (UK domestic) Lorries flights that landed at Heathrow in 2008 was 30,000. The number of near-Europe (short-haul international) Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, flights that landed at Heathrow in 2008 was 118,000. Department for Transport (1) how many miles UK and Short-haul international flights include: EU-27 countries, foreign-registered heavy goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes Norway, Switzerland, Gibraltar, Iceland, Faroe Islands, travelled on UK (a) motorways and (b) trunk roads in Turkey and Former Yugoslavia. the last 12 months for which figures are available; [306643] Humber Bridge: Tolls (2) how many miles UK and foreign-registered heavy goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes travelled on all UK Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Minister of State, roads in the last 12 months for which figures are Department for Transport (1) what assessment he has available. [306644] made of the likely impact of freezing the levels of Humber Bridge tolls on (a) businesses, (b) jobs and Paul Clark [holding answer 14 December 2009]: Statistics (c) inward investment in the Yorkshire and Humber for miles travelled by UK and Foreign heavy good region; [306306] vehicles are not available for travel on UK roads. Figures (2) what his reasons were for rejecting proposed are available for travel on roads in Great Britain. increases in toll charges on the Humber Bridge in 2010. Heavy goods vehicles (over 3.5 tonnes) travelled 17.8 [306309] billion vehicle miles on all roads in Great Britain in 2008, of which 7.5 billion vehicle miles were on motorways Mr. Khan: The decision not to accept the 2009 toll and 3.8 billion miles were on trunk roads. increase was taken in the context of the Government doing everything they can to protect communities and In 2008, 3.5 per cent. of all HGV traffic in Great businesses from the economic downturn and to assist Britain was estimated to be driven by foreign registered economic recovery. vehicles. We are undertaking a Department for Transport The estimated miles travelled by UK and foreign appraisal of the reports commissioned by the relevant registered heavy goods vehicles and road class is shown local authorities in relation to the economic impact of in the following table. the Humber Bridge tolls on the region. Billion vehicle miles Humberside Road Safety Partnership Registered heavy goods vehicles UK Foreign Total Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many people the All roads 17.2 0.6 17.8 Humberside Road Safety Partnership employed (a) in Of which: each year since its establishment and (b) at the latest Motorways 7.2 0.3 7.5 date for which figures are available. [307253] Trunk roads1 3.7 0.1 3.8 1 The estimate of foreign registered heavy goods vehicles on trunk Paul Clark: This information is not held by the roads is calculated from the proportion of foreign registered HGVs Department for Transport; however, the partnership on all A roads, which includes principle roads and trunk roads. itself may be able to supply the information requested. Sources: Traffic—National Road Traffic Survey Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Minister of State, Registration—Vehicle Excise Duty Evasion survey (June 2008) Department for Transport how much funding his Lorries: Accidents Department provided for the Humberside Road Safety Partnership (a) in each year since its inception and (b) in 2009-10 to date. [307256] Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many (a) deaths and (b) major Paul Clark: The Humberside Road Safety partnership injuries were caused in 2008-09 by objects from unsecured has received the following net funding since its inception: freight vehicle loads falling off vehicles. [306967]

Net funding (£) Paul Clark: In 2008 there were two deaths and 22 2003-04 2,367,151 serious injuries in reported personal injury road accidents 2004-05 2,181,397 involving a dislodged vehicle load in the carriageway. It is not known what types of vehicles the loads came 2005-06 2,406,449 from. This does not include cases where a dislodged 2006-07 2,103,015 vehicle load was in the carriageway as a result of a Further details of this funding can be found on the previous accident. Department for Transport (DfT) website www.dft.gov.uk Lorries: Safety For 2007-08 onwards the Department has not provided funding directly to the partnership. Instead it provides Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department funding to the local highway authorities within Humberside for Transport in what circumstances heavy goods vehicles and they decide about how to spend that funding, registered outside the UK are permitted to enter the including for the Humberside partnership. Information UK where the weight and axle arrangements are such about this funding is also on the DfT website in the that they would not be permitted for UK-registered form of letters to authorities. vehicles. [306963] 1165W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1166W

Paul Clark: Heavy goods vehicles registered outside and (b) road vehicles were sold in the UK in each of the the UK are not permitted to enter the UK with axle or last five years. [306946] gross weights exceeding those permitted for UK registered vehicles. Mr. Khan: Data on new vehicle registrations in the UK are collected by the DVLA (Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency). Table 1 shows the number of new vehicle registrations in the UK from 2004 to 2008. Motor Vehicles: Sales These data are published on the Department for Transport’s website which can be found at: John Battle: To ask the Minister of State, Department http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/ for Transport how many (a) low carbon road vehicles vehicles/licensing/

Table 1: Motor vehicles registered for the first time, 2004 to 2008 Thousands Buses & Cars Motorcycles Vans HGVs coaches Other Total

2004 2,599 137 341 53 13 42 3,185 2005 2,443 136 330 57 13 43 3,021 2006 2,340 135 328 54 12 43 2,914 2007 2,390 146 340 47 12 61 2,997 2008 2,112 142 291 53 12 63 2,672

Data on the C02 emissions from most road vehicles the last five years with C02 emissions below 120gCO2/km. are not available. However, since 2001, DVLA has collected These cars have significantly lower C02 emissions than data on the C02 emissions (gC02/km) of new cars registered the average for newly registered cars in 2008 of 158gC02/km in accordance with EU Decision 1753/2000/EC. There and have risen as a share of all newly registered cars is no precise definition of a low carbon vehicle. Table 2 from 3 per cent. in 2004 to 11 per cent. in 2008. shows the number of new cars registered in the UK over

Table 2: Cars registered for the first time by gC02/km, 2004 to 2008 Thousands Cars below Cars above Cars below 120g as a

120gCO2/km 120gCO2/km Unknown Total percentage of total 2004 79 2,443 77 2,599 3 2005 75 2,311 57 2,443 3 2006 106 2,190 45 2,340 5 2007 131 2,221 38 2,390 5 2008 227 1,857 28 2,112 11

Railways: Fares (a) consumption of illegal drugs, (b) consumption of alcohol and (c) tiredness of the driver during Mr. Hollobone: To ask the Minister of State, December in each year since 1997. [306973] Department for Transport what role his Department has in defining peak and off-peak times in respect of Paul Clark: Information about contributory factors the calculation of rail fares. [303922] to road accidents has been collected since 2005. The information requested is shown for each year since then Chris Mole: The Department for Transport ensures in the following table: that the maximum restrictions that may be placed on Fatalities in road accidents in December with selected contributory the validity of regulated off-peak fares are protected factors reported1: GB 2005-2008 through provisions in franchise agreements. Contributory factor reported in accident Where commuter fares are regulated, the peak fares (b) Impaired by are regulated within the maximum restriction set by the (a) Impaired by drugs (illicit or Department, but it is possible for the start of the alcohol medicinal) (c) Fatigue off-peak to be defined by operators as earlier than the 2005 38 5 13 maximum. 2006 36 10 7 In London on oyster pay-as-you-go (PAYG) the off-peak 2007 20 5 3 has been agreed with Transport for London and is 2008 16 4 3 captured in the PAYG agreement. 1 Includes accidents where the police attended the scene and reported a contributory factor. Roads: Accidents Contributory factors reflect the police officer’s opinion at the time of reporting, and where some factors may Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, have contributed to the cause of an accident it may be Department for Transport how many deaths there were difficult for a police officer attending the scene after the in motor accidents in which a contributory factor was accident to identify them, so these factors may be 1167W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1168W underreported. Not all reported road accidents are Scientists included in the contributory factor analysis, only those where a police officer attended the scene and at least Adam Afriyie: To ask the Minister of State, Department one contributory factor was reported. for Transport how many times the Secretary of State Roads: Carbon Emissions has met (a) the Government chief scientific adviser and (b) his Department’s chief scientific adviser in the course of his official duties in the last 12 months. Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, [303912] Department for Transport what the average level of carbon dioxide emitted per mile driven was for road Chris Mole: The current Secretary of State met the traffic in the latest year for which figures are available; Government chief scientific adviser on several occasions what information he holds for benchmarking purposes in his former role as Minister of State through their on such levels in each (a) EU and (b) G8 country in joint attendance of the Cabinet Committee for Science that year; and if he will make a statement. [306970] and Innovation. Paul Clark: The Department for Transport publishes The then Secretary of State met the Department’s chief scientific adviser on the 28 April 2009. In his estimates of road traffic and CO2 emissions from road transport in “Transport Statistics Great Britain”. The former role as Minister of State, the current Secretary latest edition can be found at: of State met the Department’s chief scientific adviser five times in the last 12 months in the course of his http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/ tsgb official duties and has regular informal discussions with him in the margins of meetings and events. This data can be used to provide an estimate of the average level of carbon dioxide per mile for road traffic. Severn Bridge: Tolls For 2007, the latest year for which data are available, this figure is 379gCO2/mile. Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Minister of State, “Transport Statistics Great Britain”does include similar Department for Transport what discussions (a) he and data for road traffic and CO2 emissions for other EU-27 (b) his officials have had with the Severn River and some G8 countries, but the road traffic and CO2 Crossing plc on toll charges in 2010. [306304] emissions data are not held for the same year and so a similar calculation of average CO2 per mile can not be Mr. Khan: While I have not had any discussions with made. Severn River Crossing plc (SRC) about toll charges for next year, officials for the Department for Transport Roads: Freight have. As required under the Severn Bridges Act 1992, it is necessary to review toll levels each year in line with Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, the retail price index. Departmental officials have Department for Transport what the annual movement corresponded with SRC in relation to the calculation of of freight by road in billion tonne miles was in each the toll levels following publication of the September year since 1997. [306966] RPI figure, as well as the reintroduction of the 17.5 per cent. VAT rate. Paul Clark: Domestic road freight transport performed by GB-registered vehicles is available in Table 4.1 in the Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Minister of State, publication ‘Transport Statistics Great Britain 2009 Department for Transport what recent discussions he Edition’. This is available on the DFT website at the has had with Welsh Assembly Government Ministers following link: on the level of toll charges on the Severn Crossing. http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/ [306305] tsgb/2009edition/ This table does not include the activity of foreign Mr. Khan: I have had no discussions with Welsh registered vehicles as this is not centrally collected. Assembly Government (WAG) Ministers on the level of A summary is provided as follows: tolls on the Severn Crossings. Department for Transport officials do have regular contact with staff from the Domestic freight transport by road, Great Britain WAG on various matters concerning the Severn River Crossings as part of normal Highways Agency operations. Goods moved (billion tonne kilometres) Transport: Autism 1997 157 1998 160 Mr. Leech: To ask the Minister of State, Department 1999 158 for Transport whether his Department is developing a 2000 159 strategy for improving access to transport for people 2001 159 with autism. [307320] 2002 159 2003 162 Mr. Khan: The Department for Transport is aware 2004 163 that people with sensory sensitivities or who find it 2005 163 difficult to manage in crowds may also find difficulty in 2006 167 accessing transport. The Department will therefore be 2007 173 contributing to the design and delivery of the Government’s 2008 163 Strategy for adults with Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASCs). 1169W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1170W

The Department has already contributed to the There are three central themes to the carbon reduction Department of Health’s Valuing People Now (VPN) strategy: supporting a shift to new technologies and strategy. A key feature for transport within the VPN fuels; promoting lower carbon choices and using market strategy is travel training which helps to instil confidence mechanisms to encourage a shift to lower carbon transport. in people to use public transport. We are looking at how In the strategy we made a commitment to publish an best to encourage more travel training schemes across implementation plan in spring 2010. The plan will set the country tailored to meet the needs of a wide range out the details of our delivery milestones and the of people, including those with ASCs. mechanisms through which we will monitor progress. Transport: Carbon Emissions Waterloo Station

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department Mrs. Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what carbon dioxide emissions from the for Transport when he expects the platforms formerly transport sector were in each year since 2000, broken used for Eurostar services to Waterloo to come back down by mode of transport; and what measures he has into use. [300345] in place to reduce those emissions. [306974] Chris Mole [holding answer 23 November 2009]: Network Mr. Khan: The transport carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions Rail has been instructed by the Office of Rail Regulation by mode and year up to 2007 are available in our to undertake the works necessary for Waterloo international transport statistics publication (Transport Statistics Great station to be used by domestic train services from Britain 2009—table 3.7): December 2011.

Million tonnes of carbon dioxide (a) By IPCC source category CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT (NAEI)1 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 AS Biss: Public Relations Transport: Road 116.1 116.1 118.5 118.3 119.5 120 120.4 121.6 Mr. Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, transport Media and Sport what payments the Olympic Delivery Passenger 77.6 77.3 78.8 77.4 78.1 77.5 77 76.8 cars Authority has made to Mandate/AS Biss in the last Light duty 11.1 10.9 11.5 11.6 12.3 13.8 14 14.5 12 months; for what purpose; and if he will place in the vehicles Library a copy of the contract under which such Buses 2.4 2.3 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.7 2.8 3 payments have been made. [305137] HGVs 24.2 24.7 24.8 25.7 25.4 24.8 25.4 26.3 Mopeds and 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.6 Mr. Sutcliffe: I refer the hon. Member to the answer motorcycles provided by the Minister for the Olympics on 14 December LPG 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 2009, Official Report, column 641W. emissions (all vehicles) Chief Information Officer Other (road 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 vehicle engines) Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on what pay band his Other 7.3 6.9 6.5 8.2 8.4 9.1 10.4 9.7 Department’s Chief Information Officer (CIO) is employed; transport whether the CIO is employed on a fixed-term or permanent Civilaviation1.92222.22.42.32.1contract; and what the size is of the budget for which Railways2 1.8 1.9 1.9 2 2.1 2.1 2.2 2.2 the CIO is responsible in the period 2009-10. [307569] National 3.1 2.6 2.2 3.7 3.7 4.2 5.5 4.9 navigation Other 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 Mr. Simon: The Department’s current Chief Information (aircraft Officer (CIO) is a Deputy Director (Senior Civil Service support Pay Band 1), is employed on a permanent contract and vehicles) for 2009--10 is responsible for a budget of £5.2 million.

Total 123.4 123 125 126.4 127.8 129.1 130.8 131.4 Departmental Billing domestic transport 1 Source categories relate directly to the vehicle or other piece of equipment Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for producing the emission. Culture, Media and Sport how many and what proportion 2 Railway emissions are those from diesel trains only. of invoices submitted to his Department have been paid Note: Data are presented as the weight of carbon dioxide emitted. UK national within 10 days in each month since October 2008; and if emission estimates are updated annually and any developments in he will make a statement. [307954] methodology are applied retrospectively to earlier years. Source: AEA Energy and Environment/DECC Mr. Simon: In October 2008 the Prime Minister The measures set out in “Low Carbon Transport: A announced that all central Government Departments Greener Future”, (July 2009) the Department’s carbon will pay valid invoices within 10 (working) days. reduction strategy, mean that transport will make a The Department’s performance for payment of invoices major contribution to meeting the Government’s carbon in each month since November 2008 against this reduction commitments. commitment is set out in the table. There was no 1171W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1172W requirement to gather and maintain data on this basis Public Expenditure prior to November 2008. To provide this information would incur disproportionate cost. Mr. Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding for (a) Percentage of invoices the arts, (b) heritage, (c) active leisure and (d) museums Number of paid within 10 working (i) his Department and (ii) each publicly-funded body invoices paid days within his Department’s responsibility has provided for November 2008 454 43 (A) England, (B) the South West Region and (C) each December 2008 492 77 local authority area within the South West Region from January 2009 410 80 1997 to 2009. [307366] February 2009 434 87 March 2009 538 88 Mr. Bradshaw: My Department does not hold the April 2009 437 87 information in the format you requested, however, it holds information on cultural recreational and sporting May 2009 355 85 services by region as shown in the following table. These June 2009 407 84 figures were published by HM Treasury in the Public July 2009 633 91 Expenditure Statistical Analysis (PESA). August 2009 506 94 September 2009 512 91 £ million October 2009 553 95 Cultural services Recreational and sporting November 2009 562 94 services South Gambling Commission: Standards England West England South West

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for 2003-04 858.2 77.7 131.7 6.8 Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions he 2004-05 822.0 91.4 160.7 9.4 has had with the Gambling Commission on increases 2005-06 880.0 80.6 129.3 3.9 1 to its efficiency. [305120] 2006-07 1,326.6 153.7 327.9 28.0 2007-08 1,240.5 123.0 331.9 27.1 Mr. Sutcliffe: My most recent meeting with the chair 1 In 2006-07 HM Treasury adopted a functional analysis based on the United Nations Classification of the Functions of Government (COFOG). and chief executive of the Gambling Commission was This means that lottery spending is allocated to specific areas of held on 18 November where we discussed a range of spend when it was previously recorded as a separate line. issues relating to gambling regulation, including the Information for previous years is not available on a Gambling Commission’s costs and priorities. consistent basis. Horserace Totalisator Board Sports: Leeds

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Culture, Media and Sport what the monetary value was Media and Sport what steps his Department has taken of funds held by the Tote in unpaid winnings in each of to encourage the development of sports centres in Leeds the last 10 years. [307407] city area. [306978]

Mr. Sutcliffe: The Tote has advised that gross figures Mr. Sutcliffe: Through Sport England, our non- for uncollected winnings recorded at the relevant financial departmental public body with responsibility for community year ends are: sport, we provide a range of facilities and planning services that are designed to develop strategic planning Financial year Total dividends unclaimed (£) for sports facilities across England. Sport England ensures 2009 1,041,131 that the development of new sports facilities is underpinned 2008 1,169,293 by a robust needs and evidence base. 2007 1,033,620 Sport England also aim to improve facility design 2006 1,069,281 and modernisation to raise standards across the sector, 2005 943,604 with a series of detailed design guidance notes. 2004 968,536 From 2002-03 to the first six months of 2009-10 the 2003 858,503 total value of capital awards to Leeds was £731,464. 2002 746,833 This includes two awards to modernise swimming facilities 2001 667,401 within Leeds through the Free Swimming programme, and awards made to six projects to develop community For winning Tote pool bets that are uncollected, the clubs. liability to pay the winning ticket holder remains with From 1994-95 to the first six months of 2009/20-10 the Tote as a contractual debt for six years (until a claim the total value of capital awards to Leeds was £13,611,140. is time barred under the statute of limitations). Accounting policies allow these unpaid dividends, Sports: Obesity less a provision based on the Tote’s experience of likely volumes of late claims, to be counted into the Tote John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, pool’s yearly profit. This is, in turn, entirely paid through Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to Racing within the Tote’s “Contribution to Racing” to encourage participation in sport in order to reduce that is described in the Tote’s annual report and accounts. levels of obesity. [306980] 1173W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1174W

Mr. Sutcliffe: My Department is promoting sport for Currently, all three and four year old children are people of all ages and backgrounds, both as something entitled to 12.5 hours of free early education a week for enjoyable and worthwhile in itself and as something 38 weeks per year. Since September 2009, all local that has a vital role to play in tackling obesity. This is authorities have been delivering an extended offer of 15 why we are working to get one million more people funded hours a week to their 25 per cent. most doing more sport, as part of a wider joint target with disadvantaged three and four year olds. This is in addition the Department of Health to get two million more to 34 pathfinder local authorities already delivering an people more physically active. extended offer of 15 hours a week to all children in their In addition, through the PE and Sport Strategy for area. Camden local authority, in which the Hampstead Young People as part of Olympic PSA 22, we are and Highgate constituency falls, is not one of the creating a world-class system of PE and sport aiming to pathfinders. offer all young people five hours per week of PE and From September 2010 all eligible three and four year sport. old children will be entitled to 15 hours a week free The strategy is jointly owned by DCMS and DCSF, provision over no fewer than 38 weeks of the year and delivered by Sport England (community sport), offered on a more flexible basis to better meet families’ and the Youth Sport Trust (school sport) through the needs. network of 450 School Sport Partnerships. John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, In 2002 an estimated one in four children aged five to Schools and Families how many childcare places were 16 were doing two hours of high quality PE and school provided in Leeds West constituency since 1997. sport each week; following £1.5 billion investment in 2003-08, 90 per cent. of pupils now do at least two [306939] hours in a typical week. Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, The strategy links closely with other cross-Government Schools and Families how many childcare providers are policies and investment, notably Change4Life, active based in Barnsley East and Mexborough constituency. play, combating childhood obesity, and Positive Activities [307162] for Young People. Another example of our drive to reduce levels of Dawn Primarolo: Information on the number of obesity is the free swimming initiative whereby Departments registered childcare providers and places is not available across Government—DCMS, and the DH; Work and below local authority level. Pensions; Children, Schools and Families; and Communities and Local Government—joined together to provide a Co-operative Schools £140 million funding pot. Our aim is that this provision, for over 60s and under Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, 16s, should contribute to reducing levels of obesity and Schools and Families what assistance his Department bring long-term benefits to health and well-being. is providing for the expansion of the co-operative schools network; by what mechanism schools become Television: Licensing co-operative schools; and what target he has set for the number of co-operative schools. [307656] Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to enable Mr. Coaker: A pilot of co-operative trust schools British troops serving in Afghanistan to claim a rebate involving up to 100 schools was announced on on their television licence fee for the time they are 11 September 2008. The pilot provides up to an additional serving away from home. [307740] £5,000 for each school seeking to become a co-operative trust school (above and beyond the usual £10,000 support Mr. Simon: Provision exists in the current legislation funding currently available for schools seeking trust for refunds in certain circumstances. The interpretation status) to fund consultancy services, training and support and enforcement of the legislation on television licensing to develop the membership model. The pilot will run for is a matter for the BBC. two years. The Secretary of State announced an aspiration of up to 200 co-operative schools at the co-operative conference on 11 September 2009. The pilot is testing a particular model of trust school CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES and any individual or organisation seeking to develop a co-operative membership trust is welcome to participate Children: Day Care once we are satisfied of their ability of running a membership model. It is for the Governing Body of a Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for school to decide whether or not trust status is right for Children, Schools and Families how many children the school, however, to access the support funding and aged (a) three and (b) four years old are receiving advice and guidance on the technical processes around 15 hours a week of free nursery education in acquiring a trust, schools can submit an expression of Hampstead and Highgate constituency. [304127] interest to the Trust Schools programme. It is also possible for an academy to be established using the Dawn Primarolo: Latest available data as at January co-operative model. 2009 shows there are no three and four year old children Earlier this year, the Department published “Co- receiving 15 hours a week of free nursery education in Operative Schools—Making a Difference”, which marks Hampstead and Highgate constituency. the first time we have produced a guide on co-operative 1175W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1176W schools. It shows the wide range of ways that schools David T.C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for can embed co-operative values into the ethos through a Scotland what redesigns of websites held by his range of schools models and offers practical advice on Department have taken place since 27 June 2007; what how schools can do this, and the support available. the cost to the public purse was of each redesign; and The Department is working with the Co-operative when each redesign was conducted. [305953] Group and college to set up a network to support and develop co-operative trust schools, academies and other Ann McKechin: The Scotland Office and the Office of educational institutions and is providing £25,000 of the Advocate-General jointly tendered for the funding to help establish the new network. redevelopment of both their websites in 2008. We went through a competitive tendering process following the Departmental Correspondence principles of Government procurement. The cost for both websites was £12,880 plus VAT. Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for The redevelopment of the sites includes a comprehensive Children, Schools and Families when the Minister of in-house content management system which represents State for Further Education plans to reply to the letters considerable value for money and costs savings for both of 7 August 2009 from the Director General of the offices, both now and in the future. Alliance against intellectual property theft and the Chief Executive of the Trading Standards Institute on SOLICITOR-GENERAL intellectual property. [302092] Crown Prosecution Service Kevin Brennan: I responded on 8 December. I apologise for the delay. Mr. Garnier: To ask the Solicitor-General how much the Crown Prosecution Service in (a) London and (b) Departmental Travel each of its 42 regional offices spent on expenses for witnesses in cases that were adjourned or abandoned in Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for each of the last five years for which figures are Children, Schools and Families on what date he last available. [305415] travelled by (a) bus and (b) taxi in the course of his official duties. [302729] The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service does not maintain records of the value of witness Mr. Iain Wright: The Secretary of State last travelled expense payments by reference to case outcomes. It is by taxi in the course of his official duties on 8 December. unable to say, therefore, how much it spent on witness We do not have any records of travel by bus in the expenses in relation to cases which were subsequently course of official duties, but his last journey by London adjourned or abandoned. underground in the course of official duties was on 26 The CPS can report on total expenditure on ordinary November. professional and foreign witness expenses by CPS area for each of the last five financial years, and separately on the proportion of cracked and ineffective trials by SCOTLAND CPS Area for each of the last five years. Cracked and ineffective trials are cases listed by the Departmental Internet court for trial in which witnesses are warned to attend court, but are not required to give evidence because the Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland defendant pleaded guilty, or the prosecution offered no how many (a) page hits and (b) visitors his evidence, (cracked trial); or the trial had to be adjourned Department’s website received in 2008-09. [301843] to another day, (ineffective trial). Comparative 42 area and national CPS data showing Ann McKechin: We do not hold the information witness expenses payments and cracked and ineffective requested. trials can be found at tables A, B and C:

Annex A: Witness payments by area 2004-05 to 2008-09 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

Avon and Somerset 161,735 154,790 152,826 154,381 151,857 Bedfordshire 62,688 60,767 59,834 60,882 58,944 Cambridgeshire 57,098 91,647 73,968 68,945 76,857 Cheshire 75,923 89,850 116,899 115,003 74,672 Cleveland 51,912 58,785 73,607 65,072 66,873 Cumbria 86,839 94,544 74,918 65,186 88,433 Derbyshire 82,518 96,680 96,556 97,859 96,896 Devon and Cornwall 182,357 179,281 182,240 186,434 181,038 Dorset 81,685 115,535 109,392 93,680 101,403 Durham 54,782 57,663 59,852 49,282 64,122 Dyfed Powys 88,244 53,425 61,911 55,578 68,958 Essex 164,399 178,360 173,793 164,068 162,462 Gloucestershire 35,226 50,948 63,573 65,438 56,492 1177W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1178W

Annex A: Witness payments by area 2004-05 to 2008-09 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

Greater Manchester 340,489 336,375 309,436 347,801 280,822 Gwent 57,216 75,472 77,198 62,395 67,611 Hampshire & IOW 270,647 355,228 262,519 248,398 231,836 Hertfordshire 99,348 112,582 118,130 130,663 110,828 Humberside 91,940 89,591 99,345 91,262 92,252 Kent 161,322 178,723 188,318 204,977 204,224 Lancashire 171,606 265,853 269,389 238,051 197,133 Leicestershire 81,300 83,409 102,085 107,644 117,610 Lincolnshire 64,004 59,369 75,120 60,090 75,467 Merseyside 225,958 183,951 163,985 136,265 136,983 London 1,289,313 1,195,844 1,155,724 968,402 1,148,358 Norfolk 72,125 70,500 88,715 67,385 70,851 Northamptonshire 64,726 61,874 74,671 64,166 50,550 Northumbria 125,870 125,049 126,764 122,639 141,545 North Wales 77,416 70,965 70,000 75,952 77,100 North Yorkshire 75,433 99,594 107,389 101,672 100,909 Nottinghamshire 87,941 102,373 67,833 72,448 74,949 South Wales 124,533 145,881 175,757 171,414 128,652 South Yorkshire 117,978 118,414 116,617 133,689 129,768 Staffordshire 113,829 115,183 107,580 134,750 122,413 Suffolk 62,700 55,556 71,265 56,938 48,535 Surrey 91,695 95,492 124,889 107,458 111,429 Sussex 238,724 233,338 235,824 236,421 239,283 Thames Valley 185,776 184,214 189,134 217,242 207,176 Warwickshire 20,466 32,222 28,406 27,779 26,370 West Mercia 124,567 145,649 139,319 127,469 117,289 West Midlands 336,274 489,112 315,133 324,829 330,939 West Yorkshire 245,659 228,092 189,708 213,611 230,751 Wiltshire 41,145 43,497 54,600 52,582 47,896 Organised Crime Division 52,777 57,568 35,213 25,144 48,672 Special Crime Division 51,325 111,152 48,122 83,501 55,576 Counter Terrorism Division 23,316 48,683 19,495 34,982 37,269 Fraud Prosecution Division — 427 13,212 49,990 81,550 Total 6,372,823 6,853,508 6,520,265 6,339,817 6,391,600

Table B: Crown court—cracked and ineffective trials 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 Cracked % Ineffective % Cracked % Ineffective % Cracked % Ineffective %

Avon and 312 35 148 16 116 20 61 10 191 29 110 17 Somerset Bedfordshire 226 43 100 19 79 26 29 10 162 38 64 15 Cambridgeshire 125 34 47 13 89 26 35 10 127 32 53 13 Cheshire 184 35 78 15 125 26 46 10 210 35 78 13 Cleveland 504 55 156 17 312 48 103 16 557 58 137 14 Cumbria 108 34 51 16 71 30 28 12 135 43 39 12 Derbyshire 275 45 123 20 151 38 66 17 204 45 46 10 Devon and 171 31 61 11 79 20 27 7 122 26 40 9 Cornwall Dorset 57 22 22 8 38 14 13 5 93 25 17 5 Durham 158 51 38 12 144 48 28 9 203 52 54 14 Dyfed Powys 12 8 2 1 4 3 1 1 25 15 7 4 Essex 349 32 243 22 190 26 63 9 331 38 101 12 Gloucestershire 63 39 16 10 33 23 16 11 53 32 26 16 Greater 1,867 52 545 15 845 41 219 11 1,283 49 334 13 Manchester Gwent 8728186—0 —0 —0 —0 Hampshire and 436 31 222 16 209 19 111 10 322 31 116 11 IOW Hertfordshire 138 26 77 15 111 22 45 9 133 29 60 13 Humberside 407 58 78 11 267 54 26 5 375 63 39 7 Kent 307 29 193 18 165 20 66 8 284 30 155 16 1179W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1180W

Table B: Crown court—cracked and ineffective trials 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 Cracked % Ineffective % Cracked % Ineffective % Cracked % Ineffective %

Lancashire 664 48 254 18 333 38 104 12 609 51 178 15 Leicestershire 236 40 113 19 169 35 56 12 263 46 84 15 Lincolnshire 117 40 39 13 52 26 23 12 60 30 14 7 London 2,790 27 1,737 17 1,407 19 732 10 2,564 29 1,202 13 Merseyside 852 47 245 14 411 35 94 8 800 49 201 12 Norfolk 99 33 38 13 69 28 27 11 108 34 33 10 Northamptonshire 115 39 29 10 62 32 6 3 76 35 9 4 Northumbria 612 55 181 16 392 50 100 13 661 58 185 16 North Wales 68 32 25 12 51 23 14 6 125 40 23 7 North 127 36 65 19 100 33 26 9 141 41 31 9 Yorkshire Nottinghamshire 237 39 86 14 169 35 46 9 247 46 49 9 South Wales 506 43 148 13 243 31 77 10 399 41 130 13 South Yorkshire 625 54 152 13 334 46 71 10 557 60 97 10 Staffordshire 307 50 62 10 146 35 34 8 250 43 64 11 Suffolk 66 25 25 9 31 16 7 4 75 25 21 7 Surrey 9529 57175621 27109727 4212 Sussex 331 35 125 13 161 23 51 7 361 35 139 13 Thames Valley 244 28 107 12 152 20 80 11 307 31 127 13 Warwickshire 183 66 56 20 74 53 15 11 107 58 33 18 West Mercia 238 45 74 14 171 40 32 8 200 43 51 11 West Midlands 1,544 45 649 19 564 33 138 8 1,080 47 193 8 West Yorkshire 1,325 50 427 16 461 40 113 10 641 50 179 14 Wiltshire 57 36 11 7 23 14 17 10 78 38 20 10 England and 17,224 39 6,923 16 8,659 29 2,873 10 14,616 39 4,581 12 Wales

2007-08 2008-09 Cracked % Ineffective % Cracked % Ineffective %

Avon and Somerset 211 31 94 14 237 36 96 15 Bedfordshire 140 30 64 14 105 34 29 9 Cambridgeshire 147 35 38 9 204 35 77 13 Cheshire 104 40 31 12 79 37 17 8 Cleveland 532 57 128 14 572 59 111 11 Cumbria 149 56 31 12 133 47 44 16 Derbyshire 205 48 58 14 200 46 52 12 Devon and Cornwall 130 28 39 8 150 33 25 6 Dorset 82 33 14 6 82 33 12 5 Durham 236 64 49 13 203 69 32 11 Dyfed Powys 51 32 8 5 33 35 5 5 Essex 374 40 89 10 278 38 61 8 Gloucestershire 66 38 16 9 63 36 27 15 Greater Manchester 1,274 52 260 11 1,038 52 195 10 Gwent—0—0—0—0 Hampshire and IOW 363 34 110 10 341 36 84 9 Hertfordshire 183 35 90 17 102 30 54 16 Humberside 369 60 52 8 364 65 30 5 Kent 321 32 154 15 180 26 97 14 Lancashire 514 53 143 15 548 55 143 14 Leicestershire 220 46 75 16 196 44 75 17 Lincolnshire 76 36 31 15 80 39 22 11 London 2,916 32 1,264 14 2,655 30 1,347 15 Merseyside 768 51 139 9 668 52 113 9 Norfolk 111 43 16 6 94 43 22 10 Northamptonshire 111 46 11 5 110 51 8 4 Northumbria 743 66 152 13 611 64 112 12 North Wales 99 36 20 7 74 33 11 5 North Yorkshire 151 53 26 9 103 42 39 16 1181W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1182W

2007-08 2008-09 Cracked % Ineffective % Cracked % Ineffective %

Nottinghamshire 250 46 66 12 195 42 54 12 South Wales 468 41 91 8 518 43 104 9 South Yorkshire 550 60 97 11 512 60 106 12 Staffordshire 239 45 50 9 188 40 41 9 Suffolk 77 30 19 7 68 29 23 10 Surrey 9027 43138027 4214 Sussex 379 39 153 16 357 37 135 14 Thames Valley 318 32 125 13 341 34 153 15 Warwickshire 99 52 13 7 71 42 15 9 West Mercia 183 47 24 6 139 43 19 6 West Midlands 903 45 171 8 717 42 129 8 West Yorkshire 725 49 221 15 785 48 233 14 Wiltshire 61 38 17 11 78 41 16 8 England and Wales 14,988 42 4,292 12 13,552 41 4,010 12

Table C: Magistrates courts—cracked and ineffective trials 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 Cracked % Ineffective % Cracked % Ineffective % Cracked % Ineffective %

Avon and 815 28 476 16 951 31 508 17 870 30 379 13 Somerset Bedfordshire 761 37 676 33 790 33 600 25 629 30 432 21 Cambridgeshire 493 36 230 17 576 35 263 16 642 37 260 15 Cheshire 1,061 40 474 18 1,241 40 581 19 1,625 42 630 16 Cleveland 943 39 514 21 821 36 401 17 847 36 450 19 Cumbria 640 41 256 16 645 39 289 17 624 37 281 17 Derbyshire 1,548 38 1,123 27 1,620 37 1,293 29 1,427 37 847 22 Devon and 870 29 592 20 789 27 584 20 729 31 398 17 Cornwall Dorset 466 34 292 21 503 30 355 22 576 31 445 24 Durham 476 31 411 27 532 35 332 22 677 43 275 18 Dyfed Powys 307 28 192 17 227 22 141 14 274 22 157 13 Essex 1,336 35 805 21 1,343 32 928 22 1,400 32 933 21 Gloucestershire 315 37 201 24 387 35 253 23 623 33 511 27 Greater 5,475 43 2,582 20 5,044 41 2,224 18 4,765 42 1,766 15 Manchester Gwent 683 38 432 24 597 32 377 20 616 35 416 24 Hampshire and 2,570 35 1,917 26 1,979 34 1,225 21 1,594 33 874 18 IOW Hertfordshire 1,481 39 922 24 2,022 38 1,285 24 1,692 33 1,170 23 Humberside 1,059 44 464 19 857 41 331 16 876 43 303 15 Kent 1,486 31 1,111 24 1,518 31 1,085 22 1,580 32 1,065 22 Lancashire 2,415 46 1,283 24 2,777 44 1,238 20 3,334 45 1,430 19 Leicestershire 1,424 41 906 26 1,539 43 838 24 1,582 45 728 21 Lincolnshire 630 35 424 24 672 36 410 22 618 33 335 18 London 12,053 32 11,922 32 11,898 34 8,628 25 11,778 36 6,508 20 Merseyside 3,362 42 2,170 27 2,770 43 1,205 19 2,341 47 837 17 Norfolk 508 32 310 19 503 30 276 17 573 30 268 14 Northamptonshire 740 35 443 21 778 38 255 13 938 36 348 13 Northumbria 2,369 38 1,556 25 2,236 36 1,455 24 2,677 42 1,382 22 North Wales 877 37 411 17 908 37 312 13 871 37 327 14 North 599 43 254 18 645 40 306 19 465 35 215 16 Yorkshire Nottinghamshire 1,980 40 1,306 26 1,771 36 1,322 27 1,518 38 969 24 South Wales 2,429 45 1,014 19 2,247 44 772 15 1,755 43 557 13 South Yorkshire 1,114 33 802 24 1,040 30 577 17 1,233 35 534 15 Staffordshire 1,708 40 849 20 1,427 39 655 18 1,469 35 872 21 Suffolk 368 30 184 15 303 27 132 12 256 26 104 10 Surrey 627 30 465 22 604 29 393 19 688 30 452 20 Sussex 1,566 35 1,162 26 1,160 33 637 18 1,493 34 777 18 Thames Valley 1,297 39 669 20 1,859 41 875 19 2,075 35 1,017 17 1183W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1184W

Table C: Magistrates courts—cracked and ineffective trials 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 Cracked % Ineffective % Cracked % Ineffective % Cracked % Ineffective %

Warwickshire 102 28 35 10 108 27 38 10 100 29 46 14 West Mercia 1,826 41 1,183 26 1,790 37 1,161 24 1,479 38 641 16 West Midlands 6,339 41 3,790 24 5,059 39 2,827 22 4,980 42 2,388 20 West Yorkshire 3,044 39 2,062 27 2,680 40 1,489 22 2,484 40 1,407 22 Wiltshire 429 32 237 18 326 31 206 20 476 36 290 22 England and 70,591 37 47,107 25 67,542 37 39,062 21 67,249 37 34,024 19 Wales

2007-08 2008-09 Cracked % Ineffective % Cracked % Ineffective %

Avon and Somerset 996 32 433 14 873 33 370 14 Bedfordshire 591 28 425 20 627 28 566 25 Cambridgeshire 667 36 242 13 609 39 204 13 Cheshire 1,480 45 327 10 1,348 44 293 10 Cleveland 1,148 42 594 22 1,110 43 514 20 Cumbria 737 41 313 17 684 39 253 14 Derbyshire 1,723 37 1,093 24 1,684 41 876 21 Devon and Cornwall 942 35 443 17 900 36 430 17 Dorset 877 34 688 27 605 27 552 25 Durham 839 47 314 18 696 46 244 16 Dyfed Powys 253 22 116 10 273 28 137 14 Essex 1,530 34 944 21 1,519 34 977 22 Gloucestershire 645 37 486 28 632 40 419 27 Greater Manchester 4,878 42 1,690 15 3,992 38 1,600 15 Gwent 990 39 526 21 644 41 370 24 Hampshire and IOW 2,012 34 1,065 18 1,971 35 1,125 20 Hertfordshire 1,425 32 1,025 23 1,347 32 969 23 Humberside 1,059 49 319 15 1,130 48 326 14 Kent 1,895 35 1,103 20 1,894 39 952 19 Lancashire 3,275 48 1,156 17 3,080 46 1,060 16 Leicestershire 1,755 43 843 21 1,261 42 574 19 Lincolnshire 598 35 319 19 571 36 324 21 London 11,578 36 5,761 18 11,109 35 5,704 18 Merseyside 2,717 50 778 14 2,923 49 874 15 Norfolk 673 33 289 14 529 31 280 16 Northamptonshire 805 37 282 13 658 37 258 14 Northumbria 3,515 46 1,550 20 3,083 42 1,482 20 North Wales 826 39 308 14 786 36 297 14 North Yorkshire 568 38 273 18 638 39 258 16 Nottinghamshire 1,759 35 1,185 24 1,376 34 989 24 South Wales 1,997 45 576 13 2,046 47 651 15 South Yorkshire 1,508 38 719 18 1,772 38 792 17 Staffordshire 1,645 36 938 21 1,237 40 538 17 Suffolk 207 24 77 9 285 29 109 11 Surrey 840 32 489 18 832 32 417 16 Sussex 1,623 34 923 19 1,228 31 889 22 Thames Valley 2,042 31 1,258 19 2,045 34 1,189 20 Warwickshire 129 28 60 13 144 30 71 15 West Mercia 1,627 37 808 18 1,332 34 751 19 West Midlands 5,421 44 2,351 19 5,641 44 2,661 21 West Yorkshire 2,791 41 1,476 22 2,779 40 1,701 25 Wiltshire 564 34 276 17 534 32 381 23 England and Wales 73,150 38 34,841 18 68,427 38 33,427 19

Mr. Garnier: To ask the Solicitor-General how many The Solicitor-General: The following tables show the cases were prosecuted by each of the 42 regional Crown number of defendants prosecuted by the Crown Prosecution Prosecution Service offices in each of the last five years. Service’s 42 Areas in the five years ending March 2009. [305443] The table also shows the number and proportion of defendants who were convicted, and the number and proportion whose case resulted in an unsuccessful outcome. 1185W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1186W

CPS Magistrates Court Case Volumes and Outcomes by Area 2004-05 to 2008-09 2004-05 2005-06 Convictions Unsuccessful Convictions Unsuccessful Vol. % Vol. % Total Vol. % Vol. % Total

42 Areas 928,195 80.6 223,709 19.4 1,151,904 881,861 82.5 186,884 17.5 1,068,745 P01 - Avon & 24,405 80.1 6,054 19.9 30,459 23,163 82.2 5,021 17.8 28,184 Somerset P02 - Bedfordshire 8,755 74.5 2,995 25.5 11,750 8,407 77.9 2,381 22.1 10,788 P03 - 8,100 85.6 1,360 14.4 9,460 9,868 84.6 1,792 15.4 11,660 Cambridgeshire P04 - Cheshire 14,617 87.2 2,150 12.8 16,767 14,317 86.2 2,297 13.8 16,614 P06 - Cleveland 13,783 80.4 3,367 19.6 17,150 10,015 84.3 1,864 15.7 11,879 P07 - Cumbria 10,344 85.7 1,730 14.3 12,074 11,963 86.5 1,870 13.5 13,833 P08 - Derbyshire 15,166 85.9 2,489 14.1 17,655 12,552 81.2 2,914 18.8 15,466 P09 - Devon & 19,345 84.5 3,547 15.5 22,892 18,851 83.2 3,815 16.8 22,666 Cornwall P10 - Dorset 10,262 82.3 2,212 17.7 12,474 10,502 85.1 1,843 14.9 12,345 P12 - Dyfed Powys 8,835 83.8 1,703 16.2 10,538 9,802 84.5 1,793 15.5 11,595 P13 - Essex 20,209 83.3 4,065 16.7 24,274 21,329 82.2 4,629 17.8 25,958 P14 - 6,726 80.1 1,667 19.9 8,393 6,928 80.2 1,706 19.8 8,634 Gloucestershire P15 - Greater 57,582 82.0 12,621 18.0 70,203 59,184 83.8 11,411 16.2 70,595 Manchester P16 - Gwent 12,573 80.0 3,153 20.0 15,726 10,230 85.3 1,765 14.7 11,995 P17 - Hampshire 30,021 83.2 6,049 16.8 36,070 25,606 85.0 4,527 15.0 30,133 P18 - Hertfordshire 14,375 80.8 3,412 19.2 17,787 15,182 80.0 3,803 20.0 18,985 P19 - Humberside 17,767 87.1 2,627 12.9 20,394 14,711 88.4 1,921 11.6 16,632 P20 - Kent 29,646 85.5 5,043 14.5 34,689 23,595 86.6 3,649 13.4 27,244 P21 - Lancashire 25,449 83.6 5,008 16.4 30,457 29,767 83.8 5,737 16.2 35,504 P22 - Leicestershire 17,481 81.4 4,001 18.6 21,482 14,136 78.2 3,942 21.8 18,078 P23 - Lincolnshire 16,117 86.6 2,486 13.4 18,603 13,277 86.1 2,137 13.9 15,414 P25 - London 118,174 74.1 41,313 25.9 159,487 112,552 79.0 29,897 21.0 142,449 P24 - Merseyside 28,919 80.1 7,175 19.9 36,094 22,239 81.4 5,091 18.6 27,330 P24 - Merseyside 11,862 83.0 2,421 17.0 14,283 11,681 84.1 2,203 15.9 13,884 P27 - 11,259 85.4 1,919 14.6 13,178 9,083 78.3 2,513 21.7 11,596 Northamptonshire P28 - Northumbria 34,457 84.6 6,290 15.4 40,747 36,332 87.0 5,449 13.0 41,781 P29 - North Wales 13,577 86.2 2,175 13.8 15,752 12,880 87.9 1,770 12.1 14,650 P30 - North 9,551 82.5 2,027 17.5 11,578 11,152 82.7 2,334 17.3 13,486 Yorkshire P31 - 19,732 84.5 3,607 15.5 23,339 19,381 83.8 3,757 16.2 23,138 Nottinghamshire P32 - South Wales 34,846 78.7 9,434 21.3 44,280 28,102 78.6 7,658 21.4 35,760 P33 - South 24,770 82.8 5,134 17.2 29,904 23,595 84.1 4,472 15.9 28,067 Yorkshire P34 - Staffordshire 20,472 78.0 5,762 22.0 26,234 19,350 81.5 4,395 18.5 23,745 P35 - Suffolk 14,186 83.5 2,807 16.5 16,993 14,166 84.3 2,647 15.7 16,813 P36 - Surrey 8,835 79.4 2,298 20.6 11,133 8,382 82.2 1,810 17.8 10,192 P37 - Sussex 17,035 80.6 4,112 19.4 21,147 18,092 82.5 3,830 17.5 21,922 P38 - Thames 30,802 74.6 10,496 25.4 41,298 31,205 78.1 8,749 21.9 39,954 Valley P39 - Warwickshire 8,066 90.4 852 9.6 8,918 7,266 91.4 682 8.6 7,948 P40 - West Mercia 19,888 81.5 4,517 18.5 24,405 20,323 82.0 4,467 18.0 24,790 P41 - West 55,537 77.3 16,295 22.7 71,832 49,429 83.3 9,905 16.7 59,334 Midlands P42 - West 46,015 77.0 13,728 23.0 59,743 43,132 80.5 10,440 19.5 53,572 Yorkshire P43 - Wiltshire 9,256 82.3 1,992 17.7 11,248 10,756 80.9 2,536 19.1 13,292

2006-07 2007-08 Convictions Unsuccessful Convictions Unsuccessful Vol. % Vol. % Total Vol. % Vol. % Total

42 Areas 831,093 84.1 156,939 15.9 988,032 828,535 85.7 138,130 14.3 966,665 P01 - Avon and 22,716 82.9 4,685 17.1 27,401 21,402 85.2 3,705 14.8 25,107 Somerset 1187W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1188W

2006-07 2007-08 Convictions Unsuccessful Convictions Unsuccessful Vol. % Vol. % Total Vol. % Vol. % Total

P02 - Bedfordshire 7,904 83.5 1,562 16.5 9,466 8,048 86.7 1,233 13.3 9,281 P03 - 10,062 87.5 1,438 12.5 11,500 9,321 88.3 1,239 11.7 10,560 Cambridgeshire P04 - Cheshire 15,360 86.6 2,383 13.4 17,743 18,276 88.4 2,405 11.6 20,681 P06 - Cleveland 10,456 86.7 1,603 13.3 12,059 11,037 87.2 1,625 12.8 12,662 P07 - Cumbria 11,382 88.8 1,438 11.2 12,820 11,148 89.2 1,347 10.8 12,495 P08 - Derbyshire 13,174 85.1 2,304 14.9 15,478 13,561 86.6 2,094 13.4 15,655 P09 - Devon & 17,689 85.8 2,916 14.2 20,605 18,349 86.5 2,862 13.5 21,211 Cornwall P10 - Dorset 9,676 83.8 1,866 16.2 11,542 9,041 80.7 2,163 19.3 11,204 P12 - Dyfed Powys 8,468 83.8 1,633 16.2 10,101 8,562 85.0 1,508 15.0 10,070 P13 - Essex 19,255 84.9 3,426 15.1 22,681 21,253 86.4 3,354 13.6 24,607 P14 - 6,664 83.5 1,321 16.5 7,985 6,686 84.5 1,230 15.5 7,916 Gloucestershire P15 - Greater 55,609 84.8 10,005 15.2 65,614 51,130 86.6 7,930 13.4 59,060 Manchester P16 - Gwent 11,190 84.9 1,988 15.1 13,178 10,275 84.4 1,898 15.6 12,173 P17 - Hampshire 23,350 85.8 3,877 14.2 27,227 25,568 86.1 4,134 13.9 29,702 P18 - Hertfordshire 14,316 83.0 2,931 17.0 17,247 13,757 84.9 2,451 15.1 16,208 P19 - Humberside 13,184 89.4 1,565 10.6 14,749 14,286 89.9 1,608 10.1 15,894 P20 - Kent 22,780 87.1 3,385 12.9 26,165 22,061 87.3 3,211 12.7 25,272 P21 - Lancashire 30,331 83.7 5,902 16.3 36,233 29,087 86.6 4,503 13.4 33,590 P22 - Leicestershire 13,913 80.4 3,381 19.6 17,294 14,511 85.0 2,555 15.0 17,066 P23 - Lincolnshire 12,268 88.9 1,530 11.1 13,798 11,488 90.9 1,156 9.1 12,644 P25 - London 106,704 81.9 23,656 18.1 130,360 107,444 83.9 20,647 16.1 128,091 P24 - Merseyside 21,210 83.1 4,311 16.9 25,521 26,992 85.1 4,708 14.9 31,700 P24 - Merseyside 11,965 86.1 1,934 13.9 13,899 12,137 87.4 1,751 12.6 13,888 P27 - 9,404 81.9 2,083 18.1 11,487 9,651 86.3 1,531 13.7 11,182 Northamptonshire P28 - Northumbria 34,624 85.7 5,800 14.3 40,424 35,404 85.3 6,077 14.7 41,481 P29 - North Wales 12,932 87.1 1,920 12.9 14,852 11,913 87.9 1,638 12.1 13,551 P30 - North 9,039 84.4 1,672 15.6 10,711 9,623 86.8 1,462 13.2 11,085 Yorkshire P31 - 17,279 83.4 3,435 16.6 20,714 16,925 83.2 3,413 16.8 20,338 Nottinghamshire P32 - South Wales 23,195 81.3 5,350 18.7 28,545 21,211 82.3 4,573 17.7 25,784 P33 - South 21,287 85.5 3,620 14.5 24,907 21,144 86.8 3,226 13.2 24,370 Yorkshire P34 - Staffordshire 17,563 84.9 3,123 15.1 20,686 18,494 86.3 2,944 13.7 21,438 P35 - Suffolk 9,586 86.9 1,444 13.1 11,030 9,329 89.8 1,062 10.2 10,391 P36 - Surrey 6,759 83.1 1,378 16.9 8,137 10,930 84.4 2,014 15.6 12,944 P37 - Sussex 18,677 83.5 3,682 16.5 22,359 17,849 84.1 3,380 15.9 21,229 P38 - Thames Valley 30,297 78.9 8,078 21.1 38,375 25,889 81.8 5,759 18.2 31,648 P39 - Warwickshire 6,730 92.1 576 7.9 7,306 6,574 92.4 539 7.6 7,113 P40 - West Mercia 19,303 84.0 3,668 16.0 22,971 18,814 86.1 3,049 13.9 21,863 P41 - West 46,796 83.5 9,263 16.5 56,059 45,772 86.0 7,458 14.0 53,230 Midlands P42 - West 39,079 83.8 7,558 16.2 46,637 36,465 86.4 5,719 13.6 42,184 Yorkshire P43 - Wiltshire 9,986 84.9 1,778 15.1 11,764 7,601 83.2 1,530 16.8 9,131

2008-09 Convictions Unsuccessful Vol. % Vol. % Total

42 Areas 810,605 87.3 118,103 12.7 928,708 P01 - Avon and Somerset 20,535 88.4 2,686 11.6 23,221 P02 - Bedfordshire 7,651 87.4 1,101 12.6 8,752 P03 - Cambridgeshire 9,392 89.7 1,078 10.3 10,470 P04 - Cheshire 17,354 88.9 2,170 11.1 19,524 P06 - Cleveland 11,404 87.4 1,640 12.6 13,044 P07 - Cumbria 9,545 88.2 1,273 11.8 10,818 1189W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1190W

2008-09 Convictions Unsuccessful Vol. % Vol. % Total

P08 - Derbyshire 12,707 86.4 1,992 13.6 14,699 P09 - Devon and Cornwall 18,427 88.0 2,511 12.0 20,938 P10 - Dorset 7,749 84.0 1,473 16.0 9,222 - P11 - Durham 7,961 89.0 984 11.0 8,945 P12 - Dyfed Powys 7,757 85.7 1,294 14.3 9,051 P13 - Essex 21,465 86.9 3,249 13.1 24,714 P14 - Gloucestershire 6,967 87.5 998 12.5 7,965 P15 - Greater Manchester 49,513 88.8 6,263 11.2 55,776 P16 - Gwent 8,261 86.7 1,272 13.3 9,533 P17 - Hampshire 26,951 87.3 3,937 12.7 30,888 P18 - Hertfordshire 13,871 85.0 2,452 15.0 16,323 P19 - Humberside 14,248 91.4 1,336 8.6 15,584 P20 - Kent 20,700 88.5 2,682 11.5 23,382 P21 - Lancashire 30,023 87.8 4,153 12.2 34,176 P22 - Leicestershire 12,708 86.1 2,058 13.9 14,766 P23 - Lincolnshire 11,185 90.5 1,168 9.5 12,353 P25 - London 115,366 86.0 18,760 14.0 134,126 P24 - Merseyside 26,813 85.8 4,439 14.2 31,252 P24 - Merseyside 11,137 89.6 1,295 10.4 12,432 P27 - Northamptonshire 8,905 88.5 1,158 11.5 10,063 P28 - Northumbria 29,328 87.0 4,387 13.0 33,715 P29 - North Wales 11,653 89.4 1,380 10.6 13,033 P30 - North Yorkshire 10,536 89.0 1,307 11.0 11,843 P31 - Nottinghamshire 18,237 88.9 2,283 11.1 20,520 P32 - South Wales 22,072 84.6 4,025 15.4 26,097 P33 - South Yorkshire 20,648 87.0 3,079 13.0 23,727 P34 - Staffordshire 14,917 87.4 2,147 12.6 17,064 P35 - Suffolk 11,121 90.3 1,201 9.7 12,322 P36 - Surrey 9,740 86.6 1,510 13.4 11,250 P37 - Sussex 16,586 86.6 2,565 13.4 19,151 P38 - Thames Valley 25,546 85.8 4,245 14.2 29,791 P39 - Warwickshire 6,008 93.0 451 7.0 6,459 P40 - West Mercia 18,048 89.3 2,170 10.7 20,218 P41 - West Midlands 43,718 86.7 6,688 13.3 50,406 P42 - West Yorkshire 34,669 85.3 5,987 14.7 40,656 P43 - Wiltshire 9,183 88.0 1,256 12.0 10,439

CPS Crowns Court Case Volumes and Outcomes by Area 2004-05 to 2008-09 2004-05 2005-06 Convictions Unsuccessful Convictions Unsuccessful outcomes outcomes Vol. % Vol. % Total Vol. % Vol. % Total

42 Areas 68,281 75.1 2,609 24.9 90,890 69,832 76.4 21,526 23.6 91,358 P01 - Avon and 1,445 74.5 495 25.5 1,940 1,511 77.3 443 22.7 1,954 Somerset P02 - Bedfordshire 556 69.7 242 30.3 798 598 71.6 237 28.4 835 P03 - 682 80.2 168 19.8 850 756 74.0 266 26.0 1,022 Cambridgeshire P04 - Cheshire 955 83.8 185 16.2 1,140 1,192 81.0 279 19.0 1,471 P06 - Cleveland 1,041 76.5 319 23.5 1,360 1,075 77.4 314 22.6 1,389 P07 - Cumbria 645 75.2 213 24.8 858 577 78.5 158 21.5 735 P08 - Derbyshire 1,374 80.6 330 19.4 1,704 1,422 80.7 340 19.3 1,762 P09 - Devon and 1,315 82.4 280 17.6 1,595 1,297 80.8 308 19.2 1,605 Cornwall P10 - Dorset 462 77.8 132 22.2 594 563 79.4 146 20.6 709 P11 - Durham 751 84.1 142 15.9 893 970 80.2 239 19.8 1,209 P12 - Dyfed Powys 297 68.8 135 31.3 432 361 76.0 114 24.0 475 P13 - Essex 1,500 71.7 591 28.3 2,091 1,526 72.1 590 27.9 2,116 P14 - Gloucestershire 444 77.5 129 22.5 573 551 77.4 161 22.6 712 1191W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1192W

CPS Crowns Court Case Volumes and Outcomes by Area 2004-05 to 2008-09 2004-05 2005-06 Convictions Unsuccessful Convictions Unsuccessful outcomes outcomes Vol. % Vol. % Total Vol. % Vol. % Total

P15 - Greater 5,702 76.3 1,770 23.7 7,472 5,755 81.4 1,317 18.6 7,072 Manchester P16 - Gwent 1,015 78.7 274 21.3 1,289 713 75.7 229 24.3 942 P17 - Hampshire 1,920 71.9 749 28.1 2,669 2,024 73.0 750 27.0 2,774 P18 - Hertfordshire 836 71.5 333 28.5 1,169 979 72.4 374 27.6 1,353 P19 - Humberside 1,360 85.1 238 14.9 1,598 1,252 82.2 272 17.8 1,524 P20 - Kent 1,295 73.7 461 26.3 1,756 1,246 74.5 427 25.5 1,673 P21 - Lancashire 2,140 77.8 610 22.2 2,750 2,341 79.0 621 21.0 2,962 P22 - Leicestershire 1,266 77.6 365 22.4 1,631 1,295 72.0 503 28.0 1,798 P23 - Lincolnshire 567 76.5 174 23.5 741 508 77.6 147 22.4 655 P25 - London 10,933 66.5 5,519 33.5 16,452 11,817 68.9 5,346 31.1 17,163 P24 - Merseyside 2,294 72.4 875 27.6 3,169 2,531 76.5 777 23.5 3,308 P26 - Norfolk 812 85.5 138 14.5 950 883 82.2 191 17.8 1,074 P27 - 699 78.7 189 21.3 888 665 79.5 172 20.5 837 Northamptonshire P28 - Northumbria 1,872 80.3 459 19.7 2,331 2,114 80.9 498 19.1 2,612 P29 - North Wales 573 83.4 114 16.6 687 621 77.8 177 22.2 798 P30 - North 680 78.6 185 21.4 865 823 78.1 231 21.9 1,054 Yorkshire P31 - 1,486 80.7 355 19.3 1,841 1,663 79.6 426 20.4 2,089 Nottinghamshire P32 - South Wales 2,353 79.1 620 20.9 2,973 2,057 80.7 493 19.3 2,550 P33 - South 2,117 83.7 411 16.3 2,528 2,086 85.6 350 14.4 2,436 Yorkshire P34 - Staffordshire 1,413 77.9 401 22.1 1,814 1,302 77.9 370 22.1 1,672 P35 - Suffolk 608 79.8 154 20.2 762 494 75.9 157 24.1 651 P36 - Surrey 653 72.6 247 27.4 900 643 75.9 204 24.1 847 P37 - Sussex 1,360 73.0 502 27.0 1,862 1,355 73.5 489 26.5 1,844 P38 - Thames Valley 1,621 77.7 465 22.3 2,086 1,803 77.5 522 22.5 2,325 P39 - Warwickshire 278 89.1 34 10.9 312 311 87.9 43 12.1 354 P40 - West Mercia 1,190 79.3 311 20.7 1,501 1,464 82.2 316 17.8 1,780 P41 - West Midlands 5,653 72.8 2,113 27.2 7,766 4,920 76.6 1,507 23.4 6,427 P42 - West Yorkshire 3,753 78.0 1,061 22.0 4,814 3,354 79.4 870 20.6 4,224 P43 - Wiltshire 365 75.1 121 24.9 486 414 73.1 152 26.9 566

2006-07 2007-08 Convictions Unsuccessful Convictions Unsuccessful outcomes outcomes Vol. % Vol. % Total Vol. % Vol. % Total

42 Areas 69,549 77.0 20,720 23.0 90,269 77,428 79.4 20,101 20.6 97,529 P01 - Avon and 1,311 74.2 457 25.8 1,768 1,447 79.5 374 20.5 1,821 Somerset P02 - Bedfordshire 638 75.2 210 24.8 848 657 79.5 169 20.5 826 P03 - 773 77.7 222 22.3 995 793 79.1 210 20.9 1,003 Cambridgeshire P04 - Cheshire 1,226 80.3 301 19.7 1,527 1,254 84.1 237 15.9 1,491 P06 - Cleveland 1,082 74.1 379 25.9 1,461 1,151 80.9 272 19.1 1,423 P07 - Cumbria 561 75.3 184 24.7 745 709 81.6 160 18.4 869 P08 - Derbyshire 1,158 83.3 232 16.7 1,390 1,146 82.0 251 18.0 1,397 P09 - Devon and 1,071 78.7 290 21.3 1,361 1,163 81.2 269 18.8 1,432 Cornwall P10 - Dorset 612 75.3 201 24.7 813 593 80.8 141 19.2 734 P11 - Durham 1,019 81.7 229 18.3 1,248 1,188 83.8 230 16.2 1,418 P12 - Dyfed Powys 357 78.3 99 21.7 456 374 82.7 78 17.3 452 P13 - Essex 1,585 74.9 530 25.1 2,115 1,869 78.0 526 22.0 2,395 P14 - 485 80.4 118 19.6 603 593 82.8 123 17.2 716 Gloucestershire P15 - Greater 5,588 80.3 1,372 19.7 6,960 6,092 80.5 1,479 19.5 7,571 Manchester P16 - Gwent 784 77.5 227 22.5 1,011 721 79.2 189 20.8 910 1193W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1194W

2006-07 2007-08 Convictions Unsuccessful Convictions Unsuccessful outcomes outcomes Vol. % Vol. % Total Vol. % Vol. % Total

P17 - Hampshire 1,978 75.1 657 24.9 2,635 2,195 76.9 661 23.1 2,856 P18 - Hertfordshire 926 71.8 363 28.2 1,289 1,181 76.8 357 23.2 1,538 P19 - Humberside 1,430 87.1 212 12.9 1,642 1,502 85.8 248 14.2 1,750 P20 - Kent 1,491 77.5 432 22.5 1,923 1,988 80.5 481 19.5 2,469 P21 - Lancashire 2,386 78.1 671 21.9 3,057 2,779 82.2 603 17.8 3,382 P22 - Leicestershire 1,239 74.6 421 25.4 1,660 1,146 77.3 337 22.7 1,483 P23 - Lincolnshire 499 79.0 133 21.0 632 513 82.1 112 17.9 625 P25 - London 12,167 69.6 5,317 30.4 17,484 14,656 72.5 5,558 27.5 20,214 P24 - Merseyside 2,306 76.5 707 23.5 3,013 2,422 77.8 693 22.2 3,115 P26 - Norfolk 1,047 86.5 163 13.5 1,210 1,061 89.2 128 10.8 1,189 P27 - 617 85.2 107 14.8 724 759 89.0 94 11.0 853 Northamptonshire P28 - Northumbria 2,032 79.8 513 20.2 2,545 2,466 80.9 584 19.1 3,050 P29 - North Wales 722 82.3 155 17.7 877 815 87.4 117 12.6 932 P30 - North 842 79.2 221 20.8 1,063 764 79.4 198 20.6 962 Yorkshire P31 - 1,493 80.0 373 20.0 1,866 1,574 80.3 387 19.7 1,961 Nottinghamshire P32 - South Wales 1,849 79.0 491 21.0 2,340 2,193 80.4 536 19.6 2,729 P33 - South 2,151 87.6 304 12.4 2,455 2,282 87.0 340 13.0 2,622 Yorkshire P34 - Staffordshire 1,352 83.1 275 16.9 1,627 1,496 83.5 296 16.5 1,792 P35 - Suffolk 588 74.0 207 26.0 795 616 83.8 119 16.2 735 P36 - Surrey 645 76.1 203 23.9 848 833 75.5 270 24.5 1,103 P37 - Sussex 1,715 75.3 562 24.7 2,277 1,896 79.1 501 20.9 2,397 P38 - Thames Valley 1,777 76.2 556 23.8 2,333 1,909 79.5 492 20.5 2,401 P39 - Warwickshire 347 89.9 39 10.1 386 359 89.5 42 10.5 401 P40 - West Mercia 1,319 78.9 353 21.1 1,672 1,236 84.3 230 15.7 1,466 P41 - West Midlands 5,276 77.4 1,543 22.6 6,819 5,389 80.9 1,274 19.1 6,663 P42 - West Yorkshire 2,668 82.8 553 17.2 3,221 3,225 83.5 636 16.5 3,861 P43 - Wiltshire 437 76.0 138 24.0 575 423 81.0 99 19.0 522

2008-09 Convictions Unsuccessful outcomes Vol. % Vol. % Total

42 Areas 84,000 80.9 19,890 19.1 103,890 P01 - Avon and Somerset 1,655 81.4 378 18.6 2,033 P02 - Bedfordshire 813 83.4 162 16.6 975 P03 - Cambridgeshire 944 81.6 213 18.4 1,157 P04 - Cheshire 1,348 82.0 295 18.0 1,643 P06 - Cleveland 1,443 80.5 349 19.5 1,792 P07 - Cumbria 838 81.9 185 18.1 1,023 P08 - Derbyshire 1,266 81.3 291 18.7 1,557 P09 - Devon and Cornwall 1,354 78.8 364 21.2 1,718 P10 - Dorset 634 85.1 111 14.9 745 P11 - Durham 1,268 86.3 201 13.7 1,469 P12 - Dyfed Powys 414 82.1 90 17.9 504 P13 - Essex 1,966 80.1 489 19.9 2,455 P14 - Gloucestershire 708 81.9 156 18.1 864 P15 - Greater Manchester 5,977 84.1 1,130 15.9 7,107 P16 - Gwent 758 76.2 237 23.8 995 P17 - Hampshire 2,268 75.9 722 24.1 2,990 P18 - Hertfordshire 1,097 79.8 278 20.2 1,375 P19 - Humberside 1,758 88.3 233 11.7 1,991 P20 - Kent 1,956 84.7 353 15.3 2,309 P21 - Lancashire 3,087 83.2 625 16.8 3,712 P22 - Leicestershire 1,157 82.6 244 17.4 1,401 P23 - Lincolnshire 666 88.4 87 11.6 753 P25 - London 15,529 73.2 5,688 26.8 21,217 1195W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1196W

2008-09 Convictions Unsuccessful outcomes Vol. % Vol. % Total

P24 - Merseyside 2,538 81.2 587 18.8 3,125 P26 - Norfolk 1,094 86.8 166 13.2 1,260 P27 - Northamptonshire 890 87.9 122 12.1 1,012 P28 - Northumbria 2,528 82.7 527 17.3 3,055 P29 - North Wales 812 86.8 123 13.2 935 P30 - North Yorkshire 863 80.5 209 19.5 1,072 P31 - Nottinghamshire 1,822 84.9 325 15.1 2,147 P32 - South Wales 2,621 82.2 567 17.8 3,188 P33 - South Yorkshire 2,637 87.6 374 12.4 3,011 P34 - Staffordshire 1,682 85.4 287 14.6 1,969 P35 - Suffolk 702 83.7 137 16.3 839 P36 - Surrey 843 77.6 243 22.4 1,086 P37 - Sussex 2,055 81.9 454 18.1 2,509 P38 - Thames Valley 2,383 79.2 624 20.8 3,007 P39 - Warwickshire 386 89.1 47 10.9 433 P40 - West Mercia 1,227 86.5 192 13.5 1,419 P41 - West Midlands 5,351 82.1 1,163 17.9 6,514 P42 - West Yorkshire 4,115 84.8 737 15.2 4,852 P43 - Wiltshire 547 81.4 125 18.6 672

Mr. Garnier: To ask the Solicitor-General how many Table A shows all reasons for which cases were discharged cases were discontinued by the Crown Prosecution at committal during the four years for which data is Service at (a) committal and (b) a later stage for available. Each applicable reason is also expressed as a reasons of (i) a lack of preparation and (ii) delay in proportion of all completed cases in magistrates courts. each of the last five years; and how many cases were Table B shows the reasons for which case were dropped dismissed by (A) magistrates courts and (B) Crown in the Crown court following committal for trial, both courts for those reasons in each of those five years. by volume and as a proportion of completed Crown [305445] court cases. No comparable analysis is maintained of the reasons why cases result in dismissal by the magistrates or The Solicitor-General: Cases are rarely discontinued acquittal by the jury, as these outcomes are the decision at committal for reasons of lack of preparation or of the court rather than of the prosecution. delay. If a committal is not ready, the CPS tends to seek Proceedings for an offence that has been discharged an adjournment to enable the file preparation to be at committal because the prosecution is unable to proceed completed. If the adjournment is not granted, the CPS may be re-instituted. After a committal has been discharged, will have to offer no evidence and the committal is the prosecutor will liaise with the police to consider ‘discharged’. whether the proceedings can be re-instituted.

Table A: Reasons for discharged committals 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 Vol % Vol % Vol % Vol %

Total Evidential Reasons 1,205 0.1 1,021 0.1 855 0.1 858 0.1 E1 Inadmissible evidence—Breach of PACE 4 0.0 6 0.0 2 0.0 0 0.0 E2 Inadmissible evidence—other than 20 0.0 15 0.0 1 0.0 6 0.0 Breach of PACE E3 Unreliable confession 0 0.0 1 0.0 1 0.0 0 0.0 E4 Conflict of evidence 57 0.0 81 0.0 88 0.0 72 0.0 E5 Essential medical evidence missing 43 0.0 32 0.0 22 0.0 29 0.0 E6 Essential forensic evidence missing 213 0.0 198 0.0 224 0.0 192 0.0 E7 Essential legal element missing 704 0.1 563 0.1 367 0.0 433 0.0 E8 Unreliable witness or witnesses 36 0.0 26 0.0 29 0.0 15 0.0 E9 Key victim does not support case 31 0.0 25 0.0 35 0.0 35 0.0 E10 Key witness does not support case 7 0.0 4 0.0 3 0.0 15 0.0 E11 Unreliable/lack of identification 90 0.0 70 0.0 83 0.0 61 0.0

Total Public Interest Reasons 60 0.0 63 0.0 82 0.0 62 0.0 P12 Effect on victim’s physical or mental 0 0.0 1 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.0 health 1197W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1198W

Table A: Reasons for discharged committals 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 Vol % Vol % Vol % Vol %

P13 Suspect/Defendant elderly or in 1 0.0 2 0.0 7 0.0 8 0.0 significant ill health P14 Loss or harm minor and single incident 4 0.0 2 0.0 1 0.0 1 0.0 P15 Loss or harm put right 1 0.0 1 0.0 5 0.0 0 0.0 P16 Long delay between offence/charge or 8 0.0 6 0.0 10 0.0 9 0.0 trial P17 Very small or nominal penalty 6 0.0 2 0.0 6 0.0 5 0.0 P18 Other indictment/sentence 26 0.0 36 0.0 45 0.0 26 0.0 P19 Informer or other public interest 1 0.0 1 0.0 3 0.0 1 0.0 immunity issues P20 Caution more suitable 10 0.0 11 0.0 4 0.0 10 0.0 P21 Youth of offender 0 0.0 1 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 P36 Inappropriate to compel victim 2 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 P37 Inappropriate to compel witness 1 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.0 1 0.0

Total Prosecution Unable to Proceed 1,203 0.1 1,159 0.1 1,246 0.1 1,044 0.1 Reasons U22 File not received from police— 693 0.1 580 0.1 616 0.1 556 0.1 adjournment refused U23 CPS not ready—adjournment refused 471 0.0 541 0.1 583 0.1 467 0.1 U24 Offence taken into consideration 6 0.0 1 0.0 3 0.0 2 0.0 U25 Victim refuses to give evidence or 27 0.0 32 0.0 43 0.0 15 0.0 retracts U26 Other witness refuses to give evidence 5 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.0 or retracts U27 Victim fails to attend unexpectedly 0 0.0 1 0.0 0 0.0 2 0.0 U29 Police witness fails to attend 0 0.0 3 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 unexpectedly U30 Victim intimidation 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.0 U32 Documents produced at court 1 0.0 1 0.0 1 0.0 0 0.0

Total Other Reasons 154 0.0 82 0.0 47 0.0 20 0.0 O33 Bind over acceptable 10 0.0 6 0.0 3 0.0 3 0.0 O34 Acquittal after trial 20 0.0 19 0.0 21 0.0 6 0.0 O35 Other 124 0.0 57 0.0 23 0.0 11 0.0

Total discharged committals 2,622 0.2 2,325 0.2 2,230 0.2 1,984 0.2

Total completed magistrates court cases 1,068,745 — 988,032 — 966,665 — 928,708 —

Table B: Reasons for prosecutions dropped in the Crown court 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 Vol % Vol % Vol % Vol %

Total Evidential Reasons 6,559 7.2 6,712 7.4 7,297 7.5 7,489 7.2 E1 Inadmissible evidence—Breach of 58 0.1 43 0.0 61 0.1 40 0.0 PACE E2 Inadmissible evidence—other than 140 0.2 61 0.1 72 0.1 51 0.0 Breach of PACE E3 Unreliable confession 23 0.0 11 0.0 28 0.0 13 0.0 E4 Conflict of evidence 1,009 1.1 1,136 1.3 1,279 1.3 1,421 1.4 E5 Essential medical evidence missing 61 0.1 41 0.0 53 0.1 44 0.0 E6 Essential forensic evidence missing 224 0.2 197 0.2 287 0.3 276 0.3 E7 Essential legal element missing 1,977 2.2 2,236 2.5 2,403 2.5 2,397 2.3 E8 Unreliable witness or witnesses 1,120 1.2 1,158 1.3 1,048 1.1 1,052 1.0 E9 Key victim does not support case 990 1.1 1,048 1.2 1,126 1.2 1,226 1.2 E10 Key witness does not support case 275 0.3 290 0.3 292 0.3 317 0.3 E11 Unreliable/lack of identification 682 0.7 491 0.5 648 0.7 652 0.6

Total Public Interest Reasons 1,539 1.7 1,538 1.7 1,795 1.8 1,721 1.7 P12 Effect on victim’s physical or mental 137 0.1 112 0.1 119 0.1 102 0.1 health 1199W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1200W

Table B: Reasons for prosecutions dropped in the Crown court 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 Vol % Vol % Vol % Vol %

P13 Suspect/Defendant elderly or in 175 0.2 177 0.2 202 0.2 199 0.2 significant ill health P14 Loss or harm minor and single incident 14 0.0 32 0.0 22 0.0 31 0.0 P15 Loss or harm put right 32 0.0 42 0.0 45 0.0 40 0.0 P16 Long delay between offence/charge or 80 0.1 88 0.1 91 0.1 90 0.1 trial P17 Very small or nominal penalty 61 0.1 75 0.1 99 0.1 103 0.1 P18 Other indictment/sentence 753 0.8 769 0.9 904 0.9 885 0.9 P19 Informer or other public interest 157 0.2 107 0.1 113 0.1 89 0.1 immunity issues P20 Caution more suitable 78 0.1 78 0.1 93 0.1 96 0.1 P21 Youth of offender 9 0.0 2 0.0 7 0.0 9 0.0 P36 Inappropriate to compel victim 35 0.0 38 0.0 72 0.1 50 0.0 P37 Inappropriate to compel witness 8 0.0 18 0.0 28 0.0 27 0.0

Total Prosecution Unable to Proceed 2,922 3.2 2,785 3.1 2,318 2.4 2,171 2.1 Reasons U22 File not received from police— 54 0.1 40 0.0 25 0.0 21 0.0 adjournment refused U23 CPS not ready—adjournment refused 50 0.1 47 0.1 38 0.0 46 0.0 U24 Offence taken into consideration 41 0.0 49 0.1 34 0.0 45 0.0 U25 Victim refuses to give evidence or 1,729 1.9 1,596 1.8 1,206 1.2 1,039 1.0 retracts U26 Other witness refuses to give evidence 207 0.2 191 0.2 167 0.2 181 0.2 or retracts U27 Victim fails to attend unexpectedly 542 0.6 624 0.7 614 0.6 627 0.6 U28 Other civilian witness fails to attend 216 0.2 174 0.2 177 0.2 151 0.1 unexpectedly U29 Police witness fails to attend 37 0.0 37 0.0 32 0.0 29 0.0 unexpectedly U30 Victim intimidation 1 0.0 5 0.0 1 0.0 6 0.0 U31 Other civilian witness intimidation 2 0.0 2 0.0 0 0.0 1 0.0 U32 Documents produced at court 43 0.0 20 0.0 24 0.0 25 0.0

Total Other Reasons 1,643 1.8 1,255 1.4 1,099 1.1 817 0.8 O33 Bind over acceptable 733 0.8 661 0.7 652 0.7 489 0.5 O34 Acquittal after trial 86 0.1 107 0.1 124 0.1 83 0.1 O35 Other 824 0.9 487 0.5 323 0.3 245 0.2

Total prosecutions dropped 12,663 13.9 12,290 13.6 12,509 12.8 12,198 11.7

Total completed crown court cases 91,358 — 90,269 — 97,529 — 103,890 —

Mr. Garnier: To ask the Solicitor-General how many The Solicitor-General: The Serious Fraud Office has employment tribunals are considering cases relating to held three away days since 2005 at a total cost of Crown Prosecution Service staff. [305509] £37,473.21 (including VAT).

The Solicitor-General: There are currently 20 employment tribunal cases, lodged against the Crown Prosecution DEFENCE Service (CPS) by CPS staff. Hebrides Range

Mr. MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will replace the surveillance and tracking Serious Fraud Office: Conferences equipment in use at Hebrides Range. [307042]

Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Solicitor-General Mr. Quentin Davies: My officials are developing plans how many (a) away days and (b) conferences that with the range operator, QinetiQ, for new investment in took place outside the Serious Fraud Office’s (SFO) the Hebrides Range including the possible replacement buildings attended by civil servants in the SFO there or upgrade of surveillance and tracking equipment. have been since 2005; and what the cost was of each. The plans are at an early stage and no decisions have yet [307448] been taken. These plans will not involve redundancies. 1201W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1202W

Mr. MacNeil: To ask the Secretary of State for Afghan companies (1,000 more troops) will soon reinforce Defence if he will upgrade the electricity generation the Afghan army’s 205 corps across southern Afghanistan. facilities at St. Kilda in respect of Hebrides Range. We will continue to work closely with the Government [307043] of Afghanistan and the international community to build the capacity of the Afghan national security forces. Mr. Quentin Davies: My officials are currently considering whether the existing electricity generators on St. Kilda Afghanistan: Census should be replaced due to their age. This assessment will take into account the affordability and relative priority Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence of any replacement compared with other potential how many population censuses have been carried out in investments. These plans will not involve redundancies. Britain’s area of responsibility in Helmand province since 2005. [304352] Afghanistan: Armed Forces Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The last official population census carried out in Afghanistan, which included Helmand Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Province, was in 1970. A number of population estimates what steps have been taken to form local auxiliary have been undertaken since then by international forces outside the Afghan National Security Forces in organisations and forces. For example in 2003 the Afghan Helmand province. [304351] Central Statistical Office/United Nations Population Fund conducted a Socio-Economic Demographic Profile Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The main focus for Afghanistan which included a population estimate. to be able to take responsibility for its own security has been in developing the Afghan national Army and Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations Afghan national police. While there have been several initiatives by the Mr. Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Government of Afghanistan to form local auxiliary Defence pursuant to the Prime Minister’s Statement of forces outside the Afghan National Security Forces, 30 November 2009, Official Report, columns 831-6W, including plans for an Afghan national auxiliary police on Afghanistan and Pakistan, on what date it was and an Afghan public protection programme, these agreed with the Afghan government that the number of have not been adopted in Helmand. Afghan police in Helmand would increase to 4,100; and how many Afghan police were deployed in Helmand prior to that agreement. [304939] Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information his Department holds on the Mr. Ivan Lewis: I have been asked to reply. tribal origins of the (a) officers and (b) other ranks in the (i) present and (ii) expected future Afghan National The decision to uplift the number of Afghan police in Army; and what proportion are (A) currently serving Helmand to 4,100 was announced by Afghan Minister and (B) expected to serve in Helmand province. of the Interior Hanif Atmar in July 2009. It followed [306746] discussion and agreement with the international community, including the UK, at the International Policing Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The tribal origins of the Afghan Coordination Board, chaired by Minister Atmar. It was National Army are provided in the following table. part of a review of the Afghan national police by the Interior Ministry, which resulted in the decision to Percentage increase the number of police by 10,000 for 14 high-threat provinces ahead of the Afghan elections in August. Pashtun Tajik Hazara Uzbek Others Prior to that the Helmand allocation for Afghan national Officer 43 40845police was 3,500. Non 4240864 commissioned Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State officers for Defence what the average annual cost is of Enlisted 39 33 12 9 7 deployment of servicemen and women in Afghanistan Overall 41 36 11 7 5 since 2001. [306453] ANA Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The operational costs in Afghanistan We expect the future tribal origins of the Afghan are prepared and audited on an annual basis for the National Army to be consistent with the tribal targets whole of the operation and do not separately identify for the Afghan National Army set by the Government information regarding the cost of each individual deployed of Afghanistan in 2002 which are Pashtuns—42 per in theatre. This is because deployed troops conduct cent; Tajiks 27 per cent; Hazara—9 per cent; Uzbek—9 many different tasks, using different equipment, which per cent; Other—13 per cent. results in varying consumption rates. As announced by the Prime Minister on 14 October The current forecast of costs for military operations 2009, last year there were only 4,200 Afghan soldiers in in Afghanistan during the financial year 2009-10 is Helmand; this year numbers have increased by an extra £3.754 million, as published in Winter Supplementary 50 per cent, to more than 6,000. Estimates, 24 November 2009, Official Report, column As announced by the Prime Minister on 30 November 45-46WS. The cost of military operations (Request for extra Afghan soldiers have started to arrive in Helmand Resources 2) is based on the net additional costs incurred this month with 600 arriving which equates to an extra for the full cost of items such as transport/movement, company for each Afghan battalion there. A further 10 consumption, operational equipment and equipment 1203W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1204W support, operational allowances and welfare, utilities, (2) what proportion of Christmas cards and gifts infrastructure, communications, food, training, medical sent to British troops in Afghanistan are expected to supplies, as well as non-cash costs such as depreciation reach the troops in time for Christmas. [307741] and cost of capital charge. The costs that the Department would have incurred regardless of the operation taking Bill Rammell: Mail posted before the last date of place, such as payroll costs, are recorded against the posting (4 December) will already have arrived in core (Request for Resources 1) Defence budget. Afghanistan. All mail is expected to be with service However, a benchmark, based on the total level of personnel by Christmas subject to the availability of expenditure against the total number of troops deployed space within the supply chain in Afghanistan. in theatre in any given period, would equate to To ensure that mail reaches HM Forces in time for approximately £390,000 per service person as set out by Christmas, MOD published last posting dates via the the Prime Minister on 4 September 2009. MOD, BFPO and Royal Mail websites. In addition, extra space on aircraft was allocated to move mail to Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Afghanistan and additional seasonal staff were employed what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart by BFPO to process the Christmas mail surge. on the security situation in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [306468] Armed Forces: Mental Health Services Mr. Bob Ainsworth [holding answer 10 December 2009]: I discuss the security situation in Afghanistan John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with my US counterpart regularly. I spoke to Secretary what steps his Department has made to provide support Gates on 1 December ahead of President Obama’s for soldiers with mental health problems following active announcement that the United States would send an service in Iraq. [306949] additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan. Most recently, I met Secretary Gates in Afghanistan on 10 December Mr. Kevan Jones: MOD takes very seriously its 2009. responsibility to provide high-quality mental health care to its personnel. Diagnosis and treatment of mental Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for health disorders in members of the armed forces are Defence when he expects 8 Squadron Royal Air Force performed by trained and accredited mental health to deploy as part of the NATO Airborne Early personnel. In Iraq, we deployed uniformed mental health Warning and Control Force; and what estimate he has nurses to provide in-theatre care and treatment for our made of the cost of the deployment. [306835] personnel. If personnel needed to leave the operational environment, then their care continued either on an Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The deployment of personnel out- or in-patient basis in the UK or their permanent and equipment from 8 Squadron, Royal Air Force base overseas. started on 8 December 2009. The estimated additional In the UK, our mental health services for military cost to the UK of the deployment of the Boeing E3D personnel are configured to provide community-based Sentry detachment is about £1.5 million. mental health care, primarily through our 15 military Departments of Community Mental Health (DCMH) Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for across the UK (plus centres overseas), which provide Defence whether the UK aircraft deployed as part of out-patient mental health care. The DCMH mental the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force health teams, comprising psychiatrists, mental health will fly over Afghan airspace. [306836] nurses, clinical psychologists and mental health social workers, have particular expertise in treatments for Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The UK’s Boeing E3D Sentry psychological injury. aircraft assigned to support the International Security Assistance Force will operate in Afghan airspace to For the relatively small number of military patients meet the need for improved air traffic control in who need it, in-patient care is currently provided by a Afghanistan. group of seven NHS trusts located throughout England and Scotland, led by South Staffordshire and Shropshire NHS Foundation Trust (SSSFT) through a central MOD Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for contract. Defence where the UK aircraft deployed as part of the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force will be based. [306837] Armed Forces: Training Mr. Bob Ainsworth: As I told the House on 8 December, Official Report, columns 14-15WS, the UK’s Boeing John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence E3D Sentry detachment that will operate in support of how many tactical training areas there are in the West the International Security Assistance Force will be based Yorkshire region. [306956] in the middle east. I am not prepared to be more specific as to do so could harm our international relations. Bill Rammell: The term “tactical training area” is not recognised by the Ministry of Defence. However the Mr. Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for term air tactical training is recognised and refers to the Defence (1) what plans are in place to ensure that three areas of the UK where operational low flying is Christmas cards and gifts reach British troops serving permitted. in Afghanistan in time for Christmas; [307737] There are no air tactical training areas in West Yorkshire. 1205W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1206W

There are however three training areas in the West at all times since birth been a British subject or a citizen of the Yorkshire area (Ellingham Banks, Laver Banks and Irish Republic; Ripon Parks) which are primarily used for low level dry be permanently domiciled in the UK; training which does not involve live ammunition. have been born in a country or territory which is, or then was, within the Commonwealth or the Irish Republic; Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for both parents were born in a country or territory which, is or Defence how many members of the Officer Training then was, within the Commonwealth or the Irish Republic, or Corps joined (a) the regular army and (b) the was at death, a British subject or a citizen of the Irish Republic. Territorial Army in 2008; and what percentage of the 2. School Staff Instructors; where there are no nationality establishment of the corps this represented in each restrictions but applications have to be approved by the case. [307271] Brigade. 3. Civilian Instructors; where there are no nationality Bill Rammell: In 2008, 271 members of the Officer restrictions but applications have to be approved by the Training Corps joined the Regular Army Commissioning Brigade. Courses at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst; 86 members of the Officer Training Corps joined the Territorial Caparo Group Army Commissioning Courses at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst; and 129 members of the Officer Training Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Corps enlisted as soldiers. These numbers equate to, Defence pursuant to the answer of 3 December 2009, respectively, 9 per cent., 2.9 per cent. and 4.4 per cent. of Official Report, column 906W, on Caparo Group, what the overall establishment of the Corps. In total, just contracts his Department holds with the Caparo under 50 per cent. of those leaving the Corps as graduates Group and its companies; and what the monetary in 2008 went on to embark on a career in the Army. value of each is. [307494]

Armed Services: Helicopters Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The Department currently holds six contracts with the Caparo Group and its companies, Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for totalling £488,784, mainly for automotive parts such as Defence how many helicopters belonging to each of brake products, including discs, fluid and hoses for the armed services are in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) military support vehicles. I am withholding the breakdown Afghanistan and (c) each other location. [306900] of this information, as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests. Bill Rammell: The total number of Army, Royal Air Force (RAF) and Royal Navy helicopters based in the Civil Servants: Compensation UK (as at 31 October 2009) is shown in the following table. Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much has been paid out to civil servants in his Total number of UK-based Department under the Civil Service no-fault compensation Service helicopters scheme in each year since the scheme was established; Army 182 [300212] RAF 167 (2) what the 10 highest payments made to civil Navy 128 servants in his Department under the Civil Service no-fault compensation scheme have been on each There are a further 24 helicopters permanently based ground for payment since the scheme was established. in Germany, Canada, Belize, Brunei and Oman. [300213] A proportion of the UK-based Army, Navy and Royal Air Force helicopter fleets are currently deployed Mr. Bob Ainsworth: There is no “civil service no-fault on expeditionary operations. We do not disclose the compensation scheme”. However, the civil service injury exact number of aircraft deployed on operations as to benefits scheme (CSIBS) pays benefits regardless of do so would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, whether injury or death of an employee results from the effectiveness and security of these forces. negligence of the Crown as the employer. For this reason, benefits are sometimes described as being paid on a no-fault basis. This answer is therefore based on Cadets the CSIBS. The aim of the CSIBS is to provide a guaranteed level Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence of income to the civil servant (or a dependant) where an which overseas nationalities are permitted to serve in injury (or death) at work results in the loss of earnings the UK Combined Cadet Force. [307404] or earnings capacity. No compensation is paid for pain or suffering and benefits are reduced or expunged where Mr. Kevan Jones: All boys and girls over the age of 13 damages are awarded for the same accident. Benefits who are pupils of the school are eligible to join the are not payable where the injury or death is wholly or Combined Cadet Force (CCF); there are no nationality mainly due to the person’s own serious and culpable restrictions. negligence or misconduct. There are three different types of adult instructors in Departmental records do not provide the value of the CCF: CSIBS payments in such a way as to allow the questions 1. CCF officers who are part of the Reserve Forces to be answered as presented and to do so would incur and must meet at least one of the following criteria: disproportionate cost. However, in the period April to 1207W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1208W

October 2009 the overall value of permanent awards planning purposes only. As a general rule we do not was £378,622.51. By comparison, in the same period currently comment on the plan as it is based upon the armed forces compensation scheme paid out £19 internal planning assumptions which are inevitably subject million to members of the armed forces injured due to to a significant amount of variation, and their availability service, and the dependents of those killed due to could prejudice our commercial interests. In the future, service. as part of implementing the Bernard Gray recommendations we plan to provide an annual statement Defence: Procurement of the affordability of the programme against the defence budget. Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Expenditure on the 10-year Equipment programme is Defence pursuant to the answer of 23 November 2009, published in the UK Defence Statistics 2009, Chapter Official Report, column 22W, on defence: procurement, 1—Finance, Table 1.4 and UK Defence Statistics 2002, by what mechanism lessons learned from the procurement Chapter 1, Table 1.7. of the new sniper rifle sight will be applied to future The UK Defence Statistics 2009, Chapter 1—Finance, procurement exercises. [307773] Table 1.4 explains the omission of figures for 2001-02 and 2002-03. Mr. Quentin Davies: There were no specific lessons learned from procurement of the Sniper Thermal Imaging Departmental Information and Communications Capability. This capability was procured as an Urgent Technology Operational Requirement and met the needs of the users within the expected delivery date. Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Departmental Conferences Defence on what pay band his Department’s Chief Information Officer (CIO) is employed; whether the CIO is employed on a fixed-term or permanent contract; Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence and what the size is of the budget for which the CIO is which conferences held overseas have been attended by responsible in the period 2009-10. [307568] civil servants based in his Department in the last three years; and what the cost to the public purse was of such Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The Department’s chief information attendance at each conference. [305868] officer (CIO) is employed at the senior civil service pay band 2 level, on a permanent contract. The CIO budget Mr. Kevan Jones: This information is not held centrally is £86.5 million, a significant proportion of which and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. (£55 million) is allocated for spectrum usage charges Expenditure on conferences must be incurred in paid to Ofcom for the frequency bands assigned to accordance with the principles of the Treasury publications MOD. Managing Public Money and Regularity, Propriety and Value for Money. Departmental Official Cars

Departmental Electronic Equipment Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost to his Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Department of providing official cars for the use of how many plasma screen televisions his Department (a) Ministers and (b) officials in the last 12 months. has purchased since 2001; and what the cost has been [301171] of purchasing and installing such screens in each such year. [306081] Mr. Kevan Jones: The Government Car and Despatch Agency is responsible for providing the official car for Mr. Quentin Davies: This information is not held use by the Secretary of State. Its cost was included in a centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate ministerial statement on the Cost of Ministerial Cars cost. for 2008-09 by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under- All expenditure has to be incurred in accordance with Secretary of State for Transport, the hon. Member for the principles of the Treasury publications Managing Gillingham (Paul Clark) on 16 July 2009, Official Report, Public Money and Regularity, Propriety and Value for columns 79-80WS. The Secretary of State has a car Money. provided as part of the security necessary for the post holder. Departmental Finance The figures for SCS have been published on the MOD website at: Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence www.mod.uk what the (a) approved budget for the 10-year equipment budget and (b) expenditure on the 10-year equipment Departmental Publications programme was in each year since 1997. [307357] Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Mr. Quentin Davies: The MOD does not have an when he expects to publish his Department’s review of approved equipment budget for the 10-year planning the work undertaken by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary; and horizon. The most recent comprehensive spending review if he will make a statement. [307745] set the Department’s budget for the financial years 2008 to 2011 and departmental expenditure plans after 2010-11 Mr. Bob Ainsworth: This review is at an early stage. have not yet been agreed. The Department does however Progress updates will be provided twice a year alongside have a 10-year Equipment Plan which is used for internal the Budget and pre-Budget reports. 1209W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1210W

Departmental Sick Leave Efficiency Savings

Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State Linda Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for for Defence how many days of sickness absence were Defence what efficiency savings have been achieved by taken by staff in his Department and its agencies in his Department in each of the last 10 years; and how each of the last 12 months for which figures are much of those savings has been spent on defence. available; and what the cost to his Department was of [307406] such absence. [305551] Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Efficiency commitments for financial Mr. Kevan Jones: The information is not held in the years 1998-09 to 2001-02 were set out in the 1997 format requested. MOD sickness figures are published Strategic Defence Review. Further efficiency or value in annual report available in the Library of House and for money targets were set in each subsequent spending quarterly on the MOD website at the following link: review. The way in which savings were measured varied www.mod.uk over the period, and so direct comparisons between spending reviews is not possible. Departmental Standards Savings throughout the period were either used to relieve cost pressures or to allow more to be spent on Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Defence priorities. when he expects to publish his Department’s Autumn Performance Report. [307356] Comprehensive spending review period 1998-99 to 2001-02 Cumulative savings (cash and Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The Department’s Autumn resource, £ million) Performance Report was published on 8 December. It 1998-1999 594 can be found at the following link: 1999-2000 1,126 www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/CB53888A-8BF0-40B4-827D- 2000-01 1,549 541DB9C44C9D/0/modpsa_20091201_q2_autumn.pdf 2001-02 2,012 Departmental Training 2002 spending review efficiency programme 2002-03 to Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State 2005-06 for Defence how much (a) his Department and (b) its The MOD’s spending review 2002 included a target agencies spent on away days in the last 12 months; and of year-on-year output efficiency gains of 2.5 per cent. what the (i) subject and (ii) location of each away day from 2002-03 to 2005-06. No overall financial target was. [306755] was set, as savings were measured as the weighted average of performance against a set of process-related Mr. Kevan Jones: MOD is dedicated to developing its supported targets. MOD achieved the overall target of staff and provides training and development opportunities 10 per cent. savings, realised by several specific major to help employees realise their full potential and support change programmes. the achievement of business objectives. Away days can be a vital part of that process. Spending review 2004 for the period 2004-05 to 2006-07—‘Gershon’ efficiency programme Information on away days attended by civil servants Cumulative annual savings is not held centrally and could be obtained only at (£ million) against April 2004 disproportionate cost. However, the organisation of baseline meetings outside the Department’s buildings is based 2005-06 1,485 on sound planning and adheres to our policies on propriety and value for money where accommodation 2006-07 2,376 costs and other charges are involved. 2007-08 3,045 Comprehensive review period 2007-08 to 2010-11—value for money Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for programme Defence how many (a) away days and (b) conferences Annual savings (£ million) that took place outside his Department’s building against April 2008 baseline attended by civil servants in his Department there have 2008-09 650 been since 2005; and what the cost was of each. [307520] Further information on all these savings, including details on how they were measured, can be found in Mr. Kevan Jones: MOD is dedicated to developing its MOD’s Annual Report and Accounts, which can be staff and provides training and development opportunities found at the following link: to help employees realise their full potential and support http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/ the achievement of business objectives. Away days and CorporatePublications/AnnualReports conferences can be a vital part of that process. Information on away days and conferences attended Electronic Warfare by civil servants is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, the Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for organisation of meetings outside the Department’s buildings Defence if he will require his Department to put in is based on sound planning and adheres to our policies place sufficient resilience policy and practical measures on propriety and value for money where accommodation to prevent cyber-attacks on the bases it operates. costs and other charges are involved. [303797] 1211W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1212W

Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The Ministry of Defence has Mr. Kevan Jones: The information is not held in the technical and procedural measures in place to protect it format requested and could be provided in that format from, and mitigate, the impact of cyber attacks, as it only at disproportionate cost. does other threats and risks. The MOD conducts exercises to test these measures both internally, and with other Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Government agencies and our allies. Technical and Defence how much (a) his Department, (b) its procedural measures are constantly reviewed to reflect agencies and (c) the armed forces have spent on hotel the dynamic nature of the threats. We do not comment costs other than accommodation in each year since on the detail of such protective measures in order not to 2007. [304829] provide information that could be exploited by a potential attacker. Mr. Kevan Jones: This information is not distinguishable from other types of subsistence cost, whether related to Enhanced Learning Credit Scheme hotels or not. It could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will allow service personnel who were Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence unable to sign up to the Enhanced Learning Credit how much (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) scheme due to operational service to sign up to the the armed forces paid in fees to third-party agents in relation to booking hotel accommodation in each year scheme with retrospective effect. [307231] since 2007. [304830] Mr. Kevan Jones: Where the reason for non-registration is as a result of their service in an operational theatre, Mr. Kevan Jones: Information is not held in the members are already able to submit an application for format requested and could be provided in that format consideration. If it is accepted to be beyond the individual’s only at disproportionate cost. control then retrospective registration will be given. Joint Rapid Reaction Force Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the qualification criteria are for service Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence personnel to be entitled to participate in the Enhanced which brigade forms the Joint Rapid Reaction Force Learning Credit scheme. [307232] (JRRF); whether it is presently fully equipped; whether the present JRRF is deployed; and when the future Mr. Kevan Jones: To be eligible to participate in the JRRF will take over from the present JRRF. [304362] Enhanced Learning Credits scheme, service personnel must register for scheme membership either on enlistment Bill Rammell: The Army commitment to the Joint or on the anniversary of their 8th year of service. Rapid Reaction Force (JRRF) was originally centred For service personnel who were serving prior to 1 on the Spearhead Land Element (SLE), the lead Airborne April 2003, registration had to be completed by 1 April Task Force (ABTF) and the High Readiness Mechanised 2004. Where for service reasons they could not, applications or Armoured Brigade. In February 2008, due to the can be submitted for retrospective registration. deployment of 16 Air Assault Brigade to Afghanistan, the ABTF was replaced by the Small Scale Focused Hotels Intervention Battlegroup (SSFI BG). Due to our commitment to prioritise operations in Afghanistan, the ABTF has not yet been re-established. Instead the Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence land elements of the JRRF that are currently held at how much his Department spent on hotel high readiness are the Spearhead Land Element (SLE) accommodation for (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and Small Scale Contingent Battle Group (SSC BG). and (c) civil servants in each of the last five years. The SLE is based on 1st Battalion the Royal Irish [305664] Regiment. The SSC BG is provided by 42 Commando, Royal Marines. Mr. Kevan Jones: This information is not held in the Both the SLE and the SSC BG are equipped according form requested and could be provided in that format to their readiness states and neither is currently deployed. only at disproportionate cost. Military Aircraft Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for how many nights hotel rooms were booked by (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) the Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for armed forces in each year since 2007. [304827] Defence how many (a) Army, (b) Royal Air Force and (c) Royal Navy (i) fixed wing aircraft and (ii) Mr. Kevan Jones: This information is not held in the helicopters are deployed in (A) Iraq and (B) Germany. format requested and could be provided in that format [302827] only at disproportionate cost. Bill Rammell: There are no UK fixed wing aircraft or Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for helicopters deployed in Iraq. Defence how much (a) his Department, (b) its There are 12 Lynx helicopters from the Army Air agencies and (c) the armed forces have spent on hotel Corps based in Gutersloh, Germany, but no UK fixed accommodation in each year since 2007. [304828] wing aircraft. 1213W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1214W

Military Aircraft: Helicopters numbers of airframes and specific aircraft types used in the fulfilment of the contract are a matter for the Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State contractor to decide, based on their commercial and for Defence how many aircraft in the UK helicopter technical judgement. fleet are contracted from the private sector; how many The following table gives the unit that utilises the of each type; and what the duration of each hire is. contracted helicopters, the aircraft type currently provided [306459] by the contractor, the number of hours per annum required by the contract and the dates the contract Mr. Quentin Davies: The contracts for the contractor commenced and when it is currently due to expire. owned military registered (COMR) helicopter fleets Some of the contracts have clauses to provide extensions with UK armed forces are let on the basis of a contracted to that expiry date, subject to the agreement of both number of flying hours and availability. The actual parties.

Unit Type of aircraft Flying hours per annum Contract commenced Contract expires

Defence Helicopter Flying Eurocopter Squirrel and 28,000 (Squirrel); 8,500 November 1996 31 March 2012 School (DHFS) Bell Griffin HTl (Griffin) Flag Officer Sea Training Eurocopter AS 3 65 1,500 1 September 2004 31 March 2011 (FOST) Dauphin 25 Fit AAC, Belize Bell 212 1,200 1 October 2008 30 September 2013 7 Fit AAC, Brunei Bell 212 1,200 1 October 2008 30 September 2013 670 Sqn AAC, Middle Wallop Bell 212 225 1 October 2008 30 September 2013 32 Sqn, RAF Northolt Agusta A109E 900 1 April 2006 31 March 2011 84 Sqn, RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus Bell Griffin HAR2 1,600 1 April 2003 31 March 2010

DHFS consists of 705NAS, 660 Squadron AAC, In addition the following contracts for civilian registered 60(R) Sqn RAF and Central Flying School (Helicopter) and crewed helicopters are let. all based at RAF Shawbury, Search and Rescue Training Unit at RAF Valley and elements of 668 and 670 Squadrons AAC at Middle Wallop.

Unit Type of aircraft Flying hours per annum Contract commenced Contract expires

British Forces South Atlantic Sikorsky S61N 1,800 1 July 2005 30 June 2011 Islands (BFSAI) FOST Sikorsky S61N 200 Awarded as extension to 31 March 2011 Dauphin contract

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State Our current fleet is meeting the operational requirement for Defence (1) what his most recent assessment is of but we recognise we can always do more with more, and helicopter availability to the armed forces; what this is why Secretary of State for Defence, right hon. equipment assessment was made in each of the last five Bob Ainsworth announced on 15 December 2009 a new years; and what forecast he has made of changes to Future Rotary Wing Strategy, of which the key element helicopter availability in the next five years; [306543] is the procurement of at Chinook helicopters delivering (2) what assessment he has made of the helicopter some 40 per cent. more support helicopters suitable for availability requirements of the armed forces in the operations in demanding environments such as Afghanistan next 18 to 60 months. [306546] by 2016. The new strategy will also see the retirement of the whole Sea King fleet by early 2016 allowing the MOD to operate, by around 2022 four broadly equal Mr. Quentin Davies: The Department plans its current sized core helicopter fleets of Chinook, Apache, Wildcat and future helicopter force on the basis of an assessment and Merlin. of the capability required to achieve military success in a range of military tasks and operational scenarios. For Nuclear Weapons instance our helicopter force is currently required to support: overseas expeditionary operations in Afghanistan, Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for anti-piracy and other maritime operations and support Defence what assessment was made in the best practical to the civil authorities within the UK. The Royal Navy environmental options selection study for the Enriched and RAF Sea King fleets also contribute to the provision Uranium Project of the merits of the purchase from the of Search and Rescue Capability. A proportion of the US of enriched uranium components for (a) the naval fleet is at all times engaged in providing live training to nuclear propulsion programme and (b) the nuclear crews, ensuring they are fully prepared for deployment warhead programme. [305748] on current operations and contingent tasks. Our helicopter requirements are kept under constant Mr. Bob Ainsworth: A wide range of factors were review. The requirement for helicopter capability on taken into account in identifying a preferred means of operations is set by the Permanent Joint Headquarters. meeting the enriched uranium requirements of the Defence 1215W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1216W

Nuclear Programme. These included safety, the MOD civilian environment, risk, cost-effectiveness, security of supply Site personnel Military personnel and security classification considerations. I am withholding further details for the purpose of safeguarding national Blenheim Crescent — — security. Notes: 1. MOD civilian figures are based on headcount. Figures include MOD main industrial (skill zone) and non-industrial staff. Project Catara 2. The military personnel figures represent the number of service personnel that are stationed at that location. This may differ from the actual number of people working at that location at that time e.g., due Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence to deployments. whether an Airspace Study has been completed in connection with Project Catara. [307118] There are 40 UK civilian personnel and contractors employed by the US at Blenheim Crescent. Bill Rammell: The airspace issues relating to Project The numbers of US personnel at RAF Digby, RAF Catara were considered as part of the Strategic Review St. Mawgan and Blenheim Crescent as at 1 December of RAF Brize Norton, RAF Lyneham and RAF St. 2009 are shown in the following table: Mawgan, the primary outcome of which was a decision to collocate air transport assets at RAF Brize Norton. US US It was considered that airspace implications did not Site US military civilians contractors preclude such a move. RAF Digby 50 5 or less 1— However, consideration of potential airspace issues RAF St Mawgan 1— 5 or less 1— relating to the expansion of RAF Brize Norton’s role Blenheim Crescent 20 40 5 or less remains ongoing. 1 Denotes a count of zero. Note: Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10. Numbers ending in “5” have RAF Bases been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias. Blenheim Crescent is made available to the United Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence States visiting force and is commanded by a US officer. whether the RAF liaison officer is the commanding RAF Digby and RAF St. Mawgan are commanded by officer at (a) RAF Croughton, (b) RAF Barford St. an RAF Station Commander. John, (c) RAF Menwith Hill, (d) RAF Fairford, (e) RAF Welford (f) RAF Alconbury, (g) RAF Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Molesworth, (h) RAF Lakenheath and (i) RAF for what reasons there are no RAF personnel at (a) Mildenhall. [307288] RAF Barford St John, (b) RAF Blenheim Crescent, (c) RAF Welford, (d) RAF Molesworth, (e) RAF Bill Rammell: RAF Croughton, RAF Barford St. Upwood, (f) RAF Feltwell, (g) RAF Brampton and John, RAF Menwith Hill, RAF Fairford, RAF Welford, (h) RAF Henlow; and who the commanding officer is RAF Alconbury, RAF Molesworth, RAF Lakenheath at each base. [307290] and RAF Mildenhall are all made available to the United States Visiting Force (USVF). These sites are Bill Rammell: RAF Barford St. John, RAF Welford, commanded by a US officer, usually a United States Air RAF Molesworth, RAF Upwood, RAF Feltwell and Force officer, at colonel rank. Blenhiem Crescent are all made available to the United An RAF commander is present at the main USVF States visiting force (USVF). These bases are all sites, at a lower rank, normally squadron leader. The administered by other USVF sites, and as such, there role of the RAF commander is to liaise with the US are no RAF personnel at these sites with the exception base commander and act as head of establishment for of RAF Molesworth where there is one RAF officer Ministry of Defence employees. There are no RAF present. As with all RAF stations where the USVF are commanders at RAF Barford St. John, RAF Welford present, the base commander is usually a United States and RAF Molesworth as these sites are administered by Air Force officer, at colonel rank. other USVF sites. With regard to the numbers of RAF personnel at RAF Brampton and RAF Henlow, I refer the hon. Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Member to the reply I gave on 7 December 2009, how many (a) US forces personnel, (b) US civilians, Official Report, column 90W. (c) US contractors, (d) UK military personnel and RAF Fairford (e) UK civilians are based at (i) RAF Blenheim Crescent, (ii) RAF Digby and (iii) RAF St. Mawgan; and whether the RAF liaison officer in the Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what emergency services will be maintained at commanding officer at each base. [307289] RAF Fairford following the withdrawal of the US Air Force in 2010. [306812] Bill Rammell: The numbers of UK personnel at RAF Digby, RAF St. Mawgan and Blenheim Crescent as at Bill Rammell: The current planning intent is to retain 1 October 2009 are shown in the following table: 24-hour fire and rescue services making use of Defence Fire Risk Management Organisation (DFRMO) personnel. MOD civilian Site personnel Military personnel Details surrounding shift patterns and numbers of personnel are being progressed with DFRMO and US Fire Service RAF Digby 160 510 personnel at RAF Croughton, with formal trade union RAF St. Mawgan 180 210 consultation expected to commence in January 2010. 1217W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1218W

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for was given to ensuring that the future coverage would Defence what assessment he has made of the effect on still be able to fully meet our national requirement for a emergency plane diversion plans from RAF Brize night-time SAR Helicopter service to be able to reach Norton of the US Air Force’s withdrawal from RAF all very high, high and 75 per cent. of medium risk Fairford in September 2010. [306813] areas within one hour from take off. The future SAR Helicopter service will benefit from new modern helicopters Bill Rammell: The withdrawal of the United States which will enable faster transit times to incidents in and Air Force from RAF Fairford will have no effect in the from take off. The future SAR Helicopter service will event of an aircraft having to make an emergency benefit from new modern helicopters which will enable diversion from RAF Brize Norton. faster transit times to incidents in and around the UK including Pembrokeshire. These helicopters will be some RAF Lyneham 30 per cent. faster than the current MOD Sea Kings. As a result, the average transit time to all incidents in the Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Pembrokeshire area and its surrounding coastal waters what estimate he has made of the cost of during the night time (when it would be served by an decontamination at a vacated RAF Lyneham were the adjacent base) will be comparable to the current transit site to be sold for (a) commercial development, (b) times. Historically, over the last five years, RMB Chivenor agricultural purposes and (c) continuing military use. has responded to a maximum of five incidents per year [307119] at night off the coast of Pembrokeshire.

Bill Rammell: It is the Department’s policy to undertake Security Companies a Land Quality Assessment (LQA) in advance of disposal of any site. Until an LQA to support disposal has been Mrs. Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for completed, it is not possible to give an estimate of costs Defence how many (a) complaints and (b) reports of relating to land contamination. We currently anticipate human rights abuses in relation to activities of private that an initial LQA of the site will be undertaken in military and security companies have been received by financial year 2010-11. his Department awarded contracts by his Department If no further defence or wider government use can be in each of the last five years. [307010] found for RAF Lyneham, the site will be handed over to Defence Estates late 2012 for disposal on the open Mr. Bob Ainsworth: No complaint or reports of human market or to former owners. However, it is too early to rights abuses have been received in connection to the speculate at this stage what alternative non-military activities of private security companies contracted by uses of the site might be. the MOD in the last five years. RAF Welford Translation Services

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for whether there are Ministry of Defence Police Agency Defence how many Punjabi speaking translators were staff based at RAF Welford. [307291] available to (a) British and (b) coalition forces in (i) Iraq and (ii) Afghanistan in 2004. [305846] Bill Rammell: There are currently both MOD police officers and members of the MOD Guard Service based Mr. Bob Ainsworth: Punjabi was not identified as an at RAF Welford. operational language in 2004 and has not been identified as such subsequently. There is therefore no record of Rescue Services: Pembrokeshire Punjabi speaking translators available to British forces in 2004 in Iraq or Afghanistan. The MOD does not Mr. Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence hold information on the number of Punjabi speaking what assessment he has made of the likely effects of translators available to coalition forces in either country. reduced operational hours at RMB Chivenor on search and rescue operations in Pembrokeshire. [306657] Trident

Bill Rammell: With regard to current helicopter Search Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for and Rescue: RMB Chivenor are due to provide 12-hour Defence how much his Department has paid Rolls- daytime cover only between 31 December and 7 February Royce for extending the life of the reactors for the as part of a short-term programme of rotating night Trident submarines. [305482] time closures. However, it is hoped that recent increases in trained SAR personnel may enable a return to 24-hour Mr. Quentin Davies [holding answer 9 December 2009]: cover during this period. Arrangements are in place for The Department has spent around £7 million with all UK SAR helicopter units to provide temporary Rolls-Royce to assess the implications and undertake cover if required. The provision of adjacent SAR cover research work required to support the planned design is standard practice and occurs routinely when a SAR life extension of the reactor plants, as advised in the helicopter is airborne on a search and rescue sortie or is 2006 Defence White Paper: The Future of the United unserviceable. Kingdom’s Nuclear Deterrent (Cm 6994). When the new Search and Rescue Helicopter (SAR-H) service takes over sometime after 2012, the service Mrs. Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence provided from RMB Chivenor will operate in the daytime with reference to his letter of 28 August 2009 to the only. In reaching this decision very careful consideration hon. Member for Keighley, ref: D/Min(AF)/BR 1219W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1220W

MC03817/2009, on Trident replacement programme, Grassroots Cultural Olympiad projects by region, December 2009 when he expects to make the initial gate decision on the Open weekend Open weekend replacement of the Trident nuclear weapons system; Region 2008 2009 Inspire mark and if he will make a statement. [307605] East Midlands 15 72 10 South East 74 189 23 Mr. Bob Ainsworth: We had originally planned to South West 45 47 25 consider the Concept Phase in autumn, but further time North East 38 33 13 has been required to ensure that we take decisions based North West 41 55 19 on robust information. We are aiming to be in a position to make an announcement early in the new year. West Midlands 39 54 14 Yorkshire 16 49 10 UK/multi- ——43 region OLYMPICS Total 655 798 261 Departmental Conferences Olympic Games 2012: Security Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many (a) away days and (b) conferences that took place outside her Office’s Tom Brake: To ask the Minister for the Olympics (1) buildings attended by civil servants in her Office there what estimate she has made of the cost of the have been since 2005; and what the cost was of each. installation of the biometric hand and iris scanners for [307466] workers at the Olympic Park; [304865] (2) how many biometric hand and iris scanners (a) Tessa Jowell: Information on away days and conferences have been and (b) are planned to be installed at the attended by civil servants in the Cabinet Office and the Olympic Park; [304918] Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will (3) what recent estimate she has made of the unit be covered in the answers provided by the Minister of cost of obtaining iris information from an individual State for the Cabinet Office and the Parliamentary scanned at the Olympic Park; [304919] Under-Secretary of State at DCMS, respectively. (4) what the cost is of each biometric (a) hand and Olympic Games 2012: Culture (b) iris scanner installed at the Olympic Park. [304864]

Mr. Don Foster: To ask the Minister for the Olympics Tessa Jowell: The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) how many programmes have been launched in each is committed to ensuring that the Olympic Park, venues region as part of the Cultural Olympiad. [307133] and the work force engaged there are protected through proportionate security measures. Access controls, including Tessa Jowell [holding answer 14 December 2009]: the use of the latest technology, enable properly authorised, The London Organising Committee of the Olympic equipped and trained workers to enter and leave the Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) works with Olympic Park quickly and safely. the Cultural Olympiad Board and delivery partners throughout the cultural sector to deliver the Cultural To date, 43 hand readers and nine iris readers have Olympiad. been installed on the Olympic Park. The total number planned for installation is 65 and 13 respectively. The Many of the Major Projects that form the centerpiece cost of each biometric hand and iris scanner is £1,416 of the Cultural Olympiad will have a regional dimension. for hand readers, and £2,824 for iris readers. Three of these have already launched—‘Artists Taking The Lead’, ‘Stories of the World’ and ‘Unlimited’. The estimated total cost of the installation of both There is also a grassroots programme of cultural hand and iris readers will be approximately £180,000, celebration led by LOCOG. This forms two parts. Firstly, including installation and maintenance costs. London 2012 Open Weekend was held in September The iris biometric is an alternative to the hand geometry 2008 to launch the Cultural Olympiad, and then again biometric, to facilitate the biometric enrolment of those in July 2009 to mark ‘3 Years To Go’. Secondly, LOCOG workers on the Olympic Park who may have difficulty has developed the ‘Inspire Mark’, a version of the using the hand geometry system. Biometric access controls London 2012 brand for community use to launch or are routinely used on many major UK construction support local and legacy projects genuinely inspired by sites. The Olympic Park is the largest construction site the Games. Details of these appear in the following in Europe, and we take our responsibility for the health table. and safety of the work force, and local residents very Grassroots Cultural Olympiad projects by region, December 2009 seriously. Open weekend Open weekend Biometric checks are used to control access to the site Region 2008 2009 Inspire mark only after the identity of individuals has been verified, Northern 20 19 11 including by the UK Borders Agency. After verification Ireland of identity, individuals go through an enrolment process, Scotland 2 4 1 a small part of which is the capture of biometric data, Wales 5 19 8 which carries no additional cost. When individuals are London 311 230 63 then scanned upon entry to the park site, biometrics are East 49 27 21 checked against the data captured during the enrolment process. 1221W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1222W

Olympic Games 2012: West Midlands skills. For example, where we need to engage in Helmand Province at high levels, we will always use one of our 10 Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Minister for the Olympics qualified locally engaged Pashtu interpreters to ensure how many new sporting facilities are to be created in that both sides fully understand the issues being discussed. (a) the West Midlands and (b) Staffordshire arising In Kabul there are 66 Afghan staff working alongside from the London 2012 Olympics. [301614] staff from the UK, in Lashkar Gah 18 and in Helmand’s district centres a further 11 who between them all speak Tessa Jowell: Exchequer funding for sport has almost Dari and Pashtu. doubled since London’s Olympic win in Singapore. In Angad Paul the three years up to the IOC vote in 2005 the amount of Exchequer funding from DCMS was £313 million, in the three years following it was £580 million. Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings (a) Sport England is investing £480 million of Exchequer he, (b) other Ministers and (c) officials in his and lottery funds through 46 national governing bodies Department have had with Angad Paul in each of the over the next four years to deliver this target and last three years. [302870] increase participation throughout the country.A proportion of the £480 million will be invested into capital facilities David Miliband: Ministers and officials meet a variety throughout the country. of individuals in the public and private sectors as part The Government have provided £140 million for Free of the process of policy development and delivery. Swimming. This has helped deliver 10.4 million free There is no central record of all individuals met by swims for under 16s and over 60s around the country officials. A list of organisations met by Ministers is between April and September 2009. There are two new regularly placed on the FCO website at swimming pools in the West Midlands that have received http://foi.fco.gov.uk/en/released-documents/view- funding from the Free Swimming Capital Modernisation releases/releases-date-2009. Fund which will be completed in the next few months. Between June and September 2009 there have been Anti-Semitism 1,414,817 free swims in the West Midlands. In the West Midlands the percentage of adults Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign participating in sport at least three times a week increased and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been from 14.5 per cent. in 2005-06 to 14.9 per cent. in made in implementing the Final Declaration of the 2007-08. In Staffordshire the percentage of adults London conference on combating anti-Semitism, with participating in sport at least three times a week increased particular reference to (a) establishing an international from 15.8 per cent. to 17.4 per cent. (The national taskforce of internet specialists to measure anti- average was 15.5 per cent. in 2005-06 and 16.5 per cent. Semitism online and propose international responses in 2007-08). and (b) exposing and isolating (i) governments and (ii) The London Organising Committee of the Olympic politicians engaging in anti-Semitism; and if he will and Paralympic Games is actively seeking a games-time make a statement. [305397] football venue in the Midlands. Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Government are committed to tackling anti-Semitism. We condemn all instances of persecution and discrimination against individuals and FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE groups wherever they occur. The recommendations of the London Declaration Afghanistan has informed activity both within cross-Government hate crime programmes and in our international work, Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for particularly within the Organisation for Security and Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). My right hon. Friend British and (b) Afghan speakers of each Afghan the Prime Minister became the first world leader to sign language are employed in Afghanistan by his the London Declaration on Combating Anti-Semitism Department. [301942] on 25 February 2009 and on signing the declaration he said Chris Bryant: Language training requirements for “So many of the principles it enshrines are already things we staff working in Afghanistan are kept under regular are doing here in Britain and while I’m proud of the bold action review. We work to balance cost-effectiveness of training Britain has taken to combat anti-Semitism such as improved with the need to support high-quality diplomatic reporting, prosecutions for anti-Semitic internet hate and the engagement in country. For many jobs in-country, such funding of Holocaust Education in schools, there is no room for as those which require little or no contact with Afghans complacency.” outside the embassy, no local language skills are necessary. The Cross-Government Hate Crime Action Plan includes It is more cost effective to employ locally-recruited activity in support of the declaration and was launched Afghan staff in many positions which require local on 14 September. It can be viewed at: language skills. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/hate-crime-action- The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) currently plan has six UK based officers with a relevant language More recently in December the OSCE Ministerial proficiency deployed in Afghanistan, five with Dari and Council agreed a Decision on Combating Hate Crimes. one with Pashtu. We employ locally-recruited Afghan It contains helpful UK-inspired language on addressing staff in many positions which require local language “the increasing use of the Internet to advocate views 1223W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1224W constituting an incitement to bias-motivated violence Departmental Freedom of Information including hate crimes”. It also encourages OSCE participating states to seek opportunities to co-operate Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for and tasks the OSCE’s Office of Democratic Institutions Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many and Human Rights to undertake some exploratory requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 work. his Department received in 2008; and how many of Departmental Buildings these received a substantive response within 20 days. [305502] Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department Chris Bryant: Statistics published by the Ministry of spent on works and refurbishment to offices allocated Justice on freedom of information in central Government to Ministers in his Department’s buildings in the last for 2008 show that of a total of 1,019 non-routine 12 months. [305683] requests received by the Department (based on aggregated quarterly data) 80 per cent. (815) received a substantive Chris Bryant: In the last 12 months the cost of work response within 20 days. 98 per cent. (994) of requests undertaken in the offices allocated to two Ministers has were dealt with ‘in time’, that is within 20 days by totalled £6,973. This has covered the scheduled redecoration meeting the deadline or other permitted extension deadline. and re-carpeting of one office last redecorated more The statistics can be found on the Ministry of Justice than 10 years ago at a cost of £5,385 (£2,762 for website at: redecoration, £2,226 for re-carpeting and £398.96 for http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/ management of the works) and the repainting of walls freedomofinformationquarterly.htm in a second office at a cost of £1,588. Costs were met and copies are available in the Library of the House. from existing maintenance budgets. Departmental Contracts Departmental Manpower

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff of his the answer of 14 July 2009, Official Report, columns Department were in its redeployment pool on 1 (a) 320-324W, on departmental contracts, what the January, (b) April, (c) July and (d) October 2009. purpose was of the contracts worth (a) £103,885 and [306716] (b) £131,684, listed as Staff Replacements; when those funds were disbursed to TPS consult; what assessment Chris Bryant: The corporate pool is a valuable source was made of the benefits to his Department of that of short-term cover for urgent operational demands, for expenditure; and if he will make a statement. [305477] example the recently announced Afghanistan conference, where corporate pool resources have been essential. Chris Bryant: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office However, it is kept under constant review to ensure that (FCO) has a framework agreement for construction the number of people in the pool is kept at the optimum consultancy services with 15 companies, one of which is level. TPS Consult. In 2008, Estate and Security Group of FCO Services (an executive agency of the FCO operating The size of the pool during 2009 was as follows. as a trading fund) used this framework for two security cleared technical staff from TPS Consult to fill vacant Total slots whilst a recruitment process was carried out to fill January 228 the vacancies permanently. April 232 Since question 285289 on 14 July, updated figures for July 218 contract (a) show that a total of £117,675 has now October 215 been paid in fourteen separate payments for the services of an electrical engineer between May 2008 and September Over 90 per cent. of staff in the corporate pool were 2009. This contract has since been terminated and a deployed to departments or on language or other pre- permanent incumbent recruited. Details of individual posting training. The October figures represent 4.6 per payments are contained in the attached spreadsheet for cent. of total UK-based staff. contract (a), a copy of which will be placed in the Library. Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Updated figures for contract (b) show that a total of and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the £138,612 has been paid in 12 separate payments for the FCO-DfID Shared Services Plan of November 2006, services of an architectural technician between May which body is responsible for assessing in each instance 2008 and September 2009. This contract remains extant whether sharing services represent value for money; and is under constant review. Details of individual and what criteria are used in making such an payments are contained in the attached spreadsheet for assessment. [307055] contract (b), a copy of which will be placed in the Library. David Miliband: Under the 2006 Foreign and Assessments of benefits were made by FCO Services, Commonwealth Office (FCO)-Department for in the form of the business plan and their ability to International Development (DFID) Shared Services Plan continue to provide the services they had been contracted the two Departments have agreed to work together to to deliver. share services wherever it represents value for money. 1225W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1226W

Work to date has focused on increasing co-location http ://www. cabinetoffice. gov.uk/media/cabinetoffice/propriety of FCO and DFID operations in countries where both _and_ethics/assets/ministerial_code_current.pdf departments have a presence, harmonising the pay and and security requirements. conditions of support staff, increasing collaboration in procurement, coordinating ICT plans, and improving Hezbollah practical cooperation in the UK and overseas. The two Departments meet quarterly at senior official Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign level to review progress. They seek in these discussions and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons the to make joint assessments of whether co-operation in a Government will be holding discussions with given area is delivering value for money and the other Hezbollah; whether there are any preconditions practical benefits which the plan aims to achieve. attached to these discussions; who will be attending Departmental Official Gifts these discussions on behalf of the Government; and if he will make a statement. [306093] Mr. Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what official gifts Mr. Ivan Lewis: Government policy towards Hezbollah he and his predecessors have received from the is one of limited and considered contacts with some President of Afghanistan and other Ministers in the Hezbollah politicians. We will be taking a pragmatic Pakistani government in each year since 2001. [307743] approach by speaking to known moderate political figures who, to the best of our knowledge, have no links Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Government have published with acts of violence. annual lists of gifts given and received by Ministers in Other than these, there are no established preconditions an official capacity valued at over £140 since 2001. at present. Copies of the lists are available in the Libraries of the There has only been one specific meeting between House. The 2008-09 list was published on 16 July 2009. our ambassador in Beirut and an Hezbollah MP, Departmental Training Mohammad Raad, on 18 June 2009. During this meeting the ambassador discussed the formation of the new Lebanese Government, and implementation of United Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. Our ambassador and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials within pressed for full implementation of 1701, especially in his Department received training other than language relation to arms. training in financial year (a) 2006-07, (b) 2007-08 and (c) 2008-09; and how many he expects to receive such In the future, where we have contacts, members of training in 2009-10. [307048] our embassy in Beirut will represent the Government accordingly. David Miliband: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) provides a wide range of developmental Libya and skills training to staff in the UK and overseas. This includes face-to-face training in the UK and through Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for regional training centres overseas (RTCs) and e-learning Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions courses. In financial year 2008-09 human resources he has had with his US counterpart on the (a) amount directorate offered about 1,929 face-to-face training and (b) technological sophistication of biological and places in the UK and 10,231 places through RTCs. chemical material shipped from Libya to the US for More than 4,450 staff in the UK and overseas used evaluation. [306916] e-learning courses. Directorates and posts in the FCO also provide subject Mr. Ivan Lewis: The UK and US have regular discussions specific training, for example on economic reporting, about Libya’s progress towards its 2003 commitment to counter terrorism, security, information technology, climate destroy all remaining weapons of mass destruction. The change. It would incur a disproportionate cost to provide US report that there have been no shipments of chemical details of the number of staff trained by directorates and biological material and there are no plans to do so. and posts as this information is not held centrally. The number of training places we offer in financial Members: Correspondence year 2010-11 will depend on the budget available. Providing appropriate training for staff in the UK and overseas will remain an important tool in helping staff deliver Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for the FCO’s departmental strategic objectives effectively. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Hemel Departmental Travel Hempstead dated 28 October 2009, on a difficulty experienced in corresponding with the Embassy of the Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Republic of Bulgaria. [307319] Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what date he last travelled by (a) bus and (b) taxi in the course of Chris Bryant: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office his official duties. [302735] did not receive the original letter from the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead. Following a call to the hon. Chris Bryant: In the course of his official duties, the Member’s parliamentary office on 11 December 2009, a Foreign Secretary normally travels by car, consistent copy has now been received and will be dealt with as with the Ministerial Code: soon as possible. 1227W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1228W

Middle East: Armed Conflict Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his Department has received on the use of (a) hospital Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for facilities and (b) ambulances by (i) the authorities in Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports the Gaza and (ii) Palestinian armed groups during Government have received in respect of (a) military Operation Cast Lead. [306680] activity at al-Quads hospital in Gaza on 15 January 2009, (b) the use of white phosphorous shells during Mr. Ivan Lewis: There have been various reports the attack by Israeli forces on (i) al-Quads hospital and conducted into the Gaza conflict, some by human (ii) al-Wafa hospital and (c) the use made of the site of rights organisations such as Human Rights Watch and (A) the el-Bader flour mill and (B) the Atta Abu Amnesty International. However, the specific allegations Jubbah cement packaging plant in the Gaza Strip prior of misuse of medical facilities and ambulances is to their targeting by Israeli forces during January 2009. documented in the Government of Israel’s July 2009 [306677] report “The Operation in Gaza: Factual and Legal Aspects” (pp64-67, paragraphs 171 to 180) and the UN Mr. Ivan Lewis: There have been various reports Fact Finding Mission on Gaza Report (page 117). conducted into the Gaza conflict, some by human Copies of these reports can be found at: rights organisations such as Human Rights Watch and http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace/ Amnesty International. However, these specific issues Hamas+war+against+Israel/Operation_in_Gaza- are covered in the Government of Israel’s July 2009 Factual_and_Legal_Aspects.htm report “The Operation in Gaza: Factual and Legal and Aspects” and the UN Fact Finding Mission on Gaza Report. http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/ 12session/A-HRC-12-48.pdf Copies of these reports can be found at: The Foreign Secretary has been clear from the beginning http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace/ of the Gaza conflict that all allegations of violations of Hamas+war+against+Israel/Operation_in_Gaza- international humanitarian law committed by anyone Factual_and_Legal_Aspects.htm during the conflict should be properly investigated. and http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/ Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign 12session/A-HRC-12-48.pdf. and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has been received on (a) the number of incidents in which clear from the beginning of the Gaza conflict that all Israeli military forces have fired on Gazan (i) farmers allegations of violations of international humanitarian and (ii) fishermen in each of the last four quarters and law committed by anyone during the conflict should be (b) the resultant injuries. [306776] properly investigated. Mr. Ivan Lewis: According to the UN in 2009 (to November) one fisherman has been killed, 24 fishermen Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for and six farmers have been injured as a result of warning Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports his shots fired by Israeli forces. Department has received on the directions given to The UK recognises Israel’s right to defend itself but civilians in Gaza by Palestinian armed groups in calls upon the Israeli Government to act with restraint respect of going to or remaining at sites targeted for and in accordance with international law. attack under Operation Cast Lead. [306679] Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Mr. Ivan Lewis: There have been various reports and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on conducted into the Gaza conflict, some by human Israeli naval restrictions on Gazan fishermen. [306784] rights organisations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International. However, the specific issue of Mr.IvanLewis:Israeli restrictions on Gaza, including directions given to civilians in Gaza by Palestinian those on Gazan fisherman, continue to have a detrimental armed groups is documented in the Government of effect on the Gazan economy. We are clear in our call Israel’s July 2009 report “The Operation in Gaza: Factual for Israel to relax its restrictions on Gaza. and Legal Aspects” (paragraphs 186 to 189) and the UN Fact Finding Mission on Gaza Report. Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Copies of these reports can be found at: and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Prime http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace/ Minister has received a response to his joint letter of 16 Hamas+war+against+Israel/Operation_in_Gaza- October 2009 with President Sarkozy to his Israeli Factual_and_Legal_Aspects.htm counterpart on the report of the UN Fact Finding Mission to Gaza; and whether the Israeli Government and has taken any of the actions requested in the letter. http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/ [306798] l2session/A-HRC-12-48 .pdf My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has been Mr. Ivan Lewis: The joint letter was the culmination clear from the beginning of the Gaza conflict that all of substantive discussions between my right hon. Friend allegations of violations of international humanitarian the Prime Minister, President Sarkozy and Israeli Prime law committed by anyone during the conflict should be Minister Netanyahu ahead of an important vote in the properly investigated. Human Rights Council on the serious issues raised by 1229W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1230W the UN Fact Finding Mission on Gaza report. Ministers from the Occupied Palestinian Territories. That advice have followed-up with further discussions, notably my has been issued in response to consumer and retailer right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary with his Israeli concern about a lack of clarity on whether such produce counterpart on 25 November 2009 and the Secretary of comes from Israeli settlements or Palestinian producers. State for International Development with Defence Minister We do not regard the two situations as comparable Barak on 1 December 2009. and there is no technical advice in place for commercial On 25 November 2009, the Israeli Government products originating from the territory of Western Sahara. announced a 10-month moratorium on settlement For example the Government regard the status of Western construction in the West Bank. The Foreign Secretary Sahara, as distinct from the Occupied Palestinian Territories, made clear in a statement that same day that we want as undetermined pending resolution under the auspices this announcement by Israel to become a step towards of the UN. resuming meaningful negotiations to achieve the vision of two states living side by side in peace and security, Palestinians based on 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as a shared capital, and a fair settlement for refugees. Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence his Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Department has evaluated on the uses to which the and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has Palestinian Legislative Council building in Gaza was made of the role of the Iranian Qods force in terrorist put before December 2008. [306678] activity in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement. [307117] Mr. Ivan Lewis: We have no reports of the use of the Palestinian Legislative Council building, other than by David Miliband: The Qods Force (QF) is a branch of Hamas as an administrative building. the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Force (IRGC). We have previously expressed concern that the IRGC and Palestinians: International Assistance the IRGC-QF are involved in training, equipping and supplying, to varying degrees, Iraqi armed militia groups, Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign the Taliban, Hezbollah, Hamas and other Palestinian and Commonwealth Affairs if he will request his Israeli Rejectionist Groups. This further undermines international counterpart to allow aid items into Gaza. [306806] confidence in the Iranian regime’s intentions, and is at odds with the regime’s claims to the international Mr. Ivan Lewis: We continue to press the Israeli community and its own people to want to work for authorities, both at an official and ministerial level, to stability, security and prosperity. ease border restrictions into Gaza and allow the passage of essential humanitarian aid and reconstruction material. Morocco My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised this, during a telephone conversation, with his counterpart Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for on 25 November 2009. These concerns were also highlighted Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will discuss by the EU Foreign Ministers at their meeting on 8 with the Moroccan Ambassador to the UK the matter December 2009. of the movement of Moroccan settlers to occupied Western Sahara. [304824] Peacekeeping Operations

Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Government have not discussed Mr. Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign the movement of population between Morocco and and Commonwealth Affairs when the Armstrong Western Sahara with the Moroccan ambassador to the Formula was introduced in relation to peacekeeping UK and have no plans to discuss the matter with Her costs; and when and for what reasons its usage was Highness at this time. withdrawn. [307051] The Government see the status of Western Sahara as undetermined and continue to believe that progress David Miliband: The Armstrong formula was introduced towards a negotiated solution to the dispute, providing in 1984 during a period of relative stability in UN for the self-determination of the people of Western peacekeeping. Vote responsibility for all peacekeeping Sahara, is best achieved under the auspices of the UN. operations rested with the Foreign and Commonwealth To this end the UK fully supports the efforts of the UN Office (FCO) and money was annually allocated to the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy, Christopher FCO in the public expenditure survey to meet these Ross. costs. Under the Armstrong formula, in the event of an unforeseen increase that could not be met in-year from Origin Marking: Morocco within existing funds, and subject to Treasury agreement, the FCO had recourse to Treasury’s central contingency Ms Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for reserve. Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is Peacekeeping activities increased sharply in the early on the labelling of produce originating from territories and mid 1990s, and peace support operations became occupied by (a) Morocco and (b) Israel. [305506] more complex, requiring a broader range of political, military, development and economic activities. In 2001 Mr. Ivan Lewis: On 10 December my right hon. two new tri-departmental Conflict Prevention Pools Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food (the Africa and Global Conflict Prevention Pools) were and Rural Affairs tabled a written ministerial statement established with strands for both peacekeeping and concerning technical advice on the labelling of produce programme activity. Under current arrangements, the 1231W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1232W first £374 million of assessed contributions are met by Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Foreign and Commonwealth HM Treasury and costs above that are borne by FCO, Office has maintained a regular dialogue with US officials the Ministry of Defence and the Department for on the question of international regulation of private International Development from the Conflict Pools and/or military and security companies (PMSCs), since June from within departmental expenditure limits. 2008. The US, UK and Swiss Governments in conjunction with industry representatives, relevant trade associations Russia: Detainees and non-governmental organisations have been working together to agree a set of draft international standards Mr. Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign for the PMSC industry. We hope to agree these standards and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he in the course of next year. has had with the Russian government on President Medvedev’s aim to reduce the level of legal nihilism in Sudan: War Crimes that country; and if he will make a statement. [307492]

Chris Bryant: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign had detailed and wide ranging discussions with Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he Minister Lavrov when he visited Moscow from 1-3 has made of the International Criminal Court’s November 2009 including on the importance of the rule citation of Sudan’s President al-Bashir. [307659] of law. I also discussed these issues during my recent meetings with Deputy Foreign Ministers Karasin and Mr. Ivan Lewis: We have a long-standing position of Grushko. support for the work of the International Criminal We welcome President Medvedev’s focus on the need Court (ICC) as an independent judicial body, and also to strengthen the rule of law in Russia, including his of not commenting substantively on its decisions. We focus on tackling corruption and promoting the have consistently urged the Government of Sudan to independence of the judiciary. Promoting the rule of co-operate with the Court, and reiterated our support law, including the independence of the judiciary, is a for peace in Sudan. We continue to monitor the situation key element of the UK’s and EU’s engagement with closely, and to make clear our expectation that all Russia. These issues were raised in the last EU/Russia countries should cooperate with the ICC investigation, human rights consultations on 5 November 2009. The in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution annual UK/Russia bilateral human rights talks have 1593 of 2005, and the particular legal obligations of enabled us to raise our concerns and we will do so again States Party to the ICC. at the next talks planned for early 2010. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office currently Travel Information provides funding for work on preventing false charges from being made by law enforcement agencies and Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for increasing awareness of the importance of complying Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has with international human rights standards across the commissioned from (a) within and (b) outside his criminal justice system. Department studies of the likely effectiveness of (i) his Department’s Know Before You Go campaign and (ii) Security Companies subsidiary campaigns undertaken since 2001. [305475]

Mrs. Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Chris Bryant: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to Know Before You Go campaign (including its subsidiary respond to the public consultation on promoting high campaigns) is evaluated by external agencies on a six standards of conduct by private military and security monthly basis to ensure targets are being met and that it companies. [306914] effectively reaches the population. For example, in 2008-09 the campaign reached an estimated 64 per cent. of UK Mr. Ivan Lewis: The Foreign and Commonwealth adults, in some cases up to 28.5 times. The report also Office (FCO) launched a public consultation on the evaluates value for money, such as number of people Government’s proposed policy to promote high standards reached per £1 spent, and the advertising value equivalent of conduct in the Private Military and Security Companies of the campaign. The most recent evaluation showed industry internationally on 24 April 2009. the return on investment for the campaign as a whole to We received detailed responses from over 20 organisations be over 16:1, i.e. every £1 spent achieved £16 worth of and individuals. Officials have analysed these in detail. value. In addition, every 6 months a qualitative and We will publish the final summary of responses, including quantitative survey is commissioned to monitor changes a Government response to the contributions received, in travellers’ behaviour and attitudes, as well as providing today, 16 December 2009, on the FCO website. This will guidance for the future direction of the campaign. be announced by a written ministerial statement laid before the House on the same day. Uganda: Armed Conflict Mrs. Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Department (a) has had and (b) is planning to have and Commonwealth Affairs in what countries the with US officials on regulation of private military and Lords Resistance Army is active; and what recent security companies in Iraq and Afghanistan; and if he representations he has made to try to effect a ceasefire will make a statement. [307012] in those areas. [307658] 1233W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1234W

Mr. Ivan Lewis: We assess that the largest concentration Paul Goggins: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of of the Lords Resistance Army (LRA) is in the Central State for Northern Ireland has discussions with the African Republic, with smaller numbers in the Democratic ombudsman on a range of issues from time to time, but Republic of Congo and Sudan. has had no recent discussions on intelligence-gathering. The UK will contribute $400,000 to the existing UN Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo Dissident Republicans disarmament, demobilisation and repatriation activities, which will be targeted towards encouraging the LRA to 13. Mr. Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for end hostilities. We continue to press for greater coordination Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the between peacekeeping operations in the region in pursuing proportion of dissident republicans in Northern the LRA and to prioritise civilian protection activities. Ireland who were previously members of the Provisional IRA. [306262]

WOMEN AND EQUALITY Mr. Woodward: The most recent IMC report indicated that a small number of ex-PIRA members are providing Departmental Legislation support to dissident groups. It is however clear from the report that PIRA as an organisation remains committed Chris Huhne: To ask the Minister for Women and to a peaceful path. Equality what criminal offences have been (a) created and (b) abolished by secondary legislation sponsored People Trafficking by the Government Equalities Office since 1 May 2008. [307790] 14. Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Maria Eagle: Since 1 May 2008, there have been no Northern Ireland whether he has made a recent criminal offences, (a) created or (b) abolished by secondary assessment of the extent to which people are trafficked legislation sponsored by the Government Equalities between Northern Ireland and England. [306263] Office. Paul Goggins: Since the 1 April 2009 the PSNI have recovered 15 victims of human trafficking in Northern Ireland. Victims have travelled to Northern Ireland NORTHERN IRELAND from other parts of the UK, from the Republic of Devolution: Criminal Justice and Policing Ireland and directly via international transit.

7. Mr. Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Irish Government Commission: Child Abuse Northern Ireland what progress has been made on the devolution of responsibility for criminal justice and 15. Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State policing to the Northern Ireland Assembly; and if he for Northern Ireland what representations he has will make a statement. [306256] received on the implications for Northern Ireland of the outcome of the Irish Government’s commission to Mr. Woodward: Significant progress has been made inquire into child abuse and other related inquiries; and by the political parties in Northern Ireland to address if he will make a statement. [306264] both the outstanding issues in relation to the completion of devolution of policing and justice and also, in parallel, Paul Goggins: I have received a letter from the Northern those other issues arising from St. Andrews—most of Ireland Minister for Health, Social Services and Public which the House will know have already been completed. Safety about this matter which I am currently considering. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has also Presbyterian Mutual Society received an email about this matter from a solicitor in Northern Ireland. 11. Mr. Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had Christmas with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on the Presbyterian Mutual Society. [306260] David T.C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Paul Goggins: The Chief Secretary and the Secretary Northern Ireland how many Christmas trees were of State are both members of the ministerial working purchased by his Department and its agencies in each group set up by the Prime Minister. of the last five years; what the cost was of those trees in They, along with Ministers from the Northern Ireland each year; from where the trees were sourced; what Executive, have been in regular contact in an attempt to account was taken of the sustainability of the sources find ways to assist members of the Society whose of the trees; and by what process the trees were investments were affected by the Society’s entry into disposed of. [305637] administration. Paul Goggins: The following table shows how many Police Intelligence Gathering Christmas trees were purchased by the Northern Ireland Office (NIO), including its arms length bodies but excluding 12. Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for its agencies, NDPBs and the Public Prosecution Service Northern Ireland what recent discussions he has had Northern Ireland, in each of the last five years; the cost with the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland on of those trees; and the process by which the trees were intelligence gathering by the police. [306261] disposed of. 1235W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1236W

Paul Goggins: Conferences held overseas that have Number of Disposal trees Total cost (£) process been attended by civil servants in the Northern Ireland Office (NIO), including its arms length bodies and the 2005-06 4 193 Chipped and Public Prosecution Service Northern Ireland (PPS) but recycled for excluding its agencies and NDPBs, in the last three mulch years, and the cost to the public purse of attending 2006-07 4 244 Chipped and these conferences, is shown in the following table. recycled for mulch Conference details Cost (£) 2007-08 3 290 Chipped and recycled for 2006-07 North/South Conference on Criminal 270 mulch Justice—Limerick 2008-09 2 195 Chipped and International Association of Prosecutors 1,264 recycled for Conference—Netherlands1 mulch Counter Terrorism Cooperation—Paris1 542 2009-10 1 125 Chipped and recycled for Cross Border Extradition—Dublin1 305 mulch The following table shows how many Christmas trees 2007-08 Domestic Abuse Conference, Raising the 1,100 were purchased by the Public Prosecution Service Northern Standards—Guernsey Ireland, in each of the last five years; the cost of those International Association of Prosecutors 1,586 Conference—Netherlands1 trees; and the process by which the trees were disposed Anti Fraud Office of the European Union 699 of. (OLAF) Conference—Germany1 Cross Border Cooperation in Counter 491 Number of Disposal Terrorism—Dublin1 trees Total cost (£) process MOPED, Commonwealth DPP 4,151 1 2005-06 1 223 Disposed of by Conference—Australia the supplier 2006-07 4 1,763 Disposed of by 2008-09 International Conference on Cost of 257 the supplier Crime—Milan 2007-08 3 670 Disposed of by European Evidence Warrant: The 1,174 the supplier Acquisition and Admissibility of Foreign 2008-09 0 0 n/a Evidence—Dublin 2009-10 0 0 n/a Anti Fraud Office of the European Union 0 (OLAF) Conference—Dublin1 During the defined five year period the PPS has Extradition Seminar—Rome1 581 changed from providing real Christmas trees to providing 9th Annual Republic of Ireland National 143 artificial trees. Prosecutors Conference—Dublin1 The following table shows how many Christmas trees 1 Relate to the Public Prosecution Service Northern Ireland. were purchased by the Northern Ireland Prison Service, in each of the last five years; the cost of those trees; and Additional expenses may have been paid through the process by which the trees were disposed of. expense claim forms but this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Number of trees Cost (£) Disposal All expenditure has to be incurred in accordance with the principals of Managing Public Money and the 2005-06 0 0 n/a Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety. 2006-07 0 0 n/a 2007-08 1 125 Chipped 2008-09 1 80 Chipped Departmental Electronic Equipment 2009-10 2 370 Will be recycled as bark chippings Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for The Compensation Agency and YouthJustice Agency Northern Ireland how many plasma screen televisions have had no expenditure on Christmas trees in each of his Department has purchased since 2001; and what the last five years. the cost has been of purchasing and installing such Information in relation to the Forensic Science Agency screens in each such year. [306069] could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The names of suppliers cannot be disclosed for security Paul Goggins: The Northern Ireland Office (NIO), reasons. Sustainability of the source of the trees is in the including its arms length bodies and the Public Prosecution remit of the suppliers. Service Northern Ireland but excluding its agencies and NDPBs, had expenditure on plasma screen televisions in two financial years since 2001. The expenditure, Departmental Conferences including installation costs, is as follows:

Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Number of plasma Ireland which conferences held overseas have been attended screen televisions At cost of £ by civil servants based in his Department in the last 2003-04 2 3,195 three years; and what the cost to the public purse was of 2008-09 1 645.00 such attendance at each conference. [305858] 1237W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1238W

All expenditure has to be incurred in accordance with The increase in expenditure on taxis in the NIO the principles of Managing Public Money and the followed a review in 2007 when the Department adopted Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety. a policy which made greater use of taxis rather than private hire cars. While this change in policy has led to Departmental Sick Leave an increase in the cost of taxis, it has generated estimated whole year net savings of £ 150,000. Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State Further taxi fares were claimed as reimbursable expenses for Northern Ireland how many days sickness absence but due to the processes involved in making these were taken by staff in his Department in each of the payments, costs can only be provided at disproportionate last 12 months for which figures are available; and what cost. the cost to his Department was of such absence. The NIO keeps the cost of travel on official business [305546] under regular review.

Paul Goggins: The following table shows the number Hotels of working days lost from April 2009 to October 2009 and the cost to the Northern Ireland Office based on Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for figures provided by Northern Ireland Statistics Research Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on Agency. hotel accommodation for (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) civil servants in each of the last five Total number of years. [305656] working days lost overall Overall cost (£) Paul Goggins: The following table shows how much the Northern Ireland Office, including the Public April 2009 972.8 83,837 Prosecution Service Northern Ireland, and excluding its May 2009 920.7 77,723 agencies and NDPBs has spent on hotel accommodation June 2009 1,075.2 108,357 for (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) civil July 2009 916.1 93,572 servants in each of the last five years. August 2009 1,050.7 101,502 September 2009 1,303.4 122,897 £ October 2009 1,198.3 117,459 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

Ministers 1— 1— 1— 1,889 5,852 Departmental Taxis Special 1— 1— 1— 230 806 Advisers Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Civil 1— 1— 1— 198,482 200,335 Northern Ireland how many miles (a) Ministers and servants 1 (b) officials in his Department have travelled by taxi in Figures not available prior to 2007-08. the course of their official duties in each year since Up until 2006-07, hotel expenditure was included 1997; and at what cost to the public purse in each such within night subsistence costs. To extract only hotel year. [302708] costs in these years would exceed the disproportionate cost threshold of £750. Paul Goggins: The Northern Ireland Office (NIO), Travel by Ministers, special advisers and civil servants including its arms length bodies and the Public Prosecution is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code Service Northern Ireland but excluding its agencies and and the Civil Service Management Code respectively. NDPBs, does not record information on miles travelled Details on overseas visits undertaken by Ministers by taxi so cannot provide an answer to this part of the costing over £500 can also be found on the Cabinet question. Office website by using the following link: The NIO Departmental Disposal policy states that http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ethics/ financial records do not have to be held longer than ministers/travel_gifts.aspx seven years. The following table shows the expenditure on taxi fares where costs have been charged to the taxi Human Rights Commission: Public Relations expenditure code used for invoiced taxi costs from 2003-04 to 2008-09, the last six complete financial years. Mr. Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what payments the Northern Ireland Human Each member of staff is advised that, before any Rights Commission has made to Stratagem in the last business related journey is made, the most cost-effective 12 months; for what purpose; and if he will place in the means of transport must be considered. Where the use Library a copy of the contract under which such of public transport or private car is not possible or payments have been made. [305159] economic, then the journey may be made by taxi. Mr. Woodward: No payments have been made by the Ministers Officials Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to Stratagem 2003-04 1,090 18,123 in the last 12 months. On 27 October 2008 the Commission 2004-05 754 24,102 paid Stratagem the sum of £411.25 (£350 plus VAT) for 2005-06 31 24,234 an annual subscription for monthly political updates 2006-07 0 28,031 covering the period 1 August 2008 to 21 July 2009. The 2007-08 0 42,455 service included updates on parliamentary business supplied to staff members by email and SMS. This subscription 2008-09 34 77,736 was not subsequently renewed at the expiry date. 1239W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1240W

Terrorism The number of persons aged 10 to 15 years found guilty at all courts for all offences, England and Wales 2003-071,2 Number Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment he has made 2003 33,484 of the level of activity of dissident Republicans in 2004 35,656 Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement. 2005 37,121 [305849] 2006 37,300 2007 38,761 Paul Goggins: As the most recent IMC report confirmed, 1 The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the Dissident Republicans continue to pose a serious threat. principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant However, the devolution of policing and justice has has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is been recognised as a potent intervention in allowing the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same Northern Ireland to move forward. disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. Written Questions: Government Responses 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken Northern Ireland when he plans to respond to question to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are (a) 304525 and (b) 304526 on devolution of criminal taken into account when those data are used. justice and policing, tabled on 1 December 2009. Source: [307611] Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice Crime Paul Goggins: These questions were both answered on 10 December 2009, Official Report, column 533W. Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer of 11 November 2009, Official Report, column 470W, on crime, how many people were (a) found guilty at all courts and JUSTICE (b) cautioned for all offences in (i) 1987 and (ii) 1988. Cemeteries: Islam [306415] Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer Mr. Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice provided by my hon. Friend (Claire Ward) on 11 November (1) what conclusions his Department drew from its 2009, Official Report, column 470W. 2007 Survey of Burial Grounds regarding cemetery provision for Islamic burial sites in London; [306266] Data Protection (2) what plans there are for future burial site provision for Islamic people in London; [306275] Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice (3) what steps his Department has taken following its if he will bring forward legislation to make custodial 2007 Survey of Burial Grounds in respect of cemetery sentences mandatory for serious offences of breach of provision for Islamic burial sites in London. [306276] privacy and confidentiality through negligent loss, sale or abuse of personal data. [306539] Bridget Prentice: Provision of burial space in general is a matter for decision by local authorities and other Mr. Wills: There are no plans to do so. The Government local providers. This Department has no role in that do not believe that mandatory custodial sentences are process, but our Guide for Burial Ground Managers appropriate other than in exceptional circumstances: it encourages consideration to be given, wherever possible, is the function of the Court to decide the sentence in to setting aside areas within cemeteries for use by particular each individual case, subject to the maximum that faith communities. Responses to the burial ground survey Parliament has provided and any guidelines that may be did not permit any valid conclusions to be drawn as to laid down by the Sentencing Guidelines Council or the the level or adequacy of burial space for Muslims either Court of Appeal. in London, or in England and Wales as a whole, but However, the Government are consulting on the that was not its primary purpose. introduction of custodial sentences as a potential sanction for individuals who commit offences relating to the Convictions: Young People knowing or reckless misuse of personal data under section 55 of the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA). The Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for consultation also seeks views on introducing a defence Justice how many children under the age of 16 years for those who can show that they acted for journalistic, have been convicted of criminal offences in each of the artistic or literary purposes with a view to publishing last five years. [306449] journalistic, literary or artistic material, in the reasonable belief that they acted in the public interest. The consultation Maria Eagle: The number of persons aged 10 to 15 closes on 7 January 2010 and can be viewed at: years found guilty of criminal offences in all courts in http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/misuse-personal- England and Wales, from 2003 to 2007 (latest available) data.htm is provided in the following table. The Government have also recently launched a Data for 2008 are planned for publication on 28 consultation on setting the maximum level for a Civil January 2010. Monetary Penalty that the Information Commissioner 1241W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1242W could serve on data controllers who commit serious down by Parliament. All those who pass a sentence will contraventions of the data protection principles, as set also consider relevant case law, Court of Appeal decisions out in the DPA. The consultation closes on 21 December and any guidelines issued by the independent Sentencing 2009 and can be viewed at: Guidelines Council. http://www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/civil-monetary- Training for both judges and magistrates seeks to penalties-consultation.htm promote a consistent approach to decision making, and uses sentencing exercises to give judges the opportunity Departmental Manpower to discuss the issues involved. Responsibility for issuing sentencing guidelines rests Mr. Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with the Sentencing Guidelines Council, not the how many staff of his Department were in its Government. The Council was set up under the provisions redeployment pool on 1 (a) January, (b) April, (c) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and is an independent July and (d) October 2009. [306713] body chaired by the Lord Chief Justice. In framing or revising sentencing guidelines the Council must have Mr. Wills: All staff seeking redeployment are gainfully regard to the need to promote consistency in sentencing. employed and undertaking roles within the Ministry. The Sentencing Council for England and Wales, created They are engaged in work contributing to the delivery by the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 as an independent of public services, including core frontline activities, body, will replace the Sentencing Advisory Panel and policy and project work and other operational roles. the Sentencing Guidelines Council with a significantly The number of staff who were actively seeking permanent expanded remit. redeployment are shown in the following table: Subject to Parliament’s approval of the relevant orders Reporting month Total number of staff actively provided for in the Coroners and Justice Act, it is seeking permanent redeployment1 expected that the Sentencing Council for England and Wales will be established by April 2010. The Sentencing January 2009 233 Council will encourage greater consistency in sentencing April 2009 223 as courts will be obliged to follow relevant guidelines July 2009 246 published by the Council unless it would be contrary to October 2009 219 the interests of justice to do so, and must include 1 The figures above comprise both full-time and part-time staff reference to those guidelines when explaining why a 2 The data provided for 1 January and 1 April 2009, excludes redeployees sentence given is significantly different from that guideline. from the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) because during this period there was at the time no system in place for Legal Services Commission: Public Relations recording such staff.

Jersey: EC law Mr. Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what payments the Legal Services Commission has Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice made to Positif Politics Ltd in the last 12 months; for when officials of his Department last met what purposes; and if he will place in the Library a representatives of the authorities in Jersey to discuss copy of the contract under which such payments were the implementation of the (a) Food Supplements made. [305422] Directive and (b) Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation. [307052] Bridget Prentice: The Legal Services Commission in Wales (as a non devolved body) has a contract with Mr. Wills: Ministry of Justice officials last met Positif Politics Ltd to track Welsh Assembly Government representatives of the authorities in Jersey to discuss the business. The purpose of the contract with Postif Politics implementation of the Food Supplements Directive is to ensure that the Legal Services Commission is kept and the Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation on 14 up to date with developments in the National Assembly September 2009. and Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) that might have an impact on the provision of legal aid services for Judges: Sentencing Welsh citizens. The LSC jurisdiction is across England and Wales and most changes in law and process that Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice have an impact on legal aid derive from Westminster. (1) what training judges receive on consistency in However many of the issues that can have an impact on sentencing; what steps he (a) has taken in the last three social welfare law services are devolved matters for the years and (b) plans to take to encourage consistency in Assembly Government. sentencing; and if he will make a statement; [306107] The current contract covers the period 1 January (2) what guidelines his Department has issued to 2009 to 31 December 2009 at a total cost of £4,365. judges on consistency of sentencing since December A copy of the contract will be placed in the Library. 2008; and if he will make a statement. [306108] Police Cautions and Convictions Maria Eagle: The responsibility for judicial training lies with the Lord Chief Justice as head of the judiciary Mr. Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice and is exercised through the independent Judicial Studies how many people (a) were convicted and (b) received Board (JSB). a caution for offences of (i) perverting the course of Sentencing is an independent function and judges justice, (ii) attempting to pervert the course of justice and magistrates are responsible for making decisions in and (iii) wasting police time in England and Wales in individual cases subject to the statutory framework laid each of the last 10 years; and how many and what 1243W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1244W proportion in each such category were convicted or Statistical information held centrally by the Ministry cautioned as a result of having been found to have of Justice on the Cautions and Court Proceedings Database made false complaints of rape or other sexual assault. for England and Wales does not identify the circumstances [307767] of the offence. Therefore it is not possible to separately identify those cautions or convictions that have arisen Maria Eagle: The number of persons found guilty at from complaints of rape or other sexual assault. all courts in England and Wales for perjury, attempting to pervert the course of public justice, and wasting Cautions and court proceedings data for 2008 are police time, from 1998 to 2007 (latest available) is given planned for publication on 28 January 2010. in Table 1. The number of cautions issued for these offences is given in Table 2.

Table 1: The number of persons found guilty at all courts of perjury, attempting to pervert the course of public justice, and wasting police time, England and Wales 1998 to 20071,2 Offence Statute description 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Perjury Act 1911, s.1; Perjury and false 175 114 135 92 81 108 145 126 91 91 Criminal Justice Act statements (also 1967, s.89; Magistrates’ false declarations Courts Act 1980, s.106; and Criminal Justice Act representations 1925, s.36; County made punishable Courts Act 1984, s.133; by any statute). mental Health Act 1983, s. 126(4); Mines and Quarries (Tips) Act 1969, s.12(2) (part); Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, s.75. Common Law. Attempting to 1,803 1,780 1,629 1,798 1,549 1,391 1,311 1,271 1,304 1,172 pervert the course of public justice (fabrication of false evidence, causing person to be wrongly convicted, interference with witness)3 Criminal Law Act Causing wasteful 57 53 81 72 62 66 111 133 160 225 1967, s.5(2). employment of the police etc. Total 2,035 1,947 1,845 1,962 1,692 1,565 1,567 1,530 1,555 1,488 1 The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences the principal offence is the offence for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 3 Does not include: intimidating a juror or witness or person assisting in investigation of offence or harming or threatening to harm a witness, juror or person assisting in investigation. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice Table 2: The number of persons cautioned’1 for perjury, attempting to pervert the course of public justice, and wasting police time, England and Wales 1998 to 20072 Offence Statute description 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Perjury Act 1911, s.1; Perjury and 42 37 17 11 17 26 39 26 44 46 Criminal Justice Act false statements 1967, s.89; Magistrates’ (also false Courts Act 1980, s.106; declarations and Criminal Justice Act representations 1925, s.36; County made Courts Act 1984, s.133; punishable by mental Health Act1983, any statute). s. 126(4); Mines and Quarries (Tips) Act1969, s.12(2) (part); Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, s.75. 1245W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1246W

Table 2: The number of persons cautioned’1 for perjury, attempting to pervert the course of public justice, and wasting police time, England and Wales 1998 to 20072 Offence Statute description 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Common Law. Attempting to 316 312 259 226 202 283 311 377 405 286 pervert the course of public justice (fabrication of false evidence, causing person to be wrongly convicted, interference with witness)3 Criminal Law Act 1967, Causing 117 108 96 78 98 110 166 202 288 371 s.5(2). wasteful employment of the police etc. Total 475 457 372 315 317 419 516 605 737 703 1 The statistics relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offences for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been cautioned for two or more offences at the same time the principal offence is the more serious offence. From 1 June 2000 the Crime and Disorder Act 1988 came into force nationally and removed the use of cautions for persons under 18 and replaced them with reprimands and warnings. These are included in the totals. 2 Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. 3 Does not include: intimidating a juror or witness or person assisting in investigation of offence or harming or threatening to harm a witness, juror or person assisting in investigation. Source: Justice Statistics Analytical Services—Ministry of Justice

Police: Sentencing Public Contracts Regulations 2006 Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for Justice what assessment his Department has made what (a) representations he has received from and (b) of the implications of the new plea negotiations discussions he has had with police forces on sentencing guidelines for implementation of regulation 23 of the policy since December 2008; and if he will make a Public Contracts Regulations 2006, with regard to statement. [306091] mandatory exclusion. [307445] The Solicitor-General: I have been asked to reply. Maria Eagle: The Green Paper “Engaging Communities in Criminal Justice”, published in April 2009, contained The Attorney-General’s Guidelines on Plea Discussions questions relating to sentencing policy (e.g. reviews of in cases of Serious or Complex Fraud, which provide a community sentences, and content of those sentences). framework within which prosecutors and defence can Responses on those points were received from police discuss the issues in a case from an early stage to narrow forces. There are also ongoing discussions with police issues or to reach agreement about acceptable pleas of forces of criminal justice issues, including sentencing guilty to criminal offences, do not affect the operation where relevant, across the range of criminal justice of the law. forums on which the police are represented. Reoffenders Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many offences have been committed by Prisons: Television those on home detention curfews since 1997. [306664] Maria Eagle: The table gives the number of offences Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for committed by offenders while on HDC between 2003-04 Justice how many prisoners have access to satellite and 2007-08. television broadcasts in their cells. [306660] Number of offenders Number of Maria Eagle: No public sector prisoners have access on HDC1 reoffences2 to satellite television in their cells as no public sector 2003-04 20,802 2,307 prisons have in cell satellite television. Five contracted 2004-05 18,587 1,533 prisons have access to a limited number of satellite television channels in cell: Altcourse, Dovegate, Lowdham 2005-06 15,443 1,176 Grange, Parc and Rye Hill. In these establishments, 2006-07 12,626 822 satellite television in cell is generally only available to 2007-08 11,316 820 prisoners who are on the Enhanced or Standard level of 1 Offenders starting HDC during the quarter; excludes offenders who were listed in the prison data but could not be found on the PNC. the Incentives and Earned Privileges scheme. This means 2 The total number offences committed whilst on HDC that resulted that numbers of prisoners with access may change on a in a conviction or caution within nine months of the end of the daily basis. At 10 December 2009 this figure was quarter. approximately 4,070. Data prior to 2003-04 are not available. 1247W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1248W

The latest figures on reoffending while on home Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for detention curfew were released by this Department in a Justice how many people charged with offences since written ministerial statement on 14 September 2009, 1997 had previously been released from prison on Official Report, columns 142-44WS, and can be found parole. [306663] at http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/ Maria Eagle: The data held by the Ministry of Justice cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090914/wmstextV90914m0001.htm does not enable us to identify people who have been charged with an offence and who had previously been released from prison on parole. Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many (a) murders and (b) other crimes of Young Offender Institutions: Social Workers violence against the person have been committed by those released from prison on early release since 1997. David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for [306666] Justice how many social worker posts there are in young offender institutions; and how many such posts Maria Eagle: Determinate sentenced prisoners may are vacant. [300252] be released into the community earlier than the halfway point of their sentence only under either the End of Maria Eagle: There are currently 22.5 social worker Custody Licence (ECL) Scheme or the Home Detention posts in young offender institutions and dedicated units Curfew Scheme (HDC). Indeterminate sentenced prisoners for young women. 11.5 of these posts are vacant. are not eligible for early release. Youth Offending Teams: Finance Data on ECL releases, recalls and alleged re-offending is published every month on the following website: Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/ Justice how much his Department has spent on youth endofcustodylicence.htm offending teams since their inception. [301321] From 29 June 2007 to 31 October 2009, 1,098 offenders released on ECL have been notified as alleged to have Maria Eagle: Youth offending teams (YOTs) receive committed a further offence. These offenders were alleged funding from a number of sources. The following table to have committed 1,458 offences, of which 306 were shows financial contributions made to YOTs via the violent offences. These figures include two offenders Youth Justice Board (YJB). Funding from the YJB released on ECL who were subsequently convicted of includes Ministry of Justice, Department for Children murder. Schools and Families and Home Office Funding. The number of violent offences committed by offenders while on HDC between 2003-04 and 2007-08 is shown Funding to youth offending team in table 2 as follows. (£) 2008-09 138,557,446.44 Number 2007-08 126,762,030.45 Offence 2006-07 118,481,712.61 Category 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2005-06 98,333,746.98 Violence against 74 47 50 40 60 2004-05 85,794,467.01 the person 2003-04 84,308,627.49 2002-03 83,332,631.38 In addition to the cases shown in the table above, 2001-02 61,598,291.02 there were two prisoners released onto the HDC scheme 2000-01 28,599,649.69 and who were subsequently convicted of murder. 1999-2000 27,786,283.98 Data prior to 2003-04 is not available in a comparable YOTs also receive funding from other Government audited format. To provide the full set of information sources at local level (including police, probation, social from 1997 would require manual checking of files, services and via local authorities). which could be undertaken only at disproportionate cost. The data contained in this answer are supplied by the YJB and is taken from their annual accounts. The latest figures on reoffending while on HDC were released by this Department in a written ministerial statement on 14 September 2009 and can be found at: http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/ CABINET OFFICE cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090914/wmstext/90914m0001.htm Central Office of Information: Hotels The figures relate to offenders who have committed an offence during their period on HDC resulting in a Anne Main: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet caution or conviction. The figures relate only to those Office how much the Central Office of Information has offences where the caution or conviction was given spent on hotel accommodation for its staff in each of within nine months of the end of the quarter in which the last five years. [305707] the offender commenced the HDC scheme. There are cases of further serious offending whereby Tessa Jowell: I have asked the chief executive of the the nature of the offence leads to court cases taking Central Office of Information to reply to the hon. longer than nine months to conclude. Member. 1249W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1250W

Letter from Mark Lund, dated December 2009: Letter from Andrew Hind, 9 December 2009: As Chief Executive of the Central Office of Information As the Chief Executive of the Charity Commission, I have (COI), I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question been asked to respond to your written Parliamentary Question on [305707] on hotel accommodation. how much the Charity Commission for England and Wales has The Central Office of Information (COI) spent £83,643 on spent on hotel accommodation for its staff in each of the last five hotel accommodation for the last financial year that is available, years (305708). 2008/9. We keep figures for hotels booked through our central procurement Central records for the preceding years do not specifically system, which are as follows: separate hotel accommodation from the rest of travel and subsistence and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. £ COI have offices throughout the UK. It also organises events 2005 176,910 nationwide as well as abroad which increases the need for overnight 2006 136,998 accommodation. This is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code respectively. 2007 116,796 2008 102,986 Charities Act 2006 2009 176,181 However, not all Commission staff use this system as it is also Mr. Leech: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office possible to book hotels directly. These costs are included in travel what estimate has been made of the cost of (a) the and subsistence claims and Government Procurement Card payments, time of civil servants in her Department of the which we do not routinely break down. This would have to be introduction of the Charities Act 2006 and (b) (i) calculated manually and could only be provided at disproportionate consultation and (ii) publication of guidance in cost. association with the Act. [307436] In the past year we have encouraged staff to make more use of the central procurement system, which accounts for the recent Angela E. Smith: Disaggregated costs associated with increase in costs shown above. the introduction of the Charities Act 2006 are not held I hope this information is helpful. centrally, and no estimate has been made of the costs to the Cabinet Office of implementing the Act. There are Charity Commission: Internet currently three civil servants in the Office of the Third Sector, working on the implementation of the Act, which has included several consultations on secondary David T.C. Davies: To ask the Minister for the legislation, and the preparation of guidance. The Charity Cabinet Office what redesigns of websites operated by Commission, as independent regulator of charities in the Charity Commission for England and Wales have England and Wales has a significant role in implementing been carried out since 27 June 2007; and what the (a) the Charities Act 2006 and has updated its guidance to cost to the public purse and (b) date of completion of reflect the Act. each such redesign was. [306193] The Act contains a statutory requirement for a review Angela E. Smith: The information requested falls of its operation to begin within five years of Royal within the responsibility of the Charity Commission. I Assent. The review, which will include an assessment of have asked the Commission to reply. the Act’s implementation, must also be laid in Parliament. Charities: Fraud Death: Obesity

Mr. Brady: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet what recent steps her Department has taken to stop the Office how many people between (a) 35 and 45, (b) 46 activities of bogus charity collectors. [307612] and 55 and (c) 56 and 65 years old died of diseases related to obesity in (i) England and (ii) Milton Keynes Angela E. Smith: The issue of bogus charity collectors in each year since 2000. [308084] is something this Government take very seriously. While enforcement action is a matter for the police and local Angela E. Smith: The information requested falls authorities, we co-ordinated a Give With Care campaign within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. through the Office of the Third Sector to increase I have asked the authority to reply. awareness of bogus clothing collections in 2007, and we are planning a further campaign in the near future. In Letter from Jil Matheson, dated December 2009: addition we funded the start up of the Fundraising As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Standards Board and work closely with them to promote recent question asking how many people between (a) 35 and 45, responsible fundraising practice. (b) 46 and 55 and (c) 56 and 65 years old died of diseases related to obesity in (i) England and (ii) Milton Keynes in each year since Charity Commission: Hotels 2000. (308084) The tables attached provide the number of deaths where obesity Anne Main: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet was the underlying cause of death (Table 1), and where obesity was mentioned anywhere on the death certificate, either as the Office how much the Charity Commission for England underlying cause or as a contributory factor (Table 2), for persons and Wales has spent on hotel accommodation for its aged between (a) 35 and 45 years, (b) 46 and 55 years and (c) 56 staff in each of the last five years. [305708] and 65 years, in (i) England and (ii) Milton Keynes unitary authority, for the years 2000 to 2008 (the latest year available). Angela E. Smith: The information requested falls It is not possible to identify all deaths ‘related’ to obesity. For within the responsibility of the Charity Commission. I example, obesity may play an important role in deaths due to have asked the Commission to reply. heart disease or diabetes, but it is rarely recorded on the death 1251W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1252W certificate. The figures presented in Tables 1 and 2 are therefore Letter from Jil Matheson, dated December 2009: likely to underestimate the actual number of deaths in which As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your obesity is involved. recent question asking how many people have died of smoking-related Table 1: Number of deaths where obesity was the underlying cause of diseases in (a) England and (b) Milton Keynes in each year since death1 by age group2, England3 and Milton Keynes unitary authority4, 2000. (308083) 5 2000-08 Deaths due to smoking-related diseases cannot be directly Deaths (Persons) calculated, as smoking status is not recorded on the death certificate. England Milton Keynes However, research published by the then Health Development (a) (b) (c) (a) (b) (c) Agency in 20041 suggested that, in the period 1998 to 2002, an 35-45 46-55 56-65 35-45 46-55 56-65 annual average of 86,500 deaths among persons aged 35 and over were estimated to be attributable to smoking in England1. 2000 28 25 35 0 0 0 From 2007 onwards, the NHS Information Centre has published 2001 25 38 35 0 0 0 an annual report containing similar estimates for England. These 2002 24 40 35 0 0 0 reports state that in 20052, an estimated 81,900 deaths among 2003 33 47 54 0 0 1 persons aged 35 and over in England were attributable to smoking. 3 2004 31 40 65 0 0 0 In 2007 the equivalent estimated number of deaths was 82,900, and in 20084 it was 83,900. Comparable figures for 2003, 2004 and 2005 29 51 58 0 0 2 2006 are not available. 2006 36 53 63 0 1 0 Figures for the number of people dying of smoking-related 2007 30 60 49 0 0 1 diseases in Milton Keynes unitary authority are not available for 2008 48 70 74 0 0 0 any years. 1 Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of 1 The report published by the Health Development Agency is Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) code 278.0 (Obesity) for the year available at: 2000 and Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code E66 (Obesity) for 2001 onwards. http://www:nice.org.uk/aboutnice/whoweare/aboutthehda/ 2 There are 11 years within age group (a) and 10 years within age hdapublications/smoking_epidemic_england.jsp groups (b) and (c), so the figures are not completely comparable. 2 The 2007 report published by the NHS Information Centre is 3 Figures for England exclude deaths of non-residents. available at: 4 Based on boundaries as of 2009. 5 Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. http://www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/health- and-lifestyles/smoking/statistics-on-smoking-england-2007- Table 2: Number of deaths where obesity was mentioned anywhere on %5Bns%5D the death certificate1 by age group2, England3 and Milton Keynes unitary authority4, 2000-085 3 The 2008 report published by the NHS Information Centre is Deaths (Persons) available at: England Milton Keynes http://www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/smoking08 (a) (b) (c) (a) (b) (c) 4 The 2009 report published by the NHS Information Centre is 35-45 46-55 56-65 35-45 46-55 56-65 available at: http://www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/smoking09 2000 75 121 162 0 0 2 2001 71 141 146 0 0 0 Departmental Buildings 2002 72 129 178 0 0 0 2003 96 162 207 1 0 1 2004 102 154 241 0 0 2 Mr. Baron: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 2005 101 155 276 1 0 2 how much was spent on works and refurbishment to 2006 113 184 285 1 1 0 offices allocated to Ministers in the Leader of the House’s Office in her Department’s buildings in the last 2007 117 222 316 0 1 1 12 months. [305680] 2008 129 257 371 0 3 1 1 Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) code 278.0 (Obesity) for the year Angela E. Smith: No expenditure has been incurred 2000 and Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code E66 (Obesity) for 2001 on works and refurbishment to offices allocated to onwards. Figures are included where obesity was mentioned anywhere Ministers in the Leader of the House of Commons’ on the death certificate, either as the underlying cause or as a office in the last 12 months. contributory factor. 2 There are 11 years within age group (a) and 10 years within age groups (b) and (c), so the figures are not completely comparable. Mr. Baron: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office 3 Figures for England exclude deaths of non-residents. how much her Department spent on works and 4 Based on boundaries as of 2009. refurbishment to offices allocated to Ministers in her 5 Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. Department’s buildings in the last 12 months. [305688]

Angela E. Smith: No expenditure on works or refurbishment to Cabinet Office Ministers’ offices in Death: Smoking Cabinet Office buildings has been made in the last 12 months.

Mr. Lancaster: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Mr. Baron: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office Office how many people have died of smoking-related how much her Department spent on works and diseases in (a) England and (b) Milton Keynes in each refurbishment to offices allocated to the Minister for year since 2000. [308083] the Olympics in the last 12 months. [307346]

Angela E. Smith: The information requested falls Tessa Jowell: No expenditure on works or refurbishment within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. to offices allocated to the Minister for the Olympics has I have asked the authority to reply. been made in the last 12 months. 1253W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1254W

Departmental Conferences Angela E. Smith: The Cabinet Office operates a brokerage service to provide support to staff who are without a Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Minister for the permanent role as a result of organisational change or Cabinet Office how many (a) away days and (b) because they have reached the end of work on a project. conferences that took place outside her Department’s All staff without a permanent role are allocated to building attended by civil servants in her Department project or interim work while they are seeking a permanent there have been since 2005; and what the cost was of role. each. [307522] Cabinet Office staff without a permanent role at: Number Angela E. Smith: The information requested is not held centrally and therefore is available only at (a) 1 January 2009 15 disproportionate cost. (b) 1 April 2009 13 All Cabinet Office expenditure on away days is made (c) 1 July 2009 36 in accordance with published departmental guidance (d) 1 October 2009 22 on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in ″Managing Public Money″ and the Treasury Departmental Responsibilities handbook on ″Regularity & Propriety″. The Cabinet Office does not have a specific financial Mrs. Laing: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet policy on the attending of conferences. The budget for Office what the official engagements of the Parliamentary such expenditure is delegated to Heads of Groups/ Secretary to the Treasury were on 21 November 2009. Management Units. As with awayday spend any expenditure [306701] on conferences is also based on principles set out in ″Managing Public Money″ and the Treasury handbook Tessa Jowell: I am not responsible for the Parliamentary on ″Regularity and Propriety″. Secretary to the Treasury. Departmental Training Departmental Energy Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister for the Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Cabinet Office how much her Department spent on Office what the energy (a) rating and (b) band of 10 away days in the last 12 months; and what the (a) Downing Street was in each year for which figures are subject and (b) location of each away day was. [306401] available. [307226] Angela E. Smith: The information requested is not Angela E. Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the held centrally and therefore is available only at answer previously given to the hon. Member on 10 disproportionate cost. December 2009, Official Report, column 594W. All Cabinet Office expenditure on away days is made in accordance with published departmental guidance Departmental Freedom of Information on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in ″Managing Public Money″ and the Treasury Sarah Teather: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet handbook on ″Regularity and Propriety″. Office how many requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 her Department received in Flood Control 2008; and how many of these received a substantive response within 20 days. [305498] Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many meetings the Natural Hazards Team Angela E. Smith: Statistics published by the Ministry has had since its establishment. [305070] of Justice on Freedom of Information in central government for 2008 show that of a total of 870 non-routine requests Tessa Jowell: The Natural Hazards team was established received by the Department (based on aggregated quarterly within the Cabinet Office in May 2009 to develop and data) 86 per cent. (748) received a substantive response oversee the critical Infrastructure Resilience programme, within 20 days. 95 per cent. (823) of requests were dealt targeted to improve the resilience of critical infrastructure with ’in time’, that is within 20 days by meeting the and essential services to severe disruption by natural deadline or other permitted extension deadline. hazards. The statistics can be found on the Ministry of Justice Since being established, the team have developed the website at: programme through meetings with stakeholders from http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/ across Government, regulators, industry and academia. freedomofinformationquarterly.htm The number of such meetings is not recorded. and copies are available in the Library of the House. Government Communications Review

Departmental Manpower Mr. Hurd: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office whether each Department has implemented the Phillis Mr. Blunt: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office Review recommendation that it should conduct an how many staff of her Department were in its annual review of the effectiveness of its redeployment pool on 1 (a) January, (b) April, (c) communications; and who holds the report of each July and (d) October 2009. [306718] such review which has taken place. [302223] 1255W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1256W

Tessa Jowell: Substantial progress has been made Specifically in connection with this statement, the towards implementing the findings of the Phillis Review Council asked its central department representatives to and all the key recommendations have been taken forward. confirm whether they retain any additional revenue as a As part of the response to the recommendations made result of using 084/087 numbers and to outline which by the House of Lords Committee on Government ranges (not necessarily 03) best suit the services they Communication January 2009, The Permanent Secretary, provide to their customers. Government Communication is working with departmental Most major customer facing departments have answered directors of Communication to establish mechanisms these questions, and the remaining departments is in to report on the effectiveness of Government process of doing so. Once the outstanding response has Communication. been received the Council will analyse all response with a view to recommending ways of increasing the uptake Government Departments: Computer Software of the 03 range where appropriate. Hotels Adam Afriyie: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what progress has been made in implementing Anne Main: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet the Government Action Plan Open Source, Open Office how much was spent on hotel accommodation Standards and Re-Use; and what (a) metrics and (b) for (a) the Prime Minister and (b) No. 10 Downing delivery mechanisms she has established to monitor Street (i) special advisers and (ii) civil servants in each implementation of the action plan. [307322] of the last five years. [305650]

Angela E. Smith: The Open Source, Open Standards Angela E. Smith: The Prime Minister’s Office is an and Re-use Action Plan was published in February integral part of Cabinet Office. The information requested 2009 as Government policy—focussing on ensuring for the Cabinet Office is not readily available and could value for money for taxpayers. Cabinet Office does not be obtained only at disproportionate cost. gather centralised data regarding software procurement, as this is the responsibility of individual Accounting Ministers Officers. Mr. Bone: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) is currently pursuant to the answer of 8 December 2009, on the list developing guidance for the procurement of open source of Ministerial Responsibilities, and with reference to and is working with departments and local authorities the answer from the Secretary of State for Defence of 9 that have successfully implemented open source applications, November 2009, Official Report, column 83W, on to share best practice and effective methods for procurement. Ministers, on what date (a) the Secretary of State for A recent survey undertaken by OGC and Buying Justice and Lord Chancellor, (b) the Secretary of State Solutions (the national Public Buying Organisation) for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, (c) the highlighted that progress on implementation is already Secretary of State for Communities and Local being made. For example: Government and (d) the Secretary of State for Over 25 per cent. of secondary schools use the Linux operating Children, Schools and Families were first appointed system on at least one computer. to the Cabinet; how the List of Ministerial 35 per cent. of NHS organisations (over 300,000 users) are Responsibilities reflects these dates of appointment; supported on a Linux infrastructure as the NHS ‘Spine’ uses and if she will make a statement. [306647] an open source operating system, and All staff and public PCs in Birmingham City Council’s library Tessa Jowell: The dates of appointments of Ministers services now have a mixture of open source and proprietary to the Cabinet are a matter of public record, details of software. which are available from the Library of the House. I refer the hon. Gentleman to my answer to the hon. Government Departments: Telephone Services Member of 8 December, Official Report, column 251w about the listing of Cabinet Ministers in the List of Mr. Oaten: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Ministerial Responsibilities. Office what responses the Contact Council received to National School of Government: Conferences the enquiries which it made of each Government Department in June 2009 on departments’ plans for Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Minister for the using 030 numbers in place of 084 numbers for Cabinet Office how many (a) away days and (b) helplines; and if she will make a statement. [302367] conferences that took place outside the National School of Government’s buildings attended by civil servants in Tessa Jowell [holding answer 30 November 2009]: the National School of Government there have been The Contact Council has not directly asked departments since 2005; and what the cost was of each. [307456] to outline their plans for using 030 numbers in place of 084 numbers for helplines. It has, however, issued to all Angela E. Smith: This is a matter for the National Contact Council members (representatives of central School of Government. I have asked the principal and departments, local authorities and other bodies) a chief executive to assist by writing to you. clarification statement on telephone number ranges in Letter from Rod Clark, dated December 2009: May this year. This statement explained the characteristics In the Written Ministerial Statement to the House on 9 January of the 084, 087 and 03 number ranges so that central 2007 (Official Report Col 5WS), the then Parliamentary Secretary departments in particular might make their own informed for the Cabinet Office (Pat McFadden MP) announced that the choice about which range(s) best meets the needs of all National School of Government was now a Non Ministerial their customer groups. Department. Consequently, the Minister for the Cabinet Office 1257W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1258W has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Questions about the The National School of Government’s internet website has National School of Government. been re-designed once since 27th June 2007 and was completed by The information requested is not held centrally and is not easy March 2008. The cost was £27,683. to collect and can only be provided at disproportionate cost. National School of Government: Hotels Voluntary Work: Religion

Anne Main: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet John Battle: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much the National School of Government Office what recent steps her Department has taken to has spent on hotel accommodation for its officials in encourage volunteering with faith organisations. [306983] each of the last five years. [306039]

Angela E. Smith: This is a matter for the National Angela E. Smith: The Office of the Third Sector is School of Government. I have asked the principal and committed to working towards a society where all chief executive to assist by writing to you. individuals and communities are enabled to volunteer. Letter from Rod Clark, dated December 2009: Through the Capacitybuilders programme the Office of the Third Sector is providing Volunteering England In the Written Ministerial Statement to the House on 9 January 2007 (Official Report Col 5WS), the then Parliamentary Secretary with £1.4 million between 2008 to 2011 to deliver improved for the Cabinet Office (Pat McFadden MP) announced that the support to volunteer involving organisations. Part of National School of Government was now a Non Ministerial Volunteering England’s work is to support volunteering Department. Consequently, the Minister for the Cabinet Office within faith based organisations. Volunteering England has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Questions about the is working with the youth volunteering charity v to fund National School of Government. six volunteering projects within faith based organisations. The National School’s finance system does not separately The aim of these projects is to improve the way that identify the amount of expenditure on hotel accommodation for faith based organisations receive support in the areas of the School’s staff. We can identify the amount of subsistence that volunteer recruitment and retention. we have paid in respect of staff split between the United Kingdom and overseas. This will include hotel accommodation plus also the cost of meals and any incidental allowances paid within HMRC rules. The expenditure was incurred in the normal course of the School’s business of providing learning and development COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT and consultancy services on a cost-recovery basis to the civil service, wider public sector, voluntary and private sectors and overseas. Affordable Housing

UK Overseas Total Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for 2004/05 104,046 62,184 166,230 Communities and Local Government how many 2005/06 121,172 54,423 175,595 completed Rent to Homebuy transactions there have been to date. [305932] 2006/07 58,170 51,413 109,583 2007/08 71,620 87,565 159,186 John Healey: Provisional data from the Homes and 2008/09 118,053 52,348 170,402 Communities Agency show that there were 1,899 rent 2009/10 part 47,284 32,406 79,690 year to homebuy completions up to end September 2009. In addition to the above amounts we have also paid hotels, Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State conference centres and other venues for the accommodation of for Communities and Local Government how many students on learning and development events. Inclusive in some of these payments would be the costs of staff necessarily staying completed sales there have been under the Social with the students - these costs are not separately identified. Homebuy scheme since April 2006; and how much had been spent on that scheme on the latest date for which National School of Government: Internet figures are available. [306727]

David T.C. Davies: To ask the Minister for the John Healey: Between April 2006 and 30 September Cabinet Office what redesigns of websites operated by 2009, there were 328 completed social homebuy sales. the National School of Government have been carried Social homebuy is a voluntary demand-led scheme. out since 27 June 2007; and what the (a) cost to the Registered social landlords who choose to offer the public purse and (b) date of completion of each such scheme to their tenants bid to the Homes and Communities redesign was. [306197] Agency for grant to cover the discount offered to the tenant. From April 2006 to end September 2009, spend Angela E. Smith: This is a matter for the National through the National Affordable Housing programme School of Government. I have asked the principal and totalled £3.6 million. chief executive to assist by writing to you. No funding is provided to local authorities offering Letter from Rod Clark, dated December 2009: the scheme other than £132,770 given to help early In the Written Ministerial Statement to the House on 9 January pilots with development and set-up costs in 2006-07. 2007 (Official Report Col 5WS), the then Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Pat McFadden MP) announced that the National School of Government was now a Non Ministerial Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State Department. Consequently, the Minister for the Cabinet Office for Communities and Local Government what has asked me to reply to your Parliamentary Questions about the definition his Department uses of a Rent to HomeBuy National School of Government. (a) sale and (b) completion. [306731] 1259W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1260W

John Healey: A rent to homebuy completion is recorded Affordable Housing: Leeds when the building is ready for occupation, and a sale is recorded when a rent to homebuy tenant buys a share of John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for the property, following an initial rental period which Communities and Local Government what plans he can be up to five years. has to increase the number of dwellings available for low-cost home ownership in Leeds West constituency. John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for [306982] Communities and Local Government how many new affordable housing units were completed in (a) Leeds John Healey: There is substantial investment in the West, (b) West Yorkshire and (c) England in each year Leeds city area in low cost home ownership to deliver since 2001. [306981] additional affordable homes, data are not available by constituency only by local authority. The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has two principal products Mr. Ian Austin: Data are not available for parliamentary for low cost home ownership, homebuy direct which is constituencies. Information for Leeds, West Yorkshire an equity share model and new build homebuy which is and England is as follows: shared ownership with a housing association or other Additional affordable dwellings provided 2000-01 to 2008-09 provider. In addition to the National Affordable Housing West programme, provision of these homes has also been Leeds Yorkshire England accelerated through the additional funding made available 2000-01 200 740 33,160 through the Building Britain’s Future initiative, notably 2001-02 450 920 33,020 Kickstart. 2002-03 310 730 32,920 HCA published half year performance statistics to 2003-04 180 600 38,070 end September 2009, this showed 44 units of homebuy 2004-05 260 590 37,470 direct delivered in Leeds city area in the financial year. 2005-06 310 740 45,980 In addition, 20 low cost homeownership units have 2006-07 290 980 44,570 been delivered in Leeds this financial year through the 2007-08 380 1,110 53,480 National Affordable Housing programme. Outturn 2008-09 460 1,310 55,770 completions for 2008-09 also showed 110 units in Leeds. Source: Kickstart round 1 allocated over £50 million in Yorkshire CLG Housing Live Tables, Table 1008 and Humber subject to funding conditions. This includes substantial schemes in Leeds including elements of Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for shared ownership or homebuy direct. Communities and Local Government how many Kickstart round 2 will allocate over £30 million in homes have been purchased under the (a) First Time Yorkshire and Humber subject to funding conditions. Buyer’s Initiative, (b) HomeBuy Direct, (c) New There are a total of 23 schemes in the region, with one Build HomeBuy, (d) Open Market HomeBuy and (e) in Leeds supporting the delivery of approximately 1,488 Social HomeBuy schemes in each of the last three homes by March 2012. years; and how many have been purchased under each Affordable Housing: Leeds and West Yorkshire scheme in 2009-10 to date. [307206] John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for John Healey: The number of homes purchased in the Communities and Local Government (1) what steps he last three years is as follows: plans to take to increase the number of dwellings available for low-cost home ownership in the Leeds city 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 area; [306574] First Time Buyers 24 818 1,025 (2) what steps he plans to take to increase the Initiative number of dwellings available for low-cost home 1 HomeBuy Direct ———ownership in the West Yorkshire area. [306573] New Build HomeBuy 11,017 14,880 10,647 Open Market 2,463 2,749 6,123 John Healey: There is substantial investment in West HomeBuy Yorkshire and the Leeds City area to deliver additional Social HomeBuy 47 160 99 affordable homes, including both rented and low cost 1 HomeBuy Direct only became operational in February 2009. home ownership homes. Homes and Communities Agency Source: Homes and Communities Agency. (HCA) has two principal products for low cost home ownership, Homebuy Direct, which is an equity share The provisional data from April to September 2009 model and Newbuild Homebuy which is shared ownership are as follows: with a housing association or other provider. In addition to existing programmes such as the National Affordable Number Housing Programme, the provision of these homes has First Time Buyers Initiative 383 been accelerated through the additional funding made HomeBuy Direct 997 available through the Building Britain’s Future initiative, New Build HomeBuy 2,624 notably Kickstart and the Local Authority Newbuild Open Market HomeBuy 3,194 Programme. Social HomeBuy 20 Low cost home ownership is a valuable tool in securing Source: a mix of tenures in sustainable communities, and in Homes and Communities Agency. providing wider access to home ownership. HCA works 1261W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1262W very closely with local authorities and partners to determine its agencies in each of the last five years; what the cost the most appropriate and sustainable mix of tenures in was of those trees in each year; from where the trees a given location and actively encourages the provision were sourced; what account was taken of the of low cost home ownership choices. sustainability of the sources of the trees; and by what 75 units of Homebuy Direct have been completed in process the trees were disposed of. [305645] West Yorkshire, including 44 in Leeds local authority area. (HCA published half year performance statistics). Barbara Follett: The Department for Communities In addition, outturn completions of low cost home and Local Government and its agencies purchased the ownership units delivered through the National Affordable following number of Christmas trees over the last five Housing Programme 2008-09, was 313 units in West years: Yorkshire of which 110 were in Leeds. Number of trees Cost (£) Kickstart Round 1 allocated over £15 million to West Yorkshire subject to funding conditions. This includes 2004 5 4,602 £9 million allocated to four schemes in Leeds, and a 2005 6 5,296 further £6 million to one scheme in Kirklees and two in 2006 6 5,444 Wakefield. All but one of these schemes will include an 2007 4 4,900 element of Homebuy Direct or shared ownership. 2008 5 2,034 Kickstart Round 2 has allocated in excess of £6 million to West Yorkshire with one scheme in Leeds and a The trees are provided by local suppliers from a further five schemes across West Yorkshire. sustainable source and where possible disposed of by conversion to wood chips for composting and mulching. Al-Muhajiroun Community Development Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State Communities and Local Government what assessment for Communities and Local Government with reference his Department has made of the effect of the to his Department’s press release of 14 October 2009, re-establishment of the Al-Muhajiroun organisation in on connecting communities, what practical actions will the UK on community relations. [302510] be funded under the programme. [307104] Mr. Malik: The Department of Communities and Mr. Malik: Each area taking part in the Connecting Local Government does not carry out assessments on Communities programme has drawn up individual plans the effect of the activity of extremist groups. These which address specific challenges and practical actions issues are a matter for the police both in their assessment for their area. These plans focus on giving people a of risk in communities and in tackling individuals that bigger say in local issues, addressing specific local concerns break the law. and increasing access to local services and opportunities. Audit Commission: Procurement In Speke, in Liverpool there was concern about a lack of jobs and whether jobs were going to local people. Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Through the Connecting Communities programme local Communities and Local Government what the names agencies are now working with young people and single and addresses are of each organisation that supplied parents in particular to link them up with opportunities goods or services to the Audit Commission in 2008-09. under the Future Jobs Fund. Further practical actions [306398] taken forward by other areas have included forming a neighbourhood’s first ever community group (Stanney, Ms Rosie Winterton: This is an operational matter for Ellesmere Port), developing neighbourhood agreements the Audit Commission, and I will ask the chief executive (Felling, Gateshead), setting up a Youth Action Group of the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member (New Parks, Leicester). direct. Council Housing Letter from Steve Bundred, dated 16 December 2009: Parliamentary Question: what the names and addresses Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State are of each organisation that supplied goods or services to for Communities and Local Government whether he the Audit Commission in 2008-09. expects the new duty to tackle socio-economic Your Parliamentary Question outlined above has been passed disadvantage proposed in the Equality Bill to require to me to reply. local authorities to (a) adjust their housing waiting The Audit Commission was supplied with goods and services list policies and (b) complete an equality impact from 1,175 suppliers in 2008/09. assessment of changes they propose to make to their The names and addresses of these suppliers are attached to this housing waiting list policies; and whether he has made letter. an assessment of the likely effects on the powers of A copy of this letter will be placed in Hansard and the table local authorities in respect of the priority given to local will be available in the House of Commons Library. residents in such policies. [306752]

Christmas Mr. Ian Austin: The provision in the Equality Bill would require local authorities to give due regard to the David T.C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for desirability of tackling socio-economic inequalities when Communities and Local Government how many making strategic decisions about how to exercise their Christmas trees were purchased by his Department and functions. We would expect this duty to apply to authorities 1263W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1264W when framing their allocation scheme and the new Council tax benefit is a non-contributory, income-related, statutory guidance on social housing allocation issued social security benefit that provides help to people with to local authorities on 4 December made this clear. low incomes to pay their council tax. It is administered However, this will not be the only factor authorities will by local authorities. People may qualify if they are need to take into consideration when developing their liable for council tax in respect of the home they are allocation policies; local authorities will need to balance resident in and are aged over 18. Entitlement is based several strategic objectives, such as promoting the local on financial circumstances and may be paid to people in economy, and promoting community cohesion. or out of work. Homeowners, as well as people who We would expect and strongly recommend that local rent, may be eligible on this basis. authorities carry out an equality impact assessment of any significant change to their allocation policies to Councillors ensure compliance with the authority’s legal equality duties. Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for We recognise that local authorities may wish to adopt Communities and Local Government how much public allocation policies which give greater priority to people funding has been provided to political parties and their with a local connection to the district. We do not believe associated political groups under the ‘Be a Councillor’ that the duty to tackle socio-economic inequalities should programme. [306395] affect a local authority’s power to do so. Indeed authorities may decide that local disadvantage should be addressed Ms Rosie Winterton: The ‘Be a Councillor’ programme by giving more priority to local people with housing is run by the Leadership Centre for Local Government, needs. a registered charity. Communities and Local Government Council Housing: Leeds has contributed £50,000 to the programme in 2009-10. Under the programme, the Leadership Centre gives advice and support to all of the main political parties in John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for England plus smaller parties and independents as defined Communities and Local Government how many by the LGA Independent Group, to assist them in people were registered for rehousing with Leeds City attracting a wider and more diverse range of people to Council in each year since 2000. [306993] become local councillors. Mr. Ian Austin: The following figures are taken from the earliest available data (2001) and represent the total Councillors: Fraud number of applications registered as at 31 March each year. Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with Number reference to the answer to the hon. Member for 2001 25,318 Bromley and Chislehurst of 15 June 2009, Official 2002 26,641 Report, column 17W, on councillors, how many cases of housing benefit fraud by councillors have been 2003 31,105 identified as a result of the National Fraud Initiative of 2004 30,959 the Audit Commission. [306831] 2005 31,699 2006 30,845 2007 30,768 John Healey: This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission, and I will ask the chief executive of 2008 29,993 the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member 2009 30,200 direct. Council Housing: Property Transfer Letter from Steve Bundred, dated 16 December 2009: Parliamentary Question: with reference to the Answer to the Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst of 15 June 2009, Communities and Local Government when he expects Official Report, column 17W, on councillors, how many cases of housing benefit fraud by councillors have been identified as a the Minister of State for Housing to make a decision result of the National Fraud Initiative of the Audit Commission. on whether First Choice Homes Oldham will be allowed to ballot its tenants on a stock transfer to a Your Parliamentary Question outlined above has been passed to me to reply. I am afraid that we are unable to answer your Registered Social Landlord. [305966] question as the data submitted does not automatically allow the Audit Commission to distinguish between employees and councillors. John Healey: Today, I have laid a written ministerial This is because the payroll details do not contain the status of the statement in which I confirmed the position on Oldham individual. council’s housing transfer proposals. A copy of this letter will be placed in Hansard. Council Tax Benefits Departmental Buildings Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in what circumstances Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities homeowners with a mortgage are eligible for council tax and Local Government how much his Department spent benefit. [307081] on works and refurbishment to offices allocated to Ministers in his Department’s buildings in the last 12 Helen Goodman: I have been asked to reply. months. [305689] 1265W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1266W

Barbara Follett: The Department for Communities Barbara Follett: The Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Local Government has spent £2711.95 on work to is employed on a permanent contract in the Senior Civil ministerial offices since January 2009. Service Pay Band 2 (£82,900 to £162,500). The CIO and his team have a budget of £30.442 million (administration Departmental Electronic Equipment and capital expenditure) for 2009-2010. This covers central expenditure for CLG and Government Offices. Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Departmental Pay Communities and Local Government how many plasma screen televisions his Department has purchased since Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for 2001; and what the cost has been of purchasing and Communities and Local Government how many staff installing such screens in each such year. [306077] in his Department received bonus payments in each of the last five years for which information is available; Barbara Follett: The Department for Communities what proportion of the total work force they and Local Government purchased 2 x 63” plasma screen represented; what the total amount of bonuses paid televisions in December 2006 at a cost of £16,167.34. was; what the largest single payment was; and if he will Information prior to 2005 is not available. make a statement. [300285] Barbara Follett: The following table shows the number Departmental Information and Communications of ‘end of year’ performance payments that have been Technology paid to staff in CLG over the last five years. The Department also operates a scheme for all staff Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for below the senior civil service under which individuals or Communities and Local Government on what pay teams may receive a small non-consolidated award in band his Department’s Chief Information Officer recognition of an outstanding contribution over a limited (CIO) is employed; whether the CIO is employed on a period. The maximum payment made under these fixed-term or permanent contract; and what the size is arrangements is £600. Records are only available for the of the budget for which the CIO is responsible in the three years to 31 March 2006 and are shown in the period 2009-10. [307570] following table.

Table showing details of end-year non-consolidated payments made to staff in Communities and Local Government in each of the last five years Amount of No. of staff Amount of non- No. of senior civil below SCS who non- consolidated servants (SCS) who received non- consolidated performance received non- consolidated performance payments made Total work- Largest consolidated performance payments made to staff below Total cost force bonus performance payments payments to SCS (£) SCS (£) (£) (Percentage) paid (£)

2009-10 102 1— 751,150 1— — — 12,500 2008-09 102 570 856,392 428,157 1,284,549 31 20,500 2007-08 104 391 686,000 332,350 1,018,350 22 16,270 2006-07 83 478 570,000 268,250 838,250 24 12,500 2005-06 86 503 426,000 170,000 596,000 25 9,500 1 Information not yet available.

Table showing in-year non-consolidated awards made to CLG staff Departmental Responsibilities below the senior civil service 2005-06 2004-05 2003-04 Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Number of in-year performance 301 400 356 non-consolidated performance Communities and Local Government which of its awards strategic objectives his Department did not meet in Total costs (£) 105,000 116,000 116,000 2008-09. [307071] Largest payment paid (£) 600 600 600 Barbara Follett: The Department agreed three year Departmental Procurement strategic objectives covering 2008-09 to 2010-11 in the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review. We have not reported final assessments for any of these but our 2009 Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Autumn Performance Report reports ‘strong progress’ Communities and Local Government with reference to for DSO 2 (housing) and DSO 6 (fire); ‘some progress’ the answer to Lord Bates of 12 October 2009, Official for DSO 1 (local government), DSO 4 (cohesive, active Report, House of Lords, column 5WA, on the and empowered communities) and DSO 5 (planning); Department for Communities and Local Government: and ‘not yet assessed’ for DSO 3 (economic performance purchase order data, how much was spent on each and regeneration). The report was laid before the House listed supplier in 2008-09. [307086] on 15 December 2009 as Command Paper (Cm 7770) and is available at: Barbara Follett: The information requested has been http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/about/howwework/ deposited in the Library of the House. corporatereports/reportsaccounts/performancereports 1267W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1268W

Departmental Training deprived neighbourhood in (a) April 2007 to March 2008, (b) July 2007 to June 2008, (c) October 2007 to Mr. Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for September 2008, (d) January 2007 to December 2008 Communities and Local Government how many and (e) April 2008 to March 2009. [306555] overseas training courses were attended by his Department’s civil servants in the latest period for Ms Rosie Winterton: The data source used to calculate which figures are available; how many civil servants DSO 3.7 ‘Overall Employment rate (working age attended each course; and what the total cost to the population) at neighbourhood level (in deprived areas)’ public purse was of each course. [305901] is the Office of National Statistics’ (ONS) sample survey the Annual Population Survey (APS). Due to the small Barbara Follett: Record of overseas training courses sample size of the Annual Population Survey at for Communities and Local Government are not centrally neighbourhood level (lower super output area) we are held in the Department. However available data obtained unable to provide estimates for individual deprived within the Department gives the following breakdown neighbourhoods. for the calendar year 2008-09; figures given do not include travel and subsistence costs Emergency Calls

Number Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for List of overseas training of civil Cost to the public Communities and Local Government how many calls courses servants purse Date were made to the 999 emergency number in each of the Two days—Financial 2 1180 Euro December last three years; how many calls were dropped by the statements and audit in the 2008 system in each of the last three years; what assessment public sector, Warsaw he has made of the effectiveness of the 999 emergency Five days course in 1 50 Euros—(cost February Hungary for living library covered by the EU 2009 system; and if he will make a statement. [305922] organisers with only 50 Euro contribution by Mr. Malik: The 999 and 112 emergency number CLG) system provides a very effective means for the public to One day—Royal Statistical 2 Free—(cost waived April Association conference in (as the members of 2009 contact the police, fire, ambulance and coastguard services Belgium staff were also rapidly in an emergency. speakers at the The figures for emergency calls received by the Call conference) Handling Agents and connected (after filtering for false/ Four days—Financial 1 £1,229 April Management of ERDF 2009 accidental calls) to the emergency services in the three programmes, Barcelona years since 1 July 2006 are: Two days—Training the 1 £128.02 June 2009 trainers course, Brussels 1 July 2006-30 1 July 2007-30 1 July 2008 -30 Three days—Evaluation of 1 £1,240.37 June 2009 June 2007 June 2008 June 2009 ERDF programmes, Berlin Two days World 1 1 375 Euros July 2009 Calls 35,119,122 33,389,065 31,267,064 conference on Spatial Connected 20,587,416 19.916,230 19,597.363 Econometrics in Barcelona Two days Eurostat-IAOS- 1 Free November English Regions Network: Finance IFC conference on 2009 Residential Property Price indices (RPPI) in Basely Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Switzerland Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer of 14 October 2009, Official Report, column Departmental Written Questions 968W, on the English Regions Network, for what purposes his Department will provide funding to the Mr. Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for English Regions Network. [306550] Communities and Local Government how many and what percentage of Parliamentary Questions tabled for Ms Rosie Winterton: CLG provides funding to the written answer by his Department on a named day in English Regional Network to coordinate the collective session 2008-09 received a substantive answer on that activities and views of Local Authority Leaders’ Boards day. [307535] and Regional Assemblies and in particular to coordinate actives supporting Regional Spatial Strategies. Barbara Follett: In the 2008-09 Session Communities Fire Services and Local Government received 790 parliamentary questions for answer on a named day, of which 642 (81 Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities per cent.) received a substantive answer on the day in and Local Government when each regional fire control question. room will be fully functional; when rent became or will become payable on each regional control room; and Disadvantaged: Employment what estimate he has made of the rental cost of each regional fire control room over the full period of its Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for lease. [305841] Communities and Local Government with reference to his Department’s publication of statistics for DSO 3.7: Mr. Malik: Under current planning assumptions the Overall Employment rate (working age population) at first regional fire control rooms are expected to become neighbourhood level (in deprived areas), England, operational in spring 2011 and the last Fire and Rescue what the employment rate was in each individual Service will switch over by the end of 2012. 1269W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1270W

are on the FiReControl Risk Register; how many are Regional control centre Go live date currently rated high or above; and what the nature is of South West May 2011 those risks currently rated high or above. [305845] East Midlands May 2011 North East May 2011 Mr. Malik: As we published in the FiReControl West Midlands May 2011 Business Case, there are a 176 risks on the project risk North West January 2012 register of which sixteen are rated ’high’ or ’very high’. South East March 2012 These risks fall into three main categories: Yorkshire and Humberside July 2012 East of England September 2011 Timely completion of FiReControl and Firelink project activities (critical dependencies) London September 2011 Timely decision making within local authorities and local Regional rental costs estimates over the full period of the lease authority controlled company’s (governance and management Estimated rent over capacity) Rent commencement full period of lease The pace of change within the service (strategic change/impact). date (£)

North East 13 April 2008 28,237,658.85 East Midlands 20 January 2008 38,630,926.87 Fire Services: Safety South West 15 February 2008 29,178,474.41 West Midlands 14 October 2008 43,592,098.37 John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for South East 14 November 2008 46,337,023.37 Communities and Local Government what the purpose North West 1 January 2009 38,282,659.67 is of Integrated Risk Management Plans (IRMPs); Yorkshire and 16 April 2009 27,177,839.88 what role his Department plays in monitoring and Humberside assessing the effectiveness of IRMPs; and if he will East of England 22 April 2009 43,395,258.72 make a statement. [305418] London 26 November 2010 77,656,287.37

Mr. Malik: Integrated Risk Management Planning Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for (IRMP) underpins the reforms to the Fire and Rescue Communities and Local Government on what date Service that flowed from the White Paper ‘Our Fire and each regional fire control room lease expires; and what Rescue Service’ published in June 2003. Since then, fire steps he has taken to ensure the continuation of a and rescue authorities have shifted their focus from national network on expiry of the leases. [305844] intervention to put a greater emphasis on fire prevention. The aim is to improve community safety, reduce the Mr. Malik: The date on which each Regional Control commercial, economic and social impact of fires and Centre lease is due to expire are: other emergency incidents, and make a more productive use of fire and rescue service resources to meet today’s Region End date of Lease risks. That approach means that each authority now North East 28 June 2027 determines its policies and standards for prevention, East Midlands 28 June 2032 protection and intervention in the light of the risks South West 14 August 2027 identified, which enables it to target those areas or West Midlands 19 December 2032 sections of the community that are at particularly high South East 13 May 2033 risk. The Fire and Rescue Service National Framework North West 30 June 2033 2008-11 requires IRMPs to be regularly reviewed and revised and to reflect up to date risk information and Yorkshire and Humberside 30 June 2028 evaluation of service delivery outcomes. East of England 30 September 2033 London 25 February 2034 The Government are committed to enabling local authorities and local communities to make appropriate Decisions would need to be taken well in advance of decisions at the local level. It is therefore not the role of lease expiry under the Landlord and Tennant Act. Ministers to intervene in, or even comment upon, the operational proposals of an individual fire and rescue Fire Services: Finance authority’s IRMP; that is for elected members of the authority concerned to determine following full consultation Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities with the local community The fire authority is best and Local Government how much had been spent placed to act on the professional advice of principal under each budget heading on the FiReControl Project officers and to balance the competing local demands on on the latest date for which figures are available. available resources for the benefits of the communities [305842] they serve. Mr. Malik: The current estimated project cost is £420 A comprehensive review of the adequacy and impact million of which approximately £190 million has been on a nationwide basis of IRMP policy and implementation spent to date. has been carried out on the Department’s behalf by Mott Macdonald, and a report will be published. The Fire Services: Risk Assessment report will be considered in discussion with stakeholders. The Audit Commission takes account of individual Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities fire and rescue authorities’ IRMPs in drawing up annual and Local Government how many project risks there assessments as part of the Comprehensive Area Assessment. 1271W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1272W

Fire Services: Vehicles Floods

Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent Communities and Local Government if he will bring assessment he has made of the adequacy of the forward proposals to add flooding to the list of hazards technology with which enhanced command support enforceable under the Housing Act 2004. [307361] vehicles supplied by his Department to fire and rescue authorities are equipped; what recent work has been Mr. Ian Austin: There are no plans to revise the 29 undertaken on the vehicles; and if he will make a categories of hazard contained in the housing health statement. [307182] and safety rating system. The underlying principle of the housing health and safety rating system is that any Mr. Malik: The enhanced command support (ECS) residential premises should provide a safe and healthy vehicles provide a multi-technology communication environment for any potential occupier or visitor. It is platform to support the co-ordination of large, complex primarily concerned with those matters which can properly deployments of fire and rescue service (FRS) resources. be considered the responsibility of the owner (or landlord). Capabilities include connectivity with other FRSs, Government Office for the East of England: Training emergency service resources and control rooms through radio, mobile phones and land lines. This capability is available for operational use if needed and has already Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State been used to good effect, most recently during last for Communities and Local Government what the cost month’s floods in Cumbria. to the public purse was of the Government Office for the East of England staff away day in Chilford Hall in Minor technical issues have been encountered with November 2009; how many staff attended that away the satellite communications capability which provides day; and for what reason that location was chosen for a basic level of communications in the event of an thatawayday. [306730] unlikely, but serious and protracted, disruption of other communications systems. We are reasonably confident Ms Rosie Winterton: The Government Office for the that these can be resolved and hope to be in a position East of England (GO-East) held an event at Chilford to deploy the full capability to the FRS by March 2010. Hall in November 2009. Chilford Hall conference centre was selected as it offered good value for money. The Mr. Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for cost for the event was £7562.45 (including VAT). Communities and Local Government how many Approximately 180 people attended; including 150 GO-East enhanced command support vehicles have been staff, non-executive directors and speakers and regional supplied by his Department to fire and rescue partners invited to participate. authorities in the last 12 months; what the total purchase cost of those vehicles was; at how many Home Information Packs: Finance incidents they have been used; and where each is currently located. [307193] Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much his Mr. Malik: The Department has procured nine enhanced Department has budgeted for supporting the home control vehicles for use by the fire and rescue service, as information pack programme between 2008 to 2011; part of its new dimension project to provide enhanced and how much of that funding will go to local response capability to the fire and rescue service. The authorities. [306412] total purchase cost of these vehicles was £1,459,500. Although the vehicles are not yet fully operational or John Healey: I refer the hon. Member to the reply permanently located with individual FRSs, they have given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Derby, been used to good effect in three incidents and exercises, South (Margaret Beckett) to the hon. Member for most recently during last month’s floods in Cumbria. Falmouth and Camborne (Julia Goldsworthy) on 6 November 2008, Official Report, column 723W. Fires: Safety Homelessness

Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for for Communities and Local Government which Communities and Local Government (1) what recommendations made by the Business and percentage of households in (a) each region and (b) Community Safety Forum in their ministerial England classified as homeless left the homeless list in submission to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for each of the last two years; [303453] Communities and Local Government on 2 April 2009 (2) how many households in each region in England on dangers of fires in timber-framed construction were left the homeless list in each of the last three years. (a) implemented and (b) rejected prior to the [303454] Peckham fire in November 2009. [306904] Mr. Ian Austin: Information about English local housing Mr. Malik: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I authorities’ actions under the homelessness legislation gave him on 8 December 2009, Official Report, columns (part 7 of the Housing Act 1996) is collected at local 302-03W. A copy of the letter of 28 May by my right authority level, and published by the Department in the hon. Friend the Member for Tooting (Mr. Khan) has quarterly Statistical Release on Statutory Homelessness, been placed in the Library. available both in the Library and via the CLG website: 1273W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1274W

http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/ Figures in Table 2 above exclude households who housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/homelessnessstatistics/ were immediately provided with settled accommodation. publicationshomelessness/ Data collected include the number of households Homelessness: Children in Care accepted by local housing authorities as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for and therefore owed a main homelessness duty to secure Communities and Local Government whether he has that suitable accommodation are available (“homeless made an estimate of the number of homeless people acceptances”). If a settled home is not immediately who were formerly children in care in each of the last available, the authority must secure temporary 10 years. [307491] accommodation (TA) until a settled home becomes available. Mr. Ian Austin: Information about English local housing The data include the number of homeless acceptances authorities’ actions under the homelessness legislation not immediately provided with settled accommodation, (part 7 of the Housing Act 1996) is collected at local for whom a main homelessness duty was ended during authority level, and published by the Department in the the quarter. A duty can be ended in a number of quarterly Statistical Release on Statutory Homelessness, circumstances, for example, where an offer of settled available both in the Library and via the CLG website: accommodation is accepted or refused. National figures http://wwwcommunities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/ for the number of homeless acceptances not immediately housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/homelessnessstatistics/ provided with settled accommodation for whom a main publicationshomelessness/ homelessness duty was ended can be found in Table 8 of Data collected include the number of households the latest Statistical Release, accessible from this link: accepted by local housing authorities as eligible for http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/ assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, statistics/homelessnessq22009 and therefore owed a main homelessness duty (to secure National and regional figures for the number of that suitable accommodation is available). If a settled households in temporary accommodation or remaining home is not immediately available, the authority must in their existing home, on 31 March 2007 and 31 March secure temporary accommodation until a settled home 2008, who were homeless acceptances and not immediately becomes available. provided with settled accommodation are shown in Table 1: The data include the number of applicants accepted by local authorities aged 18 to 20 and previously in care Table 1 and the number of applicants aged 21 or over and 31 March 2007 31 March 2008 vulnerable as a result of time spent in care. The total England 74,620 61,850 number of acceptances in these two categories since East of England 3,750 3,040 2003-04 is given in the table below. East Midlands 1,530 930 Number of homeless households London 51,680 45,340 in priority need accepted by local North East 810 590 authorities who were formerly North West 2,950 1,580 Year1 children in care South East 5,800 3,980 2003-04 1,560 South West 3,850 2,680 2004-05 1,500 West Midlands 1,800 1,580 2005-06 1,270 Yorkshire and the 2,460 2,120 2006-07 980 Humber 2007-08 820 National and regional figures for the number of 2008-09 770 homeless acceptances not immediately provided with 1 The table does not give figures for 2002-03 as data are only available settled accommodation, for whom a main homelessness from July 2002; to March 2003, thus we do not have a figure for the duty was ended in each of the last three years is shown entire 2002-03 financial year. in Table 2: Homelessness: Young People Table 2 2006-07 2007-08 2008-091 John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State England 71,520 65,290 57,900 for Communities and Local Government what information East of 7,000 5,740 5,270 his Department holds on the level of financial assistance England provided by each London borough to young people East 5,480 5,110 3,340 seeking permanent accommodation in each year since Midlands 2005. [307014] London 16,120 15,140 16,120 North East 5,020 3,450 2,870 Mr. Ian Austin: The Department provides a homelessness North West 9,510 8,310 5,900 grant to local authorities and the voluntary sector to South East 8,370 7,630 5,670 help them prevent and tackle homelessness in their South West 6,290 5,690 4,940 areas. This grant helps assist people of all ages and a West 7,800 8,590 8,240 proportion of this money will be spent on young people Midlands based on a local authority’s need. We cannot disaggregate Yorkshire and 5,930 5,620 5,550 actual spend on young people, but in England in the last the Humber quarter, 39 per cent. of households accepted as owed a 1 Provisional data for 2008-09 main homelessness duty were aged 16 to 24 years. 1275W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1276W

Supporting People for the three young person primary client groups in £ London boroughs Local £ authority 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2005-06 London Administering Young Young authority people at people Teenage Barking and 100,000 100,000 100,000 name risk leaving care parents Total Dagenham Barnet 160,000 160,000 160,000 Bexley 100,000 100,000 100,000 Camden 2,074,830 69,416 16,541 2,160,787 Brent 805,000 805,000 805,000 City of 455,508 0 0 455,508 Bromley 135,000 135,000 135,000 London Camden 1,600,000 1,600,000 1,600,000 Hackney 1,282,026 67,382 226,323 1,575,732 City of 295,000 295,000 295,000 Hammersmith 833,373 180,737 45,755 1,059,865 London and Fulham Croydon 550,000 550,000 550,000 Haringey 770,357 272,716 69,889 1,112,963 Council Islington 1,183,604 69,022 105,142 1,357,768 Ealing 640,000 640,000 640,000 Kensington 1,059,929 289,916 31,821 1,381,666 Enfield 250,000 250,000 250,000 and Chelsea Greenwich 180,000 180,000 180,000 Lambeth 1,173,123 31,401 501,915 1,706,439 Hackney 590,000 590,000 590,000 Lewisham 830,625 394,059 338,946 1,563,630 Hammersmith 1,232,000 1,232,000 1,232,000 Newham 1,306,717 428 172,526 1,479,671 and Fulham Southwark 1,948,254 142,641 187,219 2,278,113 Haringey 250,000 250,000 250,000 Tower 867,679 392,308 81,032 1,341,019 Harrow 200,000 200,000 200,000 Hamlets Havering 100,000 100,000 100,000 Wandsworth 641,010 527,616 220,337 1,388,963 Hillingdon 100,000 100,000 100,000 Westminster 2,331,643 524,346 38,310 2,894,300 Hounslow 240,000 240,000 240,000 Barking and 0 0 61,412 61,412 Islington 380,000 380,000 380,000 Dagenham Kensington 1,168,000 1,168,000 1,168,000 Barnet 720,362 0 91,086 811,449 and Chelsea Bexley 30,437 37,951 12,813 81,200 Kingston 120,000 120,000 120,000 Brent 440,183 106,958 180,349 727,491 upon Thames Bromley 234,362 265,751 62,116 562,230 Lambeth 2,050,000 2,050,000 2,050,000 Croydon 1,210,053 263,361 118,850 1,592,263 Lewisham 190,000 190,000 190,000 Ealing 978,057 542,101 57,657 1,577,814 Merton 120,000 120,000 120,000 Enfield 927,004 24,000 308,361 1,259,365 Newham 300,000 300,000 300,000 Greenwich 1,267,926 218,416 187,166 1,673,508 Redbridge 100,000 100,000 100,000 Harrow 116,397 196,228 43,978 356,602 Richmond 400,000 400,000 400,000 Havering 0 20,083 52,011 72,094 Southwark 1,150,000 1,150,000 1,150,000 Hillingdon 485,476 196,167 48,418 730,061 Sutton 200,000 200,000 200,000 Tower 880,000 880,000 880,000 Hounslow 442,722 107,901 0 550,623 Hamlets Kingston 255,415 0 64,291 319,706 Waltham 280,000 280,000 280,000 upon Thames Forest Merton 189,940 13,772 38,325 242,037 Wandsworth 330,000 330,000 330,000 Redbridge 507,181 36,970 0 544,150 Westminster 6,600,000 6,600,000 6,600,000 Richmond 129,300 48,829 34,203 212,332 Total London 21,795,000 21,795,000 21,795,000 upon Thames Sutton 269,713 159,231 146,145 575,089 Waltham 233,331 20,586 2,468 256,385 The Supporting People programme provides revenue Forest funds for local authorities to commission housing-related support services for vulnerable people in their area, to £ enable them to develop independent living skills. 2006-07 It is a locally managed and delivered programme. Administering Young Young Local authorities are responsible for making the strategic authority Teenage people at people decisions regarding the programme including deciding name parents risk leaving care Total what services to commission to meet local needs and London 3,616,929 26,184,294 4,633,327 34,434,550 priorities.

Supporting People for the three young person primary client groups in Camden 59,128 2,356,534 71,066 2,486,728 London boroughs City of 0 455,508 0 455,508 £ London 2005-06 Hackney 255,841 1,456,133 112,222 1,824,197 Administering Young Young Hammersmith 46,544 824,980 181,855 1,053,380 authority people at people Teenage and Fulham name risk leaving care parents Total Haringey 78,900 772,657 274,223 1,125,780 London 25,196,536 5,220,292 3,545,406 33,962,234 Islington 105,183 1,116,171 395 1,221,748 1277W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1278W

£ £ 2006-07 2007-08 Administering Young Young Administering Young Young authority Teenage people at people authority Teenage people at people name parents risk leaving care Total name parents risk leaving care Total

Kensington 35,745 900,537 296,109 1,232,391 Westminster 34,915 2,467,813 0 2,502,728 and Chelsea Barking and 43,753 0 0 43,753 Lambeth 479,649 1,322,288 0 1,801,937 Dagenham Lewisham 358,797 847,237 217,931 1,423,965 Barnet 85,469 677,377 86,559 849,406 Newham 109,008 1,379,615 22,242 1,510,865 Bexley 33,456 11,209 0 44,665 Southwark 228,115 1,970,227 133,159 2,331,501 Brent 186,766 655,067 106,367 948,200 Tower 81,032 929,627 385,149 1,395,809 Bromley 71,629 302,776 345,362 719,767 Hamlets Croydon 161,696 1,321,389 253,296 1,736,381 Wandsworth 220,337 626,395 602,000 1,448,733 Ealing 101,675 982,282 614,200 1,698,157 Westminster 34,915 2,467,813 27,994 2,530,723 Enfield 328,840 661,901 48,000 1,038,741 Barking and 31,687 0 0 31,687 Greenwich 142,701 1,571,210 112,892 1,826,803 Dagenham Harrow 44,858 79,273 199,830 323,960 Barnet 85,477 695,627 42,766 823,870 Havering 0 48,048 21,970 70,018 Bexley 17,809 62,000 0 79,809 Hillingdon 120,099 555,283 18,900 694,282 Brent 182,589 614,563 106,367 903,520 Hounslow 0 416,208 66,675 482,882 Bromley 57,344 341,831 406,464 805,639 Kingston 65,898 240,303 0 306,201 Croydon 153,873 1,238,338 313,041 1,705,252 upon Ealing 84,306 1,013,621 555,707 1,653,633 Thames Enfield 323,376 755,852 61,249 1,140,477 Merton 40,051 198,798 19,930 258,780 Greenwich 191,792 1,299,258 223,814 1,714,863 Redbridge 0 541,773 13,888 555,661 Harrow 21,553 93,808 141,368 256,729 Richmond 35,145 78,966 41,584 155,695 Havering 0 48,048 21,970 70,018 upon Thames Hillingdon 112,625 612,316 74,208 799,149 Sutton 88,850 357,223 103,066 549,139 Hounslow 0 404,060 104,336 508,396 Waltham 2,600 262,741 0 265,341 Kingston 65,898 240,303 0 306,201 Forest upon Thames Merton 39,189 194,519 14,083 247,791 John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Redbridge 0 541,773 33,515 575,288 Communities and Local Government what guidance Richmond 35,044 132,480 49,890 217,414 his Department has issued to local authorities on their upon role in assisting young people to secure permanent Thames accommodation. [307020] Sutton 118,642 234,119 160,205 512,965 Waltham 2,530 236,055 0 238,585 Mr. Ian Austin: Government have issued guidance Forest focussed on helping local authorities and the third sector assist young people in securing settled £ accommodation. 2007-08 The Homelessness Code of Guidance for Local Administering Young Young Authorities (July 2006)—provides a summary of the authority Teenage people at people name parents risk leaving care Total homelessness legislation and the duties, powers and obligations on housing authorities and others towards London 3,761,528 28,031,119 4,252,827 36,045,474 people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. In addition to this we have published: Camden 106,233 3,088,690 311,531 3,506,454 Joint working between Housing and Children’s Services: Preventing City of 0 487,674 0 487,674 homelessness and tackling its effects on children and young London people (May 2008) Hackney 215,255 1,660,088 38,455 1,913,798 Making a difference: Supported lodgings as a housing option Hammersmith 47,722 998,626 181,231 1,227,579 for young people (October 2008) and Fulham An accommodation self assessment toolkit for the Socially Haringey 70,661 651,797 275,730 998,188 Excluded Adults Public Service Agreement (November 2009) Islington 109,345 1,234,157 0 1,343,503 Homelessness prevention and meeting housing need for Kensington 35,298 704,723 296,109 1,036,130 (ex)offenders: A guide to practice (November 2009) and Chelsea Preventing Homelessness: A Strategy Health Check (September Lambeth 450,564 1,438,498 0 1,889,062 2006) Lewisham 388,631 1,248,011 120,416 1,757,059 Homelessness Prevention—a guide to good practice (June Newham 176,603 1,318,994 22,267 1,517,864 2006) Southwark 254,198 2,109,809 120,498 2,484,505 Local authorities are legally required to prepare a Tower 65,775 1,003,746 249,015 1,318,535 Hamlets pathway plan setting out the support that will be provided Wandsworth 252,843 656,664 585,057 1,494,564 to care leavers so that they can make a positive transition from their care placement to more independent 1279W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1280W accommodation. This plan will include details of any The homelessness legislation (Part 7 of the Housing services that the individual young person might need so Act 1996) provides a safety net for vulnerable young that they are able to successfully manage a future tenancy. people who become homeless through no fault of their Regulations and Guidance setting out the responsibilities own. Under the legislation, local housing authorities of local authorities to support care leavers so that they must secure suitable accommodation for applicants who have the best chance to succeed in their accommodation are eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and was issued in 2001, at the time of the introduction of fall within a priority need group. The priority need the provisions of the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000. groups include young people aged 16 or 17, young people aged between 18 and 20 who were previously in As well as producing and publishing this guidance we care, and young people make available other local authority prevention tools and good practice information aimed specifically at aged 21 or over who are vulnerable as a result of having assisting young people on our National YouthHomelessness spent time in care. The duty continues until an offer of a website. settled home can be made. Local authorities are responsible for allocating settled John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for social (either within their own stock or by nomination Communities and Local Government what mechanisms to housing associations in their district) to those on the exist for (a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) waiting list, including young people, who have appropriate local authorities to assist young people in securing priority under the authority’s allocation scheme. permanent accommodation. [307047] Mr. Ian Austin: CLG employ a team of homelessness John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for advisors, seconded from local authorities, to advise and Communities and Local Government what support (a) support local authorities with their homelessness strategies. his Department and (b) its agencies provide to young In particular, identifying and promoting good practice people leaving foyer schemes to assist them in securing and opportunities to improve efficiency in tackling and permanent accommodation. [307054] preventing homelessness effectively. The Supporting People programme also funds housing- Mr. Ian Austin: Foyer schemes and other forms of related support to vulnerable people, including young supported accommodation are designed to help young people, to help them to live more independently. For people gain the skills they will require to live independently example, Supporting People funded services might support and to secure their own settled accommodation. a vulnerable young person or teenage parent to develop The Supporting People programme provides revenue life skills which enable them to maintain a tenancy, such funds for local authorities to commission housing related as understanding a tenancy agreement, or budgeting; or support services for vulnerable people in their area, to they might provide support to access training, education enable them to develop these essential independent or employment which can help young people to develop living skills. Data relaying to the supply of and spend a more stable home life. In 2007-08, over £136 million on supporting people housing related support services was spent on housing-related support services for vulnerable is collected retrospectively. The following table shows young people, and over £23 million was spent on services the amount spent on three young people client groups for teenage parents. by service type and accommodation type for 2007-08.

2007-08 Supporting people spend on three young person client groups, by service type and accommodation type £ Primary Client Group Accommodation type (where Young people at Young people Service type applicable) Teenage parents risk leaving care Grand total

Accommodation Accommodation Based Service 508,932 2,313,959 79,255 2,902,145 based services Adult Placement—Registered — 186,558 — 186,558 Foyer for Young People 50,006 23,411,997 32,374 23,494,377 Homeless Hostel, B&Borother 504,906 12,121,139 55,476 12,681,522 temporary accommodation Resident Adult Carer — 373 55,648 56,021 Supported Housing (shared or self 5,965,744 61,677,456 5,785,884 73,429,084 contained) Supported Lodgings 152,518 3,447,892 1,895,530 5,495,940 Teenage Parent Accommodation 9,274,670 111,982 — 9,386,652 Women’s Refuge — 72,769 — 72,769 (blank) 84,870 590,758 489,946 1,165,574

Accommodation 16,541,646 103,934,884 8,394,113 128,870,643 Based Service total

Floating Support 6,504,888 19,495,205 2,932,470 28,932,563 Services 1281W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1282W

2007-08 Supporting people spend on three young person client groups, by service type and accommodation type £ Primary Client Group Accommodation type (where Young people at Young people Service type applicable) Teenage parents risk leaving care Grand total

Outreach services 285,262 727,462 371,543 1,384,267 Resettlement 71,445 570,619 155,733 797,798 Services Grand total 23,403,242 124,728,170 11,853,859 159,985,271

Some young people may yet still require additional Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for help and that is why Communities and Local Government Communities and Local Government to which third allocated over £220 million to local authorities and the parties the Homes and Communities Agency is liable to voluntary sector between 2008-09 to 2010-11 to help for the community related asset transfers listed on page them prevent and tackle homelessness in their areas. 87 of the Homes and Communities Agency Annual The homelessness legislation (Part 7 of the Housing Report 2009; and if he will make a statement. [307267] Act 1996) provides a safety net for vulnerable young people who become homeless through no fault of their John Healey: To disclose this information would prejudice own. Under the legislation, local housing authorities the commercial interests of the Homes and Communities must secure suitable accommodation for applicants who Agency, as the transfer of these assets may take time are eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and and will be subject to ongoing financial negotiations. fall within a priority need group. The priority need groups include young people aged 16 or 17, young Homes and Communities Agency: Contracts people aged between 18 and 20 who were previously in care, and young people aged 21 or over who are vulnerable Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State as a result of having spent time in care. The duty for Communities and Local Government pursuant to continues until an offer of a settled home can be made. the answer to the hon. Member for Welwyn Hatfield of Homes and Communities Agency: Assets 30 November 2009, Official Report, column 499W, on departmental contracts, which bodies are recorded as having contracts with the Homes and Communities Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Agency. [306722] Communities and Local Government to which third parties the Homes and Communities Agency is liable John Healey: A list of all the bodies having contracts for the additional consideration on development assets with the Homes and Communities Agency has been referred to on page 87 of its Annual Report 2009; and deposited in the Library of the House. There are over if he will make a statement. [307134] 1,000 entries on the list which do not include non- contractual commitments, multiple entries for the same John Healey: Further to the information provided in firm, or details of contracts entered into with individuals. note 31(c) on page 87 of the Homes and Communities Agency’s (HCA) financial statement 2008-09, the third party referred to in the note is the Department of Housing Health. The surplus public sector land referred to as being transferred to the agency in 2005-06, was a portfolio Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for of 96 sites. Communities and Local Government if he will assess the effect on the housing market of Government policy Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for on the provision of social care; and if he will make a Communities and Local Government how much land statement. [305991] was owned by the Homes and Communities Agency in each of the last three years; what percentage of the Mr. Ian Austin: The National Strategy for Housing in land currently owned by the agency has been granted an Ageing Society, “Lifetime Homes, Lifetime planning permission; and what percentage of the land Neighbourhoods”, recognises the challenges of an ageing is expected to be developed within the next (a) six and society, and the impact on the demand for housing (b) 12 months. [307135] which is adaptable to people’s changing needs and enables people to live more independently at home. The John Healey: The HCA came into existence on 1 housing target of 240,000 new homes a year from 2016 December 2008, it therefore held no land in 2007. onwards reflects long-term needs and changes in the For 2008 and 2009, figures are as follows: age and type of households projected over the next 20 years. Hectares “Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods” also 2008 7982.1713 recognises the increasing need for specialised housing 2009 8028.0811 such as care homes and extra care housing, and we welcome the recent report from the Housing our Ageing It is not possible to provide an answer to the remaining Population Panel for Innovation, which makes parts of this question other than at disproportionate recommendations which aim to improve the choice and cost. availability of specialised housing for older people. 1283W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1284W

Housing: Carbon Emissions provided for NAHP as part of the Pledge is treated as part of the mainstream NAHP programme. The announced Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for funding for each region listed as follows is given against Communities and Local Government what assessment these total budgets. he has made of the merits of proposals for a fabric Announcements 2009-10: (in £ millions) energy efficiency standard for zero carbon homes. Kickstart round 1 [306328] (approved including John Healey: I announced in a written ministerial approved subject LA New Build Region NAHP to conditions) (approved) statement on 16 July 2009, Official Report, columns 42-49WS, the formation of a specialist task group to East of 132 22 0 advise on the minimum energy efficiency standard for England zero carbon homes. Following the work of that task East 42 50 16 group, the report of which I have placed in the Library Midlands of the House, I announced in a further written ministerial London 521 64 41 statement on 24 November 2009, Official Report, columns North East 5 51 12 42-44WS, that: North West 61 62 17 I am satisfied the task group’s recommendations strike the South East 153 50 9 right balance between a high level of ambition and a standard South West 162 25 10 that can be realised in practice by 2016; West 94 68 8 I intend to use this standard within the definition of zero Midlands carbon homes; and Yorkshire and 61 56 27 I will be using our forthcoming consultation on updating the Humber Code for Sustainable Homes to confirm that there are no unintended Total 1,230 449 141 consequences from this standard and to seek views on the energy Note: efficiency standard to be adopted in 2013. Figures may not sum due to roundings. We have on 16 December 2009 also announced short- Housing: Energy listed projects for round two of Kickstart for a share of up to £550 million. All the projects will now go through Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State a rigorous final assessment by the Homes and Communities for Communities and Local Government what the Agency to determine which will get the green light. As average (a) current energy efficiency rating band and this funding is intended to support the housebuilding (b) potential energy efficiency rating band is for homes industry when it needs it most, one of the key factors in each local authority area. [307115] will be the ability to complete building work by March 2012. Mr. Ian Austin: The information requested is not Kickstart round 2 announcement of short-listed projects currently available centrally to respond to the question Amount of investment (in in the format requested. Region £ millions)

Housing: Finance East of England 73 East Midlands 61 Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for London 94 Communities and Local Government (1) how much of North East 28 the £50 million of social housing grant to allow local North West 72 authorities to deliver new social housing announced in South East 83 April has been spent in each region; [307006] South West 63 (2) how much of the £400 million of funding West Midlands 46 through Kickstart announced in April 2009 has been Yorkshire and the Humber 30 spent in each region; [307007] The 2009-10 budget for each of these programmes is (3) how much of the £250 million to allow local available in the Homes and Communities Agency’s authorities to deliver new social housing referred to in Corporate Plan 2009-10. the Prime Minister’s Building Britain’s Future announcement has been spent in each region; [307015] Housing: Leeds (4) how much of the £660 million for Kickstart referred to in the Prime Minister’s Building Britain’s John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Future announcement has been spent in each region; Communities and Local Government what steps he [307016] plans to take to provide accommodation in Leeds to (5) how much of the £750 million to be allocated via meet the city’s projected population increase. [306926] the Homes and Communities Agency’s National Affordable Housing Programme referred to in the Mr. Ian Austin: Current market conditions are Prime Minister’s Building Britain’s Future challenging, but there is strong pent-up demand for new announcement has been spent in each region. [307017] homes. Therefore we remain committed to achieving a step-change in housing supply whilst recognising the John Healey: The Budget 2009 and Housing Pledge scale of the challenge this entails, and want to see a funding for Kickstart and LA New Build are treated as swift and sustainable recovery in housing. A sufficient, single spending programmes. The additional funding suitable supply of land for housing, which responds to 1285W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1286W market signals and rising demand, will be critical to and Regeneration Managers. Monthly clinics are held achieving this. We therefore announced a proposal to at which bids from housing associations are discussed improve the quality of the five-year supply of economically and prioritised. viable sites that are required under PPS3 in the pre-Budget At the end of November 2009, £50.9 million had report, as well as other work to improve the delivery of been allocated in Leeds for 1,609 homes under the housing. 2008-11 National Affordable Housing Programme. We are keen to see all local authorities put in place an In addition, £3.5 million has been allocated to Leeds adopted Core Strategy. Leeds city council has the highest city council under the local authority Newbuild Round housing requirement figure in the country. Provision for 1 programme for 63 homes. this will be demonstrated in their emerging Core Strategy. Funds under the Kickstart round 1 programme worth The council has recently ended a round of formal £7.2 million, for 235 homes (subject to funding conditions) consultation on this document, which has an expected were announced in Leeds area in October 2009. publication date of September 2010 and submission in January 2011. It is hoped that the Core Strategy will be Kickstart Round 2 will allocate over £30 million adopted by November 2011. across Yorkshire and Humber over 23 schemes including one in Leeds. This investment will support the delivery The scale of its housing requirements means that of approximately 1,488 homes in the region by March Leeds city council is a national priority. The Government 2012. Office for Yorkshire and the Humber, the Planning Inspectorate, the Planning Advisory Service and the Housing: Valuation Department are giving as much aid and assistance as possible to ensure a prompt production of the Core Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State Strategy to put in place the delivery mechanisms for for Communities and Local Government how many housing to meet the requirements. properties in England have a value of over £2 million. We have also taken measures to support the construction [307087] industry, including the biggest council house building programme for nearly two decades, from which I am Mr. Ian Austin: Information in the form requested is pleased that Leeds has benefited. I am also pleased to not readily available and could be obtained only at be working with the Leeds City Region Partnership on disproportionate cost. its Urban Eco Settlement initiative, which includes the However the Land Registry does publish information Aire Valley in Leeds where we are already investing on the number of residential house sales over £2 million. Kickstart funding and which has further potential to These data are for England and Wales only and are contribute to the delivery of the housing that Leeds published in their monthly House Price Index report. needs. In August 2009 there were 71 properties sold for over £2 million. This is 0.1 per cent. of the 53,236 transactions John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for for the month. Communities and Local Government what the average Housing: Water house price in Leeds West constituency was (a) five, (b) (c) [306937] 10 and 15 years ago. Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent Mr. Ian Austin: House price information is not available discussions he has held with housebuilders on the by constituency only by local authority. The average merits of including grey water recycling systems in new house prices for Leeds are as follows: build homes. [306329]

£ Mr. Ian Austin: Officials have an ongoing dialogue January 1995 (earliest available 57,747 with representatives of the house building industry on a data) wide range of issues including on building standards for January 2000 60,499 new homes. January 2005 133,378 Infrastructure Planning Commission: Pay October 2009 (latest available data) 129,565 Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the (a) John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for basic salary, (b) bonus structure, (c) employers’ Communities and Local Government what steps he is pension contribution and (d) benefits in kind are for taking to enable Leeds housing associations to access each commissioner and director, including the Chief funds provided by his Department for new housing Executive, of the Infrastructure Planning Commission; development. [307438] and what their contracted hours per week are in each case. [305943] John Healey: The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) allocates funds through a process of Continuous John Healey: The remuneration packages and range Market Engagement (CME) whereby bids for funding for the Infrastructure Planning Commission’s (IPC) can be submitted through this ongoing process following commissioners, chief executive officer and directors are discussions with local authorities and HCA Investment provided in the following table: 1287W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1288W

Infrastructure planning Commission (IPC) Employer’s pension Title Basic salary Bonus structure contribution Benefits in kind Contracted hours

Chair £184,000 None Not pensionable None 4 days Interim CEO (on secondment from CLG) £105,000 An annual non CLG pension None 42 hours consolidated scheme PCSPS bonus up to 10 per cent. based on performance Deputy chairs £425 day rate None Not pensionable None Day rate Commissioners £385 day rate None Not pensionable None Day rate1 Directors £89,000 to 2— LGPS Relocation 42 hours £100,000 contribution 14 expenses up to per cent. £8,000 max for two directors 1 Commissioners will work between three to five days per week. 2 Directors have an opportunity to earn a non consolidated, performance related bonus, details of which will be developed as part of future pay remits and in line with SCS arrangements.

Local Democracy, Economic Development and The Government recognise the importance of embedding Construction Act 2009 the promotion of democracy and engagement of local people at the heart of local government. We have recently consulted on how best to engage with and strengthen Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the role of local people, to influence decisions in their Communities and Local Government what the local area and restore the status of the town hall by timetable is for the commencement of each of the boosting the status, powers and accountability of local substantive provisions of the Local Democracy, councils. We will be responding to the “Strengthening Economic Development and Construction Act 2009. Local Democracy” consultation in due course. [307068] The duty to promote democracy is important in Ms Rosie Winterton: The arrangements for the helping take this work forward and we want to ensure commencement of provisions contained in the Local that its introduction has a positive and proactive response Democracy, Economic Development and Construction from local government given the likely costs involved in Act 2009 are set out in sections 148 and 149 of the Act. implementing it effectively. We have therefore been looking A number of provisions will come into force on a day at when the duty should be implemented. We have specified by the Secretary of State. concluded that given the current economic situation implementation of the duty should be considered as Commencement Order No. l (2009 No. 3087 (C.137)) part of the next spending review. was made on 24 November 2009. This commenced a number of minor provisions relating to the local authority In respect of the audit and mutual insurance provisions economic assessment duty and the regional strategy. in Part 2, it will be necessary to prepare and consult on draft regulations and guidance before we commence the We plan to make a further commencement order provisions. Any final decision on commencement will shortly. The likely details of this are set out in the depend on the outcome of this consultation. following table: The commencement date for construction contract Provision Commencement date provisions in Part 8 is dependent on the revision of the Scheme for Construction Contracts (England and Wales) Economic prosperity boards/combined Day after the order Regulations 1998. The Department for Business, Innovation authorities (Sections 88 to 113, sections 118 is made and Skills will consult on the necessary changes in the to 120 & Schedule 6) new year. Economic prosperity boards/combined 12 January 2010 authorities (Sections 114 to 117) Duty of public authorities to secure 1 April 2010 involvement Local Development Frameworks Scrutiny officers (section 31) 1 April 2010 Local government boundary and electoral 1 April 2010 Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for change Communities and Local Government whether local Remaining provisions relating to the local 1 April 2010 planning authorities will be required to amend their authority economic assessment duty Local Development Frameworks to bring them in line Remaining provisions relating to the 1 April 2010 [307269] regional strategy with National Policy Statements.

My Department published a consultation on draft Mr. Ian Austin: Local planning authorities must have statutory guidance and secondary legislation to support regard to national policy, including National Policy the petitions duty on 2 December. The consultation Statements, when preparing development plan documents includes questions about the most appropriate timescale in their local development framework. for bringing the provisions into force. Ministers will When National Policy Statements are adopted local take a decision about when to commence the petitions planning authorities should have regard to them when duty after the consultation closes on 24 February. they next review their LDF documents. 1289W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1290W

Local Government Parish precepts: England £ million

Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for 2009-10 340 Communities and Local Government if he will place in Source: the Library a copy of the recent protocol to the Budget Requirement (BR) returns from local authorities. Charter of Local Self-Government; and what steps will be required to implement the Charter’s provisions in Mr. Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for England. [306554] Communities and Local Government (1) how much (a) in total and (b) per capita is planned to be Ms Rosie Winterton: I have today placed in the Library provided through the (i) provisional local authority a copy of the Additional Protocol to The European formula grant and (ii) adjusted provisional local Charter of Local Self-Government on the Right to authority formula grant in (A) England, (B) the South Participate in the Affairs of a Local Authority which I West Region, (C) each local authority in the South signed on behalf of the United Kingdom at the recent West Region in financial year (1) 2009-10 and (2) conference of Ministers responsible for local and regional 2010-11; [307363] government at Utrecht. We intend, subject to Parliament (2) how much (a) in total and (b) per capita was not disagreeing, to ratify the Protocol as soon as practicable provided through the (i) local authority formula grant after consultation with the Local Government Association and (ii) adjusted local authority formula grant for (A) and other stakeholders and formally laying it before England, (B) the South West Region and (C) each local Parliament. As will be explained in the White Paper authority in the South West Region in each year from that we will present to Parliament when laying the 1997-98 to 2008-09. [307364] Protocol, we believe that the United Kingdom already complies with the Protocol and no new legislative provision Barbara Follett: A table showing the year-on-year is required. change on a like-for-like basis for all local authorities for the period 1998-99 to 2010-11 has been placed in the Local Government Finance Library. The Department only holds data on adjusted formula Mr. Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for grant from 1997-98. This is because it only became Communities and Local Government if he will make necessary to make these adjustments when guarantees an assessment of the potential efficiency savings which were introduced that ensured that no authority could could be achieved through closer integration of local lose grant, year-on-year, on a like-for-like basis. authority and national park authority (a) planning, Consequently it is not possible to provide the increases (b) personnel and payroll, (c) democratic services and on a like-for-like basis for 1997-98. (d) marketing functions. [302197] The previous year’s formula grant is adjusted for changes in function and funding to enable a like-for-like Mr. Ian Austin: The English National Park Authorities comparison. This is the only purpose of the adjustment: and the Broads Authority are expected to operate as the local authority’s grant for the previous year is not efficiently as possible. This includes sharing services changed. with local authorities or other organisations whenever Formula Grant comprises Revenue Support Grant, that is cost-effective and when they can do so without redistributed business rates, principal formula Police impeding their ability to deliver the statutory National Grant, SSA Reduction Grant (SSA Review), SSA Park purposes. Reduction Grant (Police Funding Review) and Central Support Protection Grant where appropriate. Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State Before 2006-07, support for schools was paid through for Communities and Local Government how much formula grant. In 2006-07 funding for schools was gross revenue has been raised from the parish precept transferred to the Dedicated Schools Grant. That is on council tax in each year since 1997-98. [307218] why all authorities which have responsibility for schools will see a large decrease in their grant between 2005-06 Barbara Follett: The information requested is in the and 2006-07 on an absolute (non like-for-like) basis. following table. Before 2006-07, the main measure of population Parish precepts: England used in the Local Government Finance Settlement was £ million the sub-national estimates. From 2006-07 onwards, sub- 1997-98 144 national population projections were used instead. The 1998-99 154 per head figures have been calculated using the main measure of population used for each settlement. 1999-2000 165 2000-01 181 2001-02 193 Local Government Services: Fees and Charges 2002-03 210 2003-04 226 Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State 2004-05 241 for Communities and Local Government what 2005-06 260 guidance his Department has issued to local authorities 2006-07 279 on the application of the provisions of the Supply of 2007-08 299 Goods and Services Act 1982 to charged-for 2008-09 322 discretionary services. [307085] 1291W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1292W

Barbara Follett: The Department has not issued guidance easing on the levels of Local Government Pension to local authorities on the application of the provisions Scheme pension deficits. [306414] of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 where the local authority charges for discretionary services Barbara Follett: The actuarial valuation exercise by provided by it. Local Government Pension Scheme administering Guidance to local authorities and other best value authorities due in March 2010 will take full account of authorities on the general power to charge for discretionary this, and all the other factors which are relevant to each services is given in guidance issued in 2003 and found of the scheme’s pension funds. at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/localgovernment/ Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State pdf/151291.pdf for Communities and Local Government with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Local Government: Compensation Brentwood and Ongar of 16 February 2006, Official Report, column 2211W, on advanced corporation tax Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State relief, what the monetary value is of the additional sum for Communities and Local Government what that has been provided to mitigate the effect of the requirements there are on local authorities to have a abolition of advanced corporation tax relief on the policy on redress and compensation for failure of their local government pension scheme in each year since services. [307076] 1998. [306753]

Ms Rosie Winterton: Local authorities are expected Barbara Follett: The reply given to the hon. Member to have an effective complaints system that achieves for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) on 16 February redress for citizens if things go wrong. An independent 2006, Official Report, column 2211W, confirmed that review into redress for local authority services, which the value of the £130 million provided in 1998 to offset reported in June 2009, identified that clearly setting out the impact of the abolition of advanced corporation tax what will happen if things go wrong alongside service on the Local Government Pension Scheme has been standards was one of the areas that makes the biggest fully protected through indexation. difference to the customer experience. The evidence considered by the review team showed that the key Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State factor for people in feeling that their concern had been for Communities and Local Government if he will adequately dealt with was not receiving compensation, place in the Library a copy of the most recent annual but having their problem effectively resolved. report of each individual administering authority of A copy of the review is available on the Communities the Local Government Pension Scheme that is held by and Local Government website at his Department. [307116] http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/ gettingitrightreport Barbara Follett: This information is not held centrally. However, administering authorities are required to publish Local Government: Disabled People their annual report locally. A copy of each authority’s report can be obtained from that authority and, in some Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for cases, from their website. Communities and Local Government how many claims for compensation against Chorley Borough Council for Local Government: Per Capita Costs failure to comply with disability equality schemes have been upheld in the last two years. [305342] Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the average Ms Rosie Winterton: This information is not held central Government grant per capita was to (a) district centrally. councils, (b) unitary councils, (c) county councils, (d) metropolitan councils, (e) London boroughs, (f) Local Government: Pensions police authorities and (g) fire authorities in each year since 1997-98. [306890] Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether an Barbara Follett: The average central Government grant assessment has been made of the effect of the per capita for the classes of authority specified since reduction of gilt yields resulting from quantitative 1997-98 is as follows:

£ per head 1999- 1997-98 1998-99 2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

District councils 65 62 63 65 68 71 78 75 79 91 94 98 Unitary councils 604 633 674 728 775 823 951 980 1,042 1,085 1,132 1,201 County councils 501 476 505 549 588 616 691 730 772 800 841 889 Metropolitan 674 723 775 834 897 947 1,097 1,165 1,238 1,288 1,341 1,414 councils London boroughs 801 841 890 947 1,006 1,052 1,184 1,239 1,307 1,355 1,416 1,473 Police authorities1 117 120 122 108 115 118 126 130 136 135 142 145 1293W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1294W

£ per head 1999- 1997-98 1998-99 2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09

Fire authorities2,3 121213999102424222223 1 From 2000-01 onwards Metropolitan Police Authority data are collected within Greater London Authority. Hence separate data are not available. 2 From 2000-01 onwards London Fire and Civil Defence Authority data are collected within Greater London Authority. Hence separate data are not available. 3 From 2004-05 onwards Combined Fire Authorities (CFA) became precepting authorities. Source: Communities and Local Government Revenue Outturn (RO) returns from 1997-98 to 2008-09

The definition of central Government grant used implement, with or without modification, any of the here is the sum of Formula Grant (revenue support unitary proposals before him, or to take no action. grant, redistributed non-domestic rates and police grant), If the Secretary of State decides to implement a Greater London Authority (GLA) grant and specific proposal, he will lay before Parliament a draft of an grants inside Aggregate External Finance (AEF), i.e. order which, if approved, he will make to give effect to revenue grants paid for council’s core services. In past his decision. years, where applicable the SSA reduction grant and Central Support Protection Grants have also been included. Local Government: Standards From 2008-09 it also includes Area Based Grant (ABG). Figures exclude grants outside AEF (i.e. where funding Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State is not for authorities’ core services, but is passed to a for Communities and Local Government what estimate third party, for example, rent allowances and rebates), he has made of the cost to (a) the Audit Commission capital grants, funding for the local authorities’ housing and (b) local authorities of the Comprehensive Area management responsibilities and those grant programmes Assessment regime to date. [306749] (such as European funding) where authorities are simply one of the recipients of funding paid towards an area. Ms Rosie Winterton: Comprehensive Area Assessment Per capita figures are calculated using Office for (CAA) is a joint inspectorate assessment framework National Statistics’ (ONS) Mid-YearPopulation estimates that replaces several preceding assessments and the from 1997 to 2008. annual cost of delivering it spans the relevant inspectorates and their sponsoring Departments. From 2000-01 onwards Metropolitan Police Authority and London Fire and Civil Defence Authority data are The cost to the Audit Commission of its work on collected within Greater London Authority returns. CAA is covered by a mixture of the fees paid by local Hence separate data are not available. authorities and direct grant from the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG). In 2009-10, From 2004-05 Combined Fire Authorities (CFA)became the first year of CAA, the cost is estimated to be £26.9 precepting authorities. Prior to this CFAs levied on million. This is funded by £6.7 million inspection fees county councils’ budget requirements. paid by local authorities, and £20.2 million grant from Comparison across years may not be valid owing to CLG which includes Fire and Rescue Authority work. changing local authority responsibilities. The Use of Resources element of CAA is included in the work of auditors appointed by the Commission Local Government: Reorganisation which is funded by audit fees paid by local authorities. The Audit Commission, on behalf of the joint Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State inspectorates responsible for CAA, has commissioned for Communities and Local Government what an independent evaluation of CAA. This will look at timetable has been set for the restructuring of local implementation and delivery of the new arrangements, government in Norfolk, Suffolk and Devon. [306751] co-ordination across inspectorates and the initial cost to inspected bodies. A report is expected in March 2010. Mr. Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Local Government: Suffolk Communities and Local Government when he expects to lay before Parliament an order to implement unitary Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State local government in Devon, Norfolk or Suffolk. for Communities and Local Government what the cost [306471] to the public purse has been of legal costs associated with the High Court and Court of Appeal cases on the Ms Rosie Winterton: As I told the House on 8 December, Boundary Committee’s Structural Review of Suffolk. Official Report, column 13WS, until 19 January 2010 [306808] representations may be made to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State about the Boundary Committee’s Ms Rosie Winterton: All the legal costs of all the advice on unitary proposals for Devon, Norfolk and parties in this case will fall on the public purse. The Suffolk, and about the unitary proposals made by Exeter, Court of Appeal has made an order requiring the Ipswich and Norwich. councils which initiated the case—Forest Heath district Thereafter, recognising the need to end uncertainty, council, St. Edmundsbury borough council and Suffolk the Secretary of State intends to move forward as Coastal district council—to pay all of the Boundary quickly as practicable. Having regard to the Boundary Committee’s costs in the administrative court and the Committee’s advice, all the representations he receives, Court of Appeal, in addition to their own costs. Whilst and all other relevant information available to him, he we do not hold information as to the amount of the intends to take his statutory decisions as to whether to costs of the authorities or of the Boundary Committee, 1295W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1296W we assess that the Secretary of State’s legal costs, to be (2) which sub-prime lenders have refused to take part met by him as an interested party in the case, are some in the Homeowner Mortgage Support Scheme. [307142] £34,300. John Healey: We have acted rapidly to put in place a Mass Media range of help and support at every stage for households struggling with their mortgage. Homeowners Mortgage Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Support provides a valuable backstop if repossession Communities and Local Government how much has cannot be prevented in other ways by giving struggling been spent by (a) the Homes and Communities borrowers a breathing space to recover their finances. Agency, (b) the Tenant Services Authority, (c) the Lenders covering over 90 per cent. of the residential National Housing and Planning Advice Unit and (d) mortgage market (based on 2008 data from the Council his Department on media monitoring since the start of of Mortgage Lenders) have committed to offering this level of extended forbearance: of these, lenders representing 2009-10. [305967] over 50 per cent. of the market are offering the John Healey: Since the start of financial year 2009-10, Government-backed scheme and over 40 per cent. of the Homes and Communities Agency, has spent £22,658.20 the market are offering similar levels of support through (not including VAT) on media monitoring. The Tenant their own forbearance without the need for Government Services Authority has spent £13,747.70 (including VAT) guarantee. A list of these lenders can be accessed at: and the National Housing and Planning Advice Unit www.direct.gov.uk/hms has identified costs of £756.0 (not including VAT). The The Government are continuing to engage with those Department has spent £266,835 (including VAT) on lenders who have not yet made a clear commitment to media monitoring. The figure for the Department comprises offer Homeowners Mortgage Support. The Financial the subscription charges to the Central Office of Services Authority published the conclusions of its Information’s Media Monitoring Service and externally Mortgage Markets Review in October, setting out plans procured contracts for national and regional press cuttings. to strengthen regulation of arrears management and charges. This is to include converting their current Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for guidance on forbearance into binding rules that prescribe Communities and Local Government how much was a non-exhaustive list of tools that firms must employ to spent by (a) the Homes and Communities Agency, (b) help consumers in arrears, including consideration of the Tenant Services Authority, (c) the National Government schemes put in place to help borrowers. Housing and Planning Advice Unit and (d) his Department on media monitoring in each of the last Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for three years. [305968] Communities and Local Government how many of the accepted offers by households under the Mortgage John Healey: The Homes and Communities Agency Rescue Scheme between January and September 2009 and the Tenant Services Authority were both created on have been recorded as completed. [306919] the 1 December 2008. Between 1 December 2008 and 31 March 2009, the Homes and Communities Agency John Healey: All accepted offers reported by local spent £8,475.30 (not including VAT) on media monitoring. authorities between January and September 2009 had Over the same period, the Tenant Services Authority also been recorded as completed by the end of September spent £10,160.34 (including VAT) on media monitoring. 2009 by the Homes and Communities Agency following The National Housing and Planning Advice Unit were draw down of grant by the registered social landlord. established in February 2007. It did not subscribe to a The data on the Mortgage Rescue Scheme are official media monitoring service in that financial year. For statistics, under which an accepted offer is recorded financial years 2007-08 and 2008-09 figures are not once contracts between the household, lender and registered separately identifiable. social landlord have been signed and finalised. In financial year 2008-09, the Department spent a total of £335,935.13 on media monitoring. The figure Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for for the Department comprises the subscription charges Communities and Local Government how much of the to the Central Office of Information’s Media Monitoring £80 million for the Mortgage Rescue Scheme Service and externally procured contracts for national announced in April has been spent in each region. and regional press cuttings. [307005] In respect of monitoring for financial years 2006-07 and 2007-08, I refer the hon. Member to the answer John Healey: We have acted rapidly to put in place a given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Tooting range of help and support for households struggling (Mr. Khan) to the hon. Member for South-West Surrey with their mortgage at every stage, and launched a (Mr. Hunt) on 29 October 2008, Official Report, columns campaign to ensure households have clear information 1138-39W. about the help available. In April’s Budget we announced increased help for Mortgages: Government Assistance homeowners facing repossession, including an expansion of the mortgage rescue scheme to include households in Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for negative equity. Communities and Local Government (1) how many Data published in November for the July to September and what proportion of mortgage lenders have period show that there were over 1,100 ‘live’ cases, of declined to participate directly in the Homeowner which 690 cases had benefited from action to stop the Mortgage Support Scheme; [306892] immediate threat of repossession and almost 100 households 1297W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1298W had completed the process and been able to remain in Barbara Follett: The following local authorities have their homes. Regional spend to end September is broken reported to Communities and Local Government that down as follows: they granted hardship relief in 2008-09, the latest date for which figures are available: Region Total spend (£) Aylesbury Vale, Barnsley, Basingstoke and Deane, Bedford, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Blyth Valley, Bradford, Brighton and Hove, East Midlands 324,128 Bristol, Broxbourne, Cannock Chase, Castle Morpeth, Charnwood, Eastern 1,577,092 Crewe and Nantwich, Daventry, Derby, Derwentside, Easington, London 803,878 East Devon, East Hampshire, East Lindsey, East Riding of North West 997,539 Yorkshire, East Staffordshire, Eastleigh, Exeter, Forest Heath, South East 950,950 Forest of Dean, Greenwich, Hackney, Harrogate, High Peak, South West 275,159 Horsham, Huntingdonshire, Ipswich, Kennet, Kensington and Chelsea, Kerrier, Kings Lynn and West Norfolk, Kirklees, Knowsley, West Midlands 2,090,657 Leeds, Leicester UA, Lewes, Luton UA, Macclesfield, Mansfield, Yorkshire and Humberside 268,866 Mendip, Mid Bedfordshire, Mid Sussex, Middlesbrough, Milton Total 7,288,269 Keynes, North Cornwall, North East Derbyshire, North East Lincolnshire, North Tyneside, North Warwickshire, Norwich, Purbeck, Redcar and Cleveland, Richmondshire, Rother, Rotherham, Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Salisbury, Sandwell, Scarborough, Sedgemoor, Selby, Sevenoaks, Communities and Local Government when figures for Sheffield, Shepway, Slough, South Bedfordshire, South Derbyshire, the take-up of the (a) Mortgage Rescue Scheme and South Gloucestershire, South Lakeland, South Northamptonshire, (b) Homeowner Mortgage Support Scheme will next South Ribble, St. Albans, Stevenage, Stratford-on-Avon, Stroud, Sutton, Tendring, Tewkesbury, Thanet, Tower Hamlets, Tynedale, be published. [307073] Vale Royal, Wandsworth, Warrington, Waveney, West Devon, West Dorset, West Wiltshire, Westminster, Weymouth and Portland, John Healey: We have acted rapidly to put in place a Wigan, Woking, Wolverhampton, Wychavon, Wycombe, Wyre range of help and support for households struggling Forest. with their mortgage at every stage, and launched a The information was reported on the annual national campaign to ensure households have clear information non-domestic rates (NNDR3) form completed by all about the help available. billing authorities in England. Mortgage Rescue Scheme summary monitoring statistics Data for 2009-10 will not be available until the autumn are published on a quarterly basis on the Department’s of 2010. website. Figures can be accessed using the following link: Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/ Communities and Local Government which 50 statistics/mortgagerescuestatistics individual hereditaments in Greater London have the Statistics for the October—December period will be greatest percentage increase in rateable values from the published on 11 February 2010. 2005 rating list to the draft 2010 rating list; what the Management information on Homeowners Mortgage rateable value was in each case (a) before and (b) after Support was released by the Department on 9 December revaluation; and what the (i) address and (ii) local 2009. Figures can be accessed using the following link: billing authority is in each case. [305815] http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1408110 Barbara Follett: The table shows the billing authority Information on Homeowners Mortgage Support will and the rateable values on the 2005 Rating List and on next be published by spring 2010. the draft 2010 Rating List of the 50 individual hereditaments in Greater London which saw the biggest percentage Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for increase in the period between the two lists, as at 29 Communities and Local Government how many May 2009. These data are consistent with the consultation households in City of York Council area have document titled: “The Transitional Arrangements for participated in the Government’s temporary scheme to the Non-Domestic Rating Revaluation 2010 in England”, reduce the number of mortgage repossessions during published on 8 July 2009. A copy of this can be found at the economic downturn. [307384] the following link: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/ John Healey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I localgovernment/nndrrevaluation2010 gave to the hon. Members for Ashford (Damian Green), No address information other than postcode is held Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) and Preseli Pembrokeshire in the dataset used for the analysis. The address, 2005 (Mr. Crabb) on 14 December, Official Report, columns list rateable value and 2010 draft list rateable value from 914-915W. the live database for each hereditament in the central and local rating lists are published on the Valuation Non-Domestic Rates Office Agency’s website and this information is updated weekly: Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for http://www.voa.gov.uk/ Communities and Local Government which local authorities have exercised their powers under section 49 £ of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to reduce Rateable value on Rateable value on or remit the payment of business rates in cases of the 2005 ratings the draft 2010 Rank Billing authority list ratings list hardship in (a) 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10 on the latest date for which figures are available. [306894] 1 Hackney 1— 11,000 1299W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1300W

revaluation a completely fresh valuation of each property £ is made and it is to be expected that values will change Rateable value on Rateable value on the 2005 ratings the draft 2010 at differential rates reflecting the change in demand for Rank Billing authority list ratings list property over time. The five-yearly business rates revaluations make sure 2 Bromley 1,000 16,000 each business pays its fair contribution and no more by 3 Islington 23,000 450,000 ensuring the share of the national rates bill paid by any 4 Hackney 13,000 225,000 one business reflects changes over time in the value of 5 Haringey 1,000 8,000 their property relative to others. The 2010 revaluation 6 Greenwich 5,000 68,000 will not raise a single extra penny for Government. 7 Bromley 1,000 8,000 Over a million properties will see their business rate 8 Southwark 14,000 185,000 liabilities come down as a result of revaluation. The 9 Harrow 1,000 10,000 Government intend to put in place a £2 billion relief 10 Bromley 3,000 37,000 scheme to limit the impact on the minority with bill 11 Tower Hamlets 10,000 108,000 increases. That is on top of the wider support available 12 Hackney 8,000 83,000 to help ease business pressures including discounted 13 Hillingdon 14,000 141,000 rate bills for small businesses and deferring tax payments. 14 Sutton 1,000 12,000 15 Tower Hamlets 21,000 206,000 Non-Domestic Rates: Ports 16 Brent 1— 3,000 17 Tower Hamlets 1— 3,000 Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for 18 Hackney 6,000 55,000 Communities and Local Government with reference to 19 Wandsworth 1,000 7,000 the answer to the hon. Member for Liverpool, 20 Camden 76,000 665,000 Riverside of 9 November 2009, Official Report, column 21 Richmond 3,000 24,000 upon Thames 75W, on non-domestic rates: ports, if he will place in the Library a copy of the communication received from 22 Tower Hamlets 1— 3,000 the trade association. [306548] 23 City of 8,000 70,000 Westminster 24 Ealing 10,000 84,000 Ms Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the 25 Kensington and 1,000 11,000 answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chelsea Chislehurst on 20 July 2009, Official Report, column 26 Greenwich 6,000 46,000 823-24W. 27 Hammersmith 2,000 17,000 and Fulham Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for 28 Greenwich 2,000 16,000 Communities and Local Government in respect of how 29 Greenwich 3,000 21,000 many individual hereditaments in each port he expects 30 Southwark 6,000 43,000 backdated payments of business rates to be required. 31 Lambeth 13,000 96,000 [307041] 32 Islington 3,000 20,000 Islington 5,000 35,000 Barbara Follett: As of 26 October 2009, there are 727

1 hereditaments within the 45 large statutory ports and 34 Newham — 3,000 container terminals in England with a liability for business 35 Southwark 2,000 14,000 rates backdated to 1 April 2005. 36 Enfield 1,000 3,000 37 Tower Hamlets 11,000 70,000 The Government have listened to the concerns of businesses with significant and unexpected backdated 38 Lambeth 3,000 16,000 bills, including some within ports. It has legislated to 39 Islington 5,000 32,000 allow such bills to be repaid over an unprecedented 40 Barnet 9,000 59,000 eight years period rather than in one single instalment. 41 Barnet 9,000 59,000 This will help affected businesses to manage their cash 42 Barnet 7,000 46,000 flows during the downturn by reducing the amount 43 Enfield 20,000 126,000 they are required to pay immediately by 87 per cent. 44 Tower Hamlets 55,000 350,000 As at 8 October 2009, local authorities have reported 45 Camden 23,000 146,000 that ratepayers occupying 221 properties within ports 46 City of 19,000 121,000 Westminster had fully discharged their backdated liability and ratepayers occupying a further 200 business properties within ports 47 Barnet 2,000 13,000 had been granted a schedule of payments. 48 Newham 4,000 26,000 49 City of 12,000 71,000 Westminster Non-Domestic Rates: Valuation 50 City of London 17,000 100,000 1 Less than £500. Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Note: Communities and Local Government what primary The figures are rounded to the nearest thousand. description codes the Valuation Office Agency uses for Rateable values are based on rental value at a set classifying hereditaments for business rates. [306386] valuation date—1 April 2003 and 1 April 2008 for the 2005 and the new 2010 rating lists respectively. At each Ian Pearson: I have been asked to reply. 1301W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1302W

The primary description codes contained within the Planning Rating Lists will be placed in the Library. Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State Non-Domestic Rates: York for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the written statement of 24 November 2009, Official Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Report, column 38WS, on departmental expenditure Communities and Local Government how many empty limit (2009-10), what the unfunded legal challenges on commercial properties in City of York Council area planning that have required the £400,000 of funding were exempt from commercial rates under the were; and for what reasons each such challenge was Government’s temporary exemption scheme in 2009; made. [307215] what the monetary value was of the rate income foregone; and what the financial effects of such relief Mr. Ian Austin: In 2008 appeals were submitted against on City of York Council were. [307385] non-determination of three planning applications for sustainable urban extensions in Daventry. Funding was Barbara Follett: Data about the number of empty provided to enable West Northamptonshire Development commercial properties in 2009 have not yet been collected. Corporation (WNDC) to be represented at the inquiry. It is planned that these data will be requested from all Further details of the appeals are published on the billing authorities in England as at 31 December 2009. WNDC website: Data on the value of the empty property rate relief http://www.wndc.co.uk/whats_happening_in_my_area/ daventry/daventry_planning_appeals/ granted in 2009-10 will be collected on the annual daventry_planning_appeals_home.aspx national non-domestic rates (NNDR3) form completed by all billing authorities in England after the end of the Property Development: Floods current financial year. Any non-domestic rate relief granted because properties Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for are empty has no financial effect on a billing authority. Communities and Local Government what progress is Any relief granted reduces the amount of national being made on the revision of building regulations to non-domestic rates an authority will be able to collect ensure that new or refurbished buildings in high and subsequently required to contribute to the national flood-risk areas are flood resistant and resilient. non-domestic rates pool. If an authority awards more [305074] relief than envisaged at the budget stage, and consequently collects less non-domestic rates, measures are available Mr. Ian Austin: We continue to take forward policy to the authority to reduce its contribution to the pool development, including on flood resilience and resistance, either within year or after the year has ended. in preparation for a wider public consultation on Parts A (Structure) and C (Site preparation and resistance to North East Economic Forum contaminants and moisture) as set out in the “Future of Building Control—Implementation Plan”. Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for In advance of this, we will also be consulting in the Communities and Local Government what funding (a) spring of 2010 on issues that might be reflected in his Department, (b) the Government Office for the future flood performance standards for new buildings North East and (c) the North East Assembly has and repairs and how they might be incorporated in the provided to the North East Economic Forum in each Building Regulations. This consultation will also inform year since 2005. [305924] decisions on any legislative changes that may be needed in advance of those planned in the “Future of Building Ms Rosie Winterton: The Department for Communities Control”. and Local Government, Government Office for the Public Bodies: Pay North East and the North East Assembly (and its successor body) have not made any payments to the North East Economic Forum. Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to his Department’s publication Amending the accounts Ordnance Survey and audit regulations 2003 (SI 2003 No. 533) to improve the transparency of reporting of remuneration Mr. Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for of senior officials in public bodies: Summary of Communities and Local Government if he will limit responses and Government response, if he will place in the free release of Ordnance Survey data to that in the Library a copy of the full response from the (a) respect of which the Government is a monopoly Association of Council Secretaries and Solicitors, (b) supplier. [307755] Association of Local Authority Chief Executives, (c) Association of Principal Fire Officers, (d) Audit Mr. Ian Austin: The Prime Minister proposed on 17 Commission, (e) Broads Authority, (f) Chartered November to release for free and for reuse, including Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, (g) Fire commercially, some Ordnance Survey data relating to Officers’ Association, (h) GMB-Britain’s General administrative and electoral boundaries, mid-scale mapping Union, (i) Greater Manchester Pension Fund, (j) and postcode areas. The purpose of the forthcoming Information Commissioner’s Office Institute of consultation is to set out the proposal in greater detail Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, (k) Local and to hear feedback, including on the impact on the Government Employers, (l) Merseyside Pension Fund, wider market in which Ordnance Survey operates. (m) National Association of Local Councils and 1303W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1304W

Somerset Association of Local Councils, (n) North Funding (£) Yorkshire Pension Fund Committee, (o) Police Authority Treasurers’ Society, (p) Society of County South East of England Regional Assembly 3,166,628 Treasurers, (q) Society of District Council Treasurers, South West Regional Assembly 2,070,148 (r) Society of Local Authority Chief Executives Enterprises and (s) UNISON. [306437] Allocations for 2010-11 have yet to be made however regional assemblies or local authority leaders’ boards Barbara Follett: The responses on the consultation to have been told that overall resources need to be reduced amend the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003 (SI by 10 per cent. 2003 No. 533) in order to improve the transparency of The structure of local authority leaders’ boards is a reporting of remuneration of senior officials in public matter for each region. Local authorities in a region are bodies were published on the Department for Communities required to consult with stakeholders and submit a and Local Government website on 30 November this scheme establishing the structure to the Secretary of year at the following link: State for approval. Local authority leaders’ boards do http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/ not have additional powers beyond those in respect of localgovernment/1364495 the single regional strategy. Public Houses: Valuation Regional Planning and Development Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many public Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for houses of special category codes 226 and 227 and Communities and Local Government with reference to primary description code CL were on the Valuation the answer of 14 October 2009, Official Report, column Office Agency’s Rating List in each local authority area 1070W, on the Planning and Compulsory Purchase in (a) 1997 and (b) 2009. [306556] Act, what the timetable is for the other regional assemblies to be redesignated as new regional planning Ian Pearson: I have been asked to reply. bodies. [306542] Special category codes 226 and 227 did not refer to Public Houses in the 1995 Rating Lists. However, I have Ms Rosie Winterton: The Local Democracy Economic deposited a table in the Library of the House which Development and Construction Act provides for includes the number of public houses in the Rating participating authorities to make a scheme for the Lists for each local authority in England, with primary establishment and operation of Local Authority Leader’s description code CL, at April 1997 and primary description Boards. The Regional Development Agencies and the code CL and special category codes 226 and 227 at Leader’s Boards will become the Responsible Regional April 2009. Authority in each region who will be responsible for the future revision of their Regional Strategy. Regional Government On the 25 November 2009 the Commencement Orders implementing provisions establishing Leader’s Boards Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State came into effect. Following consultation with stakeholders for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the participating local authorities will submit schemes the answer to the hon. Member for North Dorset of 26 for establishing Local Authority Leader’s Boards to the November 2009, Official Report, column 314W, on Secretary of State for approval. regional government: South West, what the successor There is no fixed timetable but the Regional Strategy body to each regional assembly is; how much funding is elements of the Local Democracy Economic Development being allocated in (a) 2009-10 and (b) 2010-11 to each and Construction Act will commence on the 1st April such body; and what structure and powers each such 2010 at which point the designated Regional Planning body will have that regional assemblies do not. [307213] Body role ceases to exist. We would hope that Leaders Board schemes would be received and approved by Ms Rosie Winterton: Regional assemblies were designated then. as regional planning body with responsibility for drafting the regional spatial strategy.Following the commencement of the Local Democracy Economic Development and Repossession Orders Construction Act the single regional strategy will be jointly prepared by local authority leaders’ boards and Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for regional development agencies. Communities and Local Government how many The funding allocated to regional assemblies or local homes in (a) City of York constituency, (b) Yorkshire authority leaders’ boards in 2009-10 was: and the Humber region and (c) the UK were repossessed in each year since 1979. [307387] Funding (£) Mr. Ian Austin: There are two independent sources of North East Regional Assembly 1,747,000 data on actual numbers of mortgage possessions: The North West Regional Leaders Forum 2,605,910 Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) and the Financial (4NW) Services Authority (FSA). However, both are only available Yorkshire and Humber Assembly 1,969,000 for the United Kingdom as a whole. West Midlands Regional Assembly 2,113,946 The Council of Mortgage Lenders latest press release East Midlands Regional Assembly 2,105,100 on repossessions is on their website at: East of England Regional Assembly £2,077,500 http://www.cml.org.uk/cml/media/press/2357 1305W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1306W

The Financial Services Authority data is available on Mr. Ian Austin: The annual headline figure for rough their website at: sleeping published by the Department, based on local http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pages/Doing/Regulated/Returns/IRR/ authority street counts, does not include information statistics/ on age profile. Shared Ownership Schemes: Yorkshire and the Humber Some information on the age profile of rough sleepers, covering London only, is available from the Combined John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) Communities and Local Government what steps he is database which records information about rough sleepers taking to encourage the development of shared and contacts made by outreach services with rough ownership housing schemes in (a) Leeds and (b) West sleepers. Yorkshire; and if he will make a statement. [306933] Data from the CHAIN database show that of the rough sleepers contacted by outreach services during John Healey: We support people’s aspirations to 2008-09, 8 per cent. are 18-25 years; 26 per cent. are sustainable home ownership and have introduced a 26-35 years; 35 per cent. are 36-45 years, 20 per cent. are number of measures for first time buyers in response to 46-55 years and 11 per cent. are over 55 years. current market conditions. The Homes and Communities For part (b) of the question above, I refer the hon. Agency’s (HCA) principal product for shared ownership Member to the answer I gave him on 15 December is Newbuild Homebuy. This is shared ownership with a 2009, Official Report, column 991W. housing association or partner available to households on annual income of £60,000 or less. Social Rented Housing: Finance In this financial year, so far Yorkshire and the Humber has delivered 211 units of low cost home ownership Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for principally through the National Affordable Housing Communities and Local Government how many Programme. Of these 117 are in West Yorkshire, 20 in funding streams to local authorities and social Leeds. The outturn figures for 2008-09 show 723 units landlords for housing there are (a) in total and (b) of low cost home ownership across Yorkshire and the managed by the Homes and Communities Agency. Humber, 313 in West Yorkshire, 110 in Leeds. [306410] Provision of low cost home ownership is a valuable tool in providing a mix of tenures in sustainable John Healey: Information on Communities and Local communities. HCA works closely with local authorities Government and Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and partners to determine the most appropriate and programme funding streams on housing are set out in sustainable mix of tenures in any given location. the Department’s published annual report 2009, and for the HCA in its published annual report and financial Sheltered Housing statement for 2008-09 and its published corporate plan for 2009-10. Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for The CLG annual report can be found at: Communities and Local Government whether the provisions of the Decent Homes Standard apply to http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/ annualreport09 residents of almshouses who are not in properties managed by registered social landlords. [303518] The HCA report can be found at: http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/Annual-Report- Mr. Ian Austin: The decent homes standard only 2009 applies to social housing providers registered with the Tenant Services Authority. The standard does not apply Social Rented Housing: Standards to charitable organisations but the Almshouses Association can provide advice about accessing funding for Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State improvements. for Communities and Local Government what estimate In order to tackle the worst housing conditions, in he has made of the number and proportion of homes April 2006, we introduced the housing health and safety which have not reached the decent homes standard rating system. This is a new way of assessing properties referred to in the Green Paper on Housing published to make homes safer and applies to all residential by his Department’s predecessor in 2000 by 2010. properties. If a local authority considers that there is a [306750] serious (Category 1) hazard, it has a duty to take the most appropriate action. This can include serving an Mr. Ian Austin: The HCA have estimated using the “improvement notice” on the landlord to remove the latest landlord statistics that we expect 304,700 (8 per Category 1 hazard within a reasonable period of time. cent.) of social homes to be classed as non-decent by It is believed that responsible landlords will need, and the end of 2010. want to be able to identify those factors that may cause Swimming Pools: Valuation hazards and carry out improvements accordingly. Sleeping Rough and Homelessness Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many local Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for authority swimming pools were on the Valuation Office Communities and Local Government what data his Agency’s rating list in England in (a) 1997 and (b) Department holds on the age profile of (a) rough 2009. [306390] sleepers and (b) homeless households; and if he will make a statement. [307211] Ian Pearson: I have been asked to reply. 1307W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1308W

The Valuation Office Agency data did not differentiate HEALTH between local authority and private swimming pools in the 1995 Rating Lists. As at 1 April 1997 a total of 710 Accident and Emergency Departments: Greater London swimming pools were included in the rating lists for England, against special category code (SCAT 282). Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for A special category code (SCAT 272), specific to local Health what estimate he has made of the number of authority swimming pools exists in the current Rating people resident in each constituency who have used Lists. As at 1 April 2009 there were 490 swimming pools accident and emergency services at (a) Whittington recorded against this SCAT code. Hospital, Islington, (b) North Middlesex Hospital, Haringey, (c) Royal Free Hospital, Camden and (d) Local authority swimming pools may also be included University College London Hospital in each of the last in hereditaments listed under other special category five years; and if he will make a statement. [307506] codes, such as that for local authority sports and leisure centres. Information on the number of pools within Mr. Mike O’Brien: This information is not collected hereditaments listed under other special category codes centrally. could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Ambulance Services: Crimes of Violence

Tenant Services Authority: Public Relations Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many physical assaults on staff of NHS ambulance service trusts were reported in each of the Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for last three financial years; [307430] Communities and Local Government who in his Department authorised the Tenant Services Authority (2) how many (a) prosecutions were brought and to enter into a contract with the public affairs company (b) cautions or conditional cautions were issued APCO. [307035] following assaults against NHS staff in ambulance service trusts in each of the last three financial years; [307431] John Healey: The Tenant Services Authority did not seek authorisation from this Department because it was (3) what the average cost per unit is of protective not required to do so. anti-stab vests suitable for use by NHS ambulance trust frontline emergency response personnel; [307580] Part 2, Chapter 2 of the Housing and Regeneration (4) which NHS ambulance trusts (a) do and (b) do Act 2008 (2008 Act) establishes that there will be a not issue protective anti-stab vests as standard to their corporate body known as the regulator for social housing. frontline emergency response personnel; [307581] The regulator is the Tenant Services Authority (TSA); the 2008 Act establishes that it is not a servant of the (5) what guidance has been issued to NHS ambulance Crown and can therefore determine its own procedures. trusts on the provision of protective anti-stab vests for frontline emergency response personnel. [307582]

Thames Gateway Delivery Unit: Public Appointments Ann Keen: Since 2004-05, the number of physical assaults against staff reported by national health service bodies in England has been collected annually by the Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State NHS Security Management Service (SMS). The number for Communities and Local Government on what date of physical assaults on staff of NHS ambulance service each chief executive of the Thames Gateway Delivery trusts in England reported in each of the last three Unit took up the appointment. [306747] financial years is shown in the following table.

Mr. Malik: Judith Armitt, the former chief executive Assaults of the former Thames Gateway Executive took up her 2006-07 1,006 appointment on 1 November 2006. 2007-08 1,465 2008-09 1,240 Town Centres: Government Assistance Information on the numbers of prosecutions, cautions and conditional cautions issued following assaults against NHS staff in ambulance service trusts in each of the Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State last three financial years is not available centrally in the for Communities and Local Government whether (a) format requested and could be obtained only at rural villages and (b) market towns are eligible for disproportionate cost. Since 2004-05, the SMS has collated funding from the Town Centre Initiative Fund. [306833] annual figures on all types of reported criminal sanctions following cases of assault. The number of such sanctions Ms Rosie Winterton: Funding for the initiative was reported in each of the last three financial years is allocated by considering areas in England within the shown in the following table. top half of the index of multiple deprivation that also had higher shop vacancy rates. We recognise that rural Criminal sanctions areas have also been affected by the downturn and 30 2006-07 142 per cent. of local authorities receiving grants under the 2007-08 237 recent announcement earlier this month are from rural 2008-09 241 areas. 1309W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1310W

Criminal sanctions include: Mr. Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health cautions and conditional cautions; what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the community rehabilitation or punishment orders; implementation of New Horizons will help meet the needs of people with autism who also have mental imprisonment, including suspended sentences; health problems. [307310] conditional discharges; and fines. Phil Hope: The New Horizons document recognises Information on the average cost per unit is of protective that there are many social groups who either engage less anti-stab vests suitable for use by NHS ambulance trust well with services or those who are at higher risk of frontline emergency response personnel is not available developing mental health problems and of social exclusion. centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate The needs of people with mental health conditions cost. who also have other issues such as those with a learning Decisions on providing protective equipment for disability or autism will be further addressed as part of ambulance service staff, whether as standard or following the developing programme of work. risk assessment, are for the employing trusts to make. “Valuing People Now” sets out the importance of Information on which NHS ambulance trusts issue enabling people with learning disabilities who have mental protective anti-stab vests as standard to their frontline health support needs to get the appropriate assessment emergency response personnel is not available centrally. and treatment they require delivered in the right place. The SMS can assist employers through guidance on In particular, they need to be able to access mainstream assessing risks and acting to protect staff and, where mental health services. Strategic health authorities, primary incidents do occur, on taking action against offenders. care trusts and providers need to ensure that they The SMS also works with stakeholders, including the commission services and develop care pathways that Social Partnership Forum, to promote the safety and address the needs of people with learning disabilities security of NHS staff. In 2006 the SMS issued the who also have mental health support needs. results of a study into the use of protective equipment The Department is currently drafting a strategy for for ambulance staff, conducted as part of the “Safer adults with autistic spectrum condition and will seek to Hospitals Project”. The information provided in this ensure that this work is closely aligned to “New Horizons”. study informs ambulance trusts on the issues they should consider when assessing whether to provide protective Copies of both documents have already been placed anti-stab vests for frontline emergency response personnel. in the Library.

Ambulance Services: Standards Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Trust

Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State Health what guidance has been issued to NHS for Health how many visits members of his ambulance trusts on establishing criteria to use in Department have made to Basildon and Thurrock setting target response times for Category C patients NHS Trust in the last five years; and what the date and who require an ambulance response. [307429] purpose of each visit was. [307700]

Mr. Mike O’Brien: Since 1 October 2004, local national Phil Hope: The Department keeps records of ministerial health service organisations have had responsibility for visits dating back to January 2007. The following ministerial managing and monitoring the ways in which local services visits were undertaken during the period January 2007- respond to Category C calls (i.e. those presenting conditions December 2009. To provide figures for visits by that are not immediately serious or life threatening). departmental officials would be possible only at disproportionate costs. Autism Visits Mr. Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Alan Johnson what plans he has for the future role of the External 30 July 2007 Tour facilities and staff engagement session, toured Reference Group on autism strategy following the cardiothoracic centre and mental health unit, met submission of its report to his Department. [307321] with staff and patients; staff engagement session 4 October 2007 Tour of building, official opening of cardiothoracic centre and engagement with staff Phil Hope: The External Reference Group (ERG) has made an invaluable contribution to the development of the autism strategy and we look forward to continuing Lord Darzi to work with them in the delivery of that strategy. 4 October 2007 Tour of building, official opening of cardiothoracic centre and engagement with staff Consultation with the ERG is a vital part of the development process, we will be looking for them to comment on the draft strategy, as well as discuss how Cancer: Health Services the recommendations from the ERG report will be taken forward. Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health We will also be looking for their input into the what auditing procedures are used to verify the quality communications plan for the launch and dissemination and the consistency of the head and neck cancer of the strategy, and the consultation on guidance for treatment data received by the Three Counties Cancer commissioners and providers, due in late 2010. Network from Gloucestershire Royal hospital. [307240] 1311W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1312W

Ann Keen: The information requested is not held due to use of cannabinoids, under the care of a mental centrally. The hon. Member may wish to approach health consultant. This information is shown in the Gloucestershire primary care trust, which is acting on following table. behalf of the three counties cancer network, for this Data are not collected centrally about the numbers information directly. treated for cannabis-related mental illness in primary care. Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Finished admission episodes with a primary diagnosis of mental and what assessment he has made of the merits of a behavioural disorders due to use of cannabinoids: activity in English two-site head and neck cancer surgical centre model, national health service hospitals and English NHS-commissioned based at Worcestershire Royal hospital and activity in the independent sector 2004-05 to 2008-09 under consultant Gloucestershire Royal hospital; and if he will make a mental health specialties statement. [307241] 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 Total all ages 752 786 616 579 519 Ann Keen: No such assessment has been undertaken Aged 18 years or over 708 745 570 553 499 by the Department. It is for the three counties cancer network to plan and develop appropriate cancer services, Aged under 18 years 44 41 32 26 19 including those relating to head and neck cancer, in the Age not known 0 0 14 0 1 Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire areas. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care. Cancer: Leeds Care Homes: Fees and Charges

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State what the survival rate for patients with cancer at each for Health with reference to Local Authority Circular hospital in Leeds was in each of the last 20 years. (2001)10 on charges for residential accommodation, [306954] under what circumstances a local authority is permitted to terminate its contract with the care provider for the Ann Keen: The information is not available in the 12-week property disregard; and whether the disregard format requested. Information on one-year and five-year continues to qualify for an individual who sells their survival rates for all cancers combined are not routinely home before the end of the 12-week period. [307697] produced. The “Cancer Reform Strategy’s”second annual report, “Achieving Local Implementation”, includes the Phil Hope: Local authorities have a duty to provide latest one-year survival information on the number of residential care for people who are assessed as needing cancer patients alive one year after diagnosis for the such care but are unable to pay for it. Under regulation three major cancers, breast, colorectal and lung. A copy 20 of the National Assistance (Assessment of Resources) of the report has already been placed in the Library. Regulations 1992, no one shall be assessed as being The information that is available is shown in the following unable to pay for their own residential care if their table: capital exceeds £23,000. It is for each local authority to Leeds primary care trust (PCT) decide whether it has a duty to provide care for an One-year survival rates individual, taking all the available information into (percentage) 2006 account and taking its own legal advice where appropriate.

Breast cancer 95.4 For up to 12 weeks from the date a person is provided with local authority supported permanent residential Colorectal cancer 70.8 care for the first time, the value of the dwelling the Lung cancer 28.5 person would otherwise normally occupy as their only Notes: 1. The second annual report of the “Cancer Reform Strategy: Achieving or main residence is disregarded from the financial Local Implementation”, can be accessed via: assessment. If a person sells their home within the www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/ 12-week period, the disregard ceases to have effect from PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_109338 the date of the sale. 2. The figures are for 2006, as this is the latest available from the national cancer information service. If the resident has more than £23,000 in capital, including the money from the sale of their main or only Cannabis: Misuse residence, they will be assessed as being able to pay and should contract for their own residential care. If the resident has less than £23,000, the local authority contract Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health should continue and the money from the sale will be how many (a) people and (b) people under 18 years taken into account in the financial assessment for charging old were treated for cannabis-induced psychosis in each purposes. of the last five years. [307362] Departmental Art Works Phil Hope: Data are not collected centrally about how many people were treated for cannabis-induced Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State psychosis each year because data counts patient episodes, for Health how much his Department spent on art not individual patient numbers, and individual patients works in the last 12 months. [306442] may be seen more than once during each year. Data are collected centrally about the number of Phil Hope: Works of art displayed in the Department finished hospital admission episodes for patients with a are from the Government Art Collection (GAC), which primary diagnosis of mental and behavioural disorders publishes an annual list of acquisitions. The most recent 1313W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1314W details of acquisitions made by the GAC were published years; for what purposes such payments were made; on 5 October 2009 and are available on the GAC and if he will place in the Library a copy of the website: contract under which such payments were made. www.gac.culture.gov.uk/information/publications.asp [305252]

Departmental Manpower Mr. Mike O’Brien: Payments were made to perform a range of duties relating to media and communications Mr. Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health services, including relations with trade and general media, how many staff of his Department were in its events, press work and general public affairs advice: redeployment pool on 1 (a) January, (b) April, (c) July and (d) October 2009. [306715] £

Phil Hope: The numbers of displaced staff in the 2007-08 2,796.50 Department on the requested dates are presented in he 2008-09 68,776.95 following table. 2009-10 32,086.10 The NHS Information Centre will liaise with the Month Number of displaced staff Department’s sponsor to ensure the relevant contracts January 2009 16 are placed in the Library. April 2009 23 Departmental Training July 2009 12 October 2009 14 Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State Departmental Public Relations for Health how much (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have spent on away days in the last 12 months; and what the (i) subject and (ii) location of each away Mr. Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health day was. [306406] what payments NHS Blood and Transplant has made to Fishburn Hedges in the last 12 months; for what Phil Hope: The Department is strongly committed to purpose; and if he will place in the Library a copy of developing its staff and equipping them with the skills, the contract under which such payments have been knowledge and expertise they need to carry out their made. [305167] work. Away days make a significant contribution to such development. Gillian Merron: NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) has paid £94,458.18 to Fishburn Hedges over the past Away days are typically arranged by individual teams 12 months for a project manager recruited through that in the Department and involve activities such as work company.The project manager has developed and manages planning, skills development and strategic thinking. No NHSBT’s organ donation public awareness campaign, central records of these events are kept and extracting which was launched in November 2009, and which is the necessary data from local sources would entail due to run until spring 2010. A copy of the job description contacting approximately 200 teams and asking them to for this post has been placed in the Library. search for and retrieve the necessary information. To collect this information task in the core Department Mr. Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health would incur disproportionate costs. what payments the NHS Information Centre has made The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency has arranged to Grayling Political Strategy in each of the last three the following away days in the last 12 months:

Date Subject Location Spend (£)

28 January 2009 Corporate Services team development Birmingham 1,071.52 11 February 2009 Procurement Enablement team development Hinckley 5,499.51 15 April 2009 Change Management Group team development Warwick University 608.16 30 April 2009 Sourcing staff development Solihull 819.79 17 August 2009 Centre for Evidence-based Purchasing Eynsham Hall 2,552.66 Total 10,551.64

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has arranged the following away days in the last 12 months:

Division Date Subject Location Cost (£)

Licensing 8 January 2009 Licensing Division Missenden Abbey 9,931.26 Managers SDI Conference Centre, teambuilding and Buckinghamshire communication improvement event 1315W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1316W

Division Date Subject Location Cost (£)

IE and S 19 January 2009 GLP/GCP/PV Away Day Node Conference Centre, 2,389.60 Hertfordshire Devices Medical 6 February 2009 Clinical Targets, Business The Royal Horseguards, 588.80 Planning, Value for money Whitehall, London and efficiency (Managers’ Away Day) Devices Medical 6 February2009 Away Day Penn, Buckinghamshire 0.00 Executive Board 24 February 2009 Executive Board Away Springs Hotel, 5,243.95 Day Wallingford, Oxfordshire Policy 9 March 2009 Training/development day Windrush Exhibition, 649.75 on diversity Imperial War Museum, Lambeth, London VRMM 13 March 2009 SDI teambuilding event/ Brit Oval, Kennington, 6,285.13 VRMM Information for London Public Health Group Away day Directorate 26 March 2009 Directorate Away Day/ Institute of Directors, Pall 834.00 Belbin team roles and Mall, London work planning Device Technology and Safety 23 April 2009 Away Day Athenaeum Hotel, 868.50 Piccadilly, London Human Resources 6 May 2009 FIRO-B teambuilding Wallacespace, Covent 2,900.00 event Garden, London Licensing 8 May 2009 ECSSM Away Day/Belbin Brit Oval, Kennington, 1,863.58 team roles London VRMM 15 June 2009 VRMM Management London Marriott Hotel 1,717.39 Away day County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London Communications 26 June 2009 CCM—Strategy day Wallacespace, Covent 3,198.50 Garden, London IE and S 17 August 2009 Leadership Team Awayday Regency Hotel, South 448.00 Kensington, 100 Queen’s Gate, London SW7 5AG VRMM 10 September 2009 VRMM Therapeutic Brit Oval, Kennington, 1,715.23 Review Group Away day London Device Technology and Safety 17 September 2009 Away Day Athenaeum Hotel, 810.00 Piccadilly, London Communications 25 September 2009 Information Centre Away Chelsea Physic Garden, 1,154.00 Day Central London Policy 27 October 2009 Training/development day Jodrell Laboratory, Kew 65.00 Gardens, London Policy 3 November 2009 Policy Skills and Business Riverside Park Plaza, 1,419.00 Planning Albert Embankment, London IE and S 17 November 2009 Away Day Hitchin Priory, 2,119.37 Hertfordshire IE and S 25 November 2009 Team Building Event The Belfry, Birmingham 2,743.44 VRMM 8 December 2009 VRMM Signal The Raceway, Docklands, 2,700.00 Management Group Away London day Comms 15 December 2009 Senior Manager Away day Brighton 2,805.00 Total 52,449.50

Dietetics: Training Training places commissioned Academic year Number

Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 2006/07 413 how many four year dietetics degrees were funded by 2007/08 384 his Department in each of the last five years. [307077] 2008/09 388 Source: Ann Keen: The number of training places on four Non-Medical Education Training Quarter 4 Monitoring Returns year dietetics degree courses which were commissioned by the strategic health authorities in the last five years are shown in the following table. Dieticians: Vacancies Training places commissioned Academic year Number Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies for registered dieticians at band 5 2004/05 306 were advertised by NHS trusts in each of the last 10 2005/06 386 years. [304165] 1317W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1318W

Ann Keen: It is not possible to identify band 5 dieticians Ann Keen: The information requested is not collected from the NHS Vacancy Survey. The following table centrally. Information on the different types of ward in gives the total number of vacancies for the whole dietetic each hospital in Leeds may be obtained from local speciality for 2007, 2008 and 2009. It is not possible to national health service organisations in the Leeds area. identify this speciality for earlier years. Kidney Dialysis: Yorkshire and the Humber England Total vacancy numbers

2007 30 John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 2008 12 how many hospitals in (a) West Yorkshire and (b) [306995] 2009 186 Leeds provide kidney dialysis treatment.

Food Standards Agency: Conferences Ann Keen: The information requested is not collected centrally. Information on hospitals that provide kidney Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for dialysis treatment is collected by the UK Renal Registry. Health how many (a) away days and (b) conferences The annual reports containing analysis of data from that took place outside the Food Standards Agency’s 1997 to 2008 can be found on the Renal Registry’s buildings attended by civil servants in that Agency website: there have been since 2005; and what the cost was of www.renalreg.com/Reports/reports.html each. [307460] Leeds Gillian Merron: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has spent approximately £581,117.74 on conference and John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health away days since 2004-05. (1) how much capital spending his Department has Away days and conference attendance are not accounted made in Leeds West constituency in the last three years; for separately in the FSA, and to provide this breakdown [306940] would incur disproportionate cost as the information is (2) how much capital spending his Department has not held centrally. made in the Leeds city area in the last three years. Health Education: Internet [306941]

Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Mike O’Brien: The information is not available Health what the cost to his Department was of in the format requested. Information is available at developing the NHS Drinks Counter application for national health service organisation level. The following the iPhone. [307254] table shows the charge against the capital resource limit for the years shown for the NHS organisations in Leeds. Gillian Merron: NHS Choices developed the iPhone drinks tracker application as part of a package of £000 interactive tools that also included a universal mobile Name 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 phone tool. The total cost for the universal mobile Leeds Teaching Hospitals 43,853 46,852 43,523 phone and iPhone applications was £10,000. NHS Trust Between launch on 1 December and 9 December the Leeds Partnerships NHS 1,352 268 n/a iPhone application has been downloaded by over 35,000 Foundation Trust individuals and has remained in the top 10 most popular Leeds Primary Care Trust 829 2,511 4,245 iPhone applications on iTunes. It is number one in the Notes: health and fitness category. The charge against the capital resource limit is calculated as follows: (a) Gross capital expenditure in accruals terms for the period; Hospital Beds: Greater London (b) Less the net book value of assets disposed of; (c) Plus any loss on disposal of donated assets; James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for (d) Less capital grants received; and Health how many intensive care beds are available at (e) Less donations. The Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust was authorised as a each London acute hospital; and what recent estimate foundation trust on 1 August 2007. The figure for 2007-08 is consequently he has made of their rate of occupancy. [305082] for the part of the year that the organisation was a NHS Trust. The 2006-07 figure is for the Leeds Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust Mr. Mike O’Brien: Tables showing the requested (as it was known prior to obtaining foundation trust status). The information have been placed in the Library. Table 1 Department does not collect data from foundation trusts, so there is lists the latest published data for critical and intensive no figure for 2008-09. care bed occupancy at trust and strategic health authority Source: Audited summarisation schedules. level for London. Table 2 lists the latest published data for adult critical care bed availability for London, which Mentally Ill: Homicide is more recent than the data for bed occupancy and availability in table 1. Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Hospital Wards: Leeds Health what recent estimate he has made of the cost of conducting a mental health homicide investigation. John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health [307265] how many (a) male-only wards, (b) female-only wards, (c) mixed sex wards and (d) wards divided by Phil Hope: Strategic health authorities commission partition into sexes there are in each hospital in Leeds. independent investigations into adverse events in mental [306579] health services, including homicides committed by mental 1319W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1320W health service users. The Department does not collect Summary Care Record, (f) the Additional Supply routine information or cost data on such local investigations, Capacity and Capability Framework, (g) GP Systems and nor has there been a national estimate of their cost. of Choice, (h) GP2GP transfer, (i) HealthSpace and (j) the interoperability toolkit. [307208] NHS Connecting for Health: Consultants Mr. Mike O’Brien: These decisions remain to be Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State taken. They will depend partly on the outcome of for Health how much Connecting for Health spent on discussions with suppliers about the potential for reductions each of its consultancies in each financial year since to the scope of the systems. We will also look carefully 2003-04. [304242] at the savings that can be made from the costs of managing delivery of the programme. Mr. Mike O’Brien: Comprehensive information is not available in the form requested and could be obtained Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State only at disproportionate cost. for Health pursuant to the National programme for IT NHS: Essex in the NHS: Project Progress Report of 16 May 2008, how much of the National programme for IT £3.6 billion budget for local costs has been spent in each Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for local service provider region; and whether he plans to Health when he was first informed of the Care Quality amend the budget for the programme in the next 12 Commission’s concerns about the (a) Basildon and months. [307277] Thurrock NHS Foundation Trust and (b) Colchester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. [303860] Mr. Mike O’Brien: Expenditure information is not Andy Burnham: The Department was informed by available in the form requested. The figure of £3,586 the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on 13 October million for local costs is an estimate that was made by that it would issue Basildon and Thurrock NHS Foundation the National Audit Office (NAO) in their report The Trust with a warning notice following a healthcare National programme for IT in the NHS : Progress since associated infection inspection by CQC on 8 October. 2006’. The NAO did not provide an estimate of the CQC continued discussions with the trust, the primary costs incurred by individual local service providers. care trust and Monitor regarding wider concerns about the trust, including persistently high mortality rates and NHS: Ministers of Religion issues relating to the trust’s accident and emergency department. Subsequently, the Commission formally John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health invited Monitor to use its powers of intervention to what funding is available for the support and address the failings identified. CQC informed the recruitment of multi-faith chaplains in hospitals in Department on 25 November that it had invited Monitor 2009-10. [306924] to intervene at the trust. The CQC did not contact the Department regarding Ann Keen: National health service trusts are responsible Colchester NHS Foundation Trust. The intervention at for delivering religious and spiritual care in a way that Colchester has been taken by Monitor. meets the diverse needs of their patients. We are committed NHS: Information and Communications Technology to the principle of ensuring that patients and staff in the NHS have access to the spiritual care that they want, whatever faith or belief system they follow. The Department Mr. Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health recognises the important role played by faith communities what the evidential basis is for his determination that in supporting the NHS and has made available a total the NHS National programme for IT is not essential; of £186,000 from central funding to support a multi-faith and when his Department was first informed of this based approach to chaplaincy. evidence. [307059]

Mr. Mike O’Brien: The national programme for John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health information technology in the national health service is what his Department’s policy is on support for a key part of delivering modern, safe, joined-up healthcare, multi-faith chaplaincy in hospitals; and if he will make without which the NHS could not now function. It is a statement. [307001] always right to look for efficiencies and value for money on all major projects. Ann Keen: The Department recognises that we live in a diverse society and is committed to responding sensitively Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State and appropriately to the needs of patients and staff of for Health pursuant to his contribution of 7 December diverse backgrounds, including faith communities. All 2009, Official Report, column 21, what estimate he has national health service organisations must take account made of the proposed £500 million efficiency saving for of the religious, cultural and dietary requirements of the National programme for IT will be derived from the multi-cultural and spiritually diverse communities (a) the Local Service Provider Detailed Care Record they serve. The delivery of multi-faith chaplaincy in Service managed by BT for London and the South of hospitals is a matter for local determination. However, England, (b) the Local Service Provider Detailed Care we expect NHS trusts to follow the guidance “NHS Record Service managed by CSC for the North, Chaplaincy: Meeting the Religious and Spiritual Needs Midlands and East of England, (c) Choose and Book, of Patients and Staff (November 2003)”, a copy of (d) the Electronic Prescription Service, (e) the which has already been placed in the Library. 1321W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1322W

Pharmacy: Health Services will close on 23 February 2010 and a response to the document will be published subsequently. The equality Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for impact assessment screening template has been published Health what recent representations he has received on alongside the consultation document. Both documents proposals to allow general practitioners to sell over- are available on the Department’s website at: the-counter medicine. [306482] www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/ DH_109139 Mr. Mike O’Brien: None. A copy has already been placed in the Library.

Social Services Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to Tables 1 and 2 of the Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State impact assessment for the Personal Care at Home Bill, for Health with reference to Annex B, footnote 4 of the from which paragraphs of the report by the Personal Impact Assessment for the Personal Care at Home Bill; Social Services Research Unit the figures were taken; for what reasons data from West Berkshire was used; and which figures in the impact assessment were taken and whether his Department holds equivalent data for from modelling which has not yet been published. other local authorities. [304806] [306479]

Phil Hope: The model referred to in paragraphs 5.12, Phil Hope: Table 1 of the Impact Assessment is 5.13 and Annex B of the impact assessment is still derived from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging. under development. For this reason, its output has not For further detail of how the figures in table 1 were been incorporated into any of the figures reported in produced, I refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave the impact assessment. The model will continue to be to him on 8 December 2009, Official Report, column updated and refined as more information becomes available. 290W, 9 December 2009, Official Report, column 495W, The experience of West Berkshire was used because and 14 December 2009, Official Report, column 762W. its clients have been assessed as having high needs under The figures for older people in table 2 of the Impact “Fair Access to Care Services”. The Department does Assessment are derived from the figures in table 1 and not hold equivalent data for other councils. the output of Personal Social Services Research Unit’s (PSSRU) micro-simulation model for older people. The Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State specific output from the model used to produce the for Health with reference to paragraph 3.1 of the figures in table 2 is not included in the PSSRU technical Impact Assessment for the Personal Care at Home Bill, report and has not otherwise been published. in what ways he expects the policy to encourage better working between the health and social care systems. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on [304811] 14 December 2009, Official Report, column 763W for detail on the derivation of the numbers of residential Phil Hope: The Personal Care at Home Bill is a step care and informal care switchers. The simple model towards setting up a new national care service. Our used to determine the flows into and out of residential Green Paper, “Shaping the Future of Care Together”, care has not been published. The logistic regression which has already been placed in the Library, set out model used to estimate the number of informal care our vision for a national care service that promotes switchers is explained in the reply I gave to the hon. better joined-up working between health, housing and Member on 8 December 2009, Official Report, column social care services. 290W. The consultation on the Green Paper closed on The estimate of 110,000 younger adults eligible for November 13, 2009 and we will publish a White Paper free personal care at home is based principally on the early in 2010. Also feeding into the White Paper will be Referrals, Assessments and Packages of care (RAP) the work of the ministerial group on integration of data from councils for 2007-081. health and social care services, which has met four times Fair Access To Care Services (FACS) guidance on with a purpose of identifying what has worked well in eligibility for local authorities establishes four levels of different parts of the country, as well as what the eligibility for services. These are critical, substantial, evidence tells us, to help push forward joined-up working. moderate and low, with critical representing the highest level of social care need. Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to paragraph 7.3 of the The RAP data shows 82,000 younger users of local Impact Assessment for the Personal Care at Home Bill, authority home care and 35,000 younger users of direct whether local authorities with significant rural payments on 31 March 2008—out of 395,000 younger populations would receive a proportionate uplift in recipients of community-based services. It is not known funding if the Personal Care at Home Bill were what proportion of the 117,000 who receive personal enacted; if he will place in the Library a copy of the care and are in the critical need group, but it is expected outcomes of the screening equality impact assessment; that they would be the majority. and if he will publish the full equality impact Therefore, for the purposes of the impact assessment, assessment before the end of December 2009. [304857] it is assumed that there could be some 100,000 younger adult local authority funded users receiving personal Phil Hope: Questions on both funding formulae for care in the critical category. It is likely that most of councils and equality are included in the current them receive their care free, as their incomes are generally consultation and comments are invited. The consultation low. It has therefore been assumed that 90 per cent., 1323W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1324W already receive free personal care at home and that 10 each year is if the assumptions of the impact per cent., make a means-tested contribution towards assessment of the Personal Care at Home Bill are the cost. applied regardless of uncertainty. [307725] Little is known about the number of younger adults who currently fund their own care at home. It has been Phil Hope: We cannot reasonably make these assumed that approximately a further 10,000 younger extrapolations because of the levels of uncertainty. adults may be brought under state funding following Such uncertainties include the unknown detail of any the introduction of the Personal Care at Home Bill. future National Care Service and the unknown future economic climate. No specific estimate of a margin of error has been made. However, the figures have been rounded to the It is not possible to reasonably extrapolate what nearest 10,000 to reflect the uncertainty. The figure of effects such uncertainties may have on costs at the 110,000 should therefore be treated as an estimate. present time. For information on the derivation of the estimated Swine Flu: Vaccination additional administration costs, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 14 December 2009, Official Report, column 765W. Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 1 pursuant to the answer of 5 November 2009, Official The RAP data for 2007-08 can be found at: Report, columns 1170-1W, on influenza: Herefordshire, www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/social-care/ how many H1N1 influenza vaccines were delivered (1) adult-social-care-information/community-care-statistics-2007- to Herefordshire by (a) the end of November 2009 and 2008:-referrals-assessments-and-packages-of-care-for-adults- england-provisional-council-data (b) the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement; [307281] Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State (2) into his Department’s central warehouse by (a) for Health whether the regulatory impact assessment the end of November 2009 and (b) the latest date for for the Personal Care Bill assumes that 14,815 people which figures are available; how many of the H1N1 per month are to be given access to reablement. influenza vaccines were distributed to locations [307687] nationwide; and if he will make a statement. [307282]

Phil Hope: A flow of 14,815 per month is derived Gillian Merron: 31,000 doses (30,000 Pandemrix and from the modelling assumptions listed in Annex B of 1,000 Celvapan) of H1N1 influenza vaccine had been the impact assessment. However, since we do not know delivered to Herefordshire by the end of November for certain what proportion of people already benefit 2009. As at 9 December 2009, 38,500 doses (37,500 from re-ablement, for the purposes of the impact assessment Pandemrix and 1,000 Celvapan) had been delivered to we have assumed that 130,000 people will receive Herefordshire. re-ablement over the course of a year. In addition, since 16.3 million doses (14 million Pandemrix and 2.3 we have not formally incorporated the anticipated benefits million Celvapan) of H1N1 influenza vaccines were of re-ablement services in the impact assessment’s headline delivered into the Department’s central warehouse by figures, we believe we have been conservative about the the end of November 2009. As at 9 December 2009, number of people that may actually receive re-ablement. 19.2 million doses (16.1 million Pandemrix and 3.1 The model referred to in paragraphs 5.12, 5.13 and million Celvapan) had been delivered into the Department’s Annex B of the impact assessment is still under central warehouse. At midday on 9 December 2009, development. For this reason, its output has not been 13.2 million doses (12.6 million Pandemrix and 0.6 incorporated into any of the figures reported in the million Celvapan) of H1N1 influenza vaccines had impact assessment. The model will continue to be updated been distributed to locations nationwide. and refined as more information becomes available. Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health We cannot reasonably make these extrapolations because what his estimate is of the number of health service of the levels of uncertainty. Such uncertainties include staff eligible for the H1N1 influenza vaccine; and how the unknown detail of any future national care service many health service staff have received the H1N1 and the unknown future economic climate. influenza vaccine to date. [307283]

Mr. Stephen O’Brien: To ask the Secretary of State Gillian Merron: The estimated number of frontline for Health pursuant to the answer of 7 December 2009, national health service health care workers involved in Official Report, column 166W, on social services, (1) if direct patient care in England eligible for H1N1 swine he will extrapolate the cost in each year to 2030 to the flu vaccination is about one million. Exchequer of free personal care on the basis that there By week ending 6 December 2009, an estimated are no uncertainties and the assumptions of the 300,000, NHS frontline health care workers involved in regulatory impact assessment remains applicable in direct patient care had received H1N1 vaccine. each year; [307688] (2) what areas of uncertainty the Department has Written Questions: Government Responses identified; and whether each one is likely to result in (a) increased or (b) decreased costs; [307689] Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for (3) pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2009, Health when he plans to respond to Question 300313, Official Report, column 497W, on social services, what on commissioning of elective health service treatments, the figure for personal care funded from the public tabled on 18 November for answer on 25 November purse in (a) 2015, (b) 2020, (c) 2025 and (d) 2030 for 2009. [307608] 1325W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1326W

Gillian Merron: I refer the right hon. Member to the Joan Ruddock: The 2009-10 obligation period finishes answer given on 15 December 2009, Official Report, on 31 March 2010. Records for the number of renewables column 1049W. obligation certificates issued to Biomass power stations can be found on the renewable and CHP Register at: https://www.renewablesandchp.ofgem.gov.uk/Public/ ReportManager.aspx?ReportVisibility=1&ReportCategory=0 ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE From 1 April 2009 banding of renewable technologies was introduced. As a result of this dedicated biomass Biofuels stations using regular biomass will receive 1.5 ROCs per MWh while those using energy crops will receive 2 ROCs per MWh. Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy The monetary value of ROCs is dependent on the and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the buy out price and recycle value. However, the actual monetary value of the average annual allocation of amount a generator sells a ROC for is subject to commercial renewables obligation certificates to each of the negotiation between a generator and supplier. biomass power stations which are under construction. [307627] The buy out price for ROCs per MWh and the recycle value per ROC in the current and preceding obligation Joan Ruddock: The monetary value of ROCs is periods can be found in the following table. dependent on the buy out price and recycle value. Buyout price per Recycle Value per However, the actual amount a generator sells a ROC for Obligation period MWh (£) ROC presented (£) is subject to commercial negotiation between a generator and supplier. The buy out price for each ROC per MWh 2002-03 30.00 115.94 is announced in February prior to the obligation period 223.55 it applies to and the recycle value is determined by the 2003-04 30.51 122.92 compliance level for that obligation period. 223.70 Generators will receive ROCs for each MWh of eligible 2004-05 31.59 113.66 renewable electricity generated, once they are accredited, 219.99 depending on the technology type and fuel used. Details 2005-06 32.33 10.21 can be found on the RO website: 2006-07 33.24 16.04 http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/ 2007-08 34.30 18.65 uk_supply/energy_mix/renewable/policy/renew_obs/ 2008-09 35.76 18.54 renew_obs.aspx 2009-10 37.19 3— 1 England and Wales Biofuels: Power Stations 2 Scotland 3 Current Obligation Period Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Capita and Climate Change what the monetary value was of the renewables obligation certificate allocated to each Mr. Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy biomass power station in operation in 2009-10. [307628] and Climate Change what meetings (a) each Minister and (b) officials in his Department and its Joan Ruddock: The 2009-10 obligation period finishes predecessors have had with Capita Group plc on the on 31 March 2010. Records for the number of renewables administration of the miners’ compensation schemes obligation certificates issued to biomass power stations since the inception of those schemes. [303417] can be found on the Renewable and CHP Register at: https://www.renewablesandchp.ofgem.gov.uk/Public/ Mr. Kidney: Capita became the Department’s claims ReportManager.aspx?ReportVisibility=1&ReportCategory=0 handling contractor for the Coal Health Compensation From 1 April 2009 banding of renewable technologies schemes in 2004 following their acquisition of the contract was introduced. As a result of this, dedicated biomass from another supplier. Capita secured the current contract stations using regular biomass will receive 1.5 ROCs per for a further period following a competitive process and MWh, while those using energy crops will receive two that contract commenced in August 2006. The current ROCs per MWh. contract is due to end on 30 July 2011. The monetary value of ROCs is dependent on the Ministers have not been directly involved in operational buy out price and the recycle value. However, the actual meetings with Capita but are kept up dated on progress. amount a generator sells a ROC for is subject to commercial At official level the core governance arrangements for negotiation between a generator and supplier. The buy managing the contract and Capita’s role are by monthly out price for each ROC per MWh issued in 2009-10 is contract and scheme management meetings chaired by £37.19. The recycle value will be determined by the the Head of the Coal Liabilities Unit (CLU) in DECC. compliance level for the 2009-10 obligation period. In addition a range of operational and contract compliance meetings are also held regularly between CLU officials Nia Griffith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Capita representatives. and Climate Change what recent estimate he has made In addition the High Court Judges overseeing the of the monetary value of the average annual allocation Coal Health Compensation schemes have taken a direct of renewables obligation certificates to each biomass interest in all aspects of the administrative handling of power station in operation. [307629] the claims. 1327W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1328W

Mr. Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy performance, with most of the Service Level Agreements and Climate Change (1) with reference to the answer of (SLA) also audited by our external auditors, 12 November 2009, Official Report, column 669W, on PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). industrial diseases: compensation, on which occasions In addition to the SLA regime, the Department’s Capita Group plc has not received one hundred per contract with Capita also provided milestone payments cent. of the Service Level Agreement payments which linked to claim settlement performance. For the Vibration could have been paid to it; and what the reasons were in White Finger Scheme, Capita earned 42.5 per cent. of each case; [303418] the bonus available over three milestones. For the Chronic (2) with reference to the answer of 12 November Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Scheme, Capita 2009, Official Report, column 671W, on industrial have to date achieved 100 per cent. of the bonus available diseases: compensation, who has responsibility for from two of the three milestones. reviewing Capita’s performance; which contractual The following table sets out Capita’s performance terms Capita has (a) met and (b) not met; how under the SLA regime, which commenced in August frequently Capita’s performance is assessed; and what 2006. The SLA measures listed are those that have been performance measures are used in such assessments. utilised over the contract up to February 2009. [303420] Since February 2009, the arrangements have changed and whilst all criteria continue to be measured and Mr. Kidney: The Coal Liabilities Unit (CLU) within monitored, the financial incentive is only in place for DECC has the responsibility for reviewing Capita’s the COPD quality measure.

SLA Incentive (%) SLA Description SLA Performance (%) Payment Audited by PwC Comments

COPD Quality Representatives of 97 91 Audited on a Capita’s actual SLA Capita’s Technical Team quarterly basis performance was over and PwC’s Audit Team 97% but due to the effect use a comprehensive of a quality sliding scale scoring check list to (NB. SLAs have different verify the information sliding scales), any Capita adjusters have decrease in performance used, on a random accelerates the loss of sample of claims. If an payments achieved, so error is identified, Capita obtained 91% of whether it affects the final the SLA incentive offer value or not, or payment. The reason why whether the error results they achieved 97% rather in a potential than 100% performance overpayment or is because Capita’s underpayment, the SLA Technical Team and PwC score is reduced. identified errors in the information.

VWF Quality As with COPD Quality 99.5 100 Audited on a Capita achieved 99.5% (above), the Capita quarterly basis for performance, but due Technical Team and PwC to the sliding scale, they Audit Team use a obtained 100% of the comprehensive scoring incentive payments. check list to verify the information Capita adjusters have used on a claim.

COPD and VWF This SLA measures 99 97 Audited on a six Capita achieved over 99% Disputes Capita’s handling of monthly basis for performance, but COPD and VWF obtained 97% of the disputes within the incentive payments. The timescales stated in the slight drop in relevant Claims Handling performance from 100% Agreement. to 99% was because Capita did not deal with all disputes within the required timescale.

VWF Stalled Claims This SLA measures 65 67 Audited on a six Capita’s systems could Capita’s handling of the monthly basis not automatically report Stalled Claims process: the 3 different stages of Stage 1 - trigger for the stalled claims process stalled claims process with the additional Stage 2 - no substantive complexities brought response received Stage 3 about by the exceptions - No correspondence applying to cohorts such received since Stage 1 and as Grant of Probate and 2 DWP Schedule, etc. As such, this SLA is potentially under- reported. 1329W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1330W

SLA Incentive (%) SLA Description SLA Performance (%) Payment Audited by PwC Comments

Keystage Data This SLA measures the 90 71 Audited on a Capita achieved over 90% Accuracy accuracy of the quarterly basis for performance, but due indicators on Capita’s IT to the sliding scale, system which shows obtained 71% of the where the claim is in the incentive payments. The claims process (i.e. the main reason why Capita key stage). It does not achieved 90% rather than measure any other aspect 100% performance is of data accuracy. because the PwC auditors took their sample from all the claims including the very oldest claims which had not always been updated with new key stage indicators on the system. Scan Post Received This SLA measures the 100 100 Audited on a six No drop in performance. timescale that post monthly basis All post was scanned received by Capita is within the 3 days SLA electronically scanned timescale. onto their document management system. Complaints This SLA measures the 1.2 of correspondence 55 Audited on a six An average of 1.2% of volume of complaints monthly basis correspondence Capita received by Capita (or received were classified as expression of complaints. Many of the dissatisfaction in some complaints were chasing way, or chasing for a letters (e.g. what is response from Capita) as happening with the claim a percentage of the total or when will we get a volume of response) generated correspondence received automatically on a by Capita in the same regular basis by solicitors period. IT systems. Such correspondence did not take into account issues in the Court process that delayed the progression of claims. On the sliding scale, Capita achieved 55% of the incentive payments. For Capita to have been able to achieve 100% for this SLA, there wouldhavetobeless than 0.5% of the correspondence received as complaints. Management This SLA measures the 100 100 Not audited by No drop in performance. Information Reports timescale to produce high PwC as this was The contract defined priority and medium monitored by the different timescales for priority reports for the Department when different priority reports. Department. reports were requested.

Mr. Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy for not meeting the required timescale for payments to and Climate Change with reference to the answer of 12 claimants which attract judgement debt rate of interest November 2009, Official Report, column 669W, on (JDRI). industrial diseases: compensation, whether the terms of the contract between his Department and Capita Mr. Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Group plc allow his Department to levy fines on and Climate Change with reference to the answer of Capita Group plc. [303419] 12 November 2009, Official Report, column 671W, on industrial diseases: compensation, what data were taken into account in his Department’s value for Mr. Kidney: The contract is designed to incentivise money assessment of the contract with Capita Group Capita to perform to a high standard, especially in plc. [303421] terms of the quality and accuracy of claim offers and Mr. Kidney: In the context of the most recent retender the timely settlement of claims. While the contract does of the Department’s claims handling contract in 2005-2006, not specifically mention the levying of fines, the the value for money (VFM) assessment was made on comprehensive Service Level Agreement performance both financial and non-financial measures. Data was regime contained within the contract allows Capita to taken from Capita’s bid, references with other Government achieve a range of incentive and bonus payments. If Departments and the Department’s knowledge of the Capita do not meet the targets, they do not earn the full incumbent service provider and the associated contractual amount available. arrangements. In addition to the incentive and bonus payments The financial assessment represented 40 per cent. structure, Capita are required to reimburse the Department within the scoring system. The non-financial assessment 1331W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1332W represented the remaining 60 per cent. as set out in my Mr. Kidney: The invoiced cost of the ACT ON C02 reply to my right hon. Friend on 12 November 2009, campaign from September 2008 to 10 December 2009 is Official Report, columns 671W and 672W. £15 million. This includes all fees, and covers production, media, digital activity, research, events and other campaign- related spend. Carbon Emissions: Conferences Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Energy and Climate Change with reference to the Department has spent on television advertising for the answer of 12 October 2009, Official Report, column Act on CO2 Campaign to date. [304037] 457W, on departmental conferences, how many (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials from Joan Ruddock: From April 2009 to December 2009, his Department attended the EU-China Near Zero the Department for Energy and Climate Change is Emissions Coal Initiative phase I Final Conference. expected to spend approximately £2.2 million (exclusive [303508] of VAT) on TV advertising media space.

Mr. Kidney: Three DECC officials attended the Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for China-EU NZEC Phase I Conference in Beijing on Energy and Climate Change how much the Act on 28-29 October 2009. No Ministers or special advisers CO2 Campaign has spent on promotion on (a) attended. The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Facebook and (b) other social networking websites Change delivered a pre-recorded video message since its establishment. [304038] congratulating all those involved in NZEC and setting out his views more broadly on CCS internationally at: Mr. Kidney: The information is as follows: http://www.actoncopenhagen.decc.gov.uk/en/global-action1/ (a) Expenditure for promotion (advertising) on Facebook to asia/china/nzec-meets-in-beijing date is £10,750 as part of the first phase of the ACT ON CO2 campaign. (b) No expenditure for promotion on other exclusively social Carbon Emissions: Housing networking sites has occurred to date.

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department Energy and Climate Change how much the Act on plans to spend on the Social Housing Energy Saving CO2 advice line for advice on saving money has cost Programme in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12, since its inception. [304052] (d) 2012-13 and (e) 2013-14; and what estimate he has made of the (i) proportion of such expenditure to be Joan Ruddock: The Act on C02 Advice Line is part of incurred in England, (ii) the carbon savings to be achieved, a comprehensive service provided by Energy Saving (iii) the number of properties affected and (iv) the Trust’s network of advice centres. This service not only number of jobs created from such expenditure in each covers the provision of telephone advice on energy and year. [300476] water saving, waste minimisation and domestic microgeneration but also incorporates proactive outreach, Mr. Kidney [holding answer 23 November 2009]: The support for local authorities and communities, and information is as follows: capacity building with local energy efficiency related (a) 2009-10—£54.5 million of funding has already been allocated trades. The network was rolled out during 2008-09 and (i) 100 per cent. of the funding is allocated to social housing has been fully operational during 2009-10. The providers in England, disaggregated cost of the advice line to date is approximately (ii) 52,000 tonnes estimated carbon saving £5.9 million. (iii) 65,000 homes (iv) 1,300 Jobs Coal Authority: Information and Communications Technology (b) 2010-11—£29.3 million of funding has already been allocated (i) 100 per cent. is allocated social housing providers in England (ii) 34,400 tonnes estimated carbon saving Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to the (iii) 43,000 homes answer to the hon. Member for Tunbridge Wells of (iv) 900 Jobs 12 October 2009, Official Report, columns 459-60W, on (c, d and e) Currently no funding has been allocated to the departmental ICT, what the terms of reference of the programme post 2011. Coal Authority’s Inferis IT project are. [307197]

Mr. Kidney: In my answer of 7 December 2009, Climate Change: Publicity Official Report, column 131W, I advised that a copy of the invitation to tender in respect of the Coal Authority’s Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Inferis IT project was being placed in the Libraries of Energy and Climate Change how much his the House. I refer the hon. Member for Wealden to Department had spent on the Act on CO2 Campaign that document, in particular sections 5 (Background), on the latest date for which figures are available. 6 (Objectives and Aspirations) and 7 (Scope of [304032] Requirements). 1333W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1334W

Departmental Advertising Departmental Travel

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to the Energy and Climate Change how much his Department answer to the hon. Member for Perth and North has spent on travel for Ministers undertaken by (a) car, Perthshire of 12 October 2009, Official Report, (b) train, (c) air and (d) other means since its columns 453-55W, on departmental advertising, if he establishment. [303404] will place in the Library a copy of each of the advertisements his Department placed in (a) What’s on Mr. Kidney: This information could only be provided TV magazine and (b) Take a Break magazine. [303504] at disproportional cost.

Mr. Kidney: We do not keep hard copies of publications. I have sent examples of the Act on CO2 advertisements Departmental Working Hours in What’s on TV and TakeaBreakto the hon. Member. Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Departmental Billing Energy and Climate Change how many and what proportion of staff of his Department and its non- Jenny Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for departmental public bodies work flexibly or part-time; Energy and Climate Change how many and what and what his Department’s policy is on making jobs proportion of invoices submitted to his Department available on a job-share or flexible basis. [301323] have been paid within 10 days in each month since October 2008; and if he will make a statement. [307968] Joan Ruddock: DECC operates a flexible working policy so that all staff are able to request to work Mr. Kidney: The following table lists the number of flexibly including part-time and job-share if they wish, invoices submitted and the proportion paid within 10 subject to business need and with the prior approval of days. their manager. The guidance for staff is available on the HR intranet. Number of invoices Proportion paid within Records are not held centrally of all the flexible Month submitted 10 days (percentage) working patterns of staff. DECC currently has 6 per 2008 cent. (59) staff working on a part-time basis. November 528 73 DECC has four non-departmental public bodies, all December 647 88 staff are able to request to work flexibly but again records are not held centrally of all the flexible working patterns Coal Authority—9 per cent. (16) work part-time; 2009 Nuclear Decommissioning Authority—5.3 per cent (19) January 672 98 work part-time; Civil Nuclear Constabulary—16 per February 575 99 cent. (41) work part time, all staff work flexibly.Committee March 730 97 on Climate Change all staff (30) work full-time; three April 617 98 staff work flexibly. May 746 97 June 652 98 July 877 97 Energy: Disconnections August 527 94 September 710 85 Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy October 750 93 and Climate Change (1) how many (a) pre-payment November 802 92 meter and (b) billed energy customers have been disconnected by their supplier in each quarter in the Departmental Internet last three years; [304493] (2) how many energy customers were disconnected in David T.C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for error by their provider in each quarter of the last three Energy and Climate Change what redesigns of websites years; [304494] operated by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (3) how long on average energy customers disconnected have been carried out since 27 June 2007; and what the by their provider were without a connection in each (a) cost to the public purse and (b) date of completion quarter of the last three years; [304495] of each such redesign was. [306208] Mr. Kidney: Ofgem collect figures on the number of Mr. Kidney: Ofgem’s corporate website has not been gas and electricity customers disconnected due to debt, redesigned since June 27, 2007. However, a range of and the average time until reconnection. Ofgem also new features have been added to increase accessibility publish the proportion of disconnections within each and usability, to meet a number of new standards for quarter that were reconnected within the same quarter, websites operated by Government Departments applicable for each of the main six domestic energy providers. This from 1 April 2009 and to reflect the recent restructuring information is available at: of Ofgem. There has been no cost to the public purse as http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/SocAction/ Ofgem recovers costs from license fee payers. Monitoring/SoObMonitor/Pages/SocObMonitor.aspx 1335W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1336W

Figures for the number of disconnections made in Total error and figures by payment method are not available. forthcoming Of which I will be depositing tables showing the number of capacity renewables Percentage household disconnections due to debt, and the proportion (GW) (GW) renewables of disconnections reconnected within the same quarter Constructed 1.8 0 — by the main six energy suppliers in the Libraries in the Under construction 9 4 44 House. With planning 10.8 3.3 31 consent and grid connection Energy: Meters Total 21.6 7.3 34 Source: National Grid Mr. Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much on average a Fuel Poverty: Pensioners household in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) the UK with a Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for pre-payment meter paid for (i) electricity and (ii) gas in Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made each of the last three years. [303645] of the number of pensioners living in fuel poverty in (a) December 1997 and (b) each of the last three Mr. Kidney: The Department’s latest estimates for the years; and if he will make a statement. [305700] average annual domestic energy bills and provisional estimates for the year to 2009 and are published in Mr. Kidney: Fuel poverty is not measured at individual Quarterly Energy Prices, published in September 2009. person level. Detailed splits of fuel poverty on a consistent Figures are not available at constituency or local authority methodology basis are only available since 2003. The level. following table shows the number of fuel poor households For an average consumer using 18,000 kWh of gas in England, containing somebody over the age of 60, in per year and paying their bills by pre-payment meter, each of the last three years for which figures are available. the average bill in the North East for gas was £593 in Number of fuel poor households containing somebody over the 2007, £623 in 2008 and £744 in 2009. The average bill in age of 60 Great Britain for gas customers on pre-payments was Thousand £589 in 2007, £618 in 2008 and £744 in 2009. Figures 2005 794 are not available for the UK. 2006 1,285 For an average consumer using 3,300 kWh of standard 2007 1,462 electricity per year and paying their bills by pre-payment meter, the average bill in the North East for standard electricity was £401 in 2007, £424 in 2008 and £465 in Gas Fired Power Stations: Carbon Emissions 2009. The average bill in the UK for standard electricity customers on pre-payment meters was £401 in 2007, Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for £424 in 2008 and £465 in 2009. Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate he has made of the likely carbon dioxide emissions per unit electric output from a modern (a) combined cycle Energy: National Policy Statements gas turbine, (b) open cycle gas turbine and (c) integrated gasification combined cycle power station. [303516] Mr. Truswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change with reference to section Mr. Kidney: The rate at which power stations emit 3.3.12 of the Energy National Policy Statement, what carbon dioxide are determined by individual plant proportion of the 20.5 gigawatt capacity (a) has efficiencies which vary considerably in actual operation. recently been constructed, (b) is under construction DECC uses a range of reference values which are kept and (c) has both planning consent and agreement to under review. These are based on the estimated likely connect to the National Grid; and what proportion is efficiency achieved in the actual generation market, renewable under the definition given in that section. including efficiency degradation following commissioning. [307771] Such estimates will differ from those available in the technical literature which do not always reflect actual Mr. Kidney: Our most recent figure for forthcoming performance. capacity is 21.6GW. This is based on the most recent The figures shown in the following table for technologies data from the National Grid which have been updated are representative values based on electricity supplied since the drafting of the National Policy Statements. Of to the grid after allowing for own use and transmission this 21.6GW, 8 per cent., has recently been constructed, and distribution losses. The values represent emissions 42 per cent. is under construction and 50 per cent. has of carbon dioxide in kilograms per kilowatt hour unit planning consent and agreement to connect to the of electricity. National Grid. The following table provides further details on the proportions of this 21.6GW which is Technology kg CO2/kWh renewables and have grid connection agreements. These figures are regularly revised following periodic updates Combined cycle gas turbine 0.43 (CCGT) and revisions issued by the National Grid. 1337W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1338W

Members: Correspondence Technology kg CO2/kWh Open Cycle Gas Turbine 0.60 Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for (OCGT) Energy and Climate Change when he plans to reply to Integrated gasification 0.73 combined cycle power station the letter of 22 October 2009 from the right hon. (IGCC) Member for Manchester Gorton on Mr A Gibson. [305112]

Geothermal Power Joan Ruddock: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State replied to my right hon. Friend the Member for Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Manchester, Gorton on 11 December 2009. Such a Energy and Climate Change whether his Department delay is obviously unacceptable. My officials have has had discussions with the governments of Iceland investigated the reasons for the error. and Germany on the laying of a cable between those countries for the transfer of geothermal power. [303880] Ofgem: Training Mr. Kidney: There have been no such discussions, although my officials have had general discussions with Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for representatives of the Icelandic power industry on the Energy and Climate Change how many (a) away days potential for geothermal energy in Iceland and the and (b) conferences that took place outside the Office practicality of interconnection with the UK. of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) buildings attended by civil servants in Ofgem there have been since 2005; and what the cost was of each. [307454] Hotels Mr. Kidney: Ofgem do not normally collate this Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy information and to do so would incur disproportionate and Climate Change how much his Department spent cost. on hotel accommodation for (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) civil servants in each year since its However, during 2008-09, Ofgem held eleven team building events at a total cost of £14,930.31. establishment. [305662]

Joan Ruddock: The information requested can only Tidal Power be obtained at disproportionate cost. Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Immobilisation of Vehicles Energy and Climate Change what research his Department has funded on wave generated power in Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the last three years. [307257] Energy and Climate Change how much his Department and its predecessors have paid in vehicle clamping charges Mr. Kidney: Since 2005 the remit of the pan-government incurred on (a) privately-owned and (b) publicly-owned Research Advisory Group (RAG) has included wave land in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a and tidal technologies, with a budget of up to £2 million statement. [302746] to concentrate on these emerging technologies. For details of the resultant work of RAG including guidance Joan Ruddock: We have no record of any such costs documents and reports, on a range of issues such as being paid by the Department. aerial bird surveys, navigation risk assessment and seascape Departmental policy is that the driver of the vehicle assessment, see the following web link is responsible for following all advice, guidance and http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/ legislation in relation to road safety and is therefore also uk_supply/energy_mix/renewable/policy/offshore/rag/rag.aspx responsible for meeting the cost of any fines incurred Since 2007 the former DTI Technology programme, (including parking fines), as a result of any driving now transferred to the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), offence. The Department will not meet those costs. has supported five wave R and D projects. Further details on these projects can be found on the TSB Industrial Diseases: Compensation website http://www.innovateuk.org/_assets/pdf/other-publications/ aea_tsb_annual_report_final_7%20september_09.pdf Mr. Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what hospitality Ministers in his The Carbon Trust has funded research into wave Department and its predecessors with responsibility for generated power through the Marine Energy Accelerator. the two miners’ compensation schemes have received Details on the Marine Energy Accelerator programme from Capita Group plc since 1997; and if he will make can be found at a statement. [302088] http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/emerging-technologies/current- focus-areas/marine-energy-accelerator/pages/default.aspx Mr. Kidney: Capita became the claims handling In 2009 the Carbon Trust launched the Marine contractor to the Coal Health Compensation schemes Renewables Proving Fund. This fund will provide up to in 2004. No hospitality has been received by Ministers £22 million of grant funding for the testing and responsible for the Coal Health Compensation schemes demonstration of pre-commercial wave and tidal stream from Capita. devices. 1339W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1340W

High quality basic science research that is relevant to, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate though not always specific to, wave generation is funded Change through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council’s ‘Supergen Marine’ consortium Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for http://www.supergen-marine.org.uk/news.php Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has The Department has undertaken the following research made of the effectiveness of the ad hoc working group on wave generated power in the last three years: on Long-Term Co-operative Action of the United The development of protocols for Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. [307371] “Assessment of the performance of wave energy conversion systems in open sea test facilities” Mr. Kidney: The ad hoc working group on Long-Term “Preliminary Wave energy device performance protocol”. Co-operative Action of the United Nations Framework Both protocols can be downloaded from the DECC Convention on Climate Change has provided an effective website process for ensuring the input of the 194 parties to the http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/ convention. uk_supply/energy_mix/renewable/explained/wave_tidal/ wave_tech/wave_tech.aspx Utilities

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Tidal Power: River Severn Energy and Climate Change if his Department will take steps to require energy utility companies to put in Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy place resilience measures sufficient to prevent cyber- and Climate Change what steps have been taken to attacks rendering their services temporarily ineffective. ensure that the results of the Strategic Environmental [303798] Assessment of short-listed options for the generation of tidal power in the Severn Estuary have been made Mr. Kidney: The Department of Energy and Climate available to the developers of proposals under the Change works closely with the Home Office and the Centre for Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI), Severn Embryonic Technologies scheme. [307584] incorporating input from the UK Office of Cyber Security, to identify proportionate security measures to mitigate Mr. Kidney: The Strategic Environmental Assessment cyber and other threats, and to maximise the resilience (SEA) is still underway and results will not be available of the Energy sector. until it completes next year. The SEA work is at this stage specific to five shortlisted schemes and its findings The Department has strong relationships with the do not necessarily apply to the fundamentally different energy sector. It has not been necessary for the Government embryonic technologies being considered by the Severn to take steps to require such mitigations to be put in Embryonic Technologies scheme. place. Rather we have adopted a partnership approach to enhance security and resilience which recognises that Severn Embryonic Technologies scheme proposers it is in all of our interests, both from a national security have been briefed on the findings from the scoping stage perspective and from a commercial perspective, to work of the SEA and are using this information and the together to continually improve the resilience of the range of published feasibility study reports as they UK’s energy sector. progress in further defining their emerging designs. Proposers have also benefited from advice from the Warm Front Scheme: Derbyshire Parsons Brinckerhoff consortium, who are conducting the SEA. Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many households Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy applied to receive grants under the Warm Front and Climate Change what mechanisms are in place to Scheme in (a) Chesterfield and (b) Derbyshire in each ensure that delays in completion of the Strategic year since the inception of the scheme. [307244] Environmental Assessment of short-listed options for the generation of tidal power in the Severn Estuary will Mr. Kidney: The requested data for the present phase not adversely affect the development of proposals of the scheme (2005—to present) are shown in the under the Severn Embryonic Technologies Scheme; following table. Prior to 2005, the scheme was managed and if he will make a statement. [307585] by a different delivery body in Derbyshire and the data retained by the current scheme manager are not sufficient Mr. Kidney: We are not anticipating delays to the to provide a consolidated response. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) that would impact on the proposals under the Severn Embryonic Number Technologies Scheme (SETS). The final reports from Chesterfield constituency the proposals supported under the scheme are expected to be received from the project proposers before completion 2005-06 320 of the SEA. 2006-07 776 2007-08 1,049 The SEA work is at this stage specific to five shortlisted 2008-09 724 schemes and its findings do not necessarily apply to the 2009-10 up to 30 November 2009 689 fundamentally different embryonic technologies being Total 3,558 considered by the Severn Embryonic Technologies Scheme. 1341W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1342W

consideration under (i) section 36 of the Electricity Act Number 1989 and (ii) the Transport and Works Act 2002 relate to offshore wind farms in English waters. [307772] Derbyshire county Mr. Kidney: The Department is dealing with five 2005-06 4,281 consent applications under section 36 of the Electricity 2006-07 8,394 Act for proposed wind farms in English waters. The 2007-08 9,462 total generating capacity of these applications is nearly 2008-09 7,849 2.25GW.There are currently no TWA applications under 2009-10 up to 30 November 2009 5,925 consideration for wind farms in English waters. There Total 35,911 are no applications under either regime for non-renewable energy projects in English waters. Waste Management

Mr. Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change at what location on his INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Department’s website can the United Kingdom’s third national report on compliance with the obligations of Departmental Manpower the joint convention on the safety of spent fuel management and on the safety of radioactive waste management be found; how the information contained Mr. Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for International in this report has been conveyed to the public; and Development how many staff of his Department were when the national reports from member states to the in its redeployment pool on 1 (a) January, (b) April, convention were last reviewed under IAEA auspices. (c) July and (d) October 2009. [306714] [304684] Mr. Michael Foster: It was unnecessary for the Mr. Kidney: The United Kingdom’s third national Department for International Development (DFID) to report on compliance with the IAEA Joint Convention maintain a Redeployment Pool prior to 1 October 2009. on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management can be freely Departmental Pay accessed by the public on DECC’s website at: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_do/uk_ Mr. Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for International supply/energy mix/nuclear/radioactivity/government/international Development how much has been paid in bonuses to /iaea_jointconv/iaea_Jointconv.aspx civil servants in his Department in each year since 2007. The last review of national reports from contracting [306426] parties to the joint convention was undertaken at the joint convention review meeting Mr. Michael Foster: The Department for International in Vienna in May 2009. Development (DFID) Senior Civil Service (SCS) members are eligible to be considered for a year end non-consolidated Wind Power performance award. Awards are intended to reward delivery of personal business objectives during the reporting Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for year or other short-term personal contributions to wider Energy and Climate Change how many offshore wind organisational objectives. In considering SCS members turbines became operational in UK waters in each of for an award, line managers are asked to take into the last five years. [303527] account: performance against agreed priority business objectives or Mr. Kidney: The following table sets out the number targets total delivery record over the year of offshore wind turbines that became operational in relative stretch (i.e. the challenge of the job compared to that UK waters in each of the last five years. of others) response to unforeseen events that affected the performance Installed capacity agreement. Number of turbines (MW) Awards are funded within existing pay bill controls, 2004 30 60 have to be re-earned each year against the pre-determined criteria above and, as such, do not add to future pay bill 2005 30 90 costs. 2006 30 90 2007 25 190 The annual size of the non-consolidated performance 2008 60 194.2 pay pot for SCS members is based on recommendations 1 Does not include the Beatrice demonstrator project which is outside by the independent Senior Salaries Review Body (SSRB). UK territorial waters. The following table show the amount allocated in Source: each of the last three years for year end non-consolidated AEA Technology. performance related awards. Wind Power: Offshore Structures Year end non-consolidated performance related awards (£) Mr. Truswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many gigawatts of (a) renewable 2007-08 504,000 and (b) non-renewable energy in applications receiving 2008-09 641,510 1343W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1344W

Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Year end non-consolidated performance related awards (£) International Development on how many occasions he has raised Gaza access issues with his Israeli 2009-10 634,150 counterpart in the last 12 months; and on what such Note: occasions the Israeli government has acceded to Payments made are for the financial year indicated but relate to requests for access. [306801] performance achieved in the previous reporting year. Staff in grades below the SCS are eligible to be Mr. Michael Foster: Achieving improved access to considered for a year end non-consolidated performance Gaza is a priority for the UK Government and the award. Awards are intended to reward both the delivery wider international community. We raise the issue of of personal business objectives during the reporting access with the Government of Israel at all available year and demonstration of DFID’s values. opportunities. On 1 December the Secretary of State The following table show the amount allocated in (Mr. Douglas Alexander) spoke with Ehud Barak, the each of the last three years for year end non-consolidated Israeli Minister of Defense on improving access. Last performance related awards. month I met with Israeli Vice Prime Minister Shalom, and with Deputy Foreign Minister Ayalon. Earlier in Year end non-consolidated the year both Douglas Alexander and I met with the performance related awards (£) former Minister of Welfare and Social Services, Isaac 2007-08 558,233 Herzog, and the Secretary of State also wrote to Ehud 2008-09 0 Barak. 2009-10 742,515 The collective lobbying of the international community Notes: has had some impact. Access for food products has 1 Payments made are for the financial year indicated but relate to improved since the end of the conflict in January, and in performance achieved in the previous reporting year 2 DFID’s reward arrangements did not allow for the payment of any October small quantities of cement, plastic pipes and performance related awards in the 2008-09 financial year to staff desalination equipment were allowed in for water and below the Senior Civil Service. sanitation projects for the first time. Despite this, we DFID does not operate an in-year performance related remain very concerned about the situation in Gaza and award scheme for any staff. will continue to press the Israeli Government for improved access for humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials. Departmental Training Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reports he has Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State received of the aid supplies destined for Gaza in respect for International Development how much his of which access to Gaza has been (a) blocked and (b) Department spent on away days in the last 12 months; delayed since the start of the blockade; and what items and what the (a) subject and (b) location of each away were involved in each case. [306803] day was. [306405]

Mr. Douglas Alexander: This information can not be Mr. Michael Foster: There is no single report confirming provided without incurring disproportionate cost. which aid supplies have been blocked and delayed since the start of the blockade. What is allowed in remains unclear and subject to unpredictable change by the Palestinians: Overseas Aid Government of Israel. Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid his Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Department has provided to Gaza in each of the last International Development what aid supplies for Gaza funded by (a) the UK and (b) the EU have been five years. [306474] denied passage to Gaza in 2009; what estimate he has Mr. Michael Foster: Many of the projects funded by made of the cost to Gaza of such denials; and what the Department for International Development (DFID) assessment he has made of the effect of such denials on cover both the west bank and Gaza and so it is not the intended recipients of such supplies. [306804] possible to give figures for Gaza alone. Detailed figures of DFID expenditure are included in the Annual Report Mr. Michael Foster: United Kingdom and European and Statistics on International Development which are Union aid projects in Gaza have been subject to the available in the Library and on the DFID website. In same access restrictions as other humanitarian projects recent years direct DFID funding to the Occupied operating there. Items that have been rejected or delayed Palestinian Territories has increased from £17.6 million since January include foodstuffs, construction materials, in 2004-05 to £60 million in 2008-09 (including our agricultural materials and hygiene kits. Although there support to the UN Relief and Works Agency). has been no specific assessment of the cost to Gaza of Since the start of the Gaza conflict the UK Government access restrictions, they continue to impact on the have pledged nearly £47 million to help the people of humanitarian response. Gaza, of which £20 million has been provided so far this year for humanitarian aid and early recovery. In Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for 2007-08 DFID also provided £3 million to the International International Development what channels of delivery Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to meet immediate he has considered for the provision to Gaza of aid humanitarian needs in Gaza. supplies being held in Israel. [306805] 1345W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1346W

Mr. Michael Foster: Without full, safe and unhindered Kevin Brennan: “Our Skills for Growth—the National access for aid, aid workers and reconstruction materials Skills Strategy” (November 2009) signalled our intention a comprehensive response to the humanitarian crisis in to significantly expand the number of advanced Gaza remains impossible. apprenticeships. Not only is this critical to the needs of The UK Government and others in the international the economy, it also reflects employer demand. Numbers community have considered alternative delivery channels are now steadily increasing: There were 78,700 starts for humanitarian supplies, including delivery by sea. (provisional) at advanced level in 2008/09 (34 per cent. However, we have concluded that such alternatives are of all apprenticeship starts), up from 73,000 (32 per neither practical nor sustainable. cent.) in 2007/08. The UK considers the immediate and unconditional The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) will have lifting of all restrictions on Gaza’s land and maritime an important role in helping us drive forward our borders as the only viable solution and will continue to ambitions for more skilled technician apprenticeship lobby the Government of Israel on this issue. opportunities and stimulate employer demand. NAS is already working with employers and training providers, supported by marketing and communications activity, to ensure awareness of the values and benefits of training BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS at technician level. Postal Services Commission: Training Broadband Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how Mr. Hunt: To ask the Minister of State, Department many (a) away days and (b) conferences that took for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans his place outside the Postal Services Commission’s buildings Department has to commission a study into the effect attended by civil servants in the Postal Services Commission on demand for broadband of the proposed 50 pence there have been since 2005; and what the cost was of per month levy on fixed telephone lines. [306977] each. [307451] Mr. Timms: The Department has no such plans. We Mr. McFadden: This is an operational matter for will carefully monitor the impact of the Landline Duty, which Postcomm has direct responsibility. I have therefore but we do not expect it to impact negatively on demand asked Postcomm’s chief executive, Tim Brown, to reply for broadband when set against falling telecoms prices direct to the hon. Member. over the last three years. A copy of the response will be placed in the Libraries of the House. Business: EU Grants and Loans

Adult Education: Finance Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how Mr. Evennett: To ask the Minister of State, much money has been allocated to British-based Department for Business, Innovation and Skills with companies from the 50,521 million euro programme reference to the Pre-Budget Report, Cm 7747, from administered by the Research Executive Agency of the which areas of the adult skills budget he expects to European Commission under the Seventh Framework make the £300 million savings identified. [307554] programme; and which such companies have received such funding. [301219] Kevin Brennan: The Government have a strong record of investment in FE and skills. We will focus public Mr. Lammy: The UK has remained a strong player in spending on those individuals and employers in greatest the EU Seventh Framework programme, receiving ¤1,348 need and on those sectors that are most vital to Britain’s million, equivalent to 13.7 per cent. of all FP7 funding future. to date. Of this, UK private commercial organisations Apprentices have received ¤269 million. This funding has been distributed to 607 UK organisations; details of these are given in Mr. Evennett: To ask the Minister of State, Department the attached annex. for Business, Innovation and Skills how many apprentices The parts of FP7 that the Research Executive Agency have lost a placement in the last 12 months for which (REA) of the European Commission will manage are: figures are available. [306565] the Marie-Curie Actions of the People programme; Kevin Brennan: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the the SME specific activities of the Capacities programme; answer I gave to him on 5 November 2009, Official a large part of the space and the security themes from the Report, column 1232W, when I explained that data Cooperation programmes; about the number of apprentices made redundant are However, it is too soon to identify with any confidence not currently available. We have put in place for this the UK private commercial organisations in the annex academic year, from 1 August, arrangements to record that will have received monies as a result of activities the number of apprentices who are made redundant. under REA management. We expect these data to be available from early in 2010. Business: Government Assistance Mr. Evennett: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent assessment Dr. Kumar: To ask the Minister of State, Department he has made of the availability of work placements for for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he Level 3 apprenticeships. [306566] has made of the effectiveness of the policies of his 1347W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1348W

Department and its predecessors in (a) providing Skills support to business and (b) improving levels of skills Raising UK skill levels to world class status is a in (i) England, (ii) the North East, (iii) Tees Valley and priority for Government and the progress achieved is an (iv) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland important indicator of the success of our policies. The constituency since 1997. [302081] following table shows how skill attainment of the working age population has increased since 1997 in England and Kevin Brennan: BIS evaluates the effectiveness of in the north-east. Comparable and accurate figures for business support in England through a variety of research the sub-regions requested are not available. and analysis. This includes: Government provide support to employers to increase Economic Impact of Business Link Local Services (BERR the skills of their employees through Train to Gain and 2007) which assessed the effectiveness and value for money of Apprenticeships. Both programmes continue to go from Business Link. This includes a regional chapter (chapter 7). strength to strength. Since 2006 Train to Gain has http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file40289.doc supported people to start over 1.4 million qualifications, Business Links Value for Money Evaluation (DTI 1998) and over 780,000 qualifications have already been achieved. This has arisen from engagement with 143,000 employers http://berr.gov.uk/files/file39415.doc through the brokerage service alone and many more Recently completed research undertaken on behalf engaging directly with providers. We have rescued and of BIS includes an Early Assessment of Business Link expanded apprenticeships, trebling the number of starts Health Checks by the Institute for Employment Studies from 65,000 in 1996/97 to 234,000 in 2008/09. Tables and a mystery shopping based study of the early stages showing growth of this programme in the areas requested of the Business Link service conducted by Middlesex follow. Figures for sub-regions are not available for University. The reports from these studies were both qualifications attainments and figures for Tees Valley published on the BIS website on 27 November. are not available for programme data.

Percentage of England qualified to each level in Q4 of each year 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

No qualifications 17.1 16.5 15.6 15.0 15.1 14.1 13.7 13.4 12.6 12.2 11.4 10.9 Proportion at level 61.0 62.5 64.0 65.0 65.0 66.4 67.2 67.6 68.9 69.9 70.7 71.2 2+ Proportion at level 40.5 42.2 43.5 44.6 44.7 46.0 47.0 47.5 48.4 49.4 50.6 50.8 3+ Proportion at level 22.3 23.7 24.5 25.2 25.2 26.2 27.2 27.9 28.5 30.0 30.9 31.2 4+

Percentage of north-east qualified to each level in Q4 of each year 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

No qualifications 17.0 16.3 15.3 14.9 14.8 14.1 13.6 12.9 12.3 12.2 11.5 10.8 Proportion at level 61.5 63.0 64.3 65.1 65.5 66.5 67.6 68.1 69.4 69.7 70.6 71.4 2+ Proportion at level 41.0 42.5 43.9 44.8 45.1 46.1 47.4 47.8 48.7 49.5 50.4 51.0 3+ Proportion at level 22.6 23.9 24.6 25.2 25.5 26.3 27.5 27.9 28.7 30.0 30.4 31.1 4+

Apprenticeship completions and Train to Gain achievements Apprenticeships completions 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09

England 49,300 67,200 98,700 111,800 112,600 126,900 North East 3,700 5,200 7,200 8,000 7,600 9,000 Middlesbrough South and East 190 250 310 340 280 350 Cleveland

Regional development agencies (RDAs) (1,700 net), helped to create 1,900 businesses (1,100 net) The RDAs contribute to both the business support and provided skills assistance to 158,600 people (98,300 and skills agendas. Their performance from 2002-03 to net). Figures at sub-regional level are not available. 2006-07 was evaluated by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on behalf of BERR in March 2009. Using gross figures Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for the period 2002/03 to 2006/07, provided by the for Business, Innovation and Skills how many businesses RDAs to Parliament, this indicates that the RDA have in the City of York Council have received Government helped to create 56,000 businesses and have provided guarantees on bank loans under the Enterprise Finance 1.25 million learning opportunities. Applying the average Guarantee; which businesses received such guarantees; additionality ratios found by PwC to these figures gives and what the monetary value of the loan or loans net figures of 27,000 businesses and 0.7 million learning guaranteed was in each case. [307386] opportunities. Ian Lucas: Set out in the table is the information for For the north-east, the 65 per cent. of spending the Enterprise Finance Guarantee for the City of York which the evaluation covered assisted 9,500 businesses council since it was launched on 14 January: 1349W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1350W

required to adhere to strict standards of sustainability. City of York All real trees are recycled and turned into mulch. Artificial Number of loans offered 9 trees are broken down and then rebuilt the following Number of loans drawn 7 year. I have approached the Chief Executives of the Insolvency Value of loans offered (£ million) 0.92 Service, Companies House, the National Measurement Value of loans drawn (£ million) 0.56 Office and the Intellectual Property Office and they will respond directly to you. Information about individual businesses that have Letter from Peter Mason, dated 9 December 2009: received an Enterprise Finance Guarantee loan is I am responding in respect of the National Measurement confidential and they cannot be named without their Office (formerly National Weights and Measures Laboratory) to consent. your Parliamentary Question tabled on 07/12/2009 reference 2009/449 ] to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation Capital Investment and Skills, asking how many Christmas trees were purchased in each of the last five years; what the cost was of those trees in each year; from where the trees were sourced; what account was taken Adam Afriyie: To ask the Minister of State, of the sustainability of the sources of the trees; and by what Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how process the trees were disposed of. much of the £600 million efficiency savings referred to In each year one Christmas tree was purchased and the costs on page 110 of the 2009 pre-Budget report, Cm 7747, were:- will be found by (a) the Higher Education Funding Council for England and (b) each Research Council; £ and whether efficiency savings from the Research Councils will be re-allocated to the Research Councils. 2005 30.99 [307607] 2006 39.99 2007 49.99 Mr. Lammy: The £600 million announcement was 2008 57.53 made in the pre-Budget report. This was not a spending 2009 59.95 review. The Government would not expect to decide the The trees were purchased from local garden centres that used distribution of the figure at this stage. The Government suppliers who managed their plantations sustainably. The trees will wish to make an informed decision on future funding were disposed of using the London Borough of Richmond-upon- against the background of Lord Browne’s independent Thames Christmas tree disposal system so that they are disposed review of higher education funding and student finance of sustainably. which will report next year. It will be looking at the The National Measurement Office has reviewed the sustainability wider funding and sustainability of the whole HE system. of real against artificial trees and the carbon footprint of real We will reflect on the review’s findings before setting trees is currently considered to be less than artificial trees. budgets beyond 2010-11. Letter from Sean Dennehey, dated 9 December 2009: I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office Christmas to your Parliamentary Question tabled 18 November 2009, to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. David T.C. Davies: To ask the Minister of State, The Intellectual Property Office has not purchased any Christmas Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how trees in the last five years. many Christmas trees were purchased by his The Office has hired an artificial Christmas tree (£385 per Department and its agencies in each of the last five annum 2005-2008, £500 2009) each year but this remains the years; what the cost was of those trees in each year; responsibility of the owner. from where the trees were sourced; what account was Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 15 December 2009: taken of the sustainability of the sources of the trees; I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary and by what process the trees were disposed of. Question tabled 7 December 2009, UIN 305640, to the Minister [305640] of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. Companies House has not purchased any real Christmas trees Mr. McFadden: The following information lists the in the last five years. number of trees for which this Department and its Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 15 December 2009: predecessors have purchased for reception areas in buildings The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation on its Estate. The costs include installation, decoration and Skills has asked me to reply to your question, how many and removal by our foliage contractors. Information as Christmas trees were purchased by his Department and its agencies follows: in each of the last five years; what the cost was of those trees in each year; from where the trees were sourced; what account was Number of trees purchased Cost (£) taken of the sustainability of the sources of the trees; and by what process the trees were disposed of. 1 2005 2 661 The Insolvency Service has not purchased any Christmas trees 2006 12 661 in each of the last five years. 2007 13 1,099 Competition Commission 2008 13 1,144 2009 13 1,144 Andrew George: To ask the Minister of State, Department 1 One artificial for Business, Innovation and Skills on how many occasions All trees, other than artificial trees, are sourced from since (a) the creation of the Competition Commission UK growers who are members of the British Association and (b) the enactment of the Enterprise Act 2002 his of Christmas Tree Growers. All BCTG members are Department and its predecessors have declined to (i) 1351W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1352W support or (ii) accept the Commission’s recommendations for Science and Innovation has made one, my noble or referrals for Government action arising from the Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Commission’s work. [301028] Postal Affairs and Employment Relations has made nine, my hon. Friend the then the Parliamentary Under- Kevin Brennan: There has been one occasion where Secretary of State for (Mr. Simon) made 10 visits and the Department and its predecessors have declined to my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Further Education, support or accept the Competition Commission’s Skills, Apprenticeships and Consumer Affairs has made recommendations or referrals to Government arising eight. from their work since their creation, and, the enactment Departmental Energy of the Enterprise Act 2002. In the Commission’s report on Supermarkets published Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister of State, in October 2000, it recommended that there should be a Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what new approval system for supermarket developments. the (a) energy rating and (b) energy band of each However, it did not make an adverse finding on this building occupied by his Department and its agencies issue. The recommendation was not rejected but in was in each year for which figures are available. responding, the Secretary of State asked the Office of [305970] Fair Trading to monitor the situation. Departmental Buildings Mr. McFadden: The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) publishes central Government Departments’ display energy certificate (DEC) operational ratings on a “building Mr. Baron: To ask the Minister of State, Department by building level” twice a year. The most recent data, for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his published on 31 July, contains DEC data up to and Department spent on works and refurbishment to including 28 February. Data relating to the month offices allocated to Ministers in his Department’s ending 30 September will be published on 18 December. buildings in the last 12 months. [305693] This information can be found at: http://www.ocg.gov.uk/ Mr. McFadden: BIS has spent just under £154,000 on government_delivery_display_energy_certificate_data.asp works on office space for Ministers and their private offices in the last 12 months. Most of this activity The table OGC publishes will also include DEC reference resulted from closing down ministerial and support numbers for each building, which can be used to view offices in DIUS’s Kingsgate House office and moving each building’s advisory report on the following website: them to 1 Victoria Street upon creation of BIS, with the https://www.ndepcregister.com/home.html. consequent need to reorganise accommodation in 1 I have approached the chief executives of the Insolvency Victoria Street. The merger will save money in the Service, Companies House, the National Measurement longer term. Office and the Intellectual Property Office and they will respond to you directly. Departmental Domestic Visits Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 15 December 2009: I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Mr. Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Question tabled 7 December 2009, UIN 305970, to the Minister Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. how many occasions each Minister in his Department Companies House’s head office in Cardiff is required to produce has visited a (a) higher and (b) further education a Display Energy Certificate. Results are available from 2008, as institution in the last 12 months. [306661] follows:-

Mr. Lammy: On (a) my noble Friend the Secretary Band Energy rating of State has made seven visits, my right hon. Friend the 2008 E 109 Minister of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 2009 E 109 has made one visit, my noble Friend the Minister of State for Trade and Investment has made ten visits, Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 15 December 2009: some visited more than once, to institutions in the UK The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and also to two abroad, my noble Friend the Minister and Skills has asked me to reply to your question, what the (a) of State for Science and Innovation has made 14, my energy rating and (b) energy band of each building occupied by noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State his Department and its agencies was in each year for which for Postal Affairs and Employment Relations has made figures are available. 10, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary The attached table lists the buildings occupied by The Insolvency of State for Business and Regulatory Reform has made Service and shows the (a) energy rating and (b) energy band for two and I have made 11 visits. them in 2009, where these are known. Where data is not given, we have requested it from the landlords for our premises and are On (b) my noble Friend the Secretary of State has waiting to hear from them. Before 2009 we either had no data, or made two visits, My noble Friend the Minister of State it was the same as given in the table.

Location Address Energy band Energy rating

Birmingham Levels 3/4, Cannon House, 18 Priory Queensway, Birmingham B4 6BS G 200

Birmingham Cobalt Square, Floors 6-9, 83 Hagley Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B2 D92 4QG 1353W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1354W

Location Address Energy band Energy rating

Blackpool Seneca House, The Links, Blackpool Business Park, Amy Johnson Way, Blackpool FY4 2RS Bournemouth Richmond House, Part 3rd Floor, Richmond Hill, Bournemouth, BH2 —— 6EZ Brighton 69 Middle Street, Brighton, BN1 1BE — — Bristol Part First Floor, Tower Wharf, Cheese Lane, Bristol BS2 OJJ B 35 Cambridge Abbeygate House, 2nd Floor and Part 1st Floor, 164-167 East Road, —— Cambridge, CB1 1DB Canterbury Marlowe Hse, 1st and 2nd Floors, Chaucer Business Park, Thanet Way, —— Whitstable, Kent, CT5 3FE Cardiff Companies House, Part 3rd Floor, Crown Way, Cardiff, CF14 3ZA — — Chester Windsor House, 3rd Floor, Pepper Street, Chester, CH1 3DF — — Croydon Sunley House, 1st and 2nd Floors, Bedford Park, Croydon, CRO 2AP G 200 Edinburgh Ladywell House, Part 2nd Floor, Ladywell Road, Corstorphine, —— Edinburgh, EH12 7TF Exeter Senate Court, 3rd Floor, Southernhay Gardens, Exeter, EX1 1UG — — Gloucester Southgate House, 1st Floor, Southgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1UB — — Hull Anchor House, 3rd Floor, The Maltings, Silvester Street, Hull, HU1 3HA — — Ipswich St Clare House, 1st and 8th Floors, Princes Street, Ipswich, IP1 1LX — — Leeds 1 City Walk, 3rd Floor, Leeds, LS11 9DA G 200 Leicester Wellington House, 4th Floor, Wellington Street, Leicester, LE1 6HL — — Liverpool Cunard Building, 2nd Floor and Part Basement, Pier Head, Liverpool, L3 —— 1DS London 21 Bloomsbury Street, London, WC1B 3QW G 152 Manchester 2nd Floor, 3 Piccadilly Place, London Road, Manchester, M1 3BN — — Medway Prince Regent House, 1st floor, Quayside, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 C65 4QZ Newcastle Melbourne House, 1st floor, Pandon Bank, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 —— 2JQ Northampton Sol House, 1st Floor, 29 St Katherine’s Street, Northampton, NN1 2QZ — — Norwich Emmanuel House, 2 Convent Road, Norwich, NR2 1PA — — Nottingham The Frontage, 4th Floor - Blocks A, B and C, Queen Street, Nottingham D90 NG1 2BL Plymouth Cobourg House, 1st floor Part and 1st Floor Other Part, Mayflower Street, —— Plymouth, PL1 1DJ Reading Apex Plaza, 3rd Floor, Forbury Road, Reading, RG1 1AX D 89 St Albans Trident House, 1st Floor, 42/48 Victoria Street, St. Albans, AL1 3HR — — Sheffield City Plaza, 5th Floor, City Plaza South, Pinfold Street, Sheffield, S1 2GU — — Southampton Town Quay, Ground Floor - Suite A, Waterside House, Southampton, —— S014 2AQ Southend Central House, Part 4th Floor, Clifftown Road, Southend, SS1 1AB — — Stockton St Marks House, 2nd Floor, St Marks Court, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, —— TS17 6QT Stoke Ground Floor, Copthall House, Nelson Place, King Street, Newcastle- —— under-Lyme, Staffs, ST5 1UE Swansea 1st, 2nd and 3rd Floors, Langdon House, Langdon Road, Swansea — — Watford Part 4th Floor, Exchange House, 60 Exchange Road, Watford, Herts, —— WD18 OYP

Letter from Sean Dennehey, dated 9 December 2009: issued is the current one, the certificate expiring on 19 December House of Commons Parliamentary Question: 2009/460 I am 2009. That certificate gives an Energy Rating of 123, Energy responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office to your Band E. This rating will be reviewed as part of the process for Parliamentary Question tabled 07 December 2009, to the Minister issuing a new certificate. of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Departmental Freedom of Information The Building Energy Performance operational ratings for Concept House building occupied by Intellectual Property Office are available for 2008/09 and 2009/10 and are as follows: In 2008/2009 energy Sarah Teather: To ask the Minister of State, rating was 167, the energy band was G; in 2009/2010 energy rating Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how is 148, and the energy band is F. many requests under the Freedom of Information Act Letter from Peter Mason, dated 16 December 2009: 2000 his Department received in 2008; and how many I am responding in respect of the National Measurement of these received a substantive response within 20 days. Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 7 December [305499] 2009, to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Mr. McFadden: The Department for Business, Innovation The Agency occupies only one building, at Stanton Avenue, and Skills (BIS) was created in June 2009 from the Teddington. The only year for which an Energy Rating has been merger of the Department for Business, Enterprise and 1355W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1356W

Regulatory Reform (BERR) and the Department for Letter from Sean Dennehey, dated 9 December 2009: Innovation, Universities and Skills. I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office As BIS did not exist in 2008, we have supplied the to your Parliamentary Question tabled 07 December 2009, to the statistics for the former BERR. Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Statistics published by the Ministry of Justice on Cost to the public purse: freedom of information in central Government for 2008 show that of a total of 737 non-routine requests received The Intellectual Property Office website redesign cost £355,000. by the former BERR Department (based on aggregated When the redesign was conducted: quarterly data) 70 per cent. (516) received a substantive The Intellectual Property Office website was redesigned and response within 20 days. 87 per cent. (638) of requests launched on 1 December 2008. were dealt with ‘in time’, that is within 20 days by Background Note: meeting the deadline or other permitted extension deadline. The original website launched in May 1997. Recent enhancements The statistics can be found on the Ministry of Justice to the website were introduced as a result of extensive user website at: consultation. The new website better provides guidance and tools to professional users, individuals and businesses in the UK to http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/ help them better understand, manage and benefit from Intellectual freedomofinformationquarterly.htm Property. and copies are available in the Libraries of the House. Letter from Stephen Speed: The Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation Departmental Internet and Skills has asked me to reply to your question if he will list any re-designs of websites held by (a) his Department, (b) its predecessors and (c) its agencies since 27 June 2007; what the cost to the public David T.C. Davies: To ask the Minister of State, purse was of each redesign; and when each redesign was conducted. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what redesigns of websites of (a) his Department, (b) its The Insolvency Service has not re-designed its website since 27 predecessors and (c) its agencies were carried out since June 2007. 27 June 2007; what the cost to the public purse was of each redesign; and when each redesign was conducted. Departmental Manpower [305952] Mr. Blunt: To ask the Minister of State, Department Mr. McFadden: The Department for Business, Innovation for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff of and Skills (BIS) was created on 5 June by merging the his Department were in its redeployment pool on 1 (a) former BERR and DIUS. A website at www.bis.gov.uk January, (b) April, (c) July and (d) October 2009. was set up. The design of this website was upgraded in [306719] September at zero cost, with all work done in-house by the Department’s digital media team. Mr. McFadden: The Department for Business, Innovation BERR and DIUS were created in June 2007 from the and Skills (BIS) was created in June from the former former DTI and the former Department for Education Department for Innovation for Universities and Skills and Skills (DfES). (DIUS) and former Department for Business, Enterprise The DTI website was redesigned and rebuilt to reflect and Regulatory Reform (BERR). The information the priorities and remit of BERR. The site was relaunched requested is as follows: in September 2008 at a cost of £528,912. An interim DIUS website was launched in October Number of staff 2007. A redesigned version was launched in March at a Former DIUS cost of £105,167. January 2009 19 I have approached the chief executives of the Insolvency April 2009 15 Service, Companies House, the National Measurement Office and the Intellectual Property Office and they will Former BERR respond to you directly. January 2009 7 Letter from Gareth Jones: April 2009 5 I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Question tabled 7 December 2009, UIN 305952, to the Minister BIS of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. July 2009 14 Since 27 June 2007 there has been no re-design of Companies House website, and therefore no cost to the public purse. October 2009 14 Letter from Peter Mason, dated 9 December 2009: I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Departmental Training Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled 7 December 2009, to the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Mr. Baron: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many overseas The National Measurement Office website underwent a complete training courses were attended by his Department’s re-development between September and December 2008. The cost directly attributable to this work by an external web development civil servants in the latest period for which figures are supplier was £20,649.68 plus VAT. In addition it is estimated that available; how many civil servants attended each across the Agency some £45,000 of staff time was devoted to this course; and what the total cost to the public purse was project. of each course. [305885] 1357W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1358W

Mr. McFadden: No training courses overseas are 2. Breadth of engagement: modes of usage and consumption funded from the budgets that are held centrally within (communication, retail, content consumed, public services used); the Department. The information requested is not held 3. Depth of engagement: user contributions, comments, joining centrally for training budgets that are devolved to individual networks, user generated content, self publishing, content creation, units in the Department and could be provided only at photos uploaded and shared, etc.; and disproportionate cost. 4. Social and economic impact: particularly the impact on economic recovery and benefits for disadvantaged groups and Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Minister of State, communities. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how Fire Services: Working Hours many (a) away days and (b) conferences that took place outside his Department’s building attended by civil servants in his Department there have been since Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what its inception; and what the cost was of each. [307526] recent assessment has been made of the effect of Mr. McFadden: The Department does not centrally implementation of the European Working Time (a) (b) record details of (a) away days and (b) conferences Directive on full-time and retained fire- that took place outside of the Department’s building fighters. [307088] attended by civil servants. To obtain this information would require searching through four departmental and Mr. McFadden: In accordance with usual procedure, IT systems and entail disproportionate costs. impact assessments were prepared on the Working Time Regulations 1998 and their extension in 2003 to previously Away days are important for bringing people together, excluded sectors. The Government are well aware of the team building, reviewing work priorities and development value of working time flexibility for the labour market of staff. in general and firefighting services in particular. The Departmental Written Questions individual right to opt-out from the maximum 48 hour week is important not only for firefighters working the retained duty system (RDS), many of whom work full Mr. Harper: To ask the Minister of State, Department time for their primary employer, but also for whole-time for Business, Innovation and Skills how many and what firefighters who work the flexible duty system or provide percentage of Parliamentary Questions tabled for written RDS cover. This was one of the reasons the Government answer by his Department on a named day in session fought for and secured the maintenance of the opt-out 2008-09 received a substantive answer on that day. throughout recent negotiations on the revision of the [307536] Working Time Directive. Mr. McFadden: I refer the hon. Member to my answer Graduates to the hon. Member for Glasgow, East (John Mason) on 9 December 2009, Official Report, column 507W. Michael Gove: To ask the Minister of State, Digital Broadcasting Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many and what proportion of students graduated from John Battle: To ask the Minister of State, university with a degree in (a) chemistry, (b) Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how mathematics, (c) physics and (d) engineering in (i) his Department (a) defines and (b) measures digital 1990, (ii) 1997, (iii) 2003 and (iv) the last year for which inequality; and if he will make a statement. [306996] figures are available. [307329]

Mr. Timms: This Department does not define digital Mr. Lammy: The latest available figures from the inequality. Instead, we define digital inclusion as Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) are shown in the table. Figures for the 2008/09 academic year will “the best use of digital technology, either directly or indirectly to improve the lives and life chances of all citizens, particularly the be available in January. most disadvantaged, and the places in which they live”. Figures for 1990/91 academic year are not available; On measurement, Government stated in the Digital the earliest figures available are for the 1994/95 academic Britain White Paper its intention to evaluate the work year which have been provided as an alternative. of the Consortium for the Promotion of Digital Due to a change in the classification of subject and Participation using the following metrics: the way students are allocated in the 2002/03 academic 1. Reach: access; number of households online, and numbers year, earlier years are not directly comparable. This is using the internet outside the home; demonstrated in the table by a break in the time series.

First degree qualifiers1 in chemistry, mathematics, physics and engineering UK higher education institutions. Academic years 1994/95, 1997/98, 2003/04 and 2007/08 Chemistry Mathematics Physics Engineering All subjects Academic year Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage

1994/952 4,110 2 3,435 1 2,480 1 19,805 8 237,795 100 1997/982 3,395 1 3,370 1 2,320 1 20,330 8 258,755 100

2003/04 2,735 1 4,655 2 2,180 1 17,755 6 292,090 100 1359W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1360W

First degree qualifiers1 in chemistry, mathematics, physics and engineering UK higher education institutions. Academic years 1994/95, 1997/98, 2003/04 and 2007/08 Chemistry Mathematics Physics Engineering All subjects Academic year Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage

2007/08 2,860 1 5,300 2 2,270 1 17,785 5 334,890 100 1 Cover qualifiers from all domiciles and modes of study. 2 Due to a change in the classification of subject and the way students are allocated in the 2002/03 academic year, earlier years are not directly comparable. Note: Figures are based on a qualifications obtained population and have been rounded to the nearest five. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Graduates: Work Experience Higher Education: Leeds

Mr. Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how much his Department has spent creating and maintaining the (a) John Battle: To ask the Minister of State, Department Graduate Talent Pool and (b) Our future, its in our for Business, Innovation and Skills how many students hands website. [307770] from Leeds city area (a) attended university courses and (b) received student loans to attend university Mr. Lammy: The Department for Business, Innovation courses in each year since 1996-97. [306593] and Skills has spent £158,000 (inc VAT) on creation and maintenance of the Graduate Talent Pool website. The “Our future. Its in our hands” website is owned Mr. Lammy: The latest figures from the Higher Education and managed by the Learning and Skills Council. I have Statistics Agency (HESA) on enrolments from the Leeds asked the chief executive of the Learning and Skills local authority area are as follows: Council to write to you separately to provide an answer Table 1: Enrolments1 from Leeds local authority, UK higher education to that part of the question. institutions2 Higher Education Academic year Enrolments 1996/97 15,055 Jeff Ennis: To ask the Minister of State, Department 1997/98 15,295 for Business, Innovation and Skills how many students 1998/99 16,765 from Barnsley East and Mexborough constituency 1999/2000 16,890 attended university courses in each year since 1996-97. 2000/01 17,145 [307161] 2001/02 17,510 2002/03 17,970 Mr. Lammy: The latest information is provided in the table. Figures for the 2008/09 academic year will be 2003/04 17,875 available in January. 2004/05 18,610 2005/06 19,060 Enrolments1 from Barnsley East and Mexborough constituency2 UK 2006/07 19,255 higher education institutions3—Academic years 1996/97 to 2007/08 Academic year Enrolments 2007/08 18,850 1 Covers enrolments to both full-time and part-time undergraduate 1996/97 740 and postgraduate courses. This includes study on all years of courses, 1997/98 860 not just new entrants. 2 Excludes the Open university due to inconsistencies in their data 1998/99 1,050 across the time series. 1999/2000 970 Note: 2000/01 1,025 Figures are based on a snapshot count as at 1 December to maintain 2001/02 1,120 consistency across the time series. Source: 2002/03 1,150 Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). 2003/04 1,125 2004/05 1,145 The number of student loan borrowers from the 2005/06 1,170 Leeds local authority area is as follows. 2006/07 1,150 Table 2: Income contingent student loans 2000/01 to 2008/091 2007/08 1,145 Academic year Student loan borrowers 1 Covers undergraduate and postgraduate students of all ages enrolled on full-time and part-time courses 2000/01 6,840 2 The table does not include enrolments where the constituency of the 2001/02 8,090 student cannot be established due to missing or invalid information. 3 Excludes the Open university due to inconsistencies in their coding 2002/03 8,480 of students across the time series. 2003/04 8,680 Note: 2004/05 8,670 Figures are on a snapshot basis as at 1 December and are rounded to 2005/06 9,050 the nearest five. Source: 2006/07 9,670 Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). 2007/08 10,200 1361W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1362W

Table 2: Income contingent student loans 2000/01 to 2008/091 take time to move into employment in the months after Academic year Student loan borrowers graduating, with more graduates out of work in the first few months after graduation. 2008/09 (Provisional) 10,680 1 Consistent data are not available before academic year 2000/01. BIS does not hold this information for England, Figures exclude the older mortgage style loans, and cover loans for Leeds or Leeds North West. maintenance and tuition fees. BIS estimates of the number of first degree graduates in each activity Source: Student Loans Company. 2008/09 graduates Data from the two sources (HESA and SLC) are not Employment 153,000 directly comparable because certain students and courses ILO unemployment 88,000 (for example post graduate courses) included in Table 1 Economic inactivity 49,000 do not attract student support. Additionally, Table 2 Sources: provides those who have taken out loans, but does not Labour Force Survey Quarter 3 2009. include those who may have received student support in BIS internal estimates. the form of a grant such as students from lower income Lord Sugar families or those who study part-time courses. Immobilisation of Vehicles Mr. Hunt: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, answer of 9 December 2009, Official Report, column Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how 513W, on Lord Sugar, on what dates those meetings much his Department and its predecessors have paid in took place. [307655] vehicle clamping charges incurred on (a) privately- owned and (b) publicly-owned land in each of the last Mr. McFadden [holding answer 15 December 2009]: 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [302751] Between the dates previously indicated, Lord Sugar met Baroness Vadera on 11 June 2009, 7 July 2009 (twice) Mr. McFadden: Any costs which may exceptionally and 3 August 2009. He met Lord Davies of Abersoch have been paid in association with vehicle clamping on 13 July 2009, 24 September 2009, 1 October 2009 charges would not be recorded separately. To provide and 30 November 2009. this information would therefore entail a disproportionate Money Laundering Regulations 2007 cost. Departmental policy is that the driver of the vehicle Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister of State, Department is responsible for following all advice, guidance and for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the legislation in relation to road safety and is therefore also answer of 10 December 2009, Official Report, column responsible for meeting the cost of any fines incurred 607W, on estate agents: registration, how many estate (including parking fines), as a result of any driving agents who have registered with the Office of Fair offence. The Department will not meet those costs. Trading under the provisions of the Money Laundering Internet Regulations 2007 have registered (a) one, (b) two, (c) three, (d) four, (e) five, (f) six, (g) seven, (h) eight, (i) Derek Wyatt: To ask the Minister of State, Department nine and (j) 10 premises. [308008] for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent discussions he has had with Ofcom on access to next generation Kevin Brennan: To date, 1,775 estate agents have registered with the OFT for money laundering purposes. networks for internet service providers. [302854] The registered estate agents break down is as follows: Mr. Timms: I and my officials are in regular contact with Ofcom on a range of issues, including next generation Number access. (a) one premise 1,343 (b) two premises 235 Jobseeker’s Allowance: Graduates (c) three premises 66 (d) four premises 45 Greg Mulholland: To ask the Minister of State, (e) five premises 21 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what (f) six premises 15 his Department’s most recent estimate is of the number (g) seven premises 8 of university students who graduated in 2009 and who (h) eight premises 4 are in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance in (a) England, (i) nine premises 5 (b) Leeds and (c) Leeds North West. [307764] (j) 10 premises 0 Mr. Lammy: BIS does not have information on the The remaining 33 estate agents have 11 or more number of graduates who are claiming jobseeker’s premises. allowance. However, as a proxy, for those who left university in National Investment Corporation 2009, we can use the labour force survey to look at their initial outcomes in July to September 2009. The following Adam Afriyie: To ask the Minister of State, Department table gives the latest BIS estimates of the number of for Business, Innovation and Skills what progress has 2009 UK domiciled first degree leavers in different been made on the creation of a national investment labour market activities. Note that typically new graduates corporation; what the remit of the corporation will be; 1363W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1364W when it will make its first investment; what the criteria Mr. Lammy: In his written statement on 7 February for investments will be; and what funding has been 2008, Official Report, columns 85-86WS, on the Education allocated for a corporation in (a) 2009-10 and (b) (Student Support) Regulations, the Secretary of State 2010-11. [304200] announced that he was amending the student support regulations to disallow prisoners who were also full-time Ian Lucas [holding answer 9 December 2009]: The students from receiving financial support for maintenance, Rowlands Growth Capital Review, published in November thereby removing the long-standing provision which 2009, recommended the creation of a growth fund to had allowed prisoners to claim such support. Maintenance provide a new channel to attract private sector investment support for any student who has spent part of a year in into UK SMEs seeking between £2 and £10 million. prison is reduced pro-rata. Some prisoners, typically The pre-Budget report set out how we are taking this those allowed daily release on temporary licence to forward. The Government are working with a number attend a higher education course, are eligible to receive of banks to establish a Growth Capital Fund that will a loan for tuition fees only. work for the benefit of the economy and we will be Prisoners receiving student loans and grants1 announcing initial investors and fund structure in 2010. of which: We will take a view on the remit of National Investment Number receiving a maintenance grant, Receiving a Receiving Receiving Corporation in the New Year in the light of these Academic maintenance loan or maintenance a a tuition discussions. year tuition fee loan loan grant2 fee loan

1998/99 — — — — Overseas Students: English Language 1999/ 10 10 — — 2000 Chris Huhne: To ask the Minister of State, Department 2000/01 5 5 — — for Business, Innovation and Skills how many places 2001/02 10 10 — — were available on English for Speakers of Other Languages 2002/03 20 20 — — courses for immigrants in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09 and 2003/04 15 15 — — (c) 2009-10. [306000] 2004/05 25 20 10 — 2005/06 35 30 25 — 2006/07 45 45 40 25 Kevin Brennan [holding answer 10 December 2009]: 2007/08 40 40 35 25 Information is not available on the number of places for 2008/09 5 — — 5 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses. ‘—’ = Nil or less than 3 Providers ensure adequate places are made available to 1 The figures reflect the number of prisoners in each year who received a support local demand. payment. Prisoners may have received payments in more than one year. Figures rounded to nearest five. We do, however, publish the number of Learning and 2 Mostly maintenance grant or higher education grant, but may also include Skills Council funded learners participating on a Skills targeted support allowances. Source: for Life ESOL course in each academic year. Information Student Loans Company for 2007/08 and 2008/09 (provisional) was published in Repayments of income contingent loans, introduced a Statistical First Release (SFR) on 22 October 2009 at: in 1998, are usually collected through the tax system. http://www.thedataservice.org.uk/statistics/sfroct09 Borrowers cannot get into arrears (unless they move Updated information for 2008/09 will be published on overseas and do not repay according to the calculated 17 December 2009. repayment schedule) Information on the number of immigrants enrolling Borrowers become liable to repay their student loans on courses is not available. in the April after they leave their course (the statutory In the 2007/08 academic year, there were 2,170 entrants repayment due date, SRDD). After that date those with to HE level courses in English as a Second Language. It earnings of over £15,000 per year will repay, usually by is not possible to identify how many of these students deductions from salary. Those past SRDD and earning were immigrants. The level of detail of individual subjects less than £15,000 are not required to repay. In the tax is not consistently recorded by institutions. Subject of year 2007/08 there were 65 borrowers past SRDD who study is only required at the subject line level (i.e. Q3 had received loans when in prison. 10 of these made a English studies), though some institutions choose to repayment during the tax year. record subjects at a lower level (i.e. Q330 English as a Pupils: Travel second language). As such, the above figures may undercount the numbers studying “English as a Second Stephen Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Language”, as some institutions may have chosen to Department for Business, Innovation and Skills if he code as “English studies”. will estimate the number of students in each local authority area who travel at least 20 miles to their Prisoners: Loans further education college. [304839]

Mr. Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Kevin Brennan: The information requested is not Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how available. To provide it would entail disproportionate many prisoners received (a) a student loan and (b) a costs. maintenance grant in each of the last 12 years; and The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has undertaken how many of them (i) are in arrears on repayments and analysis of Travel to Learn Patterns for 16 to 18-year-olds (ii) have made no repayment in the last 12 months. at Further Education Providers as part of the work on [303757] responsibility for 16 to 19-year-olds transferring to 1365W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1366W local authorities following the machinery of government and found that the fraud and error rate was between 1 changes. This analysis looked at the local authority of and 4 per cent. The study implies that it should be the learner and the local authority of their provider. possible to detect and prevent fraudulent claims worth Much of this work has been published on the LSC’s around £5million, and the company has introduced website. An example of this analysis, for the East of additional checks on applications made in the 2009/10 England, can be found at: academic year. http://www.lsc.gov.uk/regions/EastofEngland/whatwedo/14- The company aims to have simple and straightforward 19TransitionProjects.htm processes for students to apply for student support However, this analysis does not look at the number of whilst at the same time remaining vigilant in detecting miles that a learner travelled to their FE provider. and preventing fraud. Royal Mail: Industrial Disputes Mr. Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills whether any employees Dr. Fox: To ask the Minister of State, Department of the Student Loans Company have been subject to for Business, Innovation and Skills how many (a) disciplinary hearings in respect of allegations of theft letters and (b) parcels sent to members of the armed or fraud in each of the last five years. [304959] forces stationed in (i) the UK, (ii) Europe, (iii) Afghanistan and (iv) elsewhere have been delayed as a Mr. Lammy: The number of Student Loans Company result of industrial action by Royal Mail postal workers Ltd. employees who have been subject to disciplinary in each month in 2009. [307355] hearings in respect of allegations of theft or fraud is set out in the following table. I am advised that the hearing Mr. McFadden: The issue raised is an operational in 2005-06 resulted in one employee being dismissed matter for Royal Mail. I have therefore asked the chief while, prior to the other hearings taking place, the executive of Royal Mail, Adam Crozier, to provide a employees concerned resigned. direct reply to the hon. Member. I understand however that the Ministry of Defence Financial year Number of employees

British Forces Post Office (BFPO) established arrangements 1 with Royal Mail that allowed for mail items to be sent 2009-10 1 to BFPO oversees addresses throughout the period of 2008-09 0 industrial unrest. 2007-08 2 2006-07 1 A copy of Royal Mail’s response will be placed in the 2005-06 1 Libraries of the House. 2004-05 0 Student Loans Company 1 To date

Mr. Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has for Business, Innovation and Skills how many people made of the cost to the public purse of theft and fraud were employed by the Student Loans Company in each at the Student Loans Company by (a) staff and (b) of the last three years. [307412] students in each of the last five years. [304956] Mr. Lammy: The number of people employed by the Mr. Lammy: The cost of theft or fraud by staff at the Student Loans Company in each of the last three years Student Loans Company in each of the last five years is is set out in the following table. set out in the following table. Financial year Financial year Cost (£) 2009-10 Staff in post 2007-08 2008-09 (to date) 2009/10 (to date) 3,178 2008/09 0 Permanent staff 1,432 1,953 1,906 2007/08 1,258 Fixed term temporary staff 21 32 72 2006/07 0 Agency staff 15 1 16 2005/06 0 Contractors 19 42 2 2004/05 0 Dept/local authority 11 1 secondment Total 4,436 Total 1,488 2,029 1,997 We do not have an estimate of the cost of student-related fraud for the last five years. Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister of State, In 2005/06 academic year, the Student Loans Company Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how made almost 800,000 payments of grants and loans. A much was spent on the salaries of senior management review of identity fraud was conducted by the NHS staff at the Student Loans Company in each of the last counter-fraud and security management service, which three years. [307413] found an estimated fraud rate of 0.6 per cent. of applications, representing approximately £8.2 million. Mr. Lammy: The amount spent on the salaries of As a result, a number of improvements have been made senior management staff at the Student Loans Company to help detect and prevent identity related fraud. in each of the last three years is publicly available in the Subsequently, the company assessed the level of income Student Loans Company’s Annual Report and Accounts. related fraud from a sample of 2008/09 applications The Annual Report and Accounts for each year are 1367W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1368W available in the House of Commons Library and to Student Loans Company: Telephone Services download from the Student Loans Company website at: http://www.slc.co.uk/about%20us/remit/annual_report.html Mr. Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills how many staff were Student Loans Company: Dismissals employed by the Student Loans Company in customer contact roles in each of the last five years; and how Mr. Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department many are forecast to be so employed in 2010. [302889] for Business, Innovation and Skills how many employees of the Student Loans Company have been dismissed following allegations of theft or fraud in each of the last Mr. Lammy: I am advised that the number of SLC staff employed in customer contact roles for the financial five years. [303184] years 2004-05 to 2008-09 are as set out in the following table. The resource forecast for financial year 2010-11 Mr. Lammy: I am advised that one Student Loans has not yet been finalised. Company employee was dismissed in 2005 following allegations of theft or fraud. Full-time equivalent

Student Loans Company: Public Relations 2008-09 546 2007-08 431 2006-07 329 Mr. Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department 2005-06 309 for Business, Innovation and Skills how much the Student Loans Company (SLC) has spent on public relations 2004-05 306 Notes: (PR) in the last 12 months; and whether the SLC 1. Figures show the number of SLC permanent and temporary staff employs an external PR agency. [302505] employed on customer contact functions in October in each year from 2005 to 2009, including outsourced call handling staff but excluding Mr. Lammy: The Student Loans Company (SLC) SLC staff re-assigned temporarily from other duties to help with spent £83,892 on two staff engaged on public relations customer contact in peak periods. 2. Staff deal with contact from potential students and sponsors (PR) and press office work and consultancy from a PR relating to higher education services in England, Wales, Northern firm, in the 12 months to 31 October. Ireland and Scotland. The figures exclude contact relating to mortgage style loan collection activities and further education services. Student Loans Company: Response Handling Mr. Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department Mr. Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what payments have for Business, Innovation and Skills how many and what been made by the Student Loans Company to Response proportion of telephone calls to the Student Loans Handling in each of the last five years. [303181] Company were outsourced to Response Handling in each of the last five years. [303182] Mr. Lammy: The following payments have been made Mr. Lammy: The number and proportion of telephone by the Student Loans Company to Response Handling calls to the Student Loans Company outsourced to in each of the last five years for outsourced contact Response Handling in the last five years are set out in services: the following table: Financial Year Amount Financial year 2005-07 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2004-05 1,183,212 2005-06 1,179,027 Number 2006-07 1,365,867 SLC 1,580,976 1,653,508 2,001,720 2,314,089 1,942,673 2007-08 1,505,268 Response 709,016 751,392 829,662 983,963 1,316,686 2008-09 1,710,264 Total 2,289,992 2.404,900 2,831,382 3,298,052 3,259,359 2009-20 12,291,924 1 2009-10 figures are year to 31 October 2009. Percentage SLC 69.0 68.8 70.7 70.2 59.6 Response 31.0 31.2 29.3 29.8 40.4 Mr. Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department Notes: for Business, Innovation and Skills what the average 2009-10 figures are year to date. time taken to answer a telephone call to (a) Student 2. These figures relate to calls from customers in England, Scotland Loans Company helplines and (b) calls outsourced to and Northern Ireland. Response Handling was in each of the last 12 months. Professor Sir Deian Hopkin’s review of the delivery [303183] of financial support to students in England by the Student Loans Company for the academic year 2009-10 recommended that the company should reconsider its Mr. Lammy: The average speed to answer telephone resourcing model for the contact centres. The SLC has calls relating to Student Finance England (SFE) at the accepted this recommendation and is taking urgent Student Loans Company (SLC) contact centre in each steps to implement improvements. of the last 12 months is indicated in the following table: 1369W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1370W

Table 1: SFE calls at SLC Contact Centre Mr. Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department Average speed of answer for Business, Innovation and Skills how much has been (Minutes:seconds) raised through helpline charges by the Student Loans Month Company in each year between 2004-05 and 2009-10; and what proportion of such funds was raised from 2008 calls which were (a) answered by a person and (b) December 00:27 unanswered in each such year. [304453]

2009 Mr. Lammy: The information provided by the Student January 00:32 Loans Company (SLC) is set out in the following table: February 01:30 SLC revenue from telephone charges by financial year March 02:29 Telephone charge revenue amount April 05:18 Financial year (£000) May 04:14 2004-05 96 June 03:44 2005-06 283 July 06:09 2006-07 283 August 10:00 2007-08 332 September 16:41 2008-09 447 October 09:45 2009-10 (to end October 2009) 265 November 04:08 The split for revenue by calls answered/abandoned is Calls are only routed to Response Handling when not held. there is an advisor available to take calls under the These figures are in the context of the SLC’s net terms of the outsourcing arrangement but that means telephone expenditure as follows: that there are no queues at the outsourced provider and any queuing and wait time is always associated with the Net telephone expenditure SLC in-house contact centre. The average speed to Financial year (£000) answer an SFE call at Response Handling in each of the 2004-05 970 last 12 months is indicated in the following table: 2005-06 890 Table 2: SFE calls directed to Response Handling 2006-07 838 Average speed of answer 2007-08 519 Month (Minutes:seconds) 2008-09 459 2008 2009-10 (to end October 2009) 307 December 00:07 Mr. Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department 2009 for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions representatives of his Department have had with the January 00:06 Student Loans Company (SLC) during 2009 on a February 00:07 geographical telephone number for enquiries to the March 00:04 SLC. [304454] April 00:05 May 00:15 Mr. Lammy: Ministers and officials are in regular June 00:13 contact with the Student Loans Company (SLC) on a July 00:13 wide range of issues, including telephones. During 2009 August 00:14 there have been no discussions specifically about a September 00:15 geographical phone number for inquiries to the SLC. October 00:13 Students November 00:13 Notes: 1 Average Speed of Answer is calculated from when the customer Mr. Evennett: To ask the Minister of State, Department enters the contact centre queue, having completed any prior identification, for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of verification or other menu options on the IVR (interactive voice students studying for a foundation degree in (a) university response system,) and ends when an agent answers. 2 Response Handling outsourcing was utilised to answer SFE related and (b) college are from a widening participation application calls only. background; and if he will make a statement. [303717] 3 Although the figures provided are for SFE related calls only, SLC in-house Contact Centre resource is utilised across a range of services Mr. Lammy: The latest figures from the Higher Education covering customers with applications in England, Wales and Northern Funding Council for England are provided in the table. Ireland and borrowers across the UK. Figures are provided for UK-domiciled full-time and Professor Sir Deian Hopkin’s review of the delivery part-time foundation degree entrants from low participation of financial support to students in England by the neighbourhoods to English higher education institutions Student Loans Company for the academic year 2009-10 and further education colleges. recommended that the company should reconsider its The proportion of entrants from low participation resourcing model for the contact centres. The SLC has neighbourhoods (LPNs) is one measure which the accepted this recommendation and is taking urgent Department uses to monitor widening participation in steps to implement improvements. higher education, along with socio-economic classification 1371W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1372W and the proportion of entrants from state school. LPNs and more fast-track degrees that we are utilising in are defined as wards which are ranked in the bottom 20 order to attract a greater diversity of students. Widening per cent. with regard to participation rates of young participation in higher education is about identifying people (under 21) in higher education. LPNs have been and nurturing talent, wherever it is found, with schools, used as a preferred measure of widening participation colleges and higher education institutions working together in this answer due to the high level of unknown data for to ensure that all those with the ability and potential to socio-economic classification (approximately 50 per cent.) benefit from higher education are able and prepared to and proportion of entrants from state schools do so. (approximately 40 per cent.) for foundation degree entrants. Foundation degrees are part of a range of measures, including more part-time study, more work-based study

UK-domicile foundation degree entrants from low participation neighbourhoods (LPNs). English HEIs and FECs. Academic year 2007-08 Full-time Part-time Total Number Percentage from Number Percentage from Number Percentage from Institution type Age group entrants LPN entrants LPN entrants LPN

FEC Young 2,805 29 405 20 3,210 28 Mature 3,085 27 2,365 24 5,450 26

HEI Young 7,085 17 955 20 8,040 17 Mature 7,770 16 10,260 17 18,030 17

Unknowns 3,130 — 3,020 — 6,150 —

Total 23,870 17,010 40,880 Notes: 1. Institution type refers to the institution the student is registered with. 2. ‘Unknowns’ includes those with unknown postcode or date of birth. 3. ‘Young’refers to students under the age of 21 at the commencement of their course. 4. ‘Mature’ refers to students aged 21 and over at the commencement of their course. 5. HEI: Higher education institution, FEC: Further education college 6. The numbers in the table have been derived using area groupings which are different to the latest POLAR methodology used to calculate some of the Performance Indicators in Higher Education (published by HESA).

Students: Disabled should be considering when thinking about future policy. All those with an interest in higher education are encouraged Mr. Harper: To ask the Minister of State, Department to submit evidence in this process. for Business, Innovation and Skills how many and what The review has also had the first meeting of its proportion of applications for disabled students allowance advisory forum, which is made up of key stakeholders in the academic year 2009-10 which were refused have from business, academia and student groups. A list of been appealed against; and what proportion of appeals organisations represented on the advisory forum can be were upheld. [307713] found on the review’s website. Students: Loans Mr. Lammy [holding answer 15 December 2009]: Continuing students will apply for Disabled Students’ Mr. Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department Allowance (DSAs) through their local authority (LA) for Business, Innovation and Skills how many complaints and will appeal to that LA where an application has regarding the time taken to process disabled students been refused. allowance applications have been received by (a) his For academic year 2009/10, the Student Loans Company Department and (b) the Student Loans Company in (SLC) is responsible for processing applications for the last 12 months. [302888] DSAs only from new students. I am advised SLC has not received any appeals from those who have submitted Mr. Lammy: In the last 12 months, the Department unsuccessful applications for DSA. has received 34 complaints in this category. The Student Loans Company does not separately categorise complaints Students: Finance about applications for Disabled Students’ Allowances. Mr. Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister of State, for Business, Innovation and Skills what the cost was of Department for Business, Innovation and Skills with designing and implementing the integrated applications reference to the answer of 5 November 2009, Official system for student loans introduced in September 2008. Report, column 1241W, on students: finance, which [302890] stakeholders his Department will consult. [308009] Mr. Lammy: Changes required to deliver the new Mr. Lammy: The review has launched its first call for Student Finance (England) service are due to be phased evidence, asking for views on the current system of in over a number of years. The total cost of designing higher education funding and the key trends the review and implementing the system between financial years 1373W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1374W

2006-07 and 2011-12 is expected to be £48.7 million, of are not reflected in the table. The figures include repayments which £33.3 million had been spent at the end of financial made directly to the SLC from borrowers living overseas year 2008-09. and from borrowers who have chosen to repay more than the regulatory amount. Mr. Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what representations The SLC has robust measures in place to collect loan (a) his Department and (b) the Students Loans Company repayments from EU Students. Those staying in the UK has received from universities seeking reimbursement of are expected to obtain a National Insurance Number emergency loans issued to students. [303180] (NINO) and make repayments through the UK tax system. But those borrowers who move and default on Mr. Lammy: The Department has not received any their loans will be traced and, where appropriate, legal representations from universities seeking reimbursement action will be taken. of emergency loans to students. Neither has the Student Loans Company. Mr. Willis: To ask the Minister of State, Department Mr. Willetts: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he expects for Business, Innovation and Skills what the monetary all outstanding student loan applications to be value was of (a) outstanding student loans held and processed by 31 December 2009. [305795] (b) student loan repayments made by students from (i) the UK, (ii) other EU member states and (iii) non-EU Mr. Lammy [holding answer 10 December 2009]: I countries in each of the last five years. [303590] have been advised that Student Finance England cleared the backlog of correspondence by 11 December 2009 Mr. Lammy: The information requested is as follows: and I have sought clarification of this from the chief Loan balance outstanding and repayments executive of the Student Loans Company. The Student £ million Loans Company is still receiving around 1,500 new Loan balance outstanding Repayments posted to applications each week. Financial including loans not yet due SLC accounts during There are students in the system who still need to Year for repayment1 financial year provide all the necessary evidence for their application English to be completed. This includes people claiming disabled domicile students’ allowance who are still awaiting their assessments. 2004-05 13,033.4 417.3 I have instructed the SLC to work swiftly to contact 2005-06 15,321.7 481.6 students and assessment centres in universities to process 2006-07 18,106.7 529.8 all outstanding cases as quickly as possible. 2007-08 21,902.2 633.0 2008-09 25,867.0 897.6 Mr. Willis: To ask the Minister of State, Department EU for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of domicile second instalment student loans he expects to be paid 2006-07 9.7 2— by 28 January 2010; and if he will make a statement. 2007-08 42.1 0.5 [305796] 2008-09 96.8 2.0 1 Loan balance at the end of the financial year Mr. Lammy [holding answer 10 December 2009]: It is 2 Less than 100,000 not clear whether the question relates to maintenance Source: or tuition fee loans. Student Loans Company The table shows those who at the time of their Of the applications processed so far, there are currently application for student support were either English 741,376 second maintenance loan instalments relating domiciled students studying in the UK, or who were to Student Finance England scheduled for payment EU students studying in England. between 24 December and 31 January. Students from non-EU countries are not generally These figures exclude payment of grants. eligible for support. However, EEA migrant workers and certain family members, children of Swiss nationals Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister of State, Department and children of Turkish workers may be eligible. Such for Business, Innovation and Skills what mechanisms students are entitled to apply for the full student support are in place to ensure that students in higher education package, and are included in the English domicile part receive their tuition fee and maintenance loans before of the table. their course commences. [307409] EU students who have taken out tuition fee loans only, (introduced in academic year 2006-07), are shown Mr. Lammy: Students cannot receive maintenance in the EU domicile part of the table. Most EU loan loans or grants before their course commences. Once borrowers are still at university and therefore not yet the university has confirmed the student’s attendance, required to begin repaying their loans. A borrower who payment is made through the Bankers’Automated Clearing started a typical three year course in 2006-07 will become System (BACS). Tuition fees are paid directly to Higher liable to begin repaying in April 2010. Education Institutions on behalf of students in two Most income contingent loan repayments are collected equal instalments during the academic year. through the tax system. The SLC are notified of repayments after the end of the tax year. This means that, for Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister of State, example, repayments shown in financial year 2008-09 Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what mostly relate to repayments made in tax year 2007-08. the budget of the Student Loans Company has been in Repayments made via the tax system in tax year 2008-09 each of the last three years. [307410] 1375W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1376W

Mr. Lammy: The Student Loans Company’s UK Vocational Training: West Midlands budget is set out in an Annual Performance and Resource Agreement letter, the most recent of which is available Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister of State, to download from the Student Loans Company website Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what at: steps his Department is taking to maintain a high skills http://www.slc.co.uk/about%20us/remit/index.html level in the West Midlands. [307313] The UK budget for the last three years has been as Kevin Brennan: The Government are taking a range follows: of measures to maintain a high skills level in the West Midlands and across the country as a whole. Financial year £ million On 3 November Government published “Higher 2007-08 75.7 Ambitions: the future of universities in the Knowledge 2008-09 86.7 economy”. It sets out the priorities for the Government’s 2009-10 98.1 approach to higher education (HE) over the next 10 years. Public funding for HE has increased by over 25 per cent. from 1997-98 to 2008-09 in real terms. We now Miss McIntosh: To ask the Minister of State, have a third of the population with Level 4 plus qualification Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what compared to less than a quarter in 1997. powers the Government has to alter the management (a) structure and (b) personnel of the Student Loans We also published the “Skills for Growth” White Paper on 11 November. This is our National Skills Company. [307411] Strategy which sets out a number of new commitments, including: Mr. Lammy: Governance arrangements agreed between Renewal of commitment to the basic targets set out by the the Administrations of England, Wales, Northern Ireland 2006 Leitch report for improving the skills level of the nation. and Scotland and the Student Loans Company (SLC) A new ambition for three quarters of young people to participate are set out in the SLC’s Framework Document which is in higher education or complete a technician or equivalent available in the House of Commons Library and also course by the age of 30. on the Student Loans Company’s website at: A new approach to anticipate and respond to future skills http://www.slc.co.uk/about%20us/remit/index.html needs for economic prosperity and social mobility whilst continuing Ministers appoint the Chair and Non-Executive Directors to respond to the “here and now” of employers and learners. of the SLC Board and approve the appointment by the Expanding apprenticeships to create a modern class of technicians, Board of the Chief Executive Officer. Other Executive with 35,000 more advanced apprenticeships and progression routes for apprentices into HE. Director appointments are a matter for the SLC Board. Improve quality of provision, empowering learners with greater choice; giving more autonomy to colleges and training institutions Students: Radicalism that deliver excellence; and cutting lower priority courses. In our Skills Investment Strategy, published on the 16 Mr. Holloway: To ask the Minister of State, November, we set out how we will fund skills training in Department for Business, Innovation and Skills with the academic year 2010-11. It outlines that: reference to the answer to the hon. Member for We will increase funding for adult apprenticeships to £400 Lancaster and Wyre of 15 July 2009, Official Report, million which includes increased support for advanced column 507W, on students: radicalism, which apprenticeships for 19-30 year-olds in line with the commitments in Skills for Growth for an additional 35,000 places over the institutions will receive further targeted support in the next two years. new academic year. [307744] We will continue our investment to provide vital training and employability skills to support those out of work into sustainable Mr. Lammy: The list of which institutions will receive employment, particularly through the six month offer and further targeted support will be finalised in February young person’s guarantee. 2010. I will write to the hon. Member with the list once We will also continue to support the delivery of statutory it has been finalised. entitlements that give adults the opportunity to gain the basic skills for employability including literacy and numeracy skills. UK Trade and Investment: Internet

David T.C. Davies: To ask the Minister of State, TREASURY Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what Banks: Finance redesigns of websites operated by UK Trade and Investment have been carried out since 27 June 2007; Mr. Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer and what the (a) cost to the public purse and (b) date whether (a) UK Financial Investments and (b) HM of completion of each such redesign was. [306204] Treasury is undertaking currency cover in respect of the £170 billion of foreign currency loans covered by its Ian Lucas: £42,000 was spent redeveloping the former underwriting for Royal Bank of Scotland. [307151] MOD Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) website when the organisation became UKTI Defence Sarah McCarthy-Fry: United Kingdom Financial and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO) in April 2008. Investments does not have the remit to undertake currency The work on the website: cover in respect of foreign currency loans. www.dso.uktradeinvest.gov.uk The Treasury does not normally buy insurance against was completed in May 2008. risk. 1377W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1378W

Civil Service: Location Contact detail Mr. Pelling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Bermuda Monetary Authority: [email protected] what discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on compensatory steps to reduce the economic effects British Virgin Islands: [email protected] of transferring further Civil Service posts away from Croydon. [304986] Cayman Islands: [email protected] Mr. Byrne [holding answer 9 December 2009]: The Gibraltar: Registrar of [email protected] Government’s existing property strategy requires all Companies: new acquisitions, lease renewals and break clauses to Financial Services Commission: [email protected] seek my approval to stay in London and the south-east. This ensures that in reaching a decision, I can assess the implications of the case for remaining in London and Montserrat: [email protected] the south-east or for relocating to another part of the country. Turks and Caicos Islands: [email protected] Where necessary Treasury Ministers will discuss The Ministry of Justice is responsible for the relationship relocation issues with ministerial colleagues. between the United Kingdom and the Crown Dependencies. Climate Change Levy: Agriculture The contact details for their regulatory authorities are: Contact detail Mr. Paice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the expenditure on Guernsey: [email protected] energy efficiency measures by the (a) horticulture, (b) Jersey: [email protected] pig and (c) poultry industry which was funded by Isle of Man: [email protected] receipts under the Climate Change Levy to the Carbon Trust. [307501] Council Tax: Valuation

Joan Ruddock: I have been asked to reply. Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer My right hon. Friend has made no such estimate. with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for However, the Carbon Trust (CT) offers energy efficiency Bromley and Chislehurst of 22 June 2009, Official advice and surveys in respect of all agricultural sectors Report, column 662W,on council tax: valuation, whether including horticulture, and the pig and poultry industries, the council tax banding support tool will be linked with and publishes a wide range of advice on their website the Valuation Office Agency’s Geographical Information with self help guidance and fact sheets including specific System; and whether the tool utilises (a) dwellingcode sections for: and value significant code data and (b) analysis derived Poultry meat from the Automated Valuation Model. [305750] Pigs Protected horticulture Ian Pearson: There will be no direct link between the Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA’s) council tax banding In 2007-08 CT also funded the Grow Save programme— support tool and its Geographic Information System run by the Horticultural Development Board—which when the latter is implemented. helps growers reduce the energy consumption of greenhouses. An automated selection process within the banding support tool identifies properties which are closely These activities were funded by Carbon Trust’s core comparable to a given subject property. This process government grant as well as other sources of income makes use of (a) dwelling house code data (i.e. property details), which includes value significant code data; but Companies: Crown Dependencies and British Overseas not (b) analysis derived from the VOA’s Automated Territories Valuation Models.

Mr. Austin Mitchell: To ask the Chancellor of the Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Exchequer how many companies and trusts are with reference to the answer of 3 November 2009, registered in each of the UK Crown Dependencies and Official Report, column 840W,on council tax: valuation, Overseas Territories. [307354] how many times the Valuation Office Agency has reduced the council tax banding of a dwelling due to the presence Chris Bryant: I have been asked to reply. of a nearby Traveller encampment in the last 12 months. The registration of companies and trusts in the Overseas [307066] Territories is the responsibility of their financial authorities. Their contact details are as follows: Ian Pearson: The information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Contact detail Crown Estate Commissioners: Conferences Anguilla: [email protected] Mr. Graham Stuart: To ask the Chancellor of the Bermuda: Registrar of [email protected] Companies: Exchequer how many (a) away days and (b) conferences that took place outside the Crown Estate’s buildings 1379W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1380W attended by civil servants in the Crown Estate there Ian Pearson: As announced in the pre-Budget report, have been since 2005; and what the cost was of each. the Government have introduced a Fiscal Responsibility [307462] Bill to enhance the fiscal framework put in place in 1997, by increasing Parliament’s role in debating and Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Employees of The Crown Estate approving the Government’s medium-term fiscal plans. are not civil servants. Equitable Life Ex-gratia Payment Scheme Review Crown Estate Commissioners: Hotels Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations his Department has made to Sir Anne Main: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer John Chadwick in respect of the (a) methods by which how much the Crown Estate has spent on hotel the Equitable Life compensation scheme is to be accommodation for its officials in each of the last five administered and (b) criteria by which compensation years. [306033] is to be awarded. [307247]

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Expenditure on hotel Mr. Byrne [holding answer 14 December 2009]: The accommodation for Crown Estate officials in the last Government’s response to Sir John Chadwick’s interim five years is as follows: report of June 2009, in which he invited comments on the specific issues he should address in carrying out his £000 work, was published by Sir John along with other 2004-05 25 representations made to him in August 2009. The document 2005-06 23 can be viewed on his website at: 2006-07 40 http://www.chadwick-office.org/documents.asp 2007-08 43 The Government’s representations with regard to his 2008-09 87 interim report of August 2009, in which he invited comment on his proposals on approaching the assessment Departmental Energy of relative loss he should adopt, will be published shortly and will be available at: http://www.chadwick-office.org/documents.asp Paul Holmes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the energy efficiency rating is of each of his Excise Duties: Motor Vehicles Department’s buildings in London. [307420] Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Sarah McCarthy-Fry: I refer the hon. Gentleman to how many cars registered in the UK were eligible for the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Welwyn Band A vehicle excise duty in the latest period for which Hatfield (Grant Shapps) on 11 November 2009, Official figures are available. [307034] Report, column 585W. Sarah McCarthy-Fry: As of June 2009, 9,100 cars Dubai Ports World were licensed in Band A of CO2-based vehicle excise duty. Mr. Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Housing: Energy what estimate he has made of the likely level of financial exposure of the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Banking Group to Dubai World debt. [307157] what plans he has for further consultation on economic Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Treasury is unable to disclose measures to encourage residential sector energy such information as it is commercially sensitive. efficiency. [306987]

Mr. Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Government will shortly whether UK Financial Investments is seeking representation consult on an extension to the end of 2012 of its flagship home energy efficiency programme, the Carbon on the Dubai World creditors’ committee. [307159] Emissions Reduction Target (CERT), from its current Sarah McCarthy-Fry: In line with its Investment end date of April 2011. During its current 2008-11 Mandate, agreed with Treasury, and the Institutional phase, CERT will drive an estimated £3.2 billion investment Shareholders’ Committee Statement of Principles, UKFI in home insulation and other energy saving measures to acts as an engaged and informed institutional shareholder meet a target of 185 MtCO2 lifetime savings. The new for the banks in which Government have shareholdings. 21-month target will be at least as ambitious as the current scheme on a pro rata basis. Day to day management of the banks’ business is a matter for the banks’ boards. The Government also offer other incentives for energy efficiency including: reduced rates of VAT (5 per cent.) for the professional installation Economic Situation of certain energy saving products within residential properties, including insulation, Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the a stamp duty relief for new zero-carbon homes, and Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect the Landlords Energy Savings Allowance, which offers an of the introduction of a new independent body to incentive of up to £1,500 per dwelling for landlords investing in undertake fiscal forecasts on interest rates. [305559] installing specified energy saving items. 1381W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1382W

Income Tax: Pensioners Chancellor and works closely with Downing Street, HM Treasury, the Cabinet Office and a range of other John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Departments. what his estimate is of the number of pensioners living As part of their ministerial responsibilities, the Chief in Leeds West constituency who pay income tax. Secretary to the Treasury and the Chancellor have [306984] ongoing discussions on the co-ordination of progress in the achievement of PSAs by Government Departments. Mr. Timms: The information requested is not available, Progress on PSAs is reported to Parliament in the however the information on the number of taxpayers Departmental Annual Reports and the Autumn paying income tax on their pension income by constituency Performance Report. can be found in table 3.15 ″Income and tax by Parliamentary Constituency″ available at: Tax Allowances: Freight http://hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu-by- year.htm#315 Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Information on the number of pensioner taxpayers Exchequer what assessment he has made of the merits by gender, region and country can be found in table 3.12 of introducing an essential user rebate system for UK ″Income and tax for individuals of pension age by road hauliers; and what estimate he has made of the gender and country″ available at: cost of such a rebate if by this means diesel costs to http://www.hmnrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/menu-by- UK road hauliers were reduced in effect to the EU year.htm#312 average. [306962] Estimates are based on the Survey of Personal Incomes, of which 2006-07 is currently the latest available. Sarah McCarthy-Fry: EU law does not allow for a Any inference from the information in table 3.15 reduced fuel duty rate just for hauliers. A reduced rate should take into account the confidence intervals in for commercial vehicles would be allowable. However, table 3.15a ″Income and tax by Parliamentary Constituency. this would have significant Exchequer costs and in this Confidence Intervals″, available at the above web address. time of fiscal consolidation such expenditure and fiscal risk would not be appropriate. The difficulties of such a John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer proposal (given that fuel duty is charged on supplies) what his estimate is of the income tax receipts to the would lead to significant complexity and administrative Exchequer from pension income in the latest year for costs for Government and industry, and risk fraud and which figures are available; and if he will make a evasion. statement. [306986] Tax Enquiry Centres Mr. Timms: The estimate of income tax from all pension income in 2009-10 is £12.1 billion. This figure is Mr. Tom Clarke: To ask the Chancellor of the based on the 2006-07 Survey of Personal Incomes projected Exchequer what steps he plans to take to ensure that forward to 2009-10 in line with the 2009 pre-Budget changes in the opening times at tax enquiry centres do report. not adversely affect (a) pensioners, (b) people with disabilities and (c) other vulnerable groups less likely Non-Domestic Rates: Garages and Petrol Stations to use the internet or the telephone. [306467] Mr. Timms: I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer answer I gave the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) by what mechanism the Valuation Office Agency on 14 December 2009, Official Report, column 855W. assesses the value of petrol filling stations. [307258] An Equality Impact Assessment of changes to Enquiry Centre opening hours will be published prior to any Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer changes being made. given to him on 10 December 2009, Official Report, column 583W. Taxation: Domicile

Public Service Agreements Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people gave up non-domiciled Chloe Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer tax status in the last tax year; and what mechanism what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the exists for removing such status. [304672] Exchequer on co-ordination of progress in the achievement of Public Service Agreement targets by Mr. Timms [holding answer 7 December 2009]: Government departments. [304985] Information on the number of individuals who declared a non-UK domicile status to HM Revenue and Customs Mr. Byrne [holding answer 9 December 2009]: The (HMRC) in 2007/08, but declared themselves to be UK Chief Secretary to the Treasury has ministerial responsibility domiciled in 2008-09 is obtainable only at disproportionate for public service reform, delivery and performance, cost, as manual checks of free text boxes on self-assessment including public service agreements (PSAs). tax returns for those years would be needed to establish Within the Treasury, the Prime Minister’s Delivery this. Unit (PMDU) co-ordinates, monitors and reports on Individuals generally acquire their father’s domicile progress in relation to the achievement of PSAs. The at birth. This can be changed after the age of 16 by PMDU reports jointly to the Prime Minister and to the showing that they have chosen to live permanently in 1383W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1384W another country to the one they are domiciled in. It is a Mr. Timms: The following table shows, for each ward matter of fact and degree whether this choice is sufficient within the Metropolitan Borough of Leeds, as at to alter domicile status. 1 April 2009, estimates for the number of households The individual will need to show that they live in the benefiting from tax credits. other country and intend to remain there permanently Due to small sample sizes, separate information on or indefinitely. It is for the person asserting the change the number of households receiving working tax credits of domicile to prove this. Each case depends upon its and child tax credits in each ward is not available. facts, and is a matter of general law rather than tax law. However, estimates of the number of families benefiting, by award type; for each local authority and parliamentary Taxation: Holiday Accommodation constituency are provided in the HM Revenue and Customs snapshot publication ″Child and Working Tax Credits. Geographical Analysis, April 2009″. This is Mr. Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer available at: what representations his Department and HM Revenue http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-geog- and Customs have received from operators of long- stats.htm term residential lets (a) on the equity of the system of furnished holiday lettings relief extended to operators Number of households in receipt of self-catering holiday properties and (b) seeking the Ward of tax credits abolition of such relief. [307292] Adel and Wharfedale 1,300 Alwoodley 1,700 Mr. Timms: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer Ardsley and Robin Hood 2,400 I gave on 20 October 2009, Official Report, column Armley 3,200 1413W,to the hon. Member for Montgomeryshire (Lembit Beeston and Holbeck 2,800 Öpik). Bramley and Stanningley 3,000 Burmantofts and Richmond Hill 3,400 Mr. Weir: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer Calverley and Parsley 2,000 what steps HM Revenue and Customs took to Chapel Allerton 2,700 determine the range of services characteristically City and Hunslet 2,200 offered by providers of self-contained accommodation Cross Gates and Whinmoor 2,400 prior to reaching the conclusion that the services and Farnley and Wortley 3,000 facilities provided by self-catering operators in receipt Garforth and Swillington 2,000 of furnished holiday lettings relief are not appropriate Gipton and Harehills 3,900 to secure classification as a trade. [307294] Guiseley and Rawdon 2,000 Harewood 900 Mr. Timms: HM Revenue and Customs’ guidance Headingley 300 explains the difference between trade and property business, Horsforth 1,600 based on the legislation and the courts1 interpretation Hyde Park and Woodhouse 1,300 of it. In the past the courts have decided that income Killingbeck and Seacroft 3,500 from furnished holiday letting is not normally a trade. Kippax and Methley 2,200 Kirkstall 1,900 VAT: Gaming Machines Middleton Park 3,800 Moortown 1,800 Mr. Ian Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Morley North 2,300 Exchequer if he will waive the back payments of value Morley South 2,400 added tax and gaming machine duty on category B3A Otley and Yeadon 2,200 gaming machines owed by not-for-profit sports and Pudsey 2,200 social clubs. [306355] Rothwell 1,900 Roundhay 1,900 Sarah McCarthy-Fry: There is no legal basis for HM Temple Newsam 2,600 Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to waive tax that is Weetwood 1,300 properly due. Wetherby 1,200 Some not-for-profit sports and social clubs are disputing Welfare Tax Credits: York HMRC’s tax treatment of electronic lottery (category B3A) gaming machines, and tribunal cases are pending Hugh Bayley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer about that. It would not be appropriate to comment how many people in City of York have had their tax further until the outcome of those cases is known. credits increased in the last 12 months as a result of their earned income falling; and by what average weekly Welfare Tax Credits: Leeds amount such tax credits rose. [307403] Mr. Timms: HM Revenue and Customs estimate John Battle: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer that, as of 1 November 2009, 1.000 families in the City what his most recent estimate is of the number of of York have benefited from an increased Tax Credits families in each ward of Leeds West constituency who award, worth an average of £37 per week, as a consequence are in receipt of (a) working tax credit and (b) child of their total income having fallen since the beginning tax credit. [307083] of the 2009-10 tax year. 1385W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1386W

HOME DEPARTMENT Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individual animals Animal Experiments: Licensing were used in procedures regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in Wales in 2008. [306296] Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the project Meg Hillier: During 2008, in Wales, there were 48,507 licences granted under the Animals (Scientific animals used in scientific procedures on living animals Procedures) Act 1986 in force in Wales at the end of started under the 1986 Act. 2008 were in the (a) mild, (b) moderate, (c) substantial and (d) unclassified severity banding. Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for [306297] the Home Department what proportion of procedures regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Meg Hillier: During 2008, in Wales, 61 per cent. of Act 1986 carried out in Wales in 2008 were conducted the project licences granted under the Animals (Scientific without anaesthesia. [306298] Procedures) Act 1986 were in the mild severity banding, Meg Hillier: During 2008, in Wales, 52 per cent. of 39 per cent. in moderate, there were none in substantial the scientific procedures on living animals started under or unclassified. the 1986 Act used no form of anaesthesia. Animal Experiments: Wales Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many project licences in respect of work to be carried out in Wales were granted Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in the Home Department what proportion of the 2008; and how many such project licences were in force regulated procedures under the Animals (Scientific at the end of 2008. [306300] Procedures) Act 1986 which were conducted in Wales in 2008 were conducted for (a) fundamental and Meg Hillier: During 2008 23 project licences were applied studies other than toxicology and (b) toxicity granted under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 tests or other safety and efficacy evaluation. [306293] in Wales. On 31 December 2008 there were 77 project licences in force in Wales. Meg Hillier: All the scientific procedures on living Assaults On Police animals started in 2008 in Wales under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 related to fundamental Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the and applied studies other than toxicology. Home Department what records are kept of the number of cautions issued for assault on a police Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for officer. [306362] the Home Department how many of the regulated procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Maria Eagle: I have been asked to reply. Act 1986 which were conducted in Wales in 2008 The Ministry of Justice Cautions Database holds involved (a) cats, (b) dogs, (c) rabbits, (d) horses and records of each caution, reprimand and warning issued, other equids, (e) New World primates and (f) Old and reported by police forces, in England and Wales. In World primates which (i) were genetically modified and each case the offender’s gender and age are recorded (ii) had a harmful genetic defect. [306294] along with some limited information on ethnicity. The database holds a record of the police force area in which Meg Hillier: In 2008 there were no such procedures in the caution was issued and the offence for which the Wales nor in Great Britain as a whole (Table three, caution was given. Information is reported centrally on Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals this basis (including records on the number of cautions Great Britain 2008, available from the Library of the issued for assault on a constable) irrespective of the House—HC800). nature of the offence. The number of cautions issued in England and Wales Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for in 2007 (latest available) for “assault on a constable” the Home Department how many (a) mice, (b) rats, under section 89(1) of the Police Act 1996 is 2,183. (c) guinea pigs, (d) hamsters, (e) rabbits, (f) horses Court proceedings data for 2008 are planned for and other equids, (g) sheep, (h) pigs, (i) birds, (j) publication on 28 January 2010. amphibians, (k) reptiles, (l) fish, (m) cats, (n) dogs, Asylum (o) New World primates and (p) Old World primates were used in procedures conducted in Wales and Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the regulated under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Home Department how many Southern Sudanese Act 1986 in 2008. [306295] people with refugee status or awaiting a decision on their status there are in the UK. [307093] Meg Hillier: In line with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics (implementing the Statistics and Mr. Woolas: The requested information relating to Registration Act 2007), and the National Statistician’s Southern Sudanese nationals is not collated separately. guidance “Confidentiality of Official Statistics”, the Further, information on asylum applicants awaiting an information requested is not available. Providing the initial decision, by nationality or sub-region, is unavailable information requested would breach statistical and could only be obtained by examination of individual confidentiality relating to individual establishments. case records at disproportionate cost. 1387W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1388W

Information on asylum is published annually and The Department was pleased at the successful conclusion quarterly. Annual statistics for 2008 and statistics for to the two year review of the European Electronic Q3 2009 are available from the Library of the House Communications Framework last month. This included and from the Home Office Research, Development and adoption of the so-called citizen’s rights amending directive Statistics Directorate website at: which improves existing regulations on privacy and http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum- electronic communications (Directive 2002/58/EC). Officials stats.html in BIS are embarking on a major consultation and transposition exercise that will see these revisions, including Asylum: Yorkshire and the Humber the new requirements for data breach notification, implemented into UK law over the next 18 months. Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for the These revisions introduce a new, specific definition of Home Department how many asylum seekers living in “personal data breach”, which includes accidental loss; (a) the City of York and (b) Yorkshire and the and the article on data security has been significantly Humber received support from public funds in each expanded to address issues of access to, storage of, year since 2002. [304506] transmission and processing of such personnel data. The competent national authority (Information Mr. Woolas: The following table shows the number of Commissioner’s Office) will now be able to audit the asylum seekers in receipt of support in City of York security policies of operators and any breach of personal and Yorkshire and the Humber at the end of each year data requirements will have to be notified to the authority between 2002 and 2008. and individuals concerned. Information on immigration and asylum, including At the current time, organisations and individuals asylum seekers in receipt of support, are published can be subject to enforcement orders and sanctions annually and quarterly. Annual statistics and the latest under the provisions of the Data Protection Act (DP A) statistics for Q3 2009 are available from the Library of 1998, following prosecution in a magistrates or crown the House and from the Home Office Research, court (£5,000 in the former, unlimited in the latter). In Development and Statistics Directorate website at: 2010, provisions of the Criminal Justice and Immigration http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum- Act 2008 take effect whereby the Information Commissioner stats.html could also issue a monetary penalty for a breach of data Number of asylum seekers1, 2, including dependants, in receipt of support, in privacy provisions in that Act. York and Yorkshire and the Humber, 2002-08, as at end of December3 The revised e-Privacy Directive contains a new article Accommodation 4 which specifically addresses investigation and enforcement Subsistence only and subsistence Total of the improved regime and provides for penalties, York: including criminal sanctions, that are both proportionate 2002 20 5 25 and dissuasive. The Department will be consulting 2003 25 5 30 consumers, operators and other stakeholders on developing 2004 15 5 15 this regime over the next 18 months. 2005 5 — 5 2006 * — * Departmental Art Works 2007 * — * 2008 5 — 5 Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department Yorkshire and the spent on art works in the last 12 months. [306441] Humber 2002 800 10,215 11,015 Mr. Woolas: There has been no expenditure on art by 2003 855 9,920 10,775 the Department at its HQ at 2 Marsham street over the 2004 660 9,370 10,030 last 12 months. Information on any possible expenditure 2005 375 7,645 8,020 on art elsewhere is not held centrally. 2006 305 7,750 8,055 2007 325 7,095 7,420 2008 230 4,405 4,640 Departmental Legal Costs 1 Figures rounded to the nearest 5 (— = 0,*=1or2)andmaynotsumtothe totals shown due to independent rounding. 2 Excludes unaccompanied asylum seeking children and those in initial Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the accommodation. Home Department what expenditure his Department 3 Provisional figures. and its agencies have incurred on external legal advice 4 Includes disbenefited cases. and representation in each year since 1997; and for Databases: EC Law what purposes such professional services have been commissioned. [300576] Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the data breach notification Mr. Woolas: The requested detail for years 1996-97 to requirements in the EU E-privacy Directive will be 2001-02 is not available. However, the Department’s transposed into UK law; what sanctions are available expenditure on external legal services for 2002-03 to under current law against organisations or individuals 2008-09 is set out in the following table. who breach data privacy; and if he will make a Home Office numbers for the years 2002-03 to 2006-07 statement. [306537] include the National Offenders Management Service and the Office of Criminal Justice Reform which transferred Mr. Timms: I have been asked to reply. from the Home Office to Ministry of Justice on nine 1389W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1390W

May 2007. These costs could not be identified separately Detention Centres without incurring disproportionate cost. This figure does not include the cost to the Home Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Office of litigation or other legal services provided by Home Department how many transfers of detainees the Treasury Solicitor or elsewhere within Government. between immigration detention centres have been made The purposes for which such services have been in each month in 2009. [301237] commissioned relate principally to legal advice, such as advice on commercial projects. Mr. Woolas: The following table shows the number of transfers from one immigration removal centre to another Legal costs are incurred in accordance with guidance, of individuals detained under Immigration Act powers. issued by Attorney-General, on what constitutes core Government business and the use of the private sector Month of transfer Number of transfers for government legal work. January 2009 1,180 Home Office expenditure on external legal services, February 2009 1,317 £ thousand March 2009 1,632 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 April 2009 1,344 Home 10,067 11,505 17,362 28,075 23,614 2,856 2,229 May 2009 1,326 Office June 2009 1,522 Identity 98 292 363 766 1,214 3,460 3,880 July 2009 1,567 and Passport August 2009 1,951 Service September 2009 1,622 Criminal 0 0 835292597October 2009 1,668 Records Total 15,129 Bureau The data are management information only and have Departmental Procurement not been subject to the detailed checks that apply for National Statistics publications. These figures are provisional Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State and are subject to change. for the Home Department whether there has been any National Statistics on persons held in detention solely nugatory cost to (a) his Department and (b) its under Immigration Act powers on a snapshot basis are agencies arising from tendered procurement in published quarterly in the Control of Immigration: circumstances where the tender process has been Quarterly Statistical Summary, United Kingdom bulletins. cancelled prior to the award of the contract in the last These are available from the Library of the House and five years. [303713] from the Home Office’s Research, Development and Statistics website at: Mr. Woolas: From best available records in the last http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum- five years the Home Department and its executive agencies stats.html. have not incurred any nugatory bid costs from suppliers Tables 8a and 8b of the Second Quarter 2009 Summary where tender processes have been cancelled prior to the includes, from January 2009, the number of people award of contract. Nugatory costs for staff time and entering detention. other associated costs are not recorded centrally and a The UK Border Agency seeks to minimise movements search of individual records for any available information within the detention estate in the interests of providing could be undertaken only at disproportionate cost. a settled regime and the efficient use of escorting resources. Movement of detainees around the estate is required for Departmental Rail Travel operational reasons, most often to: Position detainees close to airports prior to removal Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Position detainees for court appearances Home Department on what date he last travelled by Position detainees for hospital appointments train in the course of his official duties. [301207] Position detainees for embassy/documentation interviews To facilitate the movement of detainees to more secure locations Alan Johnson: I last travelled by train on Tuesday, 1 for security/behavioural reasons. December 2009. Ensure that bed space capacity in all 11 immigration removal centres are fully utilised. Departmental Training Foreign Workers Mr. Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much (a) his Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State Department and (b) its agencies spent on away days in for the Home Department what assessment he has the last 12 months; and what the (i) subject and (ii) made of the effects of numerical limits on temporary location of each away day was. [306759] migration. [300489]

Mr. Woolas: The Home Office accounting system Mr. Woolas: The Government’s view is that a numerical does not separately identify expenditure on staff away limit, or ’cap’, on temporary migration is not the most days. To provide the requested detail would incur effective way of managing migration. Rather, our view disproportionate cost. is that the points based system is the best and most 1391W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1392W robust way of controlling the numbers of people coming The “Think U Know” website provides practical to the UK from outside Europe without preventing the safety information for children in relevant and easy-to- admission of migrants with specific skills that the UK understand ways, with different sections for different economy needs. age groups. This information will help children to We have already demonstrated the system’s flexibility understand the internet, the risks that they might face, through putting a stop to low skilled labour entering and how to protect themselves. The site also provides a the UK from outside Europe by suspending Tier three, direct link to CEOP for children who feel threatened as well as well as tightening up labour market testing online to report the threat through CEOP’s “Report requirements for Tier 2. Abuse” button.

Hacking Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department Chris Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the is taking to educate parents on best practices on the Home Department what co-operation is taking place internet in order to protect their children. [306325] with other governments to facilitate best practice in countering hacking of computer systems; and if he will Mr. Alan Campbell [holding answer 15 December make a statement. [306538] 2009]: The Government created the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) in 2006 to help Alan Johnson: The Government take attacks on computer protect children online. As part of their remit, CEOP systems very seriously, and recognise that the problem is provide safety information to parents, carers and teachers. an international one. We work bilaterally and through multi-lateral institutions to ensure that there is an agreed This is set out in the “Think U Know” website, which international approach to tackling this crime. provides practical safety information for adults to allow We are working with the Council of Europe to ratify them to keep children safe online. This information will the Cybercrime Convention, as well as with the European help adults to keep themselves safe, and to help children Union and the G8. Law enforcement agencies such as to understand the internet, the risks that they might the Serious Organised Crime Agency work closely with face, and how to protect themselves. The site also provides their international counterparts to tackle cross-border a direct link to CEOP for children who feel threatened cyber crime. online to report the threat through CEOP’s “Report Abuse” button. Internet: Children When we created CEOP, we recognised the need to develop a law enforcement capability to fight the sexual Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State abuse of children in the online environment, and to for the Home Department what steps his Department provide a national body to act as the national centre for is taking to enable children to use the internet in a safe this crime. manner. [306323] Since its inception, CEOP has been a remarkable success. It has rescued over 300 children, and has led to Mr. Alan Campbell [holding answer 15 December the arrest of a significant number of people seeking to 2009]: The Government launched the UK Council for harm children. It has also developed the leading UK Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) in September 2008, to child internet safety website, “Think U Know”, which bring together Government, industry, charities, law provides practical safety information for adults to allow enforcement and others to collectively work to help them to keep children safe online. This information will children stay safe online. help adults to keep themselves safe, and to help children We have now launched the UKCCIS strategy, “Click to understand the internet, the risks that they might Clever Click Safe”, which sets out what is being done to face, and how to protect themselves. keep children safe online. This is the first strategy of this kind produced anywhere in the world, and was With this record of success, I believe that the time is launched alongside our online version of the Green right to give CEOP a legal identity of its own. I am Cross Code: “Zip it, Block it, Flag it”. We want to see therefore announcing today that we will strengthen the digital code become as familiar as “Stop, Look, CEOP’s role in protecting children by granting it NDPB Listen.” We believe that this work, across a number of status. This will allow CEOP to respond quickly and sectors, will help children to stay safe online. effectively to emerging online threats and to take on additional work relating to the protection of children at Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State a national level. for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to educate children on best practices on Police internet usage. [306324] Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Mr. Alan Campbell [holding answer 15 December the Home Department what policy is in force in the 2009]: The Home Office and the Department for Children, Metropolitan Police in respect of facial piercing for Schools, and Families jointly chair the UK Council for police officers; and if he will make a statement. Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS). One of the recommendations of the Byron Review was that a “one [307255] stop shop” for internet safety information for children should be created. UKCCIS has agreed that the Child Mr. Hanson: This is a matter for the Commissioner of Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) Police of the Metropolis. should act as this one stop shop, building on the success Home Office Circular 54/2003 outlines guidance for of its “Think U Know” website. recruitment process checks for police officers which 1393W Written Answers16 DECEMBER 2009 Written Answers 1394W includes guidance on piercings. A copy of the circular is Academic qualifications score points only in certain available at the following address: categories of tiers one and two. The points value of the www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/publications/home-office- relevant academic qualifications are available at: circulars/circulars-2003/054-2003/620912?view=Binary www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationsforms/ Police recruitment guidance for England and Wales pbs/tier1poststudyworkguidance1.pdf police forces stipulates that candidates with facial piercings may be eligible for appointment. The nature, location, Qualification Points prominence and appearance of any facial piercing needs Qualification Attributes for tier one (general) migrants: to be considered against the overall requirements of the role and with due consideration to the health and safety Bachelor’s degree 30 of the officer and members of the public. Master’s degree 35 PhD 50 It is for force managers to consider whether the acquisition of a facial piercing by a serving officer may constitute a breach of the Code of Professional Standards Attributes for tier one (post-study work) migrants: for police officers or constitute a risk to the health and The applicant has been awarded: (mandatory) safety of the officer. Each case is considered on its (a) a UK recognised bachelor or postgraduate degree, or merits by the police force concerned. (b) a UK postgraduate certificate in education or Police: Pay Professional Graduate Diploma of Education, or (c) a Higher National Diploma (‘HND’) from a Scottish 20 institution. Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officials were eligible for (a) The applicant studied for his award at a UK institution performance bonuses and special bonuses in the that is a UK recognised or listed body, or which holds a Independent Police Complaints Commission by civil sponsor licence under tier four of the points based system, service band in each of the last three years; how many or people received each type of bonus; what the average (b) If the applicant is claiming points for having been 20 payment was for each type of bonus; and what the awarded a Higher National Diploma from a Scottish maximum payment was for each type of bonus. Institution, he studied for that diploma at a Scottish publicly funded institution of further or higher education, [306100] or a Scottish bona fide private education institution which maintains satisfactory records of enrolment and Mr. Hanson: The Home Office does not hold this attendance. information. These are matters for the IPCC and they will write directly to the hon. Member. The applicant’s periods of UK study and/or research 20 towards his eligible award were undertaken whilst he had Repatriation entry clearance, leave to enter or leave to remain in the UK that was not subject to a restriction preventing him from Dr. Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home undertaking a course of study and/or research. Department to what countries foreign nationals subject The applicant made the application for entry clearance or 15 to the Facilitated Returns Scheme have been leave to remain as a tier one (post-study work) migrant within 12 months of obtaining the relevant qualification. repatriated. [303325] The applicant is applying for leave to remain and has, or 75 was last granted, leave as a participant in the International Mr. Woolas: The UK Border Agency does not publish Graduates Scheme (or its predecessor, the Science and a breakdown by nationality of foreign nationals removed Engineering Graduates Scheme) or as a participant in the under the Facilitated Returns Scheme. Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme. The Home Office publishes information on the individuals removed or departed voluntarily from the Qualification attributes for tier two (general) migrants and UK on a quarterly and annual basis, which are available tier two (intra-company transfer) migrants: from the Library of the House and from the Home PhD or above 15 Office’s Research, Development and Statistics website Master’s or Bachelor’s degree or above 10 at: GCE A-level or equivalent or above 5 http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum- None, or below GCE A-level 0 stats.html Work Permits Written Questions: Government Responses Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which academic qualifications Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for qualify work visa applicants for additional points the Home Department when he plans to respond to under the points-based system. [305248] Question 304490, on visa requirements, tabled on 1 December 2009. [307610] Mr. Woolas: The points based system consolidates approximately 80 immigration routes into a five tier Mr. Woolas: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I system. gave on 15 December 2009, Official Report, column 1111W. 3MC Ministerial Corrections16 DECEMBER 2009 Ministerial Corrections 4MC

were incorrect. The correct information relating to the Ministerial Correction average front line pilot training hours for fast jet aircraft should have been: Wednesday 16 December 2009 Average actual front line pilot training flying hours Fast jet aircraft type FY 2005-06 FY 2006-07 DEFENCE Jaguar 225 197 Military Aircraft: Training Tornado F3 204 220 Tornado GR4 194 195 Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence Harrier 165 148 how many training hours flying time RAF fast jet Typhoon 145 185 pilots were able to undertake on average in each year Total hours 933 945 since 2004. [258877] From the information provided above the average of [Official Report, 7 July 2009, Vol. 495, c. 661-62W.] actual fast jet pilot training flying hours is 187 for FY Letter of correction from Bill Rammell: 2005-06 and 189 for FY 2006-07. An error has been identified in the written answer Changes to the flying hours reporting system mentioned given to the hon. Member for Woodspring (Dr. Fox) on above, also means that monthly data for the period 7 July 2009. The figures provided in the substantive January to March 2008 could be provided only at reply relating to average front line pilot training hours disproportionate cost.

ORAL ANSWERS

Wednesday 16 December 2009

Col. No. Col. No. NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 947 NORTHERN IRELAND—continued Dissident Republican Groups ...... 952 Weapon Decommissioning (Loyalist Older People (Security)...... 947 Paramilitaries) ...... 948 Peace Process (Ministerial Discussions) ...... 955 Police Recruitment...... 949 PRIME MINISTER ...... 956 Prison Estate...... 951 Engagements...... 956 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Wednesday 16 December 2009

Col. No. Col. No. CABINET OFFICE...... 128WS INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 139WS EU Education and Youth Council ...... 128WS Civilian Stabilisation Capacity ...... 139WS Government and Third Sector in England Ethiopia ...... 139WS (Compact)...... 128WS JUSTICE...... 140WS CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES ...... 129WS Legal Aid ...... 141WS Lamb Inquiry...... 129WS Succession and Wills (Commission Proposal) ...... 140WS TRANSPORT ...... 142WS COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 132WS Liverpool Cruise Terminal ...... 142WS Housing ...... 133WS Park Homes (Transfer of Dispute Resolution)...... 135WS TREASURY ...... 125WS Sustainable Communities Act 2007...... 136WS ECOFIN...... 125WS Sustainable Homes...... 132WS Equitable Life ...... 126WS House of Lords Select Committee on the Barnett FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 137WS Formula (Government Response) ...... 127WS Private Military and Security Companies Investment Banks...... 127WS (Standards of Conduct) ...... 137WS The Remittance Basis...... 127WS

HEALTH...... 138WS WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 142WS NHS Operating Framework...... 138WS Correction (Statement) ...... 142WS PETITIONS

Wednesday 16 December 2009

Col. No. Col. No. PRESENTED PETITIONS PRESENTED PETITIONS—continued Badman Report (Aylesbury) ...... 45P Badman Report (Leyton and Wansted)...... 53P Badman Report (Birkenhead) ...... 45P Badman Report (Maidstone and The Weald)...... 54P Badman Report (Bolton South East) ...... 46P Badman Report (Market Harborough)...... 54P Badman Report (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) .. 46P Badman Report (Mid Worcestershire) ...... 60P Badman Report (Chingford & Woodford Green)... 46P Badman Report (Perry Barr)...... 55P Badman Report (City of Chester)...... 47P Badman Report (Rugby and Kenilworth) ...... 55P Badman Report (Derbyshire)...... 47P Badman Report (Sheffield Attercliffe)...... 60P Badman Report (Dulwich and West Norwood) ..... 48P Badman Report (South West Surrey) ...... 56P Badman Report (East Yorkshire) ...... 48P Badman Report (Stockton South)...... 56P Badman Report (Edmonton) ...... 49P Badman Report (Streatham)...... 57P Badman Report (Falmouth & Camborne) ...... 49P Badman Report (Twickenham) ...... 57P Badman Report (Glasgow East) ...... 50P Badman Report (Wallasey) ...... 58P Badman Report (Hackney and Shoreditch) ...... 50P Badman Report (Wirral South)...... 58P Badman Report (Hackney North and Stoke Badman Report (Wirral West) ...... 59P Newington)...... 51P Equitable Life (Chipping Barnet)...... 59P Badman Report (Holborn and St Pancras) ...... 51P Equitable Life (Woodspring)...... 59P Badman Report (Kent) ...... 52P Badman Report (Leigh) ...... 52P COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 61P Badman Report (Lewisham, Deptford)...... 53P Waste Plant (North East Derbyshire)...... 61P WRITTEN ANSWERS

Wednesday 16 December 2009

Col. No. Col. No. BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS ...... 1345W CABINET OFFICE—continued Adult Education: Finance...... 1345W Hotels ...... 1256W Apprentices...... 1345W Ministers...... 1256W Broadband ...... 1346W National School of Government: Conferences...... 1256W Business: EU Grants and Loans ...... 1346W National School of Government: Hotels...... 1257W Business: Government Assistance ...... 1346W National School of Government: Internet ...... 1257W Capital Investment...... 1349W Voluntary Work: Religion ...... 1258W Christmas...... 1349W Competition Commission ...... 1350W CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES...... 1173W Departmental Buildings...... 1351W Children: Day Care ...... 1173W Departmental Domestic Visits ...... 1351W Co-operative Schools ...... 1174W Departmental Energy...... 1352W Departmental Correspondence ...... 1175W Departmental Freedom of Information ...... 1354W Departmental Travel ...... 1175W Departmental Internet ...... 1355W Departmental Manpower...... 1356W COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.. 1258W Departmental Training ...... 1356W Affordable Housing...... 1258W Departmental Written Questions ...... 1357W Affordable Housing: Leeds ...... 1260W Digital Broadcasting ...... 1357W Affordable Housing: Leeds and West Yorkshire ..... 1260W Fire Services: Working Hours ...... 1358W Al-Muhajiroun...... 1261W Graduates ...... 1358W Audit Commission: Procurement ...... 1261W Graduates: Work Experience ...... 1359W Christmas...... 1261W Higher Education...... 1359W Community Development...... 1262W Higher Education: Leeds...... 1360W Council Housing...... 1262W Immobilisation of Vehicles...... 1361W Council Housing: Leeds...... 1263W Internet ...... 1361W Council Housing: Property Transfer ...... 1263W Jobseeker’s Allowance: Graduates ...... 1361W Council Tax Benefits...... 1263W Lord Sugar...... 1362W Councillors ...... 1264W Money Laundering Regulations 2007 ...... 1362W Councillors: Fraud...... 1264W National Investment Corporation...... 1362W Departmental Buildings...... 1264W Overseas Students: English Language ...... 1363W Departmental Electronic Equipment ...... 1265W Postal Services Commission: Training...... 1345W Departmental Information and Communications Prisoners: Loans ...... 1363W Technology ...... 1265W Pupils: Travel ...... 1364W Departmental Pay ...... 1266W Royal Mail: Industrial Disputes ...... 1365W Departmental Procurement...... 1265W Student Loans Company ...... 1365W Departmental Responsibilities ...... 1266W Student Loans Company: Dismissals...... 1367W Departmental Training ...... 1267W Student Loans Company: Public Relations ...... 1367W Departmental Written Questions ...... 1267W Student Loans Company: Response Handling...... 1367W Disadvantaged: Employment ...... 1267W Student Loans Company: Telephone Services...... 1368W Emergency Calls ...... 1268W Students ...... 1370W English Regions Network: Finance ...... 1268W Students: Disabled ...... 1371W Fire Services...... 1268W Students: Finance ...... 1371W Fire Services: Finance ...... 1269W Students: Loans ...... 1372W Fire Services: Risk Assessment ...... 1269W Students: Radicalism...... 1375W Fire Services: Safety ...... 1270W UK Trade and Investment: Internet ...... 1375W Fire Services: Vehicles ...... 1271W Vocational Training: West Midlands ...... 1376W Fires: Safety ...... 1271W Floods...... 1272W CABINET OFFICE...... 1248W Government Office for the East of England: Central Office of Information: Hotels...... 1248W Training ...... 1272W Charities Act 2006...... 1249W Home Information Packs: Finance ...... 1272W Charities: Fraud...... 1249W Homelessness...... 1272W Charity Commission: Hotels...... 1249W Homelessness: Children in Care...... 1274W Charity Commission: Internet ...... 1250W Homelessness: Young People ...... 1274W Death: Obesity ...... 1250W Homes and Communities Agency: Assets ...... 1281W Death: Smoking ...... 1251W Homes and Communities Agency: Contracts...... 1282W Departmental Buildings...... 1252W Housing ...... 1282W Departmental Conferences...... 1253W Housing: Carbon Emissions...... 1283W Departmental Energy...... 1253W Housing: Energy ...... 1283W Departmental Freedom of Information ...... 1253W Housing: Finance...... 1283W Departmental Manpower...... 1253W Housing: Leeds ...... 1284W Departmental Responsibilities ...... 1254W Housing: Valuation ...... 1286W Departmental Training ...... 1254W Housing: Water...... 1286W Flood Control...... 1254W Infrastructure Planning Commission: Pay...... 1286W Government Communications Review...... 1254W Local Democracy, Economic Development and Government Departments: Computer Software..... 1255W Construction Act 2009...... 1287W Government Departments: Telephone Services...... 1255W Local Development Frameworks ...... 1288W Col. No. Col. No. COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT— DEFENCE—continued continued Efficiency Savings ...... 1210W Local Government ...... 1289W Electronic Warfare ...... 1210W Local Government: Compensation ...... 1291W Enhanced Learning Credit Scheme ...... 1211W Local Government: Disabled People...... 1291W Hebrides Range...... 1200W Local Government Finance ...... 1289W Hotels ...... 1211W Local Government: Pensions ...... 1291W Joint Rapid Reaction Force...... 1212W Local Government: Per Capita Costs...... 1292W Military Aircraft ...... 1212W Local Government: Reorganisation ...... 1293W Military Aircraft: Helicopters ...... 1213W Local Government Services: Fees and Charges ...... 1290W Nuclear Weapons...... 1214W Local Government: Standards ...... 1294W Project Catara ...... 1215W Local Government: Suffolk...... 1294W RAF Bases...... 1215W Mass Media ...... 1295W RAF Fairford...... 1216W Mortgages: Government Assistance...... 1295W RAF Lyneham...... 1217W Non-Domestic Rates...... 1297W RAF Welford ...... 1217W Non-Domestic Rates: Ports...... 1300W Rescue Services: Pembrokeshire ...... 1217W Non-Domestic Rates: Valuation ...... 1300W Security Companies ...... 1218W Non-Domestic Rates: York ...... 1301W Translation Services ...... 1218W North East Economic Forum...... 1301W Trident ...... 1218W Ordnance Survey...... 1301W Planning...... 1302W ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE ...... 1141W Property Development: Floods ...... 1302W Departmental Conferences...... 1141W Public Bodies: Pay...... 1302W Public Houses: Valuation ...... 1303W ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE ...... 1325W Regional Government...... 1303W Biofuels...... 1325W Regional Planning and Development...... 1304W Biofuels: Power Stations...... 1325W Repossession Orders ...... 1304W Capita ...... 1326W Shared Ownership Schemes: Yorkshire and the Carbon Emissions: Conferences...... 1331W Humber ...... 1305W Carbon Emissions: Housing...... 1331W Sheltered Housing...... 1305W Climate Change: Publicity...... 1331W Sleeping Rough and Homelessness...... 1305W Coal Authority: Information and Social Rented Housing: Finance ...... 1306W Communications Technology...... 1332W Social Rented Housing: Standards...... 1306W Departmental Advertising...... 1333W Swimming Pools: Valuation ...... 1306W Departmental Billing ...... 1333W Tenant Services Authority: Public Relations ...... 1307W Departmental Internet ...... 1333W Thames Gateway Delivery Unit: Public Departmental Travel ...... 1334W Appointments ...... 1307W Departmental Working Hours ...... 1334W Town Centres: Government Assistance ...... 1307W Energy: Disconnections ...... 1334W Energy: Meters...... 1335W CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT ...... 1170W Energy: National Policy Statements ...... 1335W AS Biss: Public Relations ...... 1170W Fuel Poverty: Pensioners ...... 1336W Chief Information Officer...... 1170W Gas Fired Power Stations: Carbon Emissions ...... 1336W Departmental Billing ...... 1170W Geothermal Power ...... 1337W Gambling Commission: Standards ...... 1171W Hotels ...... 1337W Horserace Totalisator Board ...... 1171W Immobilisation of Vehicles...... 1337W Public Expenditure...... 1172W Industrial Diseases: Compensation ...... 1337W Sports: Leeds ...... 1172W Members: Correspondence ...... 1338W Sports: Obesity...... 1172W Ofgem: Training...... 1338W Television: Licensing ...... 1173W Tidal Power...... 1338W Tidal Power: River Severn...... 1339W DEFENCE...... 1200W United Nations Framework Convention on Afghanistan: Armed Forces ...... 1201W Climate Change ...... 1340W Afghanistan: Census ...... 1202W Utilities ...... 1340W Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations ...... 1202W Warm Front Scheme: Derbyshire...... 1340W Armed Forces: Mental Health Services...... 1204W Waste Management...... 1341W Armed Forces: Training ...... 1204W Wind Power ...... 1341W Armed Services: Helicopters ...... 1205W Wind Power: Offshore Structures...... 1341W Cadets...... 1205W Caparo Group...... 1206W ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL Civil Servants: Compensation ...... 1206W AFFAIRS...... 1142W Defence: Procurement...... 1207W Environmental Protection Flood Risk Regulations Departmental Conferences...... 1207W 2009 ...... 1142W Departmental Electronic Equipment ...... 1207W Fishing Catches...... 1142W Departmental Finance ...... 1207W Floods: Property Development ...... 1142W Departmental Information and Communications Metals: Waste Disposal...... 1143W Technology ...... 1208W Rights of Way...... 1143W Departmental Official Cars...... 1208W Seas and Oceans: Pollution ...... 1143W Departmental Publications ...... 1208W Whales: Conservation ...... 1145W Departmental Sick Leave ...... 1209W Departmental Standards...... 1209W FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE..... 1221W Departmental Training ...... 1209W Afghanistan ...... 1221W Col. No. Col. No. FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE— HOME DEPARTMENT—continued continued Departmental Rail Travel...... 1389W Angad Paul ...... 1222W Departmental Training ...... 1389W Anti-Semitism...... 1222W Detention Centres...... 1390W Departmental Buildings...... 1223W Foreign Workers...... 1390W Departmental Contracts ...... 1223W Hacking ...... 1391W Departmental Freedom of Information ...... 1224W Internet: Children ...... 1391W Departmental Manpower...... 1224W Police ...... 1392W Departmental Official Gifts ...... 1225W Police: Pay...... 1393W Departmental Training ...... 1225W Repatriation...... 1393W Departmental Travel ...... 1225W Work Permits ...... 1393W Hezbollah ...... 1226W Written Questions: Government Responses ...... 1394W Libya...... 1226W Members: Correspondence ...... 1226W INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT...... 1342W Middle East: Armed Conflict...... 1227W Departmental Manpower...... 1342W Morocco ...... 1229W Departmental Pay ...... 1342W Origin Marking: Morocco...... 1229W Departmental Training ...... 1343W Palestinians ...... 1230W Palestinians: Overseas Aid ...... 1343W Palestinians: International Assistance ...... 1230W Peacekeeping Operations ...... 1230W JUSTICE...... 1239W Russia: Detainees ...... 1231W Cemeteries: Islam...... 1239W Security Companies ...... 1231W Convictions: Young People ...... 1239W Sudan: War Crimes ...... 1232W Crime...... 1240W Travel Information ...... 1232W Data Protection...... 1240W Uganda: Armed Conflict ...... 1232W Departmental Manpower...... 1241W Jersey: EC law ...... 1241W HEALTH...... 1308W Judges: Sentencing ...... 1241W Accident and Emergency Departments: Greater Legal Services Commission: Public Relations ...... 1242W London...... 1308W Police Cautions and Convictions...... 1242W Ambulance Services: Crimes of Violence ...... 1308W Police: Sentencing ...... 1245W Ambulance Services: Standards ...... 1309W Prisons: Television ...... 1245W Autism ...... 1309W Public Contracts Regulations 2006...... 1246W Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Reoffenders...... 1246W Trust ...... 1310W Young Offender Institutions: Social Workers ...... 1248W Cancer: Health Services ...... 1310W Youth Offending Teams: Finance...... 1248W Cancer: Leeds ...... 1311W Cannabis: Misuse...... 1311W NORTHERN IRELAND ...... 1233W Care Homes: Fees and Charges...... 1312W Christmas...... 1234W Departmental Art Works ...... 1312W Departmental Conferences...... 1235W Departmental Manpower...... 1313W Departmental Electronic Equipment ...... 1236W Departmental Public Relations ...... 1313W Departmental Sick Leave ...... 1237W Departmental Training ...... 1314W Departmental Taxis ...... 1237W Dietetics: Training...... 1315W Devolution: Criminal Justice and Policing ...... 1233W Dieticians: Vacancies...... 1316W Dissident Republicans...... 1234W Food Standards Agency: Conferences...... 1317W Hotels ...... 1238W Health Education: Internet ...... 1317W Human Rights Commission: Public Relations ...... 1238W Hospital Beds: Greater London ...... 1317W Irish Government Commission: Child Abuse...... 1234W Hospital Wards: Leeds ...... 1317W People Trafficking ...... 1234W Kidney Dialysis: Yorkshire and the Humber...... 1318W Police Intelligence Gathering ...... 1233W Leeds...... 1318W Presbyterian Mutual Society ...... 1233W Mentally Ill: Homicide...... 1318W Terrorism ...... 1239W NHS Connecting for Health: Consultants ...... 1319W Written Questions: Government Responses ...... 1239W NHS: Essex...... 1319W NHS: Information and Communications Technology ...... 1319W OLYMPICS ...... 1219W NHS: Ministers of Religion ...... 1320W Departmental Conferences...... 1219W Pharmacy: Health Services...... 1321W Olympic Games 2012: Culture ...... 1219W Social Services...... 1321W Olympic Games 2012: Security ...... 1220W Swine Flu: Vaccination ...... 1324W Olympic Games 2012: West Midlands...... 1221W Written Questions: Government Responses ...... 1324W PRIME MINISTER...... 1139W Cabinet: Meetings ...... 1139W HOME DEPARTMENT...... 1385W Central Ayrshire: Visit...... 1139W Animal Experiments: Licensing ...... 1385W Written Questions: Government Responses ...... 1139W Animal Experiments: Wales ...... 1385W Assaults On Police ...... 1386W Asylum ...... 1386W SCOTLAND...... 1175W Asylum: Yorkshire and the Humber...... 1387W Departmental Internet ...... 1175W Databases: EC Law...... 1387W Departmental Art Works ...... 1388W SOLICITOR-GENERAL...... 1176W Departmental Legal Costs ...... 1388W Crown Prosecution Service...... 1176W Departmental Procurement...... 1389W Serious Fraud Office: Conferences ...... 1199W Col. No. Col. No. TRANSPORT ...... 1154W TREASURY—continued AP Braking ...... 1154W Economic Situation...... 1379W Aviation: Carbon Emissions...... 1154W Equitable Life Ex-gratia Payment Scheme Review . 1380W Biofuels: Imports ...... 1155W Excise Duties: Motor Vehicles...... 1380W Bus Services: Fares...... 1155W Housing: Energy ...... 1380W Bus Services: Yorkshire ...... 1156W Income Tax: Pensioners ...... 1381W Cars: Carbon Emissions...... 1159W Non-Domestic Rates: Garages and Petrol Chief Executives: Pay...... 1159W Stations...... 1381W Dartford Crossing: Fees and Charges...... 1159W Public Service Agreements ...... 1381W Departmental Computers ...... 1160W Tax Allowances: Freight...... 1382W Departmental Conferences...... 1160W Tax Enquiry Centres ...... 1382W Departmental Publicity...... 1161W Taxation: Domicile ...... 1382W Departmental Training ...... 1161W Taxation: Holiday Accommodation...... 1383W Departmental Written Questions ...... 1161W VAT: Gaming Machines...... 1383W Driving: Research ...... 1162W Welfare Tax Credits: Leeds...... 1383W Ferries: Safety ...... 1162W Welfare Tax Credits: York...... 1384W Heathrow Airport ...... 1162W WALES...... 1140W Heathrow Airport: Air Traffic...... 1162W Departmental Billing ...... 1140W Humber Bridge: Tolls...... 1163W Departmental Conferences...... 1140W Humberside Road Safety Partnership ...... 1163W Departmental Legislation ...... 1140W Lorries ...... 1164W Departmental Pay ...... 1140W Lorries: Accidents...... 1164W Departmental Written Questions ...... 1141W Lorries: Safety...... 1164W Motor Vehicles: Sales...... 1165W WOMEN AND EQUALITY ...... 1233W Railways: Fares ...... 1165W Departmental Legislation ...... 1233W Roads: Accidents ...... 1165W WORK AND PENSIONS ...... 1145W Roads: Carbon Emissions ...... 1167W Capita ...... 1145W Roads: Freight ...... 1167W Conditions of Employment...... 1146W Scientists ...... 1168W Crime...... 1146W Severn Bridge: Tolls ...... 1168W Departmental Data Protection...... 1146W Transport: Autism...... 1168W Departmental Internet ...... 1147W Transport: Carbon Emissions ...... 1169W Departmental Legal Costs ...... 1147W Waterloo Station ...... 1170W Departmental Lost Property ...... 1148W Departmental Pay ...... 1148W TREASURY ...... 1376W Departmental Recruitment ...... 1148W Banks: Finance ...... 1376W Departmental Telephone Services ...... 1148W Civil Service: Location ...... 1377W Employment and Support Allowance ...... 1149W Climate Change Levy: Agriculture...... 1377W Employment and Support Allowance: Medical Companies: Crown Dependencies and British Examinations...... 1149W Overseas Territories ...... 1377W New Deal Schemes...... 1150W Council Tax: Valuation ...... 1378W Scientists ...... 1150W Crown Estate Commissioners: Conferences ...... 1378W Unemployment Benefits...... 1150W Crown Estate Commissioners: Hotels ...... 1379W Unemployment: Essex...... 1150W Departmental Energy...... 1379W Vacancies ...... 1153W Dubai Ports World...... 1379W Vocational Training...... 1153W MINISTERIAL CORRECTION

Wednesday 16 December 2009

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not later than Wednesday 23 December 2009

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CONTENTS

Wednesday 16 December 2009 Oral Answers to Questions [Col. 947] [see index inside back page] Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Prime Minister Nimrod Review [Col. 967] Statement—(Mr. Bob Ainsworth) Mortgage Repossessions (Protection of Tenants Etc.) [Col. 978] Local Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny) [Col. 978] Debt Relief (Developing Countries) [Col. 978] Grocery Market Ombudsman [Col. 978] Sunbeds (Regulation) [Col. 978] Anti-slavery Day [Col. 979] Sustainable Communities Act 2007 (Amendment) [Col. 979] Warsaw Convention (Carrier Liability) [Col. 979] Safety and Conservation (Byelaws) [Col. 979] Lisbon Treaty (Referendum) [Col. 979] National Health Service Public Interest Disclosure Support [Col. 980] Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (Amendment) [Col. 980] Care Homes and Sheltered Accommodation (Domestic Pets) [Col. 980] European Union Membership (Referendum) [Col. 980] Development on Flood Plains (Environment Agency Powers) [Col. 980] Local Government (Infrastructure Requirement Plans) [Col. 981] Marine Accident Investigation Branch (Reports) [Col. 981] School Transport [Col. 981] Bills presented, and read the First time Christmas Adjournment [Col. 983] Debate on motion for Adjournment Petitions [Col. 1068] Birmingham City Council (Financial Reporting) [Col. 1072] Debate on motion for Adjournment Westminster Hall Child Suport Agency [Col. 247WH] GP Practice Boundaries [Col. 268WH] Age Discrimination (Health Care) [Col. 277WH] Teesside Steel Industry [Col. 300WH] Neuroblastoma (Monoclonal Antibody Therapy) [Col. 308WH] Debates on motion for Adjournment Written Ministerial Statements [Col. 125WS] Petitions [Col. 45P] Observations Written Answers to Questions [Col. 1139W] [see index inside back page] Ministerial Corrections [Col. 3MC]